[send power stones please]
Surprises tend to fall on you when you least expect them.
Right now—
Ryukawa was experiencing exactly that.
The surprise came too suddenly,
so suddenly that he could only stand there stunned, unprepared.
"Conqueror's Haki…"
Ryukawa opened his mouth slightly, unable to speak for a moment, eyes dazed.
Never—not even in his wildest thoughts—
did he expect this one to arrive so abruptly.
No warning.
No hints.
Nothing.
A massive gift simply dropped straight onto his head.
The rush of excitement made him almost dizzy—
yet the whole thing felt strangely surreal, as though he might wake up any second.
His luck…
Wasn't this a bit too ridiculous?!
Don't tell me my luck stat just hit max? Did I inherit the blessing of an RNG god?
"I really didn't expect Conqueror's Haki to come this easily."
"I thought I'd need to swing my sword for much longer…
But it just… appeared. Without me even noticing."
Ryukawa narrowed his eyes, mood soaring sky-high.
Conqueror's Haki!
The power said to only be awakened by those who carry the potential of a king.
In direct combat, Ryukawa still felt it was inferior to Armament or Observation when fighting someone of equal skill—
But in certain scenarios, Conqueror's Haki was unmatched.
Such as—
Clearing a battlefield.
Nothing was more efficient.
"One blink and suddenly I'm a qualified 'king candidate.'"
Ryukawa chuckled.
A talent that only appears in maybe one out of millions…
And he got it just like that.
No enlightenment.
No life-or-death struggle.
No intense training.
Just—
Keep swinging sword → Congratulations, King's Aura unlocked.
Effortless.
Ridiculous.
Unfair.
But he wasn't complaining.
A flood of memory—like a tidal wave—crashed into his mind.
At the same time, a warm current surged through his body, washing along his nerves, his bones, his muscles, refining every part of him.
It felt like floating under the sunlight of a boundless sea—
Warm.
Comfortable.
Indescribably pleasant.
Whoosh—
Ryukawa exhaled deeply and opened his eyes again.
With a thought, his status window surfaced before him.
[Host: Ryukawa]
[Strength: 126 (+2)]
[Speed: 122 (+1)]
[Stamina: 133 (+4)]
[Skills: Swordsmanship Lv.23 (+1), Iai: One-Sword Draw Lv.20, Armament Haki Lv.7, Observation Haki Lv.3, Conqueror's Haki Lv.1]
[Total Sword Swings: 11,000]
"I've gotten stronger again…"
He could feel it clearly.
His body—
His haki—
His entire presence—
All stronger than half an hour ago.
A new slot now sat neatly among his skills:
Conqueror's Haki.
Which meant:
Ryukawa could already use it.
The level was low, but the system had poured all the necessary understanding into him.
He could activate it anytime.
"I really want to try it immediately… see what it feels like to unleash a wave of Conqueror's Haki."
Excitement flickered in his eyes.
"Ryukawa, they've arrived."
Hack's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Ryukawa blinked, refocusing toward the sea.
A massive warship was cutting across the waters from over a kilometer away, its bow splitting waves as it headed straight for Octagon Town.
The wind blew.
Sea spray drifted.
The hull carved a gleaming white trail behind it.
There was no doubt—
This was the CP squad.
Even from a few hundred meters away, they could clearly see the figures on deck:
A group of men in black suits, wearing cold expressionless faces.
That iconic attire—
That chilling aura—
Classic Cipher Pol.
"They're finally here."
"Took you long enough."
Ryukawa's gaze was steady, almost amused.
"There are around twenty of them," Hack counted quietly, expression serious.
He reminded everyone:
"Don't underestimate them. CP agents are nothing like those small-time pirates."
Every CP member was an elite.
Trained.
Efficient.
Dangerous.
"Hold your positions. No one moves until they dock."
Hack signaled the Revolutionary fighters.
If they scared the CP operatives into fleeing now—
Everything would be ruined.
"Yes, sir!"
Sabo and the others nodded in unison.
Under their collective gaze—
The ship finally slowed…
And came to a stop at the edge of the port.
"They're here. Now what—do we move?" Hack asked Ryukawa.
But Ryukawa simply smiled.
"I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Leave them all to me."
"I just acquired a new ability, and this is the perfect opportunity to test it."
Hack blinked.
"…You? Alone?"
He couldn't help but warn him:
"If you attack, they'll realize something is wrong immediately. Some may escape."
"And even a single survivor will cause you unimaginable trouble."
"Are you absolutely certain you can take on twenty CP agents by yourself?"
"These aren't random thugs—they're Cipher Pol operatives. Don't underestimate them."
Ryukawa's confidence didn't waver.
"Relax. I know what I'm doing."
"This new ability is… frighteningly strong."
"You'll be shocked."
Hack opened his mouth—
And closed it.
Finally, he exhaled deeply.
"…Fine. If you insist, we'll let you take the lead."
"But if anything goes wrong, signal us. We will intervene immediately."
Ryukawa nodded.
Then stepped forward, walking alone toward the warship.
Watching his back fade into the distance—
Sabo whispered anxiously:
"H–Hack, will Ryukawa really be okay?"
Hack sighed.
"If he says he's confident, he has a plan."
Then, inwardly:
(But seriously… just how many terrifying abilities is this kid hiding…?)
First Observation.
Then Armament.
Hack could still remember the shock that nearly stopped his heart.
Now Ryukawa claimed to have mastered something new again?
Just what kind of monster was this boy?
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