Naruto: Copy System - Chapter 803 803: [803] : Invitation to Join Squad Zero

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“Captain, a message just came in from the First Division. They need you to head over there immediately.”

Shin was in the middle of idling around the Second Division barracks—living the slacker life—when a squad member rushed in to report.

“Go to the First Division? What for??”

Shin frowned slightly as he stood up. Regardless of what old man Yamamoto wanted, Shin couldn’t exactly ignore the summons.

“Alright, I got it. You’re dismissed.” Shin nodded to the subordinate.

After tidying up his appearance a bit, he headed toward the door.

“Heading out again?” Yoruichi asked, spotting him leaving.

“Come on, Yoruichi. ‘Again’? You make it sound like I’m never here.” Shin glanced at her, rolling his eyes. “I barely ever leave.”

In all honesty, Shin rarely went out. He was a homebody by nature, preferring the comfort of his own quarters to the hustle of the Seireitei.

“Going to the Fourth Division?”

Yoruichi knew Shin’s habits well. Usually, if he bothered to leave, it was to visit the Fourth Division. Was he planning to go there again?

“No, First Division this time.”

Shin shook his head at Yoruichi Shihōin. He had no idea what urgent matter Yamamoto had, especially since the Soul Society seemed peaceful enough lately.

“First Division? Alright, go ahead then.”

Hearing it wasn’t the Fourth Division, Yoruichi let him go without hassle. If he had been going to see Unohana, she might have tagged along, but a meeting with the Captain-Commander was boring business.

Shin strolled leisurely to the First Division barracks. Upon entering the assembly hall, he raised an eyebrow. Aside from Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, there was a woman standing there.

Shin recognized her immediately.

Senjumaru Shutara.

Title: Great Weave Guard.

The creator of the Shihakushō and a member of the Royal Guard—Squad Zero.

Squad Zero was an organization older than the Gotei 13, tasked with the sole duty of protecting the Soul King. Each member possessed immense power.

It was rumored that the combined combat power of Squad Zero surpassed that of the entire Gotei 13.

Of course, that rumor didn’t really apply to Shin. He could single-handedly thrash everyone in Squad Zero if he wanted to.

“Captain Shin, it is not I who sought you out, but her,” Yamamoto said, gesturing to the woman.

“Oh? And what business do you have with me?”

Shin looked at Senjumaru. He already had a guess. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was here to invite him to join the Royal Guard.

The strength Shin had displayed was certainly enough to warrant an invitation. Of course, raw power wasn’t the only criteria—one usually needed to have made a significant contribution to Soul Society to be considered.

Not everyone in Squad Zero was a combat specialist, though generally speaking, they were all monsters in their own right.

“I have come to invite you to join Squad Zero.”

“Oh? And what exactly is this ‘Squad Zero’?” Shin sat down, asking with a faint, playful smile.

Hearing this, Senjumaru felt a flicker of annoyance. What did he mean? Was he looking down on them?

Did he think Squad Zero was beneath him? Or was he genuinely ignorant?

It was true that Squad Zero was a secretive entity, rarely descending from the Soul King Palace.

However, veteran Captains were expected to know of their existence. Shin was considered an established Captain by now, so he should have known.

Was he feigning ignorance to provoke her?

Senjumaru didn’t know, but she didn’t lose her temper. She wasn’t one to give in to irrational anger easily.

“Since you are unaware, allow me to enlighten you regarding Squad Zero.”

Senjumaru decided to treat his ignorance as genuine and began to explain the nature of the Royal Guard.

She hyped them up considerably, painting them as an unbeatable force. And to be fair, they were strong.

However, the claim that they were stronger than the entire Gotei 13 combined usually required excluding Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni from the equation.

Yamamoto was a true monster. Even the leader of Squad Zero, Ichibē Hyōsube—the Monk who Called the Real Name—might not necessarily overpower Yamamoto in raw destructive capability, though Ichibē’s Zanpakutō abilities were undeniably broken and bizarre.

“I have zero interest in Squad Zero. So, save your breath. Don’t try to recruit me.”

Shin cut to the chase, making his stance crystal clear.

“Are you truly refusing?” Senjumaru asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You must realize that joining Squad Zero would allow your strength to reach new heights. This is a rare opportunity. Squad Zero stands above the Gotei 13.”

Senjumaru’s comment about standing “above” the Gotei 13 clearly displeased Yamamoto. After all, the Gotei 13 was the organization he had built from the ground up.

Hearing someone claim superiority right to his face was bound to sour his mood.

“Hmph. Captain Shutara, watch your tongue,” Yamamoto grunted coldly.

Hearing the old man’s warning, Senjumaru wisely chose not to push the issue further.

She had no desire to offend Yamamoto. The stubborn old man commanded respect, even from the Royal Guard.

“Right then. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.” Shin turned around and started walking out.

He thought it was something important, but it turned out to be a recruitment pitch. He had absolutely no desire to join.

“Is there really no room for reconsideration?” Senjumaru refused to give up, chasing after him.

“None. Do I need to repeat myself? I have no interest in your squad.”

Why was Shin so uninterested? Primarily because Squad Zero resided in the Soul King Palace. Shin had no desire to be cooped up in that dimension, guarding a lynchpin for eternity.

Life down here was good. Why run off to be a glorified bodyguard in the sky?

People rarely left the Soul King Palace. Shin wasn’t about to sign up for that kind of house arrest.

“If that is the case, it is truly a pity,” Senjumaru said, stopping her pursuit.

However, internally, she hadn’t fully given up. She still harbored thoughts of persuading him later.

“Would Captain Shin mind if I visited the Second Division for a tour?” she asked.

“I don’t mind… If Captain Shutara wants to visit, feel free anytime,” Shin replied with a casual smile.

A glint flashed in Senjumaru’s eyes. Earlier, Yamamoto had only addressed her by her surname. He hadn’t mentioned her given name. Yet, Shin knew it.

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