Shinigami in the Ninja World

The red shell crumbled bit by bit, scattering like fragments in the wind. Inside, a dazzling light shone—a deep golden color, distinctly different from the previous "Ashura" form.

Naruto swung his blade lightly, and with a tremor of spiritual energy, the remaining fragments were completely shed. The energy on the blade now shimmered with a translucent golden aura, flickering like flames.

Ichigo clenched his teeth, instinctively hunching his body.

Soi Fon used Shunpo to pull Rukia to safety, while Yachiru dragged Kenpachi away.

Aizen narrowed his eyes, letting out a soft "hmm."

This spiritual pressure... compared to his earlier Shikai, hadn't grown much stronger. But there was a fundamental difference in its quality. The missing pieces had been filled in.

"Here we go, Kurama!" Naruto raised his sword and plunged it into his abdomen.

The blade didn't harm him but instead acted like a key, entering his spiritual core.

Kurama's voice echoed in response, "Let's do this, Naruto."

Their energies merged, Kurama's power blending with Naruto's spiritual energy. A brilliant golden cloak formed around him, with a black torso, a ring of black markings around his neck, and a golden pattern in the center of his chest. From this design, a golden line extended down to his abdomen, where two intertwined circles appeared.

Aizen raised an eyebrow. This transformation... inserting the sword into his body and changing his form reminded him of certain interesting things he'd encountered in Hueco Mundo.

"Is this the hidden power you were keeping?" Aizen chuckled softly. "You've just turned yourself into a big firefly—flashy but pointless."

Naruto, calm, drew a second sword. "That's not all."

"Nobody's ever seen this before," he added.

"Let me show you another power."

Aizen laughed.

"Bankai!"

Naruto called out the word, and both Soi Fon and Aizen were stunned. Even Kenpachi, struggling to stay conscious, turned to look.

Of course, this wasn't a Bankai. Naruto rarely used his "Ashura" form—he prioritized long-term growth over short-term battles. The power he was using now was Sage Mode.

Both Shinigami and Ninja relied heavily on information in battle, and if Naruto could obscure his true abilities, he would. Spiritual energy surged, gathering reishi around Naruto's body.

Aizen furrowed his brow. This energy... Was Naruto drawing on the power of a Quincy?

No, Naruto didn't have Quincy blood. But since one of his blades was similar to Hollows, it wasn't far-fetched for the other to resemble the power of a Quincy. Could his secrets be connected to the Soul King?

The reishi bonded to Naruto's form, coloring his hair and eyelashes with radiant gold, enhancing his "Kurama Mode" cloak. Even his Ashura blade now gleamed with the same vibrant energy.

"Truly beautiful," Soi Fon whispered in awe, her gaze locked on Naruto. His presence radiated holiness, nobility, and a brilliant light that seemed to embody all things lofty and pure.

"It almost looks like you might be able to stop me," Aizen raised his sword.

Naruto swung his blade, and the clash of energies sent shockwaves that obliterated nearby structures. Ichigo was flung backward, crashing through walls.

Soi Fon and Yachiru managed to stay standing, but only because they had already distanced themselves from the battlefield.

After a dozen exchanges, Naruto hovered in the air, gazing at Kurama. His connection to this blade felt different now. Previously, he had only tapped into part of its vitality, the intangible half. The other half, which had been missing from Yin Kurama, was the tangible half. ꞦᴀƝՕBЁṡ

Naruto extended his hand, attempting to summon this tangible power. Reishi gathered outside his body, forming a simple creature—rudimentary in shape, with a few markings on its body. It was a mere puppet, an empty shell.

Kurama then infused it with life.

The spiritual pressure within it surged, formidable and overwhelming.

Ichigo gritted his teeth, staring at the simple creature with a growing sense of dread. If he were to fight it, the battle would leave him battered and bruised, even if he won.

And yet, this was something Naruto had casually created.

The puppet let out a roar, declaring its newfound "life" and lunged toward Aizen.

"Is this a new ability?" the brown-haired man mused.

Creating life? No, it's different. While it could generate life, it lacked a soul.

Naruto frowned. He had noticed the same flaw. This creature, while animated, lacked the essence of true life. But then he realized—this wasn't about Kurama's power but the nature of chakra and spiritual energy.

Chakra was infused with will. Spiritual energy, on the other hand, was simply raw power.

Aizen raised his hand, releasing a fiery blast that engulfed the puppet, reducing it to particles of reishi.

Ichigo's eyes widened.

Just one attack? So effortlessly...

These two were on a completely different level.

Before Aizen could speak again, several figures arrived with Shunpo.

Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander, stood beside Soi Fon. Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku positioned themselves on either side of Aizen.

A female Shinigami held her sword to Gin Ichimaru's throat.

Gin smiled, raising his hands, his voice cheerful, "Ah, sorry, Captain Aizen. I've been caught."

Rangiku Matsumoto, her voice low, whispered, "Gin, what are you doing?"

Gin remained silent.

"Aizen," Shunsui said softly, his hands on his sword's hilt, "You're out of options."

Ukitake remained silent but readied his blade.

One by one, other captains arrived, led by Unohana Retsu and their lieutenants.

Aizen glanced around and smiled.

"What's so funny, Aizen? Have you finally realized how absurd your actions were?" Hitsugaya shouted.

Aizen shook his head. "This is perfect."

"I thought I'd only be able to say goodbye to Naruto."

"Apologies, but time's up."

A dim golden light descended from the sky, enveloping Aizen.

Simultaneously, Gin pushed Matsumoto away, and the same light enveloped him.

A powerful spiritual pressure condensed in the sky.

Everyone looked up.

A crack appeared in the heavens, and the golden light poured from it.

"That's... a Garganta?" Soi Fon muttered.

Naruto raised his blade.

"Don't move, Captain Uzumaki," Yamamoto finally spoke.

But Naruto didn't listen.

Reishi gathered at the tip of his sword, swirling into a vortex.

The strike crashed into the golden barrier, causing a massive reverberation.

But the thin layer of light remained unscathed.

"That's a Negación," Yamamoto continued, "A technique used by Hollows to rescue their comrades. From the moment that light appeared, no one can harm Aizen now—not even me."

The Garganta's pull intensified, drawing Aizen and Gin upward.

Matsumoto looked up, locking eyes with Gin.

Gin smiled, "Ah, Rangiku, if only you'd held on a bit tighter."

Matsumoto gritted her teeth, saying nothing.

Aizen glanced at Gin before turning his gaze to Naruto. "You've surprised me, Naruto-kun."

"You're only a step away from the pinnacle of a Shinigami."

"It's a shame you couldn't defeat me now."

"There's now an insurmountable gap between us."

Ukitake clenched his teeth, demanding, "Aizen, why are you doing this?"

Aizen, uninterested, glanced at him. "To reach higher levels of existence."

"Have you fallen, Aizen?" Ukitake's fists trembled.

Aizen chuckled, "Ukitake, you're too arrogant."

"No one starts at the top—not you, not me."

He raised his hand, removing his glasses.

"Not even gods."

"But the vacancy in the throne is about to be filled."

Aizen crushed the glasses in his hand, letting the fragments fall as dust.

With his other hand, he slicked back his hair.

He turned to the Garganta's entrance. "From now on, I will stand at the top."

The change in his appearance—removing his glasses and altering his hair—transformed his entire presence. He radiated cold arrogance, as if his very being exuded superiority.

"Goodbye, Shinigami."

"Goodbye, Naruto-kun."

He paused at the Garganta's entrance. "This is the last time I'll speak to you as a Shinigami."

"And the last time I'll offer you this invitation."

"Will you join me in evolving, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto remained silent, staring at him coldly.

"Then I'll leave the Keystone with you for now," Aizen said, raising his hand slightly. "Remember this feeling."

"It's the last thing you'll succeed at."

"Next time we meet... you won't have the chance to agree."

With that, Aizen stepped into the Garganta, with Gin following close behind.

The Negación faded, and the rift slowly closed.

After Aizen's departure, the tension in the courtyard lifted. 4th Division medics arrived to tend to Kenpachi, Ichigo, and Rukia.

Naruto slowly dispersed his spiritual energy, sheathing both of his swords.

In his inner world, he asked, "Is there any way to bring Tailed Beast Chakra into this world?"

Kurama pondered. "If we store their chakra inside me, it might be possible."

~~~

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