On the martial arts arena.
Two figures, both bare-chested and revealing lean, muscular physiques, clashed passionately.
"Haaaah!!"
"Hmphraaaah!!"
Komamura Sajin stretched out his furry arms, interlocking his fingers with the equally burly man opposite him, pushing against each other.
With a roar that echoed through the arena, the muscles on his arms suddenly expanded, veins bulging, his thick fur momentarily unable to conceal the sheer mass.
Opposite him, a large man with a painted face refused to be outdone. His muscles knotted together as he recklessly unleashed his vigorous strength, causing the ground beneath his feet to crack and fissure.
Seeing this, the surrounding squad members erupted into deafening cheers.
"Big dog, so strong and powerful!"
"You can't lose, you're the mascot of the Naraku Squad!"
"How can a mere first-generation captain rival our convictions!"
"Komamura!!"
Naraku Sora looked toward the stage with curiosity, only to see the fully recovered Komamura Sajin wrestling with Zenjōji Uhin.
Both sides had tacitly agreed not to use their Zanpakutō, opting instead for this blood-pumping method of hand-to-hand combat.
Surprisingly, Komamura Sajin was not at a disadvantage; he even showed faint signs of suppressing his opponent.
It was just that his posture wasn't very graceful, completely clashing with his usual aesthetics.
Who knows who he learned it from, but he looked exactly like a brainless brute, lacking any elegance.
If word of this got out, wouldn't it confirm the rumor that everyone in Shino Prison was a reckless brute?
Sensing the return of their Prison Warden, the squad members tacitly stepped aside, clearing a spacious path for Naraku Sora.
Sora didn't mind, casually walking up to the front and watching the match in the arena with a serious expression.
Perhaps realizing he was being watched by the person he respected most, Komamura Sajin's body expanded once more.
His already exaggerated physique grew to the size of a small giant. Just standing there, he gave off an unstoppable, ferocious aura.
"Roar!"
Opening his bloody maw, Komamura erupted with astonishing momentum. Visible Reiatsu coiled around his body as his arms suddenly exerted force, lifting Zenjōji Uhin high into the air and hurling him away like a shot put.
Boom!
The burly figure instantly flew backward, crashing heavily into the outer Kidō barrier, stirring up ripples of transparent waves.
Zenjōji Uhin slid down from the barrier, shook his somewhat dazed head, and then abruptly stood up. He grinned fiercely, ready for another round.
However, he then caught sight of the familiar figure standing at the edge of the arena.
"Ah, Lord Naraku has returned."
He didn't care at all about his own defeat, a simple and honest smile appearing on his face.
Although this expression, paired with his current appearance, looked exceptionally hideous—terrifying enough to silence a crying child.
But fortunately, similar sights were everywhere in Shino Prison. The others were long used to it, so no one paid it much mind.
"Lord Naraku."
"Lord Prison Warden!"
The two men leaped down from the arena, approaching Naraku Sora to greet him warmly.
The chaos in Hell had only recently passed, and the image of Naraku Sora displaying his divine might to save the Seireitei was still vivid in their minds.
They held genuine, heartfelt respect for this Soul Reaper who had founded the new Gotei 13.
Not to mention, Naraku Sora had also rescued them from Hell's control, freeing them from that endless cycle of torment.
"Good performance, you didn't embarrass me."
Naraku Sora patted Komamura Sajin heavily on the shoulder, shaking the latter so much that he grimaced, half his body going numb.
Even so, an honest smile still surfaced on his canine face.
"Lord Naraku, it's so good that you're alright."
Komamura Sajin had participated in the rescue operation, but due to the gap in raw power, he hadn't been able to achieve much before being taken out by Ulquiorra.
He felt deeply guilty about this.
Fortunately, Naraku Sora had returned safely; otherwise, he would never have forgiven himself.
"What could possibly happen to me?"
Naraku Sora grinned. "As for you, I haven't seen you in a few days, and you're even stronger than before."
"Not bad. In a while, I'll have Kisuke bring out a Tenshintai for you to try."
"If you can successfully master your Bankai, you'll be a captain in name and reality."
Komamura Sajin was improving rapidly. His Reiatsu had already reached the captain level, and combined with the physical advantages of the werewolf clan, he was no longer inferior to certain captains.
Naraku Sora had a lot of confidence in him.
His gaze swept through the crowd, noticing many relieved expressions.
Despite having great confidence in their superior, they couldn't help but worry when they hadn't seen him return.
Now that he was finally back, the new Gotei 13 once again had its pillar of support.
Morale soared accordingly.
To celebrate Naraku Sora's safe return, the squad members immediately prepared to celebrate in their own way.
The battle between Komamura Sajin and Zenjōji Uhin was just an appetizer.
Soon, two more familiar figures stepped onto the arena.
Tōsen Kaname and Ōtogawa Furūki.
Compared to Komamura and Zenjōji's contest of strength, the fighting style of these two was much more reserved.
Yet, it still revealed a deep-seated madness in their bones.
They opened with a barrage of Hadō spells. As the ashes erupted, both figures simultaneously charged into the smoke, engaging in a fierce clash of swordsmanship.
Metal crossed, and sparks flew in all directions.
At the same time, several figures approached Naraku Sora.
"Speaking of which, we haven't had the chance to formally thank you yet."
Saitō narrowed her eyes and pulled at the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile.
Perhaps due to her personality, her expression looked more like a threat than a gesture of gratitude.
In contrast, Katori Batsu'unsai's thanks were very solemn. She bowed deeply, her face serious.
"Thank you very much, Lord Naraku!"
Pressing her hands in front of her chest made her already prominent cleavage even deeper.
Seeing this, Saitō froze for a moment, instinctively glancing down at her own chest, before a resentful expression appeared on her face.
*This woman with her obscene bust size!*
Katori Batsu'unsai seemed to notice something. After standing up straight, she reached out and gently rubbed Saitō's head, just as she had done when they were alive.
Feeling the warmth from above, Saitō lowered her gaze, seemingly recalling something, and fell silent.
"There's no need to say such things."
Naraku Sora waved his hand. "If you really want to thank me, just accompany me to a certain place later."
"What place?"
Shihōin Chika leaned in.
Ever since the meeting at the Comprehensive Relief Clinic ended, he had only stayed in Squad 2 for a few days to check on Shihōin Yoruichi's usual working condition.
After confirming that she was even more outstanding than his past self, he felt at ease.
As for the Shihōin Clan, he hadn't even gone back to visit.
To Chika, all of that was in the past.
If he, a person who should have been dead, got involved again, it would likely trigger a series of unnecessary troubles.
After all, he was once the head of the Shihōin Clan.
To avoid causing trouble for his descendants, Shihōin Chika had stayed in Shino Prison.
In his view, as the first generation, they were all sinners.
This place suited their identities perfectly.
"You'll know in a bit."
"Let's watch their battle first."
Naraku Sora gestured toward the two fighting in the arena.
"I see that Ōtogawa is completely outmatched; Kaname will cut him down in no time."
"Hah?"
Hearing this, Saitō immediately perked up.
"Do you even know what a first-generation captain is, kid? How could a mere unofficial member who isn't even in the Gotei 13 defeat Ōtogawa!"
"Don't think that just because that big dog won, it proves anything. Zenjōji hasn't even brought out his true abilities yet."
Naraku Sora merely smiled and said nothing.
This attitude instantly enraged Saitō, who shouted about fighting him to the death.
However, she subconsciously forgot the miserable state she was in when she was mercilessly beaten by a certain someone upon her first return to the Soul Society.
On the arena, the two combatants released their Bankai almost simultaneously.
Massive domain barriers expanded, directly enveloping the two figures within.
Normally, Soul Reapers were not allowed to release their Bankai within the Seireitei unless it was an emergency.
Of course, exceptions like Kuruyashiki Kenpachi existed.
But this rule obviously had no effect on Shino Prison.
Ever since Naraku Sora took over as Prison Warden, he had never treated Central 46 with any respect.
And Central 46 had a tacit understanding regarding this; they never issued any secret orders to Shino Prison. Even if there were mandatory missions, they only relayed them through Squad 1.
The Bankai barriers did not last very long.
When the pitch-black darkness melted away like ink, two tottering figures appeared on the arena.
Both Ōtogawa and Tōsen Kaname were covered in slash marks. The more severe wounds even pierced straight through their internal organs.
The squad members skillfully went up to carry them off, sending Tōsen Kaname directly to the youth-edition Hell Hot Springs.
However, they were a bit troubled when it came to Ōtogawa Furūki.
He wasn't a normal Soul Reaper; he had been transformed from a Sinner of Hell, and his essence was still that of a Gigai.
The Hell Hot Springs might not be effective on him.
Just as the squad members were hesitating, Naraku Sora approached the crowd. "Leave him to me."
As the only person who had mastered the Impure World Reincarnation, he was the most suitable person to heal him.
However, after just a brief glance, Naraku Sora frowned deeply.
It was completely different from what he had expected.
A body revived by the Impure World Reincarnation was supposed to be capable of self-recovery, with an efficiency even more exaggerated than High-Speed Regeneration.
Yet the Ōtogawa before him was recovering sluggishly, with dust-like paper scraps reattaching themselves bit by bit.
At this rate, it would take at least a few days for him to fully recover.
That didn't make sense.
Could there be a problem with his Impure World Reincarnation?
While he was pondering this, Shihōin Chika approached and sighed helplessly.
"Is it different from how it was at the beginning?"
"Actually, we noticed this a few days ago."
Naraku Sora turned to look at him, confusion flashing in his eyes.
Shihōin Chika shook his head.
"When it comes down to it, we are ultimately the dead. No matter how miraculous your technique is, it merely severs the shackles binding the souls of the deceased."
"It doesn't forcibly reverse the concepts of life and death."
"Naraku, this is no longer our era..."