"Now, I'm growing more and more interested in you, Imu," Ashveil said, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Hahahahaha!" The aged voice echoed through the void, cold and mocking.
"Brat, do you truly believe that just because you defeated those pests, you now stand on equal ground with me?" Imu's tone dripped with ancient disdain. "Let me tell you the truth—in my eyes, those five old fools are nothing more than decrepit dogs. Were it not for their age and history, I'd have slain them long ago."
Imu's laughter faded, replaced by a sinister calm. "Wait patiently, Ashveil. You're still not qualified to face me. I'll send someone to end your life. The strongest among my bloodline. Do not mistake him for those five old dogs."
"And good luck to you," Imu added, his voice twisting with malice. "Cherish your time while it lasts."
Ashveil chuckled softly. "Then I'll look forward to his arrival. I hope he comes quickly—otherwise, I'll die of boredom." His tone carried an easy confidence, unaffected by Imu's threats.
Moments later, the communication ended, and silence swallowed the world once more.
Ashveil exhaled slowly, a faint gleam flickering in his eyes. "Interesting… so there's someone even stronger than the Gorosei," he murmured.
He hadn't known of this Celestial Dragon from the manga, but it hardly mattered. With his Haki, he feared no opponent.
Looking around, Ashveil scratched his head in mild amusement. The entire battlefield had been reduced to desolation. His last attack had shattered the sea and sky alike—nearby islands were nothing but drifting ash, swallowed by the horizon. A massive crater yawned deep within the ocean, swallowing torrents of water and lowering the sea level itself.
Even the clouds above had been completely erased by the energy ripple. The heavens were bare, washed clean of all trace of life.
"Good thing this happened over the ocean," he muttered. "If it had been on land, the world map might've needed an update."
Just then, a familiar sound rang in his mind.
[Ding dong! Congratulations to the host for defeating the World Allied Forces, the Gorosei, Kong, Garp, Sengoku, Kaido, Big Mom… and numerous other powerhouses!]
[Reward: +2000 Conqueror's Haki points!]
[Bonus Rewards: Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Ope-Ope no Mi, Dark-Dark Fruit, Gravity-Gravity Fruit.]
[Ding dong! Host's Conqueror's Haki has exceeded 10,000 points!]
[Conqueror's Haki upgraded]
[All Devil Fruit Abilities have advanced to the Highest Tier!]
[Perception range: 100 kilometers!]
[Energy recovery speed ×10!]
[Total capacity ×10!]
[Movement and attack speed ×10!]
[Host: Thorne Ashveil]
[Conqueror's Haki Points: 10,735]
[Devil Fruit Abilities: Tremor-Tremor (Advanced), Magma-Magma (Advanced), Search Fruit (Advanced), Glint-Glint (Advanced), Ice-Ice (Advanced), Appearance (Advanced), Phoenix (Advanced), Rumble-Rumble (Advanced), Ope-Ope no Mi (Advanced)]
[Possessed Fruits: Tanuki Fruit, three Artificial Fruits, Hyena Fruit]
[Skills: Flash, Conqueror's Haki Passive Defense, Shinra Tensei (self-created), Supreme King Fusion, Golden Conqueror's Haki]
[Inventory: Healing Potion, Ham, Burger, Cola, Red Wine, Turkey Meat, Salad…]
Ashveil's aura pulsed like a storm held in human form. His Haki had finally transcended every previous limit, and within a hundred-kilometer radius, he could sense every ripple of life. He could even displace himself freely within that domain.
A quiet satisfaction spread across his face. The ceaseless energy coursing through his body was immense—wild, uncontainable.
"Perfect," he said under his breath. "Now, let's see how strong this so-called 'strongest Celestial Dragon' really is."
Without a true life-or-death battle, the world would never grasp how far he'd risen.
For now, however, one problem remained—the unconscious remnants of the United Army. Tens of thousands of bodies littered the ruins, most still breathing but motionless under the crushing weight of his Haki.
As Ashveil sighed in mild annoyance, a familiar ship approached—the Moby Dick. The Whitebeard Pirates had arrived.
"Ashveil! Ashveil!" Marco shouted excitedly from the bow, waving both arms. His voice was full of awe and relief.
Ashveil's grin widened. "Well, that saves me the trouble."
The Whitebeard Pirates quickly disembarked, surrounding him with wide-eyed admiration. Marco practically sparkled with enthusiasm.
"Ashveil, you're unbelievable!" he said. "To think that so many legendary figures could all fall before you!"
Fire Fist Ace joined in, his flames flickering along his arm. "Yeah! Even monsters like the Gorosei couldn't stand against you. Aside from that old phantom, there's no one left who can challenge you!"
At that moment, Whitebeard himself strode to the front of the deck, Murakumogiri resting over his shoulder. His booming laugh shook the air.
"Gurararararara! Ashveil, you've outdone yourself again! Even I—the man once called the world's strongest—might not last half a strike against you now!"
Before Ashveil could respond, a sharp clack echoed against the deck. Dracule Mihawk had leapt ashore, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Ashveil," Mihawk said, voice low and steady, "what was that sword technique you used earlier? Its power was… extraordinary."
Ashveil rubbed the bridge of his nose, feigning exasperation. "You sword fanatics never give up, huh? Fine, Mihawk. I'll tell you."
Everyone blinked in disbelief. Ashveil—agreeing so easily? Something was off.
Sure enough, the grin that followed was sly and knowing. "But," Ashveil added, turning to face the assembled pirates, "you all have to clean up this mess first."
A heavy silence followed. Around them stretched endless devastation—tens of thousands sprawled unconscious, the wreckage of an entire army. The Whitebeard crew groaned inwardly.
"So that's his plan," Marco muttered. "He just wants free labor."
Even Whitebeard couldn't help laughing. "Gurarararara! Still the same as ever."
Mihawk, however, remained unbothered. "If I do it," he said seriously, "will you really teach me that technique?"
Ashveil chuckled and patted Mihawk's shoulder. "Then work hard, Mihawk. I'll be watching."
With that, he turned, leaping lightly onto the Moby Dick's deck. His golden aura shimmered faintly around him as he walked toward his cabin.
"I'm too tired after that battle," he said lazily. "Wake me when the cleanup's done."
Everyone watched him go. Whitebeard shook his head with a small, knowing smile. "That guy… he never changes."
Marco sighed. "Too tired, he says. He wiped out the entire United Army with one attack."
Jozu crossed his arms. "Honestly, I think we're more exhausted just watching him."
Ace laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, that's Ashveil for you."
Meanwhile, Mihawk had already unsheathed his blade and begun the cleanup in silence—because for him, the promise of swordsmanship was worth any effort.
---