Kuchiki Byakuya and Naruto locked eyes.
Those blue eyes were as clear as the sky.
Byakuya had originallye to Naruto just to bolster his courage and seek some support. There weren''t many people in the Seireitei who could speak with weight in the Kuchiki n, and the only person he could ask for help was Naruto.
But...
What he received was far more valuable than what he had initially hoped for.
Naruto was willing to go much further than Byakuya had expected.
"Thank you very much," Byakuya said, bowing in gratitude.
He felt a newfound confidence and strength within himself.
The obstacles he had feared were not as insurmountable as Byakuya had imagined.Among the Five Great Noble ns...
The Shihōin n had not taken a stance. After the incident with Tōsen Kaname, they had eagerly returned the position of family head to Shihōin Yoruichi. Without a head, the Shihōin n couldn''t take a position on any unnecessary matters.
As for the Shiba n...
They had already moved out of the Seireitei and now lived in Rukongai.
Excluding the Tsunayashiro n, there was one other family known for their mysterious ways, who never interfered with the affairs of the Soul Society, and naturally had no objections.
As for the Tsunayashiro n...
They were openly opposed.
But who cared?
The face of this family had long been disgraced. No one believed they had the right to criticize the Kuchiki n, which held equal or even higher status.
There was plenty of gossip among the lower-ranked noble families.
They sympathized with Kuchiki Ginrei—his son was nearly dead, his daughter was dead, and his promising son-inw hadmitted a terrible crime and was imprisoned, not even residing in the Seireitei.
The Kuchiki n had faced many hardships.
Now, the only remaining heir was making such a choice.
It wasn''t that they thought "high and mighty nobles" shouldn''t marry "lowlymoners."
Rather, it was about the issue of "pure blood."
Hisana wasn''t just from Rukongai; she had no spiritual power, making her the most ordinary of souls.
Byakuya wasn''t just a noble; he was the primary heir to the Kuchiki n, outranking even his grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei, in the line of session.
If someone were to represent the Seireitei or the Soul Society...
Aside from the Captain-Commander, the most qualified person would be the head of the Kuchiki n.
Shinigami and ordinary souls cannot have children.
At least marry someone who can bear children.
They didn''t dare criticize Byakuya openly, so they tried to persuade Kyōraku Shunsui, who could represent the lower-ranked noble families, to intervene.
But Kyōraku Shunsui...
"Those people are such a pain," heined, holding a bowl of sake. "They block the entrance every day, making it impossible to rx."
Shiba Isshin nodded in agreement: "Even I''ve been approached."
"I can''t understand what they''re thinking."
"Wasn''t our Shiba n already kicked out of the Five Great Noble ns? And now they suddenly remember us."
"And why bothering to me?"
"They should be talking to Kaien. I''m just a branch family member."
Matsumoto Rangiku, holding a bowl of sake in each hand, gave the Nine-Tails a dangerous look: "You nobles have suchplicated issues, but let''s just enjoy our drinks now and not talk about those depressing things."
"Fox-chan, do you want some?"
"This is good stuff."
The Nine-Tails sniffed the slightly pungent aroma and nced at Naruto.
Naruto was staring at them with a nk expression.
"Captain Uzumaki, don''t be so serious. Come have a drink too," Rangiku said,ughing.
Naruto sighed: "I can understand how you all feel."
"But..."
"Shouldn''t you be drinking at an izakaya?"
"Why are you doing it in my office?"
He nced over, and Soi Fon, sitting in the corner, looked a bit at a loss. If it were just Naruto, she might act a little more "brazenly," but both Kyōraku Shunsui and Shiba Isshin were reliable "senpai figures" in her mind.
"We would like to go," Kyōraku Shunsui said confidently, "but those people would ruin the mood."
Shiba Isshin nodded and added: "But it''s different here at your ce, Naruto."
"They wouldn''t dare to bother you."
Naruto pouted: "You make it sound like I''m some kind of outcast."
"To those nobles, you do seem that way," Shiba Isshin said seriously, nodding. "When you punched Tsunayashiro Tokinada, it was almost like you punched all the nobles."
Naruto calmly replied, "He deserved it."
"And those nobles are afraid they deserve it too," Shiba Isshin said, stretchingzily. "Once Vice-Captain Kuchiki gets married, this whole thing should die down."
"It''sfortable here."
"Can I get a cushion?"
Naruto clenched his teeth and fists.
This person is even more indulgent than at an izakaya!
Soi Fon stood up: "I''ll go get it."
"Oh, thank you," Shiba Isshin waved, his tone light and yful.
"Get one for me too," Kyōraku Shunsui casually added.
"Captain Soi Fon, could you also bring one for me?" Matsumoto Rangiku quietly chimed in, feeling less out of ce with two captains as a cover for her request.
The Nine-Tails'' attention was entirely focused on the bowl of sake, cautiously sticking out its tongue to taste it.
The vor...
Wasn''t great; it stimted its taste buds so much that its entire face scrunched up in difort.
"That''s not how you drink sake," Shunsui said, pping the Nine-Tails on the head and picking it up.
The Nine-Tails grumbled, struggling weakly.
This man is dangerous!
He might seem carefree and unserious...
But if they were to fight...
The Nine-Tails didn''t have much confidence.
"But back to the point," Kyōraku Shunsui said, tilting his head to look at Naruto. "What is it? I don''t recall seeing it before."
Naruto didn''t say anything; he just lifted his hand and pointed to himself.
Shiba Isshin and Soi Fon were confused, their eyes filled with questions, but they didn''t press the issue.
Kyōraku Shunsui, having been one of the first captains to interact with Naruto, was familiar with Naruto''s physical condition and had seen his initial Shikai, which had evident "fox" characteristics after his transformation into the Four-Tails.
Seeing Naruto''s gesture, Shunsui immediately understood.
So...
Is it that power from inside him?
"Giving it a Shihakushō and an Asauchi—isn''t that a bit inappropriate?" Kyōraku Shunsui said as he lifted the Nine-Tails by its armpits, holding it up high.
The Nine-Tails couldn''t take it anymore and kicked him in the face: "Don''t you dare mock me!"
Shunsui rubbed his nose: "Such strength."
"It also has its own Shikai," Naruto said with a smile as he saw Shunsui falter. "In terms of strength, it''s even a bit stronger than Captain Soi Fon."
Soi Fon, who had just returned with the cushions, froze mid-step.
Her face filled with confusion and disbelief.
Huh?
Stronger than me?
Following Naruto''s gaze, she noticed that the others were all focused on one point—the brilliantly furred Nine-Tails.
So...
Did he just say that this fox is stronger than me?
Impossible!
"Really?" Matsumoto Rangiku was surprised and incredulous.
After all, Soi Fon was a captain.
The Nine-Tails looked so small and cute, like a pet, and yet it was supposedly that powerful?
"It can use Shikai?" Shunsui was even more astonished than Rangiku.
Naruto nodded: "Yes, it''s an independent entity."
The Nine-Tails bared its teeth.
Shunsui picked it up again: "Is that so?"
"Incredible!"
The Nine-Tails struggled, wanting to kick him again.
Shunsui quickly said, "Sorry, what I said earlier was inappropriate. Let me teach you how to drink sake properly as an apology."
The Nine-Tails eyed him suspiciously.
"Really," Shunsui said, his expression serious.
The Nine-Tails was tough to deal with, but also easy to handle.
Shunsui and the Nine-Tails seemed to get along well, and after just a few drinks, they were chatting andughing together.
Naruto sighed.
These people had turned his office into a mess.
Only he and Soi Fon were still behaving normally...
He looked over.
Even in this chaotic environment, she was diligently handling paperwork—yes... and it seemed to be for the 2nd Division.
Fine.
It looks like I''m the only normal one here.
He thought for a moment, then decided not to be tempted by Rangiku to join the drinking and instead headed to the 12th Division.
Naruto made a request to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who was reluctant but eventually agreed.
Kuchiki Byakuya''s wedding was scheduled for the New Year.
The only potential obstacle, the Kuchiki n itself, had almost no objections.
Kuchiki Ginrei''s attitude was gentle. The events of the past had made him more tolerant, and Byakuya''s thoughts and decisions were more important than anything else.
This, however, put immense pressure on Byakuya.
On New Year''s Day, a heavy snowfall covered the ground.
The Kuchiki n hosted a grand wedding, full of excitement and joy—this was Ginrei''s idea. After enduring so much pain, the Kuchiki n needed some happiness to dispel their "bad luck."
Hisana waspletely overwhelmed, dazed and led through the entire process.
She knew that Byakuya was a Shinigami, but she never imagined that his status would be so high.
A paragon of nobility, standing at the pinnacle of the three realms.
Rukongai souls had no contact with Shinigami, let alone "nobles."
She had always thought Byakuya was just an ordinary officer—after all, he often patrolled Rukongai on missions.
Naruto served as their witness.
Even the Captain-Commander was less important than Naruto in this matter.
As the wedding proceeded...
"Naruto-kun has already risen to such a position," Sosuke Aizen remarked as he approached Naruto, standing beside him. "And in just a few decades."
"You surprised me too, Captain Sosuke," Naruto replied with a smile. "I never thought someone could maintain a fa?ade for so long."
"Do you think this is a fa?ade?" Aizen tilted his head, locking eyes with Naruto. "I genuinely want this world to be a better ce."
Mind''s Eye of the Kagura feedback told Naruto that Aizen was telling the truth.
Aizen''s gaze shifted to the distant Nine-Tails: "I wish you would call me Aizen again."
~~~
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