NOVEL NEXT Chapter 102: Soi Fon’s stubbornness
Soi Fon's expression was cold as she tiptoed to peer over Naruto's desk. "Captain Uzumaki, you seem to be quite idle."
"Have you already started moonlighting for the 12th Division?"
She couldn't make sense of the objects on his desk, some of which were obscured by a curse as soon as she entered, making them impossible to discern.
But the scent was unmistakable.
The scent of Urahara Kisuke!
With a flash of golden light, Naruto used Shunpo to appear behind her, grabbing the back of her collar and lifting her off the ground.
He wasn’t very tall, but Soi Fon was even shorter by half a head.
"If Captain Soi Fon has no business here, there’s no need to imitate Captain Zaraki." Naruto carried her toward the window. "As for my private affairs, they are of no concern to you, Captain Soi Fon."
"This is not within the 2nd Division's jurisdiction."
He opened the window, preparing to throw her out.
Soi Fon kicked and struggled. "Wait! I have something important to discuss!"
Naruto paused but didn’t set her down.
"I’m here out of goodwill, to ask if Captain Uzumaki needs any assistance." Soi Fon's expression shifted to a more serious and cold demeanor as she continued, "Your pursuit of Shihōin Yoruichi and the others doesn’t seem to be going well."
"I haven’t heard you mention any progress on this matter."
"If you’re short on manpower, the Onmitsukidō can spare at least one squad."
This was the 2nd time she had brought up the matter.
Naruto smiled, his eyes narrowing.
So, she was here for Yoruichi-neesan.
That gentle expression made Soi Fon relax a bit, allowing her to continue speaking. "Or perhaps, Captain Uzumaki, you’ve been slacking off and haven’t given this matter the attention it deserves."
Naruto flung her to the ground.
Just as she was about to stand up, there was a fluctuation of spiritual pressure.
Soi Fon looked up, her eyes flashing with golden light as chains clinked and wrapped around her body.
It was the signature technique of the 7th Division Captain.
"What are you doing?" Soi Fon was startled and tried to resist with her spiritual power, but the second and third chains flew in, binding her tightly and hanging her high by the window.
Naruto looked up at her. "If Captain Soi Fon came here to criticize my work, then I think…"
"Even though you’re older, I became a captain before you, so I suppose I’m your senpai."
"Isn’t it a bit disrespectful for a kohai to criticize a senpai without reason?"
"But if it’s not criticism, then could Captain Soi Fon be more straightforward?"
He continued to speak with a smile.
Soi Fon gritted her teeth, her stance resolute.
"It seems like it is criticism, then." Naruto waved his hand, and the golden chains dangled her out the window. "In that case, goodbye, Captain Soi Fon."
"I still have a lot of things to handle."
Soi Fon panicked and kicked off the window ledge, swinging back. "Wait! It’s not criticism!"
"Captain Uzumaki, I’m sorry!"
"I just wanted to check on the mission's progress."
Naruto smiled but said nothing as the chains continued to drag her outside.
"Please!" Soi Fon became more anxious and decided to speak politely, using respectful language. "Please, Captain Uzumaki, tell me about the current progress."
Naruto waved his hand, and the golden chains retracted. "Captain Soi Fon, you should have said that earlier."
Soi Fon landed awkwardly inside the room, her face showing both frustration and resentment.
This man is so infuriating!
He knows exactly what I’m thinking, but he insists on making me say it.
It’s so embarrassing!
"So, have you found any trace of Shihōin Yoruichi and the others?" Soi Fon asked quietly, now behaving honestly.
Naruto shook his head. "As Captain Soi Fon mentioned, I’ve been slacking off lately and haven’t been looking for them."
Soi Fon was stunned and puzzled. "Why haven’t you looked for them?"
"The culprit has already been revealed. It’s Tōsen Kaname, not Urahara Kisuke."
"They were wrongfully accused."
"Shihōin Yoruichi’s only crime was disrupting Central 46. However, for the Shihōin Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Families, this is a trivial matter."
Naruto looked at her and returned to his seat. "Captain Soi Fon, why did you come to me instead of looking for Yoruichi-neesan?"
Soi Fon pouted.
Isn’t that obvious?
If she could find Shihōin Yoruichi, why would she need to come to Naruto?
"Because you know I’m here, and everyone knows that 7th Division Captain Uzumaki Naruto is here," Naruto said softly.
Soi Fon was taken aback.
That was another obvious statement.
Where else would the 7th Division Captain be if not in the 7th Division barracks?
Naruto shook his head and sighed. "As someone who was closest to Yoruichi-neesan and Urahara Kisuke—"
Soi Fon gritted her teeth and turned her head away. "I am not!"
Her tone was filled with resentment, with a hint of weak indignation.
She didn’t consider herself to be.
Otherwise…
Why didn’t Shihōin Yoruichi take her along when she escaped?
Naruto paused and looked at her. "You should be able to guess why I haven't gone to find them."
Soi Fon was stunned. Should I have guessed?
"You must be well aware of Yoruichi-neesan and Captain Urahara's abilities," Naruto continued.
Soi Fon lowered her head, frowning deeply in thought. Indeed, Shihōin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke are very capable. Even after leaving for the Human World, they must have ways to obtain information from the Soul Society.
Tōsen Kaname has already been killed, and the Hollowfication incident has settled.
They must have found out.
But why haven't they returned?
Is it because they're concerned about the captains who have already undergone Hollowfication, or is there some other reason?
She pondered for a while, her thoughts a tangled mess, unable to find an answer.
She raised her head and looked at Naruto, her attitude sincere. "Please, Captain Uzumaki, tell me why."
All these factors combined only made her more confused.
Naruto's face remained calm as he shook his head. "I can't tell you."
Soi Fon was taken aback and clenched her fists. "Why not?"
"Captain Soi Fon," Naruto interrupted. "With the information I've just shared and your understanding of Yoruichi-neesan and Captain Urahara, you should be able to deduce something."
"But you haven't, which means you're not smart enough."
"Your strength is also insufficient."
"And you're not steady enough."
"Telling you would only bring harm, not benefit; not knowing is safer for you."
He was very concerned that, given Soi Fon's personality, if she knew the truth, she might take up her Zanpakutō that very night and try to assassinate Aizen.
A reckless attack without certainty would only lead to disaster.
Soi Fon looked disheartened. "I am a captain now!"
"A captain is merely someone who has risen above the ranks of ordinary soldiers," Naruto said calmly. "That doesn't mean you're strong enough."
"Shihōin Yoruichi considers me weak." Soi Fon lowered her head, her tone even more downcast.
She couldn't deny Naruto's words.
In front of him, whether it was her pride in her Shunpo or anything else, it was completely overshadowed.
The golden chains from earlier were perhaps just a game to him.
But for her, they were a real trap she couldn't escape.
Naruto sighed. "Yoruichi-neesan doesn't despise you."
"She just feels that you're safer in the Seireitei rather than by her side."
"Think about it—if it were Yoruichi-neesan, what would she do now?"
Soi Fon didn’t respond. Instead, she hugged her knees and rested her head on them, continuing to think.
It seemed she had made the 7th Division quarters her secondary office.
After finishing her own division's work, she would sit quietly in Naruto's office, saying nothing, doing nothing, just lost in thought.
At first, the 2nd Division found it a bit unsettling, scrambling around because their captain was missing! But they gradually got used to it.
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda even sent over a large pile of gifts, filling nearly half of Naruto's office, with a gift list as thick as a palm.
With the proper etiquette observed, Naruto had no reason to refuse.
Since Soi Fon wanted to stay there, she could stay.
He moved himself to another room, but Soi Fon, like a shadow, followed him.
Even after angrily throwing her out, she would sneak back in not long after.
"What are you trying to do?" After several such incidents, Naruto gave in.
Soi Fon replied seriously, "You told me to think about what Yoruichi-sama would do, but I can't figure it out, and Yoruichi-sama isn't here."
"You're smarter than me, so I'm observing you."
"If I figure out what you would do, maybe I'll understand the reason."
Naruto looked at her, realizing this was someone even more stubborn than himself.
So, he simply treated her as part of the background and continued his research.
In his hands, there was a new project.
It was inspired by Kūgo Ginjō.
He originally thought that Shinigami powers could only be obtained after death.
But now it seemed that wasn't necessarily the case.
Kūgo Ginjō, who had a human body, also gained Shinigami powers after receiving an infusion of Shinigami energy.
So,
Does this mean he could try to turn Karin into a Shinigami?
Kurotsuchi Mayuri was also very interested in this project.
The two hit it off and began joint research.
How to grant Shinigami powers to a non-Shinigami x Human.
It wasn't difficult.
Kūgo Ginjō had experienced it firsthand and shared his insights.
By using a Zanpakutō as a medium, stabbing it into an ordinary human and infusing Shinigami energy, a "Shinigami" could be created.
Of course, there was one prerequisite.
That is,
The person being stabbed by the Zanpakutō must possess spiritual power.
During their research, they discovered something surprising.
The essence of Shinigami power seemed to be more than just "spiritual power." The power of Hollows was also a form of spiritual power manipulation, and the power known as "Fullbring," mastered by Kūgo Ginjō, was also a manipulation of spiritual power.
All of them used spiritual power, yet manifested in three completely different forms.
Moreover, while researching this subject, Kurotsuchi Mayuri revealed something to Naruto.
He was modifying his Zanpakutō.
Using reliable technical means to steadily alter the form of the Zanpakutō's power.
Of course,
So far, he had only managed to alter the Shikai.
Mayuri invited Naruto to hand over his Zanpakutō for modification.
Naruto hadn't had time to refuse when, in his inner world, Nine-Tails shook his head furiously and strongly urged Naruto to give Mayuri a good beating—this person was simply too unreliable.
