Naruto found Komamura Sajin and shared his thoughts.
"Captain Naruto, you want to fight me?" Komamura was surprised.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah."
"Why?"
He tilted his head in confusion.
Naruto gave a sheepish grin. "I'm not someone who's good with words. I can't speak as eloquently as the other captains."
"I'm still young. The things I say don't carry the same weight."
"I can't convince you with words."
"But…"
"There's something Vice-Captain Iba taught me recently."
"And that is—to trust the people close to you."
At this, Naruto tilted his head and examined the person sitting across from him. "Sajin, you're clearly a great squad member and a responsible seated officer."
"Many people in the squad respect you."
"But when it comes to this one thing, you're too reserved."
Komamura remained silent.
That "respect" and "admiration" were plain to see.
He merely used a helmet to hide his appearance, not his heart.
However…
He believed that this respect was based on him still having a "human appearance" in their eyes.
If he revealed his "beast face," the outcome would likely be different.
"But if I were to question you—why don't you trust them—it would be unfair to you," Naruto continued. "Taking off the things that protect us isn't easy."
"But I believe in you."
"And I believe in my squad members."
"So… if you're unwilling to take off that helmet yourself, then let me be the one to shatter it."
"I believe they won't reject Komamura Sajin the Third Seat, who has already proven himself to be reliable and strong, just because of his appearance."
"And no matter the outcome of this fight, as your captain, I will support whatever choice you make."
"We must witness with our own eyes to confirm what lies in our hearts."
Komamura was silent.
After a long pause, he nodded. "Captain Naruto, then I accept."
Two fighters with captain-level spiritual pressure dueling within the Seireitei was no small matter.
Especially with Naruto's request—
Permission to allow use of Bankai — though Naruto hadn't learned his yet, Komamura had already mastered his.
That made things more complicated.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto gladly approved.
Central 46 was hesitant, but under the Captain-Commander's pressure, they reluctantly agreed—on the condition that at least three other captains be present for safety.
Word of the "duel" spread quickly.
Inside Squad Seven barracks—
"Captain Naruto is going to duel Third Seat Komamura?" one squad member asked in disbelief.
"I heard Komamura has the strength to be a captain," someone explained. "But he doesn't seem willing."
"If I had the ability to be captain, I would've applied already."
"It's because of that, right?"
Though Komamura always kept himself covered, he was still active within the squad. A secret, even well-guarded, is hard to keep when exposed to constant attention.
Most lower-ranked members simply thought he had an eccentric style.
But…
The seated officers had their suspicions.
News of the duel didn't just stir Squad Seven—it spread like wildfire across the Seireitei.
In particular, Squads Three and Nine paid close attention.
They still didn't have new captains.
If this "Third Seat Komamura Sajin" could be persuaded, he might be chosen to lead one of those squads.
Naturally, they wanted a preview of this potential future captain.
On the day of the duel—
Inside Squad Seven's training grounds.
There weren't many spectators.
"I thought Naruto would let more people in," Shiba Isshin sat cross-legged, casually observing the crowd. "Didn't expect it would only be seated officers."
Naruto had issued strict orders.
Squad Seven was under lockdown.
Only seated officers from other squads could enter after registering on the guest list.
Even Squad Seven's own members had to comply.
"Such a gentle person," Unohana Retsu whispered with a shake of her head.
"If too many people came, it might feel like forcing Komamura to accept the captain role," Kyoraku Shunsui said, pulling a sake bottle from his robe and exchanging a glance with Shiba.
He nodded knowingly and accepted a cup. "Still, what's Komamura's deal?"
"He seems like a real handful."
Unohana and Kyoraku shook their heads, offering no further details.
"Just watch," Kyoraku said softly.
The three of them had been invited by Naruto to attend the duel—as support, just in case.
On the training ground—
Naruto and Komamura stepped forward.
"Captain Naruto," Komamura said quietly, "I have great respect for you."
"But I am strong!"
"Before joining the Gotei 13 and serving the Captain-Commander, I had wandered the Soul Society for decades."
"And unlike Captain Naruto, I have already mastered my Bankai."
With that, his spiritual pressure erupted from within.
The watching seated officers' expressions changed.
Such pressure—
Naruto's expression remained calm. "Then do your best to stop me."
He shunpoed forward in a flash.
A golden arc sliced through the air—
Blade aimed directly at the head.
Clang!
Komamura blocked with his sword, twisted his wrist, and counter-thrust.
At the same time, he chanted the release phrase—
"Roar, Tenken!"
His spiritual pressure boiled.
A massive armored hand, larger than himself, materialized behind him, gripping an enormous Zanpakutō.
With thunderous roars, it cast a shadow over everything.
Simple. Heavy. Fierce!
Naruto clapped his hands together. Golden chains burst from his back, binding the giant hand midair, trapping it in place.
Komamura raised his other hand.
Spiritual pressure surged as he prepared another strike.
Whoosh whoosh—
Golden chains whipped forward, binding that hand too.
Like slithering snakes, they coiled around him, tying him up tight.
Naruto looked up at Komamura's helmeted face. "This isn't enough to stop me."
"Sajin, I may not have mastered Bankai…"
"But I'm still a captain."
Chains danced toward his helmet, aiming to shatter it.
Among the watching captains—
Shiba Isshin stared with his sake cup in hand. "Is this the same technique Naruto used to subdue those Hollowfied captains the other day?"
"Amazing."
Unohana smiled gently. "Naruto has grown again."
"But this Komamura is also full of surprises."
Everyone had known he had captain-level ability.
But… they had still underestimated him.
Komamura's spiritual rank was "Third Class."
But among Third Class, he stood out.
Perhaps in a few decades, he could reach "Second Class."
His talent was exceptional.
No wonder the Captain-Commander valued him so highly.
"If I didn't release my Zanpakutō, I'd be at a disadvantage too," Kyoraku said quietly. "But… Naruto hasn't released his either."
"I heard his second blade enhances Kido."
As they spoke—
The golden chains neared the helmet.
Komamura lowered his voice. "Captain Naruto!"
"This is not my limit."
He gripped his sword tightly.
Spiritual pressure surged like a volcanic eruption.
"Bankai!"
"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"
(End of Chapter)