Kenpachi Zaraki

"That spiritual pressure is enormous. It's at least on the level of a Third Seat!"

Kisuke Urahara rested his chin on his hand, his face full of astonishment.

"What kind of monster is this?"

A trace of surprise and confusion appeared in Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes as well.

"Come on! Use your full strength and let's settle this!" the man laughed wildly.

"My full strength? But you're still too green." Shadow narrowed his eyes and murmured, "Be careful. Don't... die."

Shadow held the blade flat before his chest and ran one hand across it. Then he pointed its tip straight at the man and let out a low shout. A burst of spiritual pressure erupted from him, not the slightest bit weaker than the man's. The pitch-black spiritual pressure soaring into the sky seemed to take the form of a vicious wolf. Its black eyes held not a shred of humanity, and a chilling gleam that seized the soul filled the air with boundless killing intent.

"Ahhh!!!"

The man moved first, roaring as he charged forward with unstoppable momentum and immense spiritual pressure.

Boom!!!

A tremendous crash like thunder shaking the heavens rang out as two destructive spiritual pressures collided. Within a hundred meters, all sand, stones, trees, and houses turned to nothingness and vanished. The ground trembled as if it, too, were afraid.

"You really are strong, as strong as she was!"

As the smoke cleared, the man lay on the ground covered in blood. A horrifyingly savage slash stretched across his lean chest, running from his left shoulder to his right abdomen. Blood poured from it as though it cost nothing.

Shadow, on the other hand, still only bore the original wound on his shoulder. It was as though their clash had not harmed him in the slightest.

Shadow sheathed his Zanpakutō. The madness, savagery, and killing intent in his eyes all faded away, leaving behind only his usual indifference.

"Kenny!"

At that moment, the little girl at the side slowly walked over. She crouched down and gently stroked the man's hair, tenderness flickering in her eyes as an understanding smile bloomed on her lips.

"Sorry, Yachiru. I lost."

"It's okay. As long as Kenny is happy!"

"He is a true beast too," Shadow said blandly, though it was unclear whether he was speaking to himself or to the approaching Yoruichi Shihōin.

"Is that so?" Yoruichi Shihōin reached out and touched Shadow's wound, which had already stopped bleeding. She asked with concern, "Does it still hurt?"

Shadow shook his head to indicate that he was fine. He took a few steps forward and looked at the man whom the little girl had helped up.

"What is your name?"

"Kenpachi!" the man answered with a fierce grin. "My name is Kenpachi Zaraki!"

"Kenpachi! The strongest Bleach?" Shadow said coldly. "You do indeed have the potential to become a Kenpachi."

"She said the same thing."

"My name is Shadow." Shadow gave a cold smile, then continued amid the astonished gazes of Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara, "Are you willing to take me as your master?"

"What can you teach me?" Kenpachi Zaraki asked.

"What do you think?" Shadow countered. "What do you want me to teach you?"

"Fine!"

Kenpachi Zaraki answered without hesitation. In truth, the two of them were the same kind of people, possessing the hearts of beasts and the pride of men.

Yet Shadow was not surprised in the least by Kenpachi Zaraki's answer. Turning around, he dropped to one knee and said, "Lady Yoruichi, I'm deeply sorry. I want to..."

"Enough."

Yoruichi Shihōin bent down, her fingers playing with the black hair by Shadow's ear. Her eyes were full of amusement. "Whatever you want to do, just go and do it. But Shadow, don't forget to come back!"

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi. Shadow understands!"

Soul Society, Rukongai.

On a ruined street, two figures walked one behind the other.

The man in front had messy black hair, a forehead protector tied around his brow, and a strand of hair hanging beside his ear. He wore a black bodysuit and half-finger gloves, with an entirely black Zanpakutō strapped to his back.

What drew the eye, however, was the pair of cold, utterly warmthless eyes on his sharply defined face. It was as if an ancient, unmelting chill had been planted in the hearts of all who saw him. It was Shadow.

The figure behind him was a tall but somewhat thin man. He wore coarse hemp clothing, with a chipped blade tied across his back. A scar ran across his cheek, making him look especially ferocious. Madness gleamed in his eyes. It was Kenpachi Zaraki.

"Kenny, where are we going?"

Suddenly, a little pink head poked out from Kenpachi Zaraki's shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed. She was the little girl Kenpachi Zaraki had saved, Yachiru Kusajishi.

"I don't know!" Hearing Yachiru Kusajishi's question, Kenpachi Zaraki grinned. "But it doesn't matter where we go!"

"Oh!" Yachiru Kusajishi nodded cutely, then waved her hand toward the front and called out, "Hey! Little Black!"

"..." Shadow remained silent.

So far, Yachiru Kusajishi had two greatest traits. One was her love of konpeitō candy, while the other was her fondness for giving people random nicknames. She called Kenpachi Zaraki Kenny, A-Kenpachi, and all sorts of things. Well, anyone who did not know better might really think there was something especially sword-like about him!

Her nickname for Shadow was even more outrageous. Little Black... Well, Shadow did wear black from head to toe, but that was still not a nickname anyone ought to use!

"Shut up, Yachiru!" Kenpachi Zaraki turned his head and shouted fiercely.

"But Kenny, Little Black isn't answering me!"

Whether he was truly fierce or merely pretending, Yachiru Kusajishi ignored him completely.

"Idiot! Who would answer you if you called them that?"

"Huh? Is Little Black not a good name?" Yachiru Kusajishi asked in confusion.

"It's not!"

"Then..."

After thinking for a moment, Yachiru Kusajishi revealed a delighted smile. Her large eyes sparkled as she said, "Then I'll call him Big Black, or A-Black!"

"If you call him that, he'll be even less likely to answer you!"

"Why?"

"Because they're too ugly!"

Yachiru Kusajishi lowered her head. After a moment, she raised it again and asked, "Then, Kenny, what should I call him?"

"You idiot, Yachiru! Of course you should call him Master!"

"Mhm!" Yachiru Kusajishi leaped onto Kenpachi Zaraki's shoulder and said excitedly, "Then I'll call him Little Master!"

Ignoring Kenpachi Zaraki's wide grin, Yachiru Kusajishi cheered for herself.

Just then, a commotion arose in the distance. More than a dozen people wearing things that could barely be called clothes were beating up a silver-haired boy. They hit him hard, yet the boy only curled up and trembled without making a sound.

In the chaotic Rukongai, injuries and death were common occurrences. People were used to them and even turned a blind eye. To survive, even a child might take your life.

In a world where the strong preyed upon the weak, having no strength meant having no right to survive.

Simply put, whoever had the bigger fist made the rules. If you did not want to be bullied, you first had to learn how to bully others. So-called mercy had no soil in which to grow here.

Whether it was the cold and ruthless Shadow, the battle-addicted Kenpachi Zaraki, or Yachiru Kusajishi, who had grown up in blood since childhood, all of them were used to such scenes. Too much mercy was, in truth, another kind of cruelty.

Yet the instant they passed by, Shadow stopped. Looking at the boy being beaten without saying a word, he suddenly thought of his former self. In his previous life, he had met Anko Mitarashi. In this life, he had met Yoruichi Shihōin. Without them, he would likely have ended up like this as well.

If there was any difference, it was that Shadow had not wanted to resist, while the boy was unable to resist.

All of a sudden, Shadow felt a trace of gratitude. He was grateful that he had met Anko Mitarashi and Yoruichi Shihōin.

"Get lost!"

It was only one word, and his voice was not loud. Yet the killing intent within that coldness made the dozens of people tremble uncontrollably. They were merely souls without any spiritual pressure. How could they withstand Shadow's aura? They immediately fled in terror.

"Can you stand?" Shadow walked over to the boy and asked coldly.

"Mhm."

"Will you come with me?"

"Mhm."

"What is your name?"

"Gin... Gin Ichimaru!"