Naruto stepped through the Hyuga gates and looked up at the boundless sky, no longer divided and enclosed by one square frame after another. A long breath escaped him before he realized it.
Though he had just talked big inside, acting as if he feared nothing, anyone would have felt the faint, chilling oppression of that place, the sense that it denied people their freedom. Naruto had felt it too. He was simply good at putting on a brave face, so none of it showed.
"Naruto-kun." Hiashi called to him from inside the gate. "May I call you Naruto?"
"Of course."
Naruto turned and suddenly bowed deeply to him.
"I caused such a huge disturbance in your clan's home on my very first visit, when we've only just met... I'm truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me, Lord Hiashi. I'm willing to accept any punishment, but I hope Neji won't be dragged into this. He only agreed to show me the way after I pestered him, so this was all my doing, and I should take responsibility."
Hiashi, the Great Elder, and even Neji were surprised by Naruto's words, so different in tone and manner from what he had said before. In fact, Naruto had been rehearsing them all the way here, and had taken inspiration from Hiashi's speech in the courtyard.
Now that he had recognized the flaws in the way he spoke, he had to change. He had to learn from people who were better at it.
Though Hiashi hadn't mentioned what happened today, that didn't mean Naruto could be glad he'd gotten off scot-free, or simply pretend nothing had happened. Objectively speaking, his actions had hurt the Hyuga Clan as a whole. Besides, he wanted to hear Hiashi's decision.
Just as he'd thought before, he could make a scene and then walk away without a care, but what about Neji?
He didn't like putting on a show and leaving someone else to take the blame and punishment...
"Neji, wait." After Naruto finished speaking, Hiashi raised a hand to stop Neji, who was about to say something. Then he said to Naruto, "There's one thing you got wrong."
"Actually, today wasn't the first time we met. During this time... I've gone to the training grounds a few times to watch you."
Naruto looked up in surprise, but his expression quickly turned cool. He simply looked at Hyuga Hiashi and waited for him to continue.
This kid really is as suspicious as a dog...
Hiashi found the thought a little amusing. "You've misunderstood. I wasn't keeping an eye on you. It was because of this."
He took a sheet of white paper from inside his robe and handed it to Naruto.
"After Hinata fell unconscious, I searched through her things in her room... I was desperate at the time, grasping at straws. I knew the chances were slim, but I couldn't help trying. What if there was something in there related to her condition? In the end, I found nothing, but this caught my attention."
Naruto took the paper and stared at the name written on it. His pupils widened slightly.
"I found the paper in Hinata's schoolbag, so I asked a Ninja Academy teacher about it... He said it was probably an answer to a fun classroom question, but that lesson was a long time ago. Hinata had kept it all this time."
"The teacher said the question was: If tomorrow were the end of the world—say, the moon fell down—who would you want to spend it with? To be honest, when I heard that, I was a little angry. I was angry that Hinata hadn't written my name. I'm her father, after all."
There was a complicated note in Hiashi's voice.
"But these past few days, watching her sleep without waking, growing thinner and thinner, thinking about what she used to tell me and what I did to her... I've begun to understand why she wrote that answer."
For the first time, it seemed that a crack had appeared in Hiashi's stern expression. A hint of loneliness showed in his eyes.
"Parents and children always find it difficult to understand one another... I think this person must have given Hinata strength in the places where I failed to understand her pain. That's why she wrote this name."
"So what I mean is that adults make mistakes. We know that, and we're willing to admit it. So, Naruto, you don't need to pretend to be an adult here. Sometimes, you can trust us a little more." Hiashi said, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen to Neji."
"...Thank you," Naruto said softly. He looked at [Uzumaki Naruto-kun] on the paper, his feelings difficult to name.
He remembered being in that class, too. He hadn't thought of anyone's name, so he'd thrown his paper away.
"Keep the paper."
Hyuga Hiashi turned and walked back into the compound.
"I don't know how close the two of you are, but you deserve to know how my daughter feels."
His figure disappeared along the corridor, leaving only his voice drifting back.
"Treat her feelings well. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
Coming from someone with the Byakugan, those words were far too convincing.
Naruto chuckled. He had never taken anyone's feelings for him lightly. His fingers silently traced the edge of the paper before he folded it carefully and put it away.
Then a pair of huge white eyes loomed right in front of his face, veins bulging.
"Damn!" Naruto jumped. "Neji, what are you doing?"
Neji put away his Byakugan and asked sternly, "Who's Ino?"
"Uh... a good friend of mine?" Naruto's voice weakened for some reason. Under Neji's stare, he felt oddly guilty.
"Boy or girl?"
"Girl."
"...What's your relationship?"
"...That's a serious question..."
Naruto scratched his head. In the end, he could only answer honestly. "I haven't completely figured it out, but I do like her."
"Hmph..."
For some reason, Neji actually looked a little amused by Naruto's answer.
"At least you told the truth." He waved a hand and started down the street. "Then I won't ask what you and Hinata are to each other... But you'd better think it through before you act... Don't forget—"
Neji turned slightly and shot Naruto a sidelong glance.
"The Byakugan is watching you."
"Got it—!" Naruto made a face at him.
Neji smiled and turned toward the place where Team 10 trained. He still had to finish his training for the day.
Neither of them mentioned what had just happened inside the compound.
Neji didn't thank Naruto for speaking up for him or bowing on his behalf. To him, words were embarrassingly sentimental. If he ever said something like that, it would have to be after they'd charged into battle together and survived some desperate situation, when they were both spitting blood. That was the kind of manly loyalty he believed in. Grandma Xiaoyuntian had taught him that from childhood.
Naruto headed off in some random direction, too. A lot had happened today, and he needed to sort through his thoughts.
"Kurama, have your Shadow Clones come back?"
[No.]
"Then why didn't the Hyuga Great Elder notice our Shadow Clones just now?"
[I don't know either. But since we haven't received their memories, that means they're still 'existing' somewhere, right?]
"You mean the Shadow Clones went into that [hole]?"
[I'm not sure. I just sensed their 'emotions' suddenly disappear. If they still exist, then the only possibility is that they went somewhere far away in an instant.]
For once, man and fox calmly discussed the matter.
"Could the hole in Hinata's head connect to some faraway place?" Naruto mused. "I was going to say it didn't make any sense, but so many things that don't make sense have already happened. Maybe we'll have to get used to things like this."
[All right, all right. Enough with the big ideas, brat.] Kurama's mouth twitched. [What if I told you something 'impossible' was happening right beside you right now?]
"What is it?" Naruto's eyes narrowed.
[I actually noticed it some time ago... I just couldn't be bothered to tell you. But since it came up, I suppose I could tell you if you beg me...]
"Please, Lord Kurama." Naruto didn't hesitate. What was a little pride worth? Of course, if Kurama was messing with him, he'd immediately respond with a barrage of insults.
[You...?] Even the Nine-Tails was dumbfounded by Naruto's shamelessness. After a while, it clicked its tongue. Naruto had answered so readily that it had taken away most of the satisfaction.
Whatever. It was curious about this, too.
[Fine... I'll tell you. Starting two months ago, I noticed a few people around you who were filled with 'malice.']
[At first, I thought they were spies from other countries, or people of some other sort. It wouldn't be strange if there were a few of them in Konoha. Besides, you're a Jinchuriki. It's only natural for people to watch you with malice.]
[But as time went on and I sensed them more often, I realized their malice was unusually strong, far beyond the norm. It wasn't aimed specifically at you, or even limited to Konoha. They seemed to want to destroy everything in this world... Oh, and when you stole the Scroll of Seals, one of them was watching from a distance. Their malice was focused mainly on the Scroll of Seals.]
Naruto was startled. He hadn't expected someone to have been watching him all this time, someone who didn't belong to Konoha... It couldn't be Root, either. Danzo wasn't crazy enough to want to destroy the world.
"Maybe that malice was because they wanted to steal the Scroll of Seals?"
[No.] Kurama sounded utterly certain. [They wanted to destroy things. When Hashirama Senju smashed me with the Gate of the Great God, my feelings were exactly the same as that malice.]
Naruto believed him.
Then he realized at once that these unknown people could well be the very ones he'd suspected before—the factors, besides himself, that were affecting the world and causing the plot to deviate.
"So you mean one of them is near me right now?"
[Yeah, there's one person here.] Kurama said, [the one in the straw hat around the corner to your front left. I've sensed him many times. He looks different every time he appears.]
Naruto glanced over, but caught only the hem of the man's clothes as he disappeared around the corner.
There was no time to hesitate. Naruto immediately formed Hand Seals and made ten Shadow Clones.
"Five of you follow him openly. Make a scene—no, give him a warning. I'm no good at tracking or sneaking around, so I won't give you any clumsy instructions. Besides, Kurama just said he was watching me from a distance, which means he might have some way of sensing people."
"The other five follow the first five. If the first group gets blown up, take their place immediately." Naruto gave his orders. "I'll hang back and make more Shadow Clones if needed."
He waved a hand, and the ten Shadow Clones set off as instructed. He followed at a moderate distance.
[What a coward.] Kurama grumbled.
"You don't know shit." Naruto rolled his eyes. "People should be afraid of dying, okay? This isn't the time to risk our lives."
"Shit, I'm a Shadow Clone anyway. Worst case, I die."
Soul Society.
Naruto had been prepared to take a hit either way, so he hadn't resisted when Ishikawa took his hand and led him to the 5th Division's examination site.
It was an open field. Along its edge, dozens of Rukongai residents in plain clothes, ranging in age, stood in line. Their faces held a mixture of nervousness, hope, and a trace of apprehension.
In front of them stood several Soul Reapers in Shihakusho. Most wore detached expressions as they surveyed the line. An invisible pressure seemed to hang over everyone, as if a massive boulder were pressing down on their chests.
No, perhaps it wasn't just their imagination.
Naruto wondered. Was this pressure coming from their spiritual pressure?
Everything in Soul Society was made of [Reishi], corresponding to the [atoms] that made up the World of the Living.
Spiritual pressure was the difference in Reishi density. The stronger one's spiritual pressure, the denser one's Reishi. Only souls with a high Reishi density could become Soul Reapers.
So it was no surprise that people here could feel an invisible pressure. The difference in spiritual pressure between Soul Reapers and Rukongai residents was simply too great. Even without deliberately releasing their power, just standing there was enough to make people feel oppressed.
In a sense, in this world, the difference in spiritual pressure was also a difference in the level of one's existence.
Still... Naruto raised an eyebrow. Though he could feel the pressure, he didn't seem to be burdened by it. So what exactly was his current state? Could he use spiritual power even though he wasn't a soul?
"That's the examination device."
Ishikawa's words interrupted Naruto's thoughts. He looked toward the center of the field. Behind the Soul Reapers stood a device about as tall as a person. It was shaped like a translucent pillar, apparently made of some kind of crystal, with a complicated Reishi dial connected to its base.
Just then, a Rukongai resident stepped forward and stood before the crystal pillar. Following instructions, he placed his hand against it. The Soul Reaper operating the device lightly tapped the dial with a finger, infusing it with a faint amount of spiritual pressure.
The next moment, a hazy white light flickered at the base of the pillar. It was dim and spread upward only a short way, less than a tenth of the pillar's height. The Soul Reaper keeping records showed an almost imperceptible look of disdain and said calmly,
"Failed. Next."
"I heard the device measures someone's talent by comparing their spiritual pressure with the operator's," Ishikawa explained. "The closer your natural spiritual pressure is to that Soul Reaper's, the brighter the pillar will shine. Usually, you pass if the light reaches about halfway up and is bright and steady."
Naruto looked at Ishikawa strangely. The guy knew an awful lot. Still, Naruto asked from a child's perspective, "What if someone makes the whole pillar light up?"
"Then you can become a Soul Reaper, kid. We can all retire."
A mocking voice came from behind them. A tall, thin Soul Reaper walked up beside them and looked down at them.
"What, kid? Do you think your spiritual pressure is already as strong as ours? Or do you think the Gotei 13 aren't worthy of respect from you Rukongai people?"
"Lord Soul Reaper!"
Ishikawa hurriedly pushed Naruto's head down, bowing along with him.
"We sincerely apologize! This child only arrived in Soul Society today and doesn't know much yet. He didn't mean any offense. Please be generous and forgive him!"
"He only arrived today..."
The tall, thin Soul Reaper looked Naruto up and down, paying particular attention to his face. Then he curled his lips into an ugly smile.
"Of course I'll forgive him... I'm a nice guy." He crouched down and pinched Naruto's cheek. "Kid, do you want to live in Seireitei?"
Naruto suppressed the urge to punch him and put on a confused, helpless look, as if he didn't know how to answer.
"My name is Hanama Natsu, but you can call me Natsu-nii." Hanama Natsu grew more pleased with Naruto the longer he looked at him. "Do you know about the three great noble families of Seireitei?"
When Naruto continued to look blank, Natsu's smile grew brighter, like a chrysanthemum in bloom. "It's all right if you don't. You just need to know that the nobles of Seireitei live a thousand times better than people in Rukongai. There's plenty of delicious food, beautiful and comfortable clothes, and clean, spacious houses. Unlike here, where everyone lives in wooden huts... So, do you want to go?"
"Your big brother Natsu is kindhearted. I took one look at you and liked you, and as it happens, I know some nobles. I can introduce you to them..."
"Um... Lord Soul Reaper?"
Ishikawa Kenta had hesitated for a while, but finally found the courage to take Naruto's hand and speak, stumbling over his words.
"This child is going to take the... examination. Could we talk about it after he's finished?"
"Hm?"
Hanama Natsu looked at Ishikawa in displeasure. Just one glance from him made Ishikawa feel as if a thousand-jin weight had settled on his shoulders. He could barely stay on his feet.
"I want to take the examination," Naruto suddenly said.
"..."
Hanama Natsu turned his attention back to him, his voice colder. "Don't waste your time. The odds of someone from Rukongai passing are already less than one in a thousand. Now the standards have gone up tenfold. One person out of ten thousand might pass. You won't make it."
"I want to take the examination." Like a stubborn child, Naruto simply repeated himself.
Hanama Natsu felt a flicker of impatience, but he had his reasons for holding back. He could only snort and stand up. "Stupid kid... I'll come back after you fail."
Then he looked at Ishikawa Kenta. "I'll remember you, too."
Ishikawa's face went deathly pale. Sweat ran down his back. Hanama Natsu gave them one last look before turning away, displeased.
He didn't notice that, at the very instant he turned around, the "stupid kid" he'd been talking about had a cold glint in his eyes.
"We're done for, we're done for..." Ishikawa muttered. Naruto felt a little guilty, but couldn't say anything. After all, his role at the moment was that of a newly reincarnated "child"... He knew that comfort without strength to back it up was no different from empty words.
Ishikawa kept holding his hand for a full ten minutes before he finally managed to calm down. Then he patted Naruto on the head.
"It's all right. It's not your fault."
Naruto's heart stirred as he looked at the unremarkable little old man before him. He felt something he'd never felt before.
"Come on. Follow Grandpa."
Ishikawa led Naruto to the registration desk to get a number for the examination queue.
"What's your name?" the Soul Reaper at the registration desk asked.
"He only arrived in Soul Society today. He doesn't remember anything," Ishikawa quickly explained.
"Oh. Then just pick a name for now," the Soul Reaper said indifferently.
"Menma." Naruto didn't care much about the name, but he wasn't careless enough to use his real one, either. He gave them an alias on the spot.
"Okay, number 638. Wait over there. There are more than two hundred people ahead of you."
After registering, Ishikawa led Naruto to an inconspicuous spot beside the queue. He didn't let go of Naruto's hand the entire time, as if afraid the boy might get lost.
Suddenly, he squeezed Naruto's hand and lowered his voice, excitement creeping into it. "Look! That's Captain Aizen!"
Naruto's heart jolted. He followed Ishikawa's gaze.
At the edge of the field, a figure was talking warmly with several Rukongai boys and girls who had failed the examination and looked both disappointed and excited. He, too, wore a black Shihakusho, but over it was a white haori marking him as a captain. The conspicuous number "5" on its back identified him.
He was tall and straight-backed, his brown hair meticulously combed, and a pair of rimless glasses perched on his face. His gaze behind the lenses was calm and gentle, and a faint smile played on his lips, as warm as a spring breeze. He leaned forward slightly, patiently listening to the boys stumble through their introductions, nodding gently from time to time. His eyes brimmed with encouragement and understanding, as if he could easily soothe every worry.
"So this is Aizen Sosuke..."
Naruto gazed at that refined, gentle face. If he hadn't read the original story, he would probably have taken an instinctive liking to him, too.
"Captain Aizen really is such a wonderful person..." Ishikawa couldn't help murmuring in admiration again. "He's always so kind to the residents of Rukongai. He never puts on airs."
"Mm-hmm."
Naruto nodded along indifferently, pretending to agree.
Still, seeing that Aizen was only inspecting the outskirts, rather than facing him directly as Naruto had first imagined, put him considerably at ease...
—Huh?
An indescribable chill, rising from the depths of his soul, suddenly shot up Naruto's spine. His expression froze, and in his mind, Kurama's roar crashed like thunder: [Hey, brat! Something's wrong! Why does it feel like someone's watching me?!]
As if sensing something, Naruto slowly looked up. Aizen Sosuke, who had been talking with the boys, turned his head ever so slightly, the movement utterly natural. His gentle, smiling gaze passed through his glasses and swept over Naruto—precisely, yet casually.
The glance seemed entirely offhand, carrying a kindly concern, and landed on the little blond boy Naruto, who was being led by Ishikawa and looked somewhat "nervous and dazed."
Time seemed to stretch in that moment.
Naruto desperately suppressed the turmoil inside him, trying to play the part of an innocent, clueless child. He kept his gaze as clear as possible, but the very next instant, Aizen stepped forward, ending his conversation and heading their way!
His pace was steady and unhurried. Along the way, he warmly greeted the residents of Rukongai, yet his speed never changed. Naruto's heart beat faster and faster as Aizen came straight up to him.
"Captain Aizen..." Ishikawa was beside himself with excitement.
Aizen smiled warmly and exchanged a few words with Ishikawa. Then the calm eyes behind his glasses settled on Naruto.
His gaze remained gentle, touched with curiosity and just the right measure of sympathy, as if he were examining a lost, pitiable little animal.
"Child." Aizen wore a smile as warm as a spring breeze, his voice gentle, as if soothing a frightened kitten. "What are you afraid of?"
Before you continue