The Seireitei looked ethereal in the moonlight. No matter how many times Shunsui saw the sight he always felt the need to touch the nearest wall just to reassure himself he wasn't walking in a dream. He loved his division, he'd spent centuries making it comfortable for him and his officers, but secretly he would always prefer the First Division. It was plain, but graceful in its starkness, any time spent in those halls brought up memories of lessons with Sensei and Jushiro.
"Have you finalized your list?"
He turned to his oldest friend, trying to ignore how pale he had become in the past decades as his sickness intensified.
"I think so, I left most of it to Nanao-chan."
"One day Ise will get fed up with your habits Shunsui, then you'll be in for it."
"I'll worry about that when it happens."
The two shared a laugh and continued through the First Division grounds. There was enough moonlight to guide their way.
"I did handle the Shinobi list myself though."
"Yes, that took a bit longer than I would've liked."
"You suppose that's what this clandestine meetings all about? Is Sensei going to supervise us all bickering for our picks?"
Jushiro let the question hang as they came in sight of the Captain's Hall. They made there way inside, Sunshui was surprised to see everyone else already in attendance, had they gotten sidetracked talking?
"We can now begin."
Sensei didn't sound happy to be up at such a late hour. He and Jushiro hurried to their places. Shunsui noticed his fellow Captains looked as happy to be there as he did. Why the meeting couldn't have happened after breakfast Shunsui didn't know.
"My apologies for the late summons, but I thought it best this meeting take place in private."
Sensei seemed serious. What did he mean by "private"? What was more private than a Captain's meeting?
"Tomorrow invitations will be sent out to the Academy and the graduation preperations will start. I am usually content to leave you to your devices; unfortunately, the matter of the Shinobi delegates is one that necessitates careful attention."
Sensei prepared a stack of paper and ink.
"The First Division will not be offering any positions to the Shinobi based on the recommendation of Sarutobi-san. Captain Shihoin?"
Yoruichi was almost melting into the shadows of the hall, she didn't seem tired, those eyes of hers shined in the moonlight.
"The Second Division has already reached out to Uchiha Sasuke and received his acceptance to join as our 3rd Seat."
"Not wasting time are ya Yoruichi."
"You know me Isshin! I always get what I want."
"Captain Otoribashi?"
"The Third Division will ask Uyeda Omoi to take up our 10th Seat." Rose was staring at the moon, playing with his hair; he didn't appear interested in what the others were saying.
"Captain Unohana?"
The motherly captain looked as proper as ever, the hour didn't seem capable of dimming her smile.
"I'll be offering Haruno Sakura the Lieutenant's badge."
If any other Captain had said that, Shunsui was sure that Sensei would have snapped at them. Unohana was no ordinary Captain though and other than a brief look from Sensei, no one voiced a protest.
"Captain Hirako?"
Shinji cracked his neck, flashing his dagger smile at the room, "Rock Lee and Shikamaru Nara, 7th and 3rd Seat respectively."
A few Captains made noises of disagreement but Sensei pushed on regardless.
"Captain Kuchiki?"
"Nara Shikamaru will be notified that our 6th seat is his should he accept."
"Captain Aikawa?"
"I'm all good for now, don't need any geniuses messing up what I got going."
"Very well, Captain Kyoraku?"
"Hmmmm, I think I like the look of Uzumaki Naruto, Uyeda Omoi," He paused briefly to giggle, "and the beautiful flower, Haruno Sakura."
Shunsui heard the groans and dutifully ignored them, even Sensei shook his head. Fools, they just couldn't appreciate true beauty when they saw it!
"Captain Muguruma?"
"I wanted the Uchiha but since he's taken, I'll try and grab Uyeda, Bessho Ce and Uzumaki. I'll figure out seats later."
"Captain Shiba?"
"It's Uzumaki or bust for me! And I'll fight anyone who says otherwise! Hahah!"
Isshin always could brighten up a room.
"Captain Kenpachi?"
"I'll take all of them."
"For what seat Kenpachi?"
"I don't care Old Man, if any accept I'll throw em to my dogs and see how they shake out. Are we done yet?"
The current Kenpachi was a deft hand at annoying the Captain-Commander that was sure.
"We shall be done when I say we are Kenpachi. Captain Hikifune?"
The plump pink-haired Captain had been preoccupied with some book the entire meeting and only paused to give her answer.
"The 12th would be happy to have Nara Shikamaru or Bessho Ce for our 8th Seat."
"Finally, Captain Utikate?"
"Uyeda Omoi, Uzumaki Naruto and Rock Lee will be welcome in my division."
Sensei ran over his list one more time, making his own notes and fixing any mistakes. Satisfied he stood with his notes and gave a dismissive wave, "That will be all."
Yawning, Shunsui quickly found Jushiro and started badgering in him into some early morning drinking. Nothing put you to sleep quicker than some nice sake after all.
/
"Has everyone collected their offers?"
Shikamaru surveyed the group, they'd rented a private room in a nearby restaurant.
"Alright then let's hear your decisions, depending on who got what we might have to make some hard choices."
Ce and Omoi seemed to come to an agreement of some sort, "I'll be accepting a post in the Kido Corps, I think I'm the only one who got the offer, Omoi's decided on the 3rd Division, he'll get the 10th seat."
"I'm already chained to the 2nd Division, Captain Shihoin is demanding I fill her 3rd Seat."
Sasuke almost sounded like he was whining.
"Captain Unohana is insisting I become her lieutenant."
"Straight out of the Academy? You must have impressed her Sakura."
"I'd never seen her in person before, when she showed up and said she was just a seated officer I didn't bat an eye. She must be starved for competent healers if she's willing to take a chance on me."
"Nevermind that Sakura, you'll be in a valuable position, we don't have much information on the Lieutenants or the extent of their power."
"I'll do my best Shika."
"Lee?"
A crisp salute while he quickly chewed through his food, let them all know Lee was paying attention, so Shika answered for him.
"Lee and I have both decided to go for the 5th Division. That leaves you Naruto."
"Why do I feel like you're putting a lot of weight on my choice Shika?"
"You were the one who said we needed to have get a Captainship as soon as possible."
Naruto gave the Nara a deep frown, "There isn't even a vacant spot for me to fill Shika. We need to slow down, the Seireitei plays a game of centuries not decades."
"That doesn't matter Naruto, we need to establish ourselves before anyone can move against us."
"Shika we're trying to integrate, not dominate."
Shikamaru was getting frustrated, beneath the table he was playing with a pair of chopsticks and was bending them.
"I know that Naruto, but this is a different world. We aren't dealing with other Shinobi, we're not even dealing with Daimyos! If we don't plan carefully and strike when we see an opportunity there's no telling what these nobles will do."
"I know that Shika!" Naruto snapped.
"Do you?" Shikamaru was standing now, the rest of the occupants hadn't intervened, though Omoi had moved closer to the door. "Thanks to our new friends I've been looking into the some of the dirty secrets of the Seireitei, and what I've found is not reassuring."
Naruto had the grace to let him speak.
"Central 46 isn't some village council, they're identities are kept secret but they all come from select Noble Families and the seats are hereditary. There's no divorcing them from the everyday politics. After the Gotei brought order to Soul Society, the Noble families couldn't engage in open war anymore, now feuds are resolved through backroom deals, assassination or by framing your enemy. I was given a list, a short, incomplete list, of the Clans that no longer exist."
Shikamaru sat back down, locking eyes with Naruto.
"The lucky ones were driven bankrupt or had their family heads assassinated, leaving the survivors to disperse and disappear into the Rukongai."
Hinata asked the unspoken question, "The unlucky?"
"Were convicted of crimes against the Seireitei and sentenced to death by Central 46. Entire clans, families, associates, retainers wiped out by either the Onmitsukido or the Gotei. All it will take is angering the wrong people and accusations will fly. Who do you think they'll believe Naruto? Us? Or the Noble Clans of the Seireitei?"
The Gokage had no answer, he looked to his wife and found sympathy but no support.
"The best offer I've gotten was 3rd seat in the 10th. Isshin's a popular Captain, I can use him to start making my own connections."
"That also means you need to begin working on your Bankai."
Naruto grimaced and laid his head on Hinata's shoulder, "Yokina isn't gonna be easy on me."
Her hand massaged his forehead, "You'll do fine dear."
Shika seemed to have calmed himself, now he looked ready to fall asleep.
"Does anyone else have a problem with our plan?"
Shaking heads all around as everyone resumed their meals, thoughts of their futures hanging over the meal.
/
/
/
"Line up with your assigned group once your name is called. Team leaders will brief you on your mission. Remember, the moment you step through the Senkaimon your team leader is the ultimate authority. If you want to come back in one piece, you will listen to them." The instructor finished her rant and began reading off her list.
Filling the courtyard were final year students, most of them excited and eager to get their first glimpse of the Living World.
"Uzumaki-san!"
A tall student with muddy green eyes and Shiba features came over with a small smile.
"Hiroji, how many times have I asked you to call me Naruto?"
"Probably as many times as Uyeda-san has. Like I told him, I'm not my cousin, Isshin-jisan might feel comfortable being so casual, but he's a Captain."
Naruto gave his classmate a slap on the arm, "Would you start using our names if you beat Omoi in a spar?"
Hiroji smile got a little sharper, "Then I'd know you told him to take it easy on me."
Slowly the groups filled out, 12 students in total including Naruto and Hiroji. After the instructor left, the Shinigami officers entered and began preparing their students.
"Hiya kiddies!"
Or they would have, had the collective gaze of the entire courtyard not been on the gorgeous ginger that was striding towards Naruto's group. He took a moment to snap his fingers in front of Hiroji and his other classmates, turning around just in time to catch their team leader's introduction.
"Good morning everyone! My name is Matsumoto Rangiku, the 10th Division Lieutenant, and I'll be your team leader for today's exercise."
A Lieutenant? Now that sent the people whispering, it wasn't often the Academy saw one unless it was on business for their Captain.
"Now you can all gossip about me when we get back but for now pay attention. There's 3 groups going through the Senkaimon today, we'll be going first. Our assignment is to patrol a small town and its surrounding woods, there's more than a few souls in need of Konso. I'll observe you as you complete the ritual and then give my notes to your teachers. Any questions?"
Hiroji raised his hand, "Is there a possibility of a Hollow appearing?"
"Hollows?" Matsumoto focused on Hiroji, giving Naruto and a few other students a glance before answering. "We've had the squads doing double duty in the area so it's been pretty much cleaned out. If a Hollow does show its ugly face, then keep a cool head, stay together and let Big Sister Rangiku take care of everything!"
A wink, a spin and she was off. The rest of Naruto's group chuckled and followed her, feeling reassured.
/
Naruto wasn't sure what he expected the Living World to look like. Maybe the sky would be green or the there'd be two suns, something off putting like that. When they'd crossed through the Senkaimon he was faced with a forest similar to the outer reaches of Fire Country. The air smelt the same, the dirt looked the same, Naruto almost felt disappointed.
"There's one Uzumaki-senpai!"
Naruto turned back to his group. They'd found a few wandering souls, a couple of dead warriors dressed in strange armour that reminded him of the Daimyo's army; Hiroji konsod a hunter who'd broken his leg on a trail; they'd even found a pair of merchants who'd been ambushed on the road.
"Guess its my turn huh?"
It was interesting watching how his classmates reacted to the spirits and often their corpses. The ones from the Rukongai didn't so much as blink, from what Naruto had seen violence was a part of life in the districts. The Clan kids reminded Naruto of fresh Genin, puke and all, they did their duty in the end but Naruto hoped they got a stronger stomach if they were serious about graduating.
Hiroji surprised him, he clearly wasn't comfortable with the hunter's body but admitted that it wasn't his first, Shiba kids spent a couple years in the Rukongai, and even the "nice" parts weren't totally free of tragedy.
Following his classmate back through the trees, Naruto saw a small village in the distance and past the collection of houses were farmlands. The rest of his group were in what seemed to be a graveyard.
"Found another one Lieutenant Matsumoto?"
His future superior was quite fun to be around, serious when she needed to be but always ready to lighten the mood and keep their spirits up. She wasn't winking now though, she looked upset. He followed her gaze, finding the form of a child sitting near a grave. The sun was setting, the last rays shone through the spirit, distorting their form.
Naruto laid a hand on his Lieutenants shoulder, "I'll take this one Lieutenant."
He didn't doubt that she'd seen this before but seeing dead children never got easier. Threading through the headstones he stopped a few feet away from the child, a girl judging from her dress and hair, and sat down.
"Hello."
The girl flinched, looking through her fingers, "Who are you?" she quietly asked.
"My name's Naruto. I'm… a guide."
"A guide to where?" She couldn't have been older than 12 or 13.
"To the afterlife."
She reached out and laid a hand over the gravestone beside her, tracing a few of the prayers inscribed.
"Will my brother be there?"
"I don't know."
It wasn't the answer she was expecting or wanted, tears spilled down her cheeks, but she was strong enough to wipe them away quickly. She stood up, unsteady on her feet, he copied her. She seemed to be taking one last look around her home. He wasn't going to crush any of her hopes by explaining she'll more than likely forget everything about her old life.
At his foot he noticed a piece of wood about the size of his hand, probably blown off a house in a storm, he picked it up and made sure the girl wasn't watching him. Withdrawing a kunai his quickly scratched down both the Konoha symbol and the Shinobi kanji, then he infused it with his own reiatsu.
Making sure to keep his steps slow, he went closer, "Are you ready?"
She looked up at him, he could tell she was afraid but she did a brilliant job of hiding it, "Yes." was her simple answer.
"Take this" he held out his improvised seal, "Once you cross over you may be confused, show this to any merchants, if they recognize the symbol they should be able to point you to a Shinobi. Tell them 'Uzumaki Naruto' gave it to you and they'll help, understand?"
Once she had repeated back his instruction he gave her a pat on her head and told her a corny joke, as she laughed he told her to close her eyes. A soft press of his Zanpakuto hilt to her forehead and she was enveloped in soft white light. Naruto walked back to his classmates, the sight of a white butterfly still on his mind. They were all silent, watching him with a mix of emotions.
Matsumoto stepped forward, a small smile on her face, "Good job Uzumaki, that was well done. Alright then! Let's head back to camp."
The journey back to their point of arrival was quick, everyone was ready to return to the Academy for some food and rest. Hiroji was in the middle of describing his sister's wedding, which ended with a 3 way game of Odds and Evens between her husband, father and sister, when a screech tore through the quiet dusk of the evening.
Naruto and Matsumoto were racing ahead of their comrades before the scream had ended. A second and third scream rang their ears seconds before Naruto burst into the clearing. He barely glanced at the bodies spread around him, instead he drew his Zanpaktou and went straight for the nearest Hollow.
The monster had sickly green skin stretched around a bulging stomach, its hands were thick with mismatched digits and its mask resembled a twisted dog. Two bodies laid at its feet, chunks taken out of their sides. Naruto leapt before the creature turned and sailed straight over its head bending as he arced over and cut into its bony visage. It screeched, the cries fading alongside its body.
Naruto heard similar screams behind him and knew Matsumoto hadn't wasted any time. Taking a second he searched the clearing, he saw blood and other signs of battle but no more bodies. His eyes snapped left as he picked up movement from the bushes, his stance tensed right up to the moment Shikamaru and his group rushed into the open.
"Shika!" Naruto called out as he ran up.
Shika held his tanto at the ready, fresh blood coating its blade. Following him was the rest of their group, he saw Sakura supporting an injured Omoi while Lee, Ce and Sasuke guarded their flanks.
"Where are your officers?"
Shikamaru motioned at the fresh corpses Naruto had passed, "They were the first ones taken out. Rushed in without a second thought to us, three Hollows tried to surprise us. When that didn't work they just swarmed the officers."
They moved to the centre of the field, Matsumoto had ordered other students to watch the perimeter. Sakura tended to Omoi and the other injured while Naruto, Shikamaru and Sasuke met with the Lieutenant.
"Nara-san how many Hollows did you encounter?"
"Five initially, the officers," He motioned to the corpses, now covered with cloth, "managed to kill two of them before the other four overwhelmed them. A pair broke off to chase us after we'd retreated into the woods. We ambushed them but Uyeda and Kasaka were wounded in the fight."
"Lieutenant, I thought this area was cleansed?" Sasuke didn't keep his annoyance and suspicion out of his tone.
Matsumoto was having none of it though, "Uchiha, Hollows are often devious and bloodthirsty. They might have been farther afield and wandered near after the last patrol left; the cause will be investigated by the proper people." She looked Sasuke up and down before smirking and waving him away, "Why don't you be a good little student and watch the perimeter."
Taken aback at being dismissed he looked to Naruto, his teammate had other things on his mind and made no move to defend him. Sasuke bowed and left to organize the shocked students into something resembling a defense.
"I've sent off a Hell Butterfly calling for reinforcements," Rangiku continued once Sasuke was on his way, "we'll need to stay here until they open the Senkaimon. Can I count on you two if any more Hollows attack?"
Shika scratched his head, playing with the hilt of his tanto, "We'll do our part Lieutenant, besides this isn't so different from that ambush in the Land of Earth."
Naruto nodded while chuckling, "Which one?"
"When those fanatics trapped us on the cliff."
"Look on the bright side, we have room to sit here."
Matsumoto had relaxed while listening to their banter, she jokingly shook both men's shoulders, "Good to hear. As a reward for your diligence, when this all over you can treat me to a drink!"
/
As reinforcements arrived, Naruto took one more pass of the perimeter. They'd been on high alert for two hours straight, keeping a careful watch under the moonlight. He'd half expected to be waist deep in Hollows at some point but the wait was eerily quiet. More than a few of the students looked unsatisfied with how their trip had ended. Naruto knew it wasn't their fault, they were young, looking to prove themselves, and being able to boast a kill count before leaving the Academy would certainly give their reputation a boost.
Naruto was standing beside Matsumoto when Captain Isshin stepped out of the Senkaimon. He followed her lead by bowing while she updated the Captain on the situation.
"Thank you Rangiku, excellent job. Organize the officers I've brought with me and prep any injured students for travel."
Leaving Matsumoto to her task, Isshin motioned for Naruto to follow him as they took a walk around the clearing.
"First taste of action, what did ya think of it Naruto?"
Thinking back on the Hollow he'd killed and the ones Shikamaru and Omoi had seen he could only respond with a casual shrug of his shoulders, "They were ugly that's for sure," Isshin gave him a flat look. "I could see how they'd be dangerous, built big, built fast; against a novice, or in larger numbers I can see why they're so deadly." The Captain looked more satisfied with that answer. "It's just not the biggest thing I've fought, that's all." Naruto added.
Isshin blew out a breath, letting his shoulders drop, "You Shinobi are so hard to please, at this rate I think it would take a Menos Grande to really knock you off balance."
The two traded jokes as they paced the perimeter. Isshin stopped to speak with the students who'd been holding position. Seeing the awe and respect given to Isshin gave Naruto a better idea of just how revered the position of Captain was within the Gotei. They (Naruto and the other Shinobi) had assumed the Captains acted like elders or veteran Jonin with the Captain Commander taking the Hokage role. Naruto was slowly revising that hierarchy in his mind. The Divisions were more akin to their own villages, with distinct tradition and identities, that placed the Captains as individual Kages and the Captain Commander as the Gokage. The whole structure was much closer to the Elemental Nations than Naruto previously assumed. That complexity also implied there was probably a level of contention and competition between the Divisions, something to keep in mind when planning the distribution of future Shinobi officers.
Naruto was lost in his observation when he ran into Isshin's elbow, the Captain had his eyes closed and had turned his head off to the south. Naruto decided to extend his own amateur sensing skills, ironically enough sensing Reiatsu was one of his worst skills. The ease of nature chakra and the instant connection Sage Mode had given him to his surroundings had spoiled him, it was thanks to Sasuke and Sakura (with a few months of intense studying) that Naruto was able to sift through his own massive reserves and in a sense "dim his light" to look for others.
In the distance, probably at least 50 kilometers away, Naruto could vaguely feel some subdued Reiatsu. It looked like one big cluster to him, he assumed Captain Isshin was able to isolate the individual signatures.
"Something to be worried about Captain? Want me to check it out?"
Isshin didn't respond, he nodded and began marching into the trees, Naruto hurried to follow him. The Captain sped up into a decent run once they made it halfway to the mysterious signatures. It wasn't audible until they went further but Naruto soon began to pick up the faint growls of an argument.
"Why wait?" came from a gravelly voice without much bass in it.
Naruto couldn't make out the reply, the other voice was far quieter.
"Then we should bait them out. Send some of those mindless puppets of yours to distract them and when he comes out I'll grab him. We can leave the drones to cover us while we escape."
Naruto and Captain Isshin were finally close enough to make out the other voice, it was soft and it spoke with a melancholic tone.
"If the Shinigami is caught in the fighting he could be injured, our instruction is to bring him back in one piece."
"One piece doesn't mean unharmed! So what if he bleeds a little, it'll make him easier to handle." The argument was heating up, it sounded as if the gravel voiced creature was getting impatient.
Naruto caught a glimpse of a sleek form under the moonlight. Captain Isshin had gestured for a halt some 10 metres away from the voices, Naruto had kept a hand on his sword and his other senses on alert while they eavesdropped.
The argument, between Hollows Naruto recognized, was still going and one of the beasts had walked away frustrated. Just their luck that had moved closer to their hiding spot. Naruto tensed and kept an eye on his future Captain, awaiting his signal.
It was subtle, a flex of the hand, before Isshin rushed forward at a speed that rivaled Sasuke, he seemed to trust Naruto could keep up. They sped through the underbrush, quiet as they could. He wasn't sure what gave him away but nonetheless the Hollows snapped their heads up during the approach.
"They found us! I knew we should've attacked!"
"I'll deal with the camp, you finish these two." The Calm One ordered.
Naruto finally got a good look at their new prey. The Calm Hollow was slender with pale blue skin, four arms with stiff pincers running along each appendage moved fluidly around it's strange lower half, a huge skirt-shaped piece made of oval pods, completing the creature was a mask that seemed to be a spider's visage split in half. Its partner was a beast that rested on four hoofed legs wrapped in dark red fur, its head spouted two gnarled and twisted horns while its jaw seemed permanently open showing off large fangs to the world.
The Calm One gave a scream and the pods along its "skirt" split open to let out dozens and dozens of arachnid-like creatures. The swarm and its owner ran from Naruto and Isshin trying to circle around and most likely attack and overwhelm the rest of the students and officers. The Horned One planted its feet in the dirt and began stomping.
Naruto held back his instinctual urge to order Isshin to attack the Horned Hollow and let him intercept the Calm One; this wasn't a Shinobi mission and he wasn't the commander here.
"Naruto! Stop them from making it to camp, then regroup with Lieutenant Matsumoto!"
Once again Isshin must have held some measure of trust in Naruto. No sooner than as he finished giving his order he drew his Zanpaktou, a red handled katana with a thin rectangular guard, and leapt at the Horned Hollow who answered with a charge of its own.
Naruto left his Captain to put down the creature, focusing on the distant form of the strange Calm Hollow and its brood.
/
A/N: Thanks for all your support, I'm really glad people are enjoying this story! Finally some proper Hollow action and in the next chapter Naruto isn't going to hold back on the Calm Hollow.