One Piece: Start with Zanpakutō

[Engetsu (Exclusive Skill): You possess extraordinary comprehension. By visualizing your Zanpakutō and merging it with the Arms-Arms Fruit, you have realized this exclusive skill.]

... 

A flame-type Zanpakutō.

A fusion of fire and slashing.

When the blade is drawn, flames follow, burning all in their path. (Requires Arms-Arms Fruit.)

Rosen's heart stirred violently.

Engetsu.

In the world of Bleach, though not the strongest of the fire-type Zanpakutō, it was on par with a flame-wielding Zangetsu.

Of course, it was the single-blade version—"cutting the moon with one sword," not the dual-wield style.

In terms of pure attack power, among all fire-type Zanpakutō, only the ancient and unparalleled Ryūjin Jakka could surpass Engetsu.

"From today onward… I too am an Arms-Arms Fruit user who has 'eaten' the Flame-Flame Fruit."

A faint, imperceptible smile flickered in Rosen's eyes.

They hadn't even reached Level 6 yet.

He hadn't even begun fighting those criminals—and simply by passing through Level 4's Blazing Hell, he had already gained a new Zanpakutō.

This made him even more eager for the levels ahead, and the criminals awaiting on Level 6.

"Are you finished?"

Zephyr immediately perceived Rosen's expression and knew—this monster student had surely grasped another new power.

Though he didn't know what it was, he was certain it wouldn't be ordinary.

"It's done."

"Sorry to have kept everyone waiting."

Seeing that not only Zephyr, but also Borsalino, Shiryu, and Domino had all paused for him, Rosen spoke quickly.

"Junior."

"Did you just… comprehend something?"

"Of course, if you don't want to say that, that's fine. I'm just curious."

Borsalino drifted up beside Rosen and lowered his voice, almost whispering into his ear.

"It's just a move that utilizes the Arms-Arms Fruit's power."

Rosen replied casually.

"Could you show me, Junior?"

Upon hearing this, Borsalino's curiosity only grew stronger.

As far as he knew, Rosen had only been at the Naval Academy for two days and attended four classes—yet he had already made history several times over.

Blut Vene (Calm Blood Dress).

Blut Arterie (Active Blood Dress).

These two brand-new Armament Haki techniques alone were enough to carve Rosen's name into the annals of Navy history—no, into the annals of world history.

Though Rosen's feats hadn't yet spread across the sea, it wasn't because the Navy had deliberately concealed them. Rather, it was simply too soon.

After all, only two days had passed since he'd enrolled.

No matter how fast rumors spread, they couldn't travel the entire ocean in one or two days.

In fact—

Within the Naval Academy—no, within Navy Headquarters itself—rumors of Rosen had already exploded.

From the Fleet Admiral to the lowest-ranked sailor, all knew that among this year's new recruits, a monster had appeared—an existence even more terrifying than an Admiral.

"Of course!"

"When we reach Level 6, I'll show you, Senior."

Seeing Borsalino's face full of anticipation, Rosen didn't refuse.

From their very first meeting at the Academy, Borsalino had always called him "Junior" with a certain warmth. Rosen could clearly sense it, this future Admiral, Kizaru, was genuinely trying to befriend him.

Although Rosen was confident that he could become a top Admiral—or even stand at the true summit of the sea—within a year, 

He was neither an Uchiha nor a Celestial Dragon. He had no habit of looking down on the world, nor the hobby of making enemies everywhere.

Friends.

Especially friends with Admiral-level combat power—one could never have too many.

As for being exposed and targeted?

Rosen had never once worried.

Not to mention that when facing the criminals on Level 6, it would be impossible not to use the Arms-Arms Fruit's power; his Arms-Arms Fruit was not limited to just forging Senbonzakura or Engetsu.

By the time any schemers figured out Engetsu's secrets and pondered countermeasures, Rosen might already have summoned Ryūjin Jakka.

Indeed—

When he failed to manifest Ryūjin Jakka just now, Rosen realized that it wasn't an issue of comprehension, but simply that his own current power was not yet enough.

His strength could not yet support wielding Ryūjin Jakka.

Just like Luffy, who even after learning the Nika Fruit's awakening, could not immediately enter the Nika form—

This was not an issue of comprehension, but of strength.

At that moment, the suffocating heat surrounding them suddenly vanished, replaced by a bone-chilling cold that poured down like a blizzard.

Clearly—

Rosen and his companions had already left Level 4's Blazing Hell and stepped into Level 5's Freezing Hell.

In addition to the bitterly cold air stinging their faces, what met their eyes was a world of ice and snow.

Level 5 of Impel Down—like a massive frozen warehouse, its temperature even lower than an ice cellar.

"A-ACHOO!"

As soon as they entered, Domino, the chief guard, began shivering violently, even sneezing uncontrollably.

Having just endured Blazing Hell's scorching heat and now immediately plunged into this freezing purgatory, her body simply could not adapt.

After all, almost no prison staff ever set foot here.

"Useless."

"You're the warden!"

"Don't embarrass Impel Down."

Shiryu bit down on his cigar, glancing coldly at Domino.

Not only did he fail to show any sympathy, he even rebuked her harshly.

As naval officers, Rosen, Zephyr, and Borsalino remained steady as mountains—unmoved by either scorching flames or icy storms.

In contrast, Domino, also a guard, was trembling and on the verge of collapse.

Even Shiryu felt embarrassed for her.

"Perhaps… you should head back."

"Let Warden Shiryu lead us alone."

Seeing Domino's teeth chattering and her feet constantly stomping to stay warm, Zephyr finally spoke, attempting to persuade her.

"It's alright… Instructor Zephyr."

"As Shiryu said… I am the warden."

"Moreover… once we pass through the Freezing Hell and reach Level 6… it will no longer be cold."

Domino's voice was trembling, yet her eyes remained firm.

As Impel Down's chief warden, she refused to show weakness or lose face.

"Miss Chief Warden."

"If you don't mind, please move closer to me."

Rosen sighed inwardly, seeing Domino clinging to her post, risking her health merely to uphold her dignity.

Though Impel Down and Navy Headquarters belonged to different chains of command, they were ultimately comrades—there would inevitably be future intersections.

He saw no harm in extending a hand, so long as it was within his power.

Of course… if it were CP9, he would tell them to get as far away as possible.

Rosen was worried that if he saw them, he might not be able to stop himself from slapping them to death on the spot.

"S-sure…"

Though Domino didn't fully understand, she still shuffled her nearly frozen limbs forward and pressed her shoulder against Rosen.

Seeing this—

Rosen nodded lightly, then raised his right hand, palm facing upward. Purple lines snaked across his skin.

In the next moment, the Blut Vene (Calm Blood Dress) began to separate from his blood vessels, expanding outward to form a half-spherical barrier centered on himself, enveloping Domino within.

"Blut Vene Anhaben."

After everything was ready, Rosen slowly lowered his hand.

"It's… it's not cold at all anymore."

Domino's eyes shone.

The freezing air that had seeped into her bones just moments ago had completely vanished.

"Thank you so much… Mr. Rosen!"

She bowed her head gratefully.

"Is this… an externalized Armament Haki release?"

"No…"

"Though outwardly released Armament Haki can become a solid defensive force… it could never reach this level…"

Shiryu stared at Rosen's semi-spherical barrier, his expression gradually changing.

He activated his Observation Haki to probe, and confirmed it—

This was indeed Armament Haki.

Yet it was definitely not a simple external flow.

Suddenly—

As if struck by lightning, a terrifying realization flashed through Shiryu's mind. His pupils contracted sharply, and his face froze in utter shock.

...

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