Moria crashed to the ground.
Before the cruelty of reality, his dream of ruling the New World shattered completely. He died carrying endless resentment and humiliation with him.
In the end, Moria had been discarded by the tide of the era—
reduced to nothing more than an insignificant grain of sand in the river of time.
"Well now, the big guy finally went down." Gin Ichimaru strolled over to Moria's corpse with his usual smiling expression. "He was worth quite a lot of money, too."
"You two killed him before I even got to do anything. What a letdown." Kenpachi Zaraki clicked his tongue in annoyance. By the time he was ready to move, Moria had already been cut down.
"Gin, Byakuya, well done."
Ren Kuro stepped up with a smile. "Compared to Moria's bounty, I'm more interested in what's hidden aboard Thriller Bark."
"Ren Kuro, this ship is huge. There should be tons of treasure, right?" Yachiru said excitedly from Ren Kuro's shoulder.
"That's right. Moria dared to prepare for a clash with Kaido, so with his cautious personality, he definitely made thorough preparations. Thriller Bark might be hiding all kinds of valuables."
Ren Kuro's eyes flashed.
"There might even be Devil Fruits."
The moment he mentioned Devil Fruits, a sharp light appeared in his gaze.
He also intended to rise in the New World and claim the throne of an Emperor—but three captains and one lieutenant were still far from enough.
The most urgent priority was still the same:
gather more Devil Fruits, and summon more companions.
"Ren Kuro, leave it to us!" Yachiru poked her cheek with two fingers and grinned. "Ken-chan and I may be terrible with directions, but we're great at digging up treasure."
"Who are you calling terrible with directions, idiot?" Kenpachi snorted.
"Dummy! The one calling other people an idiot is the real idiot!" Yachiru stuck out her tongue at him from Ren Kuro's shoulder.
"Alright, enough."
Ren Kuro couldn't help laughing. "Go find every bit of treasure on this ship. I'll be waiting for good news."
For captains like them, it was simple. All they had to do was spread their Reiatsu through every corner of Thriller Bark, and any hidden Devil Fruit would be impossible to miss.
Not long after
At the very top of one of Thriller Bark's deepest towers—
Ren Kuro stood before a black chest, his expression unreadable.
"I really underestimated him."
He looked at the treasures laid out in front of him and admitted as much. Moria had ruled the first half of the Grand Line for years. The amount of wealth he had hidden away was proof enough that this was nothing like the hollow wreck he would become later.
Three Devil Fruits.
And a mountain of treasure.
Clearly, Moria had been preparing for something huge—
only for all of it to collapse before it could ever happen.
"With three Devil Fruits and this much wealth…"
Ren Kuro's eyes flickered thoughtfully.
"We should be able to gather ten before long."
He made his decision quickly.
"Yachiru. Gin. Byakuya. Kenpachi."
He looked at them in turn.
"We're leaving this fog sea. We head for the next island. Once we've gathered ten Devil Fruits, we'll set course for Fish-Man Island."
"Understood."
Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1511Grand Line — Barros Island
"One year…"
Ren Kuro stood in a room in the middle of the town, staring at the black chest in front of him.
At last, inside it—
ten Devil Fruits had been gathered.
"It took more than a year, but I finally have enough."
He lined the fruits up neatly before him.
And in his mind, a lean young figure appeared.
He had already decided who the next summon would be.
"I choose to unlock…"
"Captain of Squad Ten — Tōshirō Hitsugaya!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the ten Devil Fruits vanished at once.
"Energy absorption complete. Beginning summoning."
As the system prompt sounded, the same dazzling azure light appeared before Ren Kuro.
The light spread out, and within it a small figure slowly became visible.
He looked young—almost shockingly so.
Silver hair.
Emerald-green eyes.
A green shoulder strap pinned with a metal insignia over his shihakushō.
Even at a glance, one could feel the calm and composure radiating from him. Though he lacked the towering physical presence of the other captains, the force of his spirit was in no way inferior.
Captain of Squad Ten — Tōshirō Hitsugaya!
Hitsugaya was the youngest genius in Soul Society's history to ever become a captain.
His power did not come only from his natural talent, but also from the Zanpakutō he wielded with pride—
Hyorinmaru.
The strongest ice-type Zanpakutō in Soul Society.
Its attack range was vast, and the Reiatsu it released could freeze the moisture in the air itself, forming ice dragons and even manipulating the weather.
The moment Tōshirō fully appeared, the system spoke again.
"Congratulations, Host. You have successfully summoned the Captain of Squad Ten, Tōshirō Hitsugaya!"
"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Shikai of Hyorinmaru, along with Tōshirō Hitsugaya's freezing power."
While Hitsugaya might not surpass the others in raw swordsmanship or sheer Reiatsu, his potential was absolutely among the highest. Through the system, Ren Kuro perfectly inherited that talent.
"…Where is this?"
Hitsugaya opened his eyes and looked around in confusion.
"Well, if it isn't Captain Hitsugaya. Long time no see." Gin Ichimaru smiled as usual.
"Gin Ichimaru…"
Hitsugaya frowned the moment he saw that familiar smile. Then his gaze shifted.
"Kenpachi Zaraki. Byakuya Kuchiki."
"Shorty, welcome to the Shinigami Pirates," Yachiru said with a playful grin, sticking out her tongue. "Ren Kuro summoned you here. From now on, you're one of us."
"Who are you calling short?!" Hitsugaya snapped, raising his fist instinctively.
"Tōshirō," Ren Kuro said, smiling faintly, "we need your strength."
His gaze settled on Hyorinmaru, the cold aura around it already visible.
The strongest ice-type Zanpakutō—
without question, that kind of power would become one of the deadliest forces on the sea.
With Hyorinmaru joining them, the Shinigami Pirates' voyage would only become more unstoppable.
"Alright."
Ren Kuro turned toward the endless ocean beyond.
After a full year, it was finally time to set sail once more.
His voice rang across the air.
"Next stop—Fish-Man Island!"
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