Emotions are invisible and intangible, yet they can be clearly felt.
Especially for those who have long been subjected to negative judgment.
They are particularly sensitive.
Komamura Sajin could sense something emanating from Naruto—something called sincerity.
"Thank you for your concern, Captain Uzumaki," he spoke slowly. "But there is indeed a reason I cannot serve as a captain."
"I—"
As he spoke, he raised his hands and lifted his helmet.
Short fur shook out.
Revealed beneath it was the head of a dog.
The upper part was a reddish-brown color, while the lower half—from the nose down to the chest—was covered in white fur.
"An Akita?" Naruto stared in surprise.
Komamura Sajin took a deep breath and continued: "Captain Uzumaki, as you can see, I am not of human form."
"Such an appearance is not fit to be shown in public."
"Therefore, I am not suitable to serve as a captain."
"Why are you like this?" Naruto suddenly asked.
Komamura paused.
Naruto gestured quickly: "I don't mean anything by it. It's just that this is the first time I've seen someone like you in the Soul Society."
"Is there some special reason?"
Komamura nodded. "Captain Uzumaki, you're a soul who passed away in the human world and was given a Soul Burial, yes?"
Naruto answered, "Something like that."
"How fortunate. That means you probably don't understand," Komamura said with emotion. "I was born in the Soul Society, from a clan of wolfmen."
"Our clan…"
"We were humans who committed great sins in life. Although we were lucky enough not to fall into Hollowness, after receiving Soul Burial, we fell into the Beast Path and thus came to have this beastly appearance."
Naruto felt a heavy weight in his heart.
So that's the reason…
He had thought it was a curse or the result of some technique.
"That's why…" Komamura picked up his helmet and slowly placed it back on, "I've been looked down on and discriminated against. It was only thanks to Head Captain Yamamoto, who didn't shun me because of my appearance and chose to nurture me."
The helmet fully covered his head once more, and his voice turned muffled again.
"To be able to serve the Head Captain…"
"I am content."
"I dare not ask for more. With this appearance, to show my face would only bring more trouble to the Head Captain and the Seireitei."
He respectfully bowed and took his leave. "Forgive me, Captain Uzumaki."
Naruto stared at the quietly retreating back.
He was a little dazed.
He hadn't expected that kind of reason.
At this moment, he could truly feel Komamura Sajin's emotions.
He himself had once felt similarly.
But Komamura's situation was far worse than his own.
After all, he only bore a bad reputation.
Whereas Komamura literally carried the stigma of being a "dog demon" on his head.
Not to mention that origin—"falling into the Beast Path."
As Naruto reflected, the man at the doorway suddenly turned back. "By the way, Captain Uzumaki."
"There's something I must correct."
Naruto replied with an "Ah?"
Komamura spoke solemnly: "I am a wolf."
"Not an Akita."
Although he had long suffered discrimination for his appearance…
Species—was a serious matter.
He did not consider wolves and dogs to be the same.
Naruto scratched his head.
The Head Captain had really dumped a tough problem on him—he had to help this guy.
After becoming a captain, Naruto's days were completely different from when he had merely been a third seat in Squad Thirteen.
Even though Squad Seven's main duty was simply "defending the inner court"...
There were still many matters to handle every day.
Within just a week of taking office, Naruto had become very popular among Squad Seven.
The Shadow Clone Technique was very useful in ninja combat.
But in Shinigami combat, the technique was nearly useless, and could even be detrimental.
Shinigami battles are all about spiritual pressure.
Whether it's a sword or Kido, you need strong spiritual pressure to be effective.
And the Shadow Clone Technique—
Divides the user's spiritual pressure.
No matter how many clones you make, if each one's spiritual pressure is weak, they can't harm someone with stronger pressure.
However, for handling administrative affairs, the technique was extraordinarily useful.
Each clone is a relatively independent entity.
When they disappear, their memories return to the original.
This allowed Naruto to approve paperwork at the barracks while also appearing at other squad barracks or various districts of Seireitei.
He was hands-on with nearly everything.
No matter how small the task, he was always happy to lend a hand.
This life was a bit exhausting.
But Naruto quite enjoyed it.
He occasionally talked with Komamura Sajin, but the wolf-headed man, who referred to himself as "this old man," had a very rigid personality. Trying to persuade him with mere words was difficult.
And so, six months passed just like that.
Naruto had already adapted to his new identity.
One day—
"Captain Naruto." Vice Captain Kojaku pushed open the door and entered the barracks.
His face was serious.
"Did something happen?" Naruto raised his hand, instinctively ready to create a new clone.
Kojaku shook his head. "No. I just wanted to invite you out for drinks tonight. Will the Captain have time?"
"Me?" Naruto blinked.
Kojaku nodded.
"Then let's make it tonight," Naruto replied with a smile. "See you then."
He didn't lower his hand and instead formed two more clones.
Since he was going out to socialize…
He had to finish today's paperwork quickly.
Kojaku looked at Naruto deeply, sighed, and quietly closed the door behind him.
That evening—
Seireitei's commercial district, inside a tavern.
This wasn't Naruto's first time in a place like this.
Back in Konoha, while searching for Jiraiya, he and Karin had often gone into similar spots.
But taverns in Seireitei were quite different in style from those in Konoha.
This place was quieter.
It lacked that indulgent "wine and revelry" atmosphere.
"Captain Uzumaki, over here." Kojaku stood up and waved.
Naruto walked over.
To his surprise, there were quite a few people gathered at the table.
There was his own vice captain, Kojaku.
Also Kyōraku Shunsui and Squad Ten's captain Shiba Isshin.
And a red-haired female Shinigami, with a rather bold neckline.
"Naruto, long time no see." Kyōraku greeted him.
Naruto nodded with a hint of apology. "I've been quite busy with squad affairs and haven't had time to visit you, Captain Shunsui."
"Don't make me sound like a lonely old man," Kyōraku said lazily, tapping his cup on the table. "Still, I'm surprised you accepted Kojaku's invitation."
Shiba Isshin scratched his head and laughed. "Captain Naruto's finally learning to relax?"
"Then I won't get scolded by Kaien for coming here."
Naruto smiled and took a seat, somewhat stiffly lifting a cup of sake.
"Captain Naruto, I'm Matsumoto Rangiku, Fifth Seat of Squad Ten. You can just call me Rangiku." The red-haired woman greeted him cheerfully. "Is this your first time in a tavern?"
Naruto shook his head. "Not the first time, but my first time as a customer."
"In that case, you should learn from Captain Shunsui," Rangiku said, wrapping an arm around him and raising her cup to drink. "Don't always stay cooped up in the barracks."
"Come out and relax with everyone once in a while."
"Kojaku's complained more than once that you work too hard, leaving the rest of us with nothing to do."
Kyōraku Shunsui smiled as he poured Naruto a lighter drink. "Don't be so tense, Naruto."
"Being hands-on is good."
"The old man definitely loves captains like you."
"But if you're too responsible, you might end up distancing yourself from your squad."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Kojaku.
(End of Chapter)