Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

The battle within the Seireitei continued unabated.

Even Mayuri Kurotsuchi had joined the fray, deploying all his clones for the first time in decades, keeping only two in reserve just in case.

He wasn't known for raw spiritual pressure.

The Quincy, with their strange and varied powers, made it difficult to rely on spiritual pressure to inflict the same kind of damage as in a traditional Shinigami duel. So, even if he used the Shadow Clone Technique in combat, it wouldn't significantly enhance his effectiveness.

"The Soul King," Mayuri narrowed his eyes, studying Naruto. "It's hard to imagine that word coming from your mouth."

"What did you see in the Soul King's Palace…"

"…that has you coming to us to ask about him?"

Naruto turned, glancing over the battlefield, then reached up to lift Kurama from his shoulder. "Go lend a hand."

With a quick wave, he said, "Let's discuss this in the 12th Division's quarters."

Kurama nodded, leaping off to join Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi's battlefield. Of all the captains, Rōjūrō's spiritual pressure was the weakest.

In the World of the Living, after years of hollowfication, he seemed unaccustomed to such brutal warfare and was performing the worst among the captains.

The 12th Division, Technological Development Bureau.

The room was brightly lit.

Though Yhwach and his Quincy had ascended to the Soul King's Palace, Mayuri remained vigilant, ensuring no Quincy could breach his domain.

"Now, are you going to tell me what this is about?" Mayuri didn't immediately contact Kisuke Urahara. Instead, he sat down casually and asked, "Captain Uzumaki, what's with all this talk about the Soul King?"

He leaned forward, appearing slightly anxious, but his self-confidence quickly returned. "Granted, my research on the Soul King may not be exhaustive."

"But you know me well enough."

"Even so, I've made a few discoveries of my own."

"Who knows, you might not need that guy—I might be able to solve whatever problem you've encountered."

Naruto spoke openly. "I've met the Soul King, and he may die in this war."

"So, the Three Worlds need a new 'linchpin.'"

"It may not be needed right away, but we should be prepared."

Mayuri pondered. "Ichigo Kurosaki…"

Without thinking, he said the first name that came to mind but stopped when he saw Naruto's gaze. Understanding dawned on him, and he nodded.

"Troublesome," Mayuri folded his arms. "Why should we shy away from sacrifices for the Three Worlds?"

He valued outcomes, not processes.

As long as he achieved his goals, he'd stop at nothing.

In this war, for instance, fallen Shinigami had already served as valuable resources.

"I haven't confirmed much about the linchpin," Mayuri leaned forward, eyes alight with eagerness. "Think about it—today's events speak volumes."

"If we don't start research now, we'll have to rely on outsiders for help."

"Have some pride, would you?"

"My future Captain-Commander should know better than to let the Seireitei's duties fall to outsiders, unlike the current Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

Naruto regarded him, shaking his head. "That was quite a speech."

"Captain Mayuri, you'll say just about anything to get what you want."

Mayuri chuckled, swaying slightly, "But it's the truth."

Naruto gave a slight nod, still matching Mayuri's directness. "I'll consider it. First, let's handle the present threats."

Mayuri accepted this without pressing further.

He knew Naruto would follow through if he said he would consider it.

And he knew Naruto responded better to a gentle approach than forceful persuasion.

So Mayuri refrained from pushing, as it could close off the opportunity entirely.

He snapped his fingers, and a screen extended forward, carried to them by a mechanical arm.

He connected the signal, which quickly went through.

"Well, if it isn't a rare call," Kisuke Urahara's face filled the screen, his exaggerated expression turning serious the moment he noticed Naruto next to Mayuri.

After a moment, he straightened up and asked, "So this is Naruto's call?"

"That's even more surprising."

"Is the battle in the Seireitei not going well? Need a little help from me?"

Naruto shook his head. "The minor issues are resolved."

"There's one major problem."

Urahara's eyes narrowed. "It's about the Soul King, isn't it?"

"Of course," Naruto said, shaking his head. "You knew this all along. Why didn't you stop Ichigo?"

"I couldn't," Urahara shrugged, his exaggerated gestures masking his true thoughts. "Yhwach used Uryū Ishida as bait."

"Not even you could have stopped him, Naruto."

Naruto remained silent for a moment. "Never mind. Talking about it now is pointless."

"Where are you in your research on a replacement linchpin?"

Urahara raised an eyebrow, looking confident. "Do you mean creating a new long-term foundation, with similar qualities to the original?"

"So you know everything," Naruto said, lowering his gaze. "Then you must know how to create a linchpin."

"I'll bring you what I have when I get to the Seireitei," Urahara tilted his head, adjusting his hat. "But what makes you so certain I'd have a solution?"

Naruto paused, his voice heavy. "You're cautious."

"Because, let's say…"

"If Ichigo Kurosaki and the Soul King both die in this war, the lack of a linchpin would cause the world to collapse."

Urahara's voice grew serious. "I have indeed been cultivating a backup."

"It's not as good as Ichigo…"

Naruto recalled the bits and pieces he had observed at Urahara's shop. "Are they those two kids?"

"Just a hint, and you deduced the rest," Urahara didn't directly confirm. "Do you want me to give them to you?"

Naruto took a deep breath and shook his head. "No need."

"We'll discuss the rest when you arrive in the Seireitei."

Urahara nodded, and the transmission was about to end.

"Don't bring them here on your own," Naruto added before the screen cut off.

Naruto didn't want innocent people sacrificed.

But he also knew…

If the Soul King truly perished, he would have only two options: Ichigo Kurosaki or the children Urahara had prepared as linchpins.

He doubted he could resist the instinct to protect those closer to him.

In his mind, the best-case scenario was defeating Yhwach while the Soul King remained alive.

This would buy him time to study the linchpin's structure and turn the guilty into substitutes to uphold the Soul King's role.

At the very least, he wanted to delay the Soul King's death until a new linchpin was ready.

Minutes later.

At the 12th Division, in the Technological Development Bureau.

"Long time no see, Naruto," Urahara greeted him warmly, arms outstretched. "How about a hug for old time's sake?"

He took a big step forward, ready to give Naruto an enthusiastic hug whether he liked it or not.

However…

Golden chains coiled around Urahara's waist, casually tossing him to the side.

"Still haven't forgiven me?" Urahara sighed, shaking his head. "And here I even brought you a gift."

"Does Yoruichi know she's your 'gift'?" Naruto asked, expressionless.

No sooner had he said it than a black cat darted out, slapping Urahara across the face, leaving a thin, red scratch. "Urahara! So that's why you told me to hide—I should have known!"

"Let's get to the point," Naruto said, uninterested in their antics. "How does one create a linchpin?"

Urahara tilted his head, adjusting his hat. "Whom do you plan to use as the linchpin?"

Naruto thought for a moment. "First, clarify something for me."

"To become the linchpin that upholds the Three Worlds, is it essential to use the powers of the Soul King, Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollow?"

Urahara nodded. "Absolutely."

"How long will it take?" Naruto asked.

Urahara glanced at Mayuri. "With your shadow clone technique, it should go quickly."

"It's up to you to decide who'll become the linchpin."

Naruto replied calmly, "Tokinada Tsunayashiro and Yhwach. As for the Soul King's portion, using the fragments might be even better than the original."

Urahara nodded.

Seeing his agreement, Naruto continued, "That takes care of it. We won't need to worry about the Hollow side of things, either."

This might have seemed dismissive toward the Hollows, but except for rare cases like Nelliel, they were far from innocent.

If maintaining balance weren't a concern, wiping out all of Hueco Mundo might affect some innocent souls, but even if nine out of ten Hollows perished, most would be guilty, and even then, some would still escape judgment.

"The Tsunayashiro Clan," Urahara murmured. "Naruto, your ambition is vast…"

"What about Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"

Naruto smiled faintly, shaking his head. "While I was in the Soul King's Palace, Ichibē Hyōsube advised me to be more ruthless and less sentimental."

"So, in this case, I'll take his advice."

"If Central 46 can't impose real punishment, then I will."

"The 7th Division has disciplinary powers too, don't they?"

He paused.

"While there's no official provision, if the Soul King's Palace is above the Seireitei, doesn't that make it part of the Seireitei?"

Urahara said nothing.

He was a cautious man. But since Naruto had made up his mind, he wasn't going to interfere.

Mayuri was already clapping gleefully.

"I'll go get him," Naruto said, heading toward the door. "You two get everything ready."

"Yhwach isn't in our hands," Mayuri pointed out.

Naruto glanced back without a word.

Mayuri sighed and nodded. "Fine, I'll make do with other Quincy in the meantime."

One look, and he knew exactly what Naruto was planning.

Such was their understanding.

Time was of the essence. Naruto left the 12th Division and headed straight for Tokinada Tsunayashiro's residence.

Though Mayuri and Urahara disagreed on which Quincy to use, they had different opinions on suitable candidates.

The Seireitei was in chaos, even as the Soul King's Palace was besieged.

Yet, certain places remained untouched.

Of the Five Great Noble Families, only the Shihōin, Kuchiki, and Shiba had committed forces.

The family guarding Hell had a more critical task.

But the Tsunayashiro Clan…

They had no intention of offering any assistance, preferring to watch from afar.

Naruto made no effort to hide his spiritual pressure.

Tokinada stepped into the courtyard, grinning. "Captain Uzumaki, what an unexpected visit."

"I didn't think you'd come to the Tsunayashiro residence in the midst of all this."

"The Seireitei's situation…"

"Doesn't look promising."

Before Naruto could reply, Tokinada continued, "Are you here because the Seireitei's forces are depleted and intend to conscript the Tsunayashiro Clan?"

"However…"

"I, as head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, must respectfully decline."

"Our house recently suffered an unfortunate disaster, with brigands attacking both the main and branch families. We're quite short on capable members."

"As for myself—"

He raised his hands.

"Due to some absurd orders, Central 46 has confiscated my Zanpakutō, prohibiting me from using my Shinigami powers."

"I'm hardly in any condition to fight for the Seireitei."

"Or perhaps…"

"Captain Uzumaki, have you come to lift those restrictions on me?"

He sneered, clearly expecting to get the upper hand on Naruto.

It amused him greatly.

Under 12th Division's constraints, he couldn't discern the full state of things, but he knew at least three, possibly four captains, were out of commission.

Surely Naruto had come to plead for his help.

Watching an adversary grovel before him—what a satisfying thought.

"No," Naruto's answer caught him off guard. The blond-haired man's gaze was icy. "I'm here to ask something far more significant of you."

Tokinada cocked his head.

Naruto continued, "The Tsunayashiro Clan is one of the Five Noble Clans."

"In this war, the other families have played their part. But the Tsunayashiro Clan has done nothing."

Tokinada began, "I believe I already explained…"

"But there is a more important role, one only the Tsunayashiro Clan can fulfill." Naruto gripped his sword, 'Vortex.'

"And as head of the family, you're the most fitting choice."

Naruto drew his blade.

"Your ancestor once ambushed the Soul King, making him a linchpin."

"Now…"

"As the Soul King steps down…"

"You will take his place."

Tokinada stared in horror, transfixed by Naruto's words.

~~~

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