One Piece: Bai Ye Deputy Captain of the Straw Hats

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

Shimotsuki Ryuma is revered as a legendary figure in Wano Country.

Long before Wano sealed itself off from the world, known then as the Country of Gold, Ryuma Shimotsuki was a name that struck fear into the hearts of greedy pirates and World Nobles who lusted after Wano's riches. His fame stemmed from an incredible feat: he had slain a giant dragon above the capital. In honor of his heroics, both his body and his beloved sword, Shusui, were enshrined in a shrine in Wano after his passing.

However, 23 years ago, following Gecko Moria's failed challenge against Kaido in Wano, Moria resorted to grave robbing. He stole numerous corpses, including that of Ryuma Shimotsuki. In the Florian Triangle, Dr. Hogback transformed Ryuma's body into a zombie general. A year prior, Moria had infused this body with Brook's shadow.

Despite centuries of death, and now reanimated as a zombie infused with another's shadow, a trace of Ryuma's formidable power—once used to slay the dragon—still lingered within. Even a small fragment of this power was enough to challenge a young warrior like Zoro to a draw.

"Yohoho! This battle is truly unforgettable. Even in this body that has been dead for hundreds of years, I can feel my blood boiling!" Ryuma exclaimed, adding humorously, "Though as a zombie, I actually don't have any blood, yo ho ho!"

Ryuma was not in good shape, however. From the moment he began fighting Zoro, he had been tapping into the deep reserves of power within his body. After hundreds of years, these powers were severely depleted, and now they were nearly spent.

"Being able to fight an opponent like you is something I've always dreamed of," Ryuma confessed.

In stark contrast, Zoro seemed like a fearsome deity, exuding a terrifying and bloodthirsty presence. As the battle wore on, his aura grew even more intense and solid.

"Roronoa Zoro! Even though I'm just a shadow's consciousness, I can't bear to let this body know the agony of defeat, even in death," Ryuma declared, his voice losing its usual playful tone.

At that moment, his aura intensified, and unexpectedly, flames ignited around him. He proclaimed with a surge of determination, "For my wish, and the undying passion of this body, I will expend all its energy and deliver my final blow."

Holding Shusui tightly, Ryuma pointed the revered blade at Zoro and announced in a grave tone, "This is his ultimate power! Its name is—Ryuo!!!" Suddenly, a deep black energy burst from Ryuma's right hand, enveloping Shusui in black.

"Armament Haki? Is it flowing?" Zoro muttered, quickly realizing that the Ryuo Ryuma referred to resembled the advanced armament techniques he had read about in Roger's notes on haki training.

"In that case, I will never back down!" Zoro resolved. Understanding Ryuma's self-sacrificing intent, he prepared to unleash his mightiest strength.

"To endure all sorts of hardships without faltering, this is the path of Asura!" Zoro thought.

"Nine-Sword Style—Asura: Silver Mist!!!" he roared.

Shusui, now coursing with flowing Haki, clashed against Zoro's ghostly Asura aura. In an instant, their energies collided with immense force.

Then, in the next breath, they passed each other.

Boom!!!

The nearby castle, already weakened from the ongoing battle, couldn't withstand the power of their confrontation and crumbled entirely, sending a billowing cloud of dust into the air.

Ryuma was the first to rise after their clash, now looking as skeletal as Brook.

The final blow had sapped all his remaining strength. Flames continued to lick his body, but he seemed unfazed by the heat. Turning to face Zoro, he admitted with a heavy heart, "I didn't want to see this day, but... I... lost."

Zoro turned to face Ryuma, who was slowly being consumed by the flames, and responded, "If you've tasted defeat, that's enough. A swordsman should unite body and mind..." In his eyes, there was no joy in defeating a formidable foe, only a touch of melancholy. "I would have liked to fight you in your prime!"

Ryuma didn't reply directly to Zoro's sentiment. Instead, he solemnly lifted Shusui in his hand, "The 21 O Wazamono, Shusui! You deserve this as the victor. It is fitting to entrust it to you." With that, he tossed Shusui towards Zoro, who caught it firmly and declared, "Shusui, a sword worthy of legends... I'll make it mine."

With a hearty "Yo-ho-ho!" Ryuma laughed, his worries seemingly eased by the fiery embrace, and proclaimed, "Roronoa Zoro! Remember this name—Shimotsuki Ryuma!!!" As the flames died down, Ryuma, a storied warrior of Wano Country, vanished completely.

Zoro, struck by Ryuma's last words, murmured in surprise, "Shimotsuki... Ryuma? Master Koushirou..."

Meanwhile, as Ryuma's physical form disappeared, the shadow belonging to Brook returned to him. "Yo-ho-ho! My shadow's back, and it's thrilling, even though I have no heart." But Brook paused, suddenly taken aback as he sensed something new within him. "Could this be... Ryuma's power?"

The user of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit can impart the shadow's memories to its original body when it returns after a separation, leaving echoes of its past experiences behind.

In the original story, Nami and Lola formed their friendship under those unique circumstances. Meanwhile, during the contest with Zoro, Brook's shadow inherited the consciousness of Haki from Ryuma's body. Truthfully, this experience was nothing like Zoro's methodical training from the Haki notes. For Brook, it was more than just knowledge; it felt as though he had truly possessed it before, almost like a rebirth.

This unexpected legacy from Ryuma would later prove to be a wonderful surprise for Brook.

-----

"Hey, Zoro, we're ready to go back!!!" Luffy called out.

Just as they were preparing to leave and Luffy was about to gather Zoro to head back to the Merry, a towering figure emerged next to the unconscious Gecko Moria. With a swift motion, he extended his palm and slapped Moria. In the blink of an eye, Moria vanished.

"Who is this guy? How did he do that? So amazing! Does he have the inner world just like Bai Ye?" Luffy wondered aloud, comparing the action to Bai Ye's usual method of storing various items, leading to his confusion.

"He's the same as Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma!!!" Lola exclaimed, momentarily shifting her joy about reclaiming her shadow.

"An enemy, then?" Sanji pondered, lighting a cigarette.

Zoro didn't hesitate, drawing the Shusui he had just acquired.

"Dear friends of the Straw Hat Pirates, please wait a moment, we have no ill intentions," a voice intervened just as tensions were rising.

Atop the debris of what once was a castle, a blond figure stepped forward. He gently lifted his hat, revealing a kind smile marked by scars from past battles:

"Let me introduce myself. "I am Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. "Nice to meet you, Straw Hats."

.....

"Sa...Sabo!!!"