Guarding Bonds

"You're still lying! I clearly heard you snoring," Rangiku said, her voice laced with a playful pout. She poked Yue's forehead with her finger, emphasizing each word.

"Heh."

Yue scratched his head, trying to ease the awkwardness with a smile.

Yes… Yue initially thought he had transmigrated into Naruto, but shortly after, he discovered that while becoming a part of the Naruto world, he could also selectively enter Bleach. To put it plainly, it was like 'dual-logging,' and the parallel timelines of the two worlds wouldn't interfere with each other. The flow of time wasn't synchronized either; no matter how much time passed in whichever world he chose to be in, upon returning to the other, it would be the exact moment he left, as if opening a door with a 'key.'

This allowed Yue to travel between the two worlds without any reservations.

But the most crucial point, and a perk of being a transmigrator, was the 'interaction' and 'sharing' of power between the two worlds.

In Bleach, he could use Ninjutsu and Taijutsu from Naruto without any change in his combat power. Likewise, in Naruto, he could wield the power sources obtained in Bleach.

This was incredibly significant.

It's important to remember that the two worlds were entirely different, not just in environment, background, and setting, but their power systems didn't even belong to the same 'chain.' The source of power in Bleach was Spiritual Power, and Soul Society was composed of Spiritual Particles… whereas Naruto used Chakra and Ninjutsu.

The fact that these two distinct power systems could merge provided Yue with immense convenience and room for growth, which was also why the pressure he felt wasn't as overwhelming.

The dangers of the Naruto world needed no further explanation. As a mere nobody from the Fuma Clan, establishing himself and growing in the ninja world would be incredibly difficult.

Furthermore, being born in Grass Village, his talent was ordinary compared to the 'monsters' of the ninja world.

Many boys with more potential and talent than him had met untimely ends… Yue naturally lived in a state of constant anxiety.

Of course, the world of Bleach was also fraught with undercurrents and hidden dangers… If he could possess the power from both Bleach and Naruto simultaneously, his survival rate would greatly increase.

Setting aside future achievements, at the very least, even with a poor start, his potential ceiling would be significantly raised.

Being cautious, he figured he'd at least survive to 'adulthood' and be able to protect himself.

"It's great that the two power systems don't need to be assimilated or transformed…"

With that thought, Yue felt an invisible weight lift from his shoulders.

In other words, the 'him' standing before Rangiku and Gin Ichimaru now possessed the level of a low-ranking ninja from Naruto.

Of course, he didn't show it.

He was afraid of attracting attention.

"I'm still upset, and you're zoning out again," Rangiku complained, hands on her hips.

She noticed Yue's distracted expression, clearly not listening to her.

"Sorry."

Yue half-heartedly raised a hand.

"Tch, I'm done with him. Gin… let's go," Rangiku pouted and ran off, calling back to Gin with a touch of tsundere.

She was throwing a little tantrum.

Before leaving, Gin Ichimaru glanced at Yue with a smile and quietly said, "You go back to sleep."

Implying that he would handle Rangiku.

"Mhm, I'll leave it to you."

Yue nodded subtly.

He hadn't expected the young Rangiku to have such a cute personality, quite like a typical little girl. It was hard to imagine her in the future – the gentle, alluring, incredibly curvaceous girl with the big orange wavy hair, like a friendly older sister next door.

In reality, Rangiku was gentle and understanding towards others… possessing a kind nature that always considered others' feelings.

However, she would throw little tantrums when it came to him.

"Is it because we're too close…?"

Yue lightly murmured, scratching his cheek with his fingertips.

Rangiku at this moment hadn't yet fallen victim to Aizen's schemes. In fact, he hadn't known Gin and Rangiku for very long… Rangiku was 'found' on a mountain by Gin Ichimaru. She had collapsed from hunger in the wilderness and was discovered by Gin, who was holding a bag of dried persimmons. You could say he 'saved' her.

In the Soul Society Outskirts, especially in the districts where they lived, hunger, chaos, and danger were common problems.

East Soul Society Outskirts, District 62, Kakana. The living environment here was considerably better than in districts beyond the 70th, but only by a limited margin.

In any of the Soul Society Outskirts districts beyond the 70th, the survival rate for children was terrifyingly low, making it very difficult to live to adulthood. Considering just the environment, his starting point in Bleach was even more brutal than in Naruto, where at least he had a relatively comfortable family.

This body's owner was Gin Ichimaru's childhood friend; they had grown up together and shared a deep bond… However, Gin had found Rangiku alone; Yue wasn't present that day.

Later, Gin introduced Rangiku to Yue, and the three of them became truly close.

Children, after all… are inherently innocent and easy to get along with.

"But his personality… is really easy to read."

Yue murmured, gazing in the direction Gin and Rangiku had run off.

He was referring to Gin Ichimaru.

All three of them were orphans and currently resided in a shelter in District 62.

Adults would often give them, a group of children, food. And because the environment in District 62 was relatively better, most people could at least maintain a basic livelihood and didn't mind helping orphans like them. Most children could also earn items by doing labor for adults.

Most souls in the Soul Society Outskirts don't need to eat; simply absorbing some water is enough for their daily needs.

However, he, Gin, and Rangiku were clearly exceptions.

Gin Ichimaru's personality wasn't actually unsociable; he just spoke little and had a rather 'aloof' demeanor, making him easily misunderstood and ostracized.

Therefore, besides Yue, who had grown up with him, other children would deliberately stay away from Gin.

This resulted in Gin having virtually no 'friend circle,' often wandering alone... Matsumoto Rangiku's appearance was like a 'ray of warm sunshine' for Gin.

She was a 'treasure' he cherished dearly during his growth.

Of course, Rangiku's personal charm and personality also greatly attracted Gin.

Gin was actually a person who valued emotions deeply, but he hid them too well... When Yue first arrived in Bleach, his previous body was bedridden and recovering. He was bullied by a street thug and beaten quite badly.

But later, that thug... was found dead in an alley one morning.

Yue guessed... it was Gin's doing.

Although he didn't know what methods Gin used or how much effort he put in, the process must have been incredibly dangerous, as Gin was just a child.

At the same time as the incident, Gin also disappeared for several days, nowhere to be found.

When he returned, he seemed completely normal, showing no signs of anything unusual.

Later, Yue asked Gin about it... Gin just smiled and explained how it couldn't possibly have been him.

He denied his own suspicion.

But Yue's intuition told him that he was the killer.

Of course, Yue wouldn't dwell on the matter; it was an unspoken understanding, so he didn't bring it up again.

"Aizen."

Thinking this, Yue spoke a name.

His bond with Gin meant he couldn't just stand by and watch Gin walk down that dark path.

But... Rangiku, due to her 'constitution,' the so-called 'King's Fragment,' was bound to be targeted by Aizen.

Facing someone like that, he was currently powerless to change fate.

So, what was bound to happen, would still happen...

"However, I might not be able to save her... but I will definitely save you." Yue's gaze sharpened.

He wasn't someone who liked to court trouble.

As a transmigrator, knowing how dangerous Bleach and Naruto were, his primary principle was survival. He'd keep a low profile whenever possible.

Develop in silence.

Provoking Aizen was obviously dangerous.

But if he could borrow the power of another world in this world... Yue believed there was a sliver of a chance, however slim.

Even if doing so didn't align with his personality.

But... Gin had saved his life.

When he was lying in bed, Gin had taken care of him day and night, and even avenged him... Yue couldn't ignore this debt of gratitude.

He had to at least try. If he failed, then so be it.

"Sigh."

He let out a sigh and lay back down on the grass, gazing at the blue sky.

It was a bit of a headache.

A monster like Aizen couldn't be dealt with by strength alone.

What was most terrifying was his perverted mind, his flawless schemes, and his calculated plans...

Not to mention his insight into human nature and his strategic overview of major situations.

Honestly, such a person couldn't even be described as a monstrous genius... It was only in this special time and space that such a being could emerge.

In a normal society, such a person simply couldn't exist.

"But... even the most perfect person has a weakness..."

Yue narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning cold at that moment.

A few hours later, as the sun began to set.

Rangiku, having had her fill of fun, finally returned with Gin.

The three of them left the outskirts and headed back to their district.

Along the way, Rangiku wore a fresh flower crown on her head, skipping happily.

Gin had made it for her himself, and it was clear she loved it.

"Oh, right, yesterday someone who was exiled from District 71 came to our district. His name is Kiyobi... he looked so pitiful," Rangiku suddenly said, recalling something. "We originally planned to have him stay with us, but he was quickly taken away by people from the elders' faction... Even though everyone else was accepted, he was..."

"The situation in the Soul Society Outskirts isn't like it used to be. I heard it's quite chaotic out there."

"Many factions like to use enslaved children for their business. They're probably afraid of getting into trouble..."

Yue said.

The two of them also had some understanding of the outside situation; they had heard about it.

As for the larger district numbers, those places... were completely a hell for Asuras, a paradise for executioners.

A bloody and realistic food chain.

"It's already difficult enough for the elder to maintain the situation in our district... It's better to have fewer people with unknown origins like that." Seeing Rangiku's worried and compassionate expression, Gin Ichimaru smiled and reassured her.

After speaking, he casually added, "Right, Yue?"

"Mm."

Yue nodded. "It's fine. Although District 71 is a bit worse off, it's not as bad as we might think."

"You two are just trying to fool me."

Rangiku rolled her eyes.

Gin smiled without saying anything.

Yue yawned.

A moment later, the three walked side-by-side on a dirt road, with the shadows of buildings already appearing in the distance.

The afterglow of the setting sun illuminated their three small figures.

As they walked further away, their shadows on the ground gradually stretched longer.