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The members of the Kid Pirates were seeing a technique like this for the first time and were all stunned.
Dong!
A muffled thud came from inside the black coffin, indicating that Kid was attempting to break out. Unfortunately, this was a Hadō of Rank 90; it wasn't that easy to break through!
For Auguro to use this particular Hadō, his Vice-Captain level Spiritual Pressure was depleted by half! It was no wonder that only Captain-level Soul Reapers used Hadō ranked 90 and above. For any other Soul Reaper, one use would instantly render them incapable of combat.
Kid's attack only caused the black coffin to shudder twice before falling silent. Following that, several tearing sounds were heard.
The black coffin slowly dissipated, revealing Kid inside. Kid was lying on the ground, the metal parts he had gathered using his Devil Fruit ability scattered all over. Ten or so bloody holes were gushing blood from his body.
Those were the shadow blades of the Black Coffin—ubiquitous and equally indestructible! Even though Kid had formed a metal giant using massive quantities of metal, it was as fragile as paper before these shadow blades.
"Kid!"
Killer rushed forward and helped up his childhood friend. However, Kid's internal organs were almost entirely perforated. Even the best doctors wouldn't be able to save him!
"Cough, cough! Sorry, Killer! It looks like I won't be able to go find One Piece with you!"
Even now, Kid's usual fierce expression had softened. Killer bit his lip, fighting back tears.
Kid continued, "Go back! Don't be a pirate anymore! Think about it: even the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, strong as he was, died at the hands of the World Government, didn't he?"
"How long can we live freely? Even if we don't die today, we'll die at the hands of someone else in the future!"
"That's the sea! There will always be new heroes!"
It had to be said that after his near-death experience, Kid had a clear view of many things. His request for Killer to retire was heartfelt; he sincerely didn't want his friend to repeat his mistakes.
"I understand!" Killer agreed in a choked voice.
In a daze, Kid seemed to see a young woman smiling and walking toward him.
"Victoria? Have you come to take me?"
Kid felt his body shrinking, finally settling into the appearance of his childhood self. Victoria walked up to him, taking his hand.
"Kid, I've been waiting for you for a long time! Let's go!"
"Okay!"
The two walked away together, just as they had long ago.
Aboard the Victoria Punk, Kid breathed his last, a faint smile gracing his tragically wounded face.
Killer remained silent for a long time, then ordered the rest of the crew, "Set course for the South Blue!"
He wasn't particularly interested in One Piece; he only did it to help his friend fulfill his dream. Now that Kid was dead, he only wished to return home and bury him peacefully.
The Victoria Punk slowly turned around on the sea, completely ignoring the nearby Sabaody Archipelago, and sailed directly away.
Auguro stood in the sky, silently watching Killer and the others depart. Only Kid had offended him; he had no intention of taking it out on the others.
Of course, if Killer had been foolish enough to try and avenge Kid, Auguro would not have shown any mercy either!
Returning to the Desert Rose, the ship continued toward the Sabaody Archipelago. Auguro's hand now held a Devil Fruit. It had a gray body wrapped in a thin golden branch, with a lightning bolt shape at the tip.
It was Kid's fruit: the Paramecia-type Jiki Jiki no Mi (Magnet-Magnet Fruit)!
As Auguro had expected, the Magnet-Magnet Fruit could be exchanged for a Gold Legend-level lottery ticket!
"After all, this is the same ability as that powerhouse Magneto. If not for the lack of in-depth scientific research in the One Piece world, this single Devil Fruit would possess world-destroying power!" Auguro couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Look at Magneto; he casually manipulates entire large planets with magnetism! He can even change chemical bonds at the atomic level, thereby controlling chemical structures and altering matter.
Based on Magneto's application of magnetism, he is close to achieving the "Unified Field Theory"—the manipulation of all forces in the world!
Such a high-end ability, yet in Kid's hands, it was reduced to a common mobile suit!
What a waste of talent!
Looking at the Devil Fruit in his hand, Auguro was actually tempted to eat it. Who hadn't fantasized about casually reversing the sun, moon, and stars?
Eating this Devil Fruit could make that dream a reality!
But the weakness to water was too fatal. Auguro was somewhat undecided.
"If I don't eat it, I could give it to Franky! This ability would be a dream come true for a researcher!"
The practicality of the Magnet-Magnet Fruit was immense. Using it merely to summon a Captain-level Soul Reaper felt like a loss.
"Ding!"
Suddenly, the system prompt sounded.
"Host can temporarily obtain the Soul King Authority (Reiō Ken'gen) by consuming 100,000 Achievement Points, enabling Soul Creation (Reikon Sōzō). The Soul King Authority can be used to modify the demonic spirit within the Devil Fruit and eliminate its side effects."
Soul King Authority?
Auguro shot upright and asked the system, "I am the Soul King, aren't I? Why do I need to spend Achievement Points to use the Soul King Authority?"
The system answered bluntly, "Although the Host possesses the Soul King identity, the Host does not possess the full power of the Soul King. Thus, the Host cannot activate the complete Soul King Authority."
Although he had no evidence, Auguro felt insulted by the system!
"100,000 Achievement Points... that's a bit expensive!"
Auguro gasped in surprise. He had been saving Achievement Points for several months and was just about to reach 100,000. He had been planning to summon a Captain-level Soul Reaper. Now, the system wanted to drain his entire savings with one sentence!
Auguro fell into a dilemma. Should he exchange it for a top-tier combatant, or a Devil Fruit with infinite potential?
A long time later, Auguro suddenly roared.
"Damn it! I'm taking it! Being powerful myself is better than having powerful subordinates!"
Auguro made up his mind. He would eat the Jiki Jiki no Mi! The potential of this fruit was simply too great, and not at all because he could become the greatest showman in the One Piece world!
He temporarily put the Magnet-Magnet Fruit away. He still needed a few more days to gather the 100,000 Achievement Points. A few days of sightseeing in the Sabaody Archipelago would be just enough.
A day later, the Desert Rose arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"It's so beautiful!" the woman exclaimed in awe.
The so-called Sabaody Archipelago was actually the root system of the massive Yarukiman Mangrove trees! Each tree was an island, and the tree roots constantly exuded bubbles, creating the Archipelago's signature scenic feature.
The Desert Rose anchored at Island 44. This was the civilian landing area and was relatively safe. Islands 1 through 29 were largely lawless zones, filled with pirates and criminals. The slave traders Auguro intended to clear out were mainly concentrated on Island 1.