Ryuma (Zombie)

Standing at roughly average height, this zombie keeps the katana Shusui fastened at his right hip. Bandages wrap portions of a fleshless skull that lacks both eyes and a nose, while a blue scarf hides much of where his mouth would be. His attire, a richly patterned samurai gi paired with geta and a swirl-marked blue waistband, is fancier than the clothing his living form wore. The once-black hair has faded to white. In the anime, having Brook's shadow gave him Brook's voice.

Because Brook's shadow powered the body, Ryuma echoed many of the musician's quirks, from the lecherous streak to the trademark booming laugh. Yet he had cut himself loose from Brook's memories and saw things his own way; he regarded Brook's afro as nothing but an ugly liability and a target to exploit. A genuine cruelty defined him too. He relished hurting Brook in body and spirit, drew out their duel for sport when he could have ended it instantly, and clearly delighted in battle in a way that suited his samurai shell. Only after Zoro beat him did he confess deep shame at letting the body fall.

The corpse held onto the towering physical power Shimotsuki Ryuma possessed in life, so although his technique shifted, his swordsmanship stayed devastating. Carrying Brook's shadow let him reproduce every one of Brook's sword arts, but his far stronger frame amplified each one well past what Brook could manage. He floored Nami, Usopp, and Chopper with a single strike using the dull side of the blade, and could have killed them with the edge. That raw force let him punch holes through walls with stab pressure, shear a tower spire clean off, and shatter an opponent's sword after a handful of clashes. His weapon, the Black Blade Shusui, ranked among the 21 Great Grade swords and remained a powerful asset. He defeated Brook with only a fraction of his real strength.