The sky was split apart.
That wasn't a metaphor—it was a terrifying miracle laid bare before everyone's eyes.
Centered around the Moby Dick, the heavens themselves seemed to be cleaved by an invisible divine sword. Heavy clouds rolled back to both sides, forming a massive rift that stretched across the sky.
And at the end of the rift lay the endless, fathomless cosmos.
Conqueror's Haki.
Two men who stood at the very peak of the world—just the clash of their weapons, the overflow of their Conqueror's Haki, had brought about this apocalyptic spectacle.
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
On the deck, aside from a few division commander–level cadres who could barely stand, the overwhelming majority of the crew collapsed one after another. Under the soul-crushing pressure, they foamed at the mouth and fell unconscious.
Even the legendary giant ship, the Moby Dick, groaned under the unbearable strain. Its wooden boards creaked as if the vessel might shatter at any moment.
And yet, amid this doomsday-like scene, one figure stood out.
Lucian Thorn.
His legs were nailed to the deck as if rooted there, his body trembling violently under the immense weight. Bulging veins crawled across his forehead as cold sweat poured down like a river, soaking his clothes.
It felt as though two invisible mountains were mercilessly grinding him down, crushing his spirit, splitting his skull, blurring his very consciousness.
But inside, there was no fear. Instead, his heart surged with ecstasy and greed!
Because ringing in his mind was the system's alert, chiming at a frenzied pace like never before!
[Warning! Warning! Ultra-high concentration of legendary energy field detected!]
[Absorbing energy overflow from target: Edward Newgate…]
[Analysis progress +0.5%!]
[Analysis progress +0.8%!]
[Analysis progress +1.1%!]
[Absorbing energy overflow from target: Shanks…]
[SSR Character Pool "Shanks (Peak)" analysis progress +0.7%!]
[Analysis progress +1.0%!]
[Analysis progress +1.3%!]
Madness!
Pure madness!
This wasn't absorption anymore—this was devouring!
Before this, he had racked his brains, massaging shoulders and cracking jokes, and in a whole week had barely managed to scrape together a 1.2% increase.
But now, in the span of mere seconds during the clash of the two Emperors, the analysis bar was skyrocketing like a wild stallion, climbing at a speed visible to the naked eye!
This wasn't a clash of Haki.
This was a tailor-made banquet, a once-in-a-lifetime feast prepared just for him!
"More!"
"Stronger!"
Lucian roared in his heart, enduring the agony of his soul being torn apart. Instead of retreating, he forced himself one step closer to the storm's heart!
He wanted to squeeze every last drop of value from this confrontation!
The deadlock didn't last long.
Clang.
With the crisp sound of a blade returning to its sheath, the world-shattering pressure vanished in an instant.
Shanks slid Gryphon back to his waist, his expression once again calm. Yet in those deep eyes lingered a trace of helplessness and regret.
"Looks like words won't reach you after all."
He turned his back on Whitebeard, leaving the Sea Emperor with nothing but a resolute figure.
"Newgate, the times are out of control. If you insist on this path, then be prepared to shoulder the consequences."
Whitebeard stood like an immovable mountain, naginata in hand. His deep voice rumbled.
"Gurararara… brat, are you trying to teach me how to live?"
"I am Whitebeard."
With that, all exchange ceased.
Shanks stepped toward the gangplank, ready to depart.
But as he passed the center of the deck, his steps faltered.
His keen Haki perception had picked up an anomaly.
In this clash of Conqueror's Haki, a storm that had overwhelmed even elite commanders, there stood a rookie—still on his feet, so close to the eye of the storm.
And more peculiar still, faint chaotic traces lingered on him, remnants of the energy he had frantically absorbed moments ago.
Shanks' brow lifted slightly, his gaze locking instantly onto Lucian.
"Oh?"
A soft murmur escaped him, curiosity stirred by this newcomer who had withstood his Conqueror's Haki.
Just as he was about to step forward and address this interesting brat—
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Two figures appeared in an instant, flanking Lucian, as though teleported.
It was Marco the Phoenix and Vista the Flower Sword.
Marco shoved his hands into his pockets, his trademark lazy look in place. Half-lidded eyes studied Shanks as he spoke in a flat yet firm tone.
"Shanks, that's enough. Time to leave."
Vista's hand rested on his sword hilt, his expression sharp, eyes like blades.
"This is family of the Whitebeard Pirates. No need for Red-Hair to concern himself."
Their stance was clear.
You may negotiate. You may even fight Pops.
But you will not touch our new family.
Shanks looked at Marco and Vista, then at Lucian, who panted heavily behind them with a face full of "shock and relief."
And then—he laughed.
Shaking his head, he did not press further.
"All right, all right. Seems you've found quite the little brother."
With that cryptic remark, Shanks vaulted back onto the Red Force.
The ship turned and soon disappeared beyond the horizon.
Only when the Red Force was gone did Marco and Vista relax, turning back to Lucian.
But before either could speak, his eyes closed and his body toppled backward.
"Hey! Lucian!"
Marco darted forward, catching him.
Lucian hadn't fainted.
He simply needed absolute silence—time to review the richest harvest of his life.
His consciousness had already sunk into the system interface.
[Ding!]
[Legendary energy field dissipated. Analysis terminated.]
[Final settlement in progress…]
It was here!
His heart thundered in his chest.
The next second, two radiant panels appeared before his eyes.
[SSR Character Pool: "The World's Strongest Man"—Edward Newgate (Peak)]
[Current Analysis Progress: 45.88%!]
Forty-five percent!
In mere seconds, Whitebeard's progress had leapt from a pitiful 5% to nearly half!
A terrifying leap.
But what stole his breath was the second panel.
[SSR Character Pool: "The Strongest Conqueror's Haki"—Shanks (Peak)]
[Current Analysis Progress: 40.15%!]
Success!
A second SSR Peak character pool unlocked!
And with a staggering initial progress of 40%!
Two trump cards. Two ultimate aces strong enough to overturn the table in the coming war that would decide the world's fate.
Ecstasy crashed over him like a tidal wave, flooding every nerve.
And the surprises weren't over.
[Ding!]
[Shanks pool analysis surpasses 40%!]
[Exchange function synchronized and unlocked!]
Lucian plunged his consciousness into the Exchange Shop.
Where once only a handful of options existed, now a new row blazed in crimson light.
[A-Rank: Supreme Conqueror's Intimidation]
Consumes 15% of "Shanks" analysis. Instantly unleashes a Conqueror's Haki shock strong enough to stun Vice Admiral–level opponents briefly.
[A-Rank: Divine Quickdraw]
Consumes 15% of "Shanks" analysis. Grants mastery of Shanks' signature quickdraw technique, increasing blade speed by 500%.
[S-Rank: Divine Departure Swordsmanship (Fragment)]
Consumes 30% of "Shanks" analysis. A shard of the legendary sword technique "Divine Departure," imbuing your strikes with Conqueror's Haki capable of bypassing some defenses.
[Warning: With current physique, using this skill risks catastrophic right-arm damage.]
Lucian's breath hitched as his eyes locked on the skills—especially that S-Rank fragment.
Roger and Shanks' ultimate technique.
The pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Though risky, the ability to pierce defenses was born for breaking stalemates.
He was rich.
This time, he truly was going to soar to the heavens.
And then—
And then—
And then—
He collapsed into unconsciousness!