Chapter 171: True Mirage Shadow · Rocks
There are always some geniuses born outstanding in this world.
Born monsters, gifted with immense talent by the world.
Ochoku was one of them.
As a child of a martial arts family in Kano Country, he was born with incredible martial talent and a powerful physique.
At 14, he had mastered almost all of Kano Country's "Martial Arts", worthy of being called a master.
At 20, he could defeat the strongest in Kano Country at the time, the 11th Don of the Happo Navy, "Chinjao".
He had always been the strongest, the most gifted.
He disdained fruit abilities, so he established the "Martial Fight Sect".
"Before my martial arts, a fruit ability only adds a weakness to water."
He became the Pirate Guru, unrivaled on the sea.
"I will become the 'World's Strongest'."
That was his pursuit, something he absolutely believed—until he met that man.
In that battle, he faced his first undeniable crushing defeat.
"Hey—you're pretty strong. Since you lost to me, how about joining my crew?"
"You want to be the strongest? Hahaha, what does that matter... my crew can accommodate any 'Ambition'!"
"If you have the skill to kill me, giving you the title of strongest is fine."
He joined that pirate crew.
In that crew named "Rocks Pirates", he witnessed... true "Monsters".
Whitebeard, Shiki, Big Mom—these monsters famous on the sea today were all executives of that crew back then.
Ochoku found that his proud physique and martial arts were not outstanding before their power, let alone the "Monster among Monsters" leading the Rocks Pirates.
He was no longer special, just "One of" the Rocks Pirates members.
Ochoku couldn't accept this.
He should have been the one to reach the end and become the strongest—how could he stay beneath others?
"Only because of abilities."
Float-Float Fruit, Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Soul-Soul Fruit—if he could get such fruits, combined with his martial arts, he could become the 'Strongest' too, right?
Especially seeing the "Apprentice" who joined the crew not long ago seeking powerful fruits.
Ochoku changed his mind and began secretly gathering intel on Devil Fruits.
Just then...
The "World" extended an olive branch to him.
"We can give you massive treasures, the top Devil Fruit you need. You can even become the Admiral of Pirate Island, inheriting Rocks' position... we only ask you to do one thing."
So, he chose to betray.
He kidnapped the "Flower on the High Peak" of the pirate world, killed his comrades, and sold everything to the Government, triggering the "God Valley Incident".
He obtained the power he desired.
The only thing making him slightly uneasy was certain "Rumors" he learned through Pirate Island channels.
News that a certain man wasn't dead.
But soon, Ochoku relaxed.
Because he found that man didn't appear again.
Those rumors were soon drowned in the tide of time—the Rocks Pirates disbanded smoothly, and he became the new Admiral of Pirate Island.
Everything went smoothly.
"I will become the 'Strongest'."
He picked up his ambition again—Script-Script Fruit combined with his martial arts, he could definitely reach the peak of the sea.
However... an accident occurred.
News of him consuming a fruit couldn't be hidden for long.
His subordinates and followers believed he betrayed the sect's creed of "Ability is Useless".
In a conspiratorial rebellion, although he survived, he was poisoned by a certain toxin.
Ironically, that toxin named "Rotting Poison" came from his homeland Kano Country—so Ochoku knew clearly there was no cure.
His body decayed gradually; he had to use his ability to maintain his life.
His proud physique and martial arts were restricted, and his ability was limited for a long time.
Ochoku found he was still not the most special one.
The "Pirate King" appeared on the sea, but not him—his body couldn't support sailing the Grand Line like Roger.
"Four Emperors" appeared on the sea, but still not him—that brat named "Shanks" rose abruptly, taking the position that should have been his.
He could only stay on Pirate Island, rotting silently with the ability and wealth gained from betrayal, and a body full of pain.
Until recently.
He heard of "Neverland" and the legendary "Fountain of Youth".
Hope reignited.
So he came to Whole Cake Island to ally with Big Mom.
But his ambition never changed.
The alliance was temporary. Once he got the Fountain of Youth and restored his body, he could still ascend the throne of the strongest.
But an accident occurred again.
Just like the question he asked Inu now.
Why find him at such a time?
Why did his plans never go as wished?
"Clearly, once I get the Fountain of Youth and restore my body, I can become the strongest, become the 'Pirate King'!"
His voice carried deep resentment and rage.
He barely maintained his body from collapsing with his ability, but now he was forced to remove the "King's Armor" and release his ability.
His body decayed rapidly every moment. Even putting on the King's Armor again wouldn't restore his previous state.
For him now, the only way was...
"Won't share with Linlin, I want all the Fountain of Youth!"
"No... still not enough, I need more, enough to completely repair my body!"
He must defeat the enemy before him quickly and interrogate the location of Hitsujii and the Fountain of Youth.
In other words...
He no longer held back.
"I'll show you my true 'Power'!"
He growled, extending his hand.
"Free Characters · Thunder Martial Body!"
As Ochoku growled, characters for "Thunder" appeared around him.
Countless lightning bolts surrounded his body, flowing endlessly.
"Free Characters · Flame Martial Body."
Scorching flames ignited.
Thunder formed his rotten "Sinews".
Flames formed his dilapidated "Bones".
In the thunder and flames.
Two characters appeared slowly on his body—[Victory].
"See this?"
Ochoku grinned hideously at Inu.
"My martial arts and ability are the perfect 'Combination'!"
Clenching his fists, he stared at Inu.
[Script-Script Fruit LV5: Fruit Awakening · Text is Imagination. Ability can affect surrounding environment. Character effects are stronger. Can write characters anywhere within 100 meters at will using thought. Requires 12.5 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
Yes.
As Inu thought.
As a top powerhouse who had consumed the fruit for over 30 years.
Ochoku's fruit development had long reached the "Awakening" stage.
Only previously, most of his mental power and ability were used to maintain his body.
But now, ignoring his body and fully liberating his ability.
He could even use the ability to reconstruct his body with other characters through imagination and writing in a short time.
He could imagine his victory, reaching this "Peak State".
This made his rotten body erupt with unimaginable pressure and Haki.
Of course, this state couldn't last—in fact, the characters around Ochoku were visibly dissipating.
In less than a minute, his body would return to decay.
But Ochoku clearly didn't care anymore.
"Your ability is strong and strange—but in the end, such fancy tricks will be crushed before absolute power!"
He sneered.
"The current me is the 'Strongest'!"
As he spoke, his body arched slightly.
Then...
His legs exerted force abruptly!
Just this movement.
VMMM!
The erupted Haki and power turned into a shockwave spreading instantly.
The next moment, Ochoku shot out.
At this moment...
Numerous illusions attacked him again.
But...
RUMBLE!
Ochoku didn't even pause, nor could his punching motion be seen.
But in an instant, all illusions shattered.
Only the countless "Fist Prints" blasted onto the Mirror World wall could show how many punches Ochoku threw in this instant.
[Shadowless Fist · Rainstorm]
"These weak illusions are meaningless no matter how many!"
Ochoku roared, his figure carrying flames and lightning flying toward Inu like a monster.
Legs, palms, fists, hand chops, knee strikes, shoulder bashes.
Countless martial arts techniques used effortlessly.
With every attack, characters like "Speed", "Power", "Rush" corresponding to martial arts appeared around him—making every strike carry incredible power.
[Martial Arts Secret Technique · Character Fusion Style]
In moments, Ochoku was upon Inu.
At this point, his figure began to look somewhat rotten again.
But under his hideous face flashed desperate madness and thrill.
"One strike... finish you!"
With a low shout, his right leg bent abruptly.
[Power]
[Speed]
[Break]
[Pierce]
[Hard]
"Martial Arts Grand Secret Technique · Five Character Fusion · Dragon Carving Kick!"
A kick containing the speed of lightning, the power of flames, and the essence of martial arts struck out.
Ochoku looked at Inu with clear brilliance—he was sure this hit would bring victory.
However, at this moment...
In his gaze, he saw Inu's appearance.
Inu had returned to his main body form unnoticed.
Facing the dispersed illusions, he didn't panic or dodge.
Ochoku could confirm.
In the eyes under the mask, there wasn't even much fluctuation.
"Strongest?"
The next moment, Ochoku heard the opponent's words.
Only now did Ochoku notice.
The eight clones beside Inu had also returned to their original forms.
Now, they were merging into Inu's body in a strange way.
Yes, literally.
Like puzzle pieces, their bodies merged into Inu.
That was the last fruit loaded on him.
[Mix-Mix Fruit LV4 (Beta-Beta no Mi) - The user can fuse siblings with the same bloodline, transforming into a 'Fusion Warrior' possessing the other's strength, physique, and stamina.]
This fruit obtained from Charlotte Newshi might be meaningless to others.
In fact, Charlotte Newshi could use it purely because he was a decuplet.
But for Inu.
Siblings?
His clones and him were naturally "Siblings" by bloodline.
So...
Inu's aura began to skyrocket at an incredible speed.
[Shadow's Asgard - Devour own shadow, gain power equivalent to 200 shadows.]
[Mix-Mix Fruit - Fuse all beings with connected bloodline, possess their physique and stamina.]
In other words...
The power and physique Inu gained now were equivalent to devouring 1800 Shadows.
And the effect...
RUMBLE!
Just a casual wave of Inu's hand released surging, violent aura that almost kept Ochoku's eyes shut.
"This guy..."
Gritting his teeth, he looked at Inu incredulously.
But this wasn't the end.
Because now, Ochoku saw.
From Inu, the flowing Flame Clouds seemed to change form.
Within the Flame Clouds, countless illusions flickered.
And now...
"Best not use words like 'Strongest' lightly."
Inu snapped his fingers gently. "Leaving aside our Leader, I know a guy... he's definitely stronger than you."
As he spoke, his body began to change.
Then...
"..."
Ochoku's expression went from solemn to shocked, then... to disbelief.
Because now, before him.
"Hey, Ochoku."
The existence standing with a sword before him was someone Ochoku dared not believe even in dreams.
That messy blue-white hair, that domineering and bold appearance, that was...
"Rocks!?"
In this instant, Ochoku instinctively wanted to stop his attack, disregarding his body.
Yes.
Before him was indeed the figure of Rocks D. Xebec.
But just moments later...
"No! Impossible—you're already dead!"
Ochoku roared.
"I investigated! Although there were rumors of you in Elbaf, I asked Linlin, no one saw you... you died at God Valley!"
"I asked the Government too, they confirmed your death... you're dead!"
Immense pressure made him speak incoherently.
Yes.
After God Valley, he heard rumors—someone saw a figure suspected to be Rocks near the Giant Kingdom 'Elbaf'.
That kept him terrified for a long time.
Especially recently, with news of 'Star Lord' and God Valley returning to view.
Ochoku had nightmares often.
So not long ago, he even contacted the World Government after thirty years to confirm Rocks' death.
But just then, Ochoku heard Rocks speak softly.
"It was you who betrayed us and kidnapped Shakky, right?"
This light sentence made Ochoku tremble all over.
At the same time, Ochoku saw Rocks raising the sword slowly.
It was a drawing motion he knew all too well.
"You... you really are..."
At this moment, Ochoku's psychological defense finally collapsed.
His body began to collapse visibly.
Yes—as mentioned, the Script-Script Fruit relies on imagination.
Including Ochoku's current form, it was based on the premise that he could imagine defeating Inu.
But undoubtedly.
Facing the person before him.
Even after thirty years, Ochoku had to admit.
Even with the ability.
He couldn't imagine himself defeating the opponent.
Especially after the opponent exposed him as a 'Traitor' directly—Ochoku felt only fear!
"No... No! I don't believe it—this is an illusion!"
The next moment, Ochoku waved his hand violently.
RUMBLE!
Thunder struck toward the opponent again.
But...
BOOM!
Before the thunder arrived, it was dispersed by a casual wave.
Inu, transformed into Rocks, looked at Ochoku.
[Shen Fruit LV5: Fruit Awakening · True Mirage Shadow. Designate a created illusion to become a real 'Mirage Shadow' via Mirage Flame Clouds and merge with self. Causes immense burden on the body, but grants the combat skills, strength, and physique of the 'Mirage Shadow' for a very short time (cannot copy fruit ability or Haki).]
Yes.
The Shen Fruit's awakening effect could make an illusion real briefly, requiring the body to withstand the immense burden.
Through the Mix-Mix Fruit and Shadow-Shadow Fruit combination, Inu gained a physique strong enough to bear this power.
So now, he was...
[True Mirage Shadow · Rocks]
"Even so, the duration is short—at most one strike."
The next moment, 'Rocks' swung the sword.
"But... enough."
He grinned at Ochoku.
"Mirage Shadow · Curse of the Abyss!"
The blade fell.
Thus...
The entire 'Mirror World', along with Pirate Guru 'Ochoku'.
Were split in two by this slash.
☆☆☆
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