Shinigami Chapter 224: Nel and the Most Beautiful Zanpakutō (Patreon)

There were many Shinigami who didn't believe these words.

One after another, they drew their swords and recited the chants for Shikai.

But...

Just like Renji Abarai, no matter what they did, they could no longer perform Shikai.

Muramasa sneered disdainfully.

With a wave of his hand, he tore open a pitch-black crack in the sky, ripping through space and forming a passageway similar to a *Garganta.*

"Now then… the war between Zanpakutō and Shinigami begins."

The Zanpakutō spirits, following his command, walked into the passageway, their figures disappearing from sight.

Until only Muramasa remained, the last of the Zanpakutō souls to enter.

"I'll be taking the Captain-Commander as my trophy," Muramasa turned his head, locking eyes with Shunsui Kyōraku. Their gazes clashed intensely, as if sparks were flying between them. "Farewell, Shinigami."

He turned and stepped into the *Garganta,* vanishing from sight.

The crescent moon seemed to catch on the crack, pulling at it, gradually sealing it shut.

The Shinigami were left in shock.

Some sighed in relief. The overwhelming sense of powerlessness and threat that this encounter had brought was simply too much.

It was unlike the feeling of facing a strong enemy.

"Losing" something was far more painful than anything else.

Especially when it was something...

That they had worked so hard for hundreds of years to obtain, and which allowed them to continue living.

"He's... just gone like that?" Tōshirō Hitsugaya was astonished, staring at the few remaining black marks in the sky, his eyes and tone filled with disbelief.

Jūshirō Ukitake softly remarked, "Perhaps he thought that with their current strength, they still aren't enough to conquer Seireitei."

"Even though both the Captain-Commander and Naruto are absent..."

"And even though we can no longer use the power of our Zanpakutō..."

"Kidō and Hakuda are still formidable."

"Not to mention, Naruto could return at any moment."

Zanpakutō capable of Shikai were in the minority, and no matter how strong Muramasa’s power was, it had no effect on those Shinigami who hadn't yet awakened their Zanpakutō. How could he "whisper" to something that didn't exist?

The number of "comrades" at his side wasn't that large either.

"It might be worse than we think," Shunsui Kyōraku shook his head. "The power of the Shinigami..."

"Is not limited to just Seireitei."

Ukitake turned to look at his old friend: "The World of the Living."

"Substitute Shinigami and the Visored?"

His expression became even more serious.

Soi Fon approached and added, "And Yoruichi-sama and that man as well."

Ichigo Kurosaki, without a doubt, possessed captain-level strength, and even in battles against Kenpachi Zaraki, he was not completely outmatched.

Kūgo Ginjō had similar strength.

If you counted the Visored and the people at Urahara’s shop...

There were plenty of individuals in the World of the Living with captain-level power. If their Zanpakutō "betrayed" them, the damage this force could bring to Seireitei would be incalculable.

"What should we do?" Ukitake looked at Kyōraku.

He shook his head. "Send someone to notify the people in the World of the Living."

"As for the rest, we'll wait for Naruto to return and see what he thinks."

Naruto’s strength had already surpassed theirs.

At least...

It wasn’t hard to see how much the Captain-Commander favored Naruto.

He had talent, a decent personality, and though young, his overall abilities were rated higher than those of Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake.

He was clearly being groomed to be the next Captain-Commander.

Otherwise, no matter what, the issue of Hueco Mundo wouldn’t have fallen to the 7th Division, which was responsible for guarding the court.

Now, the Captain-Commander had been sealed.

The mantle of "acting Captain-Commander" should fall to the one meant to hold that power.

"I thought you'd feel somewhat uncomfortable," Ukitake smiled.

Shunsui Kyōraku shook his head and yawned: "Do you really think I'm that kind of person? Jūshirō, you should know my nature by now."

"Naruto being here is a great thing. Haven't you noticed how much older our teacher has gotten over the years?"

"Plus, he's much more suited for the position than I am."

As they spoke, the 7th Division was already busy assessing the damage to the inner court buildings.

The 4th Division was tending to the wounded.

Despite the commotion caused by the Zanpakutō, the damage was minimal—only some buildings had been destroyed, a few people had been caught up and injured, and the worst case was a poor soul who had broken their limbs. No one had died.

That was the best news.

No deaths—this cleared some of the shadow that Muramasa had cast over them.

Above, the wind scattered the clouds, and the crescent moon still hung low, casting its dim light over Seireitei, covering everything in a soft, downy glow.

Ukitake waved and called over Rukia and Kaien, instructing them to head to the World of the Living and deliver this message to the Shinigami there.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi toyed with his communication device, amused.

In the Forest of Menos, Ashido's eyes widened as he listened to the message coming through the device, his body trembling and his spiritual pressure fluctuating.

The emotions that surged through him were almost like the excitement he had felt when, after more than three hundred years of loneliness, emptiness, and helplessness, he had met another living person for the first time—a fellow Shinigami.

The Captain-Commander had been sealed?

The Zanpakutō had rebelled?

How had the world turned into this after he left the Soul Society?

He couldn't understand it at all.

"Can Zanpakutō really be made to rebel?" Kurama hissed, glancing at his own paws. "If this ability were used on me, what would happen?"

In a sense, Kurama was also a "Zanpakutō."

But...

As a "Zanpakutō," it also wielded a Zanpakutō.

Naruto was curious too, though having never encountered such power, he couldn't imagine what such a situation would be like. "I'm not sure, but just know this—if something goes wrong, I won't hold back. I'll seal you up."

Kurama curled its lips, half-dismissive and half-serious: "Don't underestimate me. I won't fall for such a cheap trick."

"Even among Zanpakutō, I'm the most unique."

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "Then why did you react so strongly when we talked about the Sharingan?"

Kurama's eyes widened: "That was a long time ago!"

"Times have changed!"

It wanted to confidently shout, "Even if Madara Uchiha himself were here, I wouldn't fear him now!" But on second thought, that man was still alive... and if Madara appeared and used the Sharingan on him again...

Kurama couldn’t help but shudder slightly at the thought of the power that had controlled him before.

Ashido stared at them, confused: "Seireitei is in such chaos, and you two are still so..."

The atmosphere between Naruto and Kurama was relaxed.

Muramasa’s earlier words had not disturbed them in the slightest.

The only thing that radiated from them was calmness, just like the stillness of the Forest of Menos—where not even a single Hollow was present.

"Mayuri wasn't calling for help," Naruto shook his head with a smile as he explained to Ashido. "Although it sounds troublesome, those guys have already retreated. Even if we rushed back now, we wouldn’t be able to catch up."

Ashido frowned. "But the Captain-Commander..."

"Yes, the Captain-Commander has been sealed," Naruto's tone remained gentle. "Because he's so strong, that's why he was targeted."

"But..."

"The Captain-Commander is already quite old. There will come a day when he grows frail or passes away."

"We can't rely on him to carry the burden of the Soul Society forever."

Ashido wanted to say more.

But Naruto stood up: "Alright, I was hoping to take things slowly, but it seems time is running out."

"Now, come with me to Las Noches..."

"You’ll need to take over matters in Hueco Mundo temporarily."

Ashido nodded.

He followed Naruto, leaving the Forest of Menos for the first time in a long while. The cold night winds hit them as they emerged into the desert, a stark contrast to the damp, oppressive atmosphere of the forest.

In Las Noches.

As Naruto and Ashido arrived, Harribel appeared, dragging along a child dressed in green.

"Uzumaki-sama, you're back so soon?" Her gaze shifted to Ashido.

Naruto responded quietly, "An urgent situation arose. I need to return to Seireitei."

"As for Hueco Mundo, I’ll leave it in his hands for now."

He pointed to Ashido, about to make an introduction.

The little green-clad child in Harribel’s grasp looked up and pointed. "I know!"

"You're that red-haired Shinigami from the Forest of Menos!"

"You're pretty famous."

Naruto paused mid-sentence. "You know him?"

"Of course! The Hollow hunter from the Forest of Menos," the child exclaimed. "He's really strong. Some of the Adjuchas were killed by him."

"All the Hollows probably know about him."

Her gaze then shifted to the Arrancar woman holding her.

Harribel nodded slightly, giving a simple "Hmm" in agreement.

"Since you're familiar, that makes things easier," Naruto smiled. "His name is Ashido. Please cooperate with him."

Harribel gave another soft "Hmm" in response.

"Is this little one also an Arrancar?" Naruto asked, glancing at the child Harribel was holding.

The girl, who had seemed so bold earlier, suddenly shrank back, her gaze darting between Naruto and Kurama, fear flashing in her eyes. She grabbed onto Harribel's waist, trying to hide behind her.

But...

Harribel frowned and shook her off, holding the child at arm’s length to prevent her from clinging to her waist. "Uzumaki-sama asked me to record the names of Arrancar with captain-level strength."

"She’s one of them."

"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck."

"Since her territory is near Las Noches, I brought her here."

Kurama opened its eyes. "Does this kind of spiritual pressure and ability really have captain-level strength?"

"Don't be fooled by her current appearance," Harribel said coldly. "She’s incredibly strong. She was once one of the Espada, ranked No. 3."

"But she was ambushed by Nnoitra, and her mask was damaged, which turned her into what you see now."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully.

He noticed the little girl’s gaze lingering on Kurama. "Nelliel, are you afraid of him?"

"Just call me Nel!" she replied in a small, trembling voice. "That guy is terrifying."

"With just one breath, he could destroy all of Las Noches. He almost wiped out my pets."

Ashido’s eyes widened.

He looked at the nearby ruins, waves of emotion surging in his heart.

This...

This destruction was caused by that little fox?

When he first saw it, he had thought it was the result of a war incited by Aizen, and that the battlefield had spread to Las Noches, causing such devastation.

But it was all caused by a single fox?

And the most incredible part was, this fox was merely Naruto’s lieutenant.

How strong was the captain himself?

"It’s not like I’d just casually use that technique," Kurama wagged its tail, clearly in a good mood. Being called terrifying by someone who used to be No. 3 in the Espada was, in a way, a compliment.

Naruto chuckled, his gaze lingering on the crack in Nel's mask. "So it was the damage to your mask that caused all of this?"

Nel tilted her head, her expression confused.

She understood what the "Espada" were—important figures in Hueco Mundo.

But was she really one of them?

"She has amnesia," Harribel answered for her. "The situation might be more complicated than it seems."

Naruto nodded, contemplating.

"If you're interested, you could take her back with you," Harribel said, tossing Nel toward him.

Nel shrieked in surprise. "Ah?!"

"Wasn’t it enough just to record my name? Why are you giving me away to a Shinigami like a gift?"

She turned her head, and though she was fine when she looked at Naruto, the moment her eyes landed on Kurama, she burst into tears. "I’m doomed!"

"Nel is going to become a Shinigami's toy."

Naruto smiled as he reached out to touch her mask, trying to use basic healing techniques to smooth over the damage.

But it was useless.

Such simple methods had no effect on the "cracks in the mask."

"What kind of person was she before she lost her memory?" Naruto asked, lifting her up.

Nel was still crying.

Kurama leaned in, baring its teeth. "If you keep crying, I'll eat you!"

Nel immediately stopped crying, her body trembling, tears still flowing down her cheeks, but she made no sound.

"She’s an odd one," Harribel said coldly. "She was a peaceful person, a bit soft-hearted."

"It’s hard to imagine..."

"That a Hollow would ever hold a 'peaceful' ideology."

Naruto was surprised.

Peace?

A Hollow seeking peace?

That was truly hard to believe.

"She once said that Hollows who regain their rationality after falling from being human shouldn't engage in meaningless battles," Harribel continued. "None of the other Arrancar shared her views, but she was too strong for anyone to oppose her."

Naruto nodded.

Harribel then revealed her true purpose. "If possible, I hope Uzumaki-sama can heal her."

Nel blinked her big eyes, looking up at the tall, mature, and somewhat intimidating woman beside her.

"For a Hollow like her to rule Hueco Mundo would be more suitable for what you Shinigami need," Harribel said softly.

Naruto looked at her. "You're very rational."

Harribel didn’t respond.

In the yellow sands, there was only the sound of the wind howling, crashing into the petrified branches of quartz trees, producing eerie wails.

This suggestion seemed feasible.

Naruto’s senses told him that everything Harribel had said was true.

This Arrancar named "Nel" might really be different.

"Will you come with me to the Soul Society?" Naruto asked, lifting Nel up to meet his gaze. "I’ll find someone to try and heal you."

Nel thought for a moment and then turned her head to look into the distance.

Over there, a bull-horned Hollow and an insect-like Hollow were watching her nervously.

Were those her brothers?

But...

"If I’m healed, will I regain my memories?" she asked in her small, clear voice.

Naruto nodded. "It’s possible, but since I don’t fully understand your situation, I can’t promise anything."

Nel focused on the words "It’s possible."

"Can I say goodbye to my brothers and pets first?"

Naruto nodded and casually tossed her into the air.

Nel screamed, her tears flowing again as the fear she had just suppressed came rushing back.

"I almost died!" Nel patted herself, feeling as though she had narrowly escaped death.

Her life now wasn’t so bad.

She was happy spending time with her "brothers" and "pets."

But she also wanted to recover her lost memories.

Her "brothers" and "pets" didn't stop her. Upon learning about the situation, they even encouraged her. They hoped Nel would regain her strength, and if she couldn’t recover her memories, that was fine too.

After contacting Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a Garganta opened.

In the 12th Division, underground laboratory.

"Captain Kyōraku and the others have been eagerly waiting for your return," Mayuri grinned. "They’ve been waiting..."

"Oh? This little thing?"

"A gift you brought back from Hueco Mundo?"

Nel clung to Naruto's leg, her wide eyes staring at Mayuri.

This black-and-white painted guy was terrifying!

Especially his eyes...

They gleamed with a desire to devour her like a piece of food.

"She's not research material," Naruto shook his head, rejecting the idea and briefly explaining Nel's situation.

"A damaged mask?" Mayuri mused, intrigued. "A peace-loving Hollow? No wonder Aizen didn’t use the Hōgyoku’s power to heal her."

"Someone with such conflicting beliefs wouldn’t be worth saving."

"I’ll take care of healing her," he waved his hand, agreeing without hesitation.

This was an interesting case.

If he could figure it out...

He might even be able to create Hollows or Arrancar without using the Hōgyoku’s power.

Nel looked up pitifully. "Naruto, are you leaving me here?"

"Don’t worry, I’ve warned him," Naruto crouched down, patting her head. "He won’t dare do anything to you."

"Though he looks scary, when it comes to serious matters, he's reliable."

Nel turned to study Mayuri.

Reliable?

Really?

Mayuri let out a sly grin.

Nel cried out loud again.

Even Kurama couldn’t bear it, growling at Mayuri to stop scaring the child.

It was hard to imagine a Hollow being so cute and innocent.

Nel nodded, though not particularly clingy. There was something about Naruto that made her feel reassured.

After leaving her with Mayuri, Naruto headed to the 1st Division’s headquarters.

In the meeting room.

"Naruto’s finally back," Shunsui Kyōraku tilted his head, watching the blonde figure walk in from the doorway. He let out a sigh of relief. "Captain Kurotsuchi should have explained the situation to you."

Naruto nodded, returning to his seat. "Is the Captain-Commander really sealed?"

"It’s hard to say for sure," Kyōraku spread his hands and shook his head. "We asked the vice-captains, and none of them sensed any unusual spiritual pressure."

"But indeed..."

"The Captain-Commander has not been seen."

Naruto frowned. "We should prepare for the worst-case scenario."

"Does Muramasa have sealing abilities? Or does he have the power to seal others?"

This sounded strange.

Sealing the Captain-Commander...

That wasn’t an easy task. Even with Naruto’s current strength, the chance of sealing the Captain-Commander was slim. Even without *Ryūjin Jakka*, the Captain-Commander's own spiritual pressure and Hakuda abilities were terrifying in their own right.

Byakuya Kuchiki shook his head. "No."

"I asked my grandfather and father when I returned. The Zanpakutō that belonged to Kōga Kuchiki doesn’t have any sealing abilities."

Naruto nodded but remained silent.

He was beginning to suspect...

Whether the Captain-Commander had truly been sealed, or if Muramasa had really done it.

After all, if someone else were to gain control of *Ryūjin Jakka*, it would be terrifying. The Captain-Commander might have sealed himself as a precaution. It wasn’t impossible for him to take such a step.

But regardless of the possibility, the outcome remained the same.

Which was...

The absence of the Captain-Commander as a combat force.

"Did only Rukia and Kaien go to the World of the Living?" Naruto asked quietly.

Ukitake nodded. "Only the two of them. That should be enough..."

Through the Shiba family, they could contact the Shihōin family.

Rukia had a good relationship with Ichigo, which would also allow them to get in touch with Ginjo and the Visored.

He suddenly realized something. "You’re worried they might be ambushed."

Naruto hadn’t yet nodded when—

"Beep-beep—"

An urgent beeping sound rang out from Mayuri’s pocket, drawing everyone’s attention.

He pulled out a device resembling a modern phone. "It’s a distress signal."

"From Karakura Town."

"From... Rukia Kuchiki."

All eyes immediately turned toward Naruto, awaiting his orders.

"Captain Kuchiki of the 6th Division, Captain Kenpachi of the 11th Division, and I will head to the World of the Living," Naruto thought for a moment before giving his command. "The other divisions should prepare for battle."

"Captain Kyōraku..."

Kyōraku nodded. "Don’t worry, leave Seireitei to me."

"Be careful, Naruto."

"If possible, it might be best to seal your own sword."

Naruto acknowledged the advice.

Central 46 hadn’t had time to reorganize itself yet, and even when they did, their authority wouldn’t easily extend back into the Gotei 13 after being destroyed once.

Given the special circumstances, Naruto allowed himself to leave without any restrictions.

In the World of the Living, Karakura Town.

Rukia was running, fleeing forward.

Behind her, a woman with long white hair and a snowy kimono was pursuing.

It was her Zanpakutō.

The manifested form of "Sode no Shirayuki."

"How pitiful," Sode no Shirayuki laughed lightly. "Have you become this weak after losing my power?"

"No wonder you’ve been so repeatedly embarrassed."

Rukia Kuchiki gritted her teeth, panting heavily.

The streets were familiar.

She was almost there.

Since the moment she had landed, she had been attacked. Now, her stamina was almost completely drained.

Sode no Shirayuki was gradually closing the distance, raising the white blade in her hand.

"It seems this game of chase has come to an end," her voice was sharp, filled with malice, leaving no room for mercy. "Farewell, Rukia Kuchiki..."

Clang—

The sword struck, but it did not meet flesh or bone. Instead, it collided with another sword.

A black-bladed, white-edged sword.

Rukia looked up at the owner of the blade: "Ichigo."

The orange-haired boy frowned: "Is the Soul Society always this chaotic?"

"Aizen’s matter was just settled, and now so many people are showing up out of nowhere."

"Let me finish dealing with her, then we can catch up."

He swung his sword to strike.

Sode no Shirayuki raised an eyebrow, her voice cold: "You’re a nuisance."

With a flick of her wrist, she elegantly countered his attack.

Ichigo Kurosaki stared at her.

This sword... looked familiar, as if he had seen it not long ago.

Where the blade pointed, a circle of white light appeared beneath his feet, glowing brightly and exuding an icy chill.

"Some no mai, Tsukishiro (初の舞・月白, First Dance, Moon White)"

This technique!

Ichigo Kurosaki was surprised and used *shunpo* to escape the range of the light before it erupted.

Now he remembered. No wonder it had felt familiar.

"Isn’t that Rukia’s move?" he exclaimed. "How do you know that move?"

"I remember that being Rukia’s Zanpakutō’s ability."

Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki spoke simultaneously, their words nearly identical.

"She is my Zanpakutō."

"I am her Zanpakutō."

The only difference was the subject of the sentences.

A Zanpakutō?

Ichigo Kurosaki’s eyes widened. "Are you training for Bankai?"

"It’s a rebellion of the Zanpakutō," Rukia shook her head, beginning to explain, but she cut herself off abruptly: "Watch out!"

Sode no Shirayuki gave them no time to reminisce.

With a flip of her palm, she thrust her sword downward.

"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren (次の舞・白漣, Next Dance, White Ripple)."

Ice and frost surged, sweeping down upon Ichigo Kurosaki like a tidal wave.

Ichigo raised his sword to block, preparing to leap upward.

A gentle breeze swept by.

The cold air dispersed along with the wind, swirling away and gradually dissipating.

The attack was neutralized.

Ichigo and Rukia both looked up at the sky.

A golden figure stood in the air, an irregular crescent moon beneath his feet, and the wind dancing at his side.

"Rukia, you’ll need to train harder when we get back," the black-haired man in a captain’s haori standing beside the golden figure spoke, his voice cold. "Just because you lost the power of your Zanpakutō, you’ve been reduced to this state?"

"A Shinigami’s abilities shouldn’t rely entirely on their Zanpakutō."

Sode no Shirayuki also looked up, her expression cautious: "Byakuya Kuchiki."

"And—"

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto gazed at the woman in the kimono, smiling slightly: "Rukia, is this your sword?"

"It’s beautiful."

"No wonder it's known as the most beautiful Zanpakutō in the Soul Society."

Rukia pouted. "Thank you for the compliment, Captain Naruto."

"But is this really the right time to say something like that?"

"Besides... that didn’t sound much like a compliment."

Kurama grinned. "It wasn’t really a compliment..."

Before it could finish, its head turned, its gaze fixed behind Sode no Shirayuki.

There was a slow, rhythmic clap of hands, clear and deliberate.

"I was just hoping to deal with a few troublesome Shinigami."

"But it seems I’ve caught a much bigger fish.”

---

Damn! Almost 4k words wtf. I been translating this for the past 4 hours (of course with breaks, I need it haha)