"Naruto and Sasuke both adapted to killing with extreme speed. They are both natural-born ninja."
"Sakura's ability to adapt was slightly weaker, but still outstanding."
"I am honored to be their teacher."
Kakashi quietly observed the entire process of Team Seven completing the mission from the shadows.
Although there were some minor issues before the mission began, they were quickly resolved.
The result, while successful...
Was also regrettable.
All the townspeople of YoruNegai Town had been killed.
The only woman who had been brutalized and had clung to life until the end also chose to commit suicide.
For Team Seven, the mission was completed.
But they had also lost.
The atmosphere on the way back was heavy.
Even Naruto had put away his smile.
"You did well on this mission," Kakashi was the first to break the silence.
"Firstly, your intelligence gathering and reconnaissance were excellent. You didn't alert the enemy and obtained the information you needed."
"Although there were some minor problems later, the good outweighed the bad. You completed it splendidly; one wouldn't even guess it was your first time taking on this type of mission."
However, Kakashi's praise didn't lift the team's spirits in the slightest.
"Remember, you did what you were supposed to do, and you completed the mission very well."
"This world itself contains many uncontrollable unknowns. We are ninja; we cannot allow missions to stir up unnecessary emotions. Don't let your judgment be affected," Kakashi said in a low voice.
Yet, he unconsciously thought of Konoha's former top powerhouse, his own father, the White Fang of Konoha.
His expression became somewhat dazed, his tone tinged with sorrow.
For Team Seven, tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
At noon the next day, they returned to the village. Kakashi gave them a break: everyone go their separate ways, back to their own homes.
In the Hokage's office.
Kakashi reported everything that had happened during the mission.
The Third Hokage, puffing on his pipe with a smile, waited until Kakashi finished his report before speaking:
"Mm, it seems Naruto and the others are adapting well. That puts my mind at ease."
"Kakashi, what do you think of Naruto's performance? Was there anything abnormal?"
"Abnormal... Well, when he first killed, he was rather affected, but he was fine after some self-regulation. Throughout the mission, his performance was excellent. Both his tactical assignments and intelligence reconnaissance were impressive. He has great potential."
"And his psychological state?"
"No significant change. He was even very concerned about his teammates before any blood was shed."
"Is that so? Naruto has a gentle personality just like Minato, doesn't he?" the Third Hokage said with emotion. He rose and walked to the window, looking out at the peaceful and serene Konoha.
"I'm entrusting Naruto's growth to you, Kakashi."
"This isn't a request from the Hokage, but a request from an old man."
At Naruto's home.
Naruto still wore a serious expression, but he wasn't dejected because of the YoruNegai Town mission.
"Souls that cultivate chakra can undergo Hollowfication, but what about the souls of ordinary people?"
He had been constantly pondering this question.
Kakashi had been present during the previous mission, so he hadn't dared to recklessly infuse those souls with Reiatsu, ultimately only able to watch as the souls disappeared into the air.
"Where do these souls ultimately go? Does the Naruto world have a place like Soul Society, suitable for souls to reside?"
He had too many questions in his heart that he wanted answers to.
But he couldn't put them into practice, couldn't search for answers.
All of this was because of... Konoha.
"Konoha's restrictions on me are too great!" His eyes gradually turned cold.
"I need to find a way to gain a higher degree of trust from Konoha. Only then will I have the opportunity to begin human experimentation," Naruto thought to himself.
From the current stage, basic experiments could be divided into:
Ordinary souls and chakra-infused souls.
The content of the experiments would be the potential changes these two types of souls might undergo when infused with Reiatsu.
At the same time, in the seal space, Aizen was also muttering to himself: "Naruto is too restricted at this stage. Konoha like this... it really would be better to destroy it."
After this mission, Kakashi gave Team Seven a three-day break.
During this time, Sasuke didn't stop training; he still went to the training ground every day to diligently practice hand seals and ninjutsu.
Sakura was still affected; she stayed at home these few days, frequently having nightmares.
Naruto, however, was completely unaffected, merely troubled by how he could conduct his experiments.
Only through repeated practice could he break through all existing limitations.
But frustratingly, he couldn't even conduct the experiments.
"I must find a way to leave the village again," Naruto thought.
With this slightly defeated thought, he drifted off to sleep.
Two consecutive days of high-intensity missions; even an iron-like body would find it somewhat unbearable.
When Naruto opened his eyes again, he found himself back in that fantastical palace.
It was still the same lonely, cold atmosphere, with the exquisite throne placed at the far end of the palace.
"I'm here again. The Zanpakuto's space." Naruto paced on the spot, frowning.
The last time he came to this space, he had awakened his Shikai.
Could it be Bankai this time? He had learned from Aizen.
Shikai was not the entirety of a Zanpakuto's power.
Above Shikai, there was the even more powerful Bankai.
Generally, only Captain-level Shinigami mastered Bankai.
After achieving Bankai, a Shinigami's Reiatsu and combat power would undergo a qualitative leap.
Depending on the individual, combat power in Bankai state was generally about 5 to 10 times that of Shikai—a terrifying increase.
After Bankai, not only would the Zanpakuto's appearance change, but even the user's clothing and hairstyle might transform.
Changes in abilities mainly fell into three categories:
Further strengthening of existing abilities.
Acquisition of new abilities.
Transformation into a completely different type of ability.
Some individuals might experience a combination of the above.
Naruto had once asked Aizen about his Bankai form but ultimately received no answer.
This made him extremely eager for his own Bankai.
At this moment, his vision distorted, and the familiar black-robed figure appeared beside the throne, still wearing a hood, its face obscured.
However, its build was now similar to Naruto's current physique.
"Long time no see, my King," the black-robed figure said respectfully.
"Hello." Returning to this space, Naruto was much calmer. He slowly walked over to the black-robed figure's side, curiously examining the throne.
No gems, no patterns, just simple grey, yet it stirred an urge within Naruto to sit upon it.
"My King, are you perhaps dissatisfied with Kyoka Suigetsu?" the shadowy figure asked respectfully.
Naruto withdrew his gaze from the throne.
"Is there a Bankai?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Is that so? So you desire Kyoka Suigetsu's Bankai." The shadowy figure trembled, its tone suddenly filled with disappointment. "Bankai is—"
Before he could hear clearly, Naruto felt a wave of dizziness, and the palace in his vision seemed to recede further and further away.
In a daze, he thought he saw the shadowy figure's lips moving, saying something.
But apart from the lips, he still couldn't make out the black-robed figure's appearance.
When Naruto regained consciousness, he was already back in reality.
His eyes were filled with confusion, and he muttered to himself:
"Have I not yet reached the stage to attain Bankai?"
"This world is too much of a hindrance to my Reiatsu cultivation."
"But what did he mean by that? 'You desire Kyoka Suigetsu's Bankai?' Could there be other Bankai?"