Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

Squad 1 Barracks.

All twelve captains were present.

Shiba Isshin spoke softly: "That's everything I experienced in the Human World."

He concealed the part about the Quincies, altering the final outcome to say that Naruto saved him.

"Is that so?" the Head Captain said calmly. "You claim…"

"…that just as you were about to use your Bankai, you were ambushed by a Shinigami?"

Shiba Isshin nodded and pulled back his robe. "Yes."

His chest was a mess of blood and flesh.

Among the various wounds from spiritual pressure clashes, slashes, and scratches, there was a barely visible stab wound piercing through his chest.

Only a Shinigami—who uses a zanpakuto—could inflict such a wound.

"Did you see what the attacker looked like?" The Head Captain gently tapped the floor with his cane.

Shiba Isshin shook his head. "No, I didn't see."

"He only struck me once."

"His spiritual pressure, appearance, and figure were all perfectly hidden."

He turned slightly.

Naruto stepped forward, expressionless. "Before I left for the Human World after receiving the Thirteenth Division's message, I investigated all the other squads."

"Except for the Third Division, whose captain seat is currently vacant—"

"Only the Fifth Division Captain, Aizen Sōsuke, was absent from the Soul Society."

Nearly every captain turned their gaze toward the brown-haired, bespectacled man.

Those unaware were stunned.

No one expected Naruto to suddenly point fingers at someone known for being kind and gentle.

"Captain Aizen," the Head Captain said slowly, "do you have anything to say about Captain Uzumaki's accusation?"

Aizen raised his hand and smiled faintly. "What Naruto-kun said is quite damning."

"I did go to the Human World."

"But the location I applied for was Kagoshima."

Naruto remained expressionless. "That was merely the application."

"And…"

"I had the Nine-Tails watch the Fifth Division."

"It confirmed that Captain Aizen only returned after Captain Shiba was attacked."

Aizen continued smiling and said nothing.

The Head Captain thought for a moment before making a decision. "Given the circumstances…"

"There are very few individuals capable of ambushing a captain mid-fight with a Vasto Lorde."

"Aizen Sōsuke, since you are a suspect…"

"I hereby decree the following."

"Fifth Division Captain Aizen Sōsuke is to be detained and confined within the Fifth Division barracks by the Second Division."

"A joint investigation will be conducted by the Second, Eighth, Ninth, and Twelfth Divisions."

He paused, half-opening his eyes to look at the two men.

Spiritual pressure surged in his body like a blazing fire.

"Captain Uzumaki, Captain Aizen—do either of you object?"

This wasn't a question—it was a declaration.

Aizen's expression remained unchanged. "Of course not."

"Head Captain, I would like to participate in the investigation as well," Naruto said openly.

The Head Captain shook his head. "Denied."

"You're the accuser."

Naruto replied calmly, "At the very least, allow the Nine-Tails to participate."

"If Captain Aizen really is behind the attack on Captain Shiba and everything else…"

"…then he likely possesses illusions capable of deceiving even captains."

"The Nine-Tails has the ability to see through any illusion."

The Head Captain thought for a moment. "Very well."

"Captain Uzumaki's Nine-Tails may participate in the investigation—but only in an advisory capacity."

Naruto said nothing more.

Just as the Head Captain was about to dismiss them to begin the investigation—

"Wait, I have something else to say," Shiba Isshin raised his hand high, standing on tiptoe.

The Head Captain looked at him.

"Please allow me to resign," Isshin said boldly.

The Head Captain immediately refused, shaking his head. "Request denied."

Isshin didn't push the issue and simply chuckled.

The Head Captain squinted, his aura growing heavy.

In the Seireitei, turmoil stirred, sending ripples through the Soul Society.

The Fifth Division barracks were completely sealed off by the Onmitsukidō (Stealth Force).

Inside the captain's quarters—

Naruto was invited to install surveillance and spiritual barriers.

When it came to sealing techniques, the Seventh Division Captain was the most skilled in all of Soul Society—even surpassing the Kido Corps who specialized in such arts.

Once the techniques were completed—

"Was it really that easy to seal him in?" Kyoraku Shunsui asked, uneasy as he looked at the cage-like barrier.

Naruto shook his head gravely. "No…"

Aizen barely used his abilities to interfere in this situation.

It was as if—

Once he realized his flaws would be exposed, he deliberately surrendered himself and allowed the confinement to proceed.

"I fear something major is about to happen," Naruto said softly, thinking of the Hōgyoku in Urahara Kisuke's possession. "He's likely plotting something."

Sui-Feng's expression was cold. "The Second Division will uncover every one of his crimes."

Naruto and Kyoraku Shunsui just smiled faintly.

"I'll leave the Nine-Tails here," Naruto said, looking up at the fiery red figure lying on the roof. "It hasn't been affected by Aizen's powers yet."

"If anything happens, it will notify us."

Shunsui nodded.

The incident involving Captain Aizen caused quite a stir in the Soul Society.

His popularity became glaringly evident.

Not just members of the Fifth Division—

Even from other divisions, many submitted petitions, volunteering to testify in Aizen's favor.

They truly believed from the bottom of their hearts that Captain Aizen could not be guilty.

The Second Division was overwhelmed.

None of these individuals were overlooked. Each one was thoroughly investigated—backgrounds, life history, connections with Aizen—everything scrutinized.

And then something even more unexpected happened—

Former Tenth Division Captain Shiba Isshin escaped the Soul Society—

And forcibly passed his captain position to former third seat Hitsugaya Tōshirō.

In the Human World.

Inside Urahara's shop—

Shiba Isshin dragged his heavy body out of the lab and sat ungracefully on the floor. "So this is what it feels like to be human?"

"My body feels so heavy."

A 100% restored version!

"Also…"

He looked down at his hands.

Where once he could scan his surroundings with spiritual pressure, now he could only rely on his eyes to observe the world.

"Isshin, you look really dumb in that form," Naruto teased with a grin.

But Isshin was too absorbed staring at his hands to hear anything.

"Naruto, he can't see or hear you right now," Urahara Kisuke reminded.

He tossed a scroll from his sleeve.

"Try this."

Isshin looked up. "Huh? Naruto, did you say something just now?"

Naruto entered a gigai. "How do you feel now?"

"Not bad," Isshin clenched his fist. "Humans aren't as weak as I thought."

"What do you plan to do now?" Naruto asked.

Isshin scratched his head. "I guess I'll start by learning how to live as a human."

"Seems like it'll be a pain."

"But why are you here to say goodbye? Don't tell me you're going to miss me and start crying—"

Naruto cut him off with a shake of his head. "I came to investigate the case of the former Tenth Division Captain Shiba Isshin fleeing the Soul Society."

"The Head Captain is furious."

"He scolded you for ages."

Isshin laughed sheepishly. "If he'd just approved my request back then, this wouldn't have happened."

"It's the old man's fault, really."

"What are you going to report when you get back?"

Naruto shrugged. "Tell the truth, of course."

"Yoruichi-sama blocked you."

A black cat leaped out and landed on Naruto's head, stomping on it a few times. "I didn't do that!"

"But Yoruichi-nee sure came in handy," Naruto said righteously.

The lab door opened again.

Kurosaki Masaki walked out, the hollow hole in her chest completely gone.

"Miss Kurosaki is okay now?" Naruto asked.

The orange-haired girl nodded cheerfully. "All good!"

"Felt like a nightmare."

She laughed dumbly. "Uncle Isshin yelled at me a lot."

"Stark naked and ranting nonstop—"

Isshin looked exasperated. "Can't you reflect on what happened a bit more?"

"Well, since everything's fine, I'll head back to the Soul Society now," Naruto said, standing up. "I'll come see you when Iwaishi enrolls and graduates."

Isshin grinned and nodded.

"Wait, Shinigami-san," Kurosaki Masaki raised her hand and stopped Naruto.

He turned back to look at her.

"I have something to ask you," she said seriously. "Have the Shinigami resumed exterminating Quincies?"

Naruto shook his head. "No such orders, why do you ask?"

Masaki frowned. "Because… there have been many Quincy disappearances lately."

"We're a small group to begin with."

"And now we're being hit even harder."

"If it's not the Shinigami, then is it Hollows?"

Naruto frowned. "Disappeared? How many?"

"Not many, but not few either," Masaki shook her head, clearly worried. "Strong ones and average ones alike."

Naruto began to suspect something.

His first thought was Aizen.

But…

If it were Aizen, the Quincies wouldn't just disappear—there would be signs of strange transformations.

Then he thought of Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

He recalled how after catching that Hollow that attacked the Shiba family, Mayuri had promised not to use human or Shinigami souls.

According to the Mind Eye, that had been the truth.

But when the council met later that afternoon—

He had already presented substantial research results.

Back then, Naruto had marveled at how Mayuri accomplished so much without using test subjects.

But now…

Maybe he did have subjects.

He just promised not to use humans or Shinigami—

But never said anything about Quincies.

"I understand," Naruto smiled at her and nodded. "I'll look into it when I return to the Soul Society."

Masaki beamed and gave him a deep bow. "Sorry, Blond Shinigami!"

"I misunderstood you that day."

"You're a good person!"

"Even better than Uncle Isshin says!"

Isshin scratched his head, glancing at Naruto's hair.

That brat's hair—

Was such a vibrant, golden yellow.

(End of Chapter)