Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

This was someone who shouldn't have been here.

Even if Ichigo Kurosaki had entered the Soul Society, he shouldn't have made it to the Soul King's Palace. Without permission from the Zero Division or guidance from the Shiba Clan, no ordinary Shinigami, not even someone as powerful as Yamamoto, could approach this place—let alone Ichigo, whose strength was still far from fully realized.

The only one unsurprised by this was the monk, who showed a satisfied expression. He clapped his hands sharply, speaking eagerly, "So, Ichigo Kurosaki has finally arrived?"

"Was this your doing?" Naruto immediately turned, his cold eyes locking onto the monk.

The monk tilted his head, unapologetic. "He was bound to come."

"That's what Reio-sama said."

Naruto's expression darkened, his thoughts racing back to the message the Soul King had left him inside the palace: 'When the time comes, kill me.'

Whether the Soul King lived or died didn't change the fact that the balance of the Three Worlds required a "throne." If the Soul King no longer wanted to be that throne, and now the only other person capable of assuming that role had been called here…

"Is this about the throne?" Naruto asked.

The monk turned to look into the depths of the dark palace, where the amber-encased figure was barely visible. "I don't know what you and the Soul King discussed."

"But Ichigo Kurosaki being in the Soul King's Palace is the most dangerous thing that could happen."

He continued, "Naruto Uzumaki, you are a good man, but Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto's assessment of you is correct."

"You are too sentimental."

Naruto's hand moved to the hilt of his sword. "It's easy for you to say such meaningless things since he means nothing to you."

"But that's not the case for me."

The monk shook his head, noticing Naruto's hand on his sword but showing no reaction. He merely continued calmly, "Aren't you going to see Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Naruto nodded and followed the monk.

At the entrance platform, an orange-haired figure peeked out, crawling from behind one of the massive pillars.

"So, this is the inside of the Soul King's Palace?" Ichigo whispered in awe.

...

In the Seireitei – 11th Division Barracks

The battle had inevitably spread here as well.

Kenpachi Zaraki, with his sword raised, stared excitedly at the man standing before him. "You're tough. I've hit you so many times, and you're still not injured."

"Your attacks cannot hurt me," the man said, casually flicking away a thin metallic membrane that had been covering his body. "Kenpachi Zaraki, one of the special war powers."

"I know everything about you."

"No Zanpakutō release, no Kido, just swordsmanship…"

"Among the Sternritter, I am the one who counters you the most."

The black-haired man paused before introducing himself. "I am Cang Du of the Sternritter, bearer of the Schrift 'I.'"

"'I' for Iron."

Kenpachi seemed unimpressed, shaking his head and lifting his jagged sword. "There's nothing I can't cut through."

"Even iron…"

"I just have to break it."

His face twisted with frustration. "Do you know what I've been through lately?"

"The pain, the endless frustration."

"Every day, I get to fight against the person I admire the most."

"But every day, before we can finish, some hateful, ugly, powerful old man steps in and ruins our fight."

"I'm glad I met you."

"I can take out all the frustration I've been holding in."

Without hesitation, he swung his sword down again.

But, just as Cang Du had said, he was the one who countered Kenpachi the most. The power of 'The Iron' didn't grant him exceptional offensive abilities, but his defense, especially against physical attacks, was unrivaled.

Spiritual energy trembled.

'Snake Claw.'

Blue spiritual energy pulsed from Cang Du's hands, forming sharp, metallic claws. The energy surrounding them flickered like flames.

He slashed out, and Kenpachi took the hit.

In typical fashion, Kenpachi's attack landed on Cang Du's shoulder, but it didn't cut through. Instead, it was once again blocked by the rough, iron-like membrane that protected him.

"If you keep up these futile attacks, you'll die," Cang Du said coldly. "I haven't even used my Vollständig yet."

"You're supposed to be one of His Majesty's special war powers..."

"A captain like you, and you can't even use Shikai?"

Kenpachi grinned.

From the sidelines, Yachiru Kusajishi watched with concern, calling out, "Ken-chan, you've learned Shikai by now. You should use it."

The members of the 11th Division, watching from the edges of the battlefield, were just as expectant. They had heard rumors that their captain had undergone intense, secret training recently—training so grueling that it required several captains to assist.

Surely, after such training…

Kenpachi should have evolved.

But judging by the way he was fighting, it seemed as though he had only honed his swordsmanship. He was definitely stronger, but this wasn't the transformation they had expected. At the very least, where was his Shikai?

Cang Du and Yachiru had a point. Where was his Shikai?

Kenpachi extended his hand toward Yachiru. "What, do you think I'm an idiot?"

"I might not like thinking too much, but that doesn't mean I can't see what's going on."

"Yachiru, you're just like Kurama, aren't you?"

The ordinary squad members of the 11th Division blinked, confused, whispering among themselves.

Ikkaku Madarame scratched his head and mumbled, "Vice-Captain Yachiru and Vice-Captain Kurama... are the same... thing?"

"What kind of weird comparison is that?"

One is an adorable little girl, and the other is a fox who'd slice you in half at the slightest provocation. How are they the same?

"Idiot," Yumichika Ayasegawa scolded, his expression serious. "Do you not remember what Vice-Captain Kurama is to Captain Uzumaki?"

"His Zanpakutō," Ikkaku replied immediately.

For most Shinigami, that would have been obscure information, but for higher-ranking officers like them, it wasn't exactly a secret.

Realizing this, Ikkaku turned his gaze toward Yachiru in disbelief.

Kenpachi continued, confirming what everyone was starting to suspect, "You're my Zanpakutō, aren't you?"

"I…"

"I never heard your voice before, so you took on another form and stayed by my side."

Yachiru tilted her head. "So, Ken-chan's not an idiot after all."

"I'm the captain of the 11th Division," Kenpachi grinned. "There's no way I'm an idiot."

He stood upright again, his gaze returning to Cang Du.

Cang Du remained patient. He respected his opponent…

Or rather, he was confident in his own abilities. No matter what Kenpachi was preparing or planning, he believed he would crush him in the end.

That's just how the Sternritter operated, with unwavering faith in their own strength.

Kenpachi's voice continued as he spoke without hesitation. "I've heard your name."

"I know what this sword is called."

"But…"

"You're still different from Kurama."

"Kurama told me once that he's sealed inside Naruto's body, but he's always been his own independent entity."

"But you…"

"When I say that name, you won't be Yachiru Kusajishi anymore, will you?"

Yachiru didn't answer. She didn't need to.

Her silence was all the confirmation Kenpachi needed.

"Compared to my Zanpakutō, I prefer Yachiru Kusajishi," Kenpachi said, raising his sword once again. "My vice-captain, Yachiru Kusajishi."

"Not just some Zanpakutō."

Yachiru used Shunpo, appearing beside him and taking his hand. "Is that so, Ken-chan?"

"I'm happy to hear that."

"But a little sad, too."

Kenpachi grinned, but his smile remained as fierce and intimidating as ever—features twisted in a way that was still frightening to most.

Yet to Yachiru, it was an expression of pure affection.

"Don't be sad. I just won't call out that name." His voice was calm, unashamed. "It might be awkward, but I'll still need your help right now."

"Let's take that guy down together."

Yachiru obediently nodded, drawing her sword. "No problem, Ken-chan."

"I'm strong, too."

She winked and smiled.

Cang Du scoffed, unimpressed. "I thought all this talk would lead to some grand transformation."

"But it's just a little girl."

"A little shrimp like her won't make any difference."

He pointed toward the 11th Division's soldiers nearby.

"You'd be better off calling that bald guy or the pretty boy over there. At least they look like they know what they're doing."

Ikkaku Madarame was unfazed by the insult, having endured many jokes about his baldness over the years.

But Yumichika Ayasegawa wasn't so composed. He glared, pointing back. "I'm not 'pretty,' I'm 'beautiful'!"

"Who are you calling a pretty boy?"

"You can't see the overwhelming masculinity radiating from me?"

"Damn it, Captain, Vice-Captain, beat this guy up!"

Fortunately, he had the good sense not to draw his sword and interfere, knowing this was a battle for Kenpachi and Yachiru alone.

"I'm really strong," Yachiru said cheerfully as she drew her sword. It wasn't an especially elegant weapon, nor did it radiate overwhelming power.

But it was undeniably the cutest sword of all the Shinigami.

The hilt was bright pink, and the guard was shaped like a flower.

Holding such a weapon while making such bold claims didn't exactly inspire confidence.

Kenpachi launched himself at Cang Du, his sword cutting through the air. "No more talking."

"Let's go."

His attack slammed down.

Once again, Cang Du responded in the same way he had before, his spiritual energy surging as his body became encased in iron.

He easily blocked Kenpachi's blow.

A slight tremor ran through the ground, and most of the attack's force was absorbed by the iron defenses. However, Cang Du still felt the impact and took a step back.

His eyes flicked to the side.

Yachiru's attack was already on its way.

Just like Kenpachi's, her strike was direct and forceful.

Cang Du felt no need to adjust his stance. He maintained his defenses, confident that his iron skin would block the attack.

But then he felt pain.

Blood sprayed, splattering across his face.

His eyes widened in shock.

Blood, from an injury.

Yet he had clearly blocked their attacks. How was he hurt?

He looked down at his chest.

There it was—a narrow, deep cut.

A cut that could only have been made by a direct hit.

But Kenpachi hadn't demonstrated such power before.

So, this must be…

The little girl's doing?

Her Zanpakutō?

"You've figured it out," Yachiru said sweetly, her voice reaching his ears. "My attacks are different from Ken-chan's."

"What will you do now?"

"Will you choose to be cut by Ken-chan…"

"Or by me?"

She said the coldest, most merciless words with the cutest voice.

Cang Du clenched his fists, his triangular eyes filled with anger. "This is the first time someone has ever broken through my defense."

"But…"

"My power is more than just this."

His spiritual energy surged.

His Vollständig activated.

His wings, unlike the others', were made of jagged iron, sharp and angular like the rest of his iron-clad body.

"I've cut down all kinds of enemies," Kenpachi grinned, his excitement growing. "But one with wings is a first."

"Kusajishi, are you ready?"

"This will be the first time we take down an enemy together."

Yachiru smiled, nodding. "I'm ready, Ken-chan."

She paused for a moment, then corrected him with a serious expression. "Also, call me Yachiru, not Kusajishi. It sounds nicer."

"Got it, Yachiru," Kenpachi said firmly.

That name…

Held a special meaning for him.

The one person he had admired most, the person he dreamed of fighting, had once borne the name "Yachiru." She had since changed her name to "Retsu."

And the one person most important to him, his Zanpakutō, now went by the name Yachiru.

One person and one sword, both attacking the iron figure in the air.

...

In the Abandoned 1st Division Barracks

"Your Majesty, Ichigo Kurosaki has arrived in the Soul Society," Barro reported softly.

Hearing this, Uryū Ishida couldn't help but lift his head, though he kept his face neutral, careful not to reveal any emotion.

'That guy... He came after all.'

Of course, he had known this would happen. But there was nothing he could do to stop it. This was a strategy that played directly into Ichigo's nature. As long as Uryū appeared before him as a member of the Wandenreich, no matter what Uryū said, Ichigo would inevitably come to the Soul Society.

"He's gone to the Soul King's Palace," Yhwach said with a slight smile. "That means everything is moving quickly."

"Let us patiently wait a little longer."

He looked up, gazing through a broken wall toward the clouds high above.

"As for now... even though they've realized it, they've already used all their strength just to deal with the vanguard."

"It's time to move to the next phase. I no longer wish to see these buildings."

Barro responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

At his words, the ritual quietly activated.

The seemingly untouched Sekkiseki barrier around the Seireitei began to sprout a small shadow. At first, it was just a tiny black dot on the transparent barrier, but it grew rapidly, expanding exponentially.

By the time someone from the 12th Division noticed the large black shadow, it was spreading at an irreversible pace.

"Captain! Within the Technological Development Bureau," a squad member reported, "the Sekkiseki barrier is being breached."

"The source of power is unknown, but it's suspected to be... a Quincy."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi scoffed, shaking his head. "Suspected? Of course, it's the Quincy."

"Damn those fools... so they were hiding this trick. I was wondering why their vanguard was so small compared to the last invasion. But do they really think such a clumsy method can take over the Seireitei? How naive, to think I wouldn't have prepared for this."

He paused, turning to his squad members and issuing orders: "Initiate Protocol 127."

"Yes!" the squad members responded. Though nervous, they efficiently passed down the command.

Through the use of his Clone technique, Mayuri had been conducting thousands of experiments simultaneously. In the past few days, he wasn't only studying the Quincy's powers; he was also anticipating what the Quincy might try to do to the Seireitei.

The Quincy had already demonstrated their ability to steal Bankai. So, was it possible they might also try to seize the Seireitei itself?

Mayuri had initially considered this a low probability, but he had still prepared for it, just in case.

Within a minute, the Technological Development Bureau responded to his orders.

The Sekkiseki barrier began to glow. The rapidly spreading shadow slowed down almost immediately. The invasion had been stalled.

Yhwach scoffed softly.

But the glow of the barrier wasn't the only change. Another dark power rippled through the barrier, one even more chaotic and pure than the Quincy's shadow.

It was the power of Hollowfication.

Having learned that the Quincy were vulnerable to Hollow energy, Mayuri had been researching ways to use Hollowfication against them. At the very least, he had developed a way to incorporate it into the barrier.

The shadow that had nearly consumed the Sekkiseki barrier recoiled as though it had encountered its natural enemy. From covering four-fifths of the barrier, it was forced back, shrinking to only three-quarters, then slowly being pushed back to half.

"Mayuri… and Naruto," Yhwach sneered.

Even though this was Mayuri's creation, Yhwach mentioned the 7th Division Captain's name instead.

"What an impressive man. But since it's come to this…"

With a simple snap of his fingers, the shadow on the Sekkiseki barrier stopped retreating and held its ground, securing the half it had taken.

A ripple of power spread.

Half of the Seireitei's landscape began to shift dramatically. Familiar streets and division headquarters were replaced with a foreign, stark architecture—an icy palace.

The Shinigami and Quincy fighting in the streets remained in place, but the terrain around them had drastically transformed.

"What... is this?" The Shinigami were still in shock and confusion.

Meanwhile, the Quincy, energized by the change, grew even more aggressive and fierce.

"This is the Ice Palace. His Majesty's power has overtaken the Seireitei."

The morale of the Shinigami took a hit.

However, someone managed to keep a clear head and shouted out a warning:

"Don't panic! They've only taken over half. The invasion isn't complete! We're at an advantage now that we've learned this information! The Quincy aren't invincible."

The battle raged on, and the rallying cries continued.

...

1st Division Barracks

Yhwach stood in the center, gazing at the divide. To his left was the Seireitei; to his right was the Ice Palace.

One half was Shinigami; the other half was Quincy.

It wasn't exactly what he had envisioned. They hadn't managed to take over completely.

Uryū Ishida stood behind him, his gaze focused on Yhwach's back, but his eyes also glanced past him at the sharply divided battlefield.

It seemed... Yhwach's power wasn't entirely unstoppable. There were still limitations.

...

Soul King's Palace

Ichigo Kurosaki, still recovering from the overwhelming shock of the journey, looked up.

The first thing he saw... was a bald head and golden hair.

"Uncle Naruto." Ichigo's heart skipped a beat as he instinctively took a step back, feeling guilty. "Haha, I didn't expect to see you here."

"Didn't I tell you not to get involved in this war?" Naruto said, his face serious but his tone calm. "So why are you here? And those wounds… what happened?"

"They're not deep, but there are too many of them," Kurama nodded in agreement, imitating an uncle's tone. "Yeah, why didn't you listen to your uncle?"

"It's Uryū," Ichigo answered, his expression turning grave and sincere. "Uryū... he's joined the Wandenreich."

Naruto frowned.

'The Ishida boy?'

Naruto didn't know Uryū well, aside from what he'd heard from Isshin and Masaki. He knew that Uryū's relationship with his father, Ryūken Ishida, was strained. Ryūken was a man who had long been aware of Yhwach's existence and likely knew more about the situation than even Naruto did.

Would someone like Ryūken really let his son join the Wandenreich?

"And Uryū… he's special," Ichigo continued, his brows furrowing in thought. "I could tell he didn't want to join them. It's like he was forced into it, or there was something else going on…"

"When he came to find me, he deliberately left me some clues. Like the Schrift—Yhwach's is 'A,' with the power of omniscience. Uryū's Schrift is also 'A,' but it's the opposite. No matter how much I hurt him, the damage reflects back on me."

Naruto's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

That sounded similar to Haschwalth's ability.

"I can't just leave him like that," Ichigo clenched his fists, gathering his courage to meet Naruto's gaze. "Uncle Naruto, I'm his cousin and his friend. I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Naruto glanced at the monk, who was watching intently, seemingly devout in his focus. Since Uryū was involved, it was unlikely this monk was behind Ichigo's arrival—though, no doubt, he had plans of his own.

"Why did Uryū come to find you?" Naruto asked, throwing out the question. "Was it just to deliver those messages?"

Ichigo hesitated, blinking as he recalled the earlier battle, then slowly shook his head. "It doesn't seem like it. They came to find me because of Yhwach's orders. But they didn't specify what the orders were."

Naruto looked back at the monk. "It seems Yhwach, like you, wants Ichigo in the Soul Society."

"Of course, it's only fitting that he stays here," the monk said seriously, as though this was the most natural thing in the world.

Ichigo scratched his head, sensing it wasn't the right time for him to speak up.

"You fought Uryū, and things didn't go well?" Naruto asked, concerned for Ichigo.

Ichigo's expression darkened. "I lost badly. The power of his Schrift is incredibly strong."

"I remembered you mentioning the Soul King's Palace, so I came straight here."

Naruto walked over and patted his shoulder. "The Soul King's Palace can make you stronger," he said softly. "But it's not the best place for you. You have the potential to wield all the powers of this world. In concept, you are the one who most resembles the Soul King."

Ichigo said nothing.

Naruto sighed and waved his hand, causing the wind to blow, swirling around the monk.

"Naruto Uzumaki, you're overstepping your bounds," the monk said.

Naruto remained calm, turning to face him. "I've made it clear from the beginning. You care about the balance of the worlds; I care about Ichigo. I will never accept forcing an innocent young man to shoulder such a heavy, painful burden."

The

monk didn't react, though he noticed Naruto's gesture. He remained composed and continued speaking as though nothing had happened: "There's no one else suitable."

"Why wouldn't there be?" Naruto shook his head. "Ichigo is the most ideal, but there are other ways. They may be more complicated, but they exist. Quincy, Hollow, Fullbringers, and Shinigami... we just need the power they all represent."

The monk fell silent, quietly observing.

"I want a promise from you," Naruto said firmly. "No matter what happens, you won't sacrifice the innocent."

"In the face of the world's destruction, no one is truly innocent," the monk replied, his voice steady. "If there's a simpler option, why choose the harder path?"

"Because Ichigo is innocent," Naruto insisted. "If it weren't for Uryū, he wouldn't even be involved in this war."

The monk's expression remained firm. "Don't forget your position, Naruto Uzumaki. You are a Shinigami, a captain of the Gotei 13's 7th Division."

"This is my choice," Naruto replied, his tone unwavering as the wind picked up, whipping around them. "It doesn't define me."

"If words won't convince you... will you accept another form of persuasion?"

~~~

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