Ice Arena!
With a single move, Leno had defeated CP9, leaving them unconscious and in a coma.
Unknowingly, he reverted to his original form, dispelling the Devil Fruit's transformation. His transformation, though reminiscent of Kuro's, had distinct differences.
While Kuro's form was of the ancient Giant Cheetah species, Lucci's Zoan form excelled more in explosive strength. Speed-wise, however, Kuro's Cheetah Form slightly edged out.
The Zoan Devil Fruits are categorized into three main types: mythical, ancient, and common. The former two are rarer, but their true strength depends on the individual's development. Obtaining a Mythical Zoan Fruit, for example, is only valuable if properly cultivated.
"Cuckoo, cluck!"
The white pigeon, loyal to Lucci, fluttered anxiously above his fallen master, attempting to wake him. Yet, Leno remained unmoved, floating cross-legged in the air above Lucci, using the power of his Wind ability.
"Cuckoo!"
The pigeon took a dive towards Leno, but with Leno's enhanced dynamic vision, the pigeon seemed to move in slow motion. He easily caught the bird mid-flight. With a firm grip, he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, and the pigeon fell unconscious instantly.
Leno calmly drew his demon sword, Muramasa, and plunged it into Lucci's chest, allowing a drop of blood to spill. The crimson blade, radiating the aura of his Infection Talent, merged with the blood, healing Lucci's wound. Through Muramasa, Leno established a connection with Lucci's very being.
The Infection Talent, unique to Muramasa, had a potent physical and psychological effect. As Leno's strength grew, his control over those he infected intensified, making it the perfect method to turn enemies into allies.
Leno closed his eyes. Through the bond, he glimpsed fragments of Lucci's memories — a silent reel of his past filled with rigorous training, merciless killings, and his time in the dark world. His Observation Haki, already at the SS level, combined with his Infection Talent, granting him the power to peer into Lucci's mind.
Among these memories, Leno discovered details of Spandam's covert mission, the purpose of infiltrating the Hunter's Guild, and their upcoming plans.
"Talents aren't isolated. When combined, they form entirely new abilities," Leno mused. His recent attempt at merging his Observation Haki with his Infection Talent had borne fruit. Just like the fusion of sword strikes and techniques, combining talents opened doors to new possibilities.
Despite acquiring various powerful abilities since arriving in this world, Leno never ceased to push his limits, knowing that untapped potential was wasted. Just as one could possess a Devil Fruit without developing it fully, such as the Kiro Kiro no Mi (Kilo-Kilo Fruit) or the Mera Mera no Mi, unrealized talents were mere disappointments.
Leno glanced at his system panel:
[Host Name: Leno]
[Real Age: 18]
[Battle Talents: Armament Haki (SSS), Gluttonous Demon King (SS), Royal Wind (SS), Freezing (SS), Observation Haki (SS), Conqueror's Haki (S), Sword Heart (S), Rokushiki (S), Double Blade Swordsmanship (A), Fish-Men Karate (B)]
[Auxiliary Talents: Music (SSS), Luck Swing (SS), Pianist (SS), Craftsman's Soul (S), Infection (S), Underwater Breathing (D), Gambling (D), Shipwright (D)]
[Strength Evaluation: Top-tier Vice Admiral potential. Outstanding Armament Haki, gluttonous prowess, mastery in swordsmanship, and limitless potential.]
Leno smiled, feeling the power coursing through his veins. After 30 days of intense evolution, he wondered if he was finally strong enough to challenge Garp. Only by defeating the legendary Vice Admiral could he secure his place at the top.
As Leno pondered, his small Den Den Mushi buzzed. On the other end was the gleeful voice of Morgan.
"President Leno, looks like you've got some big trouble coming your way!"
"Oh?" Leno raised an eyebrow. "What sort of trouble?"
"The Beasts Pirates reached out to me just now. Kaido has sent you a challenge!" Morgan exclaimed.
Leno leaned back, a smirk forming on his lips. "Kaido, huh? What do the Beasts want with me?"
Morgan continued, "He's waiting for you at the top of the Red Line in a month's time. If you don't show, he'll come to East Blue himself!"
"Is that so?" Leno chuckled. "I haven't even crossed paths with him before. I wonder what I did to get on his radar."
"It's your rise to fame, obviously! You've got Kuzan on your side, and that's sure to annoy him. Plus, your flag flying high has made waves!" Morgans explained. "Kaido's the kind of guy who craves fights with strong opponents. You've caught his attention, so you'd better be ready."
Leno's grin widened. "Why not? I'd love to test my strength against the world's strongest creature."
"Guhahaha, I love it! That's big news!" Morgan laughed.
"When should I tell Kaido you'll meet him?"
Leno looked out at the moonlit sky. "Tell him I'll be there on the full moon night, one month from now."
"Got it!" Morgan signed off, eagerly preparing to deliver the message.
Leno's battle against Kaido was set. The world would soon witness a clash that would shake its very core.
Leno smiled mischievously as he gazed at the horizon.
"On the day of the full moon, atop the Red Line... " he muttered, thinking of the challenge ahead. More than forty days remained until the fifteenth of next month.
The transformation of the Gluttony Demon King talent was now complete, but Leno knew he still had time to adjust to its full power before facing Kaido. He examined his panel, reviewing his strengths and weaknesses. Facing Kaido, the so-called "strongest creature in the world," wouldn't be easy.
Kaido wasn't just a brute. Despite his reckless demeanor and rough appearance, he was strategic, cunning, and formidable in every sense. His seizure of Wanokuni, manipulation of the worst generation, and recruitment of powerful forces to expand his armaments made him an Emperor not to be underestimated. If it weren't for Luffy and his crew hanging by a thread, exploiting their numbers to wear down Kaido, victory might not have been theirs.
Leno frowned, contemplating his next steps. "My current Conqueror's Haki is still lacking against Kaido."
The battle against Kuzan had opened Leno's eyes. In the One Piece World, the powerful always watched for the smallest weakness, the slightest opening, and they would exploit it mercilessly.
"I need to elevate my Conqueror's Haki before facing Kaido."
In his mind, Leno recalled the legends—Sengoku, Charlotte Linlin, Whitebeard, Blackbeard, and Douglas Bullet. Among them, he quickly locked his sights on a particular figure.
Meanwhile, in the New World, the sky shifted from clear to a heavy snowstorm within moments, the harsh environment typical of the region. King with his ever-present flames flickering, put down the Den Den Mushi and glanced at Kaido, who was drinking with a group of rowdy barbarians.
Kaido, always unpredictable, was a strange mix of emotions. At times, he wept openly, and at others, he would fly into a violent rage. Sometimes, he was carefree and easy-going, while at other times, he was tyrannical and advocated pure chaos. He often mused about how boring the world had become and sought only excitement by fighting powerful opponents.
"Morgan said the location is set, and the date will not change—on the fifteenth day of next month, when the moon is full," King reported.
Kaido set down his jug and burst out laughing, "Worororo! King, this is my fight! The winner will be decided fair and square."
As the world prepared for a battle that would shake its very core, the Islands were hosting the Hunter Guild assessment.
After days of feverish dreams, Lucci awoke in a hospital ward. His head throbbed painfully as memories of the Hunter assessment flooded back. He had lost, and badly, even though he used Rokushiki. The power of his opponent was undeniable.
Kaku sat nearby, peeling an apple with a sword. "You've been out for seven days. Today is the last day of the assessment."
"Seven days? That long?" Lucci was surprised, but after using Life Return to scan his body, he realized he had actually grown stronger during his recovery.
"Could the Devil Fruit have triggered some kind of latent power?" he wondered.
While Lucci recovered, the entire world was abuzz with the news of Kaido's duel with Leno. Morgan had spread the word far and wide. Even Whitebeard and his crew aboard the Moby Dick couldn't believe the audacity of someone from East Blue challenging Kaido.
Margao shook his head. "Who from East Blue could stand a chance against Kaido?"
"Yeah, Kaido's not someone just anyone can take on!" Jozu chimed in.
Despite his crew's doubts, Edward Newgate—Whitebeard—laughed heartily. "Gu la la la! Even if that boy can't win, the guts to stand up to Kaido deserve respect!"
At the Totto Land, Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, raised an eyebrow at the news. "Kaido's going to fight a kid from East Blue? What's so special about him?"
In her eyes, Kaido's decision seemed more than mere curiosity—it was a strategic move. "Recruiting the Hunter Guild, Kaido?" she mused.
Across the seas, Shanks and his Red Hair Pirates also heard the news. Their ship had taken some damage in recent battles, but the crew still couldn't believe Kaido's opponent would be someone like Leno.
"Isn't he biting off more than he can chew?" Yasopp muttered, and even Beckman, the most rational of them, had no words for the situation.
Leno had challenged one of the Four Emperors—Kaido himself. This duel would change the course of the seas forever.
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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