Chapter 11: Chapter 11

"No… no! why are you-" the frantic Central 46 member pleaded to the unknown attacker as he was slashed cleanly down his chest to his shoulder, he slumped to the floor with blood coating the ground and wall.

Aizen Sosuke smiled coldly at his work; a long sigh escaped his lips as he wiped the blood off of Kyoka Suigetsu and sheathed it. Turning heel swiftly making his haori flutter, he mused over how all of three hundred twenty years of planning and waiting, it finally came for his ascension.

He walked into the Central 46 Chambers and sighed aloud as Gin came down stairs where the very area where Urahara Kisuke was judged.

"My my, so brutal Aizen-Taicho" drawled Gin in his sarcastic tone, titling his head innocently as he observed the now dead Central 46 members.

"All to plan, do I assume Gin?" he asked, ignoring Gin's obvious liking to this slaughter, knowing he was brutal even more so than Kenpachi.

"The retrieval team came back, bout an few minutes before ya started this little shindig" replied Gin, his expression never changing to but a vulpine like grin.

Aizen nodded in acceptance "yes, and what of the report?" he asked next as they began to walk up the stairs.

"Fought against a kid lookin a lot like Kaien-Fuku-Taicho" a brow raised delicately from Aizen came as he finished "Chibi Kuchiki-Fuku-Taicho finished him".

Aizen nodded but mentally smirked at the nickname Gin just uttered.

"Very well, what of Rukia-Chan?" he asked next, curiosity seeping into his tone.

"Hmm…kept in Rokubantai holding cells, once the report is handed over to the "Central 46" he used finger quotations "We doin an execution order, ne?" he asked, Aizen smiled, there was the one reason why he liked Gin's abilities over Tousen Kaname.

Tousen, while strong, was arrogant and overzealous and always gave more credit to himself than others. As a result, he predicted the man would fall soon enough with those traits combined into a battle one day.

"Of course, once we do so, the Soul Society will fall into chaos while our plans go to accord" Aizen reassured while Gin nodded as they left the Central 46 Chambers. Leaving nothing but the chirping of crickets in the night sky of the Serietei was none the wiser.

But one individual stepped out of the shadows with a look of concern, Naruto Kuchiki-Unohana. He sighed slightly before turning his attention to the Central 46 chambers and walked in, suppressing his reiatsu to the fullest while using a miniscule amount to make sure he could move and fight.

His eyes widened a fraction as he gazed over the dead corpses of the Central 46 members, he scoffed inwardly, of course.

Slaughter them like a wolf hidden among sheep, and take their place. The Kuchiki-Unohana glanced back at the entrance, pondering as to what he could do in the future. Aizen clearly wanted something; he exited in a silent shunpo. It was now time to play the board.

(Next Morning – Nibantai HQ)

Soifon was normaly an astute person who followed her orders without question or hesitation, but now, it was different since knowing Naruto. Over time, she was able to discern his mannerisms and noted something odd since he had returned from Rukia's retrieval mission.

He was guarded a bit more than usual and seemed much calmer while hiding a panicky look. All in all, it disturbed her, as if Naruto was preparing for some big event that was going to happen in the future.

Naruto to himself was moreover doing mental games with Kurama.

"Knight to Rook Six"

The Kuchiki-Unohana twitched his left eyebrow as he did his paperwork, he just beat him again.

"21-42, and I'm winning" Kurama gave a madman's grin and Naruto sighed inwardly, while he may have beaten his Kyoufou more than a few times, the fox was the master of masters on Shogi.

`Ah, forget it, I have more to worry about due to Aizen, if you recall' he pointed out while the great fox rolled his eyes and cut off the mental connection, muttering something about workaholics

.

"Naruto." started Soifon, getting his attention "You're acting odd as of recent." Naruto inwardly tensed at those words with a sigh aloud.

He had to admit, she certainly sharpened over the years with him around. She now crossed her arms, not deterring from this subject.

"As much as it may bother me… it is nothing that you can help with at the moment." Naruto stated before turning to his paperwork once more.

(Rokubantai HQ Halls)

Renji Abarai was in a mood, one that was hard to tell for his division members, he strode past a corner and was greeted in unison by two girls.

"Good morning Renji-Fuku-Taicho!" they bowed as he murmured "At ease" before he made his way to the prisoner area, he spotted a new recruit as he was attempting to catch a hell butterfly.

In the middle of using a lure, he kicked the kid upside the head, sending him to the floor.

"Still catching hell butterflies?" Renji asked irritably as his foot settled on the ground, his arms were crossed in his shikkashou while the Shinigami with a single tattoo above his eye rubbed the side of his head "Hey sir, didn't know you were coming in".

Renji nodded and started "Just came to check on the prisoner, is she still being insubordinate and difficult?" he asked while the Shinigami looked sheepish.

a messenger Shunpoed into the room, neither of the two showed surprise as Soifon nodded to the messenger.

"Kuchiki-Sama, Soifon-taicho, recent news from Rokubantai Taicho. Rukia's fate has been decided" the messenger spoke in monotone "Twenty five days from now, Rukia Kuchiki is due to be executed" no reaction came from the two as the messenger vanished out in a shunpo.

Naruto glanced at Soifon "Twenty five days?" he queried, his tone relatively calm.

"Thirty days in the maximum for a criminal" Soifon concluded while Naruto started "The Sokoyu" he muttered while Soifon's eyes widened slightly "That's only used for Taicho class felons, not an unseated Shinigami, even if it is a noble clan member" she muttered furiously, rubbing her temple for a moment, Naruto smiled gently.

(Real World – Urahara Shop)

Ichigo Kurosaki grumbled as he slipped on his clothes, having thrown off the large man serving "Geta-boshi" as he was called, not to mention a metaphorical beating that he had no chance against Soul Society as he was currently.

"Ano, Geta-boshi" Ichigo said loudly as he came through the door, Urahara waved the fan in front of him "I wanted to ask you something…"

The shop keeper raised a brow as he finished "Who were those guys I fought?" he asked, Urahara stayed silent for a moment and snapped his fan shut.

"Well, the one who severed your abilities was Naruto Kuchiki-Unohana, current Nibantai Fuku-Taicho" he explained while Ichigo nodded "From what I know, he was a prodigy of the Shinigami academy, graduating in less than a year, he reached Fuku-Taicho position not more than a day after his graduation. He is and always will be a friend to me".

At the end of his explanation, Ichigo's eyes widened "Is he really that dangerous?" he asked carefully while Urahara scratched his chin "It's a feat by any mean to complete the formal Shinigami training and education in less than a year, more so to become a Fuku-Taicho after that year".

Ichigo gulped slightly, but he wondered why Naruto spared him, shaking off his thoughts "Alright Geta-boshi, what now?"

Urahara smiled a silly kind of smile "This way!" he sing songed as he gestured to a trap door "Now, young Kurosaki-san, we do your training!"

Ichigo couldn't help but stare at the shopkeeper, with a sigh, he rubbed temples and thought `What have I got myself into?' he was cut from the thought before shaking his head and going down the ladder, what surprises awaited him, he didn't know.

(Soul Society – Jubantai HQ)

Toshiro Hitsugaya was the Jubantai Taicho of the Goteijuusantai. As such, he had great control over his emotions and ice abilities that Hyourinmaru granted him, he was a prodigy alongside Naruto and had quite a Fuku-Taicho.

His eyebrow twitched. He observed Rangiku Matsumoto, who was drunk and currently sleeping on his couch in his office. Toshiro took a deep breath to calm himself, why couldn't he have a reliable Fuku-Taicho? He groaned as he glared slightly at the ceiling, hoping the gods would pity him.

"Hmm…Mr. Bear." she giggled perversely in her sleep while Toshiro sighed aloud.

"Still having trouble with Rangiku-san?" commented an amused toned voice, Toshiro looked to the window and was mildly surprised to find Naruto there, his arms resting on the window sill.

"Tell me what I don't know" the Jubantai member muttered, glancing a dry look at Rangiku, he turned his attention to Naruto with a slight smile, warmer than usual. Among others, Naruto was one of the few friends that he had.

Mostly due to the fact that he himself was a prodigy, he never boasted his strength and above all respected him as an equal.

"So, what brings you here?" he asked, walking over to his desk as Naruto pulled himself into the room "A visit is all" he remarked coolly with a shrug.

Toushiro started "Rukia-san's execution is it?" he asked, not missing a beat. He knew that Naruto trained Rukia quite a bit, and was good friends with her.

Naruto didn't react but raised a brow "Ah…so you know then?" he asked, drawing a nod from the white haired Jubantai Taicho.

"What's your view?"

Toushiro retained his surprise but a wry look crossed his face "An execution for an unseated officer? Madness if you ask me" a small frown found its way to his face at the end.

"Imagine Kaien-Fuku-Taicho then"

Silence echoed until Toushiro asked slowly "He doesn't know, does he?" a concerned look crossed his face while Naruto looked thoughtful as he leaned on the window sill "Kyoufou is most likely holding back that tidbit due to-"

"WHHHHHAAAAAATTTT?"

"Over reaction" Naruto finished, ignoring Kaien's cry of outrage across the Serietei.

Toushiro managed not to sweat drop, hell Naruto could get stabbed, stay calm and not even notice it happening.

He shook his head "Well good luck, getting in the way of a Shiba is not a wise decision" he warned Naruto carefully.

Naruto nodded slowly, knowing that Kaien cared about Rukia, it would be bad if he headed down to the Kuchiki Compound now.

Toushiro sighed "I better get this paperwork done, best of luck, I suppose?" he got a nod from Naruto who was about to leave when the Kuchiki-Unohana stopped.

"You still haven't found a way to make her do paperwork?" he asked, raising both his brows at Toushiro who groaned and rubbed his temple "You think I've tried?" he asked rhetorically as he gave a dry glance to said Fuku-Taicho "She still hides sake, and she does it as well as you do" Naruto mentally snorted at the play on his stealth skills.

"Then take away her pay, that'll motivate her" he advised before leaving in a shunpo.

Once again, silence took over.

Toushiro smashed his head on the desk "Damn it damn it! Why didn't I think of that before!" he exclaimed to himself "It's so simple!" he repeatedly kicked himself mentally for not thinking of it before and he was the prodigy of the Serietei, he smirked, one that was unlike himself.

"Oh Matsumoto…" he spoke up with a hint of happiness that was rare, Rangiku gulped in her sleep, suddenly feeling a shiver in her spine.

(With Byakuya)

Byakuya couldn't help but feel as if some side of him was wrong on this situation. One side, he felt as if he should stop the execution due to Hisana's promise. On the other, his justice side conflicted with that, saying that she had committed a crime and as such, she must pay.

He sighed inwardly and made his way down from the Rokubantai, he was about to exit the building area of the cells when a voice stopped him.

"My compliments, Rokubantai Taicho" a smooth toned voice cut through the air as he continued "You handled it quite professionally, I thought sentencing your own sister might be hard on you" the ending line was sarcastic if it weren't obvious enough.

"You're truly an example for all Shinigami" he drawled out the last part.

"Che, are you joking? The only Shinigami that are afraid of dying are you and the Taicho of Kyubantai" the other commented.

"Oh is that so?" the sarcastic tone responded.

"Two taicho's without their adjutants" spoke Byakuya as he turned to face Gin Ichimaru and Zaraki Kenpachi; the Juichibanta Taicho wore a normal taicho's uniform with his hair spiked with bells at the end. Next he had bandages on his chest with the ragged no sleeve haori. And had an eye patch as well.

"What do you want?"

Gin, seemingly looked innocent "Ah, that ain't nice" he commented with a pouty tone, continuing "We heard your sister was gonna be executed, so we was worried bout you bein depressed".

"It has nothing to do with you gentlemen" remarked Byakuya.

"There's no way you're depressed now, eh?" questioned Kenpachi "For nobles, criminals are obstacles after all".

"Oh?" shot back Byakuya as he started "I didn't' expect a commoner to comprehend the sublets of aristocracy".

"That ain't true" cut in Kenpachi as he pushed himself off the wall and looked at Byakuya. He spoke "I've always been considerate. Whaddya say?" he asked lastly.

"While I'm being considerate, want me to go to that criminal, and lop her head off before the execution?" he asked, a bloodthirsty look in the eye.

"I didn't know…" Byakuya responded after a single moment "One could cut off a head with just your skills?"

"Want me ta try it on ya?" Kenpachi asked dangerously as a flash of light happened and Gin along with Kenpachi were gone.

He found Gin restraining Kenpachi with bandages as he struggled "Damn it, Ichimaru let me go, or I'll kill ya!"

Gin, seemingly ignoring the violent Kenpachi said loudly "Sorry bout that Taicho-san, cut him a break".

"Let me go you bastard!" protested Kenpachi as Gin continued "I at least, didn't try ta make ya mad" Gin ended "Well, say hi ta your sister and son for me!" he remarked the last part cheerfully before disappearing with a loudly cursing Kenpachi.

Byakuya stared at the place where they were for a moment before turning heel and began to leave.

(Kuchiki Compound - Sunset)

Unohana Retsu was a person rarely ever disturbed, more so that this execution sentence was unjust. She herself knew the laws of the Soul Society, and it was quite a revelation to hear that Rukia would be executed in less than twenty five days.

Naruto sighed aloud, breaking the tension

"I don't like this" he remarked while Unohana slowly nodded her agreement "For the Central 46 to be so adamant on this, it's unusual, even for a noble clan member" her tone being thoughtful as she sipped a cup of tea, she sighed aloud, why did she feel as though a storm were approaching the Serietei?

Naruto himself knew the Central 46 was dead and if he revealed such info, Aizen would skip his plans ahead and everything would fail. Despite knowing Aizen had quite a past in manipulating events Naruto had both taken apart logically and with reason as well.

Combining that with his tactical knowledge from different perspectives, he indeed found Aizen not being the man who he was presenting himself to be, along with the fact of how he acted and masked his emotions and facial expressions to the point that he was even fooling the Sotaicho.

Naruto sighed to himself, remembering Kaien confronting him.

(Rokubantai Holding Cells – Several Hours Ago)

"Damn it, Naruto, can't you do anything?" Kaien pleaded to his old time brother in everything except blood.

Naruto rubbed his temples as they were in the halls "Even if I could muster enough political influence here, the Central 46's decision is absolute on this matter, even if their violating their own mandate" he ended, looking at Kaien who looked to be a mix of anger, confused and above all, pissed!

"Well, what about your Otou-san? Isn't he doing a thing about this?" Kaien questioned, a slightly panicky look crossing his face.

Naruto remained silent for a moment while he groaned "What the hell? He's not even helping his own sister?" he demanded while Naruto's brow twitched slightly "What is he doing?" he muttered under his breath, pacing back and forth as Naruto leaned on the wall.

"I'll talk to him"

"And he won't listen" cut in Naruto, it was soft toned unlike his calm conversation "When he's set on something, he's not going to stop".

"You're his son!" pointed out Kaien, stubbornly.

"He's also a Taicho" rebuked Naruto who sighed aloud "I can't do anything, despite my influence with the four noble clans…"

True it was, Naruto held quite an amount of sway in the Noble politics. While initially, he was viewed as a child trying to play an adult's gain, slowly but surely he racked quite a bit of support from himself. Mostly from the Shihouin clan, as many of their members didn't act as cold as Byakuya did, Naruto was viewed as a lesser form of Yoruichi…just a lot less loud and calmer…

Soifon didn't stop laughing on that one.

Kaien only sighed and massaged his scalp "The hell is going on?" he muttered to himself.

Naruto said nothing but sighed to himself. Indeed, it was hard to keep some knowledge from others.

(End Flashback)

After that, Kaien got into quite an argument with Byakuya and was sure more than half the Kuchiki clan heard the argument and he practically stormed out of the area and ranted about the Central 46 making an unfair decision.

Naruto sighed to himself; he'd make sure Aizen would not get what he wanted from Rukia.

Unohana Retsu glanced at her son, wondering as to what reasoning he had to be so quiet after the Rukia Retrieval. Though she had to admit, he was quite a bit more guarded than usual but carefully hidden. After many years of knowing him, she could tell the changes.

Her eyes glanced to the sky now, wondering what would happen in the future.