Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Highest-Class Menos Grande



The courtyards of Squad 1 and Squad 5 were both adorned in a dry landscape style.But their flavors were completely different.

The Head Captain's courtyard exuded a stronger sense of wabi-sabi—the beauty in imperfection and impermanence.

"The one who got caught doesn't seem panicked at all," Naruto said softly, carefully watching every subtle expression on his face.

Aizen remained gentle as ever. "My shadow was stepped on."

"Are you worried it'll stop you from moving forward?"

As they spoke, the two arrived at the squad barracks entrance.

Aizen paused for a moment and nodded in farewell. "Do your best, Naruto-kun."

"If you want to catch up to me, you'll have to move faster."

Naruto stopped in his tracks and stared at him.But Aizen no longer interacted, instead calling out to Ichimaru Gin and walking away.

What did he mean by that?What does "having a chance to catch up" even mean?Was he deliberately revealing a flaw for Naruto to catch?

As Naruto returned to his own barracks, he furrowed his brows deep in thought.

No.

Aizen had always acted with clear intent.Revealing a flaw could only bring him the fleeting satisfaction of taunting the Soul Society.But beyond that?There was no actual benefit.He couldn't even push the blame onto someone else.

Yet, his actions had shown that he had been mentally prepared from the start.

Back at Squad 7, Naruto finally came up with a hypothesis.

Among this batch of graduates from Shin'ō Academy, Aizen had aimed to recruit all the top students. But due to Naruto's interference, only Renji Abarai ended up in his hands.

And now...

Rumor had it that even Renji was about to be transferred out of Squad 5.

Though Renji performed well, there simply wasn't a fitting position for him in Squad 5.Captain Aizen, not wanting to hinder his growth, was said to be trying to pull strings to have him moved to another squad.

At least, that's the official reason.

In reality...

Naruto knew Renji fairly well—he seemed brainless but was actually smart, ambitious, and determined.

He was a swordsman who moved forward with his own blade—not someone else's tool.

Aizen likely realized Renji couldn't be used, and his intellect and strength would only become a hindrance.So he found an excuse to push him out.

So then—how many companions does Aizen truly have?

Naruto figured: very few.

Possibly none.

With his Kagura Mind's Eye, Naruto had tested almost everyone who interacted with Aizen frequently—including his own friend, Ichimaru Gin.

Aizen's standards were also extremely high.Idiots and fools could never be his allies.

So even though he brought great trouble to both Naruto and the Soul Society—

Even though he was a "terrifying monster" people pretended not to see—

The reality was, he was in a rather isolated position.He had no allies in the Soul Society.And thanks to Naruto's interference, he likely wouldn't be able to find any suitable allies in the future.

Adding to that, Kisuke Urahara recently "exposed" his own location.The other Hōgyoku was now within reach.

Aizen wasn't trying to send signals.Being caught was simply the cost of taking this action.

But he had anticipated this outcome, understood what would happen, and was fully prepared—which is why he remained so calm when Naruto revealed the truth.

Just like he said—

What was exposed was merely a shadow.

A shadow may point to him,but it couldn't prove it was him.

Still, once the shadow was out, how much longer could he stay hidden?

Hollow attacks on Soul Reapers were becoming more frequent.

However, that unique "Shinigami-like" power had rarely appeared.

But this wasn't entirely good news—The Hollows appearing in the World of the Living were growing increasingly powerful.

Worse still—

Some Hollows that shouldn't be in the World of the Living were starting to appear in the reports.

Squad 10 Barracks.

Kaien Shiba laid out the final transmissions of several fallen Soul Reapers before Isshin Shiba:"Reports from Naruki City and its surroundings indicate traces of a Menos Grande."

"These come from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Fullbringers in the World of the Living."

"And it's not an ordinary Menos Grande."

"At the very least—"

"An Adjuchas."

Isshin scratched his head, looking troubled."An Adjuchas, huh."

"That's... unusual."

"Sounds like that enemy Naruto mentioned."

Kaien Shiba shook his head."Uncle Isshin, Captain Ukitake also suspects that person."

"But there's no evidence."

"Even the reiatsu and spirit wave monitoring data from Squad 12 shows no traces of Shinigami power or Arrancar traits on the Menos."

"We can't keep tossing everything to Squad 7."

Squad 7 was the Inner Court Guard.Naruto had investigated those prior cases because he had the most intel.

But now—

This Menos had no direct connection to that matter.

History showed that such incidents weren't without precedent.

Hundreds of years ago, even Vasto Lorde-class Menos had attacked the Soul Society.

Those emotionless monsters—Who knows what they might do?

"Shouldn't have accepted the Squad 10 Captain position..." Isshin sighed, though his body still moved dutifully as he gathered the intel."Alright, since it's a Menos of that level, I'll have to go personally."

He stood up, mumbling."If only Naruto were my lieutenant..."

Kaien sighed helplessly."Uncle Isshin, don't say such irrational and impulsive things."

"If Kukaku hears this, she's going to smack you again."

Isshin drooped, looking around for Rangiku.But the orange-haired beauty wasn't around, so he had to get ready on his own.

An hour later.

Above Naruki City.

A Senkaimon opened.Isshin Shiba stepped through in a flash step, reaching out as a Hell Butterfly landed on his fingertip.

"The scent of the Living World..." he murmured, but then frowned."Why does it smell so... strange?"

"Oh well."

He touched the seal on his neck.

Still stamped with all the standard limitations—even though this was an official mission.

"Captain of Squad 10, Isshin Shiba?" came a voice from behind.

Isshin turned.A black-haired man in Shihakushō stood there."Substitute Soul Reaper, Kūgo Ginjō?"

"You're here to meet me?"

Ginjō nodded."Yes. Naruki City no longer has a stationed Soul Reaper. Captain Ukitake assigned me full responsibility."

"Have you fought the Hollow?" Isshin asked.

Ginjō shook his head."No, but people in my organization have. It's... bad."

"We have someone who can track every member on a map. If their reiatsu goes wrong, we get alerted immediately."

"Even so, whenever someone is attacked, I rush there instantly—but both my comrades and the Hollow's presence completely vanish."

"That thing is terrifying. Even members with strong self-preservation abilities are killed instantly."

Isshin scratched his head."That's why I'm here in person, huh."

"What about Captain Uzumaki?" Ginjō asked cautiously.

Isshin, a somewhat infamous man, didn't exactly inspire confidence.

"Well, don't trust me?" Isshin frowned and sighed.

Ginjō quickly shook his head."No—it's just that Captain Uzumaki might be more familiar with this area and our situation."

"Relax," Isshin said, patting his shoulder."I'm strong too."

"Maybe... about the same level as that brat."

Ginjō blinked.

Same level as Captain Uzumaki?This sloppy uncle?

If he had any trust before, it now completely vanished.Who brags like that and expects to be taken seriously?

"Oh?" Isshin suddenly turned toward a direction."It's here."

Ginjō was a beat late, looking over with a grave expression.

A heavy, immense reiatsu.The sky warped into a color of evil and chaos.

"Go back," Isshin said, bending forward to flash step toward the source.

But Ginjō interrupted firmly."I'm coming too."

"Naruki City is our home."

Isshin paused—then burst out laughing."Alright, come with me then."

"But—"

"If you can't handle it, run."

"There's no shame in retreating."

Ginjō nodded.

They flash stepped away together.

To Isshin's surprise, this Substitute Soul Reaper wasn't weak.Despite only doing this for a few decades, he already had vice-captain-level strength—All while growing up in the Living World.

And he had a "Substitute Soul Reaper Badge" that limited his reiatsu.

Southwest Naruki City.

By the river.

A Hollow roamed.

Sensing the two approaching reiatsu, it didn't flee—It waited calmly.

"That's a Menos?"Landing on the bridge, Ginjō frowned in confusion.

Aren't Menos supposed to be huge?

But this one was even smaller than most regular Hollows—A fully humanoid body, clad in dark armor-like skin, face covered in a pristine, featureless mask.

Its Hollow hole was blocked by a mass of milky-white material.

"Not an Adjuchas—it's a Vasto Lorde," Isshin said gravely.

This Hollow looked almost entirely human—Even had a thick mane of white hair.

Only the two bull-like horns betrayed its inhuman nature.

Ginjō didn't understand.

"It's a Menos. The highest class of Menos," Isshin said seriously, slowly drawing his Zanpakutō.

"Now we're in serious trouble."

"You could've helped with an Adjuchas."

"With this one—"

"You better run."

"Contact the Soul Society. Request backup."

(End of Chapter)


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