WebNovels

Chapter 3 - [3]: Marine Major

[Host: Kael Draven]

[Age: 18]

[Strength: 160 (Equivalent to Marine Headquarters Major)]

[Agility: 130 (Equivalent to Marine Headquarters Major)]

[Endurance: 300 (Equivalent to Marine Headquarters Major)]

[Haki: Conqueror's Haki (Advanced)]

[Skills: Fishing, Street Combat, Fruit Wine Brewing, Basic Navigation…]

[Devil Fruit: None]

As Kael felt the torrent of strength surging through his veins, the fire of vengeance within him burned fiercer than ever. His eyes, sharp as blades, swept across the silent night, exuding a murderous pressure that seemed to thrum in the air. In that instant, the innate power of his Conqueror's Haki awakened again, spreading outward in an invisible crimson wave that rippled across several kilometers.

The people nearby ordinary townsfolk who had no idea what kind of monster stood among them barely had time to react before collapsing one after another, foam spilling from their lips, eyes rolling back as they fainted en masse.

Kael let out a quiet sigh. "Sorry," he muttered to the unconscious crowd. It wasn't his intention to hurt them. He simply hadn't yet mastered how to restrain this overwhelming energy.

"Even with all this new strength, it's nowhere near enough to challenge the Celestial Dragons…" he said under his breath, clenching his fists.

After realizing that draining attributes from ordinary people no longer yielded meaningful improvements, Kael's gaze turned to the map laid before him. His eyes stopped at one name Hachinosu Island, the Pirate Paradise.

That place was infamous across the seas, home to the most vicious and bloodthirsty pirates alive. And in that pit of monsters thrived the legendary Rocks Pirates, whose members were among the deadliest beings in the world.

If Kael could join the Rocks Pirates, he could absorb the attributes of the strongest warriors like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin. The mere thought of it made his pulse quicken. If he could harness their power, his path to vengeance against the Celestial Dragons would no longer be a dream.

But joining the Rocks Pirates wasn't as simple as walking up and asking. The captain himself Rocks D. Xebec had set a brutal entry requirement: only those whose power impressed him were worthy to join.

To gain the attention of the man who once stood at the pinnacle of the seas, one needed strength at least comparable to a Marine Admiral. Anything less, and you'd be tossed overboard before you could even draw your sword.

The Rocks Pirates were few in number, but each member was a force of nature. Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Big Mom every one of them could crush an admiral without breaking a sweat.

Kael knew he wasn't there yet. Not even close. But he would be.

After a few hours of restocking his small fishing boat with food and water, Kael returned to the port, ready to set sail again. His plan was simple: find stronger opponents, defeat them, and absorb their attributes until his power soared to new heights.

Just as he loosened the rope tied to the dock's wooden post, a ship emerged from the darkness of the sea a ragged vessel flying a tattered skull-and-crossbones flag.

"A pirate ship?" Kael's eyes narrowed. "Strange… a crew not under Rocks' banner?"

He stepped back into the shadows, silently observing. The ship drifted closer, and soon, around thirty men stumbled onto the docks. Each bore fresh wounds and the smell of blood. Clearly, they'd just survived a brutal battle at sea.

Then, Kael felt it a faint, chilling sensation prickling at the edge of his awareness. Someone among them had noticed him.

"Observation Haki," he murmured, frowning. Whoever it was, they were no novice.

A rough laugh echoed through the night. A tall man stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Kael's position in the dark.

Clap, clap, clap 

"Well, well. You've got guts, kid," the man sneered. "You didn't even flinch when you saw me, a pirate worth nine million berries!"

He grinned, showing bloodstained teeth. "Tell you what join my crew. Stick with me, and we'll carve up the seas together!"

Kael took one look at the man the crude armor, the cracked blade hanging from his belt and sighed inwardly. "The captain, huh?"

A small pirate crew like this was worthless to him. But the captain's Observation Haki… that was interesting. If Kael could kill him, he might just absorb that ability.

He stepped forward, finally emerging into the dim glow of the moonlight. "Join your crew?" Kael said, his voice calm but dripping with mockery. "You'll have to prove you're worth my time first. If you're too weak, don't expect anyone to take you seriously."

The pirate captain's smirk froze. A vein bulged in his temple.

"Who the hell are you calling weak, brat?" he roared. "I'm Captain Jackman! Nine million berries, they call me Monster Jackman!"

He swung his blade toward his men. "Cut him down! Show this little fool what happens when you insult pirates!"

The crew cackled as they surrounded Kael, brandishing swords that glinted in the moonlight.

"Hey kid!" one of them jeered. "If you get on your knees and beg our captain for mercy, maybe we'll let you live! Otherwise, you'll be painting the docks red with your blood!"

Kael didn't respond. His eyes remained cold and detached, though inside, his system was already humming with energy as the pirates approached.

[Ding! Absorbed +12 Strength!]

[Ding! Absorbed +14 Strength!]

[Ding! Absorbed +17 Agility!]

[Ding! Absorbed +20 Endurance!]

One after another, the glowing orbs of energy flowed into his body. These men were weak, but they were still better than ordinary civilians enough to give him a minor boost.

A few seconds later, their usefulness ran dry.

"Hey! I'm talking to you, brat!" one pirate yelled, waving his blade furiously. "Your parents didn't teach you manners, huh?"

That word parents stabbed straight into Kael's chest like a knife.

His jaw tightened. The mocking laughter, the arrogance, the stench of blood it all fused into one unbearable noise in his mind. He could almost see his family's faces again, lifeless on the cold ground, victims of the Celestial Dragons' cruelty.

"Good," Kael whispered, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. "Very good. You've chosen your own death."

The world blurred. His muscles coiled, power erupting through every fiber of his being.

Boom!

In a flash, Kael vanished from sight, and before the nearest pirate could even blink, his fist slammed squarely into the man's face.

The impact sounded like thunder. The pirate's skull caved in, blood and bone bursting like a shattered melon. His body flew backward, lifeless before it hit the ground.

Kael stood amidst the stunned silence, his expression ice-cold. He shook the blood off his knuckles and cracked his neck.

"That's it?" he said flatly. "If this is the best the seas can offer… I'll take on ten more."

The pirates hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes. The boy before them wasn't human he was a demon wearing a calm smile.

And for Kael Draven, the hunt for power had only just begun.

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