Ashveil observed Bickley with a faint smile, clearly pleased with the Celestial Dragon's trembling demeanor.
He approached, calm yet commanding, and in a smooth motion, drew Bickley's Holy Sword before him.
"This sword is impressive. It's a pity it was entrusted to you. Why not hand it over to me instead?" Ashveil said, his voice carrying a teasing undertone.
Bickley's face immediately paled, his features contorting in disbelief. This sword, a personal gift from Imu, was his most treasured possession—more precious than life itself. The very thought of surrendering it made his heart ache.
Even in his private thoughts, resistance seemed impossible; he would have been a million times unwilling.
Ashveil, noticing the faint hesitation beneath Bickley's swollen, pig-like face, let out a soft snort. That subtle sound alone froze Bickley in place. Refusal was no longer an option—who knew what other torments Ashveil might devise if he resisted?
It was inevitable: the sword would end up in Ashveil's hands.
Bickley, though terrified, quickly composed himself. Bowing and scraping, he muttered nervously, desperate to appease Ashveil's impatience.
Ashveil's lips curved into a faint smile. Truly, the bones of the Celestial Dragons were soft, pliable under pressure.
After a brief play with the sword, Ashveil handed it to Hawkeye Mihawk without a hint of attachment.
"Mihawk, this weapon is for you. It should help you refine your swordsmanship even further," Ashveil said calmly, indifferent to the blade's value.
He had no need for the weapon himself; his strength had reached heights where no tool could enhance him further.
Bickley's eyes widened in shock. He had expected Ashveil to claim the sword for himself—but to give it to his subordinate? The weapon's previous owner had been Popos, a figure who once rivaled even Imu in strength. And yet, Ashveil treated it as casually as if it were nothing.
Bickley's mind raced. Could it be that Ashveil's true power surpassed even what he had witnessed? Was he far stronger than anyone dared imagine?
Mihawk, on the other hand, was visibly moved, tears welling in his eyes.
"Ashveil-san, you would entrust me with such a precious weapon to guide my swordsmanship?" he said, voice thick with gratitude.
Ashveil immediately thought, Not good. He had no interest in further entanglements with Mihawk.
"This weapon is useless to me. Keep it for yourself, Mihawk. Minions, take Bickley down," he ordered, then vanished from sight in a flash. The lure of his reward left no room for lingering here.
Bound hand and foot, Bickley was handed over to Ashveil's labor team. The tension among the United Army was palpable; Bickley was, after all, a Celestial Dragon, superior even to Kong and the Gorosei. Yet the awkwardness lay in the fact that he had openly declared he would kill anyone who saw his true face. Their former respect now teetered on the edge of fear.
Bickley's pride was in tatters. The humiliation he endured before the Whitebeard Pirates was one thing—but now, before subordinates who normally wouldn't dare defy him, he had nowhere to hide his shame.
His swollen face, the color of a pig's snout, made the situation even worse. Words stumbled from his lips in incoherent mutters.
Meanwhile, Ashveil had little concern for Bickley's interactions. He was busy activating his system to claim the rewards he had earned.
As expected, the system was generous. Red text streamed into his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for defeating Celestial Dragon Bickley. Your Conqueror's Haki attribute points have been upgraded to 20,000! All Devil Fruit Abilities have been raised to their limit!]
Host: Ashveil
Conqueror's Haki Points: 20,000
Devil Fruit Abilities: Tremor-Tremor (Limit), Magma (Limit), Search (Limit), Glint-Glint (Limit), Ice-Ice (Limit), Appearance (Limit), Phoenix (Limit), Rumble-Rumble (Limit), Ope-Ope no Mi (Limit)
Devil Fruits: Tanuki Fruit, three Artificial Devil Fruits, African Hyena Fruit
Skills: Flash (100 meters), Conqueror's Haki Passive Defense Shield, Shinra Tensei (Self-Created), Haki of the Supreme King Fusion, Golden Conqueror's Haki, Overlord Color Domain
Items: Healing Potion, Ham, Burger, Cola, Red Wine, Turkey Meat, Salad
Ashveil felt a surge of power, the fusion of his Conqueror's Haki and Devil Fruit mastery elevating him to new heights. Even a simple strike now carried the overwhelming might of 20,000 Conqueror's Haki points combined with Limit Devil Fruit abilities.
Just as he reveled in his newfound strength, a pineapple-headed figure stumbled toward him, flask in hand and reeking of alcohol. Marco, First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, grinned through his hiccups.
"Ashveil, come drink! Hahaha, with you holding down the fort for us, our Whitebeard Pirates will soon dominate this sea!" Marco exclaimed, laughter booming.