NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 4: The Calm Before the Storm
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Over the past three days, Ian had supplemented his strength by absorbing the souls of marine creatures during his voyage.
However, due to the fleeting nature of souls after death, both for humans and animals, and his relatively low fusion rate with the Ulquiorra template, his Soul Absorption yielded limited results.
The range of his Soul Absorption was also restricted, meaning that even in the vast ocean, a battlefield where countless lives were lost, his fusion rate had only reached 15%.
Otherwise, he could have easily traveled to Loguetown and Wano, the places where Gol D. Roger and Kozuki Oden met their demise, and absorbed their souls, achieving instant power.
Even if they possessed the pinnacle of Observation Haki, the ability to hear the "Voice of All Things," their souls, after more than two decades, would likely have dissipated.
The number of souls required to increase his fusion rate by 1% also grew with each increment. Perhaps the final 1% would require the equivalent of the previous 10%, 20%, or even 30%. After all, no power system maintained a consistent experience requirement per level.
During this time, the Ulquiorra template gradually fused with him. A partial horned skull helmet adorned his head, tear marks appeared beneath his eyes, his pupils turned green, and his skin became deathly pale.
He was about to embark on a killing spree, and maintaining his original appearance was unwise, despite his lack of fear of repercussions.
It was simply a matter of convenience. He now wore a high-collared, long-sleeved jacket with a white front and black trim, white hakama pants, secured with a black sash, the unidentified master-crafted katana tucked into his sash, and black socks with white shoes.
Among the rescued slaves, there had been a tailor, and he had recreated Ulquiorra's attire based on his memories.
He was now the spitting image of Ulquiorra Cifer, the Cuarta Espada. ( Novel Img )
He estimated that achieving the first Resurrección, the release of his black-winged Devil form, would require a fusion rate of 40%. That would grant him power equivalent to a high-ranking officer in a powerful organization, a formidable warrior, and on par with a Yonko commander or a Marine admiral.
At 50%, he would reach captain-class or a higher tier of power, comparable to an admiral, slightly weaker than a Yonko. To challenge legendary figures like Garp, Sengoku, Shanks, or Whitebeard, he would likely need 60% fusion and his second Resurrección.
Around 70% would place him at a level sufficient to dominate the world of One Piece.
80% would rival legendary figures in their base forms, 90% would grant him the power of his third Resurrección, surpassing even the strongest individuals. At 100%, he would likely reach the level of a god-like being.
"This is..." In his fused state with the Ulquiorra template, Ian's soul-sensing abilities had significantly expanded.
He could easily perceive the abundance of departed souls on the island, as well as the emotions of the living. These were manifestations of their souls.
As expected of a pirate haven, death was a common occurrence.
The ability to sense emotions was comparable to Red-Haired Shanks' ability to read minds, Roger and Oden's ability to hear the "Voice of All Things," and even the ability to predict the future.
Emotions were a gauge of truth and deception. Facial expressions could be controlled and manipulated, but the soul remained an unerring reflection of one's true feelings.
"Hey, kid! Whose crew are you with? You come to this island without a crew or a flag?"
Shortly after landing, Ian encountered a group of menacing pirates looking for trouble.
He had abandoned the White Skull Pirates' ship two nights prior, opting for a smaller vessel for the remaining day of travel. Otherwise, encountering Marines or other pirates would have been inevitable.
To sail alone was either a sign of foolishness or immense strength. Few would challenge him, and most would simply ignore him.
After all, who would risk their lives against a potential powerhouse? The pirates before him, however, were clearly the foolish type.
"A Devil Fruit user, huh? Wonder if it's Zoan or Paramecia. Either way, he's worth a pretty penny."
They observed Ian, noting his absence from any wanted posters. He was likely a newcomer, intoxicated by his newfound Devil Fruit powers, seeking fame and fortune on this lawless island.
A perfect target for capture and profit. He had practically delivered himself to them.
Whoosh! In response, green flashes erupted as Ian unleashed a barrage of Sonido and Cero, piercing their heads with deadly accuracy.
Their lifeless bodies collapsed, blood pooling around them, their souls swiftly absorbed.
Throughout the encounter, Ian remained silent, uttering not a single word of condemnation or mockery. He harbored no pity for these ruthless killers.
With a single action, they could shatter families and alter destinies. Only overwhelming force could effectively counter their brutality.
"This guy's interesting..." Other pirates who had been observing the scene chuckled ominously.
The fact that no one had intervened earlier indicated that Ian was not to be trifled with. The foolish pirates who had challenged him had merely served as a cautionary example, becoming stepping stones on his path.
"But there are some truly formidable individuals on this island right now. This is going to be fun!" Their laughter morphed into a frenzy of anticipation.
"That guy… any information on him? He came to this pirate-infested island alone, without a crew, and kills without hesitation."
In the shadows of a building, several figures conversed. One of them sported a wild mane of red spiky hair, goggles, and a red coat, his face etched with a menacing grin and an aura of unbridled violence.
He addressed the figure before him, his companion, whose long, wavy blonde hair cascaded down to his legs, concealing his face behind a mask with only a few eyeholes.
"Nothing. Judging by his appearance, he's likely a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user. The sea is vast, and many powerful individuals prefer to remain low-key."
A calm voice emanated from beneath the mask.
"But to effortlessly eliminate those pirates… he's no saint. His strength is likely on par with yours."
"Interesting… If we don't know, then we'll just have to test him." The red-haired man's grin widened, his right hand clenching slightly.
Suddenly, surrounding swords, guns, and various other weapons coalesced into a massive metal fist before him. This was his Devil Fruit power.
"Right now, I need to increase my bounty as quickly as possible. It's like food and a pillow appearing just as I'm getting hungry and sleepy."
"Hey, Kid, calm down. Your bounty is already 100 million berries. We need to lay low for a while. Rising too quickly can be detrimental."
Killer attempted to reason with Eustass Kid. He knew his brother possessed a formidable Devil Fruit power, but he was also reckless and conceited.
This impulsive behavior was a recipe for disaster. They had only been at sea for a short time, yet Kid's bounty was already nearing 100 million berries, and his momentum was only increasing.
"You're too cautious and timid. That's why you're not as strong as me. After this island, we're heading straight for the Grand Line. That's final!"
Kid shoved Killer aside, the discarded metal clattering to the ground. He stormed off towards the heart of the island.
"Sigh…" Killer could only shake his head in resignation. Until he faced the consequences of his actions, his brother would remain consumed by his conceit.
While Kid could likely defeat the pirates on this island, he lacked the swift and decisive efficiency of Ian. In Killer's mind, Ian had already been labeled as a dangerous individual, someone to be avoided.
He was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Despite his immense power, he remained calm and composed, devoid of conceit.
He dispatched his enemies with ruthless efficiency, unlike Kid's penchant for brutal and sadistic torture. A truly formidable combination of traits.
"Are those the Kid Pirates?"
"Youth is wasted on the young. They're already aiming for the Grand Line, while we can barely survive in the South Blue."
Passing pirates observed the Kid Pirates with a mixture of respect and envy. While strength reigned supreme in this world, intelligence and strategy were equally crucial.
Youth was indeed a valuable asset…
"Captain, that guy's dangerous!" In another shadowed corner, a large, yet adorable, polar bear addressed the figure before him.
Trafalgar Law, sporting a spotted hat, his signature sword Devil Blade slung over his shoulder, the Heart Pirates' jolly roger emblazoned on his attire, listened intently.
"It seems tonight will be quite eventful. The South Blue has more than just Eustass "Captain" Kid as a rising star. There's another promising newcomer. Which is why we should avoid getting involved. Survival is paramount. Let's go, Bepo." Law addressed the polar bear.
"ROOM!" A massive, transparent dome enveloped them, and in the next instant, they vanished.
They had heard rumors of Eustass Kid's rising fame and bounty, leading them to this island. But they hadn't anticipated encountering another intriguing individual.
Night fell. The crescent moon hung in the sky, casting an eerie glow, the stars shining brightly, a silent prelude to the impending chaos.
After a day of reconnaissance, Ian finally approached the island's central auction house, a massive structure capable of accommodating hundreds of individuals. He was about to unleash a terrifying bloodbath, a massacre of hundreds of pirates.
The auction house was a temporary establishment, and he had confirmed that nearly all the pirates on the island had gathered within. Only a handful had departed after delivering their goods, a negligible number compared to those remaining.
He had chosen to avoid alerting them prematurely, spending the day absorbing the lingering souls on the island. As a pirate hub, death was a frequent occurrence, providing him with a substantial source of souls. His fusion rate with the Ulquiorra template had now reached 18%. Even if he wasn't stronger than the 100 million berry pirate, Eustass Kid, he was undoubtedly close.
And with hundreds of pirate souls ripe for the taking, reaching 30% fusion was a realistic goal. After all, they were all villains who deserved their fate.
"Look, it's the Kid Pirates! They've made quite a name for themselves with their brutality. They've only been at sea for a short time, yet their captain's bounty is already over 100 million berries!"
Surrounding pirates pointed and whispered as the Kid Pirates entered the auction house. Many of them, seasoned veterans of the sea, had yet to achieve such notoriety.
"I hear he has a powerful Devil Fruit that allows him to control metal, weakening his enemies and strengthening himself."
"Well, that explains it. Lucky bastard. No wonder he's so conceited."
Some pirates muttered enviously. The Grand Line was a place of endless possibilities and unpredictable encounters.
Even the weakest individuals could stumble upon powerful Devil Fruits or encounter influential figures, catapulting them to fame and fortune.
Conversely, talented rookies could be captured or defeated by stronger pirates or Marines.
In this vast and unpredictable world, luck played a significant role…