"So fast!" Jozu exclaimed in astonishment.
On the other side, Ashveil's expression remained calm and composed. Without Observation Haki, he truly couldn't track Marco's exact movements.
But there was more to him. When his Conqueror's Haki had reached 4,000 points, the system rewarded him with an extraordinary skill: Conqueror's Haki Passive Defense.
Whenever someone attempted to harm Ashveil, his body would instinctively mobilize his Conqueror's Haki, surrounding him in a 360-degree protective barrier.
(Think of it as Gojo's infinity)
This was one of the main reasons Thorne Ashveil, despite his laid-back personality, dared to venture into the dangerous seas of the Pirate World. Without it, even with the will of a King, he would not have wandered so freely.
Even more terrifying was the upgrade he had devised by reading manga. Whenever the protective shield activated and an enemy entered his range, Ashveil could instantly compress and release his Conqueror's Haki in a violent wave of repulsion—an attack that hurled opponents back with explosive force.
Too lazy to come up with his own name, he simply borrowed one from another world's manga: Shinra Tensei.
Marco, in his half-beast phoenix form, burned with azure flames that kept his body aloft as he dived. The distance closed rapidly.
Ten meters. Nine. Eight.
When he was barely a meter away, Marco spun into a kick, his massive clawed leg engulfed in flames. The sheer momentum of his dive carried destructive force, strong enough to shatter a pirate ship.
But just before his strike landed, something impossible happened.
It was as if Marco's flaming claw had struck solid stone. His attack stopped midair, unable to advance even an inch.
"What the hell…?" Marco's eyes widened in disbelief. Pain shot through his leg, forcing him to crash down onto the deck, clutching his foot with both hands. He grimaced. "That… hurts like hell!"
A heavy silence blanketed the Whitebeard Pirates.
Even Edward Newgate himself frowned in disbelief, his massive frame stiffening as he stared. The captains swallowed hard, unable to process what they had just witnessed.
Finally, Vista broke the silence.
"How… how did he do that? Was that a Devil Fruit ability?" he asked, voice unsteady.
"I heard Oden once mention something similar. Could this be the Barrier Fruit?" Jozu speculated.
Whitebeard shook his head, his expression growing grave.
"No… this isn't a Devil Fruit. This is Conqueror's Haki," he said firmly. "Gurarara, I once heard Rocks describe this very level. A Haki so powerful it could cover the entire body as a barrier."
Gasps rippled through the crew.
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. "Rocks dreamed of achieving this mastery, to wield his Conqueror's Haki so freely. Yet, even until his death, he never reached that height."
The weight of his words sank in.
Ashveil's mastery had already surpassed Rocks D. Xebec—the King of Kings.
Back then, Rocks had nearly destroyed the world itself, only to be stopped by the combined might of Roger, Garp, and Whitebeard. And yet, this boy—barely in his twenties—was wielding Conqueror's Haki on a level beyond Rocks.
A monster. That was the only word that fit.
On the battlefield, Marco, still wincing, looked up only to see Ashveil raise his hand. The Haki in his body condensed into the form of two enormous, glowing hands that pressed him down with overwhelming force.
"I told you," Ashveil said lightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "My fighting style is simple and direct. I don't need Armament Haki or Observation Haki."
His eyes sharpened. "Marco, can you rest easy now, and let me deal with Blackbeard?"
In truth, when Marco's kick had clashed with his shield, Ashveil could have unleashed his Shinra Tensei, blasting Marco across the battlefield. But he had only recently mastered that ability, and the control was still delicate. If he miscalculated and knocked Marco unconscious… that would have been troublesome.
Instead, he restrained himself and chose to suppress Marco with pure Conqueror's Haki.
"Alright, alright, enough already!" Marco groaned, waving both hands. "No more fighting! You win, brat. I lost fair and square!"
Even Marco, proud as he was, could no longer deny it. The gap between them was a chasm. He wanted no part of battling a monster like Thorne Ashveil.
He laughed bitterly. "Now I believe it. You really don't need Armament or Observation Haki. You've already surpassed anything we expected."
He turned toward Whitebeard. "Pops, you didn't just bring a monster into our crew—you've brought a monster into the whole world."
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's booming laugh shook the air. "To think this brat's Conqueror's Haki even surpasses Rocks himself! Truly incredible!" His eyes gleamed with approval.
The Whitebeard Pirates, once cautious, now saw Ashveil as a blessing. To have such an overwhelming fighter as the Zero Division Captain was nothing short of miraculous.
"Zero Division Captain Thorne Ashveil, I acknowledge you!" Jozu declared, cupping his fists.
He had considered challenging Ashveil himself, but after seeing Marco's foot swollen like a club, the thought vanished immediately.
Vista stepped forward with sincerity. "With Conqueror's Haki surpassing even Rocks… you are truly the first of your kind. I acknowledge you as well."
One by one, the other captains followed suit.
"I acknowledge you!"
"Me too!"
"Zero Division Captain!"
The voices rose together, carrying respect.
Ashveil was satisfied. With this display, no one would pester him for sparring again. Sometimes, it was necessary to remind the world of his strength.
"Well then, goodbye, everyone!" he called, waving cheerfully as he leapt onto a small boat.
"Oi, Ashveil, we haven't shared a drink yet! When you come back, you owe us a few rounds!" one pirate shouted.
"That's right! Maybe I can't beat you in a fight, but I'll drink you under the table!" another laughed.
"Exactly! When you return after defeating Teach, we'll drink until the barrels run dry!"
A final voice rang out. "Be careful when you face Blackbeard, Ashveil! Don't underestimate him!"
The Whitebeard Pirates called out one after another, their voices full of sincerity.
Ashveil, turning his back to them, felt a strange warmth bloom in his chest.
He raised his hand in farewell. "I know, I know. You guys are really troublesome."
And with that, he sailed off toward his next battle.
___
Read chapters in advance on patreon.
All my fanfics are ahead btw.
Patreon.con/Zphyr_