A/N

Yo!

This chapter wraps up the first small arc of the story. Initially, I had it play out differently, but I kept revising things until it felt right.

I could have stretched it out, but I didn't want to drag the pacing unnecessarily.

Now, to address something upfront yes, it was self defense. Many of you pointed it out, and I appreciate the feedback! However, this wasn't an oversight or mistake in my writing, it was intentional.

As we know, Central 46 doesn't care for reason. If they perceive someone as a threat, they'll act accordingly, no matter the context.

There's more I'd like to say about what's coming next, but I'll save those thoughts for the end of the chapter to avoid spoilers.

For now, sit back, relax, and enjoy reading!

Chapter 4 - Opportunity

Naruto stood alone at the edge of his squad's barracks, waiting for the Squad 11 members to gather their injured members and retreat, his mind drifted back to the days before he met her. Before Unohana, before the Academy, before he had even known what it meant to have someone to look up to.

He tightened his grip on the hilt of his Zanpakutō, feeling the faint hum of energy within it. The tension in his shoulders didn't ease. His heart still pounded with lingering anger, but beneath that anger was something deeper, something he rarely allowed himself to think about.

Naruto had always been alone. From the moment he could remember, he had wandered the outer districts of Rukongai, surviving day by day in a place where life was harsh and merciless.

The farthest reaches of Rukongai weren't like the peaceful inner districts. There were no kind faces, no helping hands just desperation, hunger, and the constant struggle to stay alive.

He had learned early that strength was everything. If you were strong, people didn't bother you. If you were weak, they used you, ignored you, or discarded you. No one cared about the weak. No one cared about him.

His eyes, strange and glowing even then, had made him a target. People feared what they didn't understand, and Naruto's unique Reiatsu had made him stand out. He had been mocked, avoided, and sometimes even attacked, but he had survived. He had fought back when he had to, run when he needed to, and endured the loneliness because he hadn't known anything else.

"I didn't have anyone," he thought, his glowing eyes narrowing as he stared at the ground. "No one to trust, no one to care about."

Back then, he hadn't even thought about finding a place to belong. He had accepted that he was alone, that he always would be. Strength was the only thing he had ever sought, because strength was the only thing that mattered.

And then, he met her.

The day Unohana found him was burned into his memory. He had sensed her Reiatsu before he saw her, a calm yet terrifying presence that had drawn him in like nothing he had ever felt before. When she approached him, he had been ready to fight ready to do whatever it took to survive.

But she hadn't attacked him. She had spoken to him, calmly and without judgment, her gaze steady and unyielding. And for the first time in his life, Naruto had felt something he didn't recognize...warmth.

"She didn't look at me like I was a freak," he thought, his hand unconsciously tightening around his Zanpakutō. "She didn't look at me like I was nothing."

Instead, Unohana had offered him something he had never imagined possible a chance. A chance to learn, to grow, to become something more than just a boy fighting to survive. She had taken him in, trained him, and given him a place in her world.

And that changed everything…

"I owe her everything," he thought, his heart tightening with a mix of gratitude and something deeper, something more complicated. "Before her, I didn't care about anyone. I didn't even care about myself. But now... now, I have something to protect."

"She's not weak," he thought fiercely. "She's the strongest person I know. She's the only one who ever saw anything in me."

But beneath his anger was something else a fear he didn't want to acknowledge.

The fear of losing her…

Naruto wasn't blind to the changes happening around him. He had heard the whispers, the rumours about Unohana taking on the role of a healer and leaving behind her past as a warrior. He didn't fully understand why she was doing it, but it scared him.

What if this was the beginning of her pulling away from him?

What if one day, she decided she didn't need him anymore?

"No," he told himself firmly. "I won't let that happen. I'll get stronger. Strong enough that she'll never have to leave me behind."

It wasn't just about loyalty it was about purpose. Before Unohana, he hadn't had a purpose beyond survival. Now, his purpose was clear, to stand beside her, to protect her, to prove that he was worthy of the chance she had given him.

But even as he made that vow to himself, another thought gnawed at the back of his mind a thought he couldn't ignore.

"She's worried about me."

He could see it in the way she looked at him sometimes, especially after moments like today, when his anger had flared, and he had lost control. She didn't say it outright, but he could feel it. She was afraid that he was becoming something dangerous something like she had once been.

"I'm not like her," he told himself. "I'm not."

But wasn't he?

He had seen her scars, heard the stories of her past as the Kenpachi the warrior who had once revelled in battle, who had killed without hesitation. And when he fought, when he let his emotions take over, he sometimes felt that same thrill, that same pull toward violence.

"It's different," he thought, clenching his fists. "I'm doing it to protect her, not because I want to fight."

Yet, the line between protection and destruction felt thinner with each passing day, and deep down, he feared what might happen if he crossed it.

Naruto took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He couldn't afford to lose control, not now. He had to stay focused, stay strong for her.

"I don't care what they say about me," he thought. "But if they insult her again..."

He didn't finish the thought…

He didn't need to…

His resolve was clear…

No matter what happened, no matter how hard things got, he would keep going. He would grow stronger, learn more, and become someone worthy of standing beside Unohana. And if that meant facing his own darkness, his own fears, then so be it.

"I won't let her down," he whispered to himself. "I'll protect her, no matter what."

And with that silent vow, Naruto prepared himself for whatever came next, knowing that his journey was far from over and that his connection to Unohana would guide him, for better or worse.

The aftermath of the confrontation with Squad 11 spread through the Seireitei like wildfire. whispers and rumours had already reached the ears of many Captains, Lieutenants, and even the Central 46.

A Squad 4 recruit not even a month out of the Academy had single handedly fought off several members of Squad 11, and worse, he had killed some members while taking the arm of The 5th Seat.

For a division known for healing and support, the incident was a shock.

Unohana, escorted Naruto into her office. Her calm exterior masked the storm of worry swirling in her mind. She knew Naruto hadn't acted out of malice, but she also understood the delicate balance of power and politics in the Gotei 13. And now, with Central 46 involved, things were far more serious than a simple disciplinary matter.

Naruto stood silently before her desk, his glowing blue eyes dimmed with guilt. He hadn't meant for things to escalate that far, but he didn't regret standing up for Unohana. The insults about her had hit a nerve he didn't even know he had, and before he realized it, he had acted.

"I messed up," Naruto muttered, his voice low. "Didn't I?"

Unohana didn't answer immediately. She sat down gracefully, her hands folded on the desk as she regarded him with her usual calm gaze, though there was a hint of something deeper concern.

"Central 46 has summoned you," Unohana said after a long pause. "They wish to discuss the incident with Squad 11."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly. "Central 46? Why them? It wasn't that big of a deal. I mean, yeah, I killed some of them and cut off that guys arm, but it was self-defence."

Unohana's lips pressed into a thin line. "Unfortunately, this is more than just a matter of self-defence. Squad 11 prides itself on strength, but they also have a reputation for being reckless. By defeating their members, especially in such a decisive manner, you've drawn attention not just from them, but from those who oversee us."

Naruto crossed his arms, frustration flickering in his eyes. "So what? Are they going to punish me for defending myself?"

"I don't know," Unohana admitted, her voice softer now. "That's what worries me. This is out of my hands, Naruto. Central 46 has final authority in these matters."

Naruto clenched his fists but said nothing. He hated feeling powerless, especially when it came to something like this. He had fought to protect someone he cared about, and now he was being called into question for it.

Unohana studied him quietly for a moment before speaking again, her voice shifting to something more personal.

"There was something I wanted to tell you when you returned," she said, her calm tone carrying an unexpected warmth. "Something important."

Naruto blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in subject. "What is it?"

Unohana stood and walked around the desk, standing directly in front of him. Her calm gaze met his, and for the first time, there was something deeply personal in her eyes something Naruto hadn't seen before.

"I officially adopted you," she said gently. "You're no longer just Naruto, from now on, your name is Naruto Unohana."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "You... adopted me?"

Unohana nodded. "Yes. I had planned to tell you when you returned from the mission, but with everything that's happened... I didn't expect it to be under these circumstances."

Naruto stared at her, processing the weight of her words. He had always called her Kaa-san in private, but he had never expected her to make it official. The idea that someone like her someone so strong, so respected would give him her name was something he hadn't dared to hope for.

"You mean... I'm your son now?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," Unohana said softly. "But with that name comes responsibility. Your actions will no longer affect just you they will affect me as well. You carry the Unohana name now, and that means you must be mindful of how you conduct yourself."

Naruto lowered his gaze, guilt washing over him. "I'm sorry, Kaa-san. I didn't mean to make things harder for you."

Unohana placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her touch reassuring. "There's no need to apologize. I know why you acted as you did, and I understand. But we must hope that Central 46 is not as strict as they could be."

Naruto clenched his fists, his voice firm. "I'll take whatever punishment they give me. Just don't worry, okay? I won't let them use this against you."

Unohana's expression softened, and without a word, she pulled him into a gentle hug. Naruto stiffened at first, unused to such an act, but slowly, he relaxed, leaning into the comfort she offered.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," she said quietly. "For now, we'll face this together."

Naruto didn't respond immediately. He simply closed his eyes, taking in the warmth of the embrace. For someone who had spent most of his life alone, it was a feeling he wasn't used to a feeling he didn't want to lose.

"I won't let them take this away from me," he thought to himself. "I won't let anyone take her away from me."

The chamber of Central 46 was vast and imposing, its high ceiling shrouded in shadow. Rows of faceless judges sat behind wooden screens, their voices disembodied echoes that seemed to come from everywhere at once. Naruto Unohana stood in the centre of the room, his short blond hair catching the faint light from the torches lining the walls. His glowing blue eyes, steady and unyielding, scanned the chamber as if daring someone to speak first.

Behind him, Unohana stood quietly, her calm presence radiating quiet authority. She had been allowed to accompany Naruto but not to speak unless addressed directly. Her gaze remained on him, sharp and watchful, ready for whatever might come.

A voice echoed from the shadows. "Naruto Unohana, you stand before Central 46 to explain your reckless actions against members of Squad 11."

Naruto didn't flinch. He crossed his arms, his Zanpakutō resting at his side. "I wasn't reckless. It was self defence."

"You murdered them... and severed an arm of a Seated officer!" another voice snapped. "That is not defense that is brutality!"

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "They attacked me first. I didn't come here to fight I came to help. They made it about something else when they insulted Captain Unohana."

There was a brief silence before another judge spoke, his tone cold and accusatory. "We've heard disturbing reports about your abilities. Techniques that resemble forbidden Kido. What do you have to say about that?"

Naruto sighed, already feeling the irritation building within him. "It's not Kido. It's my Shikai."

A murmur rippled through the chamber, the judges whispering among themselves before one voice rang out again. "Explain."

Naruto took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "My Zanpakutō, Mugen, manipulates space. When I release my Shikai, it distorts the boundaries around me slowing down attacks, pulling enemies toward specific points, and compressing space. That's what you saw. It wasn't forbidden Kido it was my Zanpakutō's ability."

"Manipulating space?" one judge said incredulously. "That's preposterous. No ordinary Shinigami should wield such power."

"I never said I was ordinary," Naruto replied coldly. "But if you're too scared to understand something new, that's on you."

A stunned silence followed his words, broken only by the crackling of the torches. Several of the judges bristled at his tone, their voices rising in unison.

"You will watch your tongue!" one of them barked. "You are speaking before Central 46, not your fellow recruits!"

Naruto's Reiatsu flared briefly, the air in the room growing heavier as he met their unseen gazes with dead eyes. "I'll watch my tongue when you start speaking with respect. You're accusing me of using forbidden techniques when you don't even know what I'm capable of. You fear what you don't understand."

"Enough!" another judge snapped. "You will cease speaking out of turn, or your sentence will be increased tenfold!"

Naruto took another step forward, his Reiatsu flaring again, stronger this time. The air around him crackled with pressure, and several of the judges shifted uncomfortably.

"I don't care about your sentence," he said, his voice sharp and cutting. "You sit here, locked away from the real world, passing judgment on people who actually go out and protect it. You don't know what it's like out there. You don't know what we face."

"Naruto, stop," Unohana's voice came softly from behind him, a quiet warning.

But Naruto didn't stop. He was too far gone, too consumed by his frustration at the arrogance of those who had never lifted a blade in their lives but dared to judge those who did.

"People like me fight to keep this place safe," he continued, his voice rising. "And all you do is sit here, afraid of anything that doesn't fit into your neat little world. Well, I won't stand here and be accused of things I didn't do. I'll speak my mind whether you like it or not."

The air in the chamber grew colder, the weight of Naruto's words hanging thickly in the silence. Central 46 remained still for a moment, seemingly contemplating their next move. The whispers from behind the screens were almost inaudible, yet Naruto could feel their discontent, their pride wounded by his bold defiance.

Finally, one of the judges spoke, their voice colder and more authoritative than before. "You are reckless, insolent, and far too powerful for someone so young. Power without control is a danger to all."

Naruto didn't flinch, his glowing eyes remaining steady. He was prepared for whatever they decided. He had spoken his mind, and if they didn't like it, so be it.

"You were to be sentenced to one year in the lower levels of Hikui, a fitting punishment for your actions. However..." The judge's tone shifted, laced with disdain. "Given your outburst and your clear disregard for authority, we have reconsidered."

Unohana's eyes narrowed slightly, though her expression remained outwardly calm. She could sense where this was heading, and she didn't like it.

"A person so young, with so much power and quick to anger, cannot be allowed to roam freely," the judge continued. "You will serve...800 years in Shi."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly, but he kept his expression neutral. He didn't give them the satisfaction of seeing any fear or hesitation.

"Shi, level six," another judge clarified, their voice grim. "Situated one and a half miles underground, it is where those convicted of treason are imprisoned. Those sent there lose three of their five senses, including hearing, ensuring they remain isolated from the world in both mind and body."

A murmur spread among the other judges before the speaker continued. "Furthermore, mid-level Kido will bind you for the entire duration of your sentence, ensuring that you pose no threat to anyone during your imprisonment."

"This is excessive," Unohana said, stepping forward. Though her voice was calm, there was a distinct edge to it, a quiet power that commanded attention. "Naruto Unohana is not a traitor, nor did he act out of malice. He defended himself and his honour, perhaps too harshly, but his intentions were not criminal."

The chamber was silent for a moment before one judge responded, their tone dismissive. "Captain Unohana, while we respect your position, you yourself admitted that you should have kept a closer watch on him."

"I did," Unohana said quietly, her eyes steady. "But that does not mean he should be condemned to a sentence meant for those who betray the Soul Society."

"This is no longer about simple punishment," the judge replied coldly. "This is about ensuring that someone with such power and such a dangerous temperament does not pose a future threat."

Unohana's fists tightened at her sides, though her expression remained composed. She was acutely aware that pushing further could worsen Naruto's situation.

"I should have guided him more closely," she said, her voice softer now. "This was my failure as his captain."

Naruto turned slightly, glancing at her. "No, it wasn't."

Unohana blinked, caught off guard by the steadiness in his voice.

"This isn't your fault," Naruto said firmly. "I made my own choices. I knew what I was doing, and I don't regret it."

Unohana's heart tightened at his words. She could see the defiance in his eyes, but also something deeper resolve.

He wasn't afraid. he wasn't asking for forgiveness or mercy. He was accepting the consequences of his actions, no matter how harsh.

"You've done everything for me," Naruto continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Don't blame yourself. This was my mistake, and I'll face it."

Unohana felt a strange mixture of pride and sorrow. She had taken him in, guided him, and tried to give him a better path, yet now he was being taken from her. The child she had adopted, the boy who had given her new purpose, was being condemned to a fate worse than death.

And yet, despite it all, he smiled.

"Your sentence is final," the judge declared, their voice echoing through the chamber. "Naruto Unohana, you will be taken to Shi immediately. There you will serve 800 years. May this time teach you the restraint and respect that you so clearly lack."

Naruto stood tall, his glowing eyes unyielding as he faced the faceless judges. His Reiatsu, though subdued, remained steady, a silent defiance in the face of overwhelming authority.

Unohana, for the first time in years, felt truly helpless. She had faced countless battles, led men into war, and brought death and healing in equal measure, but now, standing in that chamber, she felt powerless to protect the person she had come to care for most.

But then Naruto turned, his smile still faint but reassuring. It was as if he was telling her that everything would be fine that he would endure, no matter what.

"Let's just hope they're not as strict as they sound," he said quietly, echoing her earlier words with a touch of humour, though his eyes remained serious.

Unohana's heart ached, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she nodded, the faintest of smiles gracing her lips.

"I will not abandon you," she said softly, her voice carrying a promise only they could hear.

The gates of Shi, the Soul Society's underground prison, loomed ahead cold, silent. Naruto stood at the entrance, his short blond hair ruffling slightly in the faint wind. His glowing blue eyes remained steady, betraying none of the apprehension that lingered beneath his calm exterior.

He wasn't afraid. Not of the darkness, not of the isolation, and certainly not of the years that stretched ahead of him.

He glanced to his side, where Unohana stood, serene as always, but there was something different in her eyes something fragile, something pained. He knew she was blaming herself for this, even though he had told her not to.

"I'll be fine," Naruto said quietly, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but soft. "I'm glad... I'm glad I got to be your son, even if it was for a short time."

Unohana's composure faltered for the briefest of moments. She stepped closer, placing a hand gently on his cheek, her calm façade cracking ever so slightly. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I should have... I should have protected you better."

Naruto shook his head with a faint grin. "Come on, Kaa-san. Don't do that. It was my choice, remember? And besides..." He shrugged casually, as if the weight of 800 years was nothing. "It's only 800 years. I'll be back before you know it."

His words were light hearted, but Unohana could see through the bravado. He was trying to ease her burden, trying to be strong for her, even now.

Without a word, she pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close as if to anchor herself in the moment. "Stay strong," she whispered. "No matter what happens, remember you're not alone. I'll be waiting for you."

Naruto closed his eyes, savouring the warmth of the embrace. For a boy who had spent so much of his life alone, this simple act of affection meant more than he could ever say. "I'll be fine, Kaa-san. I promise."

As they parted, the guards moved forward, chanting an incantation. Bright blue bands of Kido formed around Naruto's arms and legs, binding him tightly. He didn't struggle he knew it was useless. The bands pulsed with energy, rendering him powerless, cutting him off from his Reiatsu.

As the final layer of Kido settled around him, Naruto's Zanpakutō, fell from his side, clattering to the ground. Unohana stepped forward and picked it up, cradling the blade gently in her hands.

"This Zanpakutō is a part of my family," she said quietly, her voice resolute. "I will guard it until you return."

Naruto grinned, though the movement was stiff under the weight of the bindings. "Thanks, Kaa-san. Make sure it doesn't get rusty."

Unohana gave him one final look, a quiet promise in her eyes. Then, without another word, the guards activated the Kido transport spell, and Naruto vanished in a flash of blue light, descending into the depths of Shi.

The air was cold so cold it felt like it seeped into his very soul.

Naruto opened his eyes to find himself in complete darkness. He couldn't see, couldn't hear. His sense of touch felt dulled, as though even the air itself was pressing down on him with an oppressive weight. He knew that this was the sixth level of Shi, the place where the worst criminals those convicted of treason and other high crimes were sent.

"Three senses gone," he thought, clenching his bound fists. "Sight, hearing, and touch. What a lovely place."

He couldn't hear his own voice, but he could feel the vibrations in his chest as he muttered the words. The isolation was complete. He was alone, cut off from the world in every way that mattered.

Time blurred. Without any way to measure it, he had no idea how long he had been there. Minutes felt like hours, hours like days. The cold seeped deeper into him, numbing his mind, his emotions. He was alone with nothing but his thoughts, and the silence was deafening.

Forcing himself to focus. He couldn't let the isolation break him. He had made a promise to Unohana, to himself that he would endure, and he would.

"Only 800 years," he thought, forcing a grin that no one could see. "I can do that standing on my head."

Still, the darkness was relentless. It pressed against his mind, whispering doubts and fears he had long buried. Memories of his time in Rukongai, of being alone and unwanted, crept into his thoughts.

But then, he remembered something else. He remembered her voice, calm and steady, calling him her son.

He remembered her promise to wait for him, he remembered her warmth.

"No," he thought fiercely. "I'm not that kid anymore. I have a family now. I have something to go back to."

He clenched his fists tighter, the bindings digging into his skin, but he didn't care. Pain was one of the few sensations left to him, and he welcomed it. It was a reminder that he was still alive, still fighting.

Meanwhile, back in the Seireitei, Unohana sat alone in her quarters, Mugen resting on the table before her. She ran a finger gently along the blade's shimmering surface, her expression unreadable.

"I let him go," she thought, her heart heavy. "I let him go into that place... alone."

She had always prided herself on her composure, her ability to remain calm in the face of any situation. But now, for the first time in centuries, she felt helpless. She had fought battles that shook the very foundations of the Soul Society, but this... this was a battle she couldn't fight.

"He's strong," she told herself. "Stronger than anyone realizes. He'll endure."

But no matter how much she tried to reassure herself, the weight of guilt remained. She had taken him in, given him her name, and promised to guide him. And now, he was gone, locked away in a prison designed to break even the strongest souls.

As she sat in the silence, her hand tightened around the hilt of Mugen, a quiet resolve forming in her heart.

"I will not abandon you, Naruto," she whispered. "No matter how long it takes, I will find a way to bring you back."

As Naruto sat motionless in the cold darkness of Shi, his senses dulled by the oppressive Kido binding him. The loss of sight, hearing, and touch was a torment he could endure physically, but the isolation so complete, so unrelenting was far more punishing. He focused inward, clinging to his thoughts, his memories, and the faint, unshakable connection to his Zanpakutō.

In the silence, something stirred within him. It wasn't the cold or the emptiness, but a faint ripple of energy, a pull drawing him deeper into himself. He allowed it to guide him, his consciousness slipping away from the prison and into his inner world.

Naruto opened his eyes to find himself standing in his inner world. It was as breathtaking as ever a vast, infinite expanse of shimmering stars against an endless black void. The ground beneath him was smooth and reflective, like a mirror, capturing the cosmic beauty above.

He took a slow breath, feeling a calm he hadn't known since his imprisonment. Here, in this space, he wasn't bound by Kido or robbed of his senses. Here, he was whole.

"Welcome back, Naruto," a voice called, serene and melodic, yet carrying an undeniable weight of power.

He turned toward the voice and saw her a figure of ethereal beauty, her presence commanding yet calm. She stood tall, her white, glowing hair flowing like liquid starlight, framing a face of delicate, icy perfection. Her eyes were a piercing, frosty blue, reflecting the infinite cosmos around them.

"You," Naruto said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's been a while."

"It has," she replied, her voice smooth and resonant, as though it carried the echo of a thousand stars. "But I felt the pull of your resolve. Even in the darkness of Shi, you remain unbroken."

Naruto's grin widened slightly. "I didn't think I'd get to see you here, not with all the bindings they slapped on me."

Her lips curved into a faint smile. "You underestimate the bond we share. No force in the Soul Society, no Kido or binding, can sever that."

Naruto stepped closer, his glowing blue eyes meeting hers. "I've been thinking about what you said the last time we talked. About strength, about limits. I still don't get it all."

"You will," she said simply. "In time."

Naruto tilted his head, studying her. "Who are you really? I know you're my Zanpakutō, but you're... different. Stronger, smarter. Like you're more than just a sword."

She chuckled softly, a sound like the gentle hum of distant stars. "I am Mugen, the embodiment of the infinite potential within you. But I am more than just your sword, Naruto. I am your partner, your guide, and your reflection. I am the voice that will lead you to transcendence."

"Transcendence, huh?" Naruto said, crossing his arms. "That's a fancy way of saying 'become stronger.'"

She stepped closer, her icy blue eyes piercing into his. "Strength is part of it, yes. But transcendence is more than power. It is understanding your place in the world, accepting the weight of your existence, and rising above it."

She gestured to the stars above and below them, her voice growing more intense. "You are the honoured one, Naruto. In all the heavens and the earth, you alone are the honoured one. You walk a path that no one else can. Your strength, your resolve, your very existence it defines the infinite."

Naruto blinked, her words sinking into him. "The honoured one? That's... kind of a big title."

"It is not a title," she said, her voice softening. "It is a truth. You have always walked this path, even before you met Unohana, even before you understood your own power. The strength within you is infinite, and it will carry you through even this."

Naruto's gaze dropped for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "What if I mess it up? I've already done so much wrong. That's why I'm here, isn't it?"

She stepped closer, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. Despite the cold radiance of her appearance, her touch was warm, grounding. "Mistakes do not define you. It is your response to them that matters."

Naruto met her gaze again, a flicker of doubt still lingering in his eyes. "But what if I can't handle it? This place... it's not exactly cosy."

She smiled faintly. "You can handle it. You must handle it. Not for their judgment or their approval, but because it is who you are. The honoured one does not falter, even in the face of overwhelming odds."

Her hand moved to the hilt of her own blade a mirror of his Mugen and she held it out to him. "We are one, Naruto. No matter where you are, no matter what binds you, remember that I am with you. Together, we are boundless."

Naruto stared at her for a moment before reaching out, gripping the hilt of her blade. The moment his hand touched it, a surge of energy rushed through him, warm and comforting. The cold darkness of Shi felt distant, insignificant.

"I get it," Naruto said softly, his grin returning. "Maybe not all of it, but enough. Thanks."

She stepped back, her radiant form beginning to dissolve into the stars around them. "Good. Hold onto that resolve, Naruto. You are the honoured one. And when the time comes, they will all see it."

Naruto opened his eyes, once again surrounded by the cold, oppressive darkness of Shi. But this time, it didn't feel as heavy. The binding Kido still restrained him, his senses still dulled, but he no longer felt alone.

"I'll make it through this," he thought, a faint grin crossing his lips. "800 years? That's nothing…. surely its been a few years already… right?"

The years had crawled by with an agonizing slowness. For Naruto, time felt like an endless expanse of nothingness. The loss of sight, hearing, and touch the isolation was relentless.

He couldn't even hear his own thoughts clearly at times. The oppressive silence and solitude chipped away at him, piece by piece.

Naruto had done his best to hold onto his resolve. Memories of Unohana, her warmth, her unwavering faith in him they were his anchor. His connection to Mugen had kept him sane, a constant hum in the back of his mind that reminded him of who he was and what he had to return to.

But even anchors could fray, and as the centuries wore on, cracks began to form in his psyche. Fleeting moments of doubt turned into long spirals of despair. The Naruto who had grinned at the challenge of 800 years began to fade, replaced by a shadow of the boy who had once wandered Rukongai alone.

Then, one day, when he was certain he would lose his grip entirely, something changed.

"Naruto Unohana..."

The voice was clear, cutting through the void like a blade. Naruto froze, his glowing blue eyes wide. He hadn't heard a voice not even his own in what felt like an eternity. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe, as the words echoed again.

"A piece of history, hidden away so carefully. How fascinating."

Naruto's lips moved instinctively, though he didn't expect any sound to escape. "Who... who's there?"

To his shock, he heard his own voice, rough and raspy from disuse but unmistakably his. The sheer possibility of hearing anything after so long made his heart race.

"Surprised, are you?" the voice said, a faint trace of amusement lacing its calm, measured tone. "A man of your power shouldn't be so astonished by what he can do."

Naruto frowned, his mind racing. "My power? Who are you? How can I hear you?"

A figure materialized out of the void, stepping forward with an unnerving grace. The man was tall, dressed in white and black robes, his brown hair neatly combed. His presence was calm, almost soothing, but his eyes carried a sharp, calculating light that put Naruto on edge.

"I am Sōsuke Aizen," the man said, his lips curving into a faint smile. "And I have been watching you for quite some time."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he tried to focus, his mind still grappling with the impossibility of the situation. "Watching me? How? No one can even get down here."

Aizen chuckled softly, the sound smooth and disarming. "Oh, Naruto. You underestimate what is possible when one knows how to navigate the intricacies of the Soul Society. Even Shi, with all its precautions, is not beyond my reach."

Naruto's hands clenched instinctively, though he was still bound by the Kido that had restrained him for centuries. "What do you want?"

Aizen's smile widened, though it never reached his eyes. "To speak with you, of course. You are a fascinating individual, Naruto Unohana a piece of history, as I said. A boy whose name has been erased from all records, whose existence has been buried by Central 46. And yet, the Captain of Squad 4 carries a Zanpakutō that doesn't belong to her. Very curious indeed."

Naruto's breath hitched, his mind reeling at the implication. "You... you know about me?"

"I know far more than Central 46 would like," Aizen said calmly. "I know about the child prodigy who graduated the Academy in record time. I know about the boy who wielded a Shikai so powerful it defied conventional understanding. And I know about the incident with Squad 11 that led to your imprisonment."

He took a step closer, his presence radiating an unnerving calm. "But what truly interests me is not your past it is your potential. You are extraordinary, Naruto, and yet here you are, locked away, forgotten by the world."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "You still haven't answered my question. What do you want?"

Aizen's smile remained, his tone calm and measured. "What I want is to offer you an opportunity. You've been abandoned here, left to rot by a system that feared you. But I see what they do not. Your power, your potential it could be so much more."

Naruto scowled, his glowing eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

"I am building something, Naruto," Aizen said, his voice growing quieter, more intense. "Something greater than the Gotei 13, greater than the Soul Society itself. A new order, free from the constraints of Central 46 and their antiquated rules."

Naruto's jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

"You have been wronged, condemned for your strength and ambition," Aizen continued. "The Soul Society does not deserve your loyalty. They cast you aside, but I can give you purpose. I can give you freedom."

Naruto's voice was low, his tone laced with suspicion. "You're asking me to betray the Soul Society."

Aizen chuckled softly, a sound that sent a chill through the void. "Betrayal? No. I am asking you to see the truth. The Gotei 13 and Central 46 they are relics of a broken system, clinging to outdated ideals. They do not deserve your devotion."

Naruto's fists clenched tighter, his thoughts swirling. He didn't trust this man, but his words hit uncomfortably close to home. The Soul Society had cast him aside, locked him away, and erased his name. And yet, Unohana had stayed by his side. She had given him her name, her faith.

"I don't trust you," Naruto said bluntly, his voice steady.

Aizen's smile didn't falter. "Nor should you. Trust is earned, not given. But consider this, what have they done for you? They feared you, condemned you, and erased you. They do not deserve your loyalty."

Naruto's mind raced. The darkness, the isolation, the torment it had pushed him to the brink. And now, here was a man offering him a way out, a chance to reclaim his life and power. But something about Aizen's calm demeanour, his too-perfect words, set Naruto on edge.

"I'll think about it," Naruto said finally, his voice cold.

Aizen's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "That is all I ask, consider my words, Naruto. And when you are ready to see the truth, I will find you."

With that, Aizen's form began to dissolve, fading back into the void. Naruto was left alone once more, but the silence no longer felt quite as empty. His mind churned with questions, doubts, and the faint, unsettling feeling that something dangerous had been set into motion.

Chapter 4 – Opportunity End

A/N

Now that's the end…

First things first, 800 years why?
Originally, I didn't plan for Naruto's sentence to be so severe, but his outburst and the way he spoke to Central 46 added fuel to the fire. Combine that with their fear of his abilities, and the outcome felt natural.

When Aizen spoke out against Central 46, they added 1,200 years to his sentence. While Naruto didn't commit the same acts, the precedent set long ago still influences their judgment. So, I decided to roll with it.

Initially, this story was meant to begin with Naruto's release from prison. But I realized that without a proper background, readers wouldn't have a solid understanding of his character. So, I added this introductory arc to give depth to his story.

I envision this Naruto as a grey character, caught between opposing forces. He's not purely good or evil, but someone walking the line.

Will he follow Aizen's plan? The answer is yes and no.

Naruto will be more akin to Gin conflicted and mysterious but with an added layer of instability. After spending centuries in prison, his mind will understandably be fractured.

You might have noticed I missed some characters, like the Head Captain. That's intentional. I want their confrontation and interactions to happen after Naruto's release.

Unohana will have a much bigger role going forward.

On the pairing… Naruto will be paired with Nanao Ise..

Why? Because Shunsui will have a significant role in Naruto's story, and Nanao's connection to him creates an interesting dynamic. Originally, I considered Isane, but in my drafts, her role felt more like a sisterly figure to Naruto rather than a romantic interest.

Or Suì Fēng? She also fits very well with what I have planned right now. Ahh I can't pick...

I can still change my mind lmao, sorry.

Thanks for reading.

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this chapter.

until next time,
Byebye!