[Sponsored] Chapter 56: Where's the Sun of Konoha?
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Naruto reported the news to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
"I thought you would be faster," Captain-Commander Yamamoto said calmly.
Naruto lowered his head.
"But to achieve this level is better than I expected. Naruto, you are a competent captain," the Captain-Commander continued. "Go back and tell Komamura Sajin to be prepared to take up the position of the captain of the 9th Division."
Naruto was taken aback. "Does he not need to go through an assessment?"
The Captain-Commander asked in return, "Has he not already been assessed?"
"Shunsui, Retsu, and Isshin have all given me affirmative responses."
"Are you, as the chief examiner, not satisfied with Sajin's performance?"
Naruto shook his head.
He certainly recognized Komamura Sajin's abilities.
Whether in handling division affairs or personal capabilities, he was quite excellent.
He just hadn't expected that...
The Captain-Commander would treat his own recommendation as the assessment of Komamura Sajin's qualification for captaincy.
Is this the Captain-Commander's insight?
Another lesson learned.
Naruto conveyed the message to Komamura Sajin.
He was very pleased with it.
The 9th Division was a good fit for him, where his first friend, Kaname Tōsen, now served as the acting vice-captain of the 9th Division.
Seven years later.
The candidate for the captain of the 2nd Division was finally announced.
It was Sui-Feng, a lower noble affiliated with the Shihōin family.
The position of captain of the 12th Division was also filled by the former Third Seat and deputy head of the Technology Development Bureau, Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
As for this person...
Naruto didn't quite like him.
Urahara Kisuke spoke highly of him, praising him as a genius "second only to himself in intelligence."
However...
There was an extremely sinister aura about this person.
The way he looked at Naruto was no different from the way he looked at the research materials on his desk.
It wasn't just towards Naruto.
He treated everyone, except for Urahara Kisuke, with the same "research and judgment" gaze.
No wonder he had been imprisoned in the "Maggot's Nest"—a prison for those deemed to possess abilities that posed a potential threat to the Seireitei.
Byakuya Kuchiki served as the third seat of the 6th Division—the captain was his grandfather, and the vice-captain was his father.
His peer, Ichimaru Gin, had already been promoted to vice-captain of the 5th Division.
It was said that both of them had begun to learn "Bankai," preparing to become captains in the future.
The "Hollowfication" incident of the captains was almost completely forgotten at this time, and Naruto, as the one responsible for capturing the criminals Urahara Kisuke and Shihōin Yoruichi, was naturally the most qualified to investigate the truth of the matter. However, the Central 46 Chambers did not support him.
Whenever Naruto attempted to review the records or conduct an investigation, he would receive their orders to cease his activities.
He also kept an eye on Sōsuke Aizen.
But...
This person showed no abnormalities.
Sōsuke Aizen was still the gentle and kind man, treating his subordinates well, diligently handling his duties. Even as a captain, he never forgot his promise to the head of the academy, and every year during the new students' admission, he would personally attend, give speeches, and offer congratulations.
In comparison.
Naruto's friend Ichimaru Gin, the vice-captain of the 5th Division, seemed more like the mastermind behind everything.
In the twelfth year in the Soul Society.
Cherry blossoms danced in the air.
Naruto woke up and opened his eyes.
He was no longer in the 7th Division quarters but had returned to that inn.
Karin slept on the bed.
Awakened by the movement, she groggily turned her head and looked at the blond youth who was practicing Blade Zen with his sword: "What's the matter, Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head: "Nothing, I just finished my training."
Karin mumbled and nodded in a daze.
Naruto formed a seal and created a shadow clone: "I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back soon."
"With the shadow clone here, he will protect you."
The shadow clone waved cheerfully and greeted her.
Naruto left swiftly.
He was heading back to Konoha.
Of course... it wasn't because he had any lingering feelings for the village.
He just remembered that Genin named Rock Lee. Back then, his healing abilities weren't sufficient. He had followed Captain Unohana in the Soul Society for another twelve years, and his healing abilities had improved significantly. Now, it should be no problem.
Konoha.
Naruto didn't hide his movements and entered openly.
He headed straight for the hospital.
The Anbu were on high alert.
What was the Jinchūriki planning by returning?
They couldn't see this as a good thing.
After all...
When the Jinchūriki left during the day, he had personally killed two people and nailed them to Konoha's gate.
This was a strong signal of aggression.
Someone was tailing him but couldn't keep up with Naruto's speed.
The information was quickly relayed to the Hokage's office.
And soon it reached Jiraiya and Kakashi.
At the entrance of Konoha Hospital.
Two figures landed swiftly.
"Are you sure Naruto's target is here?" Jiraiya looked up at an Anbu member on the rooftop.
Before the Anbu could respond.
A flash of gold.
Naruto appeared before them.
"Naruto," Kakashi muttered his name.
"Naruto is back again." Jiraiya forced a smile, greeting him as casually as possible, "Have you changed your mind?"
Naruto shook his head: "I just remembered there was something I hadn't done, so I came back to take care of it."
Kakashi's expression grew serious.
Jiraiya looked puzzled, glancing back at the hospital.
Naruto didn't seem... to be related to the hospital?
"The injuries on Rock Lee, I have some ideas on how to heal him," Naruto said softly, not keeping them in suspense, and spoke directly.
Kakashi was stunned.
His hand, which had been slowly rising, suddenly dropped.
It was to save Guy's student.
He had thought...
It wasn't the dire situation he had feared.
Naruto was not an enemy.
Jiraiya's expression also relaxed a bit: "Still concerned about your friends, huh."
"In fact, Naruto, you can't let go of Konoha, can you?"
"Koharu and Homura promised me, they will..."
Naruto shook his head and smiled lightly.
The Soul Society also had its darkness, but at least it had Captain-Commander Yamamoto, the sun.
Where was Konoha's sun?
He turned his head, raising his hand.
Chakra surged, a golden chain whipped out from his palm, striking into a shadow, wrapping around someone, and yanking them back, slamming them heavily to the ground.
It was a Konoha ninja wearing a vest and a mask.
Jiraiya and Kakashi looked over, their pupils dilating.
Although this person looked almost identical to Anbu.
It was easy to distinguish at a glance.
This ninja wearing a non-standard animal mask... belonged to "Root".
This was the power of that man.
"If there is indeed a promise, then show your sincerity." Naruto stepped on the struggling man, chakra surging, pinning him down.
He bent over, lifted the man's mask.
Pulled open his mouth and yanked out his tongue.
On the tongue, a sealing curse mark composed of two "X" symbols was clearly visible.
"Hand this person over to me for disposal?"
Naruto raised his head, looking at the two of them.
It was obvious.
The "person" Naruto referred to was not the ninja he had by the tongue.
It was the one who had dispatched this Root ninja.
The one who used this sealing technique.
The mastermind who had sent unidentified ninjas to intercept Naruto during the day.
Jiraiya opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.
Kakashi held his breath.
"If you can't do it, then don't make grandiose promises." Naruto threw the man aside, walking past the two of them.
'Without the determination to become the sun.'
'Don't deceive others into believing you are the sun.'