First fight

It had been more than a week since Ren arrived in Soul Society, and he diligently continued his practice with Haki and swordsmanship. However, despite his consistent efforts, he hadn't ranked up in either skill. Still, he felt more confident in his abilities.

"Looks like I have to reach the maximum level in each rank to be able to level up," he mused. After finishing his training for the day, he returned to his tent, feeling a twang of hunger.

"Time for some lunch," he said, picking up the stone knife he had fashioned to prepare the fish he caught earlier that morning. With his Precision Cutting, he sliced through the fish with remarkable ease.

"Damn, Gordon, I think I can take you on in a knife-cutting competition!" he joked to himself, chuckling at the thought.

Next, he gathered some flint, stones, wooden sticks, and dry leaves to start a fire. Once the flames crackled to life, he skewered the fish on a stick and roasted it over the fire. While waiting for it to cook, Ren decided to meditate to further improve his Observation Haki.

"Gotta use my time wisely," he reminded himself. After fifteen minutes of focused meditation, he opened his eyes just in time to see the fish was finished cooking. He devoured the meal and drank some water he had boiled earlier.

"Food and water are done. I should head into town to see if anything catches my eye and gather some information as well," he thought. After extinguishing the fire and masking his presence, he set off toward District 69.

As he reached the town, he noticed that it had an old, worn-down charm to it. People bustled about, chatting, and children laughed as they played. However, he sensed that many eyes were drawn to him, glancing curiously at his snow-white hair and silver eyes.

"Looks like there isn't much information to gather here. These people keep staring at me; it feels a bit uneasy," he sighed, shaking off their stares and wandering through the district.

As he wandered, he overheard talk of a gang calling themselves the "Slayers." This criminal organization was notorious, boasting around a hundred members. Ruthless and cold-blooded, they were known for capturing beautiful women and enslaving people to serve their interests. Ren decided he needed to be cautious to avoid attracting unwanted attention from such dangerous individuals.

"I don't want to cause any trouble just yet; I need to stay as low as possible." He continued to explore the town until he passed by an alley, where he suddenly noticed three men menacingly harassing a girl. Initially reluctant to intervene, he felt a surge of determination not to let such cruelty continue.

/3 men's and the girl's POV/

"Oi, girl, come on, let's have some fun with us!" the large, chubby man shouted.

"Yeah, it's gonna be a blast!" added the slender guy, smirking.

The girl shook her head in fear, "I'm sorry, but could you please move aside?" she pleaded, hoping to avoid confrontation, but her words fell on deaf ears.

"Come on, it won't hurt at all; just come with us," the well-built thug taunted, eyes glinting with malice.

When the burly man reached out to grab her, she bravely slapped his hand away. Infuriated, he retaliated by striking her, sending her crashing to the ground. With wicked laughter, the trio moved in to seize her, but she managed to grab a wooden branch and swung it in a desperate attempt to defend herself.

"Stop trying, little girl; you're nothing but a toy for us!" the well-built thug mocked, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Please, someone, help me!" she cried, tears streaming down her face as she began to lose consciousness. Just as the filthy hands of the thugs reached for her again, she caught a glimpse of a figure standing protectively in front of her. Before she faded into the darkness, she felt a sense of hope.

(/End 3 men's and the girl's POV)

In that crucial moment, Ren moved to intercept the well-built thug's hand just before it could touch her. The three men froze, surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Gentlemen, I think you've had enough fun tormenting this woman," he said, eyes steady. "Don't you think it's beneath you to fight someone so defenseless?"

Anger flared in the thugs as they turned their ire toward Ren. "Oi, who the hell are you?" the well-built guy hissed, pulling back his hand in irritation. "Do you know who I am?"

"I don't have a name; I'm only eight days old," Ren replied nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips. The thugs stared at him, taken aback. "Just kidding. You can call me Ren," he added, humorously quoting a line he'd heard somewhere.

"This guy's lost it. I'll give you one last chance to get out of my sight," the well-built thug snarled, drawing his sword and glaring menacingly at Ren.

"Like I said, I'll not let you lay a finger on this girl." Ren picked up the wooden branch and pointed it at them defiantly.

"Why is he so calm? He doesn't even show any fear. Is he really that stupid?" one of the thugs thought nervously.

"You're dead, you—!" The well-built thug lunged at Ren, sword slashing through the air. But with the precision of his Pure Enlightenment Eighth Consciousness, Ren dodged swiftly, then struck back with the branch, coated in Armament Haki, slashing across the thug's forehead. Blood splattered as Ren left a deep cut, surprising the thug with the sudden pain.

The thug's bravado crumbled as he felt real fear for the first time. He gritted his teeth and ordered his two companions to attack. "What are you waiting for? Kill him!"

The big thug charged, but Ren's speed was unmatched. He dashed forward and slashed downward with the branch, carving a deep wound from shoulder to waist. The slender thug followed suit, but Ren responded in kind, giving him a similar injury.

Seeing his fellows wounded, the gang leader began to sweat profusely, panic creeping into his features. Ren took a moment to assess the situation.

"These guys are not dead yet," Ren observed, glancing at the thugs sprawled on the ground. "They're deeply wounded, but they'll recover in a few days. Just take them and leave." His calm demeanor showed no malice or threat, which only heightened the leader's fear; he couldn't predict what this stranger might do next.

The leader gritted his teeth, frustration boiling over. "This is not over! I will take your head, you hear me? You are dead!" He spat the words out as he helped his injured companions to their feet and began to retreat from the alley.

Ren sighed, shaking his head. "Good grief." He turned his attention to the girl, who was still trembling and hiding her face beneath the cloth draped over her head. He knew that if he left her here, she would only suffer more at the hands of others.

Without hesitation, he scooped her up in a bridal carry, cradling her gently against him. With a burst of speed, he dashed toward the forest where his base was located, determined to ensure her safety.