[ Ding! Congratulations to the Host for killing Admiral Sakazuki. ]
[ Reward: 400 Conqueror's Haki points! ]
[ Ding! Congratulations to the Host for surpassing six thousand Conqueror's Haki points. The Host can now perform a ten-pull on Devil Fruit abilities! ]
The familiar system chime rang in Thorne Ashveil's mind, pulling a satisfied grin across his face. He opened his panel, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"System, draw!" he commanded.
[ Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Ice-Ice Fruit (Logia type)! ]
[ Ding! Unfortunately, blank result. ]
[ Ding! Unfortunately, blank result. ]
[ Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Glint-Glint Fruit (Logia type)! ]
[ Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Appearance Fruit (Paramecia type)! ]
---
Host: Thorne Ashveil
Conqueror's Haki Points: 6206
Devil Fruit Abilities: Tremor-Tremor Fruit (Intermediate), Magma Ability (Advanced), Search Ability (Intermediate), Glint-Glint Fruit (Intermediate), Ice-Ice Fruit (Intermediate), Appearance Fruit (Intermediate)
Devil Fruits in Possession: Tanuki Fruit, three artificial fruits, African Hyena Fruit
Skills: Flash Step (100 meters), Conqueror's Haki Passive Defense Shield, Shinra Tensei (self-created)
Items: Healing potion, ham, hamburger, cola, red wine, turkey, salad…
---
Ashveil licked his lips, satisfied. Two Admiral-level abilities and a utility fruit—it was a worthy haul. The Appearance Fruit lacked offensive power, but its potential for disguise and infiltration had value. More importantly, breaking six thousand points gave his Conqueror's Haki a new edge. He could now create defensive shields not just for himself, but to protect others.
Lost in the thrill of new power, Ashveil suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh, right. I just picked up a new subordinate."
He remembered Urouge, the fallen monk he'd saved earlier. The man was supposed to handle menial tasks for him. Forgetting him would only cause trouble later.
Gesturing for Kuma to follow, Ashveil headed back to Urouge's location.
---
Urouge was still trembling from the aftermath of the earlier battle. When he saw Ashveil walking casually toward him—alive, unscathed, and accompanied by none other than the Tyrant Kuma—his jaw nearly dropped.
"Hey, Urouge. You can stand now, that's good," Ashveil said lightly, smiling as he watched the bruised monk rise shakily to his feet.
Urouge stared at him in disbelief. That fight… that overwhelming force… how did this man return alive? And Kuma—one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—is following him?
Could this laid-back young man be someone infamous on the Grand Line?
Gathering his courage, Urouge fired off questions rapidly, his words tripping over themselves:
"Benefactor… what happened to Admiral Sakazuki? Did you escape him?"
"Benefactor, are you some great pirate?"
"And Kuma… is this really the Shichibukai Tyrant Kuma? How do you know such a figure?"
Ashveil groaned, rubbing his temples. He had hoped Urouge would be useful for chores, not pester him with endless curiosity.
"As for me, I'm the Zero Division Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates," Ashveil said bluntly. He jerked a thumb toward his companion. "This is Kuma. And Sakazuki, that Admiral you mentioned? He's already dead. I killed him."
He exhaled in mild annoyance. "You ask too many questions. Troublesome."
---
Urouge froze, his mind reeling.
He… killed Sakazuki?
The monk's heart pounded. He had witnessed Akainu's power firsthand. Just one strike from the Admiral had nearly annihilated his entire crew. That kind of monstrous strength was supposed to be unbeatable.
And yet, Ashveil had killed him. Calmly, without even a hint of pride or arrogance. Kuma's grave silence beside him confirmed the truth.
Urouge's hands trembled. This wasn't just a captain of Whitebeard's division—this was a figure with Four Emperor-level strength. At such a young age, Ashveil's future was limitless.
To work under him… that would be a blessing across three lifetimes.
The thought of being a mere Supernova suddenly seemed laughable. Compared to following Ashveil, such a title was worthless.
With renewed determination, Urouge straightened himself, his eyes burning with resolve.
"Benefactor—no, Captain Ashveil! Wait for me!" he shouted, limping after them.
---
Kuma glanced at the limping monk and then at Ashveil.
"How about I send us directly to the Celestial Dragons' location?" Kuma suggested.
Ashveil smirked. That was exactly what he wanted. Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit ability could transport them instantly to their destination. Perfect—since walking was simply too bothersome.
Without hesitation, Ashveil deactivated his Conqueror's Haki shield.
Kuma's paw glowed, and with a burst of energy, Ashveil was wrapped in a bubble and launched away. The scenery blurred at impossible speed, and in the next instant, he materialized inside the Sabaody slave auction house.
---
The scene inside was grotesque.
Saint Charlos, Saint Rosward, and Saint Shalria had already been revived by terrified Marines using stimulants. All three Celestial Dragons fumed with rage, their shrill voices echoing through the chamber.
Charlos, snot dripping from his nose, waved his golden pistol at a Marine trembling before him.
"You useless trash! You can't even handle a few pirates! What good are you?!"
The Marine's legs shook, but he dared not resist. Even an Admiral couldn't touch the so-called "descendants of gods."
Rosward's deep voice cut through the chaos.
"Enough. I can't stand this wretched place any longer. When we return to Mary Geoise, I'll see these incompetent Marines punished."
His words forced Charlos to lower his pistol, though not without a final glare at the Marine whose life had nearly ended with a pull of the trigger. The soldier let out a quiet breath of relief. Before the Celestial Dragons, his existence was less than that of an insect.
---
The three nobles strutted toward the entrance of the auction house, where their "mounts" awaited.
Slaves knelt on the ground, heavy explosive collars tight around their necks. Scars and brands marred their bodies, silent proof of lives stripped of dignity. To the Celestial Dragons, these men and women were no more than beasts of burden—lesser than dogs.
Rosward raised his chin arrogantly. "Prepare the mounts. We are leaving."
Just as the trio prepared to climb onto their slaves, a lazy voice echoed through the chamber.
"Hey, Celestial Dragons. You're not going anywhere."
The words froze the air.
From the shadows of the auction house, three figures emerged, their steps steady as they advanced toward the nobles.
---
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