Oven, lying on the ground, regretted everything, cursing in his heart: "I just made a slip of the tongue, and you beat me up like this? And on top of that, you want to extort a billion Berries from me? You devil!"
But there was also some envy in his tone: "Hmph! You actually dared to call out my second brother. Who doesn't know that second brother is the strongest among the four stars, the greatest masterpiece of our Charlotte family! You're dead for sure!"
Creed ignored his nonsense. He was still pondering the lightning strike from earlier.
His skin was still tingling with the paralysis of the lightning. That was only the aftermath, yet it held such terrifying power.
But his Haki had also been stimulated by the lightning, making him feel his mastery improve a little further.
Not only that, the lightning's attributes and the special ability he had just fused were extraordinary as well.
"It's a pity. Oven's fruit ability isn't even worth my attention."
Right now, Creed had already extracted two new powers equivalent to the level of a top admiral: fruit abilities, Rayleigh, and Armament Haki.
This was top-tier combat power. If he ever faced the World Government, it could serve as a massive trump card.
As for Kizaru's Pika Pika no Mi (Glint-Glint Fruit), he had only developed some initial results.
Fusion, however, still required time. Moreover, the Pika Pika no Mi and his Ope Ope no Mi (Op-Op Fruit) had different attributes, so more time was needed.
"Ope Ope no Mi, Rayleigh's fruit, Armament Haki, Pika Pika no Mi. These four combined, plus the Observation Haki I already have, that makes five powers that can all be strengthened."
Even though Rayleigh's fruit wasn't that impressive, Creed would still need to refine it to fully utilize its potential.
"Right now, my Rayleigh fruit ability has already reached D-level."
"Oven, what do you plan to do next?" Creed asked casually.
Oven's tone softened, "Creed, what else do you want from me? If you just want the billion Berries, I already told you…"
Creed smiled, "You don't need to do anything else. Just obediently hand over the billion Berries."
Oven shook his head, "I don't have a billion Berries. To me, that's an astronomical figure."
Creed frowned, "Don't try to play poor with me."
Oven quickly added, "You can strip my entire family of its wealth—my wife, my children, everything we own. Even then, it won't add up to a billion Berries."
Creed raised an eyebrow, "That won't do. That sum isn't small."
Feeling helpless, Oven thought for a moment and said, "Creed, how about I work under you? I'll earn money for you."
Creed shook his head, "An old man like you? Not interested."
"Don't be like that!" Oven pleaded. "I may only be a Devil Fruit user, but my family has standing in Totto Land."
Creed nodded slightly, "Then go gather every last coin your family has."
Oven hesitated.
Creed snorted, "What? Are you thinking of going back on your word?"
In the end, Oven compromised.
Creed nodded, "That's better."
He watched as Oven pulled out a Den Den Mushi and ordered his subordinates to bring all his wealth.
Right now, Creed desperately needed money.
The more money he had, the more attributes he could extract.
He was at a bottleneck—if he wanted to break through, he needed even more wealth.
Creed had no intention of staying here forever.
He had to grow stronger as quickly as possible and then move on.
"Looks like I'll have to rob more rich people in the future," he thought.
With S-level Observation Haki, S-level Armament Haki, SSS-level Conqueror's Haki, S-level Rokushiki, SSS-level body techniques, and SSS-level giant power… his strength was already formidable.
On the Grand Line, as long as he didn't encounter a Yonko, he wouldn't face much trouble.
But he still lacked one more SS-level Conqueror's Haki.
So far, he had extracted Conqueror's Haki from Katakuri, Shiki, and Big Mom.
The stronger his Conqueror's Haki, the more attributes he could extract.
With his Conqueror's Haki at S-level, he already felt a qualitative leap in his strength.
"I need to push my Conqueror's Haki further, and then challenge Big Mom," Creed thought.
Creed extorted all of Oven's wealth, then left. Sengoku and the Marines were shocked when they heard. The Five Elders laughed, eager to let Big Mom and Creed clash so they could reap the benefits.
Creed, meanwhile, continued his rampage—challenging one powerhouse after another.
He fought Garp at Sabaody and, though defeated, extracted S-level Conqueror's and Armament Haki. His powers advanced to SS.
He fought Big Mom in Totto Land, lost, but extracted SSS-level Haki, pushing himself to SSS+.
He fought Kaido in Wano, lost, but harvested SSS+ Haki, reaching SSSS.
He fought Shanks, lost, but gained SSSS-level Haki, reaching SSSS+.
He fought Blackbeard, lost, but harvested SSSS+ Haki, reaching new peaks.
He fought Whitebeard, lost, but extracted Haki of even greater grade.
He fought Sengoku, lost, but advanced again.
He fought Garp once more, lost, but extracted higher-level Haki.
He fought the Five Elders in Mary Geoise, lost, but reached SSS-level once more.
He even fought Imu on the Empty Throne, lost, but extracted SSS+ Haki, pushing beyond again.
Finally, he came to Katakuri on Whole Cake Island.
"Creed, you must be insane to challenge me!" Katakuri sneered.
Creed smiled faintly, "You'll soon find out whether I'm insane or not."
The two clashed. Creed was powerful, but Katakuri's strength was even greater.
After dozens of fierce exchanges, Creed was defeated once again.
But from Katakuri, he extracted SSSS-level Conqueror's and Armament Haki, pushing his mastery to SSSS+.
Now, with Observation, Armament, and Conqueror's Haki all at SSSS+ level, Creed stood as the strongest user of Haki in the world.
Yet even this was not enough for him.
He was already preparing for the next challenge.
(End of Chapter)
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