A/N
Hellooo everyone...
Here's another new fic I've been working on something I haven't seen done before, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
To start off, the focus will be on Naruto as a child, he'll be born as a soul, not reincarnated or anything like that. He'll grow up to become a Shinigami, and Unohana will be his mentor. You'll understand why I chose this path once you read the first chapter.
Naruto will be OOC with some familiar traits still intact, and yes, he'll be strong. I've already planned out all of his Zanpakutō abilities, and trust me, you're going to love them.
In the beginning, he might seem a little strange that's intentional. He's still a kid after all, figuring things out in this world.
The timeline will be set during the period when Unohana transitions from the captain of the 11th squad to the 4th, so we'll be diving right into that moment in history.
Now, enough talking
let's get into it!
Chapter 1 - The Boy and The Blade
Many Years Ago...
The Rukongai sky stretched wide and open, streaked with muted oranges and purples as dusk descended upon the Soul Society. District 80, the farthest edge of this spiritual realm, was known for its brutality and chaos.
Yet here, amidst the lawlessness, stood a boy a singular presence radiating such raw, unbridled power that the air itself seemed to ripple around him.
Yachiru Unohana, the current Captain of the Eleventh Division, was drawn to him like a moth to flame. Her footsteps were light and soundless, yet her every movement carried the lethal precision of a warrior who had lived through centuries of conflict. She wasn't sure what compelled her to approach, but the oppressive, erratic Reiatsu emanating from the boy demanded attention.
As she rounded a crumbling wall, her eyes found him. His golden hair was matted and wild, framing a face etched with defiance. He was holding a shimmering, translucent katana, its blade a vision of stars in motion, glowing faintly as if it had captured the essence of the cosmos itself. The boy's stance was untrained, almost casual, but the raw energy flowing from him made her heart quicken in a way she hadn't felt since her battle with Zaraki.
"Who are you?" Unohana asked, her voice calm but firm, her hand resting on the hilt of her own Zanpakutō.
The boy turned to her, his eyes glowing faintly, twin orbs of flickering blue light. "Naruto," he said simply, his voice steady but distant, as if he was unused to conversation.
His Reiatsu surged briefly, pressing against her like waves crashing against a cliff. She didn't flinch she had faced down titanic forces of nature before, but it was unlike anything she had encountered. There was no malice in it, only a vast, unfathomable presence, like staring into an infinite void.
"That blade you carry," she said, gesturing to the shimmering weapon, "it is not ordinary."
Naruto glanced at the sword, his grip tightening. "It... came to me. I don't know why. But it speaks to me sometimes, tells me what to do." His gaze returned to hers, sharp and searching. "Who are you?"
"Yachiru Unohana ," she said, her tone soft but laced with authority. "A Shinigami. And you?"
"I don't know," he admitted, his shoulders sagging for a moment. Then, as if catching himself, he straightened. "But I'm not weak."
The corner of her mouth twitched in a near smile. "No, you are not."
Before she could say more, a trio of rough looking men emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with greed. They carried crude weapons, but their true target was clear the boy.
"Well, what do we have here?" one sneered. "A little brat with a fancy sword?"
Naruto's glare hardened, and he took a step forward. Unohana's hand subtly shifted on her Zanpakutō, ready to intervene if necessary.
"Stay back," Naruto warned, his voice low. His blade shimmered in response, the stars within it swirling faster. The ground around him seemed to distort, the air shimmering as though bending to his will.
The bandits laughed. "You think you scare us, kid? You're just—"
The leader didn't finish his sentence. As he charged, his weapon raised, Naruto's blade pulsed with light. The man froze mid-step, his movements slowing to a crawl as though trapped in invisible molasses.
Unohana's eyes widened slightly. Spatial manipulation? He's distorting the flow of space itself.
The bandit screamed as his body crumpled, collapsing inward on itself before disintegrating into particles of light. The other two men stumbled back, their faces pale with terror.
Naruto lowered his blade, breathing heavily. His expression was calm, but his trembling hand betrayed his inexperience. He hadn't intended to kill the man so brutally, but his Zanpakutō had acted on instinct, amplifying his intent.
The remaining bandits fled, leaving Naruto and Unohana alone once more.
"What did I just do?" Naruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His glowing eyes flicked to Unohana, searching for an answer.
"You wield a power beyond comprehension," Unohana said, stepping closer. "Your blade reflects the infinite nature of your soul a force that bends the very fabric of reality. But it is dangerous, especially if left unchecked."
Naruto looked down at his sword, his grip tightening. "Dangerous... yeah, I know."
Unohana studied him for a moment, her sharp gaze softening. "Come with me," she said, her voice steady but inviting. "I can teach you to control it."
He hesitated, his glowing eyes flickering. "Why would you help me?"
"Because I see a reflection of myself in you," she admitted, surprising even herself. "And because power like yours, untamed, will only bring destruction."
Naruto stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head. "No."
"I'm not going with you," he said, his voice was sharp.
Unohana tilted her head, her calm demeanour masking the faint flicker of intrigue in her eyes. "And why is that?"
"I don't need someone to control me," Naruto spat. His gaze flickered to her Zanpakutō, and a faint grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "But you… you're strong. If you want me to come with you, prove it. Fight me."
Unohana's brows lifted slightly, though her expression remained composed. It wasn't every day that a boy barely more than a child challenged her to combat. She hadn't fought for pleasure since her fateful battle with Zaraki, but something about Naruto stirred an old, familiar hunger within her.
"And if I win?" she asked, her hand lightly resting on the hilt of her sword.
"Then I'll follow you," Naruto said, his grip tightening on his blade. "Wherever you go, to the end of the world if I have to."
Unohana's lips curled into the faintest smile. "Very well. But understand this I do not hold back."
The tension between them snapped as Naruto lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air like a comet. Unohana drew her Zanpakutō in a single, fluid motion, meeting his attack with a graceful parry. Sparks erupted as their blades clashed, the sound echoing through the empty streets.
Naruto pressed forward, his attacks wild and unpredictable, his sword shimmering with refracted light. Unohana moved like water, each step and swing calculated, her Reiatsu beginning to unfurl like a coiled snake.
"You're strong," Naruto said through gritted teeth, his glowing eyes narrowing as he pressed harder. "But so am I!"
His blade pulsed with energy, creating a distortion in the air around them. The ground beneath their feet cracked and trembled as Naruto's power surged. Unohana's eyes gleamed with interest his Reiatsu was unlike anything she had encountered, raw and boundless like the stars themselves.
But it was unrefined.
"You fight like a child," Unohana said, her tone almost teasing as she sidestepped his attack. "Reckless and unfocused."
Naruto growled in frustration, spinning on his heel and slashing horizontally. Unohana ducked beneath the strike, her own blade flashing upward. It caught him across the shoulder, a shallow but precise cut that sent blood spraying into the air.
Naruto froze, his breathing heavy. His glowing eyes dropped to the wound, watching as crimson stained his tattered clothing. It was the first time he had ever seen his own blood.
Instead of fear or anger, a slow smile spread across his face.
"You… really are strong," he said softly, his voice tinged with something like admiration.
Unohana's bloodlust flared, an intoxicating rush that she hadn't felt in years. She stepped forward, her blade driving cleanly through his shoulder. Naruto gasped but didn't cry out, his eyes meeting hers with unyielding resolve.
For a moment, the world seemed to still.
Then, Naruto chuckled, a low, almost delirious sound. "I lose," he said, lowering his sword. His Zanpakutō shimmered faintly before dissipating, its celestial energy fading into the air. "This is my defeat."
Unohana withdrew her blade, watching as he staggered but remained standing. Blood dripped from his shoulder, staining the ground beneath him.
Naruto grinned up at her, his face alight with an odd mixture of pain and joy. "You're the first… the first person who's ever beaten me. That makes you special."
Unohana's eyes narrowed slightly, her bloodlust receding as she regarded the boy with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Special?"
"I'll follow you," Naruto said, sheathing his now-absent blade. "Whoever can beat me in battle, I'll follow them. No matter where they go." He hesitated, then added with a softer tone, "Let's go, Kaa-san."
Unohana blinked, caught off guard by the word. "Do not call me that," she said, her voice sharp. "You may address me as Captain Unohana."
"No," Naruto said simply, shaking his head. His grin didn't falter. "You're Kaa-san to me now."
Unohana sighed, exasperated yet unable to quell the faint warmth creeping into her chest. "Stubborn child."
She reached for her healing Kido, but Naruto stepped back, raising a hand to stop her. "Don't heal me," he said firmly. "This wound… it's a reminder, a reminder that you beat me today."
Unohana frowned, her expression unreadable. "And what do you intend to do with that reminder?"
Naruto's eyes gleamed, his voice steady and resolute. "I'll never lose again. Mark my words, I'll make you proud of me."
For a long moment, Unohana said nothing. Then, with a quiet sigh, she turned and began walking away. "Come along, then," she said without looking back.
Naruto followed, his steps unsteady but his resolve unshaken. As they left the broken streets of District 80 behind, Unohana couldn't help but glance over her shoulder at the boy who now walked beside her.
He was damaged, broken in ways she couldn't yet fully understand. But beneath the pain and defiance, she saw potential a spark that could one day ignite into something extraordinary.
And for the first time in centuries, Yachiru Unohana felt something other than bloodlust.
She felt hope…
The journey back to the Seireitei was quiet at first, the only sound being the faint shuffle of footsteps and the occasional rustle of wind through the barren outskirts of Rukongai.
Naruto walked beside her, one hand pressed lightly to the bloodied wound on his shoulder. Despite his injuries, his glowing eyes still carried a spark of defiance mixed with newfound admiration. Every so often, he would glance at Unohana, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.
Unohana noticed, of course. Nothing escaped her sharp gaze. She allowed the silence to linger, waiting for the boy to speak first.
He did not disappoint.
"You're stronger than I thought," Naruto said, his voice casual but carrying an undercurrent of genuine respect.
Unohana glanced at him, her calm expression unchanged. "You were holding back," she observed. "I could sense it. You still don't fully understand your own power."
Naruto's grin widened, despite the pain in his shoulder. "Maybe. But next time, I won't lose."
"There will always be someone stronger," Unohana said, her tone measured. "Arrogance will only lead to your downfall."
"I'm not arrogant," Naruto replied, his glowing eyes meeting hers. "I just know I can be better. Stronger. Strong enough to protect the people I care about."
At that, Unohana raised an eyebrow. "And who do you care about?"
Naruto hesitated, his grin faltering. He looked away, his gaze fixed on the cracked and dusty road ahead. "No one. Not yet," he admitted softly. "But I want to. I want… a family."
The words hung in the air between them, raw and unguarded. Unohana studied him in silence, her sharp mind piecing together the fragments of his broken past. This boy had been alone for so long that even the concept of connection was foreign to him. Yet, he was searching for it, yearning for it with a desperation he barely understood himself.
"You think of me as your family," Unohana said finally, her tone even.
Naruto glanced at her, his grin returning. "You beat me. That means you're strong enough to be my family, Kaa-san."
Unohana sighed, though there was no irritation in the sound. "I told you not to call me that."
"And I told you I will," Naruto countered, his tone playful. "You'll get used to it."
She didn't respond, her expression unreadable as she continued walking. Yet, for the first time in centuries, she felt something stir within her a faint warmth she had long thought extinguished.
The outer districts of Rukongai were perilous, even for a seasoned Captain like Unohana. Bandits, rogue Shinigami, and desperate souls were common threats, drawn to the promise of power or wealth. For Naruto, the journey was both a test and an education.
They encountered a group of thieves not long after leaving District 80. The men were poorly organized but numerous, their crude weapons gleaming in the fading light. Naruto instinctively drew his blade.
Unohana raised a hand to stop him. "Let me handle this," she said, her tone firm.
"But I can fight!" Naruto protested.
"I know," she replied, her gaze sharp. "But not every battle requires you to draw your blade. Watch and learn."
She stepped forward, her Zanpakutō at the ready. The thieves rushed at her, but their attacks were clumsy, uncoordinated. Unohana moved like a spectre, her blade slicing through the air with precision. Within moments, the men were disarmed and unconscious, their lives spared but their pride shattered.
Naruto watched in awe, his glowing eyes wide. "You didn't kill them," he said as she sheathed her sword.
"They weren't a threat," Unohana said simply. "Killing needlessly is a waste of energy."
Naruto frowned, his gaze thoughtful. "But what if they come back?"
"Then we deal with them again," she replied, her tone matter of fact. "Violence is not the only answer, Naruto. You'll learn that in time."
As the Seireitei grew closer, Naruto began to notice the subtle changes in Unohana's demeanour. She was calm but ever watchful, her sharp gaze taking in every detail of their surroundings. Her presence was both reassuring and unnerving, like standing beside a sleeping tiger.
"Why did you become a Shinigami?" Naruto asked one evening as they rested near a small stream.
Unohana looked at him, her expression contemplative. "To protect the balance of the worlds," she said. "And to atone."
"Atone?" Naruto tilted his head. "For what?"
Her gaze turned distant, shadows flickering behind her dark eyes. "For the lives I've taken. For the blood I've spilled."
Naruto frowned, sensing the weight behind her words. "But you're still strong. And you're still alive, doesn't that mean you've won?"
Unohana's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Winning is not always the goal, Naruto. Sometimes, surviving is enough."
Naruto was quiet for a moment, his glowing eyes fixed on the stars above. "I don't want to just survive," he said finally. "I want to be strong enough to protect the people I care about. To make them proud of me."
Unohana studied him in silence, her sharp mind taking in the layers of pain and determination beneath his words.
For all his bravado, he was still just a boy a boy searching for a purpose, for a place to belong.
And despite herself, she felt a growing sense of responsibility for him.
When they finally reached the gates of the Seireitei, Naruto couldn't help but stare in awe at the towering walls and gleaming spires. The spiritual energy radiating from within was almost overwhelming, a stark contrast to the chaotic, lawless districts of Rukongai.
"This is it," Unohana said, her tone neutral. "The heart of the Soul Society."
Naruto grinned, his glowing eyes alight with excitement. "It's huge! So, where do we go first, Kaa-san?"
Unohana sighed, though there was no real irritation in her voice. "First, I need to report to the Head Captain."
And as they passed through the gates, the boy and the Captain both felt the stirrings of a bond that would shape the future of the Soul Society in ways neither of them could yet imagine.
The soft sound of Unohana's footsteps could be heard as she approached the Head Captains chambers. Her visit was unannounced but not unexpected; Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had long been aware of her meticulous nature. If she came with news, it would be significant.
Unohana paused at the heavy wooden doors. She adjusted the collar of her uniform, a faint habit she hadn't indulged in the years, and knocked firmly.
"Enter," came the low, commanding voice from within.
Pushing the doors open, she stepped inside, bowing deeply as the towering figure of Yamamoto came into view.
"Captain Unohana," Yamamoto greeted, his voice calm but sharp. "What brings you here unbidden?"
Unohana straightened, her gaze respectful but unwavering. "I have encountered someone... extraordinary, Head Captain. A boy in the outer districts of Rukongai, his name is Naruto."
Yamamoto's brow lifted slightly, though his expression remained impassive. "A boy? And you find him worthy of reporting to me?"
"More than worthy," Unohana replied. "His Reiatsu is unlike anything I have ever encountered. It is wild and boundless, yet with an underlying precision that defies his inexperience. His Zanpakutō, though not yet fully awakened, manipulates space itself, bending and distorting reality in ways that even I find difficult to comprehend."
Yamamoto leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze piercing. "Explain."
Unohana described her encounter with Naruto in detail, his initial hostility, his unrefined but overwhelming power, and the battle that followed. She recounted how his blade shimmered with cosmic energy, how it distorted the space around it, and how Naruto's tenacity in combat mirrored her own bloodlust from centuries past.
"He is damaged," she admitted. "A child with no memory of family, no understanding of his power, and no sense of belonging. He is reckless but fiercely determined. When I defeated him, he chose to follow me, not out of fear, but out of respect for my strength."
Yamamoto was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. "And what do you intend to do with this boy, Unohana?"
"I intend to bring him to the Shinigami Academy," she said without hesitation. "He must learn control, discipline, and purpose. Without guidance, his power will consume him, or worse, be turned against the Soul Society."
The Head Captain regarded her thoughtfully. "And you believe he can be trusted?"
"I do," Unohana said, her voice firm. "But it will take time. He is not yet ready for the responsibility of wielding his power. That is why I seek your approval to sponsor him directly."
Yamamoto stroked his beard, his gaze distant. "This boy you describe... he is either a great asset or a grave threat. If you are wrong, the consequences could be disastrous."
"I understand," Unohana replied. "But I believe his potential outweighs the risks. With proper guidance, he could become a pillar of the Gotei 13."
Yamamoto leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "Very well. The boy may attend the Academy under your sponsorship. But understand this, if he falters, if he becomes a danger to the balance of the worlds, you will be the one to deal with him. Do I make myself clear?"
Unohana bowed deeply. "Perfectly, Head Captain."
Unohana returned to Naruto who was waiting outside her division's barracks, leaning against a post with his arms crossed. His glowing eyes flicked up as she approached, a mix of impatience and curiosity in his gaze.
"Did you talk to the old guy?" he asked bluntly.
Unohana's lips twitched in amusement. "If you're referring to the Head Captain, yes. He has agreed to allow you to attend the Shinigami Academy."
Naruto frowned. "Academy? You mean I don't get to stick with you?"
"This is necessary for your growth," she said patiently. "The Academy will teach you the foundation of what it means to be a Shinigami. If you wish to stand by my side one day, this is the path you must take."
Naruto's frown deepened, but he didn't argue. He pushed off the post and shrugged. "Fine. But don't think I'll be there long. I'm not a kid who needs school."
Unohana's smile was faint but knowing. "We shall see."
The gates of the Shinigami Academy loomed before Naruto like a fortress, their white stone gleaming in the midday sun. He stood at their threshold, his eyes flickering with a mix of curiosity and defiance. Beside him, Unohana walked with her usual calm grace.
"This is where your journey begins," she said softly, her tone carrying both warmth and authority.
Naruto frowned. "You keep saying that. Can't I just train with you?"
Unohana glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "You will train with me when the opportunity arises. But first, you must build a foundation. The Academy will provide that."
"I already know how to fight," Naruto muttered, crossing his arms. "What's the point of this?"
"The point," Unohana said, her voice sharpening slightly, "is discipline. Without it, your power will destroy you and others. Do you understand?"
Naruto grumbled but nodded. He followed her through the gates, his gaze darting around at the bustling students and instructors. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd as his Reiatsu brushed against them, unrestrained and overwhelming.
"Who is that?"
"His pressure... it's terrifying."
"Is he a student or something else?"
Naruto ignored the murmurs, his glowing eyes focused straight ahead. Unohana led him to the central courtyard, where the head instructor awaited them a tall, stern man with piercing eyes.
"Captain Unohana," the instructor said, bowing respectfully. "It is an honour."
"This is Naruto," Unohana said. "He will be joining the Academy."
The instructor's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Naruto. "His Reiatsu is... remarkable. Perhaps too remarkable."
"That is precisely why he is here," Unohana replied. "He must learn to control it. I trust you will oversee his training personally."
The instructor hesitated before nodding. "Very well. But I must warn you his presence will not go unnoticed. There will be... challenges."
Unohana smiled faintly. "Challenges are what he thrives on."
As the instructor led Naruto away, Unohana lingered, her sharp eyes watching the boy's retreating figure. He glanced back at her once, his glowing eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and longing.
"You'll still train me, right?" he called, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
Unohana inclined her head, her voice steady. "Focus on your training, Naruto. When the time comes, I will be there."
Naruto grinned, his confidence returning. "You'd better. I'll show you how strong I can get."
As the gates to the training grounds closed behind him, Unohana turned and walked away, her thoughts heavy with the weight of what lay ahead.
This is only the beginning, she thought.
For both of us…
Weeks later -
Naruto sat cross legged on the wooden floor of a spacious classroom, his blue eyes scanning the chalkboard with a mixture of curiosity and irritation. Around him, other students whispered and cast occasional glances in his direction, their reactions a mix of awe and unease. His Reiatsu, no matter how much he tried to suppress it, seemed to press on everyone like a heavy storm.
The instructor, a wiry man with a sharp voice, stood at the front of the room. He was explaining the basics of Reiatsu manipulation, a topic Naruto found both fascinating and frustrating. While the principles made sense, his overwhelming spiritual pressure made the concept of "control" feel like trying to bottle a hurricane.
"Reiatsu," the instructor said, his tone precise, "is the essence of your spiritual energy. Learning to focus and restrain it is the first step to becoming a Shinigami. Uncontrolled Reiatsu can harm allies as much as enemies."
Naruto leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed. He wasn't entirely sure why he needed to sit through lectures when Unohana could just show him how to fight properly. Still, he couldn't deny that he wanted to understand his power if only to stop the whispers and stares that followed him everywhere.
As the lesson continued, the instructor's voice became background noise to Naruto's thoughts. His Zanpakutō, rested against his shoulder, its shimmering blade catching the light like a fragment of the cosmos. He could feel its presence, a calm yet enigmatic force, but he hadn't yet unlocked its full potential.
The first real challenge of the day came during the practical portion of the class: sparring. Students were paired off to practice basic swordsmanship under the watchful eyes of the instructors. When Naruto's name was called, the murmurs began anew.
"They're letting him spar?"
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"He'll probably destroy his partner."
Naruto ignored the comments, stepping into the training circle with his partner a tall, confident student named Akio. Akio's Zanpakutō was already drawn, a traditional katana.
"You're the one everyone's talking about," Akio said, his tone cocky. "Let's see if you're as strong as they say."
Naruto grinned, his glowing eyes narrowing. "You'll find out soon enough."
The instructor gave the signal to begin, and Akio immediately lunged forward, his movements fast and precise. Naruto parried with ease, his blade shimmering as it caught Akio's strike. For a moment, the air around them seemed to ripple, and Akio stumbled back, his face pale.
"What the—?" Akio muttered, glancing at his sword as though it had betrayed him.
Naruto tilted his head, smirking. "What's wrong? That all you've got?"
Akio growled and charged again, his strikes growing more aggressive. Naruto dodged and parried with almost casual grace, his movements untrained but instinctive. Each time Akio's blade approached, it slowed, as though caught in an invisible barrier.
The instructor's eyes narrowed. "Naruto, suppress your Reiatsu. You're distorting the flow of energy."
Naruto frowned but nodded. He tried to pull back, focusing on limiting the pulse of power emanating from his blade. The shimmering light around his blade dimmed slightly, and Akio's attacks became more fluid. For the next few minutes, they exchanged blows, with Naruto gradually allowing himself to adapt to the flow of combat.
Finally, with a single, well-timed strike, Naruto disarmed Akio, sending his blade clattering to the ground. The class fell silent, the tension in the air thick enough to cut.
"Winner, Naruto," the instructor announced, his tone neutral. "Good effort from both participants."
Akio scowled, retrieving his sword without meeting Naruto's gaze. The other students watched in silence as Naruto sheathed his blade.
Later that evening, Naruto found himself in a secluded training ground on the outskirts of the Academy. Unohana had called for him, and he arrived to find her already waiting, her Zanpakutō resting lightly in her hand.
"You were reckless today," Unohana said, her tone calm but firm. "Your Reiatsu overwhelmed your opponent. Control is not a suggestion, Naruto it is a requirement."
Naruto sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I was holding back! Sort of. It's hard, okay? My sword doesn't like being quiet."
Unohana's sharp gaze softened slightly. "Your Zanpakutō is a reflection of your soul. If it resists restraint, it is because you resist it yourself."
He frowned, his glowing eyes narrowing. "I don't resist anything. I just… don't know how to do this stuff yet."
"Then let me show you," she said, raising her blade. "Draw your Zanpakutō."
Naruto hesitated for a moment before unsheathing his Zanpakutō. The shimmering blade caught the moonlight, its surface rippling like water. Unohana stepped forward, her movements slow and deliberate.
"Attack me," she said simply.
Naruto blinked. "What?"
"Attack me," she repeated, her voice calm but commanding. "I won't use my full strength, but you will need to focus if you hope to land a single strike."
He grinned. "Alright, Kaa-san, don't blame me if—"
The words barely left his mouth before Unohana moved. Her blade was a blur of motion, the air around them vibrating with her restrained Reiatsu. Naruto barely managed to parry, his glowing eyes widening in shock.
For the next few minutes, they danced through the training ground, Unohana's strikes precise and relentless. Naruto struggled to keep up, his instincts barely enough to deflect her blows. Sweat dripped down his face as his Zanpakutō shimmered with increasing intensity, responding to his desperation.
Finally, Unohana stepped back, lowering her blade. "Enough."
Naruto dropped to one knee, panting heavily. "You… you're insane."
"You are not ready," Unohana said, her tone even. "But you are learning."
Naruto looked up at her, his glowing eyes flickering with determination. "I'll get there."
Unohana regarded him for a long moment before nodding. "I have no doubt."
That night, as Naruto lay on his futon in the Academy dormitory, he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts a whirlwind. The whispers of his Zanpakutō echoed faintly in his mind, urging him forward, pushing him to grow.
"I'll make you proud," he murmured to himself. "Just wait and see."
Chapter 1 - The Boy and the Blade End
A/N
That's the end!
Sorry for the short chapter...
First thing, this takes place many years ago, so some things are different. I had to introduce a few OCs since we don't know many characters from this point in the timeline. Don't worry, though we'll eventually hit the time skip and start seeing the familiar cast, but for now, let's focus on Naruto's early development.
He won't be at the academy for long, he's a prodigy, after all. I'll take my time building his journey, but I promise I won't drag things out unnecessarily.
A quick note on flaws... I'm aware that academy sparring typically uses wooden swords, but I changed that rule just for this moment to make it more impactful. This rule will be enforced properly later.
Next chapter, Shunsui and Jūshirō will appear and meet Naruto. Keep in mind that, in this timeline, they aren't captains yet, so it'll be interesting to see how they interact.
As for Naruto's Zanpakutō, I've already given you guys quite a few hints, so you might have an idea of what it's going to be. Trust me it'll be fun and unique.
Now, about why he's calling Unohana "mother" Naruto's been alone his entire life up until this point. He longs for a family, and in his mind, he chose the first person who truly defeated him in battle Unohana.
Thanks for reading this short chapter! Remember, this is just the beginning.
There's so much more to come.
If I have any information wrong, I will go back and correct them.
Update - Quick note...
The pairing for this story won't be Unohana, just to clear that up. Also, Naruto won't be paired with any of the overused characters like Yoruichi or Rangiku, so you can expect something fresh.
I haven't decided exactly who it will be yet, but I'm leaning toward a character that hasn't been explored much in other stories. Keep an eye out it'll be someone unexpected but fitting!
Until next time,
Byebye!