Time passed.Years?Decades?Kenpachi no longer knew.
In the eternal dark, he waited.No light.No sensation.Only silence.And then—
Voices.
"Is this… Impure World Reincarnation?"
"Heh, didn't think you, a mere follower of Orochimaru, would still possess such a technique."
"There's a lot you still don't know."
The voices echoed from a cold, damp cave. Two figures stood side by side:
One, wrapped in shadows, wore a mask with three tomoe and a fan on his back—Uchiha Obito, masquerading as Madara.
The other, cloaked in white, a serpent slithering behind his shoulders—Yakushi Kabuto, inheritor of Orochimaru's forbidden knowledge.
In front of them, dozens of coffins stood open—Akatsuki members reborn: Deidara, Kakuzu, Sasori… the dead, returned for war.
But at the center of them all was one coffin…One that should have never been disturbed.
Zaraki Kenpachi.The demon of the Sengoku era.The one who split the border between Fire and Lightning.The one who fought the First Hokage, Madara, and Tobirama alone—and nearly won.
Kenpachi stirred.
"That voice… this body… am I being summoned by Impure World Reincarnation?"
He blinked in the dark, feeling his limbs, his blade… and his rage.
"Is this the Fourth Great Ninja War?"
He recognized the era. Recognized the names.And the implications.To be used as a puppet in someone else's war?
Disgusting.
"But… wait…"
He clenched his jagged Zanpakutō.
"Reiatsu and blade—still with me. That's good. That means…"
He raised his sword to cleave through the chakra chains binding him—only for a sudden pulse of foreign chakra to slam into his mind.
Blackout.
From the outside, Kabuto watched with unease.
"Tch… As expected of the monster who battled the First Hokage. The moment his soul returned, he nearly broke free."
He wiped imaginary sweat from his brow.
"Fortunately, I pre-placed the control seal. If I hadn't… I'd be dead right now."
Obito narrowed his eyes.
"Are you sure your technique can control him? That wasn't a normal reaction."
Kabuto nodded quickly.
"Yes. As long as the seal is embedded before the summoning, even monsters like him can be restrained. It's fine… I've refined the Reanimation Jutsu far beyond what Lord Orochimaru achieved."
Obito didn't respond, but turned away.
"Then deploy them. Now."
"Understood."
The Impure World Reincarnation army moved.Marching through sand, wind, and time.
Among them, Kenpachi walked in silence, his eyes open now, his vision restored.
He saw the world—but felt nothing.
He understood what was happening.Understood too well.
"I'm a dog on a leash. Again."
"Fighting's fine. War is fun. But this? This is not my way."
He gritted his teeth.
But then—
Ding!
"System activation complete!"
A voice rang in his mind, clear and calm.
"Host, welcome. The Shinigami System has officially activated."
Kenpachi froze.
"System…? You're back?"
"Yes. This system is bound to souls. As you were previously alive, activation conditions were not met. Now, as a soul summoned through Impure World Reincarnation, the conditions are fulfilled."
"Tch… So I had to die again just to access this thing?"
"Correct! But there's good news."
Kenpachi smirked.
"Tell me."
"This system is designed to make you the strongest Shinigami in any world."
"How?"
"Simple. Defeat enemies. Harvest souls. Grow stronger. Every soul collected unlocks greater power—from the Bleach universe, including Bankai, unique Zanpakutō traits, and more."
"And… Impure World Reincarnation?"
"The moment you will it, the system can sever the chakra connection and grant you control of your body. Later, with enough souls, you can even revive in the flesh."
Kenpachi's eye gleamed with murderous joy.
"So… fight. Kill. Eat. Grow."
"Just my style."
"System," he said aloud. "Give me full control."
"Request confirmed. Releasing soul restrictions… now."
SHATTER
The invisible chains around his soul broke like glass.Kenpachi lifted his sword—and this time, it was his arm doing it.
The Reiatsu he'd been holding back began to leak.
In the distance, voices shouted from sand dunes.
"The Impure World army! They're approaching!"
"Everyone, battle positions!"
"Prepare to engage!!"
Kenpachi looked up at the approaching Ninja Alliance army.
So many fresh souls.
"Heh... The Fourth Great Ninja War, huh?"
"Good."
"Let's make it interesting."