The scrawny shadow of the past had long since been washed away by time. In its place stood a towering physique that looked as if it had been forged from steel.
Years of consuming high-calorie meat and hellish training had driven Tenma's height up to a full 2.63 meters. Just standing there, he radiated an oppressive presence.
As for combat strength, compared to a few years ago, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki—all three had been mastered at the entry level. His Armament Haki had even reached the advanced Ryuo stage, capable of internal destruction.
As for even deeper applications of Haki, he could already faintly sense the threshold—only one final step remained.
In terms of swordsmanship, although he hadn't had the chance to spar with the great swordsmen of the seas, Tenma knew where he stood.
He was no longer the ignorant nobody of the past.
Compared to Golden Lion at his peak, Tenma had already inherited at least fifty percent of his mastery in the way of the sword. Even among seasoned swordsmen, he would be considered a formidable expert.
The development of his Devil Fruit abilities had advanced by leaps and bounds as well. His strengthened physique allowed him to wield those powers with astonishing precision.
Golden Lion's signature move, the earth-upending "Ground Roll," was now something Tenma could replicate with a mere lift of his hand—if anything, with even greater ease.
For an ordinary man, four and a half years might earn him a minor promotion from jailer to officer at best. No one else could soar like he had.
There was no denying it—Golden Lion's body template was terrifyingly overpowered. Not only did it raise the ceiling of his potential, it doubled his cultivation efficiency.
Of course, that alone wasn't enough.
Tenma's own ruthlessness played a huge part. Aside from sleeping, he had poured every waking moment into training over the past few years, never once complaining.
None of the blood and sweat had been wasted. All of it had been converted into tangible combat power.
That said, training behind closed doors had its limits.
Recently, Tenma had clearly felt his growth stagnating.
He had been holed up on this Calm Belt island for nearly three years. The once-ferocious beasts now detoured the moment they saw him—there was no longer anything here that could truly temper him.
He tore into a piece of golden, sizzling roasted venison, savoring the aroma bursting between his teeth, while contemplating that it was time to see the outside world again.
Beasts were just beasts. No matter how fiercely he fought them, it couldn't compare to life-and-death battles against real powerhouses.
To break through his bottleneck, he needed to follow the example of the Straw Hat crew two years later—venture out to sea, challenge strong opponents, and turn raw talent into real combat experience.
Once the thought struck him, he acted immediately. Hesitation wasn't his style.
After wolfing down his final meal on the island, Tenma took to the air with a thought, soaring off as a streak of light toward the horizon—leaving the giant tiger staring in shock and awe.
Based on the timeline in his mind, this should be Sea Circle Calendar 1502.
Digging through his memories, Tenma suddenly recalled a world-shaking event scheduled for this very year.
This was the year Kozuki Oden would clash head-on with the Beasts Pirates in Wano. Soon after, the Kozuki clan would fall, and that despicable schemer Kurozumi Orochi would take complete control of the country.
At that thought, a sharp glint flashed through Tenma's eyes.
To be honest, Wano was a piece of fat meat he had long been eyeing.
Kaido could build a Yonko-level force simply by occupying that defensible territory—proof of just how uniquely blessed it was.
Top-tier craftsmen. Vast seastone reserves. Fearless samurai.
And most importantly—buried beneath it all lay the ancient weapon Pluton.
That legendary warship capable of sinking an island with a single shot—if he could get his hands on it and amplify it with the More-More Fruit…
The thought alone was terrifying.
After weighing the pros and cons, Tenma decided his first stop would be Wano. At the very least, he wanted to see just how rotten the situation had become.
Still, glancing down at his beast-hide outfit that made him look like a caveman, Tenma decided his top priority was getting money and proper gear.
A few days later — Sabaody Archipelago.
This place was both the final stop of the first half of the Grand Line and the gateway to the New World.
Any desperado who could make it here intact was a hardened survivor.
After "borrowing" supplies at sea and drifting for a week, Tenma finally set foot on this legendary land of dreams.
Compared to the gloomy hell of Impel Down or the raw wilderness of the Calm Belt, this place felt like another world entirely.
Resin bubbles floated through the air, refracting rainbow hues in the sunlight amid misty haze—beautiful enough to feel like a fairy tale.
For the first time, Tenma truly felt the romantic wonder unique to the pirate world.
But he knew better.
Beneath this beautiful sugar coating lurked the filthiest chaos on the planet.
So close to Marine Headquarters and Mary Geoise, this place was a melting pot of every kind of monster.
Human trafficking, gang wars, pirate brawls—here, they were as common as eating and drinking.
Knowing Sabaody's true nature, Tenma had no intention of staying long.
He had only two goals: resupply conveniently, and try his luck at the auction house.
As chaotic as it was, the economy here was absurdly prosperous. Thanks especially to the Celestial Dragons' twisted tastes, the auction industry was outrageously developed.
But before heading to the auction, there was one place he had to visit.
Standing before a bar in Illegal Area No. 13, Tenma looked up at the sign—"Shakky's Rip-Off Bar"—smirked, and pushed the door open.
The bell chimed crisply.
Inside the dimly lit bar, a short-haired black-haired woman lounged lazily at the counter, exhaling smoke.
The place was empty. The legendary Dark King Rayleigh was clearly off gambling again.
Shakky glanced up, momentarily surprised by Tenma's iron-tower physique, then switched to a professional smile.
"Welcome~ Handsome. What'll you have to wet your throat?"
"Whiskey. Any kind."
Tenma sat heavily on a barstool, which let out a strained creak.
As she poured his drink, Shakky asked casually, "You look unfamiliar. I doubt you came here just for a drink, right?"
Catching the probing tone, Tenma grinned, teeth flashing.
"Of course not. First time here, but your 'black shop's' reputation is thunderous out on the seas."
This unassuming bar was a gold standard in Sabaody's underworld—mostly due to how viciously it ripped people off.
But those who knew understood: the exorbitant prices were an entry fee for information.
Not bothering with pleasantries, Tenma said, "Besides the drink, I want some information."
"Oh?" Shakky smiled more deeply, tapping her cigarette. "Depends what kind of secrets you're asking about."
"The whereabouts of a named blade."
"I'm interested in one of the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords. If you've got info on a Supreme Grade, even better."
Shakky narrowed her eyes. "That level of blade… you should know they're rarer than Devil Fruits."
Tenma waited calmly.
Since she didn't outright refuse, she clearly had something.
"I don't have leads on Supreme Grade blades, but I do have info on a Great Grade sword."
She smiled slyly. "Name your price."
Tenma leaned forward. "Go ahead."
"One million—no, ten million Berries. No bargaining."
Even prepared, Tenma raised a brow.
Still, information was worth whatever you needed it to be.
"Ten million it is."
He placed a heavy suitcase on the counter. "More than enough."
Shakky didn't even bother counting.
"The blade is called 'Shidarezura.' Ranked among the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords. And coincidentally—it's right here in Sabaody."
Tenma's pupils tightened. "Here?"
"Yes. And it'll be publicly revealed this afternoon."
She slid him a crumpled flyer.
Auction House No. 1 — Grand Auction, 3 PM!
Tenma felt like he'd just been butchered—he was already planning to attend this auction.
Still, he downed the whiskey and stood up without asking for a refund.
Being connected to someone like Shakky was worth the money.
Before he left, she added casually, "Free tip. That sword and a Devil Fruit are today's finale. The seller obtained them through underworld dealings and wants quick cash."
"If you're strong enough—or rich enough—you've got a good chance."
Tenma waved without turning back.
At Auction House No. 1, the moment he stepped inside, a wave of noise crashed over him.
The massive circular hall held over a thousand seats—and every one was filled.
He took his seat—No. 403—and glanced around.
The place was rigidly divided: pirates and bounty hunters on one side, nobles on the other.
Disgust was mutual, but desire overruled pride.
After half an hour, spotlights flared, and the auction began.
Weapons, slaves, modified firearms—everything sold briskly.
Finally, the host's tone sharpened.
"Now, our grand finale!"
Two attendants stepped out—one holding a long blade, the other a jeweled chest.
"The Great Grade Sword — Shidarezura! Starting bid: 200 million Berries!"
The price skyrocketed.
Tenma didn't bid.
He couldn't afford it—so he would take it the pirate way.
Eventually, the blade sold for 460 million.
Then came the chest.
Inside lay a brown Devil Fruit, spirals clearly visible.
The hall froze.
"According to the encyclopedia—this is a Zoan-type, top-tier specimen!"
"Bear-Bear Fruit: Ancient Type — Terror Bear Form!"
The bidding exploded.
Tenma smiled coldly.
Whoever bought it… it would still end up with him.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them—
Crackle.
Thunder roared.
A terrifying pressure erupted.
Conqueror's Haki—fully unleashed.
Thousands collapsed instantly.
Tenma stood amid the fallen crowd, grinning.
"Now this is how you clear a room."