[Las Noches · Training Area]
Naruto panted heavily as he looked at Tekka, Inabi, and Yashiro lying on the ground.
All three of their masks had shattered, revealing pale faces. They had lost, utterly and completely.
"Three days ago, we were beating you down. Three days later, you can take all three of us at once..." Tekka struggled to prop himself up and gave a bitter smile. "Naruto Uzumaki, the speed of your growth makes you a real monster."
"That's because you taught me well." Naruto grinned, but his smile soon faded. "Besides, I have a reason I have to get stronger."
He drew a Rasengan from inside his clothes. The blue chakra sphere spun in his palm, but faint traces of golden light flowed within it.
"Yang power..." he murmured. "The Forest Guardian was right. This power isn't meant for fighting. It's meant for 'protecting.' But protecting people takes strength, too."
He dispelled the Rasengan and looked toward the entrance to the Training Ground. Lilynette had appeared there at some point, her arms folded and a complicated expression on her face.
"Come with me, Naruto," she said. "Lord Liuyu wants to see you."
Naruto nodded and followed Lilynette out of the Training Ground, down a long white corridor, and into the main hall of Las Noches.
Liuyu stood before an enormous floor-to-ceiling window with his back to him, gazing out at the eternal night sky of Las Noches.
The False Moon cast a pale glow, stretching his shadow long across the floor.
"I heard you won." Liuyu did not turn around.
"Yeah." Naruto stood ten paces behind him, keeping a wary distance.
"How much of your strength did you use?"
"Seventy percent."
Liuyu turned around, an almost-smile on his face. "So you defeated three Uchiha Arrancar with thirty percent