Chapter 56: A Problematic Issue
"A monster is the best word I could ever use to describe it." Kushina's voice coupled with her eyes staring at the floor set the tone of what she meant. "I- It wasn't normal. It came from a human soul but nothing about it was human. Its limbs and body were malleable and it had a strange mask…" The more Kushina explained it to, the more concerned Rei's face turned.
At first, he had thought it was something from outside, some kind of monster that had found a way inside. But even then, it wouldn't be a problem once they figured out how. They could quickly patch or create barriers in any section of the Soul Society where they were coming from. However, that wasn't the case. It was a soul that transformed into the monster Kushina faced.
And if that was the case, then they had a real issue on their hands. One or two sure no problem; however, if they start appearing in masses, the paradise-like world he had tried to create would crumble. If there ever came a time where he had to deal with an outwards threat such as the Five Great Nations and had to also deal with an inwards threat like these monsters…
It was a lousy predicament and one that could come true. Facing Kushina, Rei was leaning against the desk in deep thought. 'What could be causing it. There has to be a trigger, something that is making this happen rather than a few weeks or months ago.' He needed more information on the matter. "Is there anything else note worthy?"
Looking up at Kushina, who was standing there silently, she thought for a moment.
"It looked like both the physical and psychological state of that man who transformed was pretty bad. He already looked like he was on the brink of insanity. And that girl outside said something strange." Rei could guess she was talking about Fuyumi.
"She said it was getting stronger? Even as we fought it was surviving attacks that should have killed it." Rei took a deep breath in after hearing that he felt his mind beginning to rev itself up. So many thoughts were going through his brain. He needed to manage the situation as fast yet efficiently as possible.
But before any of that, he needed to know if this would be more than a one-time event and how quickly it would multiply. "Alright then." Kushina looked confused as she saw Rei suddenly move. Going behind his desk, he opened up a drawer and pulled out a strange piece of paper. The paper had symbols and etches practically merged with its structure.
"What is that?" Not being able to contain her interest Kushina asked instinctively.
Rei didn't answer right away as he held up his finger and began gathering Reiryoku at its tip. Using that light on his finger, he began writing on the paper, and as he did so, he responded to Kushina. "It's something I created for communication purposes."
After he finished writing, Rei picked up the paper and crushed it with his hand.
Opening his hand, the balled-up paper had turned into a ball of light. "It condenses any amount of information into a ball of absorbable Reishi. It then seeks out whoever the user wishes and delivers the information directly into their mind."
Hearing that, Kushina's mind immediately thought of the Yamanaka clan. 'It's long-range telepathy but it wouldn't even take a specific clan member to use…' Soon the ball of light split into three before launching themselves in different directions. They seemed to ignore anything physical, including the walls and ceiling, as they traveled at blinding speed.
After sending the message off, Rei sighed to himself. Kushina could tell Rie was stressed by the situation. Even though he had grown taller, almost as tall as an adult, and had physically matured, he was still around the age of sixteen.
'He's managing a lot despite being so young. I wonder if my own son would be like him at this age... Or maybe it would be best if he didn't have that much responsibility on his shoulders.'
It was in the middle of her thoughts that Kushina realized Rei was looking at her. He seemed to hesitate at first but when he opened it he suddenly said something. "I'm going to be keeping my eye on you so don't try anything. Consider this a temporary measure." Still drawing a line between her and him, Rei gestured to her to follow him.
Opening the doors to his office, Rei walked out and spotted both Seiki and Fuyumi waiting outside. "Finally!" The two of them looked like they were ready to collapse from boredom. However, when they saw both Kushina and Rei had a severe expression on their faces, they seemed confused.
"Did something happen?" Fuyumi looked at Kushina and then to Rei as he answered.
"We're having a meeting with everyone. I just need to get Ren and then everyone will be there. And as for her…" Kushina looked confused as Rei addressed her. "Keep an eye on her. She's the only one who's truly encountered one of these things. For now we'll be keeping her around." With that, Rei walked off down the hall to grab Ren, leaving Kushina with Fuyumi and Seiki.
"Well, I guess you'll be working with us for a while." Hearing Seiki, Kushina looked down at the two of them with a light smile. "I don't have much of a choice so I guess so." Kushina said that with the slightest hesitation. Meanwhile, as Rei began to walk towards Ren's room, he was unaware of exactly what he was up to.
He had been swamped, and in that time frame, Ren had spent an unusual amount of time in his room. When anyone would ask, he would say it was for an experiment or that he had almost made a breakthrough. Rei would almost call it unhealthy except for the fact Ren still performed his teaching duties and everything else fluidly.
Reaching Ren's room, Rei briefly knocked, only to not get a reply. Opening the door, Rei was greeted once again by a familiar mess. Ren was sleeping at his desk on top of a pile of papers and opened scrolls. He was hearing shuffling. Ren yawned as he raised his head. "Huh…" He spotted Rei as he looked towards his window and saw it was daytime.
"What day is it? Did I miss a meeting or something?" Rei shook his head while gesturing for him to wake up. "No, but I'm sure you would have if I didn't come here." Ren expressed slight confusion, as Rei explained. "We might have an actual problem on our hands." With that, Ren fully woke himself up and followed Ren out of his room.
Fifteen minutes later, Ren, Rei, Fuyumi, Seiki, and Kushina had all made their way to the meeting room. Taking their individual seats, Kushina felt slightly awkward taking a non-assigned seat.
"So what's going on?" Ren looked at Rei and the others hoping to be filled in. "I'll tell you altogether after everyone else arrives."
Responding while still in deep thought, Rei was still trying to wrap his head around the current situation. And in that time it didn't take long for everyone else to arrive. Entering alongside one another, Zabuza, Haku, and Shisui all entered the room. "You called us saying there was a big emergency."
Zabuza felt the strange atmosphere in the room, and so did Haku as they went to take their seats. "I was busy talking with…" Shisui's words trailed off as he spotted Kushina.
Kushina felt someone's gaze on her as she turned and looked towards Shisui. Seeing one another's faces, they both seemed to be briefly shocked.
"Lady Kushina?" Kushina, who wasn't used to being called by her titled name, paused for a moment. "You… I recognize you. You were the boy who played with Mikoto's son." Being friends with Mikoto Uchiha meant Kushina had met Itachi and Sasuke before, and on occasions, though they were not acquainted, she would see Shisui from time to time.
On the other hand, Shisui knew exactly who Kushina was as he looked towards Rei. "I'm guessing this has something to do with why we were called here?" Shisui was slightly more on edge as he took his seat and everyone in the room seemed to get quiet. "In a way. Kushina or Kushina Uzumaki is the wife of the Leaf's Fourth Hokage."
Zabuza and Haku seemed to be slightly surprised looking over at Kushina, while Seiki, Fuyumi, and Ren all appeared to be the most shocked. "I thought souls had their memories wiped. Does she remember who she is?" Rei nodded towards Haku's question as he continued. "While the fact some souls are keeping their memories is surprising it's not too unexpected.
And sadly while I wish I could say that was the most important thing I brought you all here to talk about… It isn't." Everyone focused on Rei's words as he pointed out the severity of the situation. "Kushina if you would." Kushina nodded her head and stood up from her seat, and began explaining her encounter exactly how she did to Rei.
As she did, even Fuyumi and Seiki, who watched it go down, began to have a change of expression.
Seeing something was one thing, but knowing the consequences and possibilities was another. "Something like that… This hasn't happened before to anyone in the Soul Society why is it starting now?"
Shisui asked the same question Rei did to himself as he shook his head. "I'm not sure but the fact it's happening at all is bad." Zabuza, who had a more calm look on his face, tapped his finger on the table before speaking. "So there are monsters roaming around that used to be normal souls? Does that mean we're at risk as well?"
With Zabuza and the others being complete souls while Fuyumi and the likes are more fifty-fifty, it sounded possible. "I doubt it. Even as a wild guess I would say it was linked to both the physical and mental state like she suggested." Ren had already begun taking mental notes as he responded to Zabuza.
"So in that case what do we do? If we announce anything it may cause a panic." Haku looked towards Rei for an answer as he put his hands together. "That's why I called you all here. I have new orders for you all to carry out." Turning to Zabuza first, Rei spoke. "Most security is handled by your division Zabuza that includes patrols across the Soul Society.
I want you to issue orders to detain anyone who exhibits the kinds of physical and mental states Kushina mentioned." Haku, Shisui, and Ren nodded in agreement. However, Zabuza posted an issue. "We can do that however we will still need a reason. Picking random people off the streets wouldn't be the best look for us even if they're acting crazy."
Suddenly Kushina spoke up slightly. "Well if you want to avoid panic and suspicion you could say it's for medical reasons." It was surprising Kushina was pitching in but no one stopped her as she continued on. "People still don't understand how souls work and currently your words are counted as truth. If you say that it's to check their soul's stability or something along those lines I'm sure people wouldn't care as much."
Rei looked towards Kushina, staring at her for a moment as she suddenly stopped talking.
"Alright, then we'll do that for now." Surprise swelled up as she heard Rei agree with her. Turning towards Shisui, Rei gave a different set of orders. "I know the Stealth Division is still not fully ready for action however this is important. If we're going to figure out how this is happening I need you to capture one of these monsters alive IF any appear."
"I want this issue to be fixed before it even has a chance to start."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aizen_Dleitch
Aizen_Dleitch Alot of talking this chapter but most of it was needed conversation. After the next chapter things go back to focusing on the Naruto world.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter :D
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