Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

Its dark, unremarkable, shallowly forged surface gleamed with a cold light, like a sword waiting to draw blood.

"Asauchi is the form of a Zanpakuto before it awakens. It only awakens after the Shinigami and the Zanpakuto spirit communicate and unite," Aizen said at this moment.

"Sword spirit? What's that?" Naruto asked, looking confused.

"Awakening a Zanpakuto?"

Naruto stroked Asauchi, and a connection was rekindled between them in his heart.

This feeling is...

Naruto's eyes widened; that heart-to-heart connection felt so familiar.

Suddenly, a strong feeling of fatigue washed over him. Naruto felt his eyelids droop, gripped his sword, and leaned against the bedside, falling into a deep sleep.

Chapter Nine: The Mysterious Man, the Name of the Zanpakuto

I was in complete darkness.

A firelight appeared in the distance, and Naruto suddenly awoke to find himself in a magnificent palace.

An exquisite throne stood alone high up at the far end of the palace.

It was filled with an atmosphere of loneliness and desolation.

This is where?

Naruto was completely confused.

In the past, I would come to the sealed space after falling asleep, but this time it was an unfamiliar scene.

Why do I keep encountering these strange things?

Naruto couldn't help but complain.

"You've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for a long time." At this moment, an ethereal and deep voice echoed in the space, and then a human figure shrouded in shadow appeared beside the throne.

The man was wearing a long black robe and a hood.

The face was obscured by shadows, making it impossible to see anything clearly.

He stood straight beside the throne, and surprisingly, he seemed somewhat respectful.

Could it be a ninja's illusion?

Naruto felt a chill run down his spine.

Perhaps because he had begun his cultivation, the Third Generation was worried and sent his subordinates to test him with illusions?

Probably.

I can't afford to give myself away.

The cautious Naruto spoke first:

"Hello, excuse me, where is this place?"

"This is your... kingdom." As soon as the words were spoken, the once lifeless palace came alive, the entire space began to boil, and starlight spread, painting a dazzling starry sky.

Just as Naruto was surprised, he felt a blur before his eyes.

The next moment, a dark figure appeared beside him, elegant and respectful.

Naruto cautiously took a step back.

His gaze lingered on the face of the shadowy figure.

Strangely, even when face to face at close range, the shadowy figure's face remained shrouded in shadow, making it impossible to discern its true appearance.

"Who are you?" Naruto felt a sense of familiarity from the shadowy figure.

This is not an illusion, nor is it a test by the Third Generation.

For some reason, he suddenly became deeply convinced.

Upon hearing Naruto's question, the shadowy figure bowed respectfully to Naruto.

"I am the deepest strength in your heart, the strength you yearn for, and the most loyal and reliable help you on your way to the clouds."

"Power? Power as strong as Aizen's?" Naruto asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto saw the shadowy figure tremble, its tone filled with disappointment.

"Aizen? So, to you, his power is indeed powerful."

"It seems the time isn't right yet." The shadowy figure's mutterings echoed through the space, trembling.

"Please remember, I am the only one you can trust. I will be the sharpest blade in your hand, cutting through all obstacles in your path."

You can call me...

As Naruto listened to the whispering voice in his ear, his consciousness gradually blurred, the man in his sight became farther and farther away, and the voice became indistinct.

As my consciousness faded into darkness, a sentence rang clearly in my ears.

"A mirage" or "a reflection in a mirror."

When Naruto regained consciousness, he was already back inside the house, where the flickering candlelight illuminated his ever-changing expression.

"What... just happened?"

"A mirage?"

He held his head in confusion, and Qian Da slid off him to the ground.

The blade is dark green, smooth, and sharp.

This is not the original shallow kabuki!

Naruto gripped his transformed Zanpakuto with a look of astonishment.

An unprecedented feeling welled up inside me.

A mysterious initial phrase surfaced in my mind: "Shatter, you mirage."

.......

In the early morning, Naruto woke up from his sleep. In his drowsy state, he touched the Zanpakuto beside his pillow, Kyoka Suigetsu.

The cold hilt of the knife jolted him awake, and he got up, wide awake.

“Mirror Flower, Water Moon…” he murmured the name of his Zanpakuto, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

After his Zanpakuto awakened yesterday, he felt exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

This time, he did not go to the sealed space, and when he woke up again it was already morning.

“Mr. Aizen, yesterday my consciousness entered an unknown space and I was told the name of my Zanpakuto.” Naruto raised his dark green Zanpakuto, attempting to communicate with Aizen.

"You've already mastered Shikai?" Aizen's tone was full of doubt.

Shikai is the first stage of Zanpakuto's release.

Once released, a Zanpakuto will possess unique abilities.

It takes an ordinary Shinigami at least ten years to master Shikai, and the second stage, Bankai, is a realm that ordinary Shinigami cannot even touch.

"I think so," Naruto said uncertainly. "I think it's called Mirror Flower, Water Moon?"

"A mirage?!" Aizen's pupils dilated, then he fell silent, not responding no matter how Naruto called out to him.

Inside the sealed space, Aizen covered his face with his right hand, and a strange smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

"Just as I thought, Naruto can use my power. I didn't even notice it; his spiritual pressure is still the same, and his body is normal. Could this be a replication?"

A low laugh echoed through the sealed space.

"It suddenly became fun."

.......

After a quick wash, Naruto prepared a hearty breakfast for himself.

Two fried eggs and a piece of dry bread.

Given his training commitments, he urgently needs to replenish his nutrition.

After finishing his breakfast, Naruto went out and headed towards the weapon shop in Konoha.

He needs to forge a knife and carry a load.

"Hello, sir. I need a dark green sword made, and some weights too," Naruto said gently as he entered the weapon shop.

The weapons shop was bustling with activity, as apprentices diligently forged weapons.

The blacksmith looked up, shirtless, wiped the sweat from his grime-covered hands, and frowned as he took the sketch Naruto had drawn.

"Oh right, this is the weapon purchase permit that my Third Hokage gave me." Naruto pulled a permit out of his pocket.

Civilians cannot freely purchase weapons in Konoha; they need a license.

“These things…” The blacksmith looked at the sketch quietly and pondered for a moment.

The weapons of Konoha ninjas are mostly the same, consisting of shuriken, kunai, explosive tags, etc. Very few ninjas issue commissions to forge swords, which are not technical jobs.

Why would Naruto, who is so young, buy these things?

The blacksmith looked at Naruto with a questioning gaze, but didn't press further and nodded.

Not seeking customers' secrets is a basic professional quality.

"No problem, come back in three days to pick it up. Please pay the deposit first."

He had no reason to refuse Naruto's lucrative commission since he was open to business.

"That's troublesome."

After leaving the weapon shop, Naruto headed towards the training ground.

The blacksmith stared blankly at the sketch, muttering to himself, "This knife is so long. It's strange, why did he order it to carry 20KG of weight? Can someone so young really bear it?"

He patted his head for a moment, then suddenly realized, "What was I thinking? He's a nine-tailed fox spirit, he must be extraordinary."

......

Upon arriving at the training ground, Naruto began jogging slowly around it.