Urahara Kisuke pondered carefully, speaking in a cautious tone:"Could it be a state of two sides of the same coin, coexisting?"
Both of them turned to look at him.
He extended his hand, using it as a medium to explain his theory:"Like this."
"This side facing up is Yang."
"The other side facing down is Yin."
"Naruto's situation might not be so conflicting or contradictory, but it could be similar—one body harboring two completely different forces."
Unohana Retsu seemed thoughtful and smiled gently:"As expected of Captain Urahara, that makes a lot of sense."
Naruto lowered his head, looking at his zanpakuto.
Two sides of the same coin.
Two different directions of the heart?
"However, Naruto is so unique—it might be another kind of situation entirely." Unohana shifted her tone. "Back when I examined your body, I noticed something strange that I couldn't explain."
"I originally thought it was the second blade of a dual-zanpakuto."
"But now it seems that, aside from the 'Nine-Tails,' there might be another force within you that hasn't fully merged with your being."
"That could be the other half of the duality."
Naruto looked up, surprised at the gentle smile on Unohana's face.
Another power inside him—apart from the Nine-Tails, and not belonging to him?
"It was thanks to Captain Urahara's insight that I recalled this theory," Unohana added kindly.
Naruto grasped his blade. "Then I..."
"Don't be afraid, and don't resist," Unohana shook her head gently. "They are both parts of your power."
"Once you hear both voices clearly, either choice you make will not be wrong."
"A zanpakuto is a reflection of the soul."
Naruto nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Captain Unohana."
"Let's do another check-up," she said with a smile. "Just to confirm your current condition."
The results came quickly.
Naruto had grown well—his spiritual pressure had increased, rising from Level 5 to Level 4.
The possible second power wasn't identified clearly, but with focused observation, Unohana managed to sense a faint trace.
Unlike the Nine-Tails, which had a soul and consciousness and was sealed inside him—
This other, hard-to-detect power had no self-awareness. It was simply pure energy, blending with Naruto's own strength, nearly indistinguishable.
Having two reliable seniors confirm his condition gave Naruto peace of mind.
He arranged with Unohana to study healing techniques (Kaido) three days a month, then left together with Urahara Kisuke.
Returning to Squad 13 headquarters—
Naruto resumed his zanpakuto meditation, hoping to hear those two voices clearly soon.
Urahara Kisuke plunged into research.
These sealing techniques fascinated him. They belonged to a completely unfamiliar and different field.
A week later.
Shin'o Academy.
"Naruto-san, it's been a while." Principal Hokami Kazuki greeted him personally.
Naruto scratched his head. "Principal Hokami, there's no need to be so formal with me."
"You're my teacher, after all."
Hokami laughed heartily:"Naruto, you really need to get used to your current status. You're a 3rd Seat now—soon, you'll be a captain."
"Come on, I'll show you this year's genius student."
"From Rukongai—truly impressive."
He led the way while Naruto followed with an easy smile.
At the gym—
"That's the one," Hokami pointed.
Naruto looked over—and blinked in surprise.
There were two people.
One was a white-haired boy, taller than Naruto himself.
The other...
Was a familiar face: Aizen Sosuke.
"Vice-Captain Aizen? What brings you here?" Naruto greeted him.
Aizen smiled warmly:"I heard Principal Hokami invited you. Knowing this was your first time handling an event like this, I offered to come along—I didn't want you to feel overwhelmed."
Naruto chuckled bashfully:"I was a bit nervous, but seeing you here really put me at ease."
He tilted his head. "Is this the Academy's new genius?"
The silver-haired boy bowed politely:"Yes, 3rd Seat Uzumaki. I'm this year's new student—Ichimaru Gin. Please take care of me."
"Gin, huh? You've got a good aura about you," Naruto observed.
His face was pleasant enough—
But he was always smiling, eyes nearly closed to slits.
There was a hidden snake-like quality about him.
At first glance, Naruto was reminded of an opponent he'd once found deeply unsettling—someone named Orochimaru.
This boy...
Might be another "serpent."
Principal Hokami beamed:"When he enrolled, his spiritual level was Rank 6. What's even more impressive is his work ethic—just like you, Naruto."
"Although his physical talent isn't quite as good as yours."
"Every day, our instructors rack their brains trying to get him to rest even a little."
So talented it's painful—that's the kind of "happy trouble" he brought.
Naruto smiled, reaching out to channel his own power.
Ichimaru Gin glanced at Aizen instinctively. Seeing Aizen simply smile, he didn't resist.
A gentle energy entered Gin's body.
All the "fatigue," "pain," and "wounds" began to heal slowly under this soothing force.
"You've really been working hard," Naruto said, sensing Gin's condition. "Your body's full of damage. No need to rush like that."
"We have plenty of time to take it slow."
These were words Captain Unohana had once said to him.
Now they were perfect for this silver-haired kid.
Ichimaru Gin paused, then bowed again respectfully."Thank you, 3rd Seat Uzumaki."
"That was some impressive healing," Aizen said, narrowing his eyes as he savored the spiritual pressure."Even senior officers in Squad 4 might be inferior to Naruto."
Naruto shook his head."Not at all. I still have a long way to go."
Ichimaru Gin looked at Naruto, then at Aizen Sosuke.
These two were so similar...
Yet completely different.
The entrance ceremony began shortly after.
Naruto gave a speech. He stuttered a little at first, but quickly found his rhythm—talking about his happy days at the Academy and his experiences in Squad 13.
Then it was Aizen Sosuke's turn.
He was a natural speaker. He expanded on Naruto's points, elevating and deepening them—moving the crowd emotionally.
And then, at the very end—
Aizen placed his hand on his zanpakuto's hilt:"Whenever I see you new students, I always think back to my own days at Shin'o Academy."
"Back then, I dreamed of achieving my Shikai—of becoming a true Soul Reaper."
"You probably feel the same."
"3rd Seat Uzumaki's zanpakuto isn't suitable to display here."
"So let me show you mine."
As he spoke, he slowly drew his blade and softly chanted:
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."
Mist drifted from the blade, flowing gently and filling the hall.
The space seemed to warp.
Some people noticed those beside them had shifted positions—from left to right, or from front to back.
Naruto was affected too.
Hokami Kazuki, once on his left, was now on his right.
This was the ability of Kyōka Suigetsu—a water-type zanpakuto.
Its power lay in creating illusions through mist and refracted light, disorienting enemies.
It wasn't Naruto's first time witnessing Kyōka Suigetsu's release.
But still—he had to admit—it was a beautiful sword.
Kurama, the Nine-Tails, trembled slightly in discomfort.
It sensed a deeply threatening aura—
The same one it had felt on the day Naruto first arrived in this world.
(End of Chapter)