CHAPTER 13
"VOID MANEUVER."
Ross's voice echoed through the burning air as his arms swelled with strength.
Ren muttered under his breath, "I knew it… that strike felt weird, like Ryuo Haki."
BOOM!!!
The ground quaked as Ren's weapon flared with another dense layer of Armament.
The sheer force sent Ross crashing into the wall like a cannonball.
Before Ross even touched the ground, Ren vanished, his form blurring with Soru.
He appeared behind Ross in a blink and slammed the back of his naginata against the man's skull.
BAM!
Ross hit the floor hard, eyes rolling back.
"Hey, big man," Ross mumbled groggily, turning his head toward Brocky,
"how many times has this boy been swinging that chain around?"
"Rahaha rahaha rahaha!" Brocky's booming laughter filled the cell block.
"Since we've been locked up, he's been obsessed with training. I guess he fought you 'cause he saw Whitebeard as a role model. You, with Whitebeard's recognition? That made him want to test himself. In short, he just wanted your respect, rahaha!"
Ren blinked, then chuckled, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
"Oh, wow… that's actually kinda deep."
He looked up at Brocky.
"Big man, what do you think about joining my crew?"
"Rahaha! You want me in your crew?"
"Yeah."
Brocky grinned wide enough to flash every tooth.
"Well, since I owe you one… I guess it's settled then! Rahaharaharaharaharahara!"
He slammed his fist against his chest with pride.
"I, Brocky, pledge myself to Ren of the Pride Pirates as my captain! Rahaha!"
Ren smiled faintly. "Welcome to the crew, brother."
Brocky nodded.
"So… when's the kid waking up?"
"Rahaha, I forgot to tell you, Ross sleeps a lot."
BONK!
Ren knocked on Ross's head with his fist. A lump instantly formed.
"Huh?! I knew it… that was a dream? Huff… I'll never be that weak again!"
Ross rubbed his eyes, blinking at Ren. "Brocky… how long was I out? And—wait—when did I—"
He froze, staring at Ren again. "So you really defeated me?"
Ren smirked. "Sit down and listen, I've thought of my requests."
Ross sighed, defeated. "Well… I am a man of my word."
"Good. Then welcome to the Pride Pirates, as our chore boy."
Ross fell to the ground dramatically. "You've got to be kidding me…"
"Rahahahaha! That's what you get for biting off more than you can chew!" Brocky roared.
"Alright, enough," Ren said, standing up and dusting off his cloak. "It's time to escape."
"Yes, Captain!" they both echoed.
Ren tossed them each a Den Den Mushi. "Take these. You'll need them."
As they walked toward the exit, Ren turned to Ross.
"You still need a sword, right?"
Ross nodded. "Yeah. Got any?"
Ren reached into his subspace and pulled out three blades that shimmered in the dim light.
"I should still have at least three Grade Swords."
Ross's eyes widened instantly. "Wait....those…! That's the great blade 'Setsugen'! My mom used to show me its picture, there's no mistaking it!"
He picked up another. "This is the skillful blade 'Kazan'… and this one….'Shiokaze'? No thanks, I'll pass."
Ren shrugged. "Took them from the Vice Warden's office. Guess they were confiscated."
"Wow… thank you." Ross tied two swords to his waist, securing them with a strip of cloth.
Ren turned to Brocky. "Hey, big man...you don't use weapons?"
"I used to," Brocky said with a nostalgic smile. "My old man's axe broke. Your swords are too small for me. If I see something the size of your naginata, I'll take it."
"Fair enough. You're about as tall as Whitebeard anyway."
Ren faced them both, his tone firm but full of pride.
"Then it's settled. Welcome, Pride Pirates… and guess what?" His grin sharpened.
"Some boys upstairs brought us something fun."
CREEEEAAAAK!!!
Ren tore open the massive underground gate, revealing the entrance of the sixth level. and standing there were an Admiral, two Vice Admirals, and rows of armed guards.
Ren smirked. "Hahahah… so it's you they sent?"
Kizaru tilted his head lazily, his golden light flickering across the walls.
"Ooh… the captain of the Pride Pirates himself, ne?"
He smiled faintly. "I don't have time to waste, boy. If you'd prefer a non-violent solution… turn yourself in."
Ren rolled his shoulders, his aura pulsing like a storm.
"Are you guys ready… to stretch your muscles?"
Ross cracked his neck. "Hey, Captain—mind if I take that guy with the sword? He looks fun."
"Your wish," Ren replied. "But remember—meet up with those I told you about within two hours. They should've reached the top by now."
"I'll take the big one!" Brocky bellowed, pointing at Onigumo.
Kizaru's expression sharpened.
"Yasakani no Magatama."
Light particles gathered in his chest, humming violently—then fired in a blinding storm.
BOOOOOOM!!!
Dust swallowed the entire block.
When it cleared, Ren stood unscathed—his naginata spinning, sheathed in roaring black Haki, deflecting each beam like rainfall.
He lowered the blade slightly.
"You guys should move."
Ross blurred forward toward Vice Admiral Momonga, blades flashing,
while Brocky leapt like a giant toward John giant, laughter echoing behind him.
Ren's eyes met Kizaru's—two forces of nature poised to clash.