[Zangetsu], the Zanpakutō of Ichigo Kurosaki—the protagonist of Bleach—is a unique weapon with a permanent Shikai state. Its appearance resembles an oversized machete.
Its core ability focuses spiritual pressure into a single devastating attack known as Getsuga Tenshō.
This is the only Shikai technique Yuno truly values…
"I wonder what kind of display it'll take to push my slash even further?" Yuno mused, glancing at the control panel before him.
> [Host: Yuno]
> [Achievement Points: 33]
> [Slash]: Swordsmanship (Proficiency 85)
> [Zanpakutō]: Zangetsu – Getsuga Tenshō (Proficiency 50)
> [Punch]: White Strike (Proficiency 65)
> [Walk]: Shunpo (Proficiency 75)
> [Ghost]: Hado #4: Byakurai (Proficiency 100), Hado #33: Sōkatsui (Proficiency 100)...
A new [Zanpakutō] interface had been added under the [Slash] category, and Zangetsu was now prominently featured.
Yet, even after unlocking it, nothing appeared—no change, no machete materializing in his hand.
Yuno had originally planned to test the power of Getsuga Tenshō, but decided to suppress his curiosity for now and focus on the task at hand.
He took the strange gun from Orleans's lifeless hand and examined it. No barrel. No visible screws. Not even an energy slot.
"…Forget it. I don't get all this techy nonsense."
Shaking his head, Yuno stowed the weapon. It was useless to someone who walked the path of pure strength.
In this world where the weak are crushed underfoot, strength alone carved the road forward!
With firm steps, he turned toward Orleans's residence.
The building was… patchwork at best.
Constructed from mismatched materials and parts, it looked like something that would trigger a burning urge in anyone with even mild OCD to torch it to the ground.
Based on the intel Yuno had extracted before killing Orleans, he suspected that something was hidden here—very likely linked to the Vinsmoke Family.
And that piqued his interest.
After all, the Vinsmokes were scientific monsters. Their research into Lineage Factors alone had turned them into a strategic resource. Even Big Mom, a Yonko, had once sought to marry into their bloodline to seize that technology for herself.
A fearless army of clones? In a war-torn sea, that was a game-changer.
"Following the logic of pirate world clichés… every secret lab is built underground."
He stepped into the residence and looked down. Raising his sword, he slashed.
The ground crumbled with a burst of sword energy—just as expected.
A concealed passage was revealed below.
"…Universal law confirmed," Yuno muttered, somewhat amazed at how often these tropes proved true.
Without hesitation, he used Shunpo and descended.
The narrow tunnel soon widened and was illuminated by a soft blue light. At the end of the passage loomed a massive metal door.
"So, this is the entrance..."
Yuno stepped forward and rapped against the door. It felt dense and reinforced.
Could he break it?
Without a word, he drew back and tested it with a few slashes. Deep gashes appeared—but the door held firm.
"Heh, solid."
This time, he got serious.
Gathering his power, sword energy began to surge. He gripped his blade with both hands.
"Getsuga—Tenshō!!"
With a thunderous boom, a black wave of compressed spiritual energy tore forward, smashing into the metal door like a divine judgment.
The passage shook violently. Smoke and dust erupted in all directions.
Beyond the door was a high-tech laboratory.
Over twenty identical clones bustled about, working on equipment with synchronized efficiency.
Then—
BOOM!!
A tremor rocked the facility, silencing them all. Heads turned in alarm.
"What happened?"
"Why such a sudden commotion?"
Then, to their shock, they saw it — the gate that had previously withstood heavy mortar fire had been cleaved clean in two!
A metal door, several meters thick, crashed down with a deafening thud, shaking the very ground.
The men looked up, eyes widening in disbelief, as a mysterious masked figure emerged from the collapsed gate.
…
Outside, the sky had darkened completely. Stars glittered like ice in the heavens above.
Major Bruener, leading a unit of marines, had just arrived at the Orleans Family's base.
Ahead, a raging inferno blazed. The heat was so intense, it distorted the very air like ripples on water.
Gazing upon the ruined, chaotic battlefield, Bruener's expression hardened.
"…Is it over? Are we too late?" he muttered under his breath.
"Search for any survivors," Bruener ordered grimly, waving his hand.
"Yes, sir!"
A marine responded sharply, and the team dispersed quickly.
…
Elsewhere—
A pirate ship docked in haste, and a lone figure leapt ashore, sprinting toward the burning horizon.
It was Lawrence the "Quick Hand", a pirate with a 47 million berry bounty. He ran with a scowl etched deep on his face, frustration boiling in his chest.
Damn it… Who's targeting us? And why now?
Someone's been watching from the shadows… it must be the World Government! Damn them!
The thought of the research data falling into the Government's hands made his blood run cold.
If that information was seized, he wouldn't live to see tomorrow—not with Judge still alive.
Lord Judge will never forgive me for this!
Panic surged in his veins, and Lawrence's speed doubled.
No… I can't let the Navy or Cipher Pol get that data! I have to transfer it before they do!
Before long, Lawrence reached the remains of the Orleans family base.
Before him, a towering blaze devoured everything. The once-proud stronghold had been reduced to smoldering ruins.
He stopped—just in time to witness the marines swarming the perimeter under Bruener's command.
The Navy… damn dogs of the World Government!
Lawrence gritted his teeth, eyes burning with fury — hotter than the flames ahead.
To him, the marines weren't liberators — they were the executioners of the Orleans family.
And judging by their thorough sweep of the area, they'd likely already scoured the experimental base below.
He was too late.
Damn marines… what the hell have you done?!
Seething with rage, Lawrence didn't hesitate.
He charged.
Twin pistols appeared in his hands with a flash — Quick Hand Lawrence lived up to his name.
With explosive speed, he opened fire. In mere seconds, over a dozen marines were struck down, falling lifeless in the dirt.
"Enemy attack! Sound the alarm!"
"Over there! Only one target!"
"He's too fast—fire! Take him down!"
The marines, caught off guard, scrambled to respond as gunfire echoed across the battlefield.