BOOOOM!!
In an instant, the earth quaked, and the mountains trembled.
The Glacier, renowned for its extraordinary durability and unique structure, began to shake violently.
"Crack… crack…"
Under the disbelieving gazes of Chinjao the Drill and his Happo Navy crew, the seemingly indestructible Glacier fractured. Giant fissures spread visibly across its surface, growing wider and more exaggerated with every second. Many lost their footing, tumbling over in confusion and panic.
"Ah, ah…"
"Impossible!"
"The Glacier is breaking open…
And all it took was a single stomp…"
The pirates were left dumbfounded, mouths agape as they stared at the awe-inspiring figure before them. Cold sweat dripped down their faces.
The Glacier had long been known for its ability to evenly distribute any force applied to it. To break it apart would require shattering the equivalent of an enormous island-sized glacier all at once.
Throughout history, only those who had perfected the ultimate technique of the Hasshoken could focus their power into a single point and fracture its icy expanse.
Even centuries ago, a Marine Admiral who had consumed the Strength-Strength Fruit—famed for overpowering giants with raw force—failed to make it budge with a full-strength attack.
"Is that… the ultimate technique of the Hasshoken?"
Chinjao, still in shock, whispered in disbelief. His heart pounded violently as he stared at the Fallen Angel, El, towering before him.
As a practitioner of the Hasshoken, Chinjao instantly recognized the technique. The ultimate skill of the Happo Navy, passed down through generations, was being wielded with astonishing ease by El. There was no elaborate preparation or visible effort—only effortless precision and mastery.
"The ultimate technique of the Hasshoken… is it really so difficult?"
El turned, his expression calm and almost indifferent, as he gazed down at the stunned Chinjao.
"It's nothing more than the result of persistence and determination. Whether it's your head, your fists, or your feet, any part of your body can be honed into an unyielding weapon—a fang capable of tearing through anything."
"To break the Glacier? You don't even need a foot. With the right mastery, a single finger can do it," El said, his voice laced with authority.
He disappeared in an instant, reappearing hundreds of meters away before anyone could react. The pirates and Chinjao watched, bewildered, as El stood motionless on the Glacier, raising a single finger.
"Hum—"
The air seemed to distort as El's finger, wrapped in Haki and brimming with overwhelming energy, shot forward like a bullet. It cleaved downward like a blade.
BOOOM!!
Another deafening explosion.
The Glacier trembled violently once more. Far in the distance, the indestructible ice fractured again, massive cracks spreading in all directions like spiderwebs. The sheer scale was unfathomable, leaving everyone present in stunned silence.
"Tsk—"
"Am I dreaming?!"
"With just one finger… he tore the Glacier apart!"
"So this is the true strength of the world's strongest creature?"
"What unimaginable power…"
The pirates trembled, their knees weakening. Even Chinjao the Drill found himself drenched in cold sweat, his mind racing with disbelief and awe. They stared in reverence at the towering figure that seemed as indomitable as the heavens.
"If losing a mere pointed head is enough to crush your spirit, then your resolve is as insignificant as your so-called pride," El said coldly.
With a single powerful beat of his wings, he ascended into the sky, leaving behind an aura of absolute dominance. He disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye, his parting words lingering in the air:
"The path to transformation, to becoming something greater, lies within you. Whether you break free from your cocoon or remain a failure wallowing in self-pity is entirely your choice.
I look forward to meeting a new Chinjao in the future—one who has found his strength again, not a broken man, rotting away in despair atop the Glacier."
Chinjao clenched his fists, his face pale with emotion.
"Damn it… so what if I can't break the Glacier with my head anymore?"
Chinjao the Drill remained motionless, staring blankly ahead. His once-dim eyes gradually brightened, as if enlightened by a sudden realization.
"So what if I lost my drill head?"
He slapped himself hard across the face and said resolutely, "If my predecessors in the Happo Navy could master the Hasshoken with just their fists and feet to open the Glacier, then so can I!"
Gripping the Paramecia-Type Point-Point Fruit tightly in his hand, Chinjao gritted his teeth. His once-angry gaze shifted to one of obsession and determination.
"Damn that Sengoku! One day, I'll pierce through that smug golden Buddha form of his!"
"Wait, Captain! If the Glacier is opened…" one of the Happo Navy officers interrupted. "Doesn't that mean the treasure will…"
Chinjao froze, realization dawning on him. Slapping his flattened forehead, he dashed excitedly toward the Glacier. But as he and his crew approached the site, they all stopped in their tracks, stunned into silence.
The Glacier appeared completely intact in the area where the treasure lay frozen. The vast trove of gold and jewels beneath remained untouched, still sealed securely in ice. The earlier cracks had only affected other regions of the Glacier.
"That guy… he definitely did this on purpose…" Chinjao's eyelid twitched violently. He clutched the peculiar fruit in his hand and, after a moment of hesitation, his eyes hardened. Without further thought, he took a vicious bite.
"Damn it! I refuse to believe that I, Chinjao the Drill, am weaker than a single finger of El the Fallen Angel!"
…
Elsewhere…
After leaving the Glacier, El did not immediately cross the Calm Belt to return to the New World. Instead, he made his way to the northern waters of the West Blue, near the Calm Belt, arriving at an island belonging to a non–World Government member state.
This island had been purchased by the Hell Trading Company, serving as one of its key bases in the West Blue. Transformed into a fortified military stronghold, it was equipped with substantial firepower and guarded by multiple giant warriors. Even the regional navy dared not launch an assault here. The Hell Trading Company had three such fortresses in the West Blue alone.
While similar strongholds also existed in the North Blue, none had been established in the East or South Blue due to the Red Line's separation and the World Government's strict vigilance. However, the company had secretly set up factories on uninhabited islands within the Calm Belt near the East and South Blues, producing pharmaceuticals, weapons, and other goods.
Over the years, the Hell Trading Company had also established a network of covert operations across the East Blue. Even the World Government found it difficult to dismantle these operations. Most of the allied nations had significant trade agreements with the company, reaping massive economic benefits. Even royalty eagerly competed for regional distribution rights to the company's lucrative products, ensuring their silence and protection. Though they outwardly enforced the World Government's bans, their compliance was largely superficial. For the sake of profit, these kingdoms often allowed the company's goods to flow freely into black markets or even openly.
…
In the fortified base, heavily armed guards patrolled the perimeter. When they spotted El approaching, their eyes lit up with excitement and reverence.
"El-sama is here!"
The thundering footsteps of two giant warriors echoed as they hurried to greet him. These were Lonz and Lacroix, two of the company's trusted giant enforcers. Both had been granted Zoan-Type Ancient Devil Fruits by El and were eternally grateful.
"El-sama, it's an honor!"
Their voices were filled with deep respect and admiration.
"You've done well," El said with a smile, nodding in approval.
The rank-and-file personnel were locals trained for the job, but giants like Lonz and Lacroix rotated every few months to prevent complacency and ensure they remained sharp.
"You've worked hard. Hand it over," El said, his gaze turning to the base's commander.
He hadn't come here merely to inspect the stronghold; he was here for something specific. The Hell Trading Company had recently acquired a Paramecia-Type Devil Fruit in a major trade—a rare spatial ability known as the Castle-Castle Fruit.
"Yes, El-sama!"
~~~
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