"See that, Riki? Doesn't matter how many of these New World washouts show up, I'll slaughter every single one!" Moria gloated, looking down at Riki from his still immense height, laughing proudly.
Riki just pouted, offering no verbal retort. Moria in his 'Shadows Asgard' state was indeed terrifyingly strong.
After two years of intense, almost frantic training, Moria had made significant strides in both his physical combat abilities and his mastery over the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. He could currently absorb and control up to two hundred shadows while maintaining a balanced state of speed and power – optimal for sustained combat. If he focused solely on raw power, disregarding speed entirely, his physical limit allowed him to absorb up to a staggering one thousand shadows. In that absolute peak state, he possessed enough strength to shatter a small island with a single punch – a level of pure physical might where even Bege wouldn't be his match, though his speed would become incredibly sluggish, making him vulnerable.
Just now, Moria had only needed to absorb one hundred shadows to effortlessly crush both Stark and Bagoro. One could only imagine the power he wielded when utilizing his balanced two-hundred-shadow state.
With a grunt, Moria expelled the hundred shadows he had absorbed. His gargantuan form rapidly deflated, snapping back to his normal size. Deftly, he scooped the swirling shadows out of the air, compressing them into a dense, dark ball before tucking it away safely within his coat pocket.
He then ambled over to Stark's corpse, knelt, and with practiced ease, snipped the man's shadow free with giant scissors. Shadow in hand, he approached Bege. Bege opened the gate to his internal castle-body, and Moria casually tossed Stark's shadow inside. Bege mentally guided the captured shadow into the designated Shadow Storage Room within his fortress. Several shadows were already stored there, all belonging to formidable pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million belli.
"Moria, be a dear and fetch Hoki's and Bagoro's shadows as well, would you?" Bege requested.
"Naturally. Their shadows are valuable resources," Moria nodded, already heading towards the locations where the other two captains had fallen, scissors at the ready.
The battle within the palace grounds was drawing to a close elsewhere too. Dorry and Brogy were the third and fourth of Bege's main fighters to eliminate their opponents – both pirates boasting bounties over 200 million. Unfortunately for Bege's shadow collection, the giants had finished their fights with their ultimate combined technique, Elbaf Spear: Hakoku. The attack was so devastatingly powerful it had completely obliterated their opponents, leaving not even a corpse behind. Bege felt a distinct twinge of regret at the loss of two potentially powerful, high-value shadows.
Gradually, other members of the crew finished their own battles. Bege had been observing everyone intently, and he was deeply satisfied with the performance of his soldiers. Their progress over the past two years had been truly astounding.
"My God, Calsedon has fulfilled his mission," Calsedon announced formally. The former God's Guard member carried the corpse of a pirate worth 140 million belli, placing it respectfully at Bege's feet before offering a salute.
Bege nodded in satisfaction. Calsedon bowed his head and moved to stand behind Bege.
Shortly after, Longbill, the other commander of Skypiea's former God's Guard, concluded his battle. He was covered in numerous fresh wounds, clear evidence of a brutal struggle. Longbill, capable of using both Armament and Observation Haki and particularly proficient with Observation, wouldn't have sustained such injuries easily; his opponent must have been formidable.
Bege glanced at the corpse Longbill carried, and his smile widened. "A pirate worth 190 million, and a Devil Fruit user no less. Excellent work, Longbill."
"Thank you for your acknowledgement, My God," Longbill replied stoically, placing the body down and taking his position. Beside him, Calsedon looked visibly displeased. As rival commanders, seeing Longbill's kill valued a full 50 million higher than his own clearly irked him. If there had been any enemies left to fight, Calsedon likely would have charged out immediately to hunt down an even stronger opponent.
Bege had been paying close attention to his soldiers engaging pirates worth over 100 million. Besides Calsedon and Longbill, Sam had successfully taken down a pirate worth 160 million. Bernie, the Mantis Zoan user, had shown good development with his Devil Fruit and significant improvement in combat skills, also dispatching a pirate over the 100 million mark. Seamus, the former Iron Sword High Priest from the God's Guard, had similarly eliminated a target exceeding 100 million. Bege mentally confirmed that the top three fighters within each of his three main divisions now possessed the capability to reliably hunt down pirates in the 100 million+ bounty range.
Now, among those major battles, only Hank remained locked in combat. He had chosen a particularly tough opponent: a swordsman worth a hefty 200 million belli. The fight was fierce, and Hank was clearly struggling.
"Godfather, should we perhaps help Hank?" Bernie asked hesitantly.
"Uncle Bernie, what nonsense are you spouting?" Sam retorted angrily before Bege could reply. "That's Hank's fight! How could we possibly interfere?!"
"He may be young, but he is a warrior," Dorry added, his voice rumbling deeply. "To interfere in a warrior's duel is the greatest insult."
Bernie immediately fell silent. Bege offered no comment, his gaze fixed calmly on the ongoing struggle. The rest of the crew watched intently, respecting the unspoken code.
Hank barely dodged a potentially lethal sword thrust, landing heavily and panting for breath. His stamina was draining rapidly. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Bege's steady, unblinking gaze watching him. A jolt went through him, followed by a surge of fierce determination. His expression hardened, becoming even more savage.
"Everyone else is done... and I'm still stuck here," he thought bitterly. "The Godfather is watching me!""Hank, how long are you going to be this useless?!""Damn it all!"
Cold words hissed through his clenched teeth. The claws on his hands grew longer, visibly sharper and tougher. The fur covering his beast-man form seemed to thicken, his Mastiff Zoan traits becoming even more pronounced. Most strikingly, wisps of steam began to rise from his numerous wounds as they started healing at an accelerated, unnatural rate.
His opponent, the swordsman, keenly sensed the dangerous shift in Hank's aura and presence. Wasting no time, he raised his sword high for a powerful overhead slash.
Reacting instantly, Hank coated his left hand in gleaming black Armament Haki. He shot it upwards, grabbing the razor-sharp blade bare-handed just as it descended. CLANG! Metal shrieked against hardened flesh. The force of the blow shattered Hank's Haki on impact, and the blade sliced deep into his palm, drawing blood. Only his tight, desperate grip prevented his hand from being completely severed.
The swordsman's eyes widened in shock at the unexpected maneuver. He instantly released his sword hilt and leaped backwards, attempting to create distance.
"Too late." With a soundless whoosh, Hank vanished using Soru. In the next instant, he reappeared directly in the swordsman's path, slamming bodily into the retreating pirate. The swordsman's eyes bulged in terror. Hank grabbed his shoulders, shoving him back just slightly to create an opening – but Hank's right hand, claws extended, had already plunged deep into the swordsman's chest, ripping his still-beating heart out with brutal finality.
Hank savagely crushed the bloody organ in his fist. Gripping the now-limp corpse by the ankle, he dragged it across the courtyard, stopping before Bege.
"Hahahaha! Excellent work, Hank!" Bege clapped him heartily on the shoulder, genuine pride in his laughter. Cheers and approving noises rose from the rest of the crew.
"You little brat! I almost thought you were done for there!" Sam punched Hank playfully on the arm, grinning.
"As if! He was just some loser worth a mere two hundred million," Hank boasted, puffing out his chest with newfound confidence, despite his ragged state.
"Careful, Hank kid," Moria chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "A little praise goes straight to your head."
"Hey, Hank," Sam suddenly interjected, his teasing tone replaced with surprise as he pointed. "How are your wounds healing so fast?"
The others looked closer, murmurs of amazement spreading as they witnessed the cuts on Hank's body visibly closing and fading at a remarkable speed.
Bege smiled knowingly. "It seems Hank's Devil Fruit abilities have taken another step forward," he explained. "Zoan users possess incredible physical resilience and natural healing capabilities. The further they develop their fruit's potential, the stronger and tougher their bodies become, and the faster they regenerate. The truly top-tier Zoan users out there possess almost unbelievable regenerative powers. It's said that even if their heart is struck, as long as death isn't instantaneous, many can heal rapidly from seemingly fatal wounds."
_______
+50 chapters on: patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls