At the port of Fish-Man Island, the Soul Society ship rested quietly at the edge of the dock.
"King Neptune, Queen Otohime, Tiger… we'll be setting sail now. Thank you for your hospitality during our stay."
Ren Kuro stood at the bow, raising a hand in farewell.
"Gurararara! Shinigami, you and your crew will always be welcome on Fish-Man Island. May your journey be smooth—and may you carve your name into the New World!" Neptune laughed heartily.
"Shinigami… thank you for everything you've done for Fish-Man Island," Queen Otohime said softly, her eyes shining. "You've strengthened my belief that humans and fish-men can coexist."
"Brother Ren… thanks for saving us," Fisher Tiger added, clenching his fists. "Once you leave, I'll set sail again as well."
"The sun… will never set."
His resolve had not wavered.
"Everyone—farewell. This journey has been a pleasant one."
With a final smile, Ren Kuro turned—
and under the watchful gaze of countless residents—
the Soul Society ship departed.
On Board the Ship
Not long after—
Byakuya Kuchiki stood silently on deck, eyes closed as usual.
Suddenly—
a sharp disturbance cut through the air.
His eyes snapped open.
Before him stood a familiar figure.
"…You."
"Yo, Byakuya~ long time no see. Still as stiff as ever, huh?" Yoruichi teased, grinning.
A rare flicker of emotion crossed Byakuya's usually cold expression.
"I didn't expect Ren Kuro to summon you."
Their bond ran deep—
mentor and student,
friend and rival.
Though time had distanced them—
that connection had never truly faded.
"What? Not happy to see me?" Yoruichi smirked, suddenly appearing beside him, reaching for his neck.
"Hmph."
Byakuya shifted slightly—
effortlessly evading her hand.
"Even after a century, you still haven't outgrown that habit."
"Oh? Looks like you've gotten stronger," Yoruichi said with mock disappointment. "What a shame—I used to enjoy teasing you."
Preparing to Enter the New World
At that moment—
Ren Kuro stepped onto the deck.
"Everyone, listen up."
His voice echoed across the ship.
"We're about to enter the upward current. Brace yourselves."
"So we're finally heading into the legendary New World…" Gin Ichimaru leaned lazily against the mast, a faint glint flashing in his eyes.
A certain figure crossed his mind—
Donquixote Doflamingo.
"If he's there…"
Gin's smile thinned.
He didn't like being threatened.
And if they met again—
he wouldn't hesitate to kill him.
Ascending the Sea Current
Under Ren Kuro's control—
the ship soon entered the rising current.
The ocean surged violently upward—
dragging the vessel into a spiraling ascent.
"Ren… I feel dizzy…" Yachiru clung to his neck pitifully.
"Just hold on a little longer," Ren Kuro said gently, patting her head.
Slowly—
as the ship ascended—
light broke through the darkness.
After traveling through the abyss—
sunlight finally returned.
And then—
with a thunderous crash—
the ship burst through the surface.
The New World
An endless ocean stretched in all directions.
It looked no different—
from the first half of the Grand Line.
"The so-called paradise of the strong… and hell for the weak," Tōshirō murmured. "Doesn't look that special."
"Don't let your guard down," Ren Kuro said calmly.
"Only those who survived the first half can stand here."
"And the true danger of the New World…"
"…is its unpredictable weather."
"One mistake—and even the strongest can be swallowed by a storm."
His gaze turned distant.
"First, we find a foothold."
"Then…"
"…we crush every pirate crew that dares to challenge us."
His cold voice echoed across the sea.
Meanwhile — Mary Geoise
At the summit of a grand chamber—
five figures sat in silence.
The rulers of the world—
The Five Elders.
"The mission failed," one of them said.
"The cause?"
"The Shinigami Pirates interfered. They stopped the Sea Kings."
"So… we still haven't identified Poseidon."
"And the E.S. drug we obtained from Saint Mjosgard has been exhausted."
"Then we'll abandon the plan for now."
A pause.
"What about the Shinigami Pirates?"
"We're letting them enter the New World too easily," the bald elder said coldly.
"Your suggestion?"
"Spread the news."
"Let the seas know—a crew with five Admiral-level fighters has entered the New World."
His eyes gleamed.
"Once word spreads…"
"…they'll become a target for every pirate."
A brief silence—
then—
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
The sword-bearing elder stood.
A chilling aura filled the room.
"Let the pirates of the New World…"
"…eliminate this threat for us."
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