For three days, Ian sailed, taking the opportunity to absorb the souls of marine life and bolster his strength. However, the souls of both humans and animals dissipate quickly after death, and his fusion with the Ulquiorra template was still too low.

His Soul Absorption had a limited range, so even in the vast ocean, a constant battlefield where death was commonplace, his fusion rate had only reached 15%.

He mused that if he were to travel to Loguetown or Wano, the sites of Gol D. Roger and Kozuki Oden's executions, and absorb their lingering souls, he could potentially achieve unparalleled power.

Even if they had mastered Observation Haki and possessed the ability to hear the "Voice of All Things," their souls, after two decades, would have long since faded.

The number of souls required for each 1% increase in fusion grew exponentially. The final 1% might require the equivalent of the previous 10%, 20%, or even 30%. It was akin to the ever-increasing experience points needed to level up in a game.

During this time, the Ulquiorra template continued to merge with him. A partial, horned skull helmet formed on his head, tear-like markings appeared beneath his eyes, his pupils shifted to a pale green, and his skin became a deathly white.

He was preparing for a confrontation, a killing spree, and maintaining his original appearance was impractical. While not afraid of the potential complications, he preferred to avoid unnecessary attention.

He now donned a high-collared, long-sleeved jacket with a white front and black trim, white hakama pants secured by a wide black sash, an unmarked yet finely crafted katana, likely the work of one of the famed "50 Skillful Grade Blades", tucked into his sash, and black socks with white shoes.

Among the slaves he had rescued, there had been a tailor who, based on Ian's descriptions, had recreated Ulquiorra's attire.

He was now the spitting image of Ulquiorra Cifer, the Cuarta Espada.

He estimated that manifesting his Zanpakuto and full Arrancar garb through his own spiritual pressure would require him to reach the first stage of Resurrección.

This meant unleashing his Murciélago form, which necessitated a 40% fusion rate. At that level, his power would rival a lieutenant or seated officer in the Soul Society, an Adjuchas-class Hollow, an Espada subordinate, a Yonko commander, or a prominent Marine officer.

At 50%, he would reach captain-class or Vasto Lorde level, comparable to a Marine Admiral, though still slightly below the power of a Yonko. To challenge legendary figures like Garp, Sengoku, Shanks, or Whitebeard, he would likely need 60% fusion and his second Resurrección.

Around 70% would place him at Espada or captain-commander level, powerful enough to dominate the world of One Piece.

"This is…" With the Ulquiorra template active, Ian's soul-sensing abilities had expanded significantly.

He could easily perceive the abundance of departed souls on the island, and the swirling emotions of the living, all emanating from their very souls.

As expected of a pirate haven, death was a common occurrence.

Emotions were a window into the truth. Faces could be trained to deceive, but the soul rarely lied.

"Hey, Kid! Who's your crew? You want to set foot on this island without a flag or companions?"

Shortly after landing, Ian encountered a group of hostile pirates, eager to make an example of him.

He had abandoned the White Skull Pirates' ship two nights prior and commandeered a smaller vessel. Otherwise, encountering the Marines or other pirates would have been unavoidable.

Sailing alone suggested either immense strength or utter foolishness. Most pirates would simply ignore him, unwilling to risk a confrontation with a potential powerhouse.

However, these pirates were clearly the foolish type.

"A Devil Fruit user, eh? Wonder if it's a Zoan or a Paramecia. Either way, he's gotta be worth something."

They sized Ian up, noting his absence from any wanted posters. He was likely a rookie, emboldened by his newly acquired Devil Fruit, hoping to make a name for himself on this lawless island.

A perfect target. He had practically delivered himself to them.

Whoosh! Their taunts were met with a flurry of green flashes. Ian's Sonido and Cero attacks erupted, piercing their skulls with deadly precision.

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Their lifeless bodies crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around them as their souls were swiftly absorbed.

Throughout the encounter, Ian remained silent, uttering not a single word of mockery or condemnation. He held no pity for these ruthless killers.

With a single action, they could shatter families and alter destinies. Only overwhelming force could effectively counter their brutality.

"This guy's interesting…" Other pirates, observing from a distance, chuckled darkly.

The fact that no one had intervened earlier indicated that Ian was not to be trifled with. These fools had served as a cautionary tale, becoming stepping stones on his path.

"There are some real monsters on this island right now. This is gonna be fun!" Their laughter grew more frenzied, fueled by anticipation.

"That guy… any intel? Showing up alone on a pirate island like this, and taking out those guys like it was nothing…"

In the shadows of a nearby building, several figures conversed. One sported a vibrant mane of red spikes, goggles perched on his forehead, and a crimson coat draped over his shoulders. His face was a mask of aggression, radiating an aura of barely contained violence.

He addressed the figure before him, his younger brother, whose long, wavy blonde hair flowed down to his legs, obscuring his expression behind a mask with only a few eyeholes.

"Nothing yet. Looks like a Zoan type, judging by his appearance. The sea's a big place; lots of strong people who prefer to stay under the radar."

The masked figure replied, his voice calm and measured.

"But taking down those pirates so easily… he's not your average rookie. He might even be on your level."

"Interesting… If we don't know, we'll just have to find out." The red-haired man's grin widened, his right hand clenching subtly.

Suddenly, surrounding swords, guns, and other metal objects lifted into the air, drawn towards him, coalescing into a massive metal fist. This was the power of his Devil Fruit.

"I need to raise my bounty, and fast. It's like the universe is handing me opportunities on a silver platter."

"Hey, Kid, cool it. Your bounty's already at 100 million. We need to lay low for a while. Moving too fast can be dangerous."

Killer cautioned, well aware of his brother's formidable Devil Fruit and his equally formidable conceit.

This reckless behavior was a recipe for disaster. Their bounty had skyrocketed since setting sail, and their momentum was only increasing.

"You're too damn cautious, Killer. That's why you'll always be a step behind. After we're done with this island, we're heading straight for the Grand Line. End of discussion."

Kid shoved Killer aside, sending metal objects clattering to the ground. He stormed off towards the island's interior.

"Sigh…" Killer shook his head, resigned. Until Kid faced the consequences of his conceit, there was little he could do.

He knew Kid could easily crush the pirates on this island, but he lacked the speed and efficiency displayed by Ian. Killer had already mentally flagged Ian as someone to avoid.

This newcomer was dangerous, possessing immense power yet remaining remarkably calm and collected, unlike Kid's volatile nature.

He eliminated his enemies with ruthless efficiency, not the sadistic brutality favored by Kid. A dangerous combination of traits.

"Are those the Kid Pirates?"

"Must be nice to be young and reckless. Dreaming of the Grand Line, while we're stuck scraping by in the South Blue."

Passing pirates eyed the Kid Pirates with a mix of respect and envy. While strength was paramount in this world, it wasn't everything. A bit of caution and planning could go a long way.

Youth was a double-edged sword.

"Captain, that guy's dangerous!" In another shadowed alcove, a large, anthropomorphic polar bear in a jumpsuit addressed the figure before him.

Trafalgar Law, sporting his signature spotted hat and wielding his nodachi, the Heart Pirates' jolly roger emblazoned on his attire, listened intently.

"Tonight should prove interesting. Looks like the South Blue has more than one rising star. Which is all the more reason for us to stay out of it. Survival is key. Let's move, Bepo." Law addressed the polar bear.

"ROOM!" A large, shimmering dome enveloped them, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished.

They had heard rumors of Eustass Kid's rapidly growing infamy and bounty, drawing them to this island. They hadn't anticipated encountering another intriguing individual.

Night fell, the crescent moon casting long, sharp shadows, the stars shining with an unnatural brilliance, a silent omen of the impending chaos.

After a day of reconnaissance, Ian finally approached the island's central auction house, a massive structure capable of holding hundreds of people. He was about to unleash a bloodbath, a massacre of pirates.

The auction house was a temporary establishment, and he had confirmed that almost all the pirates on the island had gathered within. Only a small number had departed after delivering their goods, a negligible amount compared to those remaining.

He hadn't alerted them prematurely, spending the day absorbing the lingering souls on the island. As a pirate hub, death was a frequent visitor, providing him with ample fuel for his power. His fusion rate with the Ulquiorra template had now reached 18%. Even if he wasn't stronger than the 100 million berry pirate, Eustass Kid, he was getting close.

And with hundreds of pirate souls for the taking.....

"Look, it's the Kid Pirates. That brutal crew. Their captain's bounty's already over 100 million!"

Surrounding pirates whispered and pointed as the Kid Pirates entered the auction house. Many of them, seasoned veterans of the sea, hadn't achieved such notoriety.

"Heard he's got some powerful Devil Fruit. Controls metal or something. Weakens his enemies, strengthens himself."

"Well, that explains it. Lucky bastard. No wonder he's so cocky."

Some pirates muttered enviously. The sea was a place of unpredictable fortune and misfortune.

Even the weakest could stumble upon a powerful Devil Fruit or a powerful patron, rising through the ranks with astonishing speed.

Conversely, talented rookies could be captured or defeated by stronger pirates or Marines.

In this vast and unforgiving world, luck played a significant role…