NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 32: Next Target, Enel!
The Navy Headquarters' military merit exchange points operate similarly to the conversion rate of Belly, roughly 5:1. The items showcased, whether Devil Fruits, renowned swords, the Six Powers… or the two forms of Haki!
All of these items have been carefully categorized and classified. Naturally, the Navy acts as the middleman, charging a commission for its services. After all, with the Navy's intelligence-gathering abilities, they can even categorize Devil Fruits down to their specific type and subtype!
Additionally, the Navy provides specialized bounty hunting tasks for capturing pirates, saving countless trouble for the participants.
A supreme grade sword is worth 1 billion points at the military merit exchange, which is highly enticing for any Navy soldier proficient in swordsmanship. However, for true swordmasters, this doesn't matter as much—since any blade, as long as it's not too inferior, can be easily trained into a black blade in their hands!
Moreover, it won't be long before Ian recovers 40% of his fusion. Once he fully constructs his Zanpakutō, both its power and quality will definitely be on par with the supreme grade swords!
As for the mockery and doubts from those around him, Ian couldn't care less about provoking them. He's more focused on enhancing his strength. Only the weak bark aimlessly!
Showing real talent and skill is what truly matters. Have you ever seen an adult seriously compete with a child? But to Tashigi, this tolerance seemed like a sign of dignity—being mocked like this, yet able to hold back?
For her, it was a matter of position and strength. Ian surpassed them in both but still chose to remain silent!
However, reflecting on his magnanimity, perhaps he simply found them too insignificant to care about? Ian was indeed like that—sharp words were nothing compared to his actual strength. If people talked behind his back, so be it!
But if a dog dared to bite him upfront, he wouldn't bark back—he'd simply crush it!
"Just some empty words. Ready for a journey?" Ian picked up the Log Pose to Jaya Island that Tashigi had brought and flicked it into the air as he spoke!
Sky Island had been isolated from the Blue Sea for centuries. The inhabitants there bore white wings, and their strength had developed in its own unique way. They utilized various shells that had powers similar to those in the world of pirates, and by chance...
The God of Skypiea, Enel, who possessed the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit), foolishly believed his powers were divine in origin. He had no idea that his abilities came from a Devil Fruit, nor did he understand Haki.
He referred to Observation Haki as the "Mantra." The Goro Goro no Mi is an incredibly versatile and broken Logia ability. It can mimic the explosive force of fire, the speed and piercing ability of wind, the paralysis and slow-down effects of ice, and the destructive weight of earth!
It's an extremely well-rounded power. Since Ian now has the ability to absorb Devil Fruits and grow saplings from them, there's no way he would let go of this ridiculously overpowered Logia fruit!
If Enel had developed his power to the level of the Admirals, Ian would currently have to avoid confrontation. However, Skypiea has been cut off from the Blue Sea for centuries!
Enel had developed his abilities independently and used them quite well, but their power was not fully realized. Otherwise, even if Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Mi (Gum-Gum Fruit) ability had a natural advantage over him...
Enel could still have incinerated Luffy. Rubber's greatest weaknesses are extreme heat, along with blades and swords!
That's why Ian instructed Tashigi to find the Log Pose to Jaya Island, to set course for Sky Island step by step!
At the same time, he also wanted to visit Luffy and Garp's hometown, the Goa Kingdom, to meet Shimotsuki Koushirou, and the master swordsman Ryuma who once wielded the sword, Shusui!
They hailed from the same family, with Koushirou's father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, being the forger of the Wano Country's most famed swords.
Had it not been for the battle against Kaido more than 20 years ago, when the old woman from the Kurozumi clan used the Mane Mane no Mi (Clone-Clone Fruit) to impersonate Momo, distracting him, Kozuki Oden might have become the second samurai after Ryuma to slay a dragon!
Anyone who can say that a sword, no matter how famed, can't cut through paper unless they truly want it to, must surely be an extraordinary swordsman. After all, how many ordinary people casually carry swords like Wado Ichimonji around?
Moreover, Tashigi and Kuina's identities were still shrouded in mystery. The two were around the same age, both obsessed with swordsmanship, and both dreamed of becoming great swordmasters!
And both had told Zoro the same thing—how lucky he was to be a boy with the strength to pursue such dreams... Although their personalities were different!
But in a world as bizarre as One Piece, where people have ridiculous physical abilities, the idea that Kuina died from falling down the stairs seems pretty far-fetched. In the original story, we never saw her body, and the idea that she might have amnesia, be a clone, or even be a long-lost twin isn't too far-fetched for such a dramatic world!
After all, this world has already introduced cyborgs like the Pacifista, the Germa 66 clone army, and artificial Devil Fruits created by scientists like Caesar, Judge, and Vegapunk, who is 500 years ahead of his time. All three of them even worked together! So, even the most outlandish ideas seem plausible.
Whether Kuina's fate involves cloning or something else, Ian would have to confirm it when he visited that village and saw if her grave was there, and met Koushirou!
At the very least, Ian knew that whether it was swordmasters or Devil Fruit users, facing strong opponents could only improve his own combat strength!
"I'll go prepare the warship right away!" Tashigi said. As a Vice Admiral, Ian could certainly command a small ship, especially since East Blue was no short journey.
Even though Marine Headquarters is at the center of the world, connecting to the four seas and linking Fish-Man Island and the Holy Land of Mariejois above, it was still a significant distance!
"No need, we'll get there soon enough."
Ian donned his white cloak, the symbol of a Marine Vice Admiral, with black sleeves, and in the next second, Tashigi realized why.
Ian sprinted toward her and the window, crashing through the white glass, sending shards flying. Sunlight reflected off the shards like golden scales, and before she knew it, Ian had scooped her up in a gentle princess carry, holding her long, slender legs. The thin fabric of her Marine uniform did little to stop the warmth between them.
Ian could feel the softness of her figure and the faint scent unique to a young woman, while she felt the solid, reliable strength of his arms. Her face reddened slightly, but Ian remained indifferent—just a naïve young girl, but that's part of her charm!
Then came the sensation of falling from the sky. The strong feeling of weightlessness made Tashigi cling tighter to Ian, despite the building not being that high—just a natural reaction from a frail girl needing protection!
"Murciélago!" Ian's cold voice echoed as Tashigi closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she was greeted by the sight of enormous black wings, blotting out the sun!
The half-horned white skull helmet on Ian's head had become a full set of menacing horns, even more terrifying than before. His black nails had become claws, and it seemed his hair had grown longer!
They soared through the sky, cutting through white clouds and the golden sun. As a ruler of the night, how could he not have wings?
At that moment, Ian flew through the sky, more dazzling than any angel!
So strong and dashing—Vice Admiral Ian!
Though Ian's fusion level was only at 35%, due to the prior release of his Resurrección, he could still use his black wings. However, they didn't enhance his strength, speed, attack, or defense—just his physical form.
"Tch, is that Mythical Zoan Fruit of his only good for impressing girls and showing off?" muttered Vice Admiral Onigumo as he watched the scene unfold. Still, he couldn't deny that Ian looked incredibly cool. "I should take my wife out and show her some moves too... although flying's out of the question. Swinging between buildings and towers, though, maybe to the edge of the sky and beyond... that could work. After all, I've got the Spider-Spider Fruit, Model: Spider..."
Meanwhile, in the top-floor Admiral's office, Akainu clenched his fist and slammed it down on the windowsill.
"Disobeying orders, destroying Navy Headquarters property, and acting so recklessly... What is this rookie trying to pull?"
"Sigh... Young people these days..." muttered Fleet Admiral Sengoku, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "Why does this feel like dealing with Garp all over again?"
He had overheard the conversation among the Vice Admirals. He was curious to see how Ian would react. Would he fight back against the mockery and jabs? Instead, Ian had simply left, taking his subordinate with him. And just before leaving, he had taken the Log Pose for Jaya Island. Was he heading off to hunt pirates?
Legends of Skypiea and the City of Gold circulated there. For those with strong abilities, they knew the stories were real, but many pirates treated them as jokes. Yet, despite this, several pirate crews—likely more than ten—had gathered there. Sengoku had intended to let Ian take his time and get used to things. It had only been half a month since Ian joined the Navy. Why care so much about others' opinions? But little did they know, Ian's target was the Thunder God, Enel.
When Ian returned, his strength would have increased again—by who knows how many levels.
Meanwhile, on an island in the West Blue, after nearly a month of sailing, Ace had finally arrived at the land of his mother's birthplace.
At the same time, he had made a name for himself using his Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit), earning the moniker "Fire Fist" Ace. He had become the top rookie in both the East and South Blues, even surpassing the likes of Eustass Kid. His bounty had risen to two hundred million beli, and yet, his actions were still driven by a sense of justice.
His bounty was determined not just by the pirates he defeated, but also by the corrupt nobles and criminals he toppled along the way. Although the Navy couldn't stand those parasites either, once your name appeared in the government's records, the bounty naturally increased. The Navy hoped that Ace's grandfather, Garp, could persuade him to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
A gentle breeze blew across the small island as the ship, flying the Pirates' jolly roger, rocked gently at anchor. After a month of sailing, Ace and his crew had upgraded to a larger ship. Ace sat by the shore, staring into the distance.
A large ship with a dog-shaped figurehead—one Ace knew all too well—was approaching the coast. He recognized it immediately as his grandfather Garp's ship, so he didn't bother to flee.
Standing beside him was the first crewmate he had recruited—Deuce. In the original story, they had met on a deserted island. His name was very similar to Ace's, as Ace had given him the name Deuce on a whim. He wore a blue mask and hailed from a wealthy family. Both of his parents were doctors, and he himself had been a medical student. His dream was to write an incredible adventure novel about the sea.
"Are you going to run, Ace?" Deuce asked, eyeing the enormous navy flag fluttering from the ship.
"No need, it's my old man," Ace replied with a mix of resignation and guilt. "Even though I don't really want to face him, he wanted me and my brother to become marines... and here we are, both pirates."
"I see. Guess I can relate," Deuce said, thinking of his own family. His parents had saved lives as doctors too.
After a long silence, the dog-head ship docked beside them. Standing at the bow, with the marine coat billowing in the wind, was none other than Vice Admiral Garp. Grandfather and grandson locked eyes.
"It's been a while, Ace!"
"Yeah, it's been a while, Grandpa."