Naruto: Copy System#745+746: Jōkaku Enjō, Are You Saying You'd Be Bored Even with Me Around?

He had to be the strongest human in existence. In Unohana Retsu’s experience, humans were pathetically weak.

Weaker, even, than the souls adrift in the Rukongai. She couldn’t fathom how Shin had achieved such immense power—a strength that seemed to have no exploitable flaw. It even led her to wonder if he was human at all. Perhaps he was something else entirely.

Shin, oblivious to Unohana’s internal monologue, focused on the Vasto Lorde and had the System copy its power.

A pitch-black Reiatsu erupted from Shin's body, its terrifying pressure forcing the surrounding Hollows to their knees—even the Adjuchas-class Hollows were no exception. As for the Vasto Lorde, it was already pinned beneath Shin's foot.

A pure white mask, like polished bone, materialized over his face, only to shatter in the next instant.

Clenching his fists, Shin could feel the power of a Hollow coursing through him, but his body seemed unchanged. He had no Hollow hole, and the mask had disintegrated the moment it appeared.

He supposed he could be called an Arrancar now... though in truth, he was still human. He hadn't become a Hollow, nor a Soul Reaper. He was still human, but he now possessed the power of a Hollow.

"Sonído."

With a flicker of Sonído, he reappeared behind a Gillian, his finger glowing as he unleashed a Cero that obliterated the massive Hollow.

"That's a Hollow's power... Shin, are you alright?" Unohana’s expression shifted from shock to concern as she questioned him.

The sudden display of Hollow abilities had stunned her. After the shock came worry. The powers of a Hollow and a Soul Reaper were fundamentally opposed. After all, they were mortal enemies. Then again, the opposition wasn't absolute. There were the Visoreds with their Hollowfication, and the Arrancars with their Soul Reaper-like abilities.

The two powers shared common ground. When a Hollow broke its limits, it could become an Arrancar, gaining a Zanpakuto-like power known as a Resurrección.

"I'm fine. In fact, I feel great," Shin told Unohana.

"I didn't expect you to be able to copy the power of a Hollow. I just hope it doesn't have any negative effects on you."

Unohana was genuinely concerned that the Hollow's power might corrupt Shin.

"Well, you've served your purpose. TIME TO DIE!!"

Shin raised his hand, gathering the power of a Cero. The Vasto Lorde’s eyes widened in shock. It couldn't believe Shin had stolen its power, and that it felt even stronger than its own. This Soul Reaper was no ordinary being. The Vasto Lorde had no intention of dying without a fight.

Using Sonído, it tried to escape, but the moment it reappeared, a Cero Oscuras slammed into its body, tearing it to shreds. Though Shin had copied the Vasto Lorde's power, in his hands, its potency was magnified.

"Let's clean up these Hollows as well."

Shin surveyed the area. He wasn't about to let these Hollows live, not after they had witnessed what they had. Even if the Gillians were mindless, Shin had no intention of leaving them alive.

Shin and Unohana moved in unison, their attacks merciless as they began slaughtering the Gillians and Adjuchas. While Unohana might not have been able to wipe out the Adjuchas on her own, Shin certainly could, felling them one by one with single strikes.

And that was without even releasing Ryūjin Jakka. If he had, he could have annihilated them all with a single swing.

"There are too many of them. This is too slow. I'll have to use my Shikai."

Shin realized the number of Gillians was overwhelming. He decided to use Ryūjin Jakka’s Shikai to end it all at once.

"All Things In The Universe, Turn To Ash, Ryūjin Jakka!"

An endless torrent of fire erupted from the blade. Unohana retreated several steps, unwilling to get close to the terrifying heat. The six-thousand-degree flames could melt steel in an instant and evaporate an entire lake in a flash.

"Jōkaku Enjō."

This was one of Ryūjin Jakka’s most powerful techniques, capable of turning dozens of kilometers into a scorched wasteland.

The ground here didn't turn to scorched earth, it melted into crystalline glass. As for the Hollows, they were all annihilated by the attack.

Unohana wiped the sweat from her brow. Though Shin had controlled the flames to avoid her, the intense heat was inescapable.

"Let's go. It's time to leave." Shin was quite satisfied with his work. Ryūjin Jakka was indeed powerful.

He wondered when he'd get a chance to use Zanka no Tachi...

But finding an opponent worthy of facing Zanka no Tachi wouldn't be easy.

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"You're back."

Chōjirō Sasakibe and the others' faces lit up with joy upon seeing Shin and Unohana return safely.

"Are those Hollows still after us?" Chōjirō asked.

He certainly didn't think Shin and Unohana could have dealt with all those Hollows on their own, hence the question.

"No, they've left. We don't know why."

Shin made up a random excuse. He couldn't exactly announce that he’d single-handedly annihilated the entire legion of Hollows. Though it was his achievement, he didn't need that kind of attention. The exposure would only bring him unnecessary trouble.

"That's good. We can finally rest," Chōjirō said with a sigh of relief, then began to check on the injured captains.

Chōjirō himself was injured. The Vasto Lorde was no easy opponent, and Chōjirō's strength was no match for it.

Now, Chōjirō was considering whether to call for reinforcements. The Gotei 13 had suffered heavy casualties, and a Vasto Lorde was still lurking. In the end, Chōjirō decided to request backup.

He had no choice. He didn't know the Vasto Lorde had already been dealt with. With so many Hollows on the prowl, he didn't even dare to let his people remain in Hueco Mundo.

Unohana said nothing. She knew that speaking up would only cause trouble for Shin. Even the battlefield had been wiped clean. If one were to go to the Forest of Menos now, they would find nothing but a sea of yellow sand.

"Finally, I can relax a little." Kyoraku Shunsui was covered in bandages. He had almost died in the previous battle. Fortunately, his survival skills were top-notch, and he had managed to keep his life.

The condition of the other Soul Reapers was no better, and morale was at an all-time low. When they first arrived in Hueco Mundo, both the captains and their squad members had been full of confidence.

But after the devastating blow they had taken, that confidence had been shattered. Their spirits were completely broken. More than one captain had fallen, and the squad members were terrified. They probably couldn't even fight at their full capacity now.

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Not long after the call for reinforcements went out, Captain-Commander Yamamoto himself arrived in Hueco Mundo, leading a contingent of Soul Reapers.

“I apologize, Captain-Commander.” Chōjirō looked at Genryūsai Yamamoto with regret. He felt he had failed to complete his mission and had to call for help...

"You can accept your punishment when we return."

Genryūsai Yamamoto glanced at Chōjirō and spoke with a cold, almost impersonal tone. Chōjirō accepted it without protest. As the leader of this expedition, he was responsible for the heavy losses. Multiple captains had died or were wounded, and the number of fallen squad members was even greater. If Chōjirō wasn't punished, it wouldn't be right. Whenever a battle was lost, regardless of the reason, the commander always bore responsibility.

"Where is that Vasto Lorde? I will deal with it. I cannot stay in Hueco Mundo for long," Genryūsai Yamamoto said.

"This..."

Chōjirō looked to Unohana Retsu. He didn't know where the Vasto Lorde was. Unohana and Shin were the last to face it.

"I don't know," Unohana said, shaking her head. She couldn't exactly say the Vasto Lorde had already been killed.

Hearing this, Genryūsai Yamamoto frowned. If they didn't know the Vasto Lorde's whereabouts, did he have to stay here indefinitely? What if something happened in the Seireitei? As the Captain-Commander, he couldn't leave his post for long. He was there to handle any sudden crises.

"Then do your best to track down that Vasto Lorde." Genryūsai Yamamoto gave the order, sending everyone to search.

Afterward, Yamamoto personally took action, clearing out most of the Hollows. With some of the larger Hollows eliminated, the remaining lesser ones could serve as training for the squad members. Real combat was the fastest way to improve one's skills.

During a break, Yamamoto specifically sought out Shin. Chōjirō had already reported on Shin’s strength. After a brief conversation, Yamamoto had no suspicions about him.

Yamamoto did ask if Shin was willing to become the captain of the 11th Division, but Shin refused. The main reason was that the 11th Division was full of battle-crazed lunatics—all men, not a single woman in sight. Shin naturally had no interest in joining, not even as captain. As for the current captain of the 11th Division, he had already fallen in battle in Hueco Mundo.

——————————

"How is Captain Shihōin?"

Shin, finding a rare moment of peace, went to visit Kiyotaka Shihōin. Of course, visiting Kiyotaka was secondary; his main reason was to chat with Unohana.

The members of the 2nd Division, now led by the new third seat, were out hunting ordinary Hollows. He didn't need to be there. Even if he did, a Shadow Clone would suffice.

"I'm alive, at least." Kiyotaka Shihōin said to Shin with a bitter smile.

He had managed to survive, but the injuries he’d sustained… he’d likely never fully recover from them.

"Shin, I'm afraid I'll have to entrust the 2nd Division to you in the future. You are the one I have the most faith in!!" Kiyotaka Shihōin said to Shin.

Hearing Kiyotaka’s words, Shin was slightly stunned. It sounded like Kiyotaka wanted him to become the next captain of the 2nd Division.

Shin’s intuition was correct. Kiyotaka indeed wanted Shin to become the captain. He knew he no longer had the strength to lead, and he felt Shin was a better fit. Although the 2nd Division was traditionally led by a member of the Shihōin clan, there were exceptions. It wasn't always possible for the Shihōin clan to have a suitable candidate.

"I will do my best to lead the 2nd Division."

Shin's laid-back personality meant he didn't have strong feelings about being a captain. He could take it or leave it.

"Then I'll leave it to you. I can only recuperate here now," Kiyotaka said bitterly.

Compared to the other captains, he was actually quite fortunate. At least he was still alive. Some captains had died in Hueco Mundo; surviving was a stroke of luck.

"Then please rest well, Captain Shihōin."

Shin didn't want to disturb Kiyotaka any longer and went to find Unohana Retsu.

"You're here."

Unohana had prepared tea and placed it in front of Shin.

"I heard the Captain-Commander offered you the captaincy of the 11th Division. Why did you refuse?" Unohana asked Shin, puzzled.

"Well, I just don't think the 11th Division's atmosphere is for me, so I turned it down," Shin said with a shrug. The reason was simple enough; he really didn't think the vibe of the 11th Division suited him.

"Indeed. I knew someone with your personality wouldn't join the 11th Division." Unohana had already anticipated Shin's refusal. After all, she knew him quite well.

If the 11th Division had some beautiful women, perhaps Shin might have considered it.

"How about joining the 4th Division, then? I could even make you the captain," Unohana teased with a smile.

"I doubt that old man Yamamoto would let me join the 4th Division."

Shin shrugged. Even if he wanted to, that old man probably wouldn't agree. Knowing his combat prowess, would Yamamoto really let a powerhouse like him waste away in the medical corps? It wasn't that he had anything against the 4th Division, but it was a medical squad, focused on healing, and rarely saw combat.

"True. And most importantly, you wouldn't want to, would you, Shin?"

Unohana looked at Shin, seeing that he had no such intention. If he did, she believed he could definitely join the 4th Division.

"Well, to be honest, I think the 4th Division would be too boring."

"Are you saying you'd be bored even with me around?" Unohana looked at Shin, who suddenly felt a hint of danger.

"Haha, of course I wouldn't be bored with you here, Retsu. But still, I think I’m quite happy in the 2nd Division for now."

Shin said with a smile. Just as he and Unohana were joking around, an alarm suddenly blared.

"Hmm, looks like something's happening." Shin stood up. His leisure time seemed to be over.

An alarm like that only meant one thing: a crisis. But what kind of Hollow would be foolish enough to attack now? Did they not know that Genryūsai Yamamoto was right here?

Intrigued, Shin went with Unohana to investigate.