In the world of the Shinigami, all power begins with the sword.
The blades of the Shinigami and the Twin Blades are not mere weapons — they are extensions of one's very soul.
They are divided into two types: Zanpakutō and Girin.
As for Su Chen's fusion with Ulquiorra's template, it can be considered the true origin of both the Shinigami and the Hollow species.
Although sword techniques in this world are purely physical attacks,
once one's power reaches a certain level, even a simple strike can release a destructive wave capable of splitting sea and sky alike.
> "Sword Light, Sword Pressure, Sword Intent, Sword Domain."
These were the four levels Su Chen had summarized after countless hours of reflection in his past life in the One Piece world.
Sword Light was the lowest realm — the first gate to the path of true swordsmen.
Once attained, even an ordinary blade could slice through steel with ease.
Sword Pressure came next —
the ability to unleash compressed sword energy that takes form,
just like Dracule Mihawk's flying slashes.
Then came Sword Intent, unique to each swordsman.
Every sword carries its own will, and every heart its own path.
Vista, the Fifth Division Commander under Whitebeard, wielded the elegant "Flower Intent,"
while Kin'emon from Wano merged fire and water within his own blade's intent.
At the summit stood Sword Domain —
a fusion of light, pressure, and intent into one complete whole.
It was not a real domain, but rather a spiritual territory where the swordsman possessed absolute control.
Within it, he could cut all he wished — and prevent all he did not.
After the sword came Haki, the mysterious spiritual power that defined the New World.
To Su Chen, it was strikingly similar to the spiritual sensing of souls he already possessed.
Observation Haki allowed its user to perceive the unseen — to hear "the voice of all things."
Armament Haki hardened one's body and weapon alike,
just like his own ability to turn his skin into iron, yet infinitely trainable.
And Conqueror's Haki — that was different.
It could not be learned; it was born with those of unshakable will.
It resembled the spiritual pressure of a Shinigami, yet perhaps even greater —
for it could directly crush the souls of others.
That was why, even though Luffy and Kidd possessed it,
their arrogance led them to fall before Kaido and Big Mom.
Power without wisdom is a path to destruction.
As for Devil Fruits, Su Chen found them unnecessary.
Ulquiorra's power alone rivaled any Logia, Zoan, or Paramecia fruit.
Besides, he feared that consuming one might spark a conflict between demonic forces within his own body.
The void of the Shinigami world was no different from the Devil Fruits of pirates,
the seals of immortality in Naruto,
or the magic crests in Fairy Tail —
each granted unimaginable power, but always at a price.
And so he chose his path clearly:
Hunt the wicked and devour their souls to grow stronger.
He could also seek out lands of the dead, such as the Front Prison City,
where countless lingering spirits awaited to be consumed.
While walking the path of strength, he pondered the Haki as well.
Haki could be trained. The sword could be honed.
But for now, he chose to ignore "Sword Intent" and "Sword Domain,"
focusing instead on the pure essence of the cut —
the way of Mihawk, the sword that needs only one strike.
So when pirates mocked, saying,
> "Zoro, I'll teach you the sword, and you teach me the names!"
he found no humor in it.
For the essence of the sword is simplicity —
one strike is all it takes.
Su Chen lifted a long white sword from the table.
It was about a meter in length, well-balanced and razor-sharp —
a nameless blade, yet its quality matched one of the "50 Excellent Grade Swords."
It could pierce his iron-like skin by 12%, leaving shallow wounds.
He had taken it from the White Skull Pirates' treasure vault —
a prized weapon worth at least 90 million Berries.
He swung the sword in the air, and it sang as it sliced through the wind.
He swung again, faster, sharper — yet saw no real change.
Then a thought crossed his mind:
> "What if I infused it with spiritual energy?"
In the world of the Shinigami, even a small flow of spiritual power could make a sword unleash terrifying force.
Calmly, he whispered:
> "Fusion — Ulquiorra."
His skin turned pale white.
A white helm with horns formed upon his head.
His eyes turned emerald green, with black tear lines running down his face.
He had activated 12% fusion, equivalent to a Shinigami trainee or a low-tier Menos Grande.
Then he poured that power into the blade.
The sword trembled but endured.
He swung it once — no light, no visible pressure —
yet the sea before him split for several meters,
then slowly closed again as the waters rushed back.
Su Chen smirked.
> "How dull. It seems swordsmanship doesn't need special training.
With enough strength and resolve, any swing becomes a sword of light."
He sat down, resting quietly.
Nearby, several beautiful women served him food and wine,
grateful for being rescued. He ignored them all.
He knew beauty meant nothing without strength.
In this cruel world, weakness kills, and emotions dull the blade.
Three days passed. Guided by the compass left behind by the White Skull Pirates,
his ship finally reached an island the size of a small city.
It was a pirate's paradise —
home to dozens of notorious crews, each rivaling the White Skulls in power.
The rescued villagers disembarked one by one, leaving Su Chen alone.
Who would risk their life in such a place?
But for him, this was the true destination.
To kill, to consume, and to evolve.
Perhaps one day he would rise as a new Shichibukai,
or be recruited by the Marines,
or join a stronger pirate crew,
or be imprisoned in Impel Down.
Whatever awaited him, one thing was certain —
he would never stop walking the path.
The path of the sword, haki, and souls —
the only path to true power.