When reaching one's limit, how can one break through?
This was something Ian had been pondering for years.
Especially after his physical strength had reached its current limits, he considered several possible ways for a breakthrough.
The first method was a life-or-death battle, fighting a terrifyingly strong enemy and breaking through one's limits in the face of death.
But he dared not gamble recklessly. He wasn't the protagonist, with plot armor and endless comebacks, always surviving mortal danger like an indestructible cockroach and breaking through every time he was on the verge of death.
Thus, for years, he had never faced a true life-or-death fight. Instead, he trained, hunted pirates, returned, and trained again, living with extreme caution.
The second method was guidance from a master, but such masters were hard to find. Some could teach someone to use Haki in just two years, while others could make you master the advanced application of Armament Haki instantly with just three strikes, paving the way to becoming an emperor of the seas.
He had once considered trying his luck in the East Blue, searching for a marine wearing a dog-hat; however, all these years had passed, and he still hadn't left the West Blue.
Finally, nearing his thirties, he finally gave up his ambitions and returned to his village to start a family.
The third, and simplest, option was to consume a Devil Fruit.
A good Devil Fruit could instantly transform an ordinary person into a powerful figure on the sea.
For example, Logia Devil Fruit, which is extremely strong at the early stage, or Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits that shine the brightest at the later stage, just one of this kind of devil fruit was enough to make someone a formidable figure.
Even putting aside Logia and Mythical Zoan Fruits, if one merely wanted to break through physical limits, a Zoan Devil Fruit was more than enough.
Zoan Fruits granted the user the strength unique to animals, enhanced physical capabilities, and the traits of the corresponding animal.
Thus, it could be said that a good Devil Fruit could change one's fate.
Back then, he had also considered searching for Devil Fruits, and as a transmigrator, he knew three good locations for obtaining them.
For example, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit in the Sky Island, the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, and the Gol-Gol Fruit that is auctioned in the Sabaody Archipelago.
However, he wasn't strong enough to go to Sky Island and grab the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Punk Hazard was still a crucial testing ground for the World Government, making it inaccessible to ordinary people.
And as for the Gol-Gol Fruit… He'd gone, but hadn't got it.
So, he had just let it go for now, thinking that if things didn't work out, he would go to Punk Hazard and try to pick up the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit.
To his surprise, the Devil Fruit he hadn't encountered in all those years would suddenly appear before his eyes after he retired and got married.
When Village Chief Martin had brought it to him, he had thought the devil fruit was a plant-based fruit.
But after Captain Enchi provided the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, he discovered it was actually a Paramecia, Light-Light Fruit.
No wonder Village Chief Martin had said back then: Why isn't it glowing now?
It was like how the Woods-Woods Fruit was a logia, yet the Lush-Lush Fruit was a Paramecia; the Glint-Glint Fruit was a logia, but the Light-Light Fruit, though related to light, cannot be elementalized, and is also a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit.
A Devil Fruit that could absorb light to strengthen oneself. As long as it's in the presence of light, the user not only won't feel hungry or tired, but the user's state and recovery rate in the light are several times higher than normal.
Of course, without light, the user would return to normal, so in the eyes of some, it was rather useless, tasteless, yet wasteful to throw away.
After all, it's quite normal for a powerful fighter to fight for three days and three nights. To be full of energy in the morning and instantly wither by the evening is like courting death.
But for Ian, this Devil Fruit is quite suitable in some ways.
He's still hesitant about whether to take it; after all, perhaps he will have better options in the future.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, his muscles bulge, even looking more muscular than usual, Ian radiating a faint glow while staring directly at Kuzan.
Perhaps the afterglow of the setting sun isn't as vibrant as the blazing midday sun, but at this moment, Ian could feel himself brimming with strength.
In this moment, he successfully broke through the limit that had eluded him for so many years.
He knew this state wouldn't last long, and he would return to normal after darkness fell. But being able to enter it once was enough; sooner or later, he would break through his limits and truly enter this level.
Of course, even though he was stronger at the moment, he wasn't arrogant. He understood quite well that relying on a single Devil Fruit to defeat a Marine Admiral was nothing but wishful thinking.
Admirals had gone through countless life-and-death battles and extreme fights; even without considering Haki, their skill and combat experience far outstripped his.
Kuzan wasn't some desk-bound Admiral. Anyone who thought the three Admirals only relied on their Devil Fruits was a fool.
But regardless of whether he could defeat them, he had to at least show his attitude.
He couldn't act so nonchalant and indifferent in front of his father-in-law!
If he didn't get a beating, who would?
That's right, Ian wasn't worried.
From the beginning, he had treated this meeting as just a meeting with his father-in-law. At worst, he would just take a beating. A little sunlight would restore him anyway.
This was why he finally decided to consume the Light-Light Fruit.
He had no intention of conquering the sea, so instead of hesitating, he might as well consume the Light-Light Fruit and continue to push himself forward.
The two faced off, and a cold wave swept across the entire mountain behind them. But upon contact with the faint light emanating from Ian, it instantly dissipated, transforming into dew.
Ian raised his axe in one hand and pointed it at Kuzan: "Come!"
"The Light-Light Fruit?"
Upon seeing it, Kuzan immediately knew what it was, but he wasn't worried: "If you think a single devil fruit alone can let you chop down Sakazuki, you're wrong."
Ian: "..."
Sure enough, this guy had investigated him from the beginning and even knew what he had boasted in his youthful arrogance.
He might have even been watching during his engagement to Robin.
Ian's mouth twitched.
He wondered what this guy's expression would be when he saw the girl he secretly raised get married?
Shocked? Bewildered? Feeling sentimental? Or melancholy?
"Your eyes are so annoying!"
Kuzan seemed to have noticed Ian's strange look. A chill tinged his lips, his tone still lazy as he said: "Forget it, you dared to steal my photo."
"..."
Again, using photos to make his point?
He looked like a father watching his daughter run off with a blonde punk, helpless and furious, forced to scold the kid's yellow hair out of shame.
But before Ian could say anything…
"Ice Age!"
A cold voice rang out.
Followed by this, a terrifying cold wave, as if it could freeze the entire mountain behind, emanated from Kuzan and enveloped Ian, forming a net around him, blocking any escape route.
In an instant, the entire world felt as if it had been plunged into winter.
Ian holding the axe in one hand: "…"
Feeling that dreadful cold, his hand stiffened.
Wait, starting with an ultimate move? How was he supposed to fight that?!