A cold moon hung high in the night sky.
At the far end of Ren Kuro's vision—
a shadow appeared.
The "ghost" that had terrorized the Kingdom of Rommel for months.
The Kamaitachi of Rommel.
"Ren Kuro, is that the ghost you were talking about?" Yachiru rested her chin on her hands, curiously staring at the figure.
"That's right. It's called the Kamaitachi of Rommel—supposedly a strange wind that slices people apart," Ren Kuro said with a faint smirk. "Of course… that's just how the rumors dress it up."
"Heh, figures. It's just a kid," Yachiru muttered.
Under the pale moonlight, the figure became clearer.
A boy, barely ten years old.
Blond hair, elegant features, dressed in a noble white coat with a feathered hat—
If not for the killing intent radiating from him—
he would've looked like a charming young aristocrat.
"Hey, Yachiru, that's a bit harsh," Ren Kuro chuckled. "You're a kid too, you know."
"I am not!" she pouted, tugging at his collar.
"Alright, alright… whatever you say," he said helplessly, letting her sulk.
As they spoke—
the Kamaitachi seemed to take offense.
His figure flickered—
vanishing into the shadows like a ghost.
Slash—
A piercing sound tore through the air.
In an instant—
he appeared before Ren Kuro.
A blade came down.
"A Western sword… Durandal?" Ren Kuro recognized it at a glance.
"Huh… he's asleep, isn't he?" Yachiru tilted her head, calmly observing as the attack approached.
"That's because of his sleepwalking disorder," Ren Kuro said lightly. "His second personality awakens during it."
He glanced at her.
"Yachiru… want to play with him a bit?"
"Hm… what if I hurt him?" she asked, swinging her legs as she sat on his shoulder.
"Just hold back a little. He's a promising kid."
"Got it!"
At the very moment the blade descended—
Clang!
Yachiru drew her small Zanpakutō.
Two vastly different blades collided.
A sharp metallic sound shattered the silence of the night.
Then—
with a gentle push—
she flicked her sword forward.
Boom!
The Kamaitachi was sent flying.
"Oops… I might've used too much strength," Yachiru said, puffing her cheeks.
"It's fine. He's tougher than that," Ren Kuro replied calmly.
"Good. I was worried I hurt him," she said, smiling innocently.
The next instant—
the Kamaitachi rose again.
His body blurred—
vanishing like the wind.
"Ren Kuro, he's coming again!"
Yachiru stepped lightly—
and in that same moment—
the Kamaitachi reappeared.
His blade thrust forward like lightning.
But—
before it could land—
Yachiru stepped on air.
She leapt lightly—
dodging the strike with ease—
and landed directly on his blade.
"Your attacks are too slow," she said with a bright smile. "You'll never hit anyone like that."
The contrast between her cute expression—
and overwhelming strength—
was jarring.
The Kamaitachi let out a strange, beast-like growl, trying to pull his sword free—
but it wouldn't budge.
It felt as if an invisible force had pinned it down.
"Still want to keep going?" Yachiru tilted her head. "Dragging this out is boring. If we take too long…"
"…Ren Kuro might get mad."
Then—
her expression shifted.
A vast surge of pink Reiatsu erupted from her body.
It spread outward like waves—
distorting the air itself.
Boom!
The pressure struck the Kamaitachi head-on.
His body was blasted away—
crashing violently into the ruins.
Moments later—
Yachiru hopped back onto Ren Kuro's shoulder.
"Ren Kuro… I think I didn't control my Reiatsu very well," she said guiltily.
"It's fine. He's still alive," Ren Kuro said, sensing the faint presence within the rubble.
"So… should we save him?"
"No need. After making this much noise, the townspeople will be here soon."
He turned calmly.
"Let's go."
As they left—
Ren Kuro glanced back once.
"With injuries like that… he'll need at least half a year to recover."
"That means…"
"…the legend of the Kamaitachi of Rommel will disappear for a while."
And with that—
they vanished into the night.
Not long after—
the townspeople arrived.
They stared at the ruined street—
and the unconscious Cavendish lying at its center—
completely dumbfounded.
From this night onward—
the legend of the Kamaitachi would fade away.
The Next Morning
Under the first rays of sunlight—
the Shinigami Pirates set sail once more.
Their destination—
the next island.
Later That Day…
Another figure arrived in Rommel Kingdom.
Short black hair.
Sharp golden eyes.
A black hat.
A patterned vest.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—
Dracule Mihawk.
"…Too late."
Standing at the port, Mihawk held a bounty poster.
Ren Kuro's face stared back at him.
After reading the news, he had rushed here immediately—
but missed them.
"The Shinigami… interesting."
His hawk-like eyes burned with battle intent.
"I'll find you."
"And when I do…"
"…my black blade, Yoru, will cut you down."
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews (leave a review/comment!)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon: patreon.com/KageNaruto