"Really, Genrou? You can actually use Zaraki Kenpachi's power?"
Luffy threw himself in front of Genrou, his eyes sparkling.
"Heh, well, I can use it, yes," Genrou said after sensing the power of Kenpachi flowing within him.
Though he couldn't wield it at full capacity, with his current strength, using the basic powers of Zaraki Kenpachi was doable.
"Awesome! Then can you show us that move that cut the meteor earlier? Oh, and can you also transform his Zanpakutō?"
Luffy asked excitedly.
But just as he finished speaking, Nami grabbed him by the collar.
"Idiot Luffy! Don't make Genrou use a sword strike strong enough to split a meteor here!"
"Do you want to flip our boat?!"
Nami shouted angrily.
"What's the big deal? Even if we capsize, Genrou's here, right?"
"Luffy! Didn't Genrou say earlier that summoning Drake's ship costs him stamina? That's totally impractical out at sea!"
"But we're almost at our destination anyway, so shouldn't it be fine?"
"What do you mean almost there… Wait—are we nearing Orange Town already?"
Nami looked ahead. Sure enough, the faint outline of an island was visible in the distance.
Judging from their heading, it was Orange Town.
"If we're this close, then there's no way we can let Genrou show off a power that can cut the sea."
"If that kind of power gets unleashed here, it'll cause a massive disturbance."
"If we scare off the Buggy Pirates, we won't be able to get their treasure!"
"Luffy, Zoro, start rowing right now. We're going to Orange Town!"
Nami waved her hand like a general giving orders.
"What?! I'm the captain! And why doesn't Genrou have to row?"
Luffy pouted, casting a glance toward Genrou.
"There's only two oars. Just enough for you and Zoro."
"Now quit whining and row already."
Nami shoved the oars into the hands of Luffy and Zoro, the latter of whom was still immersed in his newfound power.
As if she'd ever let Genrou row—his strength was too dangerous to waste. Besides, he'd just promised to show her his treasure collection!
Just thinking about that made Nami rub her hands in anticipation, her eyes turning into belly-shaped symbols.
"Rowing's fine, but I have a question," Zoro said, glancing at Genrou.
"Vice-captain, I've been feeling out the new power inside me."
"When I breathe using that strange technique, I can feel my strength growing."
"But I can only recall the first six forms of Kokushibou's sword style."
"There's nothing in my head about the final six forms of Tsuki no Kokyū (Breath of the Moon)."
"Does that mean I need to get stronger to remember those?"
Genrou nodded.
"The latter six forms of Kokushibou's Breath of the Moon require his oni power to fully manifest."
"In other words, you need to tap into the demonic side of Kokushibou's power first."
"And how do you do that? Relentless training—especially while actively using Kokushibou's power."
"Of course, I could enhance your Heroic Spirit template with a Devil Fruit. That would accelerate your comprehension and might even unlock Ōgi (Secret Techniques)."
"With luck, you might enter the Mimic Heroic Spirit State, allowing you to replicate Kokushibou's power far more perfectly."
"But given your talent, I doubt I'll need to use either of the two Devil Fruits I have. I'm saving those for crewmates with weaker combat potential."
At that, Genrou cast a sideways glance at Nami.
"I see," Zoro nodded. "But what did you mean by 'Mimic Heroic Spirit'? Can I actually become Kokushibou?"
Genrou simply smiled and turned toward the ocean.
Before anyone could ask what he was doing, a golden light suddenly enveloped his body.
"Huh? What's happening—uh?!!"
Zoro's question was cut off by a tremendous pressure radiating from Genrou.
His eyes widened as he watched Genrou's casual clothes transform under the glow.
They morphed into a black Shihakushō with a white haori labeled "11," and a jagged sword appeared in his right hand.
Even his hair spiked up like a hedgehog, with little bells tied at the ends jingling in the wind.
"That's… Zaraki Kenpachi?!"
Luffy yelled, mouth agape.
"The so-called Mimic Heroic Spirit State allows you to project a Heroic Spirit's power onto your body."
"Luffy, Zoro—you both have that mysterious emblem on your chests, right? That's the imprint of your Heroic Spirit template."
"In Mimic State, your clothing and aura begin to resemble your chosen Heroic Spirit."
"Just like I've done now, taking on Kenpachi's form—my energy now matches his."
"And this lets me wield his power with much greater freedom. Observe."
Genrou raised his sword high and swung it at the sea.
"Kendō: Ryōdan!" (Swordsmanship: Dual-Cut)
Shuaa!
A golden slash shot from his blade, hurtling forward and vanishing into the horizon.
For a few seconds, all was still.
Then—BOOOOOM!
The ocean before them split open.
A massive shockwave tore the sea apart, sending waves crashing and rocking their tiny boat violently.
Luffy: "Woooah! Genrou, that was insane—you even cut the sea!"
Zoro: "Damn it… that gap in strength is massive…"
Nami: "Idiot Genrou! The boat's going to capsize!"
Genrou smiled, satisfied as he watched the split sea.
Though Dual-Cut consumed a lot of stamina, the result pleased him.
"If the boat's going to sink, we'll just switch ships. We're almost at Orange Town anyway."
He looked out at the distant island and ended his Mimic State.
The moment the boat capsized, he grabbed his treasure chest with one hand and Nami's waist with the other and leapt high into the air.
"Come forth—Golden Stag!"
At his call, the sea surged.
A massive golden warship burst from the ocean depths, catching the capsized boat—and Luffy and Zoro—on its deck.
"Heh, told you it'd be fine, Nami."
Genrou landed gently on the Golden Stag's deck, smirking at Nami beside him.
…
(End of Chapter)
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