Lucian Thorn continued to feel the power he had just obtained—an unprecedented strength that flowed slowly through every vein and bone in his body.
The solid weight of Armament Haki.
The ethereal sharpness of Observation Haki.
He slowly clenched his fists, his knuckles crackling in a series of crisp pops.
That confidence, born from the explosive surge of power, completely transformed his bearing.
If before, Lucian had been a weakling—fawning and disguising himself as a harmless pet just to survive—
Now, standing tall upon the deck, his spine straightened like steel, his gaze unwavering. The ambition and sharp edge he had long buried could no longer be concealed.
"Oh?"
A lazy, curious voice drifted over from nearby.
Lucian turned toward the sound and saw a tall man with peculiar curled mustaches, wearing a captain's coat, looking at him with keen interest.
The 5th Division Captain—Vista, the "Flower Sword."
One of the world's greatest swordsmen.
Vista's perception was razor sharp. Almost immediately, he had sensed that Lucian carried a completely different "aura."
"Brat, you feel a little different than before."
With a playful smile tugging at his lips, Vista strolled forward.
Around them, other crew members began glancing over curiously.
"Is that so?"
Lucian grinned wide, flashing white teeth.
He knew there was no hiding it. On this ship of monsters, disguises were laughable.
What he needed was a chance.
A chance to prove his strength to everyone here—especially to the core captains!
Only then could he truly blend into this crew. Only then would he have a stronger voice in the coming Paramount War. Only then could he… sharpen the clarity of his role!
Vista's keen eyes swept Lucian up and down, as though they could pierce straight through his soul.
"Talk is cheap without action."
He smirked, curling his finger at Lucian.
"So, newbie—do you have the guts to exchange a few blows with your big brother here?
Don't worry, I'll hold back."
'I'll only use thirty percent of my strength.'
Laughter broke out all around the deck.
"Hey, hey, Captain Vista, isn't that bullying?"
"Hahaha! That kid's so soft-skinned he won't last one swing!"
"Run, kid! Don't let him trick you!"
To them, this was nothing more than a lopsided joke.
But against all expectations—
Lucian showed not a shred of fear or hesitation before one of the world's top swordsmen.
He stepped forward, locking eyes with Vista.
"Alright."
Lucian's voice rang out, firm and clear.
"To receive Captain Vista's guidance is an honor."
The laughter died instantly.
Every pirate froze.
They stared at Lucian's youthful face, so full of determination, and for a moment they couldn't tell if this boy was a reckless calf unafraid of tigers… or truly fearless of death.
Vista's eyes gleamed with even more admiration.
"You've got guts!"
He laughed heartily, drawing the twin swords from his back in a swift motion.
"Come then! Let me see how much weight this treasure of Pops is really worth!"
The crew wisely retreated, clearing a wide space on the deck.
From afar, Marco and Jozu also stopped their conversation, their eyes shifting toward the fight with interest.
In the center of the deck—
Vista, blades in hand, exuded an entirely different aura. The murderous intent unique to the world's finest swordsmen chilled the air.
He didn't strike immediately, instead allowing Lucian ample time to prepare.
Lucian drew a deep breath, slowly closing his eyes.
[Observation Haki… Activate!]
Buzz!
In an instant, the world shifted in his perception.
Vista's form, his breath, his heartbeat, even the faintest tremor of his muscles—all of it flowed into Lucian's mind as streams of information.
He could even "see" the sword trajectory that would soon stab toward his left shoulder!
"Here it comes!"
Vista barked, vanishing from sight in a flash!
Fast.
So fast it was inhuman.
To the crew's eyes, there was only a faint afterimage and a streak of silver tearing through the air, lunging straight for Lucian's face!
"It's over."
Someone muttered instinctively.
But in that fraction of a second, just before the tip of the blade grazed his nose—
Lucian moved.
His head bent back at an impossible angle, his body twisting bonelessly to the side.
Shhhk!
The sharp edge sliced past, grazing a few strands of black hair, missing his cheek by a hair's breadth!
A clean miss!
"Hm?"
Vista's eyes flashed with surprise, but he pressed on, his wrist twisting. His blade swept sideways in a beautiful arc aimed at Lucian's waist!
Swift! Precise! Deadly!
But Lucian was swifter!
As though he had eyes in the back of his head, he didn't even look—only raised his knee slightly and tapped the deck with his toes, drifting back half a meter.
Another perfect dodge!
"What?!"
This time it wasn't just Vista—every watching pirate gasped aloud.
If the first time had been luck, the second made it undeniable.
"He's got some skill!"
Vista's expression sharpened, his twin blades erupting in a storm of strikes. Sword-light poured down like rain, weaving into a net that sealed off every possible escape!
"Flower Sword—Rose Waltz!"
But Lucian still kept his eyes closed.
In the world of Observation Haki, every sword's trajectory was crystal clear.
Sidestep, crouch, lean back, twist—
Each movement was stripped down to perfection, his body shifting at the last possible instant, dodging every strike by the narrowest of margins.
Vista grew more and more unsettled.
It was eerie—
As though his every move, every intention, was being read before he acted!
No matter how he changed his strikes, no matter how fast he went, Lucian always reacted half a beat ahead.
It was infuriating, like striking endlessly at shadows.
'Could this brat… already wield Observation Haki?'
The thought flashed absurdly through Vista's mind.
His attacks grew fiercer, pressing harder against Lucian's defenses.
'Now!'
Lucian suddenly opened his eyes, a fierce gleam erupting in his dark pupils.
He caught the fleeting pause as Vista's thrust reached full extension, leaving the swordsman frozen for a split second.
Instead of dodging—he lunged forward!
[Armament Haki!]
Lucian stepped down hard, blasting off like a cannonball straight into the oncoming blades!
His right fist became coated in a black sheen, gleaming like polished metal.
"Break!"
His roar thundered across the deck.
Ignoring the deadly tip of the sword, Lucian hurled his Haki-clad fist with unstoppable force, smashing directly into Vista's blade!
That punch—
Nothing but pure strength and Haki!
Vista's face twisted in shock. He tried to withdraw, but it was too late!
The blackened fist filled his vision—
A heartbeat later—
CLANG!!!
The deafening clash of steel and fist shook the deck.
Then—
CRACK!
A visible shockwave burst from the point of impact, rippling outward in a violent blast.
Vista felt the terrifying power surge through his blade, forceful beyond belief, as if a massive iron ball had crashed straight into him!
"Urgh!"
He grunted, his palms numbing, his treasured swords nearly torn from his grip.
His whole body reeled backward under the monstrous force!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
His boots hammered deep prints into the deck seven or eight times before he barely managed to steady himself, his chest heaving.
The deck fell silent.
Every pirate stood frozen, minds blank.
What had they just witnessed?
The boy they had dismissed as a mere mascot… had with a single punch—
Just one punch!—blasted back the 5th Division Captain, the world-class swordsman "Flower Sword" Vista, swords and all, forcing him to retreat seven or eight steps!
Vista looked down at his trembling, numbed hand, then raised his gaze to the figure calmly lowering his fist.
The shock on his face refused to fade.
"You little brat…"
His voice rasped with disbelief.
"…you're a real monster."