On the waters of nearest mock town of Jaya island
A single masted ship sailed smoothly
But while it was smooth it was not quiet
" Damn bastards actually challenging Takumi-sama"
" Are they tired of living!? Hmph they think too highly of themselves!"
" What four emperors
What world strongest swordsman
Before Takumi-sama they're all just garbage "
A raven haired girl roared angrily at the sky
If not for fear of embarrassing her master she would have continued to post on the screen
But after Takumi-sama's quite warning she stopped
Yes this girl was also on the list
She was the one called Ain
She was one of the people who had not yet appeared on the list meaning
She had higher swordsmanship than the likes of kizaru
Ain looked at the arrogant words of Takumi as he asked who's challenge he should accept
Heart shapes appearing in her eyes
"As expected of Takumi-sama, So domineering! "
" Hmmm~ After all Takumi-sama is so handsome too handsome! Just thinking about him makes me so happy~ ahh~ I could just die~"
Ain had a faint blush on her pretty face as she mumbled unspeakable and shameful things her head full of hot and unholy thoughts
She took out a piece of torn paper and saw the direction is still straight
"Hmm~ soon I'll be meeting you Takumi-sama ~ I miss you soooo~ much ~"
Grand Line
Sabaody Archipelago
Groove 47
" Sigh Takumi-nii is still so reckless
directly challenging the whole world's swordsmen like that
what a headache!"
A red and white haired girl with beauty enough that had made several unlucky slave dealers mad with greed said with a fawning smile on her lips
" You say that but the smile on your lips doesn't match your words"
A snark reply answered her earlier statement
" Fufu ~ Nami
You and Uta really have a lot in common
Always saying one thing and meaning another"
Another voice chimed in
"I think I understand why Takumi-kun likes to tease you so much
or even why he calls you two his tsun-tsun sisters~"
Uta turned to the voices and was greeted by two familiar figures
One had purplish blue hair , nearly 18 in approximate age and had a tattoo on her slightly revealed chest
If one closely you'd see bold words written
" T x N "
Which stood for the two people nearest her heart
The other ,smaller in size about 16 years of age had fiery orange hair that seemed to flicker with flames from time to time
" Careful nojiko
nami's about to burst in anger "
"You know how she is when someone mentions her tsun tsun nature"
Uta said mockingly
Nami immediately flared flames soaring and temperature spiking
" Hmph you act as if you're any better whenever Takumi-nii gives you a gift you call it boring or cheap things you can get anywhere "
Nami smirked and continued
" Yet you never refused any of them "
"Hmph I even remember your panicked face when Takumi-nii said he'd give you berry and let you buy for yourself"
The next second Nami ducked
Smirk in place as a metallic fist passed where her head was followed by a gust passing by
Nami not one to stand and take hits immediately retaliated
Opening her palms and pointing it at uta's furious face and smirked smuggly whispering
" Boom~"
An explosive wave of flames rocked out of her palm heading for uta
Burning the ground in it's scorching path to the twin coloured girl
A red light flashed in uta's eyes and her legs tensed
Muscle compressing
Uta suddenly disappeared from her place appearing 5 meters to nami's left another fist covered in a metallic shine ready to launch another attack when-
" Stop. stop!"
Nojiko's slightly annoyed voice rang out
The two stopped but continued to glare at each other before huffing and looking to the screen
Nojiko's lips twitched
' like I said before you two really have a lot in common '
She looked up as well
A fawning smile appearing when she noticed that Takumi was in a predicament and his almost 100 challenges
" I wonder who Takumi-kun will fight~"
On the screen
[ Takumi : hey hawk- chan any suggestions on who to fight I'm running out of time fast]
[ Hawkeye : I don't have any interest in your fight seeing as I know their outcome but if I had to choose i'd say you take on red haired]
[ Shanks : Hohoho Hawkeye seems to trust your ability to fight with a blade quite a bit ]
[ Shanks : Will you accept my challenge then "newcomer"~]
[Takumi : Oh~ you want a piece of me red hair fine by me then~]
[Swordsman Takumi accepts swordsman Shanks challenge]
[ Battle will commence in 2 minutes please prepare for an exchange of swords]
In a certain area of the new world a group of men sat on the deck of a large masted ship watching the golden list in interest
They were the red haired Pirates group and were mostly laughing at their captains expense
" Hahaha captain the new comer sure has you in a pinch no if you don't win you'll be embarrassed infront of the entire world "
A fat man wearing a green ans white striped shirt that was straining to hold his petruding stomach grinned and said to the red haired man infront of him while munching on a drumstick
" Hoho that's how it looks lucky , so I gotta put my A game or I'll lose face, this kid is recognised by hawkeye though I'm calling him newcomer I'm not stupid enough to treat him like one"
Jokes aside anyone with a functional brain could tell Takumi wasn't a so called arrogant newcomer who didn't know the limits of his ability
Never mind his flippant behaviour or his disregard for any ones face
The fact that he could surpass most of over 98 people in the group meant that his swordsmanship was second only to the world's strongest swordsman Hawkeye
After all hawkeye was already indirectly identifyied by the golden list to be higher ranked than Takumi and with Takumi being second hawkeye was only left with 1st place
Not that they needed the golden list for that
The world already knew before that list long started
But they didn't know Takumi ...atleast the Pirates and most people
And also...
Shanks looked at the timer left while tightening his sword Griffin
His eyes turned sharp as he looked up
His body glowed faintly and then disappeared
The members of the red haired Pirates paying close attention were shocked
Looking up they saw his figure materialising in the screen as he looked around calm and vigilant towards his surroundings
It seemed ...
The golden list was real after all!
While they had already had proven via the chatroom seeing their captain shanks
A yonko!
Disappearing without any sign was enough to eliminate almost all of their doubts
After all they never heard of a power like this in their world before
In the arena shanks who had just finished materialising looked around vigilantly
This was uncharted territory and being calm when faced with the unknown was inhuman
His eyes glowed red and his eyes turned to his left were another figure materialised
Shanks grip on his sword tightened
The stranger had no strong aura he even seemed frail if you ignored the sword on his hand
Yet somehow his instincts told him to stay alert
His eyes met the boys
His glowing red met blue and purple
A smile that had him questioning his sexuality bloomed on the boy's face as he grinned
" Yo~ Red haired Shanks ~ you're gaze is undressing me~"
He turned to face him a similar red glow blooming in his mismatched eyes aswell
[Ranked Swordsman Shanks vs ranked Swordsman Takumi ]
[ Match ends when one is killed or cannot continue to fight]
[ One can surrender only if judged to have 'tried' to fight]
[ Match begin!]
Before Takumi could blink a crimson streak blurred his way as shanks seemingly teleporting to his side
His Griffin, already unsheathed was coated in red and dark lightning and his expression was one of total focus
The blade cut through the air
" Divine departure!"
Swoosh
The sword seemingly gaining the power to crush all in its path moved unmarred in it its path to Takumi's throat
Through out it all shanks showed no change in expression
No relaxation despite his seemingly easy opponent or no guard
He had no illusions that this would end so easily
Swoosh
His sword went off target
Guided away by another force
A black sword glowing with black splendour deflected the powerful attack effortlessly
And his intuition was proven right when the powerful swordstrike that was a signature of the Pirate King
Gol.D Roger!
Was deflected !
That's right deflected!
Shanks had felt his aura was weak which was a contradiction with what was being said by his gut and the prior info from hawkeye and the golden list
So when he had felt Takumi having an almost illusive presence
He had not dropped his guard but instead raised it even more!
Because people with presences that were that faint were either too weak..
The black sword didn't lose its momentum as it swung back with force that was equal to the one needed to deflect the previous attack
Though it's force wasn't strong in the traditional sense
It had somehow still made him take a step back
This ..was a difference in skill
" Hohoho~ The four emperors are truly ruthless not even letting us speak before you shoot huh~"
Takumi said with a calm smile seemingly indifferent to the previous attack said
Shanks stayed quiet before replying slowly
" ... that's observation killing isn't it"
Takumi raised a brow in surprise before it curled into amusement
" Oh~ it seems you're quite perceptive or is it because you're familiar with it you're self"
Seeing that Takumi didn't deny it shanks took a sharp breath and tensed his body
Observation killing
A high application of Conquerors haki used to cut of one presence from other observation haki and capable of disabling others ability to foresee the future
Shanks was sure now
Takumi's presence was faint not because he was too weak but because he was too strong
What the hell was this kid eating to have mastered techniques like this at such an age
Unfortunately shanks didn't have the leisure to ponder as Takumi continued to press his attack a familiar yet different destructive power coursing through the blade
Conqueror's infusion
Takumi smiled
" Well let's continue the fight sempai"
Shanks steadied himself and smiled wryly
" Whatever the ' newcomer ' says"
Two blurs flashed before sparks flew and haki destroyed the surrounding arena
Meanwhile outside the arena in the chatroom
[ Cavendish : What the fuck is this bullshit.Is this really human strength!?]
[ Gion : Takumi that bastard is actually this strong now!?]
[ Kizaru : Truly terrifying kids these days a bunch of monsters~]
[ Roronoa Zoro :This this this!? Is my swordsmanship really that weak !?]
[Brook : Yohohoh watching this almost made my eyes fall out ... although I don't have eyes]
[ Monet : Is the brother upstairs ok?And I've gotta admit that Takumi-sam ahem Takumi-sans swordsmanship is top tear]
[ Vista : Hey hey hey hey!? You can't be serious this kid is exchanging blows with an emperor!? And it doesn't look like shanks was playing either. That was fuckin 'divine departure' that kid... Is really that strong]
[ Rayleigh : Newcomers are really terrifying these days.He looks like he's just entering his 20's and he's already mastered one of the two hardest application of Conquerors haki]
[ Charlotte smoothie : Hmph of course now if only I know where my future husband is hiding]
The whole world was stunned
Regardless of whether Takumi hadn't defeated shanks
The fact that he survived his divine departure was enough to prove he was strong even without mentioning his observation killing or conqueror's infusion
The fact he was exchanging blows with shanks meant he was already a powerhouse that most couldn't defeat in the world
And by his young features
This meant his future potential was staggering
But while others were shocked
Others were ecstatic
[ Ain : Hmph Takumi-sama is the strongest.Of course he could handle that red haired Pirate in fact I believe this golden list is wrong with its evaluation.How is Takumi-sama lower than that hawkeye !?]
[ Ain : And Takumi-sama isn't your husband @charlotte smoothie!?]
[ Hawkeye : Leaving Takumi's love life aside]
[ Hawkeye : I originally would have thought differently but seeing how he has managed to master the infusion of Conquerors haki I'm not sure myself ]
[ Monet : Oh even the world strongest isn't sure he could handle Takumi-sam- I mean Takumi-san in a duel of blades]
Hawkeye looked at the sky in silence not saying anything as he watched Takumi exchanging blows with shanks
" It's seems you've grown even more monstrous since the last we've met Takumi"
In marineford
Sengokus office
Bang
" Damn that Takumi what the hell did he do since the last time I saw him!?"
Gion who had been watching with Sengoku Tsuru and Kuzan roared angrily as she slammed her hand on the table infront of her
" He seems to have gotten stronger sigh becoming his enemy...
I knew it would be troublesome
but I just never knew it would be this troublesome"
Tsuru sighed in regret
She should have never let him go when he went out
He had such a kind soul that little child
He never distinguished those to help and those he couldn't... and maybe that's why he left because he couldn't stand being to that justice needed to have sacrifices
Though he had not harmed any celestial dragon
He had indeed stolen their ' possessions '
On multiple occasions at that and though they had tried to help him when they noticed he was doing it out of kindness he hadn't taken their lensed hand
" I never once preached to be a good person but I can't stand and watch there like there aren't attrocities being made infront of me"
" Lives have and were never a thing that can be exchanged by others casually"
" And even if I know that it won't make a difference I will still help those I can"
" A small change today could lead to big difference in the future"
His smile wasn't only bright it was dashing capable of healing wounds that have festered in the soul
She looked at gion who's anger was a mask of pain and sighed even more
'Damn those world nobles the thing they do best was ruining lives!'
Tsuru thought grimly
In the New world
Dressrossa
Donquixote Dolfamingo had his usual grin as he embraced the woman on his lap a sharp look in his eyes
"Violet you've met this man before right I remember that he was the one you went with during the previous reverie with Monet before "
He tightened his embrace on her as she sat on his lap with a expressionless face
" He took me to meet the other princesses present though he was a marine at the time with marine vice Admiral gion He also seemed interested in Monet and tried to recruit her "
Dolfamingo smirked at this
Recruit Monet?
Takumi had a higher chance of recruiting the late Roger in dolfamingos opinion
He laughed
Violet frowned in dismay but held her dissatisfaction and continued ignoring the small almost unnoticeable bump under her rear
"Aren't you worried Monet would agree and leave with him?"
Dolfamingo laughed even more
"Monet is the type of person that
When grateful will serve on person for her life "
He stroked her plumb bottom while twitching imperceptively
She felt her heart tighten in disgust when a wet feeling was felt on her behind but ignored it while apologising to Takumi-samanfor being tainted in her heart
Though they didn't have a relationship she always remembered her promise to her
"When year 1520 arrives I will be able to do anything without restrictions while freeing Dressrossa is possible now
It will come with reprocussion so I implore you to endure a little longer I promise to deliver results by year 1520!"
She continued to press on dolfamingo and looked up enduring this time of hardship while her thoughts were on the man she had placed her life on apologising while cursing the bastard beneath her
' You're right about the type of person Monet is '
She thought
' but unfortunately for you your not the one she's serving so enjoy your fun for now we'll see who has the last laugh 1 inchslug '
Takumi tilted his head as the blade of shanks flashed through missing him by a hairs breath
He smiles
" One sword style : Flowing stance _ Tides "
Takumi suddenly changed the rhythm of his blade moving more chaotic and unpredictable
Shanks his opponent felt disoriented as the battle continued
When he attacked with strong momentum his attacks were blocked or deflected and when he was recovering Takumi struck at seemingly impossible and unreasonable angles
No pattern but not chaotic
No defence yet no opening
No offence get strong resistance
What the hell is this?!
Fighting this guy was already troublesome before but now it felt like trying to cut air itself
Too elusive
Shanks knew this fight could take days but he really didn't feel like it seeing Takumi's relaxed expression while he struggled he gritted his teeth
" Newcomer how about we end this in a battle of strength since this isn't going anywhere"
Shanks jumped back and said still vigilant
After fighting shanks of the four emperors for such a long time with no clear disadvantage being seen the whole world could probably tell that his previous claims were indeed not false
Continuing this fight for him had no meaning
Shanks now knew the so called 'newcomer '
And his combat prowess
Takumi had proven his strength
If they don't want this change to a battle of attrition then head on attacks was the only option
After all both were users with kingly disposition
Giving up wasn't something they did easily
Takumi paused then took a ready stance a strange smile appearing on his face
" Oh~ are you sure that is what you wish to do?~"
Takumi asked with the smile widening
Shanks just nodded silently his Attack already charged
Before Takumi always used observation killing to make it impossible for his divine departure to lock on so he never landed it till this point
But this didn't diminish the confidence shanks had on his former captain's technique
He firmly believe if it landed Takumi wouldn't be unharmed!
Takumi smiled and sheathed his sword and falling into his stance
Shanks locked onto his body with intense focus
" Red haired Shanks ~ You're undressing me with your gaze again~"
Shanks felt his eyebrow twitch and he increased the power he poured into his haki to its zenith
He looked into Takumi' heterocromatic eyes that seemed to say
' come!'
And then he moved again
Just like the start of the fight he blurred and appeared infront of Takumi his blade flying towards his body with destructive force
Takumi's Blade responded with equal intensity too though this time instead of deflecting the signature attack
He blocked it
Boom!
Shanks and Takumi's figures disappeared into a dust cloud as the attack's full impact reached the ground
Shanks focused eyes bulged
Disbelief covering his face
' Divine departure...Blocked!?'
He felt as if the sky was falling but then Takumi's voice fell
" You've used up you're chance with you're strongest attack "
Takumi and Shanks appeared as the dust cleared revealing they're forms
Shanks looked disheveled but mostly intact and Takumi was fine if you ignored his bleeding arm that had born the brunt of shanks 'internal destruction ' and 'conquerors infusion '
He smiled a mischievous smile and spoke
" My turn~"
Before he could react shanks saw his figure disappear and a chilling voice sounding in his ear as Takumi appeared behind him
" One Sword style : Dimensional slash"
Outside the arena
The screen which seemed to stretch endlessly suddenly had a vertical slash dividing the screen in two and before the people could react to the shock
A group letters appeared on the golden list
[ Swordsman Shanks has failed to challenge Swordsman Takumi]
[ Swordsman Takumi has received the achievement of the first Swordsman to win a ranked duel]
[ Reward : Logia Thunder fruit !]
[ Swordsman Shanks has lost and was killed in the first ranked battle and will have his reward given to Takumi in exchange for resurrection]
As the world finally saw these words they felt as if they were dreaming
This is this really the same world they knew!?
What the hell!?
End of chapter