Support me on P @t r e o n it helps alot.
P @t r e o n.com/Darking099
For 30+ Advance Chapters
---
The sun blazed over the new island, casting long shadows across the dock. The salty wind carried more than sea breeze today. Tension crackled in the air like a storm ready to strike.
Rael stood near the harbor market with a leather pouch slung over his shoulder, filled with newly purchased provisions. Kaya was not far behind, carefully loading the ship with goods. Civilians gave them wide berth, and whispers followed wherever they walked.
Then came the rumble.
Boots. Many.
The townsfolk scattered.
From the western gate, a formation of uniformed men marched in. At the center, tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a white coat draped over his back like a cape, strode a man with scars across his face and silver-gray hair tied in a rough ponytail. His jaw clenched with authority, and eyes as sharp as steel scanned the docks.
Vice Admiral Garent.
"That's him," a marine scout whispered. "Sixty million bounty. Target codename: Rael."
Garent stepped forward. "You're Rael?"
Rael turned slowly, his golden eyes calm. "Depends who's asking."
"Vice Admiral Garent. You're under arrest. Surrender now, and I'll go easy."
Rael smiled faintly. "You think you can chain me?"
Garent snapped his fingers. His men raised their rifles. "I don't think. I know."
The first shot was fired.
Rael vanished.
He reappeared midair, slamming both feet into the ground with such force the cobblestones shattered. Marines were thrown back like leaves in a storm.
Garent drew his saber. It gleamed with Armament Haki.
"So this is haki," Rael muttered, dodging the blade with fluid ease. "Interesting."
The Vice Admiral moved like a whirlwind. His haki-coated strikes roared through the air, each one fast enough to slice a man in half. But Rael dodged with uncanny precision. Not a single attack landed.
Then Rael moved.
He grabbed the saber mid-swing with his bare hand. The haki burned his palm slightly.
He grinned.
"That tickled."
With a twist, he disarmed Garent and sent him flying with a single punch.
The Vice Admiral crashed through a building.
His marines shouted and opened fire, but Rael didn't even blink. He flicked his fingers. A shockwave blasted them all back.
Garent rose from the rubble, coughing blood. "You're not human..."
"No," Rael replied, walking toward him. "I'm worse."
Garent roared and activated his full Armament Haki. His fists turned black as obsidian. His body glowed with heat, steam rising from his skin.
He launched at Rael.
Their fists collided.
The entire dock trembled.
Waves rose like tidal beasts from the impact.
Rael blocked, countered, dodged. Garent's strength was impressive. His haki even more so. But it wasn't enough.
With one final strike—an open palm to the chest—Rael stopped Garent cold. The Vice Admiral's breath left his body. His eyes rolled back. He dropped to his knees, then collapsed completely.
The marines ran to him, pale and shaking.
One of them, the first mate, grabbed his Den Den Mushi with trembling hands. "HQ! Vice Admiral Garent is down! We need backup! Target is beyond Vice Admiral-class. Possibly a new-level threat! I repeat—he's not normal!"
Rael turned his back and walked away.
Back at the inn, the tension from earlier faded like the dying echo of thunder. Kaya and Rael stood in the room they'd rented, fresh supplies packed, their ship ready to leave by morning.
Kaya began folding clothes beside the bed. She paused.
"That was a Vice Admiral... wasn't it?"
Rael sat by the window, shirt off, wrapping his arm. "He wasn't bad. He had strength, conviction. But his world is too small."
She looked at him with quiet awe. "You don't fear anything, do you?"
Rael glanced at her. "I fear losing people more than any blade or bullet."
She blushed lightly, turning to head for the bathroom. "I'm going to take a bath. Want me to bring in some fresh towels?"
"No need," Rael said, rising from his seat and stretching. "I was just about to join you."
Kaya turned and froze.
Rael had dropped his towel without care, walking past her without hesitation. Her cheeks flushed red.
He stopped, looked over his shoulder. "You're welcome to join me. Unless you're shy."
She swallowed hard, face crimson. Then slowly nodded.
Moments later, the sound of splashing water and soft laughter echoed from behind the thin wooden wall.
Later that night, wrapped in fresh linens, Kaya lay on the bed, Rael beside her. The candlelight flickered.
She rested her head on his chest. "You're not just strong. You're... something more. Something the world's not ready for."
Rael looked at the ceiling, expression unreadable. "Let them fear. They tried to chain me once. Never again."
Outside, the marines were still cleaning up the wreckage.
In a hospital bed on the far side of the island, Vice Admiral Garent lay unconscious, breath shallow, body bruised, haki exhausted.
But even in his coma, his hand twitched.
And his last words echoed in his crew's mind:
"He's... Dangerous"
---
Support me on P @t r e o n
join my patreon for more frequent upload.
P @t r e o n.com/Darking099
For 30+ Advance Chapters
---
GIVE ME 40 powerstones for extra chapter