Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

At that moment, Naruto extinguished the blue flame-like arrows surrounding his body, absorbing the spirit particles for his own use.

He looked ahead.

The portal remained open.

Yhwach's figure had disappeared.

Naruto expanded his "Mind's Eye of the Kagura," but within the boundaries of the Soul King Palace, there was no trace of Yhwach's spiritual pressure.

Where did he go?

Why is this portal still active?

Should he follow?

Naruto wasn't afraid of Yhwach's methods. So far, Yhwach hadn't displayed any attacks too fearsome or impossible to handle. However, that might simply be because he hadn't yet had the time or opportunity to use them.

Just like now.

To execute the "spatial transference" technique, Yhwach first had to create an opening for himself and then perform the "Auswählen."

Perhaps the techniques that could pose a threat to him require some time to activate.

But to be safe, caution is essential.

Naruto formed hand seals.

It was the familiar "Shadow Clone Technique," which he hadn't used in a while.

Unlike the overwhelming scenes of the past, this time he created only one clone. The clone stepped into the portal without hesitation.

Half a minute passed.

Naruto was still standing in front of the portal, but no new information came to his mind; the clone hadn't returned.

"Naruto?" Kurama asked, puzzled.

Naruto's thoughts were scattered.

He understood why Kurama was questioning him.

Too much time had passed. No matter what lay beyond the portal or whether Yhwach was there, the clone should have either returned or dispelled itself to relay the information.

But there was nothing…

Was the clone imprisoned?

Why imprison it? Could Yhwach have mistaken the clone for the real Naruto? Yet, even if he had, Yhwach should have struck to kill.

In any case, the only logical result should have been for the clone to "dispel."

Thinking from the logic of a Shinigami or Quincy yields no answers.

But from a "ninja's" perspective?

Ninja battles revolve around "deception," "concealment," and landing a killing blow after obtaining "advantageous information."

That's something Yhwach could also employ.

Back when he fought "Yamamoto," he used similar tricks.

So…

What would Yhwach need to acquire to feel confident he could defeat him?

The question surfaced, and the answer quickly followed.

The Soul King!

From the start, he'd been absorbing the Soul King's power.

But in the Soul King's palace, there was no trace of his spiritual pressure.

Naruto lowered his head and expanded "Mind's Eye of the Kagura" again, covering the entire area around the Soul King's palace.

Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryu Ishida, Shunsui Kyoraku…

And Mayuri Kurotsuchi!

Multiple instances of Mayuri's spiritual pressure.

One of them was in the Soul King's palace.

Naruto was taken aback, but he quickly raised his hand high, gathering blue energy and "Sage of Six Paths Kurama Mode" chakra, forming a large, sharp spear.

He hurled it powerfully toward the "Mayuri" inside the Soul King's palace.

Whether the person inside was Yhwach, masquerading by giving himself "Mayuri's spiritual pressure," or simply a clone of Mayuri—it didn't matter now. Whoever was there had to be eliminated.

The air tore as the spear spun, gathering momentum.

The structure trembled as it neared its target.

Dust billowed out to the sides but didn't obscure the view.

The spear pierced forward.

Inside the Soul King's palace, the being emitting "Mayuri's" spiritual pressure, as Naruto suspected, was not the real "Mayuri," but Yhwach, who had cloaked himself with "Mayuri's spiritual pressure."

The portal to another space in the sky was a ruse.

Its purpose was simply to buy time to achieve his real objective—devouring the Soul King's power.

The heart had already been absorbed.

The amber stone split in two, and from the crack, a thick black spiritual pressure oozed continuously, pouring into Yhwach's body.

Only half a minute had passed.

The amber-like "Soul King" itself appeared mostly unchanged—he had already died, severing all ties with the Three Worlds.

Yet…

Yhwach's body visibly swelled; the Soul King's power seemed almost too "abundant" for him. Much like how a person might grow small, fatty lumps when overweight, Yhwach's body sprouted similar black lumps of dense spiritual pressure.

Clusters of dark growths formed on his feet.

On his head, there were mushroom-like protrusions, inky and viscous like those on his feet, adorned with large, golden eyes glinting like gemstones across the headpiece.

Once Naruto detected him—

His aura shifted suddenly, the "Mayuri" portion dissipating, leaving only the Quincy power fused with the Soul King's strength.

For a moment, he maintained a faint connection, trying to keep it concealed from Naruto.

Now that everything was exposed, there was no need for restraint.

They burst out freely, flowing like a great river—not liquid, but masses of countless small black, one-eyed humanoid beings filled with malice, targeting the Shinigami gathered near the Soul King's palace.

"Quick reaction," Yhwach remarked, his voice filled with genuine satisfaction that he could hardly contain. "I thought this little trick would keep you occupied much longer."

"But…"

"It's too late."

Yhwach sneered, "Now the Soul King's power belongs to me…"

Before he could finish—

A golden flash—

Light streamed down from above, a dazzling, powerful beam, like sunlight concentrated into a sharp, cutting ray.

Now with added power, Yhwach had an extra margin, enough to sway his body and dodge this strike.

Naruto's attack wasn't aimed directly at him.

He was trying to sever the connection between the Soul King's power and Yhwach, as he had at the beginning.

However, this time the attack didn't cut off the link.

Yhwach raised his hand, drifting out of the palace's gap, "It's useless, Naruto Uzumaki. You can't stop me now."

"I am now… the Soul King."

"There's no way to prevent what was meant to be mine from returning to me."

As he said, even though the link was severed, the spiritual energy from the Soul King's body continued to flow toward Yhwach, as if finding any means possible to "return" to him.

He still wore the grotesque, eye-filled "crown."

And it gave him a sense of allure as if he were seeing the world anew.

In some respects, at this moment, he was no different from a "newborn."

Naruto's face was solemn as he glared at Yhwach.

Had he really become the Soul King?

It was more than just a power increase.

There was something else Naruto feared…

"I can see it now," Yhwach suddenly paused, his tone growing fervent, "Naruto Uzumaki, I can see you."

Naruto's thoughts confirmed, "Just as I suspected."

He had known this…

Upon gaining the "Soul King's power" and reaching the status of a "Soul King," such an entity would indeed glimpse this knowledge.

Traveling "between worlds" is an unimaginable feat.

It might have once seemed like an accident, a rare event—yet with the Soul King's awareness, he found a way to utilize it.

But after what the Soul King had told him about "not preventing his own death," Naruto was increasingly inclined to believe that his arrival in this world wasn't due to a random event but that he'd been "chosen" by the Soul King.

"No wonder, even with my omniscience and omnipotence, I couldn't see your future before this." Yhwach seemed to understand.

"I had made various assumptions about your identity."

"But this truth is still astonishing—that the Soul King's power could extend to such a degree."

He paused.

All the eyes on his head turned to stare intently at Naruto.

"Bringing someone who doesn't belong to our world into our world," he taunted, his voice low yet resonating with spiritual energy, allowing everyone present—even those below the Soul King's palace—to hear.

Naruto instinctively turned his head, glancing at the few people outside the portal.

Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes widened. "Someone who doesn't belong to our world? What does that mean?"

"Idiot," Uryu Ishida scoffed, offering an explanation. "It means Uncle Naruto is from another world."

Ichigo replied with an "Oh," scratching his head. "Why would he go out of his way to make sure we heard that?"

The "he" he referred to was Yhwach.

Uryu stared at Ichigo.

He couldn't quite tell if his distant cousin genuinely didn't understand Yhwach's intention or was just pretending.

Wasn't it obvious?

To "sow discord."

Otherwise, Yhwach wouldn't have emphasized "our world" in his words…

"Incredible, another world," Mayuri Kurotsuchi exclaimed, his exaggerated features twisting, his eyes darting as several ideas floated immediately to mind. "No wonder Captain Uzumaki possesses an entirely different knowledge system."

"I thought he was just some flash-of-brilliance genius."

"So that's how it is…"

He waved a hand, his eyes ablaze with excitement. "No wonder he's so cautious around me, never allowing me to study him in depth."

"Mayuri, do you…"

Just as he posed a question, Kisuke Urahara immediately shook his head.

"Aren't you curious how another world differs from ours?" Mayuri leaned forward, his tone obscure. "The things Captain Uzumaki has shown are enough for us to research for a hundred years…"

"Not to mention other aspects."

"For instance, why does Vice-Captain Kurama exist within Captain Uzumaki? They seem to have a unique symbiotic relationship. Could it be that everyone in his world shares this kind of bond?"

"He also mentioned something about being a 'Jinchuriki' before…"

Mayuri's enthusiasm was unstoppable.

Without waiting to convince Urahara, he was already captivated by his vision of this "beautiful future."

Kisuke Urahara clicked his tongue, interrupting Mayuri's reverie. "Captain Kurotsuchi, if you're willing to ask nicely, maybe Naruto will offer you some research projects."

"But don't entertain any ideas about another world."

Mayuri looked at him.

Kisuke Urahara cleared his throat. "Does it really matter if Naruto is from another world?"

"No matter his origin, he remains the one most likely to succeed as Captain-Commander, the current Captain of the 7th Division, and the Naruto Uzumaki who wouldn't hesitate to lend a hand when a friend is in trouble."

Mayuri picked up on the implication. "So you've known all along? Did Captain Uzumaki tell you?"

"That's not important," Urahara replied, shaking his head.

Mayuri frowned, ignoring him, and continued his own speculation. "It seems Naruto didn't tell you; you must have suspected it beforehand."

"When?"

"Recently?"

He scrutinized Urahara's eyes, observing his expression, then dismissed this assumption.

"So, it must have been when you first met Naruto?"

Urahara's eyes gleamed. "It doesn't matter."

"As I thought," Mayuri muttered expressionlessly, clenching his fist. "This is important, Urahara."

"I've been around Captain Uzumaki for so long and never made such assumptions."

"This time… it was my oversight."

Urahara smiled wryly.

...

In the Seireitei:

"Captain Uzumaki is from another world?" Soi Fon looked up, gazing at the sky. "Who is saying such things?"

…

At the 7th Division headquarters:

All three occupants heard the voice from the sky, but their expressions remained calm.

"That voice is Yhwach's," Yamamoto said softly. "It seems Naruto has driven him to desperation, forcing him to use such vile tactics."

"Utterly unforgivable!"

It wasn't that he didn't believe it, but…

In their current situation, there was no need to believe or care.

Right now, the Soul Society needed Naruto Uzumaki to save them. What did it matter whether he was from this world or not?

"However, we should reassure the lower-ranked soldiers." After a moment's silence, Yamamoto clapped his hands gently on the table. "Rumors of this nature, true or false, could easily affect Naruto."

"Shunsui, you and Komamura will handle this."

The 9th Division is a unique entity within the Gotei 13.

While labeled the "Prison Division," the 9th's primary duty is "public relations."

The most widely circulated publication within the Gotei 13, *Seireitei Communication*, is edited and managed by the 9th Division.

Certain organizations in the Seireitei, such as the Women's Shinigami Association and Men's Shinigami Association, also require approval from the 9th Division to operate.

"How should we proceed?" Shunsui Kyoraku asked, clenching his hand. "Should we explain things, or…"

"What do you think?" Yamamoto contemplated briefly before responding. "In my view, denying such an absurd claim is natural."

"There's no need to provoke unnecessary panic."

Shunsui spoke softly. "Why would there be panic?"

Yamamoto looked momentarily surprised.

"Does Naruto's other identity matter?" Shunsui's voice was low but resolute. "As long as we stand firmly by his side."

"Not like Yhwach hopes…"

"To every Shinigami, Naruto Uzumaki remains unchanged. He's still the Captain of the 7th Division."

"There's no harm in acknowledging it."

Jushiro Ukitake nodded, supporting Shunsui's words. "Naruto has always been straightforward."

"If it's true, it's true; if it isn't, it isn't."

"Since this matter involves Naruto, let's handle it his way."

Yamamoto remained silent for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well, let's proceed as you both suggest."

…

Above the Soul King's palace:

"Shouting so loudly?" Naruto's face remained calm as he observed the bizarre being across from him, whose appearance had already strayed far from human. "So, you're the kind who, after learning a little secret about someone, can't help but broadcast it to the world?"

"This is no small secret." Yhwach shook his head. "It's something that could change the fate of the entire world."

"But why?"

He asked the question, seemingly out of nowhere.

"What did you do to me?" Naruto looked down, sensing an unfamiliar but somehow native spiritual energy within his body. "You've granted me something?"

Yhwach did not answer directly. "You're not from this world…"

"I can see that not only are you not from here, but you also have the ability to return to your original world."

"The survival or destruction of this world has nothing to do with you. So why stand in my way?"

He extended a hand, pointing slightly.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I am omniscient and omnipotent."

"I can see their reactions when they hear this news."

"Would you like to know?"

Naruto responded simply and decisively: "No."

He reached out, channeling the power of the vortex, fusing it with the energy of "Sage of Six Paths Kurama Mode," forming a powerful spear. Unlike before, this time there was no restraint—its force was immense, aimed directly, without worrying about collateral damage to the Soul King.

A massive, crushing force.

Yhwach extended his hand, pointing a finger.

The spear halted, though not as effortlessly as he tried to project—his fingertip was pierced, and red blood mixed with black spiritual pressure trickled from the wound.

He had attempted to meet Naruto's attack with a nonchalant demeanor, aiming to inflict the maximum psychological blow on his opponent.

But…

He had somewhat overestimated his current strength.

And underestimated Naruto's power.

His expression didn't change much; he had long ceased caring about such matters.

"I bestowed upon it the power to reflect reality," Yhwach spoke from above, assuming the role of a god-like figure.

The spear twisted, expanded, and stretched, transforming in an instant into a mirror.

Ripples surged within the mirror.

"Would you like to hear what people think of you?" Yhwach remarked, his hand waving to convey that the injury meant nothing to him, as he refrained from using his "granted" powers to heal himself.

Naruto did not reply, launching a second wave of attacks.

"Then let's see what Yamamoto thinks." He attempted to dig deeper, hoping to reveal something significant.

…

Within the mirror, the scene shifted to the 7th Division headquarters.

Yamamoto was enraged. "That damned Naruto Uzumaki, deceiving me all these years."

"He's not even from this world, yet he managed to become a captain. What is he planning?"

"To think such a huge threat was right under my nose."

Shunsui Kyoraku sighed. "I would never have thought that Naruto Uzumaki had such an origin."

Jushiro Ukitake furrowed his brows. "I was wrong about him. I even pitied him once; I should have killed him back when he was unfamiliar with our world."

…

Malice.

Overwhelming malice.

In the inner world, Kurama was stunned, gritting his teeth.

Yhwach lightly tapped the mirror, shifting its scenes.

Naruto's acquaintances appeared one by one—each reacting harshly.

Retsu Unohana was disappointed, Yoruichi Shihoin was resentful, Soi Fon screamed that she wanted him dead.

Sajin Komamura wanted to sever ties.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi wished to dissect him.

Aizen laughed, mocking Naruto for reaping what he had sown.

"How…how could they say such things?" Kurama's voice trembled, his strength faltering with each word, even the Great Sage Mode on Naruto's body began to destabilize.

"Do you think it's true?" Naruto asked in return.

Kurama remained silent.

He didn't want to believe it. From what he knew of these people, he knew they wouldn't lightly accept Yhwach's words and say such cold, ruthless things.

But even a strong-willed fox, once hurt, would become skittish.

A single twang of a bowstring could cause old wounds to ache.

Naruto clenched his fist, eyes fixed on Yhwach. "This is the same man who deceived the Captain-Commander with a fake body to gather intelligence."

"Just now, he used Mayuri's spiritual pressure to trick us."

"And now…"

"Do you still think this is real?"

Kurama, shaken, nodded instantly. "Right, of course, he's just trying to deceive us."

"Seems you're unwilling to face the truth." Yhwach extended his hand, his black spiritual pressure devouring the mirror. "But at this point, I have become the Soul King, and I can destroy the world with a single thought."

"Your death is also just a thought away."

"There's no need for me to deceive you."

Naruto looked at him calmly. "The world hasn't been destroyed, has it?"

Unlike Kurama, Naruto was completely unaffected.

"Whether what you say is true or false, it won't change what's happening right now." As he spoke, he extended his hand, drawing in the wind of the world to his palm.

The blade of the "Vortex" took shape, a chaotic "universe" enveloping a world in resentment.

"If it were true, you would still fight for these people…" Yhwach pressed again.

Naruto cut him off: "If it's true, it's between them and me."

"I'll handle it with them, not let a third party like you destroy the world."

Yhwach let out a low, bitter laugh, his expression darkening.

He enjoyed dismantling his opponents psychologically.

Like…

Watching Yamamoto about to bring down his Zanpakuto.

Like…

Framing Ichigo Kurosaki for killing the Soul King and placing the blame for "world destruction" on him.

Now, he hoped to break Naruto in the same way.

But it had no effect whatsoever.

"I've known them for so long; I believe they wouldn't do such things," Naruto said with a bright smile. "Just as I've always trusted them."

"I believe that no matter what, they'll trust me just as I trust them."

"Of course, Mayuri excluded."

"He probably does want to study me."

Beneath the Soul King's palace, Mayuri Kurotsuchi turned his head away, as if his thoughts had been read.

"What good is faith?" Yhwach extended his hand. Even as Naruto shook the spirit particles within the Soul King's palace, Yhwach could still bring new ones into the area, forming a sword. "You've already lost."

"The moment my second deception succeeded, you lost."

Naruto shook his head. "Do you know why the Soul King chose to bring me into this world?"

Yhwach replied, "Because you're an anomaly."

"One that I cannot foresee."

Naruto smiled. "That's right, an anomaly."

He paused. "Just like this sword in my hand."

Yhwach stared, bewildered, at the sword called "Vortex."

"Though in terms of power, I'm not fully a Shinigami," Naruto continued, "I've chosen to remain one, and the blade in my hand is still a Zanpakuto."

"That hasn't changed."

"A Zanpakuto's Bankai, or rather its true form, is an enhancement of its Shikai."

"With only the Shikai, I can disturb anything with form."

"Be it your techniques, your body…"

"I could even, if I wished, disrupt the entire Soul Society."

"Do you know what this sword's Bankai amplifies?"

Yhwach felt a chill in his heart.

He grasped the key word in Naruto's statement: "anything with form."

That was the sole limitation of "Vortex."

So then…

The Bankai would disrupt "the formless"?

Naruto read his emotions, nodding slightly. "That's right, you guessed it."

"Vortex's Bankai disrupts the formless—that's why I've refrained from using it since acquiring this power."

"It's powerful, and I fear even a slight impact would be too much for others to bear."

"But—"

"As the Captain-Commander, Mayuri, and Urahara have all said, sometimes a better result requires taking certain risks."

"And that's the duty and burden of a leader."

Naruto raised his sword slightly.

"I'm ready to shoulder the consequences of any evil that might arise."

"Yhwach, it ends here."

He paused, lifting his sword to chest level, pointing it horizontally at the man across from him.

"Bankai—"

"Maelstrom Vortex." (in Japanese, this literally means Naruto Uzumaki/Whirlpool)

There were no ornate words, only the simplicity of a name true to its essence.

The wind stilled.

Yhwach froze, his mind blank.

As though he couldn't comprehend what was happening.

No…

It wasn't that he couldn't comprehend it—he couldn't react.

Empowered by the Soul King's strength, his "omniscience and omnipotence" had been "twisted and disrupted," tangled in his mind like knotted rope.

The "Soul King's power," once fused seamlessly with him as a whole, now fractured, fleeing the spirit vessel that had reverted to an ordinary man.

Yhwach raised his hand.

Though he had lost his "omniscience and omnipotence," he still retained his Quincy abilities.

The Heilig Pfeil condensed.

In the next moment—

It was effortlessly scattered and disrupted.

He understood.

He truly had lost.

~~~

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