That moonlit night of shared drinks became a silent turning point.
From that day onward, Lucian Thorn's position aboard the Moby Dick underwent a complete transformation.
He now held the same authority and status as the division commanders.
Even Marco and Vista, when speaking with him, no longer carried any hint of scrutiny or testing. Instead, they treated him as a true comrade—a younger brother they could entrust their backs to.
This shift in status opened countless doors of convenience for Lucian.
He could now "cling" to Whitebeard almost twenty-four hours a day—massaging his legs, kneading his shoulders, pouring drinks—doing all the same things as before, but no one saw it as flattery anymore.
Everyone believed that this talented younger brother was simply expressing his filial piety to Pops.
Only Lucian himself knew the truth. He was squeezing every ounce of benefit at an unprecedented pace out of this treasure trove before him—the man known as the Strongest in the World!
[Analysis Progress: 65.11%...]
[Analysis Progress: 66.49%...]
[Analysis Progress: 68.03%...]
[Analysis Progress: 70.00%!]
When the numbers on the system panel finally ticked up to a neat "70," Lucian's heart gave a heavy thump.
Seventy percent!
It was a milestone number!
He could feel it—at any moment he could redeem more, stronger power from the Tremor-Tremor Fruit through the system's shop.
But he didn't.
That battle had left him with a searing lesson: with his current body, forcing out such destructive power was no different from suicide.
Hurting the enemy by a thousand at the cost of harming himself by eight hundred.
In the upcoming war at Marineford, such uncontrollable power could very well be his death sentence.
What he needed was something more stable, more decisive—an ultimate trump card that could end the fight in one strike!
Late at night, Lucian sank his consciousness into the system and focused on another card pool glowing with a scarlet light.
[SSR Character Pool: "Supreme Conqueror's Haki"—Shanks (Peak)]
[Current Analysis Progress: 40.15%!]
The progress wasn't high, but it had already unlocked an exclusive exchange shop.
Lucian's eyes slowly scanned the three options.
[A-Rank: Supreme Conqueror's Intimidation]
Consumes 10% "Shanks" analysis. Instantly unleashes Conqueror's Haki strong enough to overawe armies, dealing devastating mental shock to those with weak willpower.[A-Rank: Godspeed Sword Draw]
Consumes 10% "Shanks" analysis. A high-speed sword technique blending Haki and swordsmanship perfectly, so fast it escapes the naked eye.[S-Rank: Divine Departure Swordsmanship Insight (Fragment)]
Consumes 30% "Shanks" analysis. A fragment containing the essence of "Divine Departure," a technique that entwines Conqueror's Haki into attacks. Warning: Extremely high requirements on both Conqueror's Haki reserves and control. Misuse may cause backlash.
Lucian's breathing unconsciously quickened.
Conqueror's Intimidation—excellent for clearing fodder, but on a battlefield of monsters like Marineford, its role would be limited.
Godspeed Sword Draw—powerful, but ultimately just a "technique."
Only the last one.
[S-Rank: Divine Departure Swordsmanship Insight (Fragment)!]
Infusing attacks with Conqueror's Haki—this was the true path that stood above ordinary Armament Haki, the domain of kings!
It was the ultimate secret that allowed Shanks to stand as an Emperor even without a Devil Fruit!
Though it was only a fragment, it represented a road leading to supreme strength.
The problem was… it required 30% of his accumulated Shanks analysis—nearly everything he had saved up.
And the technique demanded immense reserves and precise control of Conqueror's Haki.
"Just this… still isn't enough."
Lucian's eyes were chillingly calm.
He knew it well—while his Armament Haki was strong, in both volume and quality it was worlds apart from the true top-tier.
And he hadn't even awakened Conqueror's Haki yet.
His body techniques and fundamentals were still lacking.
He needed a stronger foundation!
Lucian's consciousness snapped back to Whitebeard's exchange shop.
Ignoring the overwhelming Tremor abilities, his gaze locked onto one basic option.
[A-Rank: Supreme Armament Haki]
Consumes 20% "Edward Newgate" analysis. Forcefully elevates the user's Armament Haki to top-tier world-class levels of strength and reserves.
This was it!
Lucian's gamble!
Nearly a month of accumulation, all in one throw!
If he lost, then in the coming war at Marineford, he would have no chance left for improvement.
But if he won…
Lucian clenched his fists tight in the dark.
His knuckles cracked under the pressure.
He didn't hesitate anymore.
"System!"
Lucian let out a low roar in his heart.
"Consume 20% 'Edward Newgate' analysis—exchange for [A-Rank: Supreme Armament Haki]!"
"Consume 30% 'Shanks' analysis—exchange for [S-Rank: Divine Departure Swordsmanship Insight (Fragment)]!"
"All of it! Right now!"
[Command confirmed!]
[Exchanging...]
Boom!!!
A terrifying surge of heat exploded from within Lucian's limbs and bones!
If awakening Haki before had felt like a trickling stream flowing into him—then this was a roaring, iron flood that wanted to remake his body from the inside out!
Lucian grunted, every bone in his body groaning under the strain.
Beneath his skin, it was as if countless black dragons rampaged wildly—Armament Haki undergoing brutal transformation and sublimation!
His body was like stubborn iron being hammered again and again—in unbearable pain, its density and toughness multiplied madly!
And just as he was about to be crushed by this force, another power surged into his mind.
Not pure energy—
But a memory.
The swordsmanship insight of "Red-Haired" Shanks!
Lucian's consciousness was dragged into a strange space.
He "saw" a sword.
A simple western longsword—Gryphon.
He "saw" a hand gripping it.
The next instant—
An invisible kingly pressure erupted like an ancient beast awakening!
Black-red lightning coiled across the blade like serpents!
No grand spectacle.
No world-shaking special effects.
That sword simply swung forward.
Ssshh—!
Space itself split.
Not the violent "shattering" of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, but something sharper, cleaner—a cut so refined it felt as if even the laws of the world could be severed.
Lucian's heart and soul were utterly stolen by that sword.
This was… the essence of "Divine Departure"?
This was… the strength of a king who wove Conqueror's Haki into his attacks!
He didn't know how long passed.
When Lucian opened his eyes again, dawn was breaking outside the window.
He slowly raised his right hand, fingers spread, then clenched them shut.
Buzz!
The air itself let out a faint cry.
A layer of Armament Haki deeper than the night wrapped around his fist.
Lucian could feel it clearly—his Haki reserves had multiplied tenfold!
And deep within that pure Armament Haki lurked another presence—nobler, more domineering—the power of kings.
If he willed it…
Lucian closed his eyes, trying to draw out the power of Divine Departure.
A flicker of black-red lightning sparked at his fingertip.
"Not yet…"
Lucian murmured as he opened his eyes.
"I still can't weave it fully into my strikes. Only a faint trace leaks out."
No rush. There was no rush at all.
He already had the key. He had opened the door.
The rest was simply familiarizing himself with the world beyond.
Rising to his feet, Lucian pushed open the cabin door and stepped onto the deck.
The morning sea breeze carried a salty chill.
Sailors busied themselves all across the deck.
At the bow, Lucian saw Marco and Jozu.
"Brother Marco."
"Oh, Lucian."
Marco turned, bloodshot eyes all too visible.
"Any word on Ace?" Lucian asked softly.
Marco was silent for a long moment before slowly shaking his head.
"Since that last message about chasing Teach's trail… there's been nothing."
"Even the Den Den Mushi won't connect."
The air seemed to freeze.
No one said it aloud, but in every commander's heart was the same grim premonition.
Something had happened.
Ace was in trouble.
Lucian asked no further.
He knew better than anyone what was about to unfold.
He only turned, gazing with everyone else toward the turbulent sea ahead—toward the storm about to break.
The War at Marineford was coming!