Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

Ginjo Kugo had been staying in the Soul Society for two days.

He wasn't imprisoned, but his activities were restricted to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' quarters.

The scenery here was indeed beautiful, and the quality of life wasn't low.

However—

Ever since being "invited" here that day, he hadn't received any information about his own situation.

How would the Seireitei deal with him?

Would it be like what Shiba Kaien said?

This uncertainty left him feeling anxious.

Standing on a bridge, gazing into the distance, a breeze rippled the lake's surface.

Ginjo Kugo felt a twinge of regret—perhaps it would've been better to try escaping instead of coming to the Soul Society because of the good impression he had of Captain Uzumaki?

He glanced at the third seat officer accompanying him and asked, "How strong are the captains?"

The third seat was stunned, unsure why he would suddenly ask that question, but answered honestly, "As I mentioned before, Shinigami swords have two release states."

"Achieving the first, Shikai, qualifies one to become a seated officer."

"Achieving Bankai is required to become a captain."

As he spoke, a fish leaped in the lake, giving the officer an analogy: "If I were to use a metaphor—"

"From seated officer to vice-captain, they're all fish in the lake, just varying in size."

Ginjo Kugo pondered the meaning.

Captains only had one more release form than ordinary Shinigami.

So, were captains just bigger fish?

Then the third seat continued slowly, "But captains… are the entire lake."

Ginjo's pupils dilated.

Not fish—but the lake itself?

Was it really that exaggerated?

It was just one more release form.

That sounded more like an evolutionary leap in life form.

"Is Captain Uzumaki really that strong?" he asked, stunned.

The third seat glanced at him and shook his head. "Captain Uzumaki is different."

"If captains are lakes, then after using Bankai, their power increases by five to ten times."

Ginjo's eyebrow twitched.

Wait a minute!

Describing captains as lakes didn't even include their Bankai state?

The third seat continued, "But Captain Uzumaki, even with just his Shikai, can subdue captains in Bankai."

"He's one of the most powerful captains."

Ginjo's scalp went numb.

Suddenly, he felt lucky.

The thought of "escaping" had only remained a thought and hadn't turned into action.

Even if he hadn't been injured at the time, he would've had no chance of escape.

If he had tried, he probably would've been killed on the spot.

As he stood in a daze—

A figure shunpo'd beside him.

The slight ripple of spiritual pressure startled him like a frightened bird, and he turned his head sharply.

It was Shiba Kaien.

He sighed in relief.

"Captain Ukitake and Captain Naruto have summoned you," Kaien said solemnly. "The decision on your fate is probably ready."

Ginjo straightened up. "Yes!"

Following Kaien, he glanced at the lake.

Right now, he was probably the smallest fish in this lake.

—

Inside the captains' office.

Ukitake Jushiro frowned. "I still think it's better not to tell him everything."

"With his abilities, there's no way he'll find out on his own."

"And withholding the truth might actually help us build friendship with him."

Naruto shook his head. "It's hiding the truth that truly destroys trust."

He thought back to his own past.

The reason he once refused to forgive Konoha was precisely because of deception.

He had experienced it firsthand and knew clearly how painful and damaging it was when the truth eventually came out.

Ukitake wanted to say more.

"Please trust me, Captain Ukitake," Naruto said, turning toward him with a bright smile.

Ukitake nodded. He couldn't refuse a smile like that.

The door opened.

Shiba Kaien entered with Ginjo Kugo.

The room was the same one as before.

But this time, Ginjo was even more nervous.

"The Seireitei's decision regarding your case has been made," Naruto said. Since he had insisted on full disclosure, naturally it fell to him to deliver the news. "In the past two days, we've passed a new regulation concerning 'Substitute Shinigami.'"

"You are recognized as a human who possesses Shinigami powers and are permitted to act as a Shinigami in the World of the Living."

Ginjo's tense body relaxed slightly.

They had acknowledged him?

That was a relief.

"However, you'll need to carry this item at all times." Naruto reached out and handed him a pentagon-shaped object. "This was urgently developed by Squad 12."

"You can call it a 'Substitute Shinigami Badge.'"

"If you encounter any Shinigami in the living world, showing this proves your identity."

Ginjo received it respectfully. "Yes, thank you—"

Before he could finish, Naruto waved his hand. "You should hear me out before deciding if you want to thank me."

"This item does more than identify you as a substitute."

"It has two additional functions."

"Monitoring and restriction."

Ginjo blinked. The object felt hot in his hand.

"Don't worry, the monitoring doesn't mean we're spying on your daily life," Naruto explained. "It just monitors your spiritual pressure activity."

"After all, you're a human with Shinigami power."

"And Shinigami exist to maintain balance among the three realms, so we need to track your general behavior."

"To prevent unexpected incidents."

Ginjo's expression relaxed a little. "And the restriction?"

"Does this mean I can only live in Karakura Town?"

Naruto shook his head. "The restriction pertains to your power."

Ginjo frowned.

His power?

Were they trying to prevent him from becoming stronger?

"This won't affect you right now," Naruto continued. "But once your strength reaches a certain level, it will kick in."

"This isn't targeting you specifically."

"Overwhelming spiritual pressure can greatly affect the human world. Normally, captains and vice-captains have to suppress their power when entering the living world."

"So when your power reaches that of a vice-captain or captain, this restriction will activate. It's to protect the human world."

That reasoning made sense, and Ginjo fully accepted it.

His brows unfurrowed. Then he asked, "So when I saw you that day, Captain Uzumaki, was your strength also restricted?"

"Of course," Naruto nodded.

Ginjo leaned forward and cautiously asked, "May I ask... how much was restricted?"

"Eighty percent," Naruto replied.

Ginjo thought back to the brutal death of that serpent-like Hollow.

So—

The overwhelming power Naruto showed that day was only one-fifth of his full strength?

"When your strength reaches captain or vice-captain level, the same restrictions will apply," Naruto said, thinking Ginjo was worried about fairness. "This isn't singling you out."

Ginjo looked down at the badge in his hand.

A skull was engraved on its surface.

To his senses, it seemed like nothing more than a plain wooden plaque.

"You didn't have to tell me all this, Captain Uzumaki," Ginjo said after a moment. "With my level, I wouldn't have noticed."

"Why tell me?"

Naruto turned serious. "Even if your Shinigami powers were acquired by accident—"

"Along with power comes corresponding rights, responsibilities, and limitations."

"I can't ask you to shoulder responsibilities while hiding the restrictions."

"So, do you accept this duty?"

The two others in the room held their breath.

Watching the black-haired man standing before Naruto.

Everything, even the downsides, had been laid bare.

Would he still accept?

Ginjo clenched the badge, his expression earnest, and responded without much hesitation: "Thank you, Captain Uzumaki."

"I will fulfill my duties as a substitute Shinigami!"

Though the idea of being monitored and restricted was somewhat uncomfortable, the reasons were valid.

Most importantly—nothing had been hidden from him.

Despite the vast difference in strength, Naruto had still respected his views and choices.

How could anyone not accept someone like that as a comrade?

In fact, because everything was made clear, Ginjo felt an unusual sense of security.

Ukitake was moved.

He really agreed.

And he wasn't even reluctant about it.

He stared at Naruto's blond figure.

Was it true that sincerity breeds sincerity in return?

"When the Thirteen Squads assign new Shinigami to the living world, you can work with them," Naruto smiled, his voice softer. "They'll help teach you basic skills."

"Your tactics that day were excellent."

"But with your level of spiritual power, you shouldn't have had such a hard time with that Hollow."

"You still have a lot of room to improve in sword techniques and shunpo."

Ginjo agreed.

Kaien escorted him to finish the remaining formalities.

Naruto and Ukitake chatted a while longer before Naruto took his leave.

Before Ginjo left the Soul Society, he specially visited Squad 7 to thank Naruto and asked about his preferences—next time he returned, he wanted to bring a gift.

The presence of a substitute Shinigami had caused some unexpected changes in the Seireitei.

Strange gadgets from the human world started appearing in squad barracks.

Naruto wasn't particularly interested—there were similar things back in the ninja world.

He focused on studying techniques.

Occasionally sparring with Kenpachi Zaraki to infuse new vitality into the seed within him.

But someone else had grown increasingly restless amidst these peaceful days.

One day—

The window of Squad 7's office was kicked open, and a small figure burst in.

"Captain Soi Fon, why not use the front door when visiting?" Naruto looked at the window.

Compared to Kenpachi, Soi Fon was far better.

At least she didn't break the window.

(End of Chapter)