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Rayleigh and Shakky both revealed hints of surprise in their eyes, yet the answer didn't seem entirely unexpected. Neither of them were particularly ambitious. Even if the One Piece held the power to reshape the world, they would continue to live their lives freely. And since it hadn't changed the fact of Roger's death, it was clearly more of a historical truth than some tangible treasure.
While the world of One Piece was fantastical, filled with powerful individuals, it wasn't a realm of pure fantasy.
Perhaps in the Naruto world, such a thing might exist. Hashirama's cells, the Chakra Fruit… those held the potential to alter Roger's physical abilities, especially given the similar concept of debilitating illnesses stemming from powerful bloodline traits.
Ian smiled slightly. "There's one more thing. I'd like to ask for your guidance, Rayleigh-san, on Haki and swordsmanship at the highest level. Would you be willing to spar with me? I want to see how far I am from the Admirals and the Emperors."
During his younger days, whenever the Marines pursued the Roger Pirates, Garp would always seek out Roger for a one-on-one duel, while Rayleigh would clash with Sengoku the Buddha. Perhaps Gaban had faced Zephyr, the Black Arm. The results of these confrontations were always more or less the same, inconclusive.
There were few in the world who could stand against him. As long as he avoided Fighting the Emperors, he was practically untouchable. And Ian, still so young, was sure to reach that level eventually.
Due to age, Rayleigh and Sengoku's strength had waned, but they were likely still comparable to Mihawk. Otherwise, Rayleigh wouldn't have been able to hold back Kizaru.
Ian's strength was probably on par with Rayleigh's. There wasn't much he could teach him, except perhaps in the realm of swordsmanship.
Ian wasn't a master swordsman. He relied on Ulquiorra's enhanced physical abilities and spiritual pressure, wielding his blade with brute force. While terrifyingly effective, he wasn't satisfied.
Above him stood the Emperors, the Admirals, the Five Elders, and even… Imu, the King of the World.
Rayleigh chuckled. "Since you're asking me for guidance on Haki and swordsmanship, I won't refuse. Truth be told, I've been itching for a good fight."
A young man of comparable strength, respectfully seeking guidance from an elder, Rayleigh couldn't refuse. Besides, during their conversation, he had sensed a certain familiarity in Ian's character, a resemblance to Roger.
"Good" Ian said with a smile, draining the remaining liquid from his glass and rising to his feet.
Rayleigh laughed heartily, and they both headed for the door, Fujitora following closely behind.
Shakky watched them depart, tilting her head slightly with a knowing smile. "Appearance, demeanor, personality, strength… flawless. I've never seen such a remarkable young man. He reminds me of Rayleigh and Roger in their Prime."
She had witnessed countless battles between top-tier fighters and had little interest in spectating another.
"Be careful!" In Grove 13, outside Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Ian drew his Zanpakuto, addressing Rayleigh calmly.
Hum! He held the blade with his right hand, black Busoshoku Haki coating the edge as he channeled his immense spiritual pressure into the weapon. With a swift, decisive swing, he unleashed a massive wave of black sword energy towards Rayleigh.
The sheer power of the attack was staggering, fueled by his 47% fusion rate, equivalent to a Med-level Adjuchas Hollow or a standard Shinigami captain, placing him in the upper echelons of Warlord-level strength.
Sabaody Archipelago, like Whiskey Peak, was a gathering point for pirates in the Grand Line, a hub of activity and a prime location for soul collection. Groves 1 through 29 were notorious for human trafficking, auctions, and other illicit activities, making them a veritable feast for Ian's soul-sensing abilities.
His Soul Absorption and soul-sensing range now encompassed half the island, allowing him to steadily reach 50% fusion. He frowned slightly. While his progress hadn't stalled, the sheer number of souls required for further advancement was daunting.
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Ian's attack caught Rayleigh, the Dark King, off guard. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. The intensity of the sword energy was astounding, nearing the point of solidification, rivaling the slashes of a master swordsman. Yet, Ian's swordsmanship itself seemed rudimentary.
In other words, the raw power of his Haki was immense, a vast ocean of potential. Rayleigh responded in kind, drawing his own sword and unleashing a counter-attack. This was where things got interesting.
Clang! The power of Ian's attack exceeded Rayleigh's expectations, pushing him back several meters before he could regain his footing.
He had managed to block the attack, but a look of surprise lingered on his face.
A deep chasm, nearly a hundred meters long, stretched between them. "So that's how it is," Ian mused, recalling his duel with Mihawk, a spark of understanding igniting in his eyes.
He didn't hesitate, pressing forward and attacking Rayleigh again. That previous strike had been a glimpse of something more, a hint of the legendary Pirate King's right hand.
Hum! Ian unleashed another attack, knowing that actions spoke louder than words. Rayleigh met his attack head-on.
Both men pushed their Observation and Busoshoku Haki to the limit, their movements mirroring each other with uncanny precision, sword auras flickering around their blades.
Coated in Busoshoku Haki, their swords had become jet-black, leaving trails of darkness in their wake, as if tearing through the very fabric of space. Yet, the clash itself was strangely silent.
Clang! As the fight progressed, Rayleigh began to understand Ian's peculiar style. Despite his lack of technical finesse, he could unleash incredibly powerful strikes, even pushing Rayleigh to his limits.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The clash of steel echoed through the grove, sparks flying like fireflies as their blades met, stray slashes carving deep furrows in the earth and cleaving trees in two.
"Are all rookies this monstrous these days?" Rayleigh muttered, glancing at his sword with a renewed sense of purpose. He shifted to a two-handed grip, finally unleashing his full mastery of swordsmanship, his Busoshoku Haki surging to its peak.
He was old, his body no longer capable of prolonged battles. But in short bursts, his power was still formidable, a force to be reckoned with. Even Admirals like Kizaru and Aokiji would treat him with caution, lest they be severely injured or even killed.
Clang!
Their blades clashed again, Rayleigh's arms trembling slightly as he parried Ian's attack.
A stray wisp of sword energy grazed Ian's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood, reminiscent of the wound Kizaru had inflicted on Rayleigh in the original story. However, the wound instantly healed, thanks to Ian's High-Speed Regeneration.
"Incredible. Is this the resilience of a Mythical Zoan? While it can't transform into elements like a Logia…" Rayleigh couldn't help but marvel at Ian's regenerative abilities.
Clang! Clang!
Their duel continued, neither resorting to Devil Fruit powers, relying solely on swordsmanship, Haki, and spiritual pressure.
Ian's Observation Haki wasn't as Mastered as Rayleigh's, lacking the ability to briefly glimpse the future. He couldn't control the flow of the battle as effectively. However, his physical strength and spiritual pressure were far beyond Rayleigh's reach.
Hum! As the fight intensified, Ian's aura grew stronger, his swordsmanship becoming more fluid and precise, a subtle pressure emanating from his every move. While not yet a master swordsman, his relentless drive and unwavering focus were undeniable.
Rayleigh found it increasingly difficult to withstand Ian's onslaught. His monstrous physical strength and resilience seemed limitless, fueled by his relentless determination.
Boom! Ian stumbled back a step, while Rayleigh was sent flying, the ground between them exploding in a massive crater, hundreds of meters wide, nearly cleaving the nearby Yarukiman Mangrove in two.
"Huff… Huff…"
Beads of sweat formed on Rayleigh's forehead as he struggled to catch his breath. "Age is catching up to me, it seems. Hahaha…"
He was old, a veteran of countless battles, but his stamina couldn't keep pace with Ian's seemingly endless reserves. He was panting and exhausted, while Ian remained unfazed, not a single drop of sweat on his brow.
A monstrous physique. Those who relied solely on their Devil Fruit powers, neglecting physical training, would never reach the pinnacle of power in this world.
But mastery of two out of the three pillars, Devil Fruit, Haki, and physical prowess, held the potential for greatness. Ian's physical abilities seemed to surpass even those of Kaido and Big Mom in their youth. Was this the potential of a Mythical Zoan?
In this vast ocean, overreliance on Devil Fruit powers was a path to mediocrity. However, that didn't mean that mastering a Devil Fruit to its fullest extent couldn't lead to ultimate power. In terms of Busoshoku Haki, Garp, the Hero of the Marines, stood unmatched. In Observation Haki, the deceased Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, reigned supreme. Their battles had always ended in stalemates.
But aside from Roger's supreme Observation Haki and Garp's unparalleled Busoshoku Haki, there were others who could challenge them. Among them, the most renowned was Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's Haki, while not as specialized as Roger's or Garp's, was complemented by his mastery of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, granting him unmatched destructive power. Kizaru, on the other hand, possessed unparalleled speed.
Ian was a well-rounded fighter, excelling in strength, speed, durability, Haki, and swordsmanship.
This was the power granted by the Ulquiorra template, further enhanced by the versatile Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and potentially other Devil Fruits he had yet to fully integrate. His swordsmanship, while still lacking, held immense potential.
In the future, he would undoubtedly rule the world.
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Word Count [1800]
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To Be Continued..
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