Shinigami in the Ninja World

Chapter 226: Invalid Ability

Laughter descended from the sky.

A sky was torn open, and a figure stepped out.

"Blonde hair, a fox, such immense spiritual pressure..."

A brown-haired man walked out from the alley, hands in his pockets, stepping onto the rooftops. His gaze was filled with curiosity, exploration, and a hint of smug pride.

"7th Division Captain, Naruto Uzumaki."

"I thought Seireitei would protect you."

"After all..."

"You are their only hope."

Naruto looked up, meeting his gaze.

"Seireitei didn't warn you all, did they?" Muramasa smiled, raising his hand, forming a claw and extending it forward. An invisible shockwave surged. "Come, Naruto Uzumaki, let your power be mine."

"Mukōjōchū Muramasa."

This was his most powerful ability.

Praised as something akin to "Bankai."

He entered Naruto's inner world, pulling both Naruto and Kurama inside.

In the real world, Sode no Shirayuki stood atop the alley wall, watching the two of them without any further intention to attack.

"What's that?" Ichigo Kurosaki looked up. "It doesn't seem real."

The black void tore the sky apart, leaving behind a jagged, ugly scar.

It reminded him strongly of something.

Many of the Hollows he had fought before used a similar ability.

During the battle of the "Fake Karakura Town," Aizen and the Arrancar had emerged from such voids.

"That's a Zanpakutō," Rukia Kuchiki stared at Sode no Shirayuki, her expression complicated. She pressed her hand against her wound, performing basic healing.

"Another one?"

Ichigo Kurosaki turned back, his expression shocked.

"It's complicated. Let me think about how to explain," Rukia said softly, beginning to recount. "It starts with a 'senpai' from the Kuchiki family, a man named Kōga Kuchiki..."

Kurama's massive body was fully visible.

In front of it, Naruto and Muramasa seemed minuscule.

"What an incredible body," Muramasa raised his head, lifting his hand, marveling at it. "And such powerful spiritual pressure."

Kurama grinned: "Thanks for the compliment."

"But..."

Muramasa smiled as his chest opened, and countless thin, milky-white strands extended out, piercing Kurama's body. Each strand ended in a hand, gripping its flesh and fur.

"A body this powerful, cooped up in such a small space—what a waste."

"Wouldn't it be better to have a will of your own?"

His words flowed through the hands, pouring into Kurama's heart.

"Rebellion," "battle," "anger," "hatred"...

These negative emotions accumulated like snow, like rain, forming a complex storm of thoughts.

Images flickered in Kurama's eyes.

But what emerged in his mind wasn't Muramasa's words.

Rather...

They were the negative memories that had been sealed away and long since digested through his training in the "Falls of Truth."

He recalled the scene when a ninja first discovered him, mercilessly attempting to tame him as a summoning animal.

He also heard the curses that branded him a "natural disaster."

But...

What did those things even mean now?

He had already gone through the Falls of Truth once.

If they were originally his own experiences, what use was it for someone to attempt to "brainwash" him?

Kurama's expression turned strange as he stared at Muramasa: "Is this all you have to say to me?"

Muramasa was stunned.

What kind of reaction was this?

Other Zanpakutō, after receiving his thoughts, would at least show agitation, even if they didn't immediately submit.

But this fox remained utterly calm.

"You're something else," Kurama shook his body, easily breaking free from the grasp of the hands. "You think these negative emotions alone could enslave me?"

"How naive."

Its eyes gleamed red.

Naruto could feel the agitation in Kurama's emotions.

Malice...

It was nothing new to Kurama.

For nearly a thousand years, countless people—tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands—had projected their malice onto this fox.

The bond between Naruto and Kurama was built on mutual understanding, forged through this endless cycle of malice.

Muramasa's pupils widened.

He realized it too...

There were two ways to break his ability to brainwash Zanpakutō.

One was for the Zanpakutō to be told directly that it had been manipulated.

The other was for a Shinigami who had lost their Zanpakutō to complete the "Bankai" training again, reawakening their bond with their Zanpakutō.

So, they understood each other through malice?

Damn it!

Why are there Zanpakutō and wielders like them?

Kurama lifted its hand and smirked arrogantly: "So, Naruto, was I right or what?"

"His power doesn't work on me."

"As for this guy..."

"Leave him to me!"

It swung its fist down with tremendous force.

Muramasa dodged clumsily, not retreating, his gaze shifting back to Naruto.

He reached out his hand.

Before Kurama's second attack could land, milky-white strands surged from his palm, forming a hand that pierced through Kurama's fluffy tail and grabbed hold of a sword.

"Come forth!"

"The strongest wind-type Zanpakutō!"

His eyes burned with desire.

It was the same sword that had defeated Aizen, whom even the Captain-Commander couldn't handle.

If he could control its power, then he could easily...

Break the seal that had been troubling him.

Muramasa pulled.

A man with golden hair, somewhat resembling Naruto, but slimmer and dressed in a white god-robe, was drawn out.

Kurama turned its head, surprised: "Minato Namikaze?"

"No..."

"It's not him."

His face resembled Minato's, but there were slight differences in the details. On his head were two small horns, similar to the ones seen on the Sage of Six Paths and his descendants.

"Vortex?" Naruto called out his name.

The figure raised his hands, pressing them together in a gesture of respect. Spiritual pressure surged around him, ready to be unleashed.

Vortex smiled and nodded: "It's me, nice to meet you, Naruto."

Since the battle with Aizen, Naruto had been busy restoring Seireitei and handling various matters, so he hadn't had much time to communicate deeply with his sword. They only exchanged a few words during daily meditation.

Muramasa's "hand" was still gripping Vortex.

Just as he had done with Kurama, negative thoughts flooded into Vortex's heart.

Vortex sighed: "I was really looking forward to meeting Naruto."

"You've ruined that for me."

He turned his head, lightly tapping Muramasa's "hand" with his own. A surge of blue spiritual pressure flowed from the touch, dissolving the hand into spirit particles that drifted away.

Muramasa's pupils dilated further.

It didn't work again?

What was going on?

His power had failed?

Naruto didn't release his hold. "You weren't affected by him?"

"Why would I be?" Vortex remained calm. "I'm not like ordinary Zanpakutō."

"My birth was tied to you, Naruto, and... the power of Ashura."

He glanced at Muramasa, his expression serious. "Betrayal, rebellion, escape..."

"Why would I ever do that?"

"Naruto chose not to use my power when I wasn't yet fully developed, and he allowed me to grow..."

"Not to mention..."

"Your dark little schemes are insignificant compared to Ashura's ideals of love and peace."

Through Ashura's power, he had learned about "love" and "peace."

Muramasa gritted his teeth, glaring at Naruto. "So you knew from the start that your sword wouldn't fall under my influence, didn't you?"

"Naruto Uzumaki, indeed worthy of being compared to the Captain-Commander..."

Naruto shook his head and smiled gently. "Of course not. I can't see the future."

"But I had a feeling all along that if you tried to use them, it wouldn't work out well."

Muramasa clenched his fist.

"Now it's my turn." Naruto stepped forward. "Did you seal the Captain-Commander?"

Muramasa pursed his lips, refusing to answer.

Based on what he had learned from other Zanpakutō, Naruto had the ability to discern "truth from lies."

"If you won't answer, that means you did," Naruto nodded thoughtfully.

Muramasa scowled.

It suddenly dawned on him why all the Zanpakutō were so wary of Naruto, and why they all agreed that he was as troublesome as the Captain-Commander.

He was powerful and perceptive.

This wasn't going well...

"Such a terrifying Shinigami." He extended his hand and lightly tapped, revealing a passage out of the inner world.

There were many who could guard against his ability.

Ginrei Kuchiki was one. The Captain-Commander could do it too.

But only this man could bring his power to a halt.

"Until next time." Muramasa waved his hand and, with a serious expression, slipped out of the inner world.

In the real world...

"That's the situation," Rukia said, shaking her head as she finished explaining. "After arriving in the World of the Living, Vice-Captain Kaien and I split up."

"I came to find you, and he went to find Kisuke Urahara."

"Looks like it worked out well. Since Muramasa showed up here, Kaien should be relatively safe."

She said this, but worry was still evident on her face.

After all, as soon as they entered the World of the Living, they had been hunted by their own Zanpakutō.

She was being pursued by Sode no Shirayuki.

And Kaien was being pursued by Nejibana.

"I thought Zanpakutō could only manifest near their wielders," Ichigo Kurosaki shook his head, staring at Zangetsu in his hand.

He wondered...

If Muramasa used his power on him, who would materialize and "betray" him?

Old Man Zangetsu? Or Hollow Ichigo?

Just then, Muramasa reappeared, hurriedly heading toward the void.

"Sode no Shirayuki, let's go!" he shouted, calling her.

Naruto also left the inner world, clapping his hands together.

Golden chains spread out.

"Do you think you can just come and go as you please?"

"It won't be that easy."

Muramasa raised an eyebrow, spiritual pressure surging as he swung his sword.

Like a "Shadow Clone," countless copies of Muramasa appeared in the sky.

"What a childish trick." Kurama opened its mouth, gathering black spiritual energy.

Without even needing to charge, it launched a direct blast at one of the figures.

There was no hesitation, and the result was spot on.

The figure tried to dodge, but it was too late. The real Muramasa was hit and sent flying.

Muramasa was shocked.

However...

There was some good news for him.

Naruto's "Adamantine Sealing Chains" weren't targeting him but Sode no Shirayuki. As the kimono-clad woman attempted to fly toward the void, golden chains wrapped around her tightly.

She struggled, but more chains bound her.

In the face of an unrestricted Naruto, her spiritual pressure had no effect.

Muramasa took the chance to dive into the void, hastily sealing the crack behind him.

"Captain Naruto, you could have caught Muramasa," Rukia bit her lip, guilt filling her as she looked at her own Zanpakutō, now bound in golden chains. "I can handle Sode no Shirayuki..."

Naruto glanced at her and smiled. "I let him go on purpose."

Kurama scratched at its haori with a paw. "We still don't know where the old man's being held."

"And where the other Zanpakutō are."

"Now that he's wounded, he'll definitely return to his lair. I planted a tracking device made by Mayuri Kurotsuchi on him. We'll follow it to his hideout."

Rukia nodded, realization dawning.

Sode no Shirayuki continued to struggle, her cold energy coating the golden chains in a layer of frost.

After watching for a moment, Rukia turned away. "Captain Naruto, how did you break Muramasa's power?"

"My grandfather said that even the Captain-Commander had difficulty resisting Muramasa's abilities..."

Naruto shook his head and said softly, "No ability is perfect."

"Even Aizen's *Kyōka Suigetsu* has flaws and ways to break it."

"Muramasa's power is impressive, but..."

Kurama interrupted: "It's too immature."

"To think he could manipulate me with just that—he's dreaming."

Naruto looked up.

Several spiritual pressures were rapidly approaching.

Rukia and Ichigo Kurosaki felt them too, and they also raised their heads.

Before anyone arrived, Kenpachi Zaraki's wild laughter rang out.

"That was amazing, so amazing!" He landed, carrying a struggling figure on his shoulder. "It's been so long since I've had such a good fight!"

Kurama scoffed: "Didn't you fight Aizen not too long ago? That was plenty fun."

Kenpachi retorted boldly: "I've been fully healed for days now!"

"Isn't that enough?"

Naruto looked at the man slung over Kenpachi's shoulder. "Is that Vice-Captain Kaien's Zanpakutō?"

Kaien Shiba scratched his head. "I'm ashamed to say it, but yes."

"But..."

"Even though Captain Zaraki defeated Nejibana, we couldn't break Muramasa's influence."

Byakuya Kuchiki glanced at Ichigo Kurosaki, then moved closer to Rukia. "We didn't encounter Muramasa, so he must have gone to you, Naruto?"

"We just fought him. I let him go," Naruto nodded. "We'll have Mayuri track him down. That should lead us to the Captain-Commander."

"You weren't affected by his power?" Kuchiki Byakuya asked, surprised.

Naruto grabbed Kurama by the scruff and lifted him up. "Both of my Zanpakutō are... unique."

"I have a theory now."

"I'll explain more when we get back."

He paused, then looked over at the orange-haired boy next to him. "Ichigo, you're coming too."

~~~

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