Shinigami in the Ninja World (Naruto x Bleach)

Urahara Kisuke pondered, speaking cautiously, "Could it be a symbiotic state of two sides of the same entity?"

Both turned their gaze towards him.

He extended his hand as a medium to explain his conjecture, "Like this."

"This side facing up is yang."

"The other side facing down is yin."

"Naruto's situation may not be as contradictory, but it might be similar—one entity with two entirely different sides."

Unohana Retsu thought for a moment, smiling, "As expected of Captain Urahara, your explanation makes a lot of sense."

Naruto looked down at his Asauchi.

Two sides of one entity...

Two different directions within him?

"However, Naruto's uniqueness might indicate another situation," Unohana continued, "When I examined your body back then, I noticed something inexplicable."

"I thought it was the other blade of a dual-wield."

"But now, it seems that besides the 'Nine-Tails,' there might be another force within you that doesn't fully belong to you."

"That might be one of the twin forces."

Naruto looked up, surprised, at Unohana's gentle, smiling face.

Another force within him besides the Nine-Tails?

"It was Captain Urahara's reminder that led me to this guess," Unohana looked at him kindly.

Naruto gripped his blade, "So I..."

"Don't be afraid or resist," Unohana shook her head, "They are all part of your strength."

"Once you hear those two voices clearly, choosing either won't be wrong."

"Zanpakuto reflects the soul."

Naruto nodded, "Yes, thank you, Captain Unohana."

"Let's check again," Unohana smiled, "We'll confirm your current state."

The results came quickly.

Naruto had grown healthily, his spiritual pressure had increased, climbing from rank five to rank four.

That "possible second force" hadn't been pinpointed, but under careful observation, Unohana detected a trace.

Unlike the 'Nine-Tails,' which had a soul and intelligence sealed within his body.

This elusive force had no self-awareness, it was purely energy, blending almost inseparably with Naruto's own strength.

With the assurance of these two reliable captains, Naruto felt much relieved.

He agreed with Unohana to set aside three days a month to learn Healing Arts, then he and Urahara took their leave.

Back at the 13th Division.

Naruto continued his blade meditation, hoping to hear those two voices clearly soon.

Urahara Kisuke delved into research.

The knowledge of these "sealing techniques" fascinated him, opening a completely new and different field.

A week later.

Shin'o Academy.

"Third Seat Naruto, long time no see," Ikki Hakou personally greeted him.

Naruto scratched his head, "Dean Hakou, you don't need to use so many honorifics with me."

"You are my teacher."

Hakou laughed heartily, "Naruto, you should get used to your current status. Now you're a Third Seat, but you'll be a Captain someday."

"Come, I'll show you this year's talented recruits."

"From Rukongai, truly remarkable."

Leading the way, Naruto followed leisurely.

Inside the gymnasium.

"Over there," Hakou pointed.

Naruto looked and was slightly taken aback.

There were two people.

One was a white-haired boy, slightly taller than Naruto.

The other...

An old acquaintance, Sosuke Aizen.

"Why is Vice-Captain Aizen here?" Naruto went over to greet.

Aizen smiled warmly, "I heard Dean Hakou invited you. Knowing it's your first time in such an event, I was a bit concerned, so I volunteered to come."

Naruto smiled shyly, "I was a bit nervous, but seeing you, Aizen, I felt at ease right away.”

He tilted his head: "Is this the genius from this year's Shin'o Academy?"

The silver-haired boy respectfully greeted Naruto: "Yes, Third Seat Uzumaki, I am Ichimaru Gin, a new student this year. Pleased to meet you."

"Gin? You seem to have quite an impressive presence." Naruto scrutinized him.

His face was somewhat good-looking.

But he always had a constant smile, his eyes narrowed into slits.

There was a hidden sinister aura about him.

At first glance, Naruto was reminded of an opponent who made him very uncomfortable, that guy called "Orochimaru."

This person...

He might be a "venomous snake" too.

Ikki Hakou smiled brightly: "When he entered the school, he had a Reiatsu of the sixth rank. Most commendably, he is as hardworking as you, Naruto."

"Though his physical talent is somewhat inferior to yours."

"Every day, our teachers have to rack their brains on how to persuade him to rest a little."

"Really..."

A genius working too hard can also be a kind of painful blessing.

Naruto smiled, extended his hand, and summoned his internal power.

Ichimaru Gin instinctively glanced at Aizen. Seeing him just smile, he didn't resist.

A gentle sensation surged into his body.

Those "fatigue," "pain," and "wounds" were slowly healed by this gentle power.

"Really diligent." Naruto could clearly sense his condition and smiled slightly, "You have so many injuries in your body, there's no need to rush."

"We have plenty of time to take it slow."

These were the words once said to him by Captain Unohana.

Now they were perfect to say to this silver-haired kid.

Ichimaru Gin was taken aback, then respectfully bowed: "Thank you, Third Seat Uzumaki."

"That was an impressive Kaidō." Aizen squinted his eyes, savoring the spiritual pressure from earlier, "Even those Old lieutenants of the 4th Division might be inferior to Naruto."

Naruto shook his head: "Not at all, I'm still far behind."

Ichimaru Gin stared at Naruto, then at Sōsuke Aizen.

These two people are really alike.

Yet truly completely different.

The opening ceremony soon began.

Naruto took the stage to speak. At first, he was a bit stammering, but he quickly adapted, talking about his happy days at the Shin'o Academy and his time in the 13th Division.

Then it was Sōsuke Aizen's turn.

He was a very articulate person, extending and elevating Naruto's content, touching the audience's hearts.

Until the last moment.

Aizen raised his hand, resting it on the hilt of his sword: "Every time I see you freshmen, I always think of my days at the Shin'o Academy."

"Back then, I always dreamed of achieving Shikai and becoming a true Shinigami."

"Surely you all feel the same."

"Third Seat Uzumaki's sword is not suitable for demonstration here."

"Then let me show you my sword."

As he spoke, he slowly drew his sword, chanting softly.

"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."

Mist flowed from the sword, slowly spreading, enveloping the entire hall.

The space seemed distorted.

Some noticed that the positions of those around them seemed to change, from left to right, or from front to back.

Naruto was also affected.

Ikki Hakou moved from the left to the right side.

This was the ability of "Kyōka Suigetsu." As a water-type Zanpakutō, its effect was to use mist and water light refraction to create illusions and interfere with enemies.

This wasn't Naruto's first time seeing Kyōka Suigetsu's release.

But he still wanted to praise it; it truly was a beautiful sword.

Nine-Tails uncomfortably shook its fur.

It sensed a very threatening aura...

The same aura as the day Naruto went to the Human World of this world.