Creed nodded.
Now that his strength was enough to hold a place in this world, it was time to witness the vast and magnificent seas for himself.
But the main reason was—
Staying at Marine Headquarters no longer had any meaning. He needed to go out, fight, and defeat three powerful enemies to unlock the SSS-level ability extraction condition.
After the initial surprise, Garp nodded. "I agree."
"With your current strength, you can roam the seas and protect yourself. It's time for you to venture out."
"But don't let your current power make you arrogant. Out here, strong foes appear one after another, many with strange and unique Devil Fruit abilities. Never underestimate anyone—and never underestimate your opponent!"
Garp's voice carried the weight of a lifetime spent sailing the seas.
Creed nodded. These were hard-earned lessons from Garp's years on the ocean. Countless had perished because they grew arrogant and looked down on their opponents.
…
———————————————
The sun shone gently over the endless, glittering expanse of the sea.
Creed lounged on a deck chair, enjoying the warmth.
"Ain, your cooking's not bad."
He sipped his juice, glancing at her.
It had been three days since leaving Marine Headquarters. When Ain heard he was going to sea, she had insisted on coming along, saying she also wanted to train on the open waters.
And it wasn't just her.
Every student from the Elite Training Camp had volunteered to head to various Marine branches to gain real combat experience.
After the Edward Weevil incident, they had all come to a harsh realization about their shortcomings.
Their real battle experience was still far too little.
Like this, how could they ever hope to guard the dangerous New World?
So, they each set off to different seas to hunt small pirate crews and sharpen their skills.
Some of the stronger students, like Smoker, were sent straight to the Grand Line.
Ain, on the other hand, came with Creed—and he hadn't refused.
After all, traveling alone could get boring, and it was nice to have someone to talk to.
And if that someone was a beautiful woman like Ain, all the better.
Ain was considered one of the most beautiful women in the One Piece world.
So, three days ago, they had taken a small ship and set sail.
Hearing Creed praise her cooking, Ain's cheeks flushed slightly, and she stole a shy glance at his profile.
BOOM!!
Suddenly—
The sea churned violently, the ship rocking beneath them.
The scent of gunpowder drifted over. In the distance, a ship was firing its cannons at them.
Its sails bore a skull, its flag the same—
Pirates.
Creed's eyes lit up. Three days at sea, and finally something interesting.
"Mad Dragon Pirates. Captain Mad Dragon. Bounty: 80 million. Zoan-type Devil Fruit user," Ain said, pulling a stack of bounty posters from her bag.
Eighty million, huh…
The pirate ship closed in, and Creed could see the excited, bloodthirsty grins of the crew.
WHOOSH!
The pirate ship drew alongside, and a figure leapt into the air, landing on Creed's small vessel.
"Tch, only two people? I was hoping for a big haul."
Mad Dragon spat on the deck. "A young couple out at sea looking for thrills—you've got guts, or you're just idiots."
Behind him, Ain's face went crimson at the "young couple" remark.
"Kid, meeting me is the end of your road!" Mad Dragon sneered. "I can't stand pretty-boy faces like yours."
"Who gave you permission to spit on my ship?" Creed asked calmly.
"Kid, you're really looking for dea—"
He never finished. Mad Dragon suddenly felt an overwhelming, terrifying aura. The handsome youth before him now seemed like a primordial beast.
The pressure forced him to immediately transform into his lizard-man Zoan form—
But that deadly sense of threat didn't fade.
Cold sweat poured down his back. Impossible—how could this aura be so terrifying?
"Boss, kill them!!"
The pirates on their ship, seeing their captain transform, thought he was about to put on another bloody display. They cheered—
But the next second, their voices died.
With a single slash, the youth sent their captain's head flying.
The crew stared, throats choking on unspoken screams, bodies trembling like leaves.
Their invincible captain—beheaded in an instant?
For several seconds, silence. Then, panicked screams erupted as the pirates scrambled to turn their ship around.
The small boat they had viewed as easy prey now seemed like a vessel from hell.
"Too noisy."
Creed gripped Rinne (Samsara) and swung.
BOOM!!
The massive ship, capable of holding over a thousand men, was cleaved cleanly in two, the cut smooth as glass.
Then—
The slash shattered, releasing the terrifying sword aura within, splitting into countless blades.
SHHH!
Screams rang out, one after another, then silence.
The ship was torn apart, the sea turned into a bloody hellscape, attracting countless Sea Kings.
Creed felt no pity.
These pirates' hands were soaked in the blood of innocents—they deserved nothing less.
Even Ain, standing nearby, didn't feel a shred of sympathy.
Though… recalling the "young couple" comment before Mad Dragon's death, her fair face flushed faintly again.
…
(End of Chapter)
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