Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

The Wandenreich

Yhwach sat lazily on his throne, propping his head up with one hand as he gazed down at the figure kneeling before him.

"Gerard has fallen," he said softly. "Even with all that power, he was still killed."

He extended his hand, and a soft blue glow gathered, returning to him.

"Such rare material as Gerard—there was only one of him. Truly a pity."

Though he spoke these words, his expression barely changed.

"However, Gerard's death was not entirely without meaning. His immortality did serve, to some extent, as a counter to Naruto Uzumaki's Zanpakutō."

At this point, Yhwach paused, shifting his gaze to the man half-kneeling before him.

"Asguiaro Ebern, you look rather pitiful," he remarked. "It seems your efforts yielded less-than-ideal results."

"He's nothing more than a child who's witnessed a few battles from the sidelines, never truly baptized by fire and blood."

The named figure lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly with panic. "Your Majesty, I engaged Ichigo Kurosaki as ordered."

"Just as planned, I lured him into releasing his Bankai, but at the critical moment..."

"The medallion failed."

Yhwach sneered softly. "Failed?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ebern replied cautiously, retrieving a circular medallion engraved with pentagonal lines from his robe. "I couldn't steal his Bankai..."

Yhwach raised his hand, and with a small gesture, the medallion flew into his grasp.

"As expected, there's nothing."

"This is not your fault."

Ebern continued to bow, eyes fixed on the ground, not daring to speak.

"Ichigo Kurosaki is a special case. The medallion's failure against him is understandable."

Yhwach casually tossed the medallion back, and Ebern clumsily caught it, a slight expression of relief crossing his face.

The fact that the medallion was returned—did that mean he would be spared punishment?

Yhwach continued to lean on his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You are not without fault, but confirming this was a success in itself. In fact, you could say you've done well."

"So..."

"What kind of reward should I give you?"

Ebern instinctively looked up, his eyes drawn to Yhwach's hand, which held the glowing blue light.

Yhwach noticed but shook his head with a soft laugh. "You want the power of 'M'?"

"That's not for you."

Ebern immediately bowed again. "I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty."

"M" was the Schrift—the holy letter that once belonged to Gerard Valkyrie.

Yhwach, as the source of all Quincy, held the power to bestow and revoke such abilities. Among the Quincy, a prestigious group known as the "Sternritter" were granted Schrift, letters that gave them unique powers.

Gerard Valkyrie's power, derived from the letter "M" for "Miracle," was particularly formidable due to his connection with the Soul King's heart. This made his Schrift especially powerful and irrational in its effects.

Yhwach curled his fingers. "Instead, I shall bestow upon you a different honor."

He smiled coldly.

Ebern looked up again, eyes full of hope.

The blue light at Yhwach's fingertips shimmered and pulsed, flying toward the eager Ebern.

The light engulfed Ebern, shining brightly.

"Become the foundation for peace," Yhwach said.

The light seared into Ebern's body, not with warmth or compassion, but with harsh, unrelenting heat.

His entire body was consumed, burned, and then extinguished.

The onlookers surrounding the scene remained silent, careful not to draw attention to themselves.

Yhwach stood.

"There is no need for such expressions. The Wandenreich only requires those who are useful. As for weaklings like him, it's better for me to reclaim the power I bestowed."

"Though we haven't fully conquered Hueco Mundo yet..."

"The Gotei 13 has abandoned its defensive stance in the face of our assault."

"Gathering more Arrancar will be a simple task."

He reached into the shadows.

"Compared to these trivial matters, we have more important things to consider."

"For example..."

The shadows shifted, forming the shape of a person—a figure with black-and-white striped markings on their face, adorned with strange metallic ornaments.

"We tend to overlook the unassuming figures," Yhwach mused. "Soul Society is full of brilliant minds—Ichibē Hyōsube, Senjumaru Shutara, and Kisuke Urahara..."

"Their brilliance overshadows others whose light may not shine as brightly."

"But Naruto Uzumaki—"

At the mention of this name, a strange glint appeared in Yhwach's eyes.

"Everyone who comes into contact with him undergoes some bizarre transformation."

"Mayuri Kurotsuchi has evolved."

"Raise Naruto's rank to 'Special War Potential.'"

Yhwach's expression was amused.

"The Shadow Clone Technique, a power not native to this world. For any being, whether Shinigami, Quincy, or Arrancar, splitting their reishi like that is risky in a balanced battle."

"Yet, in Mayuri's hands, it has made him seem completely reborn."

The tall, slender, blonde man nodded, committing Yhwach's words to memory.

"And..."

"We can't wait much longer."

"Declare war."

The blonde man nodded once again.

...

Soul Society - 7th Division Headquarters

The meeting had just concluded, and the captains were preparing to disperse when there was an urgent knock at the door.

Kurama leaped over and opened it. While all vice-captains were required to wait outside, Kurama was an exception and allowed to remain inside.

It was Isane Kotetsu, the vice-captain of the 4th Division.

"What is it?" Yamamoto asked, his voice deep and resonant.

"Vice-Captain Sasakibe has awoken," Isane reported urgently. "He said the Quincy who attacked him possess a power that specifically targets and steals Bankai."

"This is critical news that requires immediate reporting."

Yamamoto's expression shifted slightly.

The others were stunned.

Naruto's expression remained unchanged. Strictly speaking, he had not yet mastered the full extent of his Bankai, so the Quincy possessing such an ability did not concern him much.

Mayuri narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

"To steal Bankai?" he mused. "That sounds like an interesting development."

Naruto glanced at him, and Mayuri quickly reined in his excitement, hiding his eager expression.

He turned to Isane. "Would the 4th Division allow me to transfer Vice-Captain Sasakibe to the 12th Division?"

"This matter requires careful handling."

He instinctively looked at Naruto before quickly correcting himself and looking toward the Captain-Commander.

Yamamoto nodded. "It seems necessary."

Isane bowed and left the room respectfully.

The idea of "sealing" or "restricting" Bankai was understandable—those concepts weren't new. Naruto himself could easily seal such powers.

But the notion of "stealing" was entirely different. It wasn't just about nullifying a Bankai; it was as though one's power became the Quincy's property.

Like what Muramasa had done.

However, even Muramasa's power merely manipulated the senses of Zanpakutō, tricking them into siding with him. The Zanpakutō still retained their self-awareness to some degree.

Many Zanpakutō were even able to resist Muramasa's influence.

Zanpakutō like Naruto's blades...

Or like the 4th Division's Hanatarō Yamada, whose Zanpakutō, 'Hisagomaru', though weak, never aligned with Muramasa.

Shunsui Kyōraku's two swords also pretended to rebel, but it was more of a playful game between them and their master.

But to have one's Zanpakutō taken completely—just the thought of it was terrifying.

Yamamoto gave repeated instructions for the captains to remain vigilant, ordering them to inform all those training their Bankai, as well as the ones secretly practicing it without others knowing.

The 13th Division was tasked with contacting the substitute Shinigami, as well as the Fullbringers.

Valkyrie was revealed to be the Soul King's heart.

Though much remained uncertain, one thing was clear—the Quincy had an interest in the fragments of the Soul King and had already mastered techniques to use them.

If they dared to invade Hueco Mundo, they would surely target the Fullbringers next.

The only question was whether they were willing to act.

After the others gradually left, only three people and one fox remained in the 7th Division headquarters.

"Captain Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division," Yamamoto spoke gravely. "Regarding the incident of disappearing souls in Rukongai, for which multiple squads have been dispatched..."

"As the one responsible for monitoring the balance of the three worlds, what are your thoughts?"

He turned, his gaze falling on the fox lying in his original seat, speaking in a low tone.

"It wasn't me," Mayuri raised his hand, glancing at Naruto, grinning. "Of course, I did briefly consider it."

"But, Captain-Commander, you know how much Captain Uzumaki despises the involvement of innocent people."

"If I had done it, I'd be dead by now."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, his expression sharp.

"While I was still contemplating how to approach Captain Uzumaki about this without getting beaten or scolded, the balance had already stabilized," Mayuri shrugged, his face showing a tinge of disappointment that he wasn't responsible for the incident.

Such was his nature—knowing what was off-limits but always tempted to test the boundaries, dancing at the edge, swaying between caution and boldness. He feared getting killed but also feared not pushing his limits.

Yamamoto lifted his head silently, his gaze sharp as though piercing through the roof of the 7th Division, muttering softly, "It seems..."

"They couldn't resist making a move."

"They?" Naruto followed his lead, looking upward.

Was he referring to the "Royal Guard," also known as DiviZero?

Could it be that, in the name of maintaining balance in the three worlds, they were erasing souls from Soul Society to maintain that balance?

But were these "Royal Guard" members truly here to protect the balance of the three worlds, or were they merely the jailers of the Soul King?

"This is unforgivable," Naruto said quietly.

Yamamoto turned suddenly, eyes wide with surprise.

A hundred years ago, Naruto had been so small, youthful, and inexperienced. But now, he had grown taller than himself, a remarkable young man—stronger than even Yamamoto.

Yamamoto slowly turned back. "Naruto..."

"I understand," Naruto replied, acknowledging the unspoken words.

Yamamoto shook his head. He had just realized that no matter how long an era lasts, it would eventually come to an end.

…

Rukongai, in a narrow alleyway.

Izuru Kira walked ahead, sword in hand, leading his squad on patrol. His expression was somber.

"Be careful, everyone."

"No need to worry, Kira-san!" one of the squad members grinned. "With your strength, nothing will be a problem."

"Yeah, exactly!"

"You're only ranked as Fourth Seat because you're in the 7th Division. In any other division, you'd easily be a lieutenant."

Izuru forced a smile in response. It wasn't untrue—his own captain had admitted as much. But the 7th Division was unique…

The reason he hadn't advanced to the Third Seat position was because the Vice-Captain was a fox capable of rivaling most captains in strength. More than raw power, the division needed someone attentive and responsible to "assist" the Vice-Captain with administrative duties.

Though Momo Hinamori was slightly weaker than Kira, she was more detail-oriented and better suited to the role of Third Seat in the 7th Division.

"I heard you've been in contact with the 5th Division?" one squad member asked as they strolled down a quiet street, the air tense but peaceful, with nothing out of the ordinary happening.

Kira nodded. "It was recommended by the captain."

Talking about it made him smile slightly.

Kira, a man who often bottled up his emotions, appreciated that Captain Uzumaki was always patient and attentive to the inner thoughts of his squad members and officers. Naruto could sense Kira's ambitions and desire to advance, even without Kira explicitly saying anything.

Naruto had explained that the reason he gathered talented individuals into the 7th Division in the first place was because Aizen had targeted them. Naruto had intervened to protect them.

Now that the threat had passed, he wouldn't stop them from seeking advancement.

The 5th Division had suffered greatly due to Aizen's betrayal, leaving it a shadow of its former glory. The ranks were left in shambles, with many officers either having left or died, and the division had been left with nothing but humiliation. Only under the leadership of Kaien Shiba had things started to improve.

However, finding a capable vice-captain was difficult. Many people possessed strength, but few had the necessary leadership experience to manage a division effectively.

Kira, thus, had emerged as the top candidate. The transfer was being processed, but with the recent chaos—Muramasa, the invasion of the Quincy—it had been delayed.

Just as Kira was reminiscing, his expression suddenly changed.

"Be careful!" he shouted.

In his vision, shadows began to twist unnaturally, rising like tendrils.

It was the signal for Quincy movement.

Their unique method of traveling through the shadows.

Kira quickly drew his sword, preparing to release his Shikai.

But before he could react—

A blinding blue light flashed.

An arrow—a massive, arrow larger than a human head—emerged from the shadows and shot forward.

The wind was torn apart, the shrieking sound piercing their ears.

Kira instinctively raised his sword, but his speed was no match for the arrow.

It tore through his left side, leaving behind only part of his spine and the remaining right half of his body.

The other squad members gasped in horror, but before they could scream, they too were struck by the same blinding arrows—the Quincy's 'Heilig Pfeil'.

They were shredded, torn apart, and killed instantly.

"The level of their defense is practically nonexistent," a tall, slender man with blonde hair stepped out from the shadows, his face expressionless. "After all that's happened, they're still this unprepared?"

"Or perhaps…"

"This is all their strength amounts to."

Beside him, a man cloaked in a cape, with a large weapon strapped to his back, scoffed. "Forget these insignificant fools."

"Don't forget His Majesty's orders."

The tall man didn't respond, only casting a sharp glance back at his companion. "Stick to the plan."

"Soul Society is undermanned. Take advantage of this."

"His Majesty's command…"

"Leave no one alive, including Naruto Uzumaki."

...

Elsewhere in Soul Society.

A disheveled man hovered in the air, looking down upon the Seireitei without concealing his spiritual pressure.

The patrolling Shinigami nearby immediately noticed him, their expressions turning grim.

"Damn it, a Quincy! It's an enemy!" one of them shouted, drawing his sword and keeping his eyes on the sky. "He's right outside the Sekkiseki Barrier!"

"When did he get there?"

"Sound the alarm!"

One Shinigami raised his hand, ready to release a warning flare.

But before the flare could ascend, the man in the sky raised his hand, causing the flare to disappear, disintegrating mid-flight.

The signal couldn't be sent.

The Shinigami grew even more alarmed—not because of his ability to stop the signal but because of what it implied.

He was outside the Sekkiseki Barrier.

The Seireitei was shielded by this barrier, which, while invisible, would alert the Gotei 13 the moment it was breached. Only those of considerable strength could break through, and even then, the barrier would immediately send out an alarm.

But this time, there was no alarm.

Which meant one of two things: either the Quincy were using a strange method of teleportation that could bypass the barrier undetected, or...

The Shinigami were too afraid to consider the other possibility.

...

12th Division

One of the many Mayuri Kurotsuchis raised his hand enthusiastically, speaking in an excited tone: "I've finally cracked it!"

After more than eight hours and over fifty thousand different attempts, multiple layers of encryption had finally been decoded. He had deciphered the mechanism behind this mysterious technique.

Shadows!

It was the shadows.

When they disappeared into the shadows, they hadn't gone anywhere else; they had been stationed within them.

So, the location of their base…

It was as Naruto had said—they were right here, in the Soul Society, even within the Seireitei itself, hidden in the shadows.

Who would ever think to notice the shadows?

Something that had always been there, without ever seeming out of place, without any presence or suspicion.

And they hid there, quietly.

Mayuri glanced at the clock. The hour hand had not yet reached its highest point, causing him to smile.

The night was not over yet.

He hadn't broken his promise to Naruto about the deadline.

With a wave of his hand, he prepared to summon two clones to notify the Captain-Commander and Naruto. But before he could finish the technique, Akon tapped his shoulder, reporting urgently: "There's a surge of unfamiliar and powerful spiritual pressure within the Seireitei!"

"The spiritual pressure of Kira, Fourth Seat of the 7th Division, has disappeared, along with three accompanying officers."

"In the Western 30th district, 37 spiritual pressures have vanished."

As Akon continued, other squad members reported additional incidents.

"In the Eastern 227th district, 87 spiritual pressures have vanished…"

"In the Eastern 233rd district, over 20 people have disappeared…"

A large, dense number of spiritual pressures had vanished, one after the other. Despite the steady flow of reports, the atmosphere in the room grew heavier, as though a deathly pall had descended upon them.

Though…

"Spiritual pressure vanishing doesn't necessarily equal death, but based on past data, the likelihood is over 80%."

In other words, 80% of the people they were reporting had likely died.

In just a few minutes since receiving the alert of an enemy invasion, nearly a thousand people had been lost.

Mayuri's expression didn't change at all. He stared at the screen impassively, as if the jumping numbers represented nothing more than cold, lifeless digits—not human lives.

"Has Naruto not sensed this yet?"

He muttered, glancing outside.

Akon turned back to his captain: "Shouldn't we inform Naruto and the Captain-Commander about this…?"

"Why should we?" Mayuri interrupted coldly.

Akon was taken aback.

Mayuri waved his hand dismissively, clicking his tongue with irritation: "If this information had come ten minutes earlier, it would have been valuable."

"But now that the enemy has already launched their attack, it's worthless."

"It has no meaning anymore."

Akon lowered his gaze.

This information was far from worthless—it could help them analyze enemy distribution, determine their movements, and identify their strongholds…

Mayuri raised his hand and formed seals. "You and Nemu handle the coordination here."

"I'm off to do something more meaningful."

"Where is Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe being treated?"

Akon immediately responded: "In Lab A-133."

"Good." Mayuri acknowledged, completing his seals, his body dissolving into a cloud of white smoke, disappearing from sight.

Akon sighed.

While his captain was so nonchalant, he couldn't afford to be. These reports still had to be delivered.

Mayuri had lost interest in the "shadows."

The enemy's sudden offensive had rendered his half-day of effort and his valuable resources wasted.

So now...

It was time for him to do something truly significant.

The Quincy had clearly launched their attack preemptively to prevent the Gotei 13 from analyzing the intel they had gathered from Gerard and the captured Quincy. By striking before their plans were fully exposed, and while they still had the upper hand, the Quincy hoped to win a swift victory.

Mayuri sneered.

Their timing was impeccable, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth to have his work rendered useless.

Now...

It was time to counterattack.

Among the Quincy's abilities, none were more unsettling than the rumored power to steal Bankai.

While his fellow captains were not the brightest, they surely wouldn't be foolish enough to unleash their Bankai on the Quincy knowing this information.

He had to figure out a way to break this ability, and fast.

Lab A-133

Mayuri held a large syringe in his right hand, its needle as thick as a wasp's stinger, as he stared down at the injured Chōjirō Sasakibe lying on the bed. His tone was sinister: "The enemy has already invaded."

"There's no time for slow and gentle research anymore."

Sasakibe's injuries hadn't fully healed, but he took a deep breath, his expression grave, and stared resolutely at the syringe that promised only pain. "I'm ready, Captain Kurotsuchi."

"For the Seireitei, for the Captain-Commander, I'll do anything."

Mayuri grinned and drove the syringe downward.

But...

The needle didn't pierce Sasakibe.

Instead, Mayuri injected himself.

The syringe was emptied in one swift motion.

Mayuri's body underwent a grotesque transformation—he grew three heads and six arms, his appearance twisted and monstrous, while a faint red hue spread across his skin as blood seeped from his capillaries.

This transformation was inspired by the first time he had witnessed Naruto in his fully released state.

The form was hideous, certainly…

But it was immensely useful for research.

If not for these substances, which could substitute for "Shadow Clones" and other alternatives, he would have likely been forced to make permanent physical modifications to himself.

Now, every drug he had that could help him break the Quincy's technique had been used.

As for the strain it put on his body...

He could always recover later, resting in the 7th Division for a while.

Sasakibe trembled at the sight of Mayuri in this state.

While the idea of that painful injection had been terrifying…

Seeing this version of Mayuri evoked a far greater, unknown fear. Perhaps taking that injection wouldn't have been so bad after all.

…

Seireitei

Naruto and Yamamoto stood in the ruins of the 1st Division headquarters, gazing into the distance.

Eleven pillars of dense spiritual energy had risen, blue flames blazing within them.

"The Sekkiseki Barrier remains intact," Yamamoto remarked calmly. "Yet so many enemies have entered."

"Naruto, you were right."

Naruto responded, "They were in the Seireitei from the beginning."

----

Another 3.5k words hahah so tiring.