For the next month, Ivan decided to stay in Loguetown.
He needed to recover from his injuries in Loguetown and also wait for the headquarters to deliver the exchanged Devil Fruit.
Beyond that, he had an even more important task: refining his newly created techniques.
The essence of Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue was manipulating infinite spatial distances, with its external manifestation being gravitational force.
Unfortunately, the Gojo Satoru Template he inherited was incomplete, lacking the Six Eyes that allowed precise control over cursed techniques. Thus, he couldn't finely control that fierce gravitational force.
Fortunately, the physical prowess in the world of One Piece far surpassed that of the Jujutsu Kaisen world.
He could rely on his stronger physique to withstand the gravitational force. Even if his control was somewhat rough and unrefined, he could still unleash the full power of this ability!
In simple terms, it was brute force overcoming finesse!
By combining Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue with his formidable physique, Ivan explored and created many practical techniques.
For example, his usual swordsmanship perfectly merged with Blue, giving rise to new sword skills like Blue Slash and Blue・Iaido Slash.
His martial arts also combined with Blue, creating powerful moves like Blue・Iron Fist and Blue・Distortion Field.
Moreover, the techniques that blended best with Blue were the ones Ivan developed later: Blue・Moon Step and Blue・Shave!
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Gojo Satoru could rely on Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue to achieve rapid movement, even instantaneous teleportation.
Ivan, using gravitational force, could also move quickly, enabling even faster Moon Step and Shave.
However, his current proficiency wasn't sufficient. With enough mastery, he could achieve high-speed flight even in the One Piece world.
Of course, since he lacked the Six Eyes, Blue would tear his body apart, requiring his physical fitness to reach an extremely high level.
In a flash of thought, Ivan clenched his fist. The azure glow in his palm grew increasingly intense, carrying fierce gravitational force as he slammed it toward a nearby hill.
Boom!
With a deafening roar, the solid mountain rock shattered on impact, leaving behind a crater ten meters in diameter. Dust and debris scattered everywhere.
The blue light flickering on his fist was now much deeper than at the beginning of the month, and the force behind his punch had increased severalfold.
His month of rigorous training hadn't been in vain; he had already refined all his newly created techniques to perfection.
If he were to face Smoker again now, as long as Smoker didn't rely on the Smoke Fruit's elemental intangibility to evade, Ivan could firmly gain the upper hand.
After all, he hadn't yet mastered Armament Haki!
Just as Ivan was getting into the rhythm of his training, Tashigi hurried over.
At that moment, Ivan punched the mountainside.
The already battered and scarred hill couldn't withstand the fierce impact any longer. It exploded with a roar, sending countless rock fragments flying in all directions, carried by the forceful wind.
Tashigi's expression changed. Without a second thought, she drew her sword. A bright blade light weaved a dense net in front of her, slicing all the incoming rock fragments to pieces.
Once everything settled, Tashigi swallowed hard as she took in the scene before her.
The small hill had completely vanished, transformed into rocks of various sizes.
Since eating the Devil Fruit, Lieutenant Ivan's strength had been growing increasingly powerful.
Lieutenant Ivan's current strength probably surpassed even Colonel Smoker's!
"What is it, Tashigi?" Ivan noticed Tashigi's approach and asked curiously.
Tashigi snapped out of her shock and quickly saluted with a standard military gesture, her voice filled with admiration:
"Lieutenant Ivan, I have good news! The Devil Fruit you applied for has arrived, and the headquarters has also heard about your recent achievements and plans to promote you!"
Upon hearing this, a gleam flashed in Ivan's eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly:
"Oh, it's finally here… Then it seems it's time to head to the Konome Islands."
…
Ivan pushed open the door and entered the office. As soon as his foot landed, a fruit covered in twisted patterns flew straight toward him.
He raised his hand and caught it steadily, just as Smoker's voice came from behind the desk:
"This is the Devil Fruit the headquarters approved for you. Most likely, it's a Zoan type.
If you plan to give this to someone under your command, remember to pick someone skilled in martial arts.
Zoan fruits enhance vitality and physique, so those proficient in martial arts can make the best use of them."
Holding the Devil Fruit, Ivan resisted the urge to "recharge" it and nodded:
"Yes, I understand."
Smoker took a deep drag from his cigar, a rare smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"Additionally, because you eradicated the Alvida Pirate Crew and killed Pal, a member of the Krieg Pirates, your accumulated military merits have long met the standard, and your rank has been promoted accordingly.
From today on, I should call you Major Ivan."
Ivan didn't care much about the promotion.
In this world where strength reigned supreme, military rank was merely an accessory to power.
As long as one possessed sufficiently formidable strength, the corresponding position would naturally come to them.
Just like Fujitora and Ryokugyu in the future—both assumed the high rank of Admiral upon joining the Marines, not because of any illustrious military achievements, but because they already possessed Admiral-level strength.
Ivan picked up the Devil Fruit and examined it curiously.
This Devil Fruit was different from the one he had before; it was a banana covered in many patterns.
Its appearance somewhat resembled the Ox-Ox Fruit, Giraffe Model, but its skin wasn't yellow—it was green.
Ivan had also seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, but there was no record of this particular fruit.
However, this was quite normal.
After all, there were many types of Devil Fruits, and the encyclopedia's records were incomplete. New, never-before-recorded varieties (never-before-recorded varieties) often appeared in the world. This one was likely among them.
Ivan stored the Devil Fruit and was about to bid farewell to Smoker and leave when the latter raised a hand to stop him.
Smoker's cigar burned with a wisp of smoke at the corner of his mouth. After a moment of contemplation, he asked:
"Ivan, are you planning to set sail to hunt pirates again?"
"That's right." Ivan's reply was straightforward, without the slightest hesitation.
Hearing this, Smoker's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, his tone growing heavier:
"But you should know, because you've repeatedly left Loguetown's jurisdictional waters lately to hunt pirates in other branch territories, many people—both at headquarters and in other East Blue branches—have grown dissatisfied with you…"
Before Smoker could finish, Ivan raised a hand to interrupt him:
"Smoker, let them report me all they want. My steps will never stop because of that."
He pushed open the office door, and a chilly wind carrying the salty scent of Loguetown rushed in.
As he turned, the young man's eyes burned with fervent emotion, his voice resolute and firm:
"I will not betray the justice in my heart. The justice I believe in is more absolute and more fervent than Admiral Akainu's!"
Smoker watched Ivan's retreating figure, the fingers holding his cigar pausing slightly as he sighed.
He had always considered himself the most rule-breaking member of the Marines, acting as he pleased and following his own heart.
But compared to Ivan, his actions were insignificant.
At least he still followed his superiors' orders, while Ivan treated those commands as if they were nothing.
Burning Justice, huh…
Smoker gazed at the figure gradually disappearing outside the window, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
He hoped this kid could truly walk this path all the way to the end.
…
After bidding farewell to Smoker, Ivan headed straight for the newly refitted warship at the port.
This ship, remodeled from a Krieg Pirates vessel, was far larger than the original Marine ship, with much more comfortable interior decoration.
To refurbish this warship, Ivan used up his last Berries and military merits, but it was all worth it.
He entered the captain's office and, without hesitation, ate the green-skinned banana.
The next moment, the system's notification sounded.
[You have obtained one lottery chance!]