A Warrior's Path 162 Chapter 162. Zero Squad

A large cut was now on his chest, blood kept pouring out. For the second time in his life he felt fear, fear of death but this only excited him. His body swayed as he found his bearing, he was using all his strength to stand up.

He coughed out another mouthful of blood but his expression showed wild excitement " Hahaha! I was right!! "

His Riatsu flared, he was squeezing out every drop of power he had within him. His body blurred as he hacked Ryu.

CLANG!

Sound of metal colliding was heard. The entire courtyard was destroyed, Madara, Zoro and Law watched from afar. Zoro wasn't shocked when he saw Ryu defeat someone like Kenpachi such easily, his gaze lingered on Madara. He understood that these two monsters were on a completely different level.

Ryu's hand was caught Kenpachi's Sword. He exerted some strength onto his hand.

Creak...

Kenpachi's Sword was broken in half. Ryu's body gracefully twisted as he kicked Kenpachi's gut and sent him flying through the air. Ryu controlled his strength very finely, he only broke several of Kenpachi's bones and didn't kill him.

Kenpachi lost consciousness, Yachiru looked at Ryu deeply and took Kenpachi's body and left. Other Captains also saw this fight, all of them were shocked to their core when they saw Ryu's strength.

Since Ryu's living quarters was destroyed, he was assigned a new one. When the sun was about to set a light beam descended upon Sereitei. Ryu understood what that was

' Zero Squad.'

Ryu informed the others and went towards the direction where the pillar of light fell. At the same time he felt five huge presence in that direction, these presences were not one bit weaker than Yamamoto, one was actually stronger than him.

' That should be Ichibē Hyōsube, his powers are a bit thorny but not invincible.'

Ryu and the others reached their destination. Head Captain and other Captains stood Infront of five people. Three males and two females.

Hot Spring Demon, Tenjirō Kirinji.... a lean-built and very tall man with black hair arranged into an outlandishly large pompadour hairstyle, with tapered sideburns. He was chewing upon a small stick. Instead of the standard Shinigami uniform, he was wearing a waist-length white jacket that left most of his chest exposed.

Ruler of Grain, Kirio Hikifune.... a plump, purple haired lady with styled swirl-shaped markings on her cheeks and black lips. She had a large silver adornment in her hair and wore the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white, long-sleeved haori. However her true form is a slender and well-endowed version of her plump self with her long hair left down. She is only plump as her cooking technique uses up her entire Reiatsu, forcing her to gain as much weight as possible beforehand in order to ensure that her body is able to endure the process.

God of the Sword, Ōetsu Nimaiya... dark-skinned man with thick, black hair that is shaven and dyed green on the sides of his head. He wore a variation of the Shinigami shihakushō, featuring instead a green undergarment, and a shortened hakama that exposes his lower legs. Worn over this is a white, sleeveless puffer jacket. His attire is completed by gold-framed sunglasses with blue lenses, and a pair of green slippers that are gold trimmed and have a shoe-like appearance.

Great Weave Guard, Senjumaru Shutara... a very youthful woman with fair skin and long, black hair that is adorned at the back by a large golden ornament in the shape of a crescent moon with numerous small lines radiating outwards. She wore the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white long-sleeved haori.

Monk Who Calls the Real Name, Ichibē Hyōsube... a large and broad individual with a bald head, red eyes, bushy eyebrows and a long black beard. He wore the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white, long-sleeved haori. The top of his uniform is open enough to expose his hairy chest. He also wore a large set of red prayer beads around his neck and a pair of single-toothed tengu geta.

When Ryu and others arrived, Hyosube and his squad also focused on them. They could sense strength on par with them or even slightly stronger from Ryu and Madara, the other two were strong but not strong enough to make them notice.

Ichibē Hyosube smiled and spoke " So these are the humans that requested four Zanpakuto's in return for four favours. You are strong."

Madara commented " Says the monster."

Hyosube wasn't offended, he laughed out loud " Hahaha.... well now, let's not drift away from our subject. Now why should we make you four Zanpakuto's? Just for that favour? "

Ryu smirked " Ichibē Hyosube.... the monk who calls the real name. Your powers are extraordinary, surely you must have felt our strength, so why the question? "

Hyosube was surprised seeing the man infront of him call his full name and call his title.

" You know a lot Ryu Uzumaki."

Ryu " Not as much as you though."

Both of them stared at each other, they seemed to be preparing to attack but Hyosube suddenly laughed and told Yamamoto " Those four favours, we will take one. Your Gotei 13 can have the rest, agreed? "

Yamamoto had no problem, they were the one Forging the Zanpakuto's so them taking one favour isn't a bad bargain.

The God of Swords, Ōetsu Nimaiya stepped up " Now all you guys need to do come with us to the spirit palace, we need to extract a part of your soul to forge Zanpakuto's."

Ryu and the others agreed. All of them went inside the light pillar and disappeared along with the light.

Ryu and the others stepped out of the light a second later.

" So this is the spirit palace...."

Hyosube " Grand isn't it? "

Ryu " Sure is."

Nimaiya " Follow me gents. Let's make some Zanpakuto's."

He led them to a precipice looked out to a vast sea. A Forging stone laid at the top of this precipice.

Nimaiya " Your situation is a bit thorny, you are humans so we need to strip away a part of your soul."

Law " And how do you intend to do that? "

Nimaiya " Simple, just let me cut you."

Law raised an eyebrow " What? "

Nimaiya " My sword will cut through your soul... don't worry i won't injure your soul. I will simply take away a part of your soul, you will feel weakened for some time but that's all."

Zoro was silent all the way, he didn't understand a word they were saying so he just shut up and listened.

Ryu looked at everyone, seeing all of them agree Nimaiya took out his sword from a case of water or some other liquid. He swiftly cut the five of them, five globs of light floated out from Ryu and the others body. All four of them instantly felt weak but their battle capability wasn't affected.

Nimaiya took the four orbs of light and started his work. Ryu was carefully watching his work, he had already obtained the method of forging from Navii. It's just that he didn't have a clue on how to start, he had theory knowledge but no experience.

Soon four glowing swords slowly took shape, they took the shape of Katanas before Nimaiya could deliver the final stroke Ryu stopped him.

" Nimaiya san, please stop!! "

Nimaiya who was about to deliver the final stroke was annoyed when he heard Ryu.

" Why the heck are you yelling!!?? Don't you know it's dangerous to disturb when forging!! "

Ryu scratched his head " Sorry about that. It's just that..... can you not finish those last stroke, I have a different method in mind. So could you just give those four swords as is."

Nimaiya was confused " You wanted Zanpakuto's right? Without completing the forging it will only remain as such for half a day at best and will disappear.."

Ryu nodded his head " I know. Please don't ask further, this will be fine."

Nimaiya didn't ask further, their deal was to make four Zanpakuto's so he didn't care if the other party insists. He handed the four glowing swords in four different cases with their sheaths.

Ryu thanked them and returned. Along the way Zoro couldn't help but ask " Ryu san, what are you going to do with those four swords? "

Ryu smiled mysteriously " You will see."

Chapter end