Listening to Ryuma's response, Kurozumi Orochi's pupils contracted, his eyes burning with fury!
"You arrogant brat, so you really refuse to listen to reason!" Orochi spat coldly, "Guhahaha... Kid, don't throw away my generosity. Grave robbing alone is enough to send you to the gallows, you know that?"
Ryuma replied indifferently, "So what? I'm not going, and that's final."
"Fine! Cut this fool to pieces!"
At Orochi's command, the samurai exchanged awkward glances before swarming toward Ryuma in a massive wave!
"We are all people of Wano... I'd rather not turn my blade on you, understand?" Ryuma growled.
Looking at the vast crowd charging at him, Ryuma decided it was the perfect time to test the power of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit!
Dropping to one knee, he grabbed hold of his own shadow. Since it was his first time using the ability, his control was slightly unrefined, but he quickly managed to split his shadow into ten distinct pieces.
As each shadow rose from the ground, it reshaped itself into Ryuma's likeness, wielding a shadowed replica of Shusui!
Seeing this, a smirk tugged at the corner of Ryuma's mouth. Sure enough, the Shadow-Shadow Fruit was far more lethal in his hands than in Gecko Moria's.
The moment the shadows dashed forward, each clone executed Ryuma's formidable swordsmanship to perfection. Within moments, the shadows sent the crowd of Wano samurai flying in all directions!
"Hahaha! To think that the samurai of Wano a century later would be this pathetic..." Ryuma said coolly. "You're Kurozumi Orochi, right? You should count yourself lucky I haven't come for your head yet. I used the flat of my blade this time; next time, you won't be so fortunate."
Orochi gritted his teeth in disbelief. What he had just witnessed was unquestionably a Devil Fruit power—and specifically Gecko Moria's capability!
How was this possible? Did this young man somehow absorb Moria's power? Just who on earth was he?
A flood of unanswered questions put Orochi on high alert. This guy was definitely dangerous!
"Hey, you. Stop right there."
At that moment, a massive man stepped forward from behind Orochi.
He wore braided pigtails, a metal jaw guard across his face, and possessed a colossal, muscular build. Brandishing twin shotel blades, he radiated pure brutality.
This man was none other than one of Kaido's trusted right-hand men—Jack the Drought, one of the Lead Performers of the Beasts Pirates.
It was common knowledge that Kaido's crew consisted exclusively of Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, and Jack possessed the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Model: Mammoth! Beyond being Kaido's top enforcer, he was also the captain of the Mammoth and the ruler of the Kuri region in Wano.
Jack possessed a notoriously violent streak and staggering endurance. Years in the future, he would launch a relentless onslaught on Zou, fighting the two rulers, Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi, continuously for five days and nights without rest before resorting to poison gas.
I guess I can't be stingy now, Ryuma thought to himself. Should I use the Clear-Clear Fruit for a system draw?
"System, can I use this Devil Fruit directly to draw rewards?"
"Ding! Yes, Host. A B-rank Devil Fruit grants two draws. Would you like to proceed now?"
"Confirm!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have drawn Low-Level Conqueror's Haki!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have drawn High-Level Swordsmanship: Soul Sever!"
Excitement surged through Ryuma's chest. Incredible!
Conqueror's Haki—the rare form of Haki that marked a person with the qualities of a king. Those who possessed it could overpower the wills of others without striking a physical blow, knocking out anyone whose spirit was weaker than theirs. Unlike Observation and Armament Haki, which could be honed through training, Conqueror's Haki could neither be learned nor inherited—it was determined entirely by fate!
Seeing Ryuma standing silently, the remaining samurai began to mock him.
"Haha! I thought this kid was tough, but he's frozen solid just looking at Lord Jack!"
"Exactly! Hmph... Bold enough to rob graves, but not bold enough to own up to it?"
"And he claims to be the legendary Sword God Ryuma? Pfft!"
Ryuma ignored their jeers entirely. His eyes darkened as he looked up. "Do you need something?"
Jack said coldly, "Brat, I actually appreciate your strength. Tell me your real name... and don't give me that 'Ryuma' nonsense."
"Believe what you want. Get out of my way," Ryuma spat, annoyed. Why did everyone insist on treating him like a lunatic?
A flash of veins appeared in Jack's bloodshot eyes. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you? Lord Kaido wants you. He values your talent and wants to know the secret behind how you absorbed Gecko Moria's Devil Fruit ability. Join us, what do you say?"
Ryuma took a deep breath. Naturally, Kaido's network spanned all of Wano. Every move he made was under surveillance.
Under Kaido's command, beneath the Lead Performers, were the Tobi Roppo—the elite officers of the Beasts Pirates who all possessed Ancient Zoan abilities. If he joined, he would likely be assigned a position among them.
Ryuma chuckled. "Not interested. Don't bother recruiting me—I'm not joining. Besides, even if I have a Devil Fruit power, it's a Paramecia, not a Zoan, so look for someone else. And one more thing: your Beasts Pirates have plunged Wano into absolute chaos. Before long, I'm going to take Kaido's head!"
Jack's face twisted with rage! "You arrogant bastard! Fine then. Lord Kaido said that if we couldn't bring you back alive, bringing back your head would do just fine!"
"Let's see if you have what it takes!" Ryuma roared.
With a swift, fluid motion, Ryuma swung Shusui. The stroke was as light as a breeze rustling through leaves, yet the surrounding air instantly froze!
A massive, invisible slash cleaved through the space right next to Jack's head!
Jack's eyes widened in shock! What kind of technique is this?!
Anyone without Observation Haki would have been decapitated instantly. Though Jack managed to dodge just in time, his left braid was completely reduced to ash!
"Tsk, tsk... So much for 'Jack the Drought.' You're not all that impressive," Ryuma scoffed, his gaze chillingly cold.
He knew he had to finish this fight quickly. Jack was ruthless and ruthless fighters always had tricks up their sleeves. The longer the fight dragged on, the higher the chance of dirty tactics.
"So, you're truly set on becoming an enemy of the Beasts Pirates," Jack said grimly, his voice dripping with murderous intent.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MORE CHAPTERS, I HAVE 60+ STORED IN MY:
[email protected]/xiram21