Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

The battle between Yamamoto and Yhwach continued.

It wasn't just a personal fight; it was a large-scale conflict between the 'Seireitei' and the 'Wandenreich', an extension of grudges spanning a thousand years.

But...

Naruto frowned.

The way the battle was unfolding surprised him.

It wasn't that Yhwach wasn't strong—he was incredibly powerful. His spiritual pressure and the strength of his attacks were overwhelming, surpassed only by the Captain-Commander and Naruto himself.

Yet, in terms of strength...

It didn't quite match Naruto's expectations. He had expected more from Yhwach, the leader of the Quincies.

Thus far, Yhwach had only demonstrated standard Quincy techniques.

He hadn't shown abilities like 'Haschwalth's power to control fortune' or 'Gerard Valkyrie's miracle,' both of which were incomprehensible and almost rule-breaking.

Even the Quincies that had fought against Byakuya displayed abilities such as manipulating fear and finding spiritual weaknesses—powers not entirely outside conventional rules but still impressive. Yhwach hadn't shown anything like that.

If his subordinates had such unique abilities, it was unthinkable that the Quincy Emperor himself wouldn't possess something even greater.

Furthermore, Haschwalth had mentioned that their "Schrift" powers were granted by Yhwach.

Yhwach was strong, but only in a relatively conventional sense.

This kind of power...

On the battlefield, Yamamoto either hadn't noticed this or didn't think in that direction. The man he was fighting seemed weaker than he had been a thousand years ago.

But he could still precisely name his old subordinates.

He could still use the same techniques that Yamamoto was familiar with.

His spiritual pressure and presence were just as Yamamoto remembered.

Perhaps Naruto had realized it too quickly, and Yhwach hadn't yet fully recovered his power.

Or perhaps Yamamoto himself had improved over the past thousand years.

Either way—

"It's over, Yhwach," Yamamoto exhaled heavily, the air around him distorting, making the man before him seem twisted in his vision.

The damaged, charred sword in Yamamoto's hand swung.

"Zanka no Tachi, Kita—Tenchi Kaijin."

Naruto had seen this technique before.

But...

It didn't resemble what Ryūjin Jakka had done in the past.

It wasn't as fierce or violent.

It was pure despair.

All of the spiritual pressure, all of the flames, condensed into the tip of that small, broken sword. It moved with terrifying speed, consuming everything the blade touched in an instant.

A single strike from the Captain-Commander.

Yhwach's body was weak.

He couldn't resist. His body bent as he was sliced in half and then fell heavily to the ground.

Naruto noticed Yhwach's eyes.

They were filled with confusion, regret, and shame...

That wasn't the look of a strong person.

It was the look of a weak, fearful individual.

But a man who had been defeated a thousand years ago and then rebuilt his forces to attack again couldn't be weak.

Weak people didn't have the spirit to challenge the obstacles they had once failed to overcome.

Naruto turned his gaze to Haschwalth, who stood nearby, his golden hair flowing. His expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

The man who claimed to be the highest-ranking member of the Sternritter was indifferent to the life or death of his "leader."

This confirmed what Naruto suspected.

"That's not Yhwach," he said softly.

Haschwalth gave a faint smile. "You're smarter than Yamamoto."

On the battlefield, Yamamoto had calmed his anger. The light in his sword slowly dimmed, and it reverted to an ordinary Zanpakutō.

Steam rose from the old man's body.

Rain began to fall.

The Yhwach lying on the ground let out a painful groan, quietly and weakly offering an apology.

"I'm... deeply sorry..."

"I was not strong enough."

These small, quiet words, though drowned by the sound of the rain, still reached Yamamoto's ears clearly.

He couldn't believe it.

An apology?

A subordinate?

How could the Emperor of the Wandenreich, the leader of the Quincies, call someone else "leader"?

How could someone who started a war apologize to someone else for losing?

The Yhwach lying on the ground, not yet dead, raised his hand, his eyes empty: "Yhwach-sama..."

Yamamoto's eyes widened as he leaned in closer: "Who are you?"

"You bastard!"

"Who exactly are you?"

It was then that he realized this wasn't Yhwach.

As he spoke...

The man's appearance changed—his black hair turned into a bald head, and a third eye appeared on his forehead.

Meanwhile, not far away, an enormous light erupted—the light of a 'Heilig Pfeil'. It exploded across the surface, destroying the 1st Division barracks. The aftermath spread, with beams shooting toward Naruto in the sky, only to dissipate into the wind from his 'Vortex' before they could reach him.

That spiritual pressure...

Naruto's expression became serious.

It hadn't been in his Mind's Eye of the Kagura before. It had appeared out of nowhere. If not for Yhwach deliberately revealing himself, Naruto might never have sensed him.

A shadow suddenly appeared.

In the center of the battlefield, standing in front of the bald Quincy with three eyes.

"Yhwach, you bastard!" Yamamoto immediately locked onto him, his eyes sharp and focused.

But Yhwach ignored him, looking down at his fallen subordinate with pity. "No need to apologize."

"You did well."

"'Sternritter Y', 'The Yourself,' 'Royd Lloyd'."

The man on the ground gave a weak smile. "Is that so, Your Majesty?"

"You're... praising me..."

"It's an honor."

Yhwach raised his hand, pointed his finger, and with a flick, blue spiritual energy condensed and fired, instantly consuming the three-eyed man and leaving a deep crater in the ground.

"Coward..."

"What are you doing, Yhwach?" Yamamoto demanded, standing firm with his sword raised.

Yhwach turned his head with a smile. "What lies beneath the 1st Division barracks?"

Yamamoto seemed to realize something.

"He was the one I thought had the best chance," Yhwach said softly. "Yes, I've come to see him."

"That man, 'Aizen Sōsuke'."

"But..."

"Just as I expected, he refused."

Yamamoto responded softly, "Should I praise him for that?"

"Though he betrayed the Gotei 13, at least he hasn't betrayed the Shinigami."

Yhwach sneered. "The Shinigami?"

"A dying breed, and you talk of betrayal?"

"Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, do you still have the strength to fight me?"

Yamamoto swung his sword. "Of course I do!"

"Wiping out an imposter didn't take any effort."

"Bankai!"

"Zanka no Tachi!"

Spiritual energy surged forth.

At that moment, Yhwach produced a 'Sternritter medallion', a small object that fit in the palm of his hand.

He muttered softly, "Melt. Sea to cloud, cloud to rain, rain to fog. That which has form to that which is unseen. After our jubilation, the chalice will be turned face down. Now!"

His voice was calm and soft, but with it came a swirling black spiritual energy, coalescing into the medallion.

Yamamoto's eyes widened in shock.

"This is... the stealing of a 'Bankai'!"

Yhwach smiled faintly. "Don't look so surprised."

"You're not the sharpest mind, so you should have been more cautious, like Naruto Uzumaki."

He tightened his grip on the medallion.

"Your 'Bankai' can be stolen. The reason Royd Lloyd didn't use this technique on you is simple."

"No one but me can control your immense power."

Yamamoto gripped his sword tightly.

"You've grown old," Yhwach said, raising his hand and drawing back the string of his bow. A single arrow flew down, striking the ground and forming a spiritual sword. "And far too overconfident."

"You beat me once. And despite facing Aizen Sōsuke, you were still fooled by an imposter."

"Goodbye, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto."

He swung the sword down hard. The light of the strike was brilliant and swift.

But even faster was a flash of golden light.

"Flying Thunder God Technique."

Naruto appeared instantly at Yamamoto's side, casting without incantation: "Bakudō #81. Dankū (斷空, Splitting Void)."

The spiritual sword was intercepted, and the attack nullified by Naruto's 'Vortex' before it could reach them.

Naruto's sleeve was torn, and shallow wounds began healing visibly thanks to his regeneration abilities.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Yhwach said softly, lifting his sword. "Saving this old man won't change anything. You've already lost."

Yamamoto lowered his head. "What a disgrace to be saved by you."

"But when..." He looked at his arm, surprised. "Did you place the seal on me?"

The 'Flying Thunder God' seal had been constructed with spiritual particles. Under normal circumstances, such a minor change would never have escaped his notice. Yet now, he trusted Naruto completely and never suspected tampering with the prosthetic arm, focusing most of his attention on the Quincies.

"Just in case," Naruto replied softly. "These enemies give me an uneasy feeling."

Yhwach turned his gaze to the sky. "Haschwalth, why didn't you stop him?"

"By my estimation, he is not yet a threat to Your Majesty," Haschwalth replied in an emotionless tone.

Yhwach smirked. "Is that so? Not a threat."

"It seems you haven't grown much, Naruto Uzumaki. Honestly, I didn't expect to face you so soon."

Naruto grasped his sword, wind swirling in his hand. "Are you afraid of me?"

"Afraid?" Yhwach shook his head. "I'm certainly concerned about you. But fear? No. You are the only one I can't fully understand or predict."

"In that case, I'll deal with you right now—"

His words were cut off as Haschwalth interjected from the sky, "Your Majesty, the time to act outside the 'Schatten Bereich' is up. Please return to the 'Wandenreich'."

Yhwach looked up. "Impossible. There should be more time."

He paused briefly.

"I see. So that's how it is. Aizen Sōsuke really is a remarkable man. In the short time we met, he managed to manipulate my perception. Never mind. Let's go."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as Haschwalth lowered his sword and reached into the void, pulling open a vortex of shadows that began to spread across the battlefield.

'A limited window for action?' The 'Schatten Bereich'? These were unfamiliar and strange terms.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Yhwach called out again, looking at the golden-haired figure. He raised his hand and waved dismissively. "You're quite lucky to escape with your life at this moment. But now isn't the right time to end you. I will ensure you receive a death worthy of your name."

With that, he stepped into the shadows.

Naruto clasped his hands together. "Do you think you can leave after inflicting such damage on the Seireitei?"

"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

The chains snapped forward like a web, wrapping around Yhwach.

But Yhwach didn't turn back. Haschwalth stepped forward, slashing at the chains, cutting them into fragments of spiritual energy that dissolved into the air.

"Your power is useless," Haschwalth said coldly. "Stop resisting. Be grateful you survived—"

But before he could finish speaking, there was a crack. The chains, which had originally targeted Yhwach, suddenly twisted and ensnared Haschwalth's hands instead.

The chains carefully wrapped around each of Haschwalth's fingers, pulling them straight. His sword and shield, though imbued with rules, were still bound to the physical world and fell to the ground with a 'thud'.

"Your target is me?" Haschwalth realized. "From the beginning?"

Naruto raised his hand, his voice calm. "Of course. I told you I figured out your weakness."

Haschwalth stared at him, unperturbed.

"Your power is indeed flawless," Naruto continued. "But you're still human. You are strong and clever, but not perfect. That's your greatest weakness."

Haschwalth chuckled softly. "And what good does capturing me do? The 'Freund Schild' doesn't require me to hold it. The damage you inflict on me will still reflect back on you, just as before."

In Naruto's hand, the blade of wind grew sharper and longer. "I know. That's why there's only one way to kill you."

With a thrust, Naruto stabbed Haschwalth. The wind began to spin into Haschwalth's body, grinding his spiritual energy down slowly, depleting his organs.

Naturally, the same damage was inflicted on Naruto, but his regenerative abilities, combined with his healing techniques and Kurama's power, allowed him to keep pace with the damage.

This was Naruto's only solution for killing Haschwalth: attrition. No matter how strong the ability, spiritual energy was required to activate it. Once the spiritual energy ran out, no power could be sustained.

Naruto's strategy was to drain Haschwalth of his spiritual energy—and eventually, his life force.

Haschwalth was far stronger than a normal Captain, with incredibly dense spiritual pressure.

One hour... two hours... until, after half a day, Haschwalth's body had withered, and the wind carved deep wounds into his flesh. His spiritual energy was drained, and he could no longer maintain his 'Schrift'. It disintegrated.

Like a dam with a small breach, Haschwalth's collapse was swift and absolute. With the loss of his power, his spiritual energy, presence, and life force were wiped out in an instant. Even the sword and shield that had fallen to the ground disintegrated into tiny particles of 'reishi', vanishing into nothing.

Naruto panted heavily. Kurama didn't look well either.

"That took a long time, Naruto. Are you okay?" Kurama gasped inside Naruto's inner world.

Naruto shook his head, his expression calm. "I'm fine."

He looked around. While he had been focused on maintaining the 'Vortex', he hadn't noticed the gathering around him—captains of various divisions, seated officers, and ordinary Shinigami who didn't have healing duties.

"Do you need rest?" Yamamoto asked softly.

Naruto shook his head. "There are more pressing matters. We need to prepare—our enemies will likely attack again."

…

7th Division Barracks

A captains' meeting was convened, but this time, not all captains were present.

"The situation has worsened," Yamamoto's voice was low. "Although the enemy has retreated and we've taken down five Sternritter, this cannot be considered a victory."

"The Gotei 13 has suffered heavy losses."

"Two captains are seriously injured and remain unconscious."

"Many lieutenants are in similar states."

"Not to mention the number of seated officers and ordinary soldiers who have perished."

He paused, his voice deepening. "If Naruto Uzumaki hadn't intervened, I would have fallen to Yhwach's blade."

"And my 'Bankai' has been stolen."

"This is the worst outcome."

Yhwach's power was at least equal to Yamamoto's, and now he had control over 'Ryūjin Jakka'.

"Naruto Uzumaki and Kenpachi Zaraki..."

"These two captains have barely maintained the dignity of the Seireitei."

"Naruto, in particular, managed to kill the highest-ranking member of the Sternritter."

"This is the only face-saving grace we have left."

Yamamoto turned to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. "Captain Kurotsuchi, have you made any progress?"

"Of course," Mayuri replied, grinning widely. "While you were fighting, I wasn't sitting idle."

"I've figured out how the enemy moves."

"They've been hiding in the shadows of the Seireitei."

Shadows?

Almost everyone looked down at the dark spots at their feet.

These things, which had been with them since birth, were concealing the enemy?

Naruto was deep in thought.

No wonder...

'Mind's Eye of the Kagura' hadn't detected them.

They had been in another space.

"And I've also found a way to counter the Quincies from stealing 'Bankai'." Mayuri held up a small vial, shaking it lightly, causing the black pills inside to rattle.

"I'll keep it simple."

"We got intel from the 13th Division and Ichigo Kurosaki that the Quincies couldn't seal his 'Bankai'."

"After many experiments, I discovered the reason: the 'Hollow' power within him is toxic to the Quincies."

"As long as 'Hollow' energy is infused into a 'Bankai', the Quincies can't steal it."

"This is the solution."

"I call it 'Hollowfication Medicine'."

"After taking it, it will infuse the user's 'Zanpakutō' with 'Hollow' energy for a day."

"Don't worry, it won't change the nature of your 'Bankai', and it won't contaminate the purity of your Shinigami powers."

"One pill lasts for a day, and once it wears off, the 'Hollow' energy dissipates naturally."

Naruto looked at him. "Impressive, Captain Kurotsuchi."

"Of course, I'm the Captain of the 12th Division and Head of the Technological Development Department. No one surpasses me in skill." Mayuri's eyes narrowed with pride.

Yamamoto nodded. "Distribute the pills."

"This defeat was partly due to our inability to use our 'Bankai'."

"And there's one more thing."

He paused, seeming to think carefully about how to convey this next piece of news.

His expression darkened further.

"Our failure has reached the ears of the 'Royal Guard'," Yamamoto said, taking a deep breath, clearly reluctant to continue. "They are now descending to the Seireitei with orders from the 'Soul King'."

Naruto turned his head.

The 'Royal Guard'...

The mysterious group he had only heard rumors about but had never seen in person.

They were finally going to appear?

"Let's go." Yamamoto picked up his cane and tapped the ground lightly. "It seems we will need their help again."

Again?

Naruto was puzzled.

"Old man..." Yamamoto led the way, glancing back at Naruto, offering a rare bit of advice. "I once lost to a 'Menos Grande'."

"It was only after a member of the 'Royal Guard' intervened that it was sealed."

Naruto froze.

The Captain-Commander had lost to a 'Menos Grande'?

And the 'Royal Guard' was powerful enough to defeat a 'Menos Grande' that had bested the Captain-Commander?

"Don't be so surprised, Naruto," Yamamoto said, shaking his head as he continued walking. "I may be strong, but I am not invincible."

"There are stronger beings in the 'Royal Guard' than me."

Naruto pondered this and nodded in understanding.

Many of the others seemed equally shocked to hear this, their faces reflecting disbelief.

They continued walking until they reached an open space near the Seireitei's walls.

Naruto looked around.

Even with 'Mind's Eye of the Kagura', he couldn't sense any spiritual pressure.

"Where are they?" Kurama poked his head out, curious. He was just as interested in these 'Royal Guard' members. "Why are they only showing up now, after the battle with the Wandenreich?"

Shunsui Kyōraku shook his head and gently covered Kurama's ears. "They are the 'Royal Guard', tasked with protecting the King."

"The Gotei 13 is responsible for guarding the Seireitei."

Naruto suddenly looked up.

A massive spiritual pressure was descending from the sky at an incredible speed.

He raised his hand.

"That's the 'Royal Guard'," Yamamoto stopped him. "Don't interfere."

With a loud crash, a colossal pillar landed precisely in front of them, kicking up a cloud of dust and wind.

The pillar was pure white, majestic and imposing.

"That's the 'Tenchūren', the 'Royal Guard's' means of transport," Yamamoto explained. "All of the 'Royal Guard' members are inside."

As soon as he finished speaking, a door opened on the pillar, and five figures emerged.

A creepy man wearing glasses, a delinquent with a pompadour, a tall, slender woman with long black hair, a plump woman with a large build, and in the center, a bald monk who was clearly their leader.

"Aww Yeahhh!"

"Long time no see, brats of the Gotei 13," the man with the pompadour called out. "Have you been eating, sleeping, and living well?"

Old acquaintances greeted one another.

They didn't look particularly old, but their tenure in the Seireitei was long. Only those who had served as captains for centuries, like Unohana Retsu and Shunsui Kyōraku, could talk to them on familiar terms.

"Alright, enough with the pleasantries," Yamamoto cut in, his tone grim. "What brings the 'Royal Guard' here this time?"

The bald monk raised a hand and waved it dismissively. "Every time we meet, it's when you're in trouble, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto..."

"It's a bit embarrassing."

"This time, we've come under the 'Soul King's' orders to help rebuild the Gotei 13."

"First things first..."

"Call that Substitute Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki. We need to take him to the 'Soul King Palace'."

Ichigo Kurosaki?

Under the 'Soul King's' orders?

Naruto narrowed his eyes at them. "Why are you taking Ichigo Kurosaki? He's not even a proper Shinigami yet—he's just a regular human who happened to gain Shinigami powers by chance."

"It's the will of the 'Soul King'," the monk replied. "Once Ichigo Kurosaki meets the 'Soul King', he will understand."

Naruto didn't press further.

"You must be Naruto Uzumaki," the monk said, turning to him. "The 'Soul King' also wants to see you."

"In fact, his desire to meet you is very strong."

Naruto nodded slightly.

"In addition to that, there are a few others we need to take with us," the tall woman with black hair stepped forward. "I'll let you know who they are shortly."