13
Challenging nature was everything he loved doing. When a human is born another dies. It was the same in the spiritual world. Somehow the forces of nature were always try to balance things out just to ensure that there is no imbalance that would prove to be disastrous to the worlds. It often used to amuse Naruto just how much Nature tried to catch up to him, but couldn't. He was neither a hero nor a villain. The world was always going to guess what he was going to do.
However, he had realized that once you followed a certain trend of his actions, it became quite predictable what he was going to do. He was never the one to hide his intensions after all. Prideful and arrogance, he was and had every inch of the words in inside of him. When it came to power, he was the definition of such a word.
Naruto found it laughable that despite his wishes to remain untouched with human emotions and turn off his heart like he could, he couldn't exactly do so. When he met Amaya, all emotions and feelings were dead; possibly because of his time in the hollow world and spending time with his grandfather.
The times with mother were happier times. He was much happier than he was when he was living the human life as the Emperor of the Imperial Rice Kingdom. Much of the time as the Emperor was quite boring as he usually spent his time inside his throne room. There were those days when he had Mei or Samui beside him. But that was that.
Perhaps the boredom is what made him relinquish his humanity after he had continuously absorbed most of the chakra from shinobi using the Holly Tree. He accumulated all that power to himself and with all that he had done to himself; it didn't give him the kind of ''face'' to live as a human.
Naruto shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He had other troubling matters to deal with. He was a man of many things, and he was God. But after spending some time in his dimension, he'd become bored. Gin had been busy training within the oppressing atmosphere of his dimension, so that he could become strong. He had been more than willing to lend a hand to the child.
Gin couldn't even stand on his own when he entered, but through his training, he'd become used to the dimension of God. Lesser beings would surely cease to exist because of the pressure within his place.
''If ya spend too much time standing' like that, we might have visitors soon,'' Gin said standing a little away from the former captain, who was in a standstill after arriving in this place - they were in the large crater that had formed when Amaya attempted to kill him.
Gin watched carefully as the former captain turned his head ever so slightly to look at him. It was really hard to tell what he was thinking since he wore masks that Gin couldn't even begin to define one by one. He couldn't even tell which one was the real one. One moment he wore a happy expression, and the next it was nothing but a blank looking that seemed to fit well on him.
''Are you afraid of getting a beating from Yamamoto?'' Naruto asked.
It was no doubt that the old fart would jump into the chance to beat them both up, which is if he can anyway. Yamamoto saw traitors and 'children' who needed to be punished in both of them. It was tad annoying that Yamamoto would consider him as a child because of his false believes that he was older than him. He would have to correct that soon though.
While he had no problems in giving Yamamoto an ass-whopping, Gin wasn't ready to handle all the offenses Soul society could throw it him. He was still just a child after all. But he had made some improvements. The child was no doubt strong. Even though he took no part in Hollowfication, he could stand toe to toe with Kaname. That was a different story now given his improvements.
But still not enough to give Yamamoto a challenge.
''The Sotaicho tends to become very determine to 'beat' any child he deems to be misbehaving and I would rather not deal with that,'' Gin said, cringing at the thought of Yamamoto looking down at him with those eyes of his and with Ryujin Jakka firmly on his right hand. It would be nasty if he came across that.
''He does act like a parent. Perhaps it is his age that makes him act like a father to misbehaving children,'' Naruto responded.
Gin found that to be a little amusing. He tilted his head a little, ''you're way older than the Sotaicho, yet you don't act like a father nor see the need to beat down children to get them in line - this is despite the fact that you see everybody as a child, except for a handful,'' he said.
Naruto looked away from Gin and looked at the clear skies, before responding. ''Yamamoto spent much of his time raising children as a sensei. I had none of that,'' he didn't even experience what it was like to have a father. ''It is given that having raised so many 'children' and being that old, and powerful, he will act like he does.''
Through the academy he founded, Yamamoto produced and raised many children who looked up to him as a role model. And the man saw them as his children. Well, he was their teacher; it was within his frame of responsibility to look after them. But it wasn't a forced responsibility that he does. The man did it anyway, and he was quick to reprimand as well as hold a stick against those of his children who are forgetting their teachings.
''Why don't you take up children and teach them things? You'd make a good sensei and nature powerful Shinigami than the Sotaicho,'' from what he has seen, given this Naruto of late, he was someone who was knowledge in fighting and had a lot of experience in life and in battle. When he was helping him out, he made a lot of talk that made him see just how good of a sensei this man would be.
''I have neither the patience nor the desire to babysit children,'' Naruto's response was quick.
''So you say,'' Gin said offhandedly. ''It isn't just the Sotaicho we would have to deal with, but there are still other captains to deal with. I am sure they wouldn't just watch their commander to battle without drawing their own blades, especially when they know the danger you pose.''
The captain-commander wouldn't be alone, and that would prove to be a huge problem for them, unless Naruto decides to play around. Well to be more precise, it would be a problem to him. Naruto didn't seem to have a problem in taking the entire Gotei 13 by himself, and he wouldn't be taking them seriously when he does so.
''Retsu won't fight - she will most likely stand behind and unless she is forced to participate, she will remain behind. You have Shunsui and Ukitake, who are both big problems and Kempachi. I do not see a challenge in the remaining captains.''
''Like you say, Kyoraku-taicho and Ukitake are a big problem...'' Gin said. ''Besides, don't we need to carry the goods?''
Naruto shook his head. ''I have already found what I was looking for,'' he said. ''It is only small fragments, but it will do. It will take some time though.''
''By then, the war might be over. I feel that it is going to start soon,'' Gin said. No doubt Aizen was preparing his army for a battle and the captains were already ready. They were merely waiting for the main enemies to come before drawing out their blades.
''It appears so,'' Naruto sighed. He wasn't complaining though. It was okay to deal with the matter once the whole thing with Aizen was settled. Then he wouldn't have anyone interrupting his private time. ''It is alright though. I would rather not have predictable things to keep me busy.''
''Predictable?''
Naruto looked up at the sky again, ''the whole petty war with Aizen is predictable, the result to be precise. At the end of the day, Aizen is going to discard all his children and walk alone. In that lonely path, either you or someone will defeat him.''
Gin wanted to kill Aizen, but as far as Naruto could tell, it wouldn't be easy unless Gin improve than he already has. He may have gotten stronger, but it was still not enough to defeat Aizen should he fuse with the Hogyoku. The trump card of his Zanpakutou was dangerous, lethal to say the least, but Gin depended on it too much that he didn't have a plan B should things fail.
''Aren't going you going to involve yourself?''
Naruto was silent for a few moments as he contemplated a few thoughts, the former captain then responded. ''I may or may not. I've fought Aizen before, and despite the clear fact that he will be a new being in the next time, he is still Aizen. I would completely annihilate him if I am forced to battle him.'' Another thought occurred and he added, ''Well if things are likeable, I might change my mind.''
''You'll take the fun out of things if you decide to fully involve yourself,'' Gin said. No doubt once he decided to take things seriously, he wouldn't waste any time in dealing with mere children, and he would deal with Aizen and his army rather swiftly.
He wouldn't be able to hold back and that is what he meant by annihilate. Gin had already seen some of Naruto's powers, and he wasn't lying by saying that it was unordinary. No, it was just unnatural for a single person to possess such power. It was nowhere near Aizen. The former Captain couldn't even match this man as he was. This man was a monster when it came to power. The better term to define just how powerful he was would be 'God'.
The dimension they'd been staying at was no pitiful world either - it was truly worthy for a god. Even though there was just one monstrous castle within the dimension, everything one would ever need was there. The only problem with that world is that it was rather quiet. Aside from the 'beings' who kept the castle in a good condition, Gin hadn't met anyone there. Perhaps it was because he spent his time in the training grounds.
The area he liked the most within the castle was the throne room/hall Naruto used most often since he did actually seem like he sleeps. The hall was like a throne room and large monitors usually spread all over, playing things that were happening in any world. When he'd asked about it, Naruto had given him this response.
''They are real live footages of Soul Society, Hell, Human world and Hueco Mundo. Being on this throne means I have assumed the mantle of God, thus I can see and hear everything. I only put them up there because I don't want it in my head.''
Still, he was never allowed to see anything serious - Naruto kept those things to himself. Even so, that only proved that he was truly a man on another level.
''There is no fun in all these, Gin,'' Naruto said. ''Though it may seem hypocritical of me to say this, but there is value in every life within the human world and soul society. I have no care for hollows, but their existence balances the natural order to some extent. So, to some extent, their existence does have some value.''
''Yet, you wouldn't have a problem in exterminating them if they became problem,'' Gin added. What was obvious to anyone who had dealt with this man was that he held no love for mindless killing. Gin wouldn't be surprised if Yamamoto has more killings than him.
He can be cold hearted and feels no remorse for killing anything or anyone, but he seemed to respect the value of life. He doesn't kill anyone unless the reach the limit or become intolerable to his presence. He doesn't even sacrifice the lives of others to get what he wants. However, that was a different story when it came to hollows. To assume that the man had a grudge against all hollows wouldn't be far off the mark.
Naruto merely smiled in response, ''a moral code, logic and rationality define how I view things,'' he said. ''There are certain responsibilities that one must hold given great power. It is laughable isn't it? I say that, yet I'm trying to bring the dead back to life.''
''I don't see any wrong in that,'' Gin said. ''Depending on how one died, a second chance may be given. I also believe that some people die unfairly and should be given the chance to live fairly. Besides, we're souls, not humans. Our lifespan is not limited to a number of years. We're also supernatural, anything goes...''
''Life isn't fair Gin,'' Naruto said calmly. ''The people you want to live will get killed, fairly and unfairly. Someone from your camp was killed because of Aizen. We can't always have what we want. Over my lifespan, I have seen many people die, even so...'' he trailed off and narrowed his eyes to the sides. ''You're quite the candle...''
Gin didn't need an explanation on that to understand what Naruto meant, ''They've sensed me already...'' he said. He couldn't say ''us'' because Naruto gave nothing for the senses - his presence couldn't be sensed, even where he stood, Gin couldn't sense anything.
Naruto nodded, ''It appears the company is at large,'' he said.
Gin still couldn't sense the captains that Naruto were moving towards them. How he wished he had the senses to track things far away. ''So, we're going to greet them then...'' it wasn't a question, just a statement. If Naruto was staying like that, the conclusion was clear to him.
A few silent minutes passed and the captains finally arrived. Gin had been actually wondering when they would eventually arrive as Naruto had said they were coming a few minutes ago. It was like the former captain had sensed that they were coming while they were still within Seireitei. When they finally arrived, he was glad that they'd finally appeared. Impatience had been growing on him after all.
Unohana, Yamamoto, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Byakuya, Soi-fon and Toshiro: these were the only captains who joined in the party. They surrounded the two of them, Gin and Naruto, by standing at the edges of the large crater.
A wave of nostalgia flooded through Naruto's body, forcing an amused look to form on his face. He'd found himself in this situations in more than two occasions since his return from slumber/sealed state. It was now just amusing how these people were quick to surround him after something happened, and each time he always went where the path led without drawing out his blade.
''Must you always repeat the same scenario again and again, Yamamoto?'' Naruto asked. Naturally, he didn't wait for Yamamoto to respond. ''At least let us make this one interesting: I have the time and patience.''
Unohana stared at Naruto with slight narrowed eyes. While she could still not sense any power from him, she was certain that he'd changed. The black balls floating behind him didn't make things easier to define either. She was certain that he had gone through some changes over these past days. But he still had the ''happy'' expression he'd been wearing since he became 'complete' again.
If he'd not gained any more power, he wouldn't have said anything that makes it sound like he was prepared to battle with them. The last times, he's been in a situation like this, he went away without fighting anyone. In fact, he almost went away as humbly as he could be in the situation. But now the cards seem to be in his hands, and the scope of things changed drastically.
Curiosity flooded into her in a wave of a one simple question - what was Naruto doing here, in this specific place. He'd already inspected this place after the explosion. He couldn't be here for something sentimental; Naruto didn't have time for such things. Emotional things always came second in his mind. There surely had to be a good reason behind this little visit.
What was even more of a surprise was the presence of Gin - a former became who betrayed Soul Society in favor of joining that traitorous Aizen. The fact that he was here with Naruto only meant that he was now working with the former captain. Contrary to what many people might believe, Naruto wouldn't just take anyone who is traitorous under his wing without a very good reason, and she believed that there was a reason behind this decision to get Gin on his side.
Yamamoto stroked his beard tiredly, while he kept his eyes on both Gin and Naruto. This situation was just troubling and bothersome. He didn't even want to think about it because it would only give him a headache and he'd had enough already.
''What is the meaning of this, Ichimaru?'' He could deal with Naruto after he'd dealt with this way ward child. With what has happened with Naruto recently, he was positive that the blond wouldn't allow anyone he even suspect will betray him to be close to him.
Gin merely did that creepy smile of his, ''Whatever you mean by that Capt' commander?'' The former captain of the Gotei 13 asked innocently, much to the obvious displeasure of Yamamoto.
Even so, the Sotaicho responded quite calmly. ''You betrayed Soul Society for Aizen when you joined him to Hueco Mundo and now you have betrayed that same Aizen for him of all people. What are you really after, Ichimaru? Have you become so lost that you will betray everyone?''
''You don't really want an answer, Yamamoto. You decision has already been made, so why bother asking if you are going to do what you already decided long ago?'' Naruto asked, instead of allowing Gin to respond to the question.
''His reasons don't matter. Everyone knows that he betrayed Soul Society for Aizen and that alone is a crime worthy of execution,'' Soi-fon responded firmly.
''Why are you with Gin, Naruto?'' Kyoraku knew Naruto too well to understand that he wouldn't associate himself with someone called a traitor unless there was a very good reason behind.
''You say that Gin betrayed Soul Society, but in all actuality he didn't do such a thing. Speaking in technicality, he was with Aizen before he even became captain. And there are reasons behind his choice, a reason Yamamoto wouldn't accept, but it matters not because his opinion means little to me,'' Naruto gave his response before looking back at Yamamoto, ''why don't you say we spice things a bit?''
''Fine then,'' Yamamoto drew out his blade, and explosion of flames occurred. The flames bust out, nearly covering the entire crater. ''I will beat you up, while my subordinates deal with Gin.''
Once those words left his mouth, his blade already ablaze, Naruto flashed into existence right in front of him. Yamamoto widened his eyes, because he hadn't even blinked to miss Naruto's movements. He hadn't even sensed the man until he was right before him.
He tried moving away, but he couldn't - Naruto was holding his Zanpakutou by its blade with his left hand. He had done it before, so he didn't have to exclaim ''impossible.'' It wasn't the only thing that happened, his flames that had bust out had now been dispersed, not a damn thing was left behind.
''I've fought you before, Yamamoto, and the thought of doing it again makes me groan. However, if you force the issue, you'll never pick a sword again, and with that, you won't have the pleasure of fighting Aizen when he comes over here,'' Naruto said simply.
He wouldn't most likely do something like that though. It would do fair to Soul Society if he 'disarmed' its strongest protector. Besides, 'spicing' things up didn't actually mean fighting with the man. If Yamamoto wanted to fight him seriously, he would have to release his Bankai, which he seemed hesitant to do. Anything less than the Bankai wasn't going to get him anywhere, and it wouldn't challenge him a bit.
He didn't even bother to look behind when both Soi-fon and Toshiro charged behind him. Gin intercepted their attacks, by blocking Toshiro's blade with his own - the 10th division captain was on his right side while Soi-fon was on the left, her Zanpakutou too blocked by Gin's.
''I can't let you do that,'' Gin stated calmly.
''How low have you fallen, Gin?'' Toshiro questioned, trying to force his way through Gin, but the former captain didn't budge, not even an inch. The fact that he could block both their strikes like this made him grit his teeth as it was now obvious that he had gotten stronger than he was the last time they battled.
''Fallen?'' Gin shook his head slightly. ''I have only ascended into the heavens', Hitsugaya-taicho,'' gin gave his response. He couldn't call being by Naruto's side a ''fall''. Naruto was a god, and to be by his side meant he too was up there.
Before anyone could say anything, Naruto spoke, ''it is alright Gin,'' he said, before looking back at Yamamoto. The look on the Sotaicho was very amusing, Naruto couldn't help but smile. If he had the time, he would have laughed - something he hasn't done in some time.
Nodding to himself, Gin gave one last push and flashed away from Naruto. He appeared at the edge of the large crater - a good position to watch everything. But the moment he appeared, Byakuya was already on to him. Gin didn't seem too surprised by it. The man was renowned for his speed after all.
''Move or your head will be rolling down the ground in seconds,'' Soi-fon said as she too appeared along with Toshiro, surrounding the traitorous captain.
Gin merely smiled though. ''I don't plan to, not yet at least,'' he said, keeping his eyes down at the crater.
Ukitake didn't really have much time in difficulty in comprehending the fact that Naruto was holding Yamamoto's blade rather firmly, while the latter was trying to pull it off from his grasp. All things considered, Ukitake didn't think that there would be anyone who could compete with the Sotaicho in terms of pure physical strength, but Naruto appeared to be doing just that.
The disappearance of Yamamoto's flames as well as the speed he showed when he closed the distance between him and the Sotaicho was no laughing matter either. The most shocking thing though wasn't the fact that he'd caught Yamamoto's Zanpakutou, it was that he had done it without the man noticing it. Even he hadn't seen it until Yamamoto tried moving away.
It all just reminded him just how much of a monster Naruto was. It was at times like this that he was thankful that he was not their outright enemy. If he had been, then things would have been hard for them. Still, that didn't mean that things were not difficult as they were.
''That look on your face is rather priceless, Yamamoto,'' Naruto said, the amusement clearly evident in his tone. ''If you showed an expression like this at most times, I wouldn't find your presence to be displeasure to the point where I have to tolerate it.''
Before Yamamoto could respond, Shunsui flashed behind Naruto while he was still lost in his amusement. His katana was swung on a swing that threatened to cut the former captain in half from the waist. Naruto didn't let go of his hold on Yamamoto's blade when he narrowed back a little and caught Shunsui's blade with his free right hand.
''I thought I could...'' Shunsui trailed off when Yamamoto used his disruption to his advantage - by this time, the black balls floating behind Naruto were no were to be seen.
The Sotaicho let go of his blade, leaving Naruto to hold it, before lunging quickly at the former captain. His right foot crashed into the ground heavily as though an enormous amount of weight had fallen down. This was followed by a right punch that went straight at Naruto's gut. The connection was somewhat colossal, despite Naruto only moving an inch under the force of the punch; the ground beneath them shattered into dust when Yamamoto's fist crashed into Naruto's gut - Shunsui did not need a warning to make a distance after Naruto loosed his grip on his blade.
Yamamoto wasn't done with his assault: both his feet pressed down the ground further, as he swung his right hand, aiming for Naruto's head. The aim was spot on and his steel knuckles of 'justice' hit Naruto straight on his face, landing just between both his eyes. Despite the overwhelming power behind the punch, Naruto's head only turned back a bit, while his feet remained rooted on the ground. Furthermore, his upper body bended back slightly.
The Sotaicho continued with his assault with open palms brought together. Both palms went straight into Naruto's gut with as much force and strength as he could muster. Upon connection, the former captain dropped Yamamoto's Zanpakutou. The was a sound the resounded when his hands connected with Naruto and the force behind the attack pushed Naruto from the center of the large crater towards its edge - while moving, Naruto's feet still remained rooted to the ground.
Yamamoto picked up his blade and didn't waste any more precious seconds in lunging towards Naruto in blinding speeds. In the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of Naruto with his blade moving in a lethal side slash that was going towards Naruto's neck on the left side of the former captain. A wall of black flames quickly formed on Naruto's left side, forming a shield.
Before Yamamoto's Zanpakutou could clash with the wall of black flames, the Sotaicho engulfed his own blade with flames. The collision of the different flames formed a sizeable explosion of pure flames - this washed the area with considerable increase in heat. The flames were soon dispersed by a shockwave that followed after a clash of metal.
Naruto was holding his Shakujo, which he had materialized, by his right hand, but on the left side. The Shakujo was the one to have clashed with Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka. The blond wasn't even looking at the captain-commander, despite being engaged in a battle with him.
Naruto's eyes narrowed at Yamamoto before he spoke, ''those punches really hurt you know? If I was someone, I would be begging for my dear Retsu to help me collect my guts.'' When the man didn't offer a verbal response in favor of pushing more strength into his sword, Naruto continued. ''Don't be like that Shingekuni. Are you mad?''
The response came in the form of flames that bust out from the ground, filling the whole crater, again.
Naruto made his distance from Yamamoto by flashing beside Unohana, who was floating right above the large crater. ''Will you try to calm him down, Retsu?'' He said.
''That won't do. You know well enough his quite stubborn,'' Unohana gave her response. Naruto noted her voice lacked the usual warmth, he didn't comment on it though.
''I will give this a minute then,'' he said before he began to fall down the ground like he was being pulled down. The former captain crash landed on the ground in a loud boom within Yamamoto's flames.
''I was beginning to think that you were going to run away from your beating,'' Yamamoto said, turning to face his opponent.
''It is not within the realm of possibilities for you to give me a beating, Yamamoto,'' Naruto stated calmly. ''You shouldn't be blinded by whatever reasoning you hold. You've never ever beat me before, and you never will. Wasn't our last real battle proof enough that I am superior to you?''
It was indeed true that Yamamoto had never beat Naruto nor even close to achieving the feat before. During their last battle, Naruto had totally overwhelmed him in terms of pure power. No one had ever done that before, but Naruto did it. Being honest to himself, the Sotaicho could not deny that if Naruto really wanted him dead, he could have killed him long ago.
The captain-commander tightened his grip on his Zanpakutou, jaw clenched. If anything could be deduced about this current situation, it was that this Naruto was quite stronger than the Naruto he fought back then. This was one opponent he was never able defeat, one opponent he actually feared. Even so, he couldn't lie down and accept defeat. He was the Sotaicho of the 13 after all.
This is why he lunged straight at Naruto without offering a verbal response. He appeared at the center of the crater, where Naruto was standing, slightly above ground. His Zanpakutou was moving in a downwards slash - a slash that threatened to cut Naruto from his face downwards. The former captain raised his Shakujo to block the swing. The collision of metal resounded around the place as a small shockwave tore through the crater.
Naruto pushed Yamamoto away in a push of physical strength. The Sotaicho didn't put much resistance as he jumped back a bit before landing on the ground a few feet away from Naruto. It didn't take another second for him to dart towards the former captain again.
Upon reaching him, he swung Ryujin Jakka, engulfed in a heap of flames, right around Naruto's waits level. Naruto countered this by swinging his Shakujo around the same level as Yamamoto's blade. The collision of the Shakujo and the flame-engulfed blade sparkled into a boom of a shockwave that acted like a breath to ignite the dying flames further.
Naruto brought his Shakujo back, before holding out his left hand. A black spiral ball begun to form on his palm before four blades formed. The sound of a screeching bell tore through the area as Naruto held up his Black Rasenshuriken. The amount of power being pulled into the technique was so much that Yamamoto's flames begun to slowly spin in the same direction as the technique.
Yamamoto didn't need to yell at him that the technique was dangerous,. He made a haste movement in creating considerable distance between him and Naruto.
Naruto smiled once more at Yamamoto before holding the Rasenshuriken just above him, his index finger pointing under it. The movement in throwing it was rather slow, visible to any eye. But when it left Naruto's proximity, its speed was far greater, so great that all the flames in its path were forced to disperse by the crushing wind it produced as it cut through the air.
Despite the attack coming really fast, Yamamoto wasn't an amateur. He was far more experienced in battle to be caught up in the technique, despite its overwhelming danger.
''Taimatsu,'' Yamamoto waved his blade, not once but twice, creating a great inferno that sped towards the technique Naruto had thrown at him. Because he had waved his blade twice, the normal inferno he would normally create by one swing was doubled in size. The huge inferno he created forced even the other oldest captains to move away from the crater knowing that something big was going to happen - Toshiro and Soi-fon were already at a distance away.
The two techniques collided not far away from Yamamoto, and the collision resulted in a large boom that shook the large crater. A large dome of black and red flames formed from the crater and stood tall. The heat that was produced washed over the area in such a manner that both Toshiro and Soi-fon found it hard to breath - they breathing had become so labored that they took their eyes off Gin. Luckily for them, Gin wasn't planning on going anywhere.
Yamamoto later shot out of the inferno of flames as gusts of winds rich in thick wind blades tore through the crater, and had started hitting him. He then chose to float right above the blazing inferno as the dome of flames calmed down.
A second later, Naruto also appeared above ground, unharmed, still holding his Shakujo by his left hand. Shunsui and Ukitake appeared on both sides of Yamamoto: the former was on the right side while the latter was on the left side.
''What are you doing?'' Yamamoto asked, eyes slightly opened, fixed at the figure of Naruto. The question was being directed at his ''sons''. He didn't need their help in delivering justice, not yet at least.
''You're gone need our help,'' Shunsui said flatly, before smiling. ''Besides, I am sure we can find a solution to this matter without continuing with this battle. It will get dangerous if you both continue, and you know as well as I do that we still have Aizen to deal with.''
They couldn't afford to exhaust their strength now, not when Aizen could attack at any moment. It wasn't like Naruto was threatening Soul Society for them to be engaged in a battle of death with him. They had to be cautious and resolve this matter without fighting, or else someone was going to die and that would only deplete their man power, which was needed against the battle with Aizen and his army of hollows.
Kyoraku had no doubt in his heart that Naruto would leave this place without fighting anyone further unless, it couldn't be helped. He wasn't that evil to leave them wounded just to give Aizen the advantage over them. For this thought, he believed that this conflict could be resolved without any more clashes of swords.
''It isn't necessary for you to involve yourself, I can deal with this, even if it means sacrificing myself,'' Yamamoto stated firmly. He understood that there was still Aizen, but he believed that Unohana, Shunsui, and Kyoraku could defend their world even without him. He trusted them that much.
''Sacrifice yourself?'' Naruto seemed amused by the thought of Yamamoto sacrificing himself. ''I don't plan on destroying Soul Society and yet you wish to sacrifice yourself just so you can see me dead, how senile have you become Yamamoto?''
Ukitake was certain that nothing that Naruto or Shunsui would say was going to make a difference. In the eyes of Yamamoto, Naruto was guilty and indeed he was guilty. His crime was murdering all of Central 46, and considering just how much the Sotaicho valued the central governing body of Soul Society, he wasn't going to forgive Naruto for his actions, not even if Naruto begged - Naruto begging was an impossibility though.
He questioned a very serious question before Yamamoto could respond to Naruto, ''what did you mean when you said Aizen was going to come here? I thought he was going to use Karakura town to create the key to the Soul King's dimension.'' Through their search, that was what they'd discovered anyway, and they didn't think that Aizen would dare come to this place. This is where all Shinigami resided, and coming here would be suicidal.
''At least someone listens,'' Naruto muttered quietly. ''I can open a portal of that things dimension - I do not need a key to do anything. Should Aizen defeat the Gotei 13, I will open the portal for him.''
''This is what I mean when I say you're a danger to Soul Society,'' Yamamoto said firmly. ''You cannot be allowed to do something of that nature. I have allowed you to live for far too long!''
''Yamamoto, Ennetsu Jigoku can't kill me. Using that attack will only result in your death and your subordinates deaths. Besides,'' just then, Yamamoto lost sight of Naruto, not even Shunsui and Kyoraku noticed his movements until he appeared in front of Yamamoto in the speed of light. It was not Shunpo or sonido he used, just the pure speed of a god.
Yamamoto's eyes only widened when Naruto's right hand gripped his face forcefully. There was so much force on the grip that he couldn't shake it off. ''...I am the one who tolerates your existence - If I wanted, I could've killed you a long time ago, and I can even do it now.''
A blast of black energy blasted from Naruto's palm. It hit in a flash and covered Yamamoto's entire body before sending him pummeling down the ground like a bullet. The technique forced the Head Captain down the ground in a loud boom.
Naruto didn't even have time to speak as Shunsui and Kyoraku flashed on both his sides, Zapankutous drawn. ''Please, consider your actions Naruto. We don't want to fight, not when Aizen is waiting...'' Ukitake said firmly.
''Hold him still,'' Soi-fon yelled from a good distance. ''Bankai!'' This was her chance, and she wasn't going to miss it. Toshiro and Byakuya could look after Gin while she got her shot.
''Aha, this isn't good,'' Shunsui sighed.
Naruto wasn't troubled by the glaring missile. Despite the two blades being poised to cut him, he turned around to face the second division captain with a small smile. ''Children are truly nuisances,'' he said. ''Don't you two move, I want to show that even though this child is a captain, using her Bankai, she is still light years away from scratching me.''
Although Shunsui was positive about Naruto's strength, he wasn't going to take any chances, ''sorry, you're on your own,'' he said. ''But I'll watch on a safe distance.'' Ukitake nodded, in agreement. He too would rather watch in a safe distance.
''Be that way,'' Naruto shrugged as Soi-fon's bomb sped towards him in great speed. He looked up at the sky, 'the minute I said I would give this has already passed,' he thought.
The missile sent his way collided with his chest and exploded in a loud boom that gave rise to a black smoke that covered his whole figure. Soi-fon grinned at the impact of her technique that surely had to do it. It was foolish of him to stand up to her Bankai like that without even trying to put a shield.
When the smoke cleared, Naruto was still standing tall, no harm done. Soi-fon didn't have the time to scream impossible with her eyes wide. It was because Yamamoto had shot out from the ground with such tremendous speed that the ground nearly shook in his take off.
Ryujin Jakka was engulfed in a cloud of flames as he reached Naruto. He swung his blade from the right in a downwards slash, flames pouring out while the air thinned out as the blade cleaved through space. Naruto countered by swinging his Shakujo towards the oncoming swing. The collision of the two metal caused clearly visible electric sparks of form around them.
Yamamoto got back a bit before swinging his blade in a horizontal slash from his left side, while still holding his blade by his right hand. Naruto again, blocked the attempt to cut him with his Shakujo which was put in a vertical position. While he was trying to push Naruto with his strike, Yamamoto held out his left index finger. But before he could shoot his spell, Naruto disappeared down to the crater filled with an inferno of scotching flames.
The head -captain didn't have troubles following the former captain. His movement towards the ground was like the normal gravity had been multiplied by 400 - the speed blinding.
As soon as he reached Naruto, Yamamoto put on as much power as he could as he did a downwards swing. Naruto saw the danger in this and summoned Amaterasu on his right hand. He held her up in a horizontal position to form a defense. Ryujin Jakka clashed with his blade and created a powerful shockwave that blew all the flames in the crater away, dispersing them. The ground beneath both was shattered into dust.
Yamamoto made his distance seeing that Naruto had drawn his Zanpakutou. But as soon as he landed on the ground with his feet, Naruto's blade disappeared. ''I don't plan indulging you further Genryusai,'' he said. ''It wouldn't be fair if I fight you now. A god cannot battle a mortal in a fair fight. This is why after the whole charade with Aizen is over, I will give you a stage.''
''You're not going anywhere...''
Naruto shook his head and turned away from Yamamoto, ''I have used enough time,'' he said. ''If you charge at me, again, someone will get hurt.''
Yamamoto did listen, he lunged at Naruto again. He appeared slightly above ground, holding his blade with both his hands, aiming a down wards swing at Naruto. As the swing got closer and closer, Naruto swapped positions with Soi-fon. The second division captain could only widen her eyes as the swing descended down at her, threatening to cut her in half.
All other eyes widened when they saw this, but Naruto show concern, he used their shock to his advantage by moving around without anyone trying to stand in his way.
Naruto called Gin and appeared right beside Retsu who wasn't at all happy. ''I told her insulting me wasn't going to get her anywhere and I also knew you wouldn't allow me to touch her, hence I let Yamamoto do it for me.'' He said bit carelessly. ''I will return later to speak with you,'' he disappeared along with Gin.
I never actually planned for the teaser to occur in this chapter. I had planned for a more civil chapter that showed everyone's view about all these that has happened, but things happened and I just went with the flow.
The next chapter will surely reflect on different views of those who have been parts of the story since it began. Not everything will be in Naruto's point of view.
Well, I am glad that the last chapter was well liked.
Someone asked me to create a sort of a profile for Naruto, showing all his ability. I will add that at the end of the next chapter.
The omnipresent Sage