Grand Line — Polynesia Island
On an open stretch of ground near the harbor, Ren Kuro neatly arranged the ten Devil Fruits before him.
In his mind, the image of a towering man had already taken shape.
He had long since decided who his next summon would be.
"I choose to unlock…"
"Captain of Squad Eleven — Kenpachi Zaraki!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the ten Devil Fruits vanished instantly.
"Energy absorption complete. Beginning summoning."
As the system's voice rang out, the same brilliant azure light as before appeared in front of Ren Kuro.
The light bloomed outward, and within it, the outline of a massive figure gradually emerged.
He was a fierce-looking man with a scar running across the left side of his face. Small bells hung from the tips of his spiked hair, each one able to react to spiritual pressure. Over his right eye, he wore a black eyepatch that suppressed his Reiatsu, all so he could savor the thrill of battle longer.
At a glance alone, one could feel the violent aura pouring off him.
He was like a sleeping beast—
one that might erupt with endless power at any moment.
Captain of Squad Eleven — Kenpachi Zaraki.
Kenpachi Zaraki came from the lawless Zaraki District of North Rukongai, and later took the name Zaraki as his own surname. Even from childhood, he had displayed an abnormal lust for battle.
The reason he became a captain was simple:
his utterly fearless nature, and his overwhelming spiritual pressure.
Among the thirteen captains, he was the only one who had never risen through the ranks in the usual way. Even Central 46 feared the savage freedom of his nature and the crushing force of his strength.
And every time Kenpachi Zaraki brushed against death—
he only grew stronger.
He was a monster that would never fall.
Just as Kenpachi fully manifested, the system's voice rang out again.
"Congratulations, Host. You have successfully summoned the Captain of Squad Eleven, Kenpachi Zaraki!"
"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Shikai of Nozarashi, along with Kenpachi Zaraki's Shinigami powers."
Just as Ren Kuro expected, summoning Kenpachi caused his own attributes to rise again.
His Reiatsu swelled.
His vitality grew even more powerful.
Kenpachi Zaraki may not know Kidō, but he possessed a brutally overbearing sword style. He had once defeated Nnoitra Gilga with nothing more than his two-handed swordsmanship, and the monstrous Reiatsu in his body stood above that of many captains.
"…Where the hell is this?"
A rough, uncivil voice broke the air as Kenpachi Zaraki appeared fully before them.
"Ren Kuro… to think you actually summoned this monster." For the first time, Gin Ichimaru's ever-present smile dimmed into something more serious. Even he clearly regarded Kenpachi as a troublesome existence.
"A lawless beast. A man who lives only to fight." Byakuya Kuchiki closed his eyes arrogantly. "Standing beside someone like you is a misfortune in itself."
The noble refinement of Byakuya and Kenpachi's raw savagery could not have been more opposite.
"What's with this crap? So it's you two bastards."
Kenpachi's voice was coarse and wild as he looked at Gin and Byakuya.
"You're the ones who dragged me into this world?"
"Oh no, Captain Kenpachi, you're giving me too much credit." Gin's smile returned, sly as ever. "I'd never go out of my way to cause myself trouble."
"…What was that?"
Kenpachi slowly lifted the Zanpakutō resting on his shoulder.
"Gin Ichimaru… you trying to fight me?"
The way he looked at him made the air turn cold.
It was the gaze of a hunter staring at prey.
Bloodthirsty.
Violent.
Kenpachi's fighting spirit boiled awake in an instant. Veins bulged across his body as an astonishing killing intent flooded the area.
For a man who lived to indulge himself through battle and slaughter, things like authority, position, and titles meant nothing.
Only bloodshed mattered.
"These three really are impossible to put together…" Ren Kuro felt his heart twitch. He had always known Kenpachi was unreasonable, but even so, he hadn't expected trouble to start the instant he appeared.
"Hey, hey, hey—give your captain some face here and stop it."
Ren Kuro hurried between them and raised both hands.
Kenpachi glanced at him deeply.
"…You're the one who summoned me, right?"
After a moment, he finally lowered his sword.
"…Good."
Ren Kuro let out a long breath of relief. Thanks to the system, summoned figures could not go against his will.
"Kenpachi Zaraki, from now on, you're a pirate too. We're already being hunted by the Marines, so the road ahead probably won't be peaceful."
"Marines, huh?" Kenpachi rested his sword on his shoulder and grinned like a beast. "Hope they're tough enough to survive a few cuts. Otherwise, how am I supposed to pass the time?"
"…So your first thought is to start cutting Marines?" Ren Kuro's lips twitched. "As long as you're happy."
He could already picture what would happen if the Marines caught this monster's attention.
Once Kenpachi Zaraki locked onto someone, the fight wouldn't end until one side collapsed.
"Come on. Now that we've got another companion, it's time to leave Polynesia Island."
Ren Kuro turned and looked toward the tiny wooden boat docked nearby, only to frown in open disgust.
With their numbers growing, that little boat was no longer enough for what lay ahead.
What they needed now—
more than anything—
was a ship sturdy enough to cross the entire Grand Line.
"…Got it."
A light flashed in Ren Kuro's eyes.
"If we're looking for a ship, there's only one place worth going."
The greatest shipbuilding city in the world.
Water 7.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews (leave a review/comment!)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon: patreon.com/KageNaruto