Naruto: Copy System

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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.

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“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.

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