Squad 4 was well-prepared, dispatching eight medical teams—over seventy squad members in total.
None of them were needed.
The injuries among the students weren't serious; one team was enough to handle them.
Naruto wasn't hurt, but he was still forcibly kept under observation.
The incident was extremely serious and jointly investigated by Squads 2, 8, and 9.
The Senkaimon had been running for years without issue.
But this time, it was forcibly blocked by an unknown power for a full hour. Had Naruto not been present, it would've resulted in the most tragic death toll since the founding of the Shin'ō Academy.
"No injuries, and his spiritual pressure is stable," Unohana confirmed after a thorough examination.
Naruto grinned brightly. "Told you—I'm totally fine!"
Unohana smiled gently and spoke softly, "Captain-Commander Yamamoto wants to see you. Do you want to go today or rest for a few more days?"
Naruto was taken aback.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto?
He had heard of the "Captain-Commander's" legendary reputation—rumored to have lived for over a thousand years, the oldest and most powerful Shinigami in the Soul Society—but he had never met him.
"Me?"
"Why does he want to see me?" Naruto asked in confusion.
Unohana shook her head. "You'll know when you meet him. Captain-Commander Yamamoto is actually easy to get along with now."
"Although it's a little early..."
"But this timing is quite appropriate."
Naruto glanced at the two swords on the bedside table. "Then I'll go now."
Unohana walked over and opened the door. Waiting outside was Sasakibe Chōjirō, whom Naruto had briefly met before.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, Naruto is ready," Unohana said.
Squad 1.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto resided in a peaceful courtyard.
A dry landscape garden spread out endlessly, concentric ripples fixed in place like the burnt ashes of scorched earth.
Sasakibe stopped before a traditional sliding door and spoke respectfully: "Captain-Commander, Uzumaki Naruto has arrived."
"Let him in," came a soft voice from inside.
Sasakibe opened the door and gestured politely.
Naruto stepped in.
Inside the room sat a kneeling old man, completely bald, with a gruesome cross-shaped scar on the left side of his forehead. His eyebrows hung down to his chin, and his long beard was intricately braided.
He looked ancient, but far from frail.
As soon as Naruto crossed the threshold, he felt the immense spiritual pressure radiating from the man—like a lone boat tossed in a violent storm at sea.
Kurama felt it too and bristled with alarm.
This Soul Society… how could it have so many terrifyingly powerful individuals?
One just now. Another one now.
"Sit," the old man beckoned.
Naruto sat down across from him.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke gently: "Uzumaki Naruto, I've been watching you closely."
"I didn't just issue orders to Squad 2's stealth forces."
"People from Squad 1 and Squad 8 also observe you 24/7."
"I personally review every report from Captain Urahara."
Naruto frowned slightly.
This...
Was no longer just "attention." It was more like "surveillance."
"You are a very unusual person," Yamamoto continued. "Not from the Rukongai. No record of soul burial by Squad 13."
"You appeared out of nowhere and immediately stood out."
"You wield powerful forces that are neither Shinigami, Hollow, nor Quincy."
Naruto opened his mouth to respond.
Yamamoto raised his hand, signaling him to stay quiet. "That's why I've been watching you."
"And your performance has pleased me greatly."
"Especially today—you were willing and able to protect every classmate."
He paused, eyes opening a bit wider. His millennia-old gaze pierced like arrows.
"Secrets are a natural product of survival."
"I'm old now. I don't have much curiosity left."
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Yes, sir," Naruto replied.
"Tell me—do your secrets pose any threat to the Soul Society?" Yamamoto asked, suddenly stern and heavy.
Naruto answered without hesitation, shaking his head firmly: "No."
Yamamoto nodded. "Good. That's all I need to hear."
Naruto opened his mouth, his eyes filled with a strange expression.
Not curious?
He just… believed him?
It was a feeling Naruto had never experienced before.
A little sweet—and also a bit heavy.
"Secrets are secrets because they're rooted deep in the heart," Yamamoto said softly. "I am not some rigid fossil who insists on digging up every truth."
"You've earned this trust with your actions."
He didn't want to dwell too long on this topic. "So, have you given any thought to which squad you want to join?"
When asked that, Naruto looked a little lost.
He had originally wanted to join Squad 13—the purification squad that handled soul burials in the world of the living.
But this world of the living…
Was not the same world where "Konoha" existed.
"If you don't mind, I'll offer my suggestion," Yamamoto continued.
Naruto nodded immediately.
Yamamoto spoke warmly: "I think very highly of you. You have talent and a good heart."
"There are three squads that suit you: Squad 4, Squad 8, and Squad 13."
One of the squads surprised Naruto.
Squad 4—the medical squad?
Was it because of his "healing" ability?
"Retsu likes you a lot," Yamamoto went on. "And you're talented with Kaidō (healing arts). But Retsu isn't quite the right teacher for you. You're a gentle child."
Naruto realized "Retsu" referred to Unohana and quickly said, "Captain Unohana is gentle. I like her too."
Yamamoto chuckled and shook his head. "I'd rather see you in Squad 8 or Squad 13."
"You have two swords."
"Shunsui and Jūshirō also wield twin blades."
"They're both gentle by nature like you. And compared to you, they're mature—able to follow their own paths with resolve."
"They're just the right people to guide someone like you, who is still finding their way."
Naruto clenched his fists.
Yamamoto paused. "If I speak from personal bias, I hope you choose Squad 13."
Naruto was stunned. "Squad 13?"
That was exactly where he had initially wanted to go.
But...
Why did Yamamoto favor that squad?
He'd interacted more with Kyōraku Shunsui, the captain of Squad 8. He hadn't even met Ukitake Jūshirō, captain of Squad 13.
"Shunsui is capable when he gets serious," Yamamoto said bluntly, "but usually he's flippant and lazy. One such person in the Gotei 13 is already the limit of tolerance."
"If there were another 'Shunsui,' I might die a few hundred years earlier."
"You're a good kid. It's best you don't get spoiled by him."
Naruto thought for a moment. "Then I'll go with Squad 13."
Yamamoto nodded. "I'll give you twenty years."
"The captain's position for Squad 10 was originally meant for Shiba Kaien."
"But now that you're here..."
"I hope you can grow into a capable captain as soon as possible."
Naruto took a deep breath and accepted the task: "Yes. I will work hard to become stronger—"
"Not strength," Yamamoto interrupted. "Ability."
"To become a captain, you need more than power."
"You need a strong heart."
A strong heart...
Naruto repeated those words and solemnly nodded.
(End of Chapter)