[As a strong individual, you fought against Kaido and successfully repelled him. [Ryomen Sukuna] Approval Rating +25%]
[Template: Ryomen Sukuna (Approval Rating: 26%)]
[Congratulations, you have obtained the skill: Cursed Technique: Cleave!]
[Cursed Technique: Cleave: A lethal, powerful special slash. Activation requires physical contact with the target.]
"So it's this skill," Ivan murmured to himself.
Unlike Technique: Unbind, Cursed Technique: Cleave cannot release long-range invisible slashes. Without using a Domain Expansion, it must make physical contact with the target's body to be used.
Matching its strict usage conditions, Cursed Technique: Cleave possesses immense power. Even a fighter of the same level, if struck, would be instantly severely wounded.
Take Kaido, for example. In his normal state, Ivan using Technique: Unbind would absolutely be unable to breach his inhuman defense. But if he made direct contact and used Cursed Technique: Cleave, he could definitely break through!
In Ivan's envisioned usage, Cursed Technique: Cleave would likely enhance his close-quarters combat capabilities.
Additionally, Shirai Kuroko's approval of him had increased even further.
[Because you have consistently upheld 'Burning Justice,' [Shirai Kuroko] Approval Rating +38%]
[Template: Shirai Kuroko (Approval Rating: 100%)]
[Congratulations, you have obtained the skill: Spatial Rend!]
[Spatial Rend: Consumes a massive amount of stamina to utilize spatial movement ability, instantly teleporting a tiny object to a mentally designated coordinate.]
The moment he saw this skill, Ivan's pupils abruptly contracted.
Without a doubt, [Spatial Rend] was an extremely powerful skill.
Directly teleporting an object into a target's heart—such a method, even if used against a powerhouse like Kaido whose vitality was incredibly tenacious, would instantly inflict severe damage and strip them of their ability to resist!
At the same time, Ivan speculated that Armament Color might be able to block Spatial Rend, but that didn't matter.
Now, as long as he wished, almost no one could withstand his attacks unscathed. He could pierce through anyone's Armament Color defense!
However...
Ivan's gaze fell on the "massive amount of stamina."
Stamina! Stamina! Stamina!
Damn it, it's still stamina!
His current stamina had already reached monstrous levels, second only to Admirals. But compared to the top powerhouses on the seas, there was still a significant gap.
As long as his stamina was sufficient, he could easily reach the level of a Yonko.
He hoped that after obtaining a Devil Fruit next, he could draw a template that increased stamina!
After fully adapting to the surging power, Ivan opened his eyes, stood up, and stretched.
Seeing this, Robin, who had been watching him, showed a look of surprise. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt that after meditating for a moment, the oppressive aura Ivan emitted seemed even stronger!
Could there really be such monsters, whose strength could greatly improve just by fighting a strong opponent once?
Thinking this, Robin tentatively asked, "Ivan, you... seem to have gotten stronger?"
Ivan roughly guessed Robin's surprise. He smiled and said, "Don't be surprised, this is normal!"
"Normal?" Robin was puzzled.
"Right, you know the guy I fought was the famous teacher Kaido! What's more, there are quite a few such figures across the vast seas!"
In the future, Luffy fought Kaido three times, unlocking abilities like Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion, Devil Fruit Awakening, and Ryou.
If he weren't a cheat, he really couldn't be compared to Luffy.
Unfortunately, there were no ifs—he was a cheat, and also the being with the highest potential in this world!
System, add points, let me see your limit!
Robin didn't believe Ivan's words at all, thinking he was just being modest. She changed the subject and asked, "After allying with Whitebeard, what do we do next?"
A gleam flashed in Ivan's eyes as he looked toward the G-2 Branch. "We go to the G-2 Branch and meet up with some old friends from the Navy."
The seeds he had planted earlier were now ready for harvest!
...
At the G-2 Branch, Ivan walked out of the restroom. During this process, his true body and his Wood Clone swapped places perfectly.
As for Robin, he had settled her in the cabin of the Orange Ship.
After leaving the restroom, Ivan headed to the conference room.
As soon as he appeared, Garp's sharp, eagle-like gaze immediately locked onto him.
Before Ivan could react, thump—a merciless punch landed squarely on the top of his head.
"You brat, the Seastone powder is all prepared," Garp said casually, his tone as if he were chatting about everyday matters. "Everything's ready, just waiting for the plan to begin."
Hit by a fist wrapped in Armament Color, Ivan grimaced in pain, clutching his head and gasping:
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Mr. Garp, couldn't you be a little gentler?"
Garp just leisurely picked his nose, not even lifting an eyelid, acting as if he hadn't heard.
As if joking, this brat had forced him to work overtime smashing stones—he'd even lost a kilogram during this time.
And he wanted him to be gentle?
Not beating this brat up was already being kind!
Ivan also knew about Garp's dissatisfaction. He shook his head and said nothing.
To set this trap, Seastone powder was key, and Seastone was too hard—only Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion could crush it into powder.
So, Garp had to work a little harder.
"Enough nonsense, kid. What do we do next? How do we lure the Shadow Garden here?" Garp's tone was somewhat impatient.
Hearing this, Ivan curled his lips into a mysterious smile.
How to lure the Shadow Garden?
Wasn't that simple?
This trap was originally set by the leader of the Shadow Garden. From the very beginning of the plan, the Shadow Garden had already been lured!
But on the surface, Ivan wouldn't say that.
Putting on an air of confidence, he assured Garp:
"Don't worry, Mr. Garp. The Shadow Garden is determined to get their hands on Devil Fruits. As long as we spread the news that the G-2 Branch has two Devil Fruits, we'll definitely attract the Shadow Garden!"
Next, under Ivan's manipulation, a piece of news spread through the underworld.
The Navy's G-2 Branch had sealed away two Devil Fruits. They were the Navy's hidden assets, each Devil Fruit unique. Eating just one would make you a top-tier powerhouse on the seas.
As soon as this news broke, the entire underworld was in an uproar.
Across the Grand Line, groups of pirates and assassins gathered near the G-2 Branch, attempting to infiltrate it, locate the sealed Devil Fruits, consume them, and become powerful figures who could dominate the seas.
Several days later, in the waters near the G-2 Branch, a young man with white hair and an eye patch appeared on a remote island.
As he stepped off his wooden boat, he was startled to discover that the island was far from deserted.
On the island, numerous pirates and assassins had gathered, conversing among themselves as they discussed plans to infiltrate the G-2 Branch and obtain the two great treasures of the sea.
Clearly, the Devil Fruits held far greater allure than Ivan had imagined—especially since these two fruits were said to be the Navy's foundation, making them exceptionally precious Devil Fruits!