Hollowfied

By: Finn Mertenz

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR BLEACH. I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN THEM.


Chapter 6: Enter: The Soul Society! Quest For A Friend.

Sunday 10:14am, August 28th 2020 A.D.

"W-... What did you say, Captain? I didn't hear you." Tayuya stuttered.

Standing in front of Sakura's prison cell, Tayuya gripped these crimson bars with one hand. Dressed in a black shihakushō with a white sash around her petite waist, sweat poured from Tayuya's face.

"I hate repeating myself." Kimimaro proclaimed.

Holding an unsealed envelop between his hands, Kimimaro's figure was framed by a white haori. Positioned inside the ornate compound of Squad Six, Sakura was being held as a traitor.

"The Lieutenant of Squad Thirteen, Sakura Haruno, has been condemned to death." Combing several fingers through his hair, Kimimaro was devoid of any emotion.

"Her execution is scheduled for September 20th, twenty three days from now." Turning around, Kimimaro's naked chest was concealed.

Left utterly speechless by this revelation, Tayuya couldn't even think, she could barely breathe. For her entire life, Tayuya was guided by Sakura's hand, it was the only reason she became a Soul Reaper.

Growing up at the same school together, dying together and traveling to the Soul Society together. Tayuya and Sakura were a shared pair of sisters, they constantly relied on each other.

"Goodbye, Sakura... Then next time I see you, you'll be executed." Strolling out the room, Kimimaro disappeared from view.

But weren't you scared? Of dying? Enthralled by Naruto's voice, a single tear streamed from Sakura's emerald eyes.


Meanwhile.

Walking beside a crimson railing, the sandal-covered feet of Kakashi Hatake could be seen. The Captain for Squad Thirteen, Kakashi was one of the thirteen original Captains, reigning for a thousand years.

A twenty six year old immortal Soul Reaper, Kakashi was adorned with a black shihakushō and a white sash. Matching the Captain's haori he wore, the black kanji for 'thirteen' was sewn across Kakashi's back.

Characterized by fair skin and spiky silver hair that jutted towards the sky, Kakashi's face was obscured by a white mask. Drawing attention to the hilt of his Zanpakutō, this metal was wrapped in silver thread.

Other than his strange mask, Kakashi's most prominent feature was his discolored vision. His right eye was black and empty while his left eye was red with a vertical scar next to the skin.

"You're acting quite calm." Itachi spoke out, propped against a painted railing.

A seventeen year old Quincy, Itachi's true identity and purpose were completely hidden from knowledge. The Captain of Squad Three for twelve years, Itachi replaced the previous Captain, after his strange disappearance.

Dressed in a black shihakushō, Itachi's right hand protruded from the opened vest on his attire. Basked by rays of sunlight, Itachi's fair skin and jet black hair came into sight, cut above his chin.

Using his Captain's haori as a blanket, this white cloth barely clung to Itachi's underaged body. Revealing the black kanji for 'three' across his back, these letters perfectly matched Itachi's onyx eyes.

"Your Lieutenant is scheduled for execution, but you're as still as a glass of water." Humming his words, Itachi was battered by a gust of wind.

"Don't mock Kakashi, that's my job." Might Guy cut in.

The twenty six year old Captain of Squad Eleven, Guy was also an ancient living friend of Kakashi. Born inside the isolated village of Konoha, these friends both died at an early age, traveling to the Soul Society.

Similar to Kakashi, Guy was one of the thirteen original Captains, reigning for a thousand years. A vibrant warrior that chuckled and laughed in the face of death, Guy was well known for his vigor.

Defined by fair skin with a strong jawline, Guy's black hair was cut into the shape of a bowl. Denoting his status as a Captain, Guy wore a black shihakushō with a white haori on top.

Revealing the torn and tattered fabric of Guy's Zanpakutō, his hilt was covered in forest green cloth. Wrapped and layered around a rusty hilt, Guy's Zanpakutō was worn with extreme age.

"You truly are a model for every Soul Reaper... Let's have a duel!" Grinning with a pearl white smile, Guy directed a thumbs up at his rival.

"Some other time, I'm busy." Kakashi proclaimed, glancing over his shoulder.

Surrounded by buildings of Reiatsu-filled stone and crimson railings, this group of Captains were awash in sunlight. Magnified by the distant chirping of birds, a blue sky was littered with fluffy clouds.

"We're just concerned that you might be depressed... Since your Lieutenant will be executed." Itachi slurred.

"Let's take his mind off it. How about you fight me, right here, right now?" Guy remained focused on Kakashi.

Squinting each of his discolored eyes in response, Kakashi's haori rustled in a gust of wind. Obscured by wavering strands of silver hair, Kakashi's mask clung to his lower face.

"I said I'm busy." Repeating his words, Kakashi fell into a stern staring contest.

Chuckling in reply, Guy took several steps forward, standing mere inches away from his childhood rival. Suddenly, these elite Captains were dispersed by a flapping flock of crows.

Soaring through the air, Kakashi's eyes trailed after these black birds, following them with his vision. Landing on an orange-tiled roof, these crows swarmed around Itachi, flying in circles.

"Forgive me, Captain. I didn't mean to offend you." Itachi apologized.

Holding the restrained outline of Guy in a cocoon of linen bandages, Itachi's face was irradiated by sunlight. Kicking, screaming and wiggling to back free, Guy resembled a trapped worm.

"Give my regards to your Lieutenant..." Pulling Guy off screen, Itachi disappeared from sight.

Creating a distinct scowl across his masked face, Kakashi's eyes began to wince with annoyance. Turning around, Kakashi's strapped sandals clapped the wooden floor with each step.


Meanwhile.

Falling through a blue sky, the screaming outline of Naruto, Gaara and Sasuke came into view. Plummeting through an isolated tree-line, these friends were followed by a squealing Rin and Hinata.

Landing in the center of a grassy grove, Naruto rubbed his sore backside while Sasuke groaned. Gripping his injured knee with both hands, Sasuke shook this pain off before standing up.

Springing to his feet, Naruto caught a glimpse of Rin, sprawled across a moss-covered log. Resting on her stomach, Rin's purple panties were on full display, forcing Naruto's face to turn blood red.

"This skirt is gonna be the death of me... I can feel a draft." Rin complained.

Rubbing her sore elbow in the background, Hinata didn't realize that she was sitting on Gaara's face. Informed by Gaara's muffled voice from below her skirt, an embarrassed Hinata leapt to the side.

"Is this the Soul Society? It looks normal to me." Naruto pondered aloud.

Peering through dense foliage, Naruto spotted the rotten outline of a poorly-stacked shed. Located inside the 52nd district of the Southern Rukongai, Naruto had entered a vast slum of crime.

"All of you, stay close to me. I'm your best chance for survival." Anko spoke out, licking her paw.

"But you're just a ca-...?!" Sasuke tried to argue, but Anko swiped several claws across his face.

Strolling past lush bushes, Anko escorted Naruto and his friends into a desolated village. Lined with unconscious drunks on the street and gambling adults in the alleys, Hinata hid behind Rin.

"This place is known as the Rukon District, a hub where recently deceased souls are gathered together." Anko explained.

"Divided into 320 districts in total, these districts are spread through one of the four Rukongai." Swishing her tail without delay, Anko sniffed the air.

Stopping in front of her gathered children, Anko sat down before licking the dirt from her leg. Cleaning herself without any explanation, this awkward moment stretched for what felt like hours.

"However, the Seireitei rests at the center of these districts, the source for all life in the Soul Society." Educating her students, Anko was concealed by sunlight.


Eight hours later.

"We've been walking all day! We have to be close!" Naruto complained, enthralled by the waste of time.

Strolling through the ornate streets of the 22nd district inside the Southern Rukongai, Naruto was the center of attention. Flanked by his friends on both sides, these children were being stared at by citizens.

"We can't just walked into the Seireitei." Anko meowed.

"The Seireitei is a circular shaped shiro with four main gates, each bordering the four Rukongai." Leading her group into a quiet alley, Anko yawned like a cat.

"A direct approach would be suicide, but luckily, I have a close friend that can get us inside." Approaching the outskirts of a forest, Anko was swallowed by foliage.


Two hours later.

Positioned atop a grassy knoll that was encompassed by a sea of trees, the house of Karui came into sight. Hued together from Reiatsu-filled wood and blue roof tiles, this house sat in the shadow of a large cannon.

Extending beyond the skyline, this cannon pierced a floating bundle of clouds from overhead. Isolated miles from any other settlement, this house was completely secluded from the outside world.

Shrouded by fresh rays of moonlight, the dark-skinned silhouette of Omoi was scrubbing Karui's cannon with a rag. A sixteen year old spirit, Omoi was the younger brother of Karui, both slain during the Feudal Era.

Dressed in a waist-length red kimono with a pair of white pants, Omoi's forehead was wrapped in a black headband. Contrasting his snow-white and shaggy hair, Omoi wore a red-hilted Zanpakutō on his back.

"Geez, why do I gotta clean this thing?" Omoi complained, chewing on a toothpick.

Alarmed by the snapping of a wooden twig, Omoi dropped his rag before hastily turning around. Gripping the hilt of his Zanpakutō, Omoi prepared for combat, gazing at Naruto's group of friends.

"Halt! None are allowed he-...?!" Freezing midsentence, Omoi bit his tongue after catching a glimpse of Anko.


Several seconds later.

"Forgive me, Captain. I didn't see you at first." Omoi apologized.

Escorting Anko and Naruto's friends down a stone stairway, Omoi's sandals clapped the dense rock. The entrance to Karui's isolated house, this stairway stretched underground, reaching depths beyond sunlight.

Trailing behind their classmates, Rin and Hinata were at the back of this column, standing over their friends. Rustling their skirts with each step, Rin and Hinata nervously held this cloth in place.

"A staircase right when you enter the building? What a strange house." Hinata murmured.

Eventually, this band of students reached a wooden hall, lined with paper-thin sliding doors. Crouching down in front of this pristine surface, Omoi's knees were pressed against the floor.

Gripping the edge of this sliding latch, Omoi pulled this door open, revealing the bandaged outline of Karui. A seventeen year old spirit with caramel skin, Karui wore a low-cut red blouse, tucked into her white skirt.

Seated with open legs, Karui's figure was narrowly hidden behind the loose fabric of her skirt. Instead of socks, Karui had linen bandages wrapped around the soles of her feet.

Glancing at her guests with auburn eyes, Karui wore a matching pair of bead-shaped earrings. Layered across her shoulder-length and spiky red hair, various bandages were draped against Karui's scalp.

"Yo, Captain." Bowing her head towards Anko, Karui fingered the air.

"I left that life behind me, I'm here for a different reason." Meowing in reply, Anko sat down.

Catching a glimpse of Naruto, Karui's jawline fell open, acting like she saw a ghost. Because of this, Anko's fuzzy ears twitched with anticipation, swishing her tail without pause.

"Th-... That kid right there...! Is he?!" Springing to both feet, Karui glared at Naruto with unblinking eyes.

"Yes, the resemblance is quite noticeable. But that's not why I'm here." Anko replied.

As Karui stood with an opened mouth, her right arm came into sight, constructed entirely from wood. A wound from her past career as a Soul Reaper, this arm was built by Minato himself.

"Sounds about right, you never visit me unless you need something." Karui scoffed, crossing both arms against her flat chest.

"So go ahead and tell me. Tell me what it is, I love a challenge." Baring naked teeth into a wide smile, Karui snapped her fingers.


Meanwhile.

Triggered by the sound of a wooden snap, the bars on Sakura's cell were forced opened by Tayuya. Flanked by a nameless pair of Soul Reapers, these Shinigami belonged to Squad Six.

"Captain Kaguya wants you relocated to the Senzaikyū, the Repentance Palace." Tayuya choked on her words.

"Central 46 has authorized the use of the Sōkyoku. You should feel proud, that's usually reserved for Captains." Trying to cheer her friend up, Tayuya didn't know what to say.

"Right... I guess it's time." Sakura sighed with a downcast face, straining to stand up.


Twenty minutes later.

Escorted down a narrow and suspended catwalk, this crimson path led to the fabled Senzaikyū. Surrounded by Tayuya and various Soul Reapers, Sakura was adorned in the white garb of a prisoner.

"From the windows in this tower, a prisoner can gaze upon the execution grounds..." Tayuya explained.

Standing in front of the Senzaikyū, this white tower stretched towards the blue sky. Cobbled together from a special rock known as Sekkiseki, this special stone could negate all Reiryoku.

"That's why it's called the Repentance Palace, because you can repent your sins." After speaking, Tayuya kicked the entrance open.

Frozen with a wave of self-doubt, Tayuya watched as Sakura limped past her, entering the iconic Senzaikyū. Clenching each of her pale fists, Tayuya grinded her teeth with rage.

"It didn't have to end like this, you didn't have to give your powers too some Human." Glaring at the floor, Tayuya had empty eyes.

"We always relied on each other, but now... You'll have to rely on yourself." Sakura muttered.

Snarling in protest, Tayuya hastily turned around before stomping out from the Senzaikyū. Barricading the orange-tinted doors behind her, Sakura was locked inside this quiet tower.


Meanwhile.

"You want into the Seireitei… Well, getting past the Shakonmaku won't be easy." Karui exclaimed.

"E-... Excuse me, what's that?" Hinata mumbled, twirling her fingers.

Pulling a whiteboard from off scene, Karui began to doodle, scribble and draw an array of stick figures. Labeling these outlines as 'Ryoka', Karui entered a teacher-like pose, raising one finger to the ceiling.

"The Shakonmaku is an invisible barrier of Reiatsu, created from the Seireitei's large quantity of Sekkiseki." Drawing as she spoke, Karui was a natural artist.

"Because of this, ordinarily, the only way inside is one of the four gates." Displaying a wide grin, Karui flipped her whiteboard over.

Revealing the vibrant schematic for a massive cannon, this pillar of stone was hand-carved by Karui. A prototype for her new weapon, Karui spent months working on this unique artillery.

"But with your boom-stick, you can get us inside?" Naruto cut in.

Instantly shrouded by Karui's silhouette, this immortal spirit kicked Naruto to his backside. Looming over this underaged student, Karui licked her red lips with a faint giggle.

"Oh yea, I can definitely get you inside." Teasing her victim, Karui created a deep blush across Naruto's face.

"I just need one day to prepare the cannon! So grab a mat and get some rest." Dragging one finger across Naruto's mouth, Karui winked at him.

Inspired by this declaration, Rin and Hinata leapt to their feet, rushing to the bathroom together. At the same time, Sasuke was sighing with boredom, holding his chin in one hand.

Following Karui out of the room, Anko strolled around a wooden corner, disappearing from sight. Isolated with his thoughts, Naruto stood up before running into the hallway, dashing upstairs.


Thirty minutes later.

Situated atop a moon-basked portion of grass, Naruto's hand tugged on damp blades. Battered by a gentle breeze from the night sky, Naruto's whiskers rustled against his face.

Gazing at the moon with radiant eyes, Naruto was propped against the sheathed outline of his Zanpakutō. Pulling grass from the ground, Naruto tossed this shredded plant through the air.

I won't let her go... I won't act like nothing happened. Swollen with determination, Naruto was infected by Sakura's memory.

Interrupting these thoughts, Rin strolled out from the shadow-filled stairway, standing behind Naruto. Pinning each arm behind her back, Rin twirled one heel into the earth.

"I couldn't sleep, so I wanted to take a short walk..." Rin explained, met by an awkward silence.

Sitting down beside Naruto, Rin held both knees against her flat chest, sighing with defeat. Biting her nails with a nervous tic, Rin looked for any excuse to extend the conversation.

"I know you don't say much... Because I watch you all the time in class." Wrinkling her nose, Rin's embarrassed face was illuminated by moonlight.

"What should I say? I'm not good with words." Naruto admitted with a whisper.

"I just know that she needs me... She needed me back then, and she needs me now." Focused on Sakura, Naruto sprang to his feet.

"So, I'm not going to leave. I won't leave her behind, I won't leave her alone." Muffled by the sound of hooting owls, Naruto narrowed his eyes.

Enthralled by this declaration, Rin reached out before timidly grabbing Naruto's hand. Tightening her grip with each second, Rin swallowed a wad of spit down her throat.

"I'm sure she'll appreciate the help..." Speaking with a queasy stomach, Rin was clogged by emotions.

"Bu-.. Uh, do you ever feel weird? When you're next to me?" Sweating from her palms, Rin waited for a response.

Ignoring the sweat on his hand, Naruto was distracted by the moon from overhead, sparkling like a diamond. Taking several minutes to speak, Naruto didn't even turn around, keeping his back to Rin.

"I always feel weird." Grumbling his reply, Naruto and Rin were left in silence.


Meanwhile.

Burrowed deep underground, Sasuke was training inside a dark and shadowy room. Lit only by the blue light from his Reiatsu-filled arrows, Sasuke was practicing his aim on the wall.

Similar to the Seireitei, this rock was hued together from a spirit reducing stone, dissolving Reiryoku. Dispersing each of his arrows on impact, Sasuke continued to fire without any pause.

Standing in the foreground, Hinata anxiously held both hands in front of her flat chest, fidgeting. Constantly struggling with her own value, Hinata didn't have anything to offer, she felt useless.

I can see the dead, but... It's not like I can do anything else. Hinata internally sighed.

Everyone else is so special and unique, and I'm just... A burden. Battered by depression, Hinata downcast her face.

Ever since the death of Neji, Hinata would always rely on others to save her, like Rin or Naruto. But with each passing day, Hinata began too hate herself, she cursed her weak nature.


One hour later.

Sprawled across the blue-tiled roof of Karui's isolated house, Naruto glared at the cloudless skyline. Resting on his back, the sheathed outline of Naruto's Zanpakutō was propped next to him.

Counting the stars in the sky, Naruto's eyes displayed a hazy and blank expression, reflecting off the horizon. Eventually, Gaara climbed onto this roof before sitting down beside Naruto.

"It's a nice view, up here." Gaara spoke.

Kicking his shoes off, Gaara unraveled both socks before rubbing his feet, sore from hours of walking. Sighing a breath of relief, Gaara tossed his shoes to the side, gazing up at the stars.

"Yea, I always look at the sky, when I need to think." Naruto proclaimed.

"What are you thinking about?" Gaara asked, running several fingers through his red hair.

Slurring an exhausted gasp, Naruto scratched his prominent whiskers. Usually stuck in his own world with music, Naruto was slowly expressing his true desires, because Sakura stole his earbuds.

"She gave me purpose, she gave me value... I can't let that go, I won't." Naruto hummed with a void in his eyes.

Gaara understood Naruto's answer all too well, because he felt the same way about his blond classmate. Before Naruto, no one ever stood up for Gaara, they didn't even acknowledge his existence.

Laying down beside his friend, Naruto and Gaara endured a soothing breeze of chilly air. Encouraged by distant frogs, Naruto and Gaara soon fell asleep, resting their heads against each other.


Meanwhile.

"That stupid bitch, she's such a moron!" Tayuya spat.

Strolling down an exterior hall on the side of a stone building, Tayuya was dressed in her iconic shihakushō. A perfect match for the railing beside her, Tayuya's crimson hair framed her pale face.

Freezing mid-step, Tayuya hesitantly glanced over her right shoulder, focused on the distant Senzaikyū. The final resting place for Sakura, this tower would house Tayuya's friend until her execution.

Obscured by the white bandana she wore, Tayuya clenched each of her fists with fuming rage. However, this display was quickly interrupted by the cheerful sound of a friendly voice.

"Hey, Lieutenant! It's been awhile." Obito chuckled with a waving hand.

The Captain of Squad Five, Obito was a twenty six year old spirit, and the living childhood friend of Kakashi. Similar to Itachi and Danzo, Obito inherited his Captain rank after the strange disappearance of his previous Captain.

Denoting his status as a Captain, Obito wore a black shihakushō with a white haori on top. Sewn across Obito's back, the black kanji for 'five' was illuminated by rays of moonlight.

Strapped against the left side of his waist, the orange hilt of a Zanpakutō protruded out from loose fabric. Contrasting his needle-like black hair, Obito's most distinguishable feature was the orange spiral mask he wore.

Focusing all attention towards his crimson right eye, this mask concealed Obito's entire face. Also, Obito wore a stainless pair of white gloves, complimenting his pristine haori, and hiding his skin.

"Can you talk?" Shifting into a stern tone, Obito's comedic persona faded away.


Five minutes later.

"How long has it been? Three years?" Obito asked.

Standing inside Tayuya's bedroom, Obito was surrounded by discarded clothes on the floor. Sprawled in the background, a pile of bandana's were stacked atop Tayuya's messy bed.

"Two." Tayuya corrected.

"Ah, yes... You started in Orochimaru's Division, before moving too mine, then Captain Kaguya." Obito exclaimed.

Flipping through a stack of papers on Tayuya's desk, Obito could barely move because of the trash. With his back directed towards Tayuya, Obito quietly shifted through dozens of pages.

"Is there a point you're trying to make?" Tayuya blurted out.

Inspired by Tayuya's statement, Obito turned around before shuffling past his former Lieutenant. Closing the curtain over Tayuya's doorway, Obito stood in an eerie silence.

"I'll get straight to it then... You and Sakura are close." Obito explained.

"You died together, you traveled to the Rukon together, and you became Soul Reapers together." As Obito spoke, his haori swallowed both arms.

Twirling his back to the doorway, Obito focused his visible eye on Tayuya's pale face. Despite his career as a Captain of Squad Five, Kakashi was the only person that ever saw Obito's face.

"Don't you think it's strange? How Sakura's powers haven't returned yet?" Puzzling his past Lieutenant, Obito took one step forward.

"Her crime was the unauthorized transfer of her Reiryoku, a crime that's punishable by death..." Nudging closer, Obito whispered these words.

"But the use of the Sōkyoku?! On someone who's below the rank of Captain? That's unprecedented." On full alert, Obito narrowed his crimson eye.

Pierced only by the light from Tayuya's rectangular-shaped window, Obito's shadow was spread over the wall. At the same time, a stack of pages were dislodged by a gentle breeze.

"What are you saying? What are you implying?" Tayuya snarled.

"I think all of this is the will of one person... Someone is trying to get rid of Sakura." Obito declared.

As this conversation progressed, the shadowy silhouette of Itachi was hidden in the outside hallway. Listening to every word, Itachi was like a fly on the wall, completely unseen.

"I have a bad feeling about this... If something happens, you need to warn the other Lieutenants." Murmuring this statement, Tayuya couldn't believe her ears.


Ten hours later.

Ordering Omoi to shove a gigantic iron door, it took extreme effort to make any progress at all. Using his strength, Omoi opened this barred surface before faceplanting the stone ground.

Exposing the base of Karui's massive cannon, this special artillery stretched above ground. Proud to display her large equipment, Karui pranced in front of everyone, showing off her cannon.

"With this, I'll launch all of you straight into the Seireitei… From the sky!" Laughing with joy, Karui's wooden arm rested against her slime stomach.

"Th-... The sky?!" Gaara, Naruto and Sasuke all stuttered in unison.

"I'm starting to have regrets about this..." Hinata muttered.

Kicking an iron lever, a human-sized latch slid open on Karui's cannon, barely big enough to fit five people. Afterwards, Karui tossed a medium-sized teal orb through the air, caught by Naruto.

"That glass ball is known as a Reishūkaku, and that's how you're getting inside." Karui explained.

Snagging this orb from Naruto, Sasuke twirled, flipped and tapped on this strange ball. Using teeth to nibble on this foreign sphere, Sasuke struggled in a vain attempt to activate it.

Pouring his Reiryoku into this orb, Sasuke was abruptly swallowed by a narrow cocoon of Reiatsu. Evaporating as quickly as it appeared, this barrier dispersed into sparkling blue dust.

"You just saw my plan in action, thanks numbnuts." Kissing Sasuke's forehead, this proud Quincy blew blood from his nose.

"Okay, so... Once you're all in the cannon, each of you need to touch the Reishūkaku." Stroking her artillery, Karui bit her lower lip.

Nervously shuffling inside, Rin, Hinata and Gaara all lined the walls, followed by Sasuke. Crouching down as he advanced, Naruto could barely fit his Zanpakutō through this tight crevasse.

Crawling in at the last moment, the latch was sealed shut behind Anko, meowing a list of orders. As her group of children held the Reishūkaku upright, Anko leapt atop this vibrant orb.

"Just pour your Reiryoku into this sphere, and I'll handle to rest." Anko proclaimed.

"Great! So, ummm… How do I pour?" Naruto mumbled.

Funneling their own Reiryoku into the Reishūkaku, Naruto's friends created a transparent cannonball. Launching this projectile without warning, Naruto was robbed of his balance, dislodged by Karui's cannon.

Magnified by a fiery shockwave of Reiatsu, this cannonball ruptured across the bright sky. Garnishing thousands of glares from Rukon citizens, Naruto sporadically rolled in place.

"Are you serious?! You spent a week with Minato!" Sasuke complained.

"I practiced how to cut stuff! Not wave my hands!" Rolling without control, Naruto's skull battered the hilt of his Zanpakutō.

"Hurry up! We need your Reiryoku to break the Shakonmaku!" Anko shrieked.

Hissing with panic, Anko directed Naruto's palm onto the Reishūkaku, anxiously pouring his Reiryoku. Empowered by Naruto's fresh addition, this cannonball doubled in size and strength.

Crashing against the invisible Shakonmaku, the entire Seireitei was alerted to Naruto's presence. Gazing up towards the sky, Naruto and his friends were the center of attention.

"It's not enough! We need more! Pour everything you've got!" Meowing with alarm, Anko's tail swished back and forth.

Straining to funnel the last ounce of their Reiryoku, Sasuke, Rin, Hinata and Gaara all groaned. Reaching out with his free hand, Naruto gripped to bottom of the Reishūkaku, firmly grasped with both palms.

Swelling with chaotic might, a red-tinted crack spread across the Shakonmaku, resembling an infectious scar. Overwhelmed by the twisted aura inside him, Naruto's power was too dark to control.

"No! That's too much! You'll shatter the barrier, and us!" Clawing Naruto's face, Anko knocked his hands away.

Erupting into an explosive geyser of fiery Reiatsu, the Shakonmaku's ceiling was completely shattered. Polluted by falling shards of Reiatsu and dense clouds of smoke, Soul Reapers rushed to their battle positions.