Shinigami in the Ninja World

Chapter 210: *Spoiler*

In the dimly lit chamber of Central 46, the air was thick with tension between the two men.

Naruto's face was calm, but a flicker in his eyes betrayed the storm brewing inside. "Have you been working with Aizen ever since your time in the 5th Division?"

"That's a bit harsh, don't you think?" Gin Ichimaru replied, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Naruto's voice dropped, barely above a whisper. "Why?"

Gin raised a finger to his lips, still smiling. "That's a secret I can't share. Didn't I already tell you, Naruto?"

"You still haven't realized, have you?"

Naruto cut him off with a nod, his voice steady. "I know."

"Aizen wanted me to come here."

Gin stayed silent.

"But he also knows," Naruto continued, stepping forward and grabbing Gin's wrist, "whether you're dead or working with him, I can't abandon a friend."

Gin lowered his head. "Even now?"

Naruto raised his other hand, forming a hand seal, his gaze fixed on Gin's half-closed eyes. "I'll ask you just one question."

"Do you still hate Aizen?"

Gin's voice was barely audible. "Of course. That's never changed."

Naruto's keen senses, honed by the Mind's Eye of Kagura, confirmed Gin's words. His emotions hadn't shifted from when Naruto had asked the same question years ago. Gin had never wavered.

Naruto's expression softened. "I see."

"Gin, would I ever influence your choices?"

Gin lifted his head, grinning brightly. "Captain Uzumaki, we're enemies now."

"No need to ask questions like that."

"I won't hold back."

Their eyes locked for a moment.

Naruto activated a jutsu.

A flash of golden light.

Back in the courtyard where Rukia was being held, Nine-Tails tensed, barking an order. "Stop!"

Kenpachi Zaraki scowled but stepped back reluctantly. "What's the deal? We were just getting to the good part."

"He's here!" Nine-Tails shouted. "To the left! Strike now!"

Ichigo hesitated, but Kenpachi, ever the seasoned warrior, reacted instantly. He swung his sword at what seemed like empty air.

The strike hit with a crack, sparks flying as it connected with something unseen.

"A hidden enemy?" Kenpachi's foul mood vanished, replaced by excitement. His face twisted in a grin as he swung again, sending up clouds of dust.

A soft voice echoed through the courtyard. "As expected, only a fox like you could see me." A man with glasses, wearing a captain's haori, stepped out of the shadows.

Soi Fon narrowed her eyes.

Kenpachi tilted his head, sneering. "Captain Aizen."

Rukia took a sharp breath, her face growing serious.

Nine-Tails bared its fangs, growling. "Finally, you show yourself. Couldn't resist, could you?"

Aizen chuckled softly. "Wild animals can't comprehend human speech, much less say anything meaningful."

"You still haven't realized..."

"Who really holds the advantage here?"

Nine-Tails gripped its sword with its paw while Kenpachi's excitement grew.

Aizen ignored them, continuing as if talking to himself. "Naruto is a fascinating opponent, so capable and resourceful."

"But unfortunately..."

"Despite holding secrets even I can't unravel, he clings to trivial emotions like any ordinary man."

"And that is his greatest weakness."

He extended a hand toward Ichigo. "So, I'll be taking this prize..."

Another flash of golden light.

Naruto appeared, holding Gin by the wrist.

With a swift motion, Naruto thrust his red sword forward.

Aizen stepped back, dodging the strike.

"A space-time Kidō?" Aizen narrowed his eyes, watching closely.

Gin raised his free hand and sighed, his smile still unwavering. "Aizen-sama, Captain Uzumaki caught me. He's just too strong. I couldn't resist."

Kenpachi, eager for more, leapt forward with his sword raised high.

Naruto unleashed his jutsu, golden chains shooting toward Aizen, who vanished, leaving only a faint afterimage.

The chains hit the ground with a loud clang.

"Rukia!" Nine-Tails barked.

Naruto turned quickly.

Aizen had already moved, standing beside Rukia. One hand tilted her chin while the other reached into her chest, his palm morphing into something gnarled like tree bark. He pulled out a small, glowing gem.

"So this is Kisuke Urahara's Hogyoku? Fascinating," Aizen murmured, admiring the object.

Ichigo's eyes widened in shock.

Naruto frowned.

Despite the invasive act, Rukia's life force remained stable. Though her body had been violated, her life wasn't in immediate danger.

Holding the Hogyoku, Aizen locked eyes with Naruto. "How tragic, Naruto."

"Maybe Gin's example will help you understand."

"The people around you aren't worth trusting."

His words carried weight, pointed and deliberate.

Gin's knowing smile deepened.

"You're talking about Kisuke Urahara, aren't you?" Naruto called out.

Aizen extended his hand. "While you've been trying so hard to protect your friends..."

"He's been using your trust to hurt the very people you care about."

Naruto glanced at Rukia.

"Kisuke Urahara is brilliant," Aizen continued, pulling something from his coat. "I'm sure he tried to destroy the Hogyoku."

"But his abilities weren't enough."

"So he devised a different plan."

"To sacrifice Rukia."

"By stripping her of her Shinigami powers and turning her into a regular soul, he thought he could hide the Hogyoku forever."

"But it didn't work. He couldn't hide it from me."

Aizen let Rukia fall, casting a glance at Naruto with a soft smile. "In a way, I saved her."

"Naruto."

"Don't you see?"

"The people you trust are just as corrupt."

"Why not join me?"

Naruto raised his red blade, his voice steady. "Just because I won't forgive Kisuke Urahara doesn't mean I'll side with you."

"So this was about Rukia all along?"

"I thought..."

Aizen shook his head, appearing beside Ichigo in a flash of movement. "Of course not, the Hogyoku was only part of it."

"Ichigo Kurosaki is just as important."

"And for that, I have you to thank, Naruto."

"Had you not alerted me, I wouldn't have prepared the 'keystone' in advance."

Kenpachi swung his sword again.

Aizen raised his hand, smiling. "Gratitude should be given one at a time, Captain Kenpachi. No need to rush."

Black spiritual energy surged around him, warping the air.

The energy engulfed Kenpachi's body.

It was a high-level Kidō, cast without an incantation.

"Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi (Black Coffin)!" Aizen's glasses glinted, his eyes hidden behind the reflection. "Thanks to Naruto's involvement, I've been able to observe Ichigo's growth—he's turned into exactly what I need."

"So I let news of his presence leak, ensuring that you would engage him."

"Your fight confirmed everything."

"Ichigo has grown remarkably—he's at a Vice-Captain's level already, and in just a few months."

"He's the perfect keystone."

The black rectangular Kidō enveloped Kenpachi, compressing him with spiritual energy.

After a moment, the spell dissolved, revealing a bloodied, battered Kenpachi. His clothes were in tatters, but despite the injuries, he stood hunched over, grinning. "That… hurt."

"So that's what Black Coffin feels like."

"What a sensation."

"But if you're so grateful, how about we have a real fight?"

"I didn't know you were this interesting, Aizen."

Kenpachi raised his sword again, moving slower now.

"Such resilience," Aizen said, stepping forward and slicing his blade. "But in this state..."

"How can you hope to keep up?"

Blood sprayed as Kenpachi's body was cut open.

"See, just like that." Aizen turned away, watching Kenpachi stagger.

Even with the deep wound, Kenpachi remained on his feet.

"Still standing?" Aizen raised his sword again.

A flash of gold.

Naruto's red blade clashed with Aizen's.

"You couldn't wait any longer, could you, Naruto?" Aizen effortlessly blocked the strike. "You must have something new up your sleeve."

"Show me."

Naruto said nothing.

Aizen was stronger than he had expected.

His swordsmanship, speed, hand-to-hand combat, and mastery of Kidō—everything was on another level. He was nearly flawless.

"If this is all you've got."

"I'm disappointed, Naruto."

"You've gone a hundred years without growth."

Aizen's calm voice carried a mocking tone.

Meanwhile, Yang Nine-Tails let out a deep breath, its expression serious.

In this battle between Naruto and Aizen, Nine-Tails, in its current form, couldn't intervene. Even if it used its Tailed Beast Bombs, Aizen would neutralize them with ease.

If it was going to help Naruto, it had to be now.

With a flick of its tail, Nine-Tails vanished. For the first time since the "Four Symbols Seal" was unlocked years ago, it willingly returned to Naruto's inner world.

"Naruto, it's time." Both the Yin and Yang Nine-Tails spoke as one.

"You're ready to learn my true name."

"And to wield all of my power."

Inside Naruto's mind, the two halves of Nine-Tails began to merge.

The yin and yang sides fused into a single entity.

"Listen carefully, Naruto."

"My name is Kurama!!"

Its voice echoed, shaking the very fabric of Naruto's consciousness.

The transformation instantly manifested in Naruto's blade.

The red surface of the sword began to peel away.

Slowly, the red crumbled, revealing the true golden blade underneath.

Title: My name is Kurama