One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144 - [144] : [BONUS] - Truth is the Sharpest Blade! Akainu's Defense Shattered!

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Akainu's expression was incredibly grim.

Even after losing Doberman and Strawberry, and half the Buster Call fleet—The forces he led still comprised three HQ Vice Admirals and over one hundred elite Marine officers of Captain rank or higher!

Against the Straw Hat Pirates without Sky Sovereign Rowen, they should have held an absolute numerical advantage.

But the combat strength of Straw Hat and his crew far exceeded Marine HQ's initial projections...

Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro—that demonic power Aokiji mentioned, capable of channeling a sliver of Conqueror's Haki, even had a new form—He could manifest three heads and six arms, wielding nine swords, surpassing Onigumo's Eight-Sword Style.

Combined with the Desert Princess Vivi's Sand-Sand Fruit abilities, even Onigumo was locked in a difficult battle.

Black Leg Sanji's combat power was initially within expectations—Rear Admiral level. With Cat Burglar Nami's special weapon—into which that brat Rowen had infused a portion of his Rumble-Rumble Fruit's power—Vice Admiral Yamakaji had to be extremely cautious.

But if he was careful, defeating Black Leg should have been only a matter of time...

But now, the situation had suddenly changed.

A strange power was awakening within Black Leg, comprehensively enhancing his speed, strength, and resilience.

This power reminded Akainu of the Vinsmoke family from the Germa Kingdom, who terrorized the North Blue.

Vinsmoke Judge—a former member of MADS, the research group Vegapunk once belonged to.

After Vegapunk was apprehended and began working for the World Government, that group disbanded. Vinsmoke Judge loved experimenting with human modification, and the Germa Kingdom possessed an army of modified soldiers.

Judge's own children were all modified humans, using their enhanced bodies and bizarre raid suits to rampage across the North Blue.

The Vinsmokes' carefully modified soldiers possessed enhanced 'strength', 'resilience', and an 'exoskeleton'.

Although Black Leg hadn't shown an Exoskeleton, this sudden increase in strength and resilience was very similar to a Germa modified human.

But the most unexpected development was Straw Hat Luffy!

He was actually overwhelming Vice Admiral Momonga...

That combat level had already reached the tier of Gion and Chaton. And Momonga's report about the peculiarity of Straw Hat's Devil Fruit—greatly concerned Akainu.

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Akainu, though ruthless, was no fool.

In fact, he possessed considerable strategic acumen, being the Five Elders' preferred candidate for the next Fleet Admiral.

He had personally experienced the terrifying power of multiple Devil Fruits combined. Even he had struggled to handle it, unable to protect his subordinates.

The bloody facts proved that any Devil Fruit Rowen coveted could perfectly complement his existing abilities, elevating his power to a more troublesome and terrifying level.

Straw Hat's Devil Fruit, in combat, truly didn't behave like a normal Paramecia, just as Momonga reported.

If this fruit was indeed highly valued by that brat Rowen... then it was highly likely it could be Awakened in Rowen's hands, granting extremely troublesome abilities.

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"I didn't expect Pirate Hunter's so-called 'Asura Aura' would have such an effect..."

"And Black Leg Sanji? Could his real name be Vinsmoke Sanji? That ability... is very similar to a modified human from the Germa Kingdom..."

Akainu wasn't in a hurry to attack yet.

Instead, a mocking smile spread across his face. Against inexperienced brats like these—Akainu was an expert!

"And Straw Hat's Gomu-Gomu Fruit... It's not a normal Paramecia, is it? You boarded this ship to obtain the powers of these people, didn't you? Just like how you obtained the Flare-Flare Fruit's power from Fire Fist Ace... Once you have all their powers... they'll just be your tools, right? Sky Sovereign Rowen? And to get those powers, you actually played 'pirate' with these brats? How amusing,"

Akainu's mocking expression was at its peak as he threw his head back and laughed.

Trash talk was Akainu's signature ability.

Using taunts to disrupt an enemy's psychological state was highly effective on the battlefield. Especially against a user of Haōshoku Coating!

This tactic was tried and true.

As pure spiritual power, Haōshoku Coating was greatly affected by psychological disruption.

And such words would also affect Straw Hat and the others fighting in the distance. With Observation Haki, they would surely hear his mocking laughter.

Akainu looked at Rowen, his smile widening.

'Brat, I'M NOT AOKIJI. I'll show you the true meaning of war—both physically and mentally!'

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But Rowen's reply completely threw Akainu.

"That's right. I am just using them as tools," Rowen looked up, smiling at Akainu.

"Huh?!" Akainu's smile froze.

He admitted it??

How the hell could he just admit it??

He was just using his standard trash talk attack, trying to break Rowen's and the Straw Hats' psychological defenses!

Shouldn't the standard script be Rowen roaring in denial, and Straw Hat and his crew becoming enraged?

Once someone gets angry, they lose their absolute calm. And on the battlefield, losing absolute calm meant defeat was not far behind.

This was a fundamental truth of war, learned by Akainu through countless bloody battles.

But what was this brat's reaction??

No denial—a direct admission??

Wasn't this brat afraid Straw Hat and his crew would turn on him??

After all, it was Rowen who single-handedly orchestrated the Enies Lobby attack to display his 'Might'. The Straw Hats were just following his lead, declaring war on Marine HQ and the Buster Call!

Under such circumstances, to be called a 'tool' by that brat... Akainu, putting himself in their shoes, knew even his iron will would be violently shaken.

It was the ultimate insult and betrayal!

No matter how strong one's will, facing such an insult, such betrayal, it was impossible to remain indifferent!

Mutiny wasn't out of the question!

'What was this brat planning?'

But Rowen's next words made Akainu's face turn gloomy.

"Any problem with that, Luffy? Zoro? Sanji?" Rowen called out, his voice, amplified by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's thunder, reaching the distant battlefield.

"NO PROBLEM! Use my strength as much as you like, Rowen! I'M YOUR STRONGEST TOOL!" Zoro yelled back, grinning fiercely, his own attacks becoming even more ferocious.

"Once I'm done with this bastard—I'll make you the best damn Pirate Lunchbox! Marine Admiral—My name is Vinsmoke Sanji! Remember that! I'm not just Rowen's tool; I'm also his nutritionist!"

With the spiritual link between them—Rowen's true feelings couldn't be masked by mere words; Luffy and the others could feel it.

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