Ding!
Far away in Water 7, a system notification rang out in Oguro's mind.
[Congratulations to the host for establishing a top-tier power in the West Blue.
Hidden mission completed: Dominating a Region.
Reward obtained: 50,000 Achievement Points.]
Hiss!
Seeing that generous reward, Oguro clenched his fist excitedly.
"Yah!"
Instantly, a soft, milky-white sensation filled his palm.
Kalifa's cheeks flushed pink as she opened her dazed eyes in confusion.
"Soul King-sama… what happened?"
"Nothing," Oguro said with a smile. "Just thought of something good."
He thoughtfully massaged the spot he had grabbed too hard.
The haze in Kalifa's eyes instantly deepened.
Following instinct, she lowered her head and precisely found the authority she was meant to serve.
Oh… that overwhelming weight.
Again and again, Kalifa bowed beneath its pressure.
...
The next day, a radiant and refreshed Kalifa set off to return to her post.
Oguro, meanwhile, finally opened the system interface after a long time.
[Host: Sith Oguro]
[Identity: Soul King]
[Divine Kingdom Template: Soul Society]
[Divine Kingdom Level: 4]
[Territory: Ittel Kingdom, Water 7, Skypiea, etc.]
[Population: 500,000+]
[Abilities:
Spiritual Pressure (Vice-Captain level)
Swordsmanship (Vice-Captain level)
Hakuda (Vice-Captain level)
Shunpo (Vice-Captain level)
Kidō (Vice-Captain level)]
[Zanpakutō: Origin
(Awakened forms: Hōzumaru, Sode no Shirayuki, Haineko, Suzumebachi, Senbonzakura, Tobiume, Kyōka Suigetsu)]
✓Subordinates:
Aizen Sōsuke (Legendary)
Kuchiki Byakuya (Legendary)
Shihōin Yoruichi (Legendary)
Soifon (Legendary)
… (others hidden)]
[Achievement Points: 7,150]
...
With the Divine Kingdom reaching Level 4, it now rivaled a medium-sized nation in the One Piece world.
It provided Oguro with 150 fixed Achievement Points per day.
On top of that, thanks to the Ittel Kingdom's immense reputation in the West Blue, he gained an additional 600 points daily.
That was 750 points per day in total.
"After all this hardship… it finally paid off."
Oguro was more than satisfied.
Summoning another captain was now only a matter of time.
Even exchange items like the Royal Palace of the Soul King or the Hōgyoku were no longer unreachable dreams.
Their prices were outrageous, sure.
But now, there was hope.
...
Still, looking at his abilities, all stuck at Vice-Captain level, Oguro pondered for a moment and took out the Gura Gura no Mi he had obtained during the Summit War.
Without a doubt, using this Devil Fruit to summon a captain would instantly push his combat power higher.
He would become a Captain-level Shinigami.
Originally, Oguro had considered using the fruit to strike a deal with Ace and the others.
They would likely be willing to trade two or even more Logia or Mythical Zoan fruits for it.
After all, the Gura Gura no Mi was the symbol of their "old man."
But after thinking it over, Oguro abandoned the idea.
Logia and Mythical Zoans were not things you could just casually obtain.
Who knew how long such a trade would take?
Turning it directly into concrete power was far more reliable.
...
"System, exchange for one Legendary Draw Ticket.
Draw from the Gold Card Pool."
A golden star exploded before Oguro's eyes.
On the golden card appeared a man wearing a black-and-white mask.
"…It's him?!"
Oguro froze for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable joy.
...
[Name: Kurotsuchi Mayuri]
[Power: Captain-level]
[Position: Captain of the 12th Division] [Head of the Research and Development Institute]
[Zanpakutō: Ashisogi Jizō]
...
A legendary figure of Soul Society.
While his combat strength wasn't top-tier among captains, his scientific talent was second to none.
Under his leadership, the Research and Development Institute truly flourished.
With him on board, countless research projects could finally move forward.
Franky would definitely be thrilled to have a colleague like this.
...
In a flash of golden light, Mayuri dropped to one knee before Oguro.
"Greetings, Soul King-sama!"
"Rise," Oguro said cheerfully, helping him up.
"The Research and Development Institute is yours. We have several projects stalled due to lack of leadership. Your arrival couldn't be more timely."
At the mention of research projects, Mayuri's face lit up with excitement.
Having a superior who truly understood him was the best feeling imaginable.
"I shall give my life in service to Soul King-sama!"
...
Oguro escorted him to Seireitei, instructing him to restore the Research and Development Institute as soon as possible.
He also gave Mayuri full authorization.
Personnel, resources, materials.
As long as he asked, everything would be supplied.
...
The first thing Mayuri did upon returning was restore the Reishi Communication System of Soul Society.
In the original records, Soul Society possessed wireless communication devices.
They could even contact Shinigami stationed in the World of the Living.
When Shinigami traveled to the human world, their spiritual pressure was sealed by a mark.
If the seal needed to be removed, they had to contact Soul Society.
That communication relied on this very system.
The principle was simple.
Using the Senkaimon as a signal transmitter and Reishi as the medium, communication became possible.
With this system in place, Oguro's forces no longer needed Den Den Mushi.
After all, Den Den Mushi could be monitored.
Unless the World Government learned how to control Reishi someday, spying on this system was impossible.
...
After settling Mayuri in, Oguro carefully sensed his own power.
At that moment, his vast, ocean-like spiritual pressure erupted outward.
All living beings around him felt a crushing pressure, like a mountain descending.
True Captain-level spiritual pressure.
At last, Oguro had stepped into the top tier of this world.
The only regret was that aside from spiritual pressure, Zan, Ken, Haku, Hō, and Kidō had not broken through.
Which made sense.
Mayuri wasn't a combat-focused captain, so the feedback in those areas was naturally weaker.
Even so, Oguro was more than satisfied.
A Marine Admiral-level powerhouse.
How many like that existed in this world?
...
"Soul King-sama!"
Soifon suddenly appeared before him.
"What is it?" Oguro asked.
With a serious expression, she replied,
"Following your orders, we sent scouts to search for territories near Water 7 that could be conquered."
"One reconnaissance team lost contact on Slip Island. They've been missing for several days."
Oguro's expression instantly hardened.
"Who was leading the team?"
"Jabra of the Shadow Dragon Guard. His strength is close to that of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral."
Oguro was genuinely shocked.
That was no joke.
This was Paradise, not the New World.
Someone with Vice Admiral-level strength might not be unstoppable here, but very few could defeat him.
And even fewer could make him disappear without sending a single message.
"It seems this Slip Island is… unusual," Oguro said calmly.
"Soifon, gather a few people. You're coming with me to take a look."
He had just reached Captain level.
This enemy would be perfect to test his strength.
***
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