East Blue Sea.
A pirate vessel pitched violently against wind and wave. On deck, the one-eyed captain—his right arm in a sling, his left replaced by a golden hook—peered through a brass telescope while consulting a nautical chart.
After a moment's scrutiny, he lowered the telescope and cracked a feral grin. "Raven Port lies dead ahead."
He tapped the chart with his hook. "One of the richest harbors in the East Blue Sea. Hundreds of merchant ships pass through daily. Capture it, and our coffers will never run dry."
He leaned in, voice conspiratorial. "I hear the local lord is exceptionally beautiful—and I happen to be lacking a wife."
A low chuckle rumbled from him as visions of future bliss danced in his head.
At his side, the first mate opened his mouth, hesitated, then spoke up. "Captain…our intelligence dates back months. Things could have changed. Besides, this is Knight Gawain's territory."
The captain waved him off dismissively. "Those so-called 'monsters' that plagued them…came straight from the Grand Line. I sailed those waters once—it's enough to curdle your blood."
His bravado faltered as a massive shape materialized on the horizon: a winged red titan skimming the sea's surface.
"Dragon!" someone yelled, and chaos ensued. Hands scrambled for weapons, but it was too late.
Gawain, in full Red Dragon form, swept low over the pirate ship. The sheer force of his wings shoved the vessel beneath the waves in an instant. Sea beasts leapt from the water, then silence reclaimed the sea—save for the rippling wake of destruction.
Thirty minutes later.
Over an uninhabited isle in the East Blue Sea, the crimson behemoth hovered, its pale gold eyes scanning the barren shoreline. Satisfied that no humans remained, Gawain folded his wings and descended onto a rocky clearing.
Every creature within sight—birds, mammals, even skittish fish—fled at the sight of him.
Gawain steadied himself, talons digging into the stone. He closed his eyes, drawing upon the ley lines beneath him. In moments, surrounding vegetation withered and died, its life force siphoned into the dragon's body.
Blue, fluorescent energy pulsed through his veins, converging in his heart before radiating back out along every scale and horn. Each heartbeat elevated his power—until a sudden surge of pain forced him to stagger.
So this is the Red Dragon's true gift: he thought, recalling the old illustration's warning. Draw from the earth to heal, to grow stronger, to unleash world-shaking breath—unless you drain too much, turning paradise into desert.
"But excessive extraction of earth vein energy will eventually lead to a scene like this..."
He looked around.
He saw that at this moment, the deserted island, with his location as the center, the trees, flowers and plants within a few kilometers around him had completely died, and even the earth was gradually turning into signs of desertification.
"So this is why the previous user was called Immortal Evil God."
"Immortal like body due to the Red Dragon gift. Evil due to the draining ability and God due to its god-like abilities and strength..."
"And since Kaido can do that move...I should be able to do it."
Swish!
"Enzoku(*Blazing Breath)!"
He opened his massive wings and soared skyward. The absorbed energy coalesced at his throat, seeping between his teeth in a brilliant azure glow.
This should have been a breath of dragon breath that shook the world.
But when Gawain opened his dragon mouth, he only spit out a blue crystal the size of a water droplet.
The crystal fell rapidly from the sky, and finally exploded the moment it touched the ground…
BOOM!
The sea was startled at this moment.
A column of dust and debris erupted skyward. When the dust settled, a crater a hundred meters wide gaped at the island's center; surrounding hills lay flattened.
Gawain drifted down, exhausted but exhilarated. This was with me still mastering this power. Once I master this power, I can do more!"
"And the potential of this fruit is definitely not weaker than, or even superior to, Kaido's Azure Dragon!"
"And..."
"The energy of the earth's veins can be extracted, then what about the sea..."
….
A few minutes later…
Gawain emerged from the seawater, having returned to his human form.
For now, he had decided to abandon that particular plan.
The Sea's Favor had already been used to offset the Devil Fruit's curse.
While he could still swim and wasn't weakened by seawater, seastone was likely another matter. He shouldn't assume he was immune to its effects just yet.
Clearly, the sea's favor didn't extend that far. Using abilities underwater would have to wait.
Unless…
Gawain pulled up his system panel, his eyes landing on the three newly unlocked badges. After studying them carefully, a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"These names have nothing to do with their abilities. They're obviously from the same badge series, and yet… completely unrelated effects. Haha…"
"Still, my potential has reached the legendary level, just as I expected."
"Combat power is still a bit lacking… but once I master the fruit's abilities, I should be close to Gold-tier."
"This time…"
"It's a huge win."
"I might still tread carefully in the New World, but here in the Four Seas and Paradise, I can basically walk sideways."
"Unless some crusty old-timer from the New World decides to go fishing."
"...But what are the odds of that happening every time?"
With that, Gawain activated his ability once more. After a few clumsy tries, he finally succeeded—transforming into a majestic red dragon, and soaring into the sky.
At the same time…
Raven Harbor.
Grayza was overseeing the cleanup operation, leading guards and workers to clear the wreckage scattered across the ground.
Then, her eyes narrowed.
In Kuro's hands was the ancient Devil Fruit encyclopedia she had spent a small fortune acquiring.
Jasmine, standing beside her, looked at Kuro and asked plainly:
"Mr. Kuro, you're not seriously into Devil Fruits, are you?"
Kuro blush slightly.
"Know yourself and your enemy," he said, trying to sound serious.
"That way, you'll never lose."
"If I understand the opponent's ability ahead of time, I can adapt."
He was just about to return the book to Grayza…
…but in that brief moment, his left hand moved quietly, tearing out the page he had just finished reading and slipping it into his pocket.