The Shinobi Visitor

Chapter 36 - Winter War: The Beginning Of The End...

It is here.

The day has finally arrived.

The Winter War against Aizen.

Ichigo played those words over and over again in his mind as he ate breakfast with his family for what might be the last time he will ever spent. It was times like this he wished could last forever, but it is also these same times that he would fight to keep those times coming.

And it was times like this that all the training he and his friends had done up to this point was well worth it. It must be enough for them. For their friends like Kugo, Tatsuki and the souls living in Karakura Town, they must win. They must beat Aizen and his army.

"Thank you for the food." Ichigo clapped his hands before putting away and washing his dishes as he soon left the house while saying a cheery goodbye to his family. After eating Kon and exiting his body while sternly telling the perverted doll not to fool with his body while also protecting his sisters.

Clad in Soul Reaper form and on his way towards the rendezvous destination decreed by Old Man Yamamoto, Ichigo pondered many things in his life: his meeting Rukia and acquiring of Soul Reaper powers, battling Hollows including his mother's killer, the intense battles against Soul Reaper Captains Zaraki and Byakuya and lastly, the upcoming battles against the Arrancar.

And yet, he was happy within. Happy to have the power to protect those close to him. A sentiment shared by his fellow powerhouse and blonde ninja. The both of them were similar in terms of power and personality that it was scary although there were notable differences. He was stoic and calm while Naruto was loud and boisterous.

Nevertheless, he was glad that Naruto was on their side.

Speaking of Naruto…

"I hope you're not in any more trouble than you already are in."

-(Meanwhile)-Purgatory-

The lands of Purgatory with its neutral and stoic appearance remained undisturbed even when rows of trees fell from their roots. Dust clouds shot up to the air with the visage of mushrooms while the ground shook several times from the unnatural sources. Creatures of Purgatory dared not to go near the sources, even the dragons as they remained a watchful eye from their safe distance.

Massive amounts of dirt and dust were kicked by a powerful amount of force and out emerged from the dust cloud was a lone figure with messy blonde hair. He sneezed loudly before rubbing his nose.

"Ugh… please tell me I'm not getting a cold."

"Allow me to help you get better!"

Tensing up before the sentence was completed, Naruto leaped backwards to dodge another punch that blew a crater in the dead ground. His senses blaring from behind him, the ninja pivoted on his heel to block a roundhouse kick with his forearm although the strength of the attack sent him skidding backwards rapidly.

"Damn that smarts!" Naruto muttered under breath while flexing his throbbing left arm.

"Huh, is this what the great Naruto Uzumaki can do? Kinda lame."

"He won't even make a fist now that I broke his arm." The taller figure smugly commented.

Naruto didn't like that one bit as his eyes dangerously narrowed. "Haha~ This coming from two nobodies hiding behind robes instead of facing me fully." He taunted back.

"Nobodies?"

"Sounds like speaking from experience."

"Oh, that's right. He has!"

"What?"

"Judging from your expression, you're startled." The taller enemy said before he dashed towards Naruto and sent out a punch. However, just as the blonde was about to block it, the hooded figure suddenly cried out, "Furinji Tekken!"

"What?!" Naruto shouted in surprise before using the Furinji Iron Bull Technique. The ground behind the blonde cracked under the offensive and defensive powers just before Naruto counter-attacked with a swift double attack aimed at the face and stomach. And they landed perfectly. "Yamazuki!"

The taller figure was sent flying backwards like a rocket as he crashed against several rows of trees, felling them while shaking the ground. Naruto then looked to the right and his eyes widened when the smaller figure flashed several hand-signs belonging to the favored Elemental Style of his village.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

His shocked eyes stared at the massive ball of fire rapidly approaching his location before he jumped high into the air and swiftly thrust his right fist out. "Take this!" The sudden speed and force behind the attack sent a shockwave combined with a blast of wind reminiscent of his new Jutsu, the Eaken as it met head on against the fireball.

A twister of fire burst upwards to the ghostly skies of Purgatory as to signal its habitants of the new dangers and warn them to stay away. The ground shook violently afterwards and the creatures of Purgatory kept their distance from the intense battle that has even the Dragons to stay away.

-Karakura Town-

"… What am I saying?! This is Naruto I'm talking about here!" Ichigo shouted with his head hung in a comedic fashion.

"What about Naruto?"

Ichigo stopped and turned around to see his girlfriend running up to him. With a smirk, he and Orihime took each other's hands as they interlaced together before they started walking in synch. "Just hoping that he's not in any more trouble…wishful thinking, huh?"

"*giggle* Totally." Orihime said behind her free hand.

The couple were enjoying the fragile peace currently upon them. No thoughts about the war and upcoming battle against Aizen was on their minds right now. It was just them alone. In each other's presence. Ichigo internally scolded himself for failing to notice Orihime's feelings earlier, but now he has more initiative to win the war. He wants to know more about her and not just blindly marry her for being rushed or something like that.

Marriage… that was something he didn't think about until now. Taking a glance at Orihime, he noticed some changes with her. Not physical changes, but it seemed that her looks were enhanced. Her orange hair looked more vibrant underneath the sun, her spunky and cheery personality was more than usual when a puppy just peed on its owner's shoes and she laughed behind her hand.

"Perhaps…"

Finally, Orihime noticed her boyfriend's glance and blushed afterwards. She shyly brushed away a lone strand of hair before feeling his hand on her cheek.

"What is it?" The orange-haired beauty asked with blushed cheeks.

"Just that you look different today. That's all."

Orihime pouted slightly with a hung head. "That's all?"

"Gah! I mean y-you just look more beautiful today." Ichigo quickly answered to avoid hurting her feelings.

That didn't help the mood at all given the depression lines atop Orihime's head.

"Funny to say that when we're about enter the battle of our lives." A lone familiar voice scolded the bright orange teen who had a scowl.

"…That intelligent scolding tone…."

"Strong Spiritual Pressure…" Orihime continued after Ichigo paused.

"The name whose we forgot plenty of times…."

"What?"

The couple turned around and saw the glasses-wearing Uryuu Ishida, their Quincy friend who suddenly vanished from them without warning. Orihime and Chad were concerned at first, but both Naruto and Ichigo assured them that he was all right and that he'll return when the time was right.

Turns out their words held true.

"Uryuu/Ishida!"

"Ichigo…. Orihime…" Uryuu answered casually as he fixed his glasses to their proper place. His eyes glanced down to the intertwined hands and connected the dots. "So… How long have you been an item?" He asked while thinking "Nooo! My plan to impress Orihime during the battle against Aizen with my new powers is in the dumps!"

"Ah~" Both Ichigo and Orihime looked at each other with uncertainty.

A sweat-drop fell on the Quincy's head moments later. "Do they seriously not know how long they've been dating?"

"About three weeks?" Ichigo finally answered as he looked at Orihime who simply shrugged her shoulders as an 'okay' kind of answer. "Yeah, three weeks."

"I see."

Orihime then pointed something else. "Where have you been all this time?"

"Training." Uryuu answered simply. He got confused and suspicious looks from Orihime and Ichigo respectively. "After I received Apollo's Bow, I decided to travel around the world with my father to better hone my powers and master the bow."

"And?" Ichigo asked after being intrigued of Uryuu possibly mastering an Olympian God's weapon. It could really help them with the upcoming battle. Uryuu shook his head while his hand clenched into a fist.

"I couldn't completely master it. It still takes a lot of Spiritual Energy to fire the arrows much less than maintaining it. I guess this is why it's a god's weapon."

Quick on her feet, Orihime rushed to his rescue with words. "But you can still use the bow, right?" Uryuu nodded and she smiled at him. "Then that's that! You can use a weapon of godly caliber even though you're Human. This is why Humans are the best at adapting to certain situations." She said proudly with her hands on her hips.

Both Quincy and Soul Reaper looked at the smiling girl who was still beaming with the sun being a little too focused on her. They looked at each other and back at her. "Sure, sure." The boys finally said before walking towards the destination with Orihime catching up a second later.

"What a minute. Uryuu, do you know where we're going and earlier you mention about 'the battle of our lives', do you know about—"

"The Winter War against Aizen and his Arrancars. Yes, I do." Uryuu answered a little smugly that earned a playful scowl from Ichigo. "As for the how, Naruto told me two weeks ago."

"How'd he know wh—"

"I have no idea how. I was traveling in Hong Kong, eating dinner with a courte—female acquaintance when all of the sudden, he came bursting through the door like the Kool-Aid Man in Family Guy." Uryuu deeply sighed at the unpleasant memory. Naruto even had a jar of red Kool-Aid in his hand, dang it! Worse off was the reaction afterwards.

"Wow, Uryuu. I knew you were struggling with the ladies, but… Never mind. She's a keeper. FYI: he's a screamer, bye-bye!"

"Naruto!"

"Ugh…"

"Something wrong?"

"Chad! When'd you get here?!" A surprised Uryuu asked. Was he so into memory lane that he didn't noticed the giant of a friend until now. The trio—Ichigo, Orihime, and Chad—looked at each other before their gazes were on him.

"I literally just got here."

"Oh. Okay."

The quartet fell in silence as they continued on their way to Urahara's Shop and finally made it to the small shop. They entered through the shop and walked down the stairs where their new, powerful friends were standing in a circle to check their new attire. The trio were wearing sleek version of miko uniforms that had different colors: Rhea's being lightest green, Kuroko being black like her yukata, and Medusa's being bright orange.

Rhea had her hair tied in a high ponytail that reached past her mid-back while Kuroka's hair was tied in a French braid. As for Medusa, she had just finished tying her hair into twin ponytails that stopped atop her breasts held back by the miko top. The women's weapons were openly displayed for all to see: Rhea's Tessens were attached to a small clip on her lower back, Medusa's quiver was strapped to her back along with a collapsible bow given by Urahara and Kuroko… well, she was just fixing her nails like she usually does whenever Naruto's around.

Speaking of Naruto, where was he?

"Ladies." Uryuu said after moment of sensing their Spiritual Pressure. "What did these guys do while I was gone?! What did I miss?!"

Both Ichigo and Chad had amused smiles after noticing Uryuu's not-so-subtle comedic expression. Meanwhile Orihime walked up to the trio. "Rhea, Kuroka, Medusa, how are you girls doing? And I like the miko uniforms." She said while tugging on Medusa's sleeve.

"Yeah. For some reason, Urahara made this for us before he took pictures later on. Though I don't know why." Rhea answered genuinely confused while Ichigo and Uryuu shared annoyed looks.

"Still the perverted shopkeeper we know."

Ichigo looked at the inactive Senkai Gate where the Soul Society's main forces will arrive for the battle. According to Yamamoto, they were due to arrive in 15 minutes. That gives them plenty of time to discuss plans and contingencies in case the worst is to occur.

"Where is Naruto?" The sudden question turned the atmosphere gloom and despondent, clearly evident on Rhea's face along with Medusa and Kuroka. "What is it?" Uryuu asked with concern when Ichigo placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to face the Shinigami. "Ichigo?"

"It's time you know."

-Seiretei-1st Division-

Walking towards the barracks after being summoned by the Head Captain was all too nerve-wrecking, especially since the battle against Aizen is close by. This is what Renji was thinking given the profuse sweating and the trail behind him. Rukia was nowhere better than him although she looked a little more composed like usual.

"What do you think the Head Captain wants to talk to us about?" Renji finally spoke although Rukai could barely hear him over the loud chatter of chaos.

During the entire week, the residing souls in all the districts around the Seiretei were in a panic once the leak about the Winter War spread like wildfire in a forest. In response, Yamamoto had inducted the 'Relocation and Retaliation' procedure and there are two parts to it. The first part was that the entire soul resident population being relocated to the outskirts of Soul Society beneath a mountain where there were insurmountable supplies of food. As for the second part, the entirety of the Soul Reaper Academy, the Stealth Corps and 13 Divisions sans Captains and Lieutenants were stationed outside the mountain for security.

After all, there's strength in numbers. At least, that's the general consensus.

And it was also important that every Soul Reaper were at the top of their game. This included Rukia and Renji. Ever since they received the power-up from Poseidon's gifts, the two Lieutenants had been working vigorously to be able to use the new powers in time for the battle against the Arrancars.

"Hopefully nothing's wrong with the plans." Rukia answered after they managed to enter the 'waiting room' of the Assembly Hall. As usual, they were waiting to be summoned until the doors opened and there was a surprise waiting for them… Three of them actually.

They were wearing elaborate clothing vastly different than either Soul Reaper or Human wear. The blonde of the trio guests was wearing clean and elaborate robes that matched the halo floating above his head. The redhead wore striking pale gray armor with spiky edges around the shoulders. As for the last, the black clothing and laid-back attitude expressed on his face showed that he was the least serious.

Sitting in front of them was the Head Captain who looked to be very stern given the atmosphere.

"Are you sure about this?" Michael asked uncertainly. He wasn't alone in that department as Sirzechs shared a similar expression with him.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Sirzechs then spoke next. "But what if your forces cannot hold his army? If you just allo—"

"I understand, but this is a Soul Society business and this will be handled by Soul Society only." Yamamoto stated sternly, which drew concerned and displeased looks from Michael and Sirzechs. Azazel on the other hand didn't look disappointed or give a damn about it.

"Well, that's that." Azazel said nonchalantly while he flickered a ball of war from his ear.

"Azazel—" Michael started, but he was interrupted by the Fallen Angel.

"We are in an alliance with the Soul Society where the leaders can willingly participate in any crisis that threatens one's realm. Yamamoto denied assistance from Heaven, the Grigori and the Underworld as per his right as leader. There is nothing we can say to persuade him."

Yamamoto sternly nodded before he spoke in his usual tone. "Unless the fourth leader AKA the composer of the alliance can do so. However he's not here. Not in Earth."

"Naruto." Michael said after realizing it, but he knows that there's no way to get him. Not until he can leave Purgatory.

"Yes. I've been told by my scouts about his sudden disappearance not too long ago and I must say that I am slightly concerned. Nevertheless, you three have my answer. Now please leave as I have business with my Lieutenants."

Grudgingly, the Three Faction leaders left the room in a show of bright and dull light plus one of black with red highlights. As for the shocked Lieutenants, there was only one thing running through their minds right now.

"Naruto is missing?"

"Lieutenants Akaba and Kukichi, approach."

"H-Hai."

The experienced and oldest Soul Reaper watched his subordinates kneel with their heads down before him. "I assume you heard everything correct?"

"Hai!"

"That is why I urge you to pass this message along to Ichigo Kurosaki and his group once you arrive in Karakura Town." He didn't have to see their raised eyebrows to know their confusion.

Renji spoke after an uncomfortable silence since the last sentence. "W-what is the message, sir?"

"There will be no backup from the Three Factions and Soul Society will handle the Arrancars and Aizen. All Captains and Lieutenants will be present at the battlefield except Unohana who will run the medical bay and she is to be aided by the Human Orihime Inoue. As for the security of Souls here, I urge the Human known as Chad to assist the security as he is better handled as a last resort. Lastly, for Ichigo Kurosaki and the three unknowns that Uzumaki persuaded to fight with us… They are to fight with us against Aizen and the Arrancars…. That is all… You are dismissed." He cut any protest with a flare of his Spiritual Pressure and that ended with no problem.

Nodding with the utmost respect they could muster, Rukia and Renji trudged out the room before running through the halls towards the direction of the Senkai Gate with the hope that all of them will make it through the war.

-Karakura Town-

"Purgatory?"

"Yes."

"The Purgatory?"

"Yes."

"…How does he get himself in trouble like this?!" Everyone around him gave the 'what can you do' shrug as Uryuu sighed deeply while rubbing his forehead. "I need a drink."

"Ask and ye shall receive!"

"Oh great!" Ichigo, Uryuu, Chad and Medusa groaned in anguish while the upbeat and perverted shopkeeper ran towards with two jugs of sake in his hands.

"How is this supposed to help us?" Ichigo asked incredulously with a twitching eye.

"It's never good to be so round up before a fight, you know." Urahara scolded before he shoved the jug into Ichigo's arms. "Come on, drink! It's on me!"

"We're underage." The teens chorused.

"Doesn't matter in the supernatural world~"

"…"

Medusa leaned towards Rhea and Kuroka as she whispered, "What's wrong with him?"

"No idea." The duo whispered back before they stared back at Urahara who ran back upstairs. "Well, that was something." Rhea said before nudging Kuroka and Medusa while sending them a look. She got nods from the two and walked towards the teenagers with her friends behind her. "Everyone."

"What's up, Rhea?" Ichigo asked politely.

"We want to say thanks for helping us."

After drinking a cup of water, Orihime waved it off. "It's okay. After all, you three are part of our group: Team Uzusaki."

"Team Kuromaki?" Chad repeated with a nonexistent raised eyebrow.

"After combining the last names of the two powerhouses of our group, of course." Orihime said proudly. "Of course, Naruto came later on but he's just as important as everyone here!" Ichigo and everyone else stared at the orange-haired beauty before they smiled at her with chuckles. "Was it something I said?"

Ichigo shook his head. "Just that you are who you are and I—we want you to never change."

"…Thanks! That means a lot coming from you, Ichigo." Orihime happily responded.

Without warning, the Senkai Gate blazed to life as the two arrivals made their landing in the training ground. Smiles etched on Ichigo and his group's mouth as they recognized them. "Renji! Rukia!"

"Ichigo." Renji responded with a smirk. Rukia instead responded with a hard kick to Ichigo's shin rather than a 'Hello'.

"Ow!" Ichigo shouted while holding his right shin and hopping on his left leg. "What was that for?!"

"That's how I usually say hi to you, moron." Rukia cheekily said with a matching expression. With her eyes closed, she didn't see Ichigo until she was his grasp in the form of a chokehold and received a fist that grinded on her head. "OW! Stop!"

"This is how I usually respond to you~"

"Damn you!" The two friends soon entered a scuffle where their bodies were covered in a dust cloud with arms and legs. Meanwhile Renji and the others were off to the side as he relayed them Yamamoto's message and assigned positions to Chad and Orihime. However, the both of them didn't looked pleased at all.

"We want to stay with you guys." Orihime pleaded with Renji who shook his head. "Please, you need us!"

"And I agree with you…" Renji paused as he chose his next words carefully. "But Yamamoto sees your greater potential in helping the casualty count to a minimal."

Chad stepped forward and spoke for the first time since arriving. "For what may I ask?"

"The safety of the souls in Soul Society and the citizens in Karakura Town as I mentioned your assignment." Renji said. He didn't need to see the displeased look on Chad's face to know his disappointment. "I'd like nothing more than for all of us to fight together against that bastard Aizen, but…"

"Hold on. What do you mean about Karakura Town's residents?" They turned to see a scuffled Ichigo and Rukia with bruises on their faces. "Does that old man expect to keep half the forces at both places?"

Rukia sighed exasperatedly as she rubbed her head. "Your denseness is overwhelming sometimes." This earned her a glare from the taller Shinigami. "Obviously Aizen is coming here with his army to gather the souls needed to create the Ouken. The Head Captain plans to relocate Karakura Town in Soul Society…" She looked at Chad and Orihime who began to realize the true purpose of their assignments. "Yes, the two of you along with the rest of the Gotei 13 and the major forces will be the last standing in case we fail to stop Aizen."

"What about me?" Uryuu asked. Both Renji and Rukia blankly looked at him as they owlishly blinked before they pointed at him.

"Uryuu/Ishida!" The startled Quincy took a step backwards in response as Rukia spoke, "Where have you been at this time?! We thought the worse and—"

"Whoa, take it easy!"

"Sorry, but we're just surprised." Renji answered honestly, but cursed himself since this threw their plans off. Nevertheless, they can adapt to this. "As for your question, we're having you along with Orihime and Chad. Next to Ichigo, you're the second most experienced fighter in your group."

"I see." Uryuu said.

-Purgatory-

Gritting his teeth, Naruto shook his bleeding arms to rid the throbbing pain as best he could. It hasn't been going well for the blonde as his ninja training combined with Furinji Style skills was being called upon since the battle began. That included using the environment around him as a weapon like the trees, the earth and using his opponent's momentum against them. He even managed to use two new techniques of the Furinji Animal Trine to counter his opponents' jutsu.

The first was the Stance of the Hardened Horse that allowed Naruto to reflect the force and power of his opponent's attacks against themselves. However, for a novice like him compared to the Elder, he had to allow their attacks to make contact with him which also resulted a few cracked ribs from the female opponent. The attack had left him in a state of dizziness, which was a perfect opportunity for the male fighter to make his move when he made a clone of himself.

This had surprised Naruto, the Tailed Beast and the former's ancestor as the man used the hand sign rather than it being of this dimension's own clone technique. More so than when he used a Karate technique earlier. During that time., Naruto had also made use of the Slithering Snake Technique, which was more a defensive technique that allowed him to move his body like a snake while attacking at the same time.

Still it took every skill he had to dodge, counter-attack against his opponents who had everything he once had prior to arriving Purgatory.

By 'everything', it was Chakra and Ninjutsu.

"Rasengan!"

Hearing the name of his signature jutsu, Naruto looked up to see a woman with vibrant red hair tied in a high ponytail as a hairclip parted her bangs to the left. She was wearing the Hidden Leaf attire along with black high-knee stockings. The woman was one he recognized from the time he battled Kurama for his Chakra just before the Fourth Ninja World War.

The one female he'd met only one time in his entire life. His mother, Kushina Uzumaki.

Leaping backwards, Naruto dodged the attack just as Kushina's jutsu obliterated the spot he was standing, creating a crater as a result; the common courtesy and signature impact of the Rasengan. He landed on one foot and used it to jump at his mother as her hand was stuck in the ground. He cocked a fist back and was about to strike when sharp, ethereal chains suddenly sprung from her back.

"Crap!" Naruto tilted his head out of the pathway of one chain before back-flipping several times to dodge consecutive strikes from the multiple chains that struck the ground instead of him. After dodging the last chain, Naruto landed and struck out a swift fist, sending a shockwave that blocked out the next round of chains. "Mom, sto—"

"Silence!" The second voice shouted next to him after a flash of yellow light.

The blonde ninja felt all the air escape from his lungs as his legs buckled from the attack before he was struck in the face with a punch that sent him crashing against the mountainside where the portal was located just at the ridge above him. His attire was further ripped apart from the attack: the gi top barely covered his chest while his pants were tattered. Yet despite of all the damage on his person, the Leaf headband was still unscathed.

"Damn it…" Naruto opened an eye just in time to see the other person who was also another important figure in his life. He had the same hair color like him except the man has two longer bangs that framed his face and the same blue eyes. He too was wearing the Hidden Leaf uniform plus the blue headband and an ankle-length haori that was held by two strings. "Still got it, huh dad?"

"You don't get to call me that." Minato harshly responded before punching his son in the stomach, getting a pained howl from him. "Not after what you did."

His brows pursed in confusion, Naruto asked the obvious question. "W-what do you mean?" Suddenly, his eyes widened in pain as his hands and legs were pierced by four chains courtesy of his mother. "AGH!" After passing out from the pain, Minato woke him by harshly slapping him.

"You are a disappointment, son."

"W-What do you mean by that? What did I do wrong?"

"You ran." Kushina responded in the same harsh tone like her husband.

"Ran?" Naruto asked, still confused by what his parents meant by that. He sharply winced when Kushina tugged on the chains.

"Responsibility." Minato said before he backhanded Naruto hard across the cheek. The younger blonde tasted iron in his mouth before he spat out a glob of blood. Kushina walked forward while her husband stepped aside and thrusted her knife-hand into Naruto's stomach.

There was a sight they didn't expect: the lack of red liquid. "No blood?" Kushina asked with an eyebrow raised in intrigue and confusion.

"…I see. One of those martial art techniques you learned from those weak masters."

Naruto suppressed the grimace while also thanking internally to Sakaki for showing the Karate technique that just saved him from blood loss. The Ryushin technique; his organs were shot up inside his ribcage for extra protection after inhaling deeply just moments before Kushina stabbed him in his abdomen. Just perfect from any potentially fatal strikes that could cause blood loss.

"Defense. Again you hide."

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Naruto asked rather sharply this time, tired of the repeated statements by his dead parents. To his surprise, Minato and Kushina chuckled at his tone instead being incensed. "What's so funny?"

"You're beginning to realize."

"Realize what?"

"Naruto, they are not your parents!" Kurama finally spoke, alerting his Jinchuriki rather unexpectedly as he winced in response. "The entire time you fought rather pathetically against them, both me and Ashura noticed that their fighting styles are exactly the same but they lack the Chakra to use Ninjutsu or the know-how to those martial art styles."

"What? But how they'd—"

"From you, dimwit." 'Kushina' spoke in a high-pitched but ominous tone. "The two of us—" She pointed at herself and the fake Minato. "—are physical manifestations of your insecurities."

"Insecurities?"

"Think about it: your two greatest obstacles you encountered in your life recently." 'Minato' pointed out. He quickly interrupted when Naruto opened his mouth to speak. "It is not about Aizen or even the Shinju. We are your personal insecurities and if you don't accept it, we—" He nudged his head to his companion. "—will take your body, leave this place and kill everyone who ever met you. We will erase every trace of you from existence."

Hearing that, Naruto doubted Kurama and Ashura would let them take his body without a fight, but still he wondered about the people he met. The Shinigami in Soul Society, Ichigo and Orihime along with Chad, and Urahara, Rias and her Peerage, the Three Factions. Lastly, the blonde thought about the most important people in his life he met earlier: Rhea, Medusa, Kuroka and lastly Saeko and… his children.

His eyes widened, Naruto's teeth gritted as his opponents smiled at him for finally realizing by what they meant about erasing trace of his existence. "You stay away from them. You stay away from my girls and my children." He ordered while ignoring the throbbing pain in his four limbs.

"Your children? You abandoned them and their mother."

"For their protection!"

"You may not know it yourself, but you were afraid, Naruto. Afraid of a new responsibility for new lives." Fake Minato chided before he smirked at the glaring ninja. "But don't worry. We'll take good care of them…" He raised a fist which a blue aura glowed around it. "Especially with the power you so callously reject."

"Is that—"

"I represent your insecurity of the god powers Poseidon bestowed upon you." Fake Minato said as the aura's color suddenly changed into black. "Unlike you, I happily accept and use it against your loved ones. How about Rhea?" Naruto's anger spiked further while his glare intensified. "Before I kill her and your girls, I'll have my fun with them first."

A sinister chuckle escaped from Fake Kushina, causing Naruto to glance on her. "And I'll be there to record the whole thing."

"Naruto/Naruto."

The blonde ninja didn't need to answer as he screamed aloud with rage while an explosive reddish-orange aura exploded around his body. The sudden action surprised the fakes as they were pushed back from the explosive force and the chains that trapped Naruto against the mountain were destroyed. Spurts of blood splattered from Naruto's wrists and ankles before they healed rapidly with intense steam as the only sign of it.

That wasn't the only change to Naruto's appearance they noted. The boy grew slightly taller and his muscles thinner like before his rigorous training while his hair's spikiness became more defined as the two small bangs turned upwards and the color had turned from blonde to vibrant red like his real mother. Add the jagged and very fierce red-orange aura made him look very intimidating.

"You may be right…" Naruto finally spoke, his eyes closed. "I may have been unconsciously afraid of the power Poseidon gave me and the responsibility of two new lives, but that doesn't mean I don't have what it takes!" The aura around him became larger and more jagged, responding to his emotions. "I love Saeko just as much as I love Rhea, Medusa and Kuroka and I'm sure—positive that I'll love the heck out of my children when they're born."

Unbeknownst to him while he was talking, the fake copies of his parents smiled at him. Not a sinister or ominous type, but a sincere one like a parent would show to a child. To their surprise, when Naruto opened his eyes, they were filled with great determination. Not that, they were not of the blue color: it was replaced by reddish-orange while the pupils were pronounced.

"And if you think I'm going to allow you two to take them away from me…" Naruto gritted his teeth as he raised his palm up, creating a blazing Rasengan that had uncontrollable streams of Chakra around it. "Think again." The area in which the fighters were standing in had been blazed by three uncontrollable and fierce auras of different colors: purple, black and reddish-orange.

From the viewpoints of the watchful audience of supernatural creatures, the auras suddenly dashed and clashed against each other that resulted in a big explosion and a massive mushroom cloud of dust. The incoming shockwave blew down all the trees and dirt in an omnidirectional direction before it reached the creatures, knocking them off their limbs as they were forced back uncontrollably.

A stream of heavy breathing penetrated through the smoke cloud before it was blown by a nonexistent breeze, revealing Naruto as his chest heaved in and out while his eyes were glued on the downed figures of his parents. "I guess this was one of this internal conflict intervention, huh guys?"

"Most likely."

"A definite 'yes' from me!" Kurama snarled all irritated. He'd wish his Jinchuriki had realized sooner, but the Tailed Beast couldn't blame him entirely since it was his parents, even though they were fakes. Although he suspects that the Big Man may have something to do with this. "Then again, it's not really my place to assume such things with a Supreme Being such as Him."

"Congrats." Fake Minato said after coughing up some blood. The Rasengan Naruto hit him and Kushina with was unlike the previous variants. This particular variant expanded before it made contact, surprising Kushina of the action. But it was also something else: it was powered by another source. "He's finally awakened it, but the road to mastery is long arduous from here on. Safe trip…" He then spoke aloud. "My son."

Naruto couldn't react when he heard that while remaining motionless as the bodies of the fakes slowly disintegrated into wisps of energy. The wisps later morphed into floating spheres of different colors. And they felt familiar to the ninja. The blue sphere that emerged from Kushina was his Chakra and the electric blue sphere that was once black from Minato's usage was most likely the godly power Poseidon bestowed upon him.

Despite exhaustion hitting his entire body, Naruto stepped forward with his arms outstretched in front of him. When his hands touched the spheres, he instantly felt the familiar feeling of his Chakra within his body while also contemplating the ease and comfort of the godly power but it was more… intense yet calmer.

"I think you're ready, Naruto."

"I concur with the fox's statement."

"Yeah." Naruto said as he determinedly looked up at the ridge where the portal was said to be located. "Let's go."

From the opposite cliff on the other side of the valley, Mac stood there with a passive expression as a huge blue portal appeared on the ridge where Naruto was heading towards. The portal soon closed with its passenger safe in hand. With a barely noticeable smile, Mac began to glow in an unfathomable white light that covered the entire area. Yet the creatures in the perimeter didn't react despite the light.

The light soon disappeared with the man completely gone, the trial set by Him has been completed.

-Karakura Town-

"What was that?"

The entire ensemble looked Ichigo oddly as the latter looked up in the sky. "What?" Uyruu asked.

"Felt a disturbance, but I can't exactly pinpoint it."

"You sure you're not geeking out right now?" Uryuu dryly asked. Behind them, Renji and Rukia chuckled at Ichigo who scowled at the Quincy who smirked at him. "What, you're not?"

"All my hate."

Just 10 minutes ago, Chad and Orihime were escorted to the Soul Society to assume their positions while the rest sans Urahara. The bucket head claimed to have an errand to run that will help them out in the upcoming battle in case it turns sour. What a blunt guy he is, huh.

As for the rest of them, they were going to the rendezvous point where Yamamoto had instructed to meet Aizen's forces head on. And they were taking the scenic route on top of the skyline. "Wait, how are we going to fight while everyone's still in the town?" Ichigo asked after finally realizing that problem.

"You haven't noticed yet?"

"At all?" Medusa asked incredulously after putting her brandished bow onto her back.

"What do you mean?"

It was Rhea who answered this time, not Medusa.

"Sense the city for Spiritual Energy." The Titaness gently pleaded the young Substitute Shinigami. He did so and was surprised when he couldn't feel anyone's energy signature except for the people with him. What's worse was that he couldn't sense his family's Spiritual Pressure as well.

"What happened to everyone?!" Ichigo shouted with obvious anger and worry.

"They're safe, Ichigo." Renji said to quell his friend's anger. "While we were eating for what might be our last, the Head Captain and the 12th Division switched out the real Karakura Town with an exact replica san the people."

"So where's the real town?"

Rukia answered him with an annoyed tone. "In Soul Society of course. That's why we have all the forces over there."

"Including Orihime and Chad." Ichigo said afterwards.

"Yes."

Team Kuromaki continued their route until they sensed multiple and huge Spiritual Pressures up ahead. They have arrived. "Wow. This is the first time I've seen them all together." Ichigo couldn't help but admit that he was a little intimidated.

The sight of all the Gotei 13 Captains and their Lieutenants staring at the open sky and their hardened expressions would make anyone. They were experienced warriors who attained mastery of their Shikai in the case of the Lieutenants and Bankai with the notable exceptions being Renji and Umamaru being the only ranked Lieutenants who are not official Captains.

Of course he himself is not an official Captain, but he too is above Captain-level. And that was due to the training with his Inner Hollow. Ichigo was quite eager to test out his new power and who better to be the guinea pig than Aizen. They were spared glances from the Shinigami except a few like the madly eccentric Kenpachi.

As for the others, they were mainly directed onto the members their ally Naruto Uzumaki had persuaded to fight them: Medusa, Kuroka and Rhea. Soifon was nonchalant to dismiss them nonverbally, but she noticed about Medusa's posture that belonged to a strong woman like her. The males sans Yamamoto, Byakuya and Yamamoto ogled at the generous cleavage Kuroka was showing in her miko outfit with some—Hitsugaya and Ukitake—bleed waterfalls before they tried to cover it.

Most of all, the one who drew the most attention was Rhea herself. They could not sense her power at all and that was worrisome and beneficial to them: the first was that they don't know exactly how powerful she really is and the second being that Aizen also doesn't know how powerful she is either. The element of surprise was on their side this time.

"They are here." Yamamoto spoke for the first time since their arrival.

The sky was disrupted by a black hole that 'ripped' through it, allowing its passengers to casually walk through and closed afterwards. Standing in the air like the Shinigami was Aizen, his two Lieutenants, Kaname and Gin who looked the same except for the white robes that replaced their black robes. However, that wasn't surprising to the opposing Shinigami.

The surprise was the lack of Arrancar they anticipated to battle against this whole time. In their place was three men in armor unlike they've seen before. The tallest of them wore bright yellow sun armor that reflected the sun so much that it made him look like a beacon. Through the helmet he wore were miniature suns in place of his eyes, but they were dull in comparison and full of rage. A sword with a long blade gleamed with a harsh gold light while its pommel resembled a human skull.

The second person was shorter than the other two. His armor was dark brown…darker than dark brown and his brilliant bronze skin, along with arms like super Popeye, severely clashed against the armor, making him look more intimidating. The forearm protectors were crafted with superb craftsmanship, but it had a distinctive feature. The human skulls frozen in horrified agony were etched onto it.

The last however was the one whom everyone including Yamamoto were most concerned about. He was taller than the shorter man and unlike the tallest man on his right, his eyes were brutal gold which contrasted his black curly hair. His armor was black… blacker than midnight black. It was darkness itself. He lacked the helmet unlike his companions and his weapon made him look more vicious and cunning.

The scythe on his back didn't help at all either.

But the most troubling news was that neither of the Soul Society forces could sense the mysterious men's Spiritual Pressures. They were like her.

With worry etched in their faces, both Medusa and Kuroka glanced at their Titaness who was horrified as her eyes were glued onto the man with the scythe. In turn the man with the scythe stared straight at her with unrestrained yet subtle cruel glee before he spoke one word.

"Rhea."

The Titaness stood stiff, stuck with fear as Kuroka and Medusa swiftly stood in front of her to protect her. Meanwhile the Shinigami were intrigued yet wary of the apparent connection between one of the strange men and Naruto's ally, but their thoughts were shut down when their hated enemy spoke to them.

"The Gotei 13 for little old us." Aizen said nonchalant, angering Hitsugaya and his fellow Captains.

"Sosuke Aizen…" The Head Captain said loud and clear in a commanding voice. "You have committed crimes against the Soul Society and the attempted crime to create the Oken. The Captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 who stands before you will deliver judgement unto you, Lieutenants Kaname and Gin and your allies."

The scythe-wielding man stared blankly at the old Head Captain before he shared looks with his companions. A second later, they all boomed with laughter so loud that it could reach Tokyo City. Yamamoto held back to sneer at the mysterious men as their bout of laugher continued while Kuroka and Medusa slowly stepped backwards to get closer to their terrified friend.

"Rhea, is that him?" Kuroka asked to verify what is already verified for her own sake. She received a nod from her friend. "Great. Just great."

Medusa whispered to Rhea lowly. "What about the other two?"

"The one in the golden armor is Hyperion; the oldest of us Titans and the most loyal to Kronos during the Titanomachy." Rhea said after regaining her composure although her eyes was still basked in fear. "The other is Atlas. He was the general of the Titan army and the second strongest after Kronos."

"Rhea." The girls and Team Kuromaki tensed up when Kronos called out for her. "Come to me." He gestured her with a hand outstretched for her to take.

In the past, she would've done what he ordered and leave it at that. But time since the war had changed her greatly: she was now a warrior like her siblings, her friends and Naruto.

"Naruto." Rhea thought fondly with a small smile. The image of them holding each other in their arms in his room came into her mind. Now she had someone who really cared about her and would fight for her with all his might. With courage, she confidently said, "No."

"…What was that?" Kronos repeated with contempt present. "I couldn't hear what you just said."

Before she could repeat her answer with more vigor, a familiar presence landed near her in a flash of light and felt a hand on her shoulder. Rhea didn't need to see Kuroka or Medusa's faces of glee as she knew who it was.

"I said no." Rhea repeated finally before she looked back and saw Naruto in his Hidden Leaf uniform with the sheathed Tenkaichi on his back. "Good to have you back."

Naruto smiled at her. "You didn't think I would miss the fight of the century now, did you?" He asked before he walked forward and looked at the Shinigami. His eyes met with Yamamoto who nodded and he nodded back before looking at the man with the scythe. "Kronos I assume."

"You know my name."

"Obviously I would know the name of the man who…committed questionable acts against his wife—well, ex-wife." Naruto said nonchalantly. Fortunately, Kurama's Chakra and his healing factor kicked into overdrive since he left Purgatory and somehow ended up in Brazil. It took him three tries to reach Japan. "And I'll say this once: Stay away from Rhea."

"And who are you to order me such a request?" Kronos asked with restrained anger. He was resurrected and this insect is demanding him to stay away from his plaything. He got his answer right away.

"I'm her boyfriend." Naruto answered before his body exploded in a burst of golden flames around his body. The Gotei 13 Shinigami and Team Kuromaki stared at him in awe and wonder as the flames condensed into a full length haori with a swirl in the stomach and lines emerged from the swirl through the chest, legs and arms. His eyes were yellow and pupils were slit like a fox. "Let's do this."

"You heard him!" Yamamoto cried out as his Shinigami Lieutenants released their Shikai, flooding the already intense atmosphere with vast Spiritual Pressure. As for his Captains, they all chorused one words that made the area even more intense. A word that strikes fear to all Hollows and supernatural creatures.

"BANKAI!"

Kronos was impressed…. Somewhat. These 'Death Gods' aren't half-bad in terms of power and they would make any lesser beings afraid of their power. However, he and his brothers were not lesser beings. They are Titans: the first rulers of the world. The first thing he would do once his and Aizen's 'agreement' is completed, he would torture the one who claimed his wife as his own after beating him to a bloody pulp.

His brothers were also on the same boat of thinking yet they were excited about having some fun after being resurrected. Especially the old man whose katana's blade was engulfed in fire.

"Hey Naruto." A guttural voice called out to him. Naruto turned around saw Ichigo who had also entered Bankai as well. However, there was a mask covering his face. The mask had teeth with two black marks going down to the jawline except where they were cut off at the eyes. "Thanks for the help. It wasn't easy though."

"So this is the power you obtain after working with your Inner Hollow?" Naruto asked and Ichigo nodded. He was impressed by the massive Spiritual Pressure Ichigo was currently exerting given the black/red aura emanating from his body. "Let's see how you fare in battle." Naruto reached back and pulled out Tenkaichi from the flames, engulfing it with Chakra as well. "I got Kronos."

"Um, Naruto?" Rhea asked slowly. He looked at her as she pointed Medusa and Kuroka who were on their knees. "They're not going to last long."

Naruto simply smirked at her. "Have a little faith, Rhea." He walked to them and placed his hands on their shoulders. Instantly the golden chakra engulfed, eliciting a yelp of surprise from them. The chakra soon condensed into haoris like his as well. "Better girls?"

"M-much better." Medusa replied in awe. She couldn't believe the power she was given. It was unreal! With this, she could definitely help fight. Kuroka was in the same boat although the lustful eyes showed that she was totally turned by her chosen mate's power. She knew her choice was the right one and she'll make sure that she gets him after this is over.

Smiling lightly, Naruto offered his hand to Rhea, a sign of offering her a power up even though that her power is possibly greater than his. Still he's gentleman at heart for the women in his life.

As for Rhea, she stared at the lone hand before she gladly accepted it. She felt the rush of power engulfing her entire being and her great power being enhanced to greater heights. She may not have need it at first, but it's better to start strong against someone like her ex-husband.

"I assume you all are ready." Aizen said casual as usual, but there was a subtle hint of intrigue. He wasn't expecting this kind of power from the unknown that is Uzumaki and if the blonde somehow survives against Kronos, he would take his turn against him and Kuroksaki.

"Oh yeah." Naruto turned around to face against Aizen's forces. "Let's do this."

With no more words exchanged, the opposing forces stood in silence as a gentle breeze passed through them and their battlefield. A lone leaf that was carried by the wind had floated down the 'No Man's Land' and all eyes glanced at the slow descending evergreen. The leaf had finally touched the ground and all hell broke loose as the forces of Soul Society and Aizen dashed at each other with great speed, courtesy of the Shunpo, Shunshin or natural.

The battle for Karakura Town and Soul Society has begun with a huge pillar of multicolored lights being the only sign of the war...

(End Of Volume 1)

{Read Volume 2 In My New Book, This books Sequel, [The Shinobi Visitor: Patronus Maximus]}

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Since this book is still getting power stones even after I changed the status to complete and said that volume 2 will be in the form of another book in the latest and final chapter of volume 1. Then I will make a poll here in the author notes to decide whether I would continue on this book or keep volume 2 as a Sequel book (The Shinobi Visitor: Patronus Maximus)

Continue V2 on this book...

Or

Keep it as a separate book...