Chapter 12: The 17-Year-Old Monster, the Five Elders are Shocked
Absorbing Natural Power, simply put, is the ability to absorb the powers of Logia-type Devil Fruits.
The most crucial point is that absorption is different from eating. He cannot turn into an element like a Logia user, but he can use the corresponding Logia fruit's abilities!
For example, if he absorbs the Mera Mera no Mi, the difference between him and a Mera Mera no Mi user, aside from being unable to elementalize, is that he can imbue any of his attacks with the effect of flames—an effect almost identical to eating the Mera Mera no Mi!
Of course, after absorbing it, he also won't have the side effect of being weak to seawater.
More importantly, he can absorb *all* Natural Powers!
Whether it's fire, lightning, magma, ice, or other Logia-type Devil Fruit abilities, he can absorb them all!
"All attacks imbued with a flame effect? What am I waiting for?"
Rono's eyes lit up, and he immediately began to absorb.
Very quickly, the Mera Mera no Mi in his hand disappeared. Immediately after, Rono felt a scalding energy surge into his body, as if it was about to explode!
*Fwoosh!*
He extended his right hand. With just a flicker of his thoughts, a cluster of scorching flames immediately appeared in his right hand, as if it could burn everything to ashes!
Besides Haki, his attacks now carry flame damage. The increase in destructive power isn't just a tiny bit!
The key is that he can achieve destructive power similar to a fruit user without becoming one. This function is simply too powerful!
In the future, when facing guys whose Haki is on par with his own, the flames will become the deciding factor!
Rono even felt that if he fought Roger again now, he might actually win.
"I'm looking forward to it more and more..."
Rono was a little excited. Celestial Dragons, wait for death!
...
At the same time, the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, also received the news immediately.
In the Pangea Castle, the lavishly decorated chamber symbolizing the highest authority, five old men's faces were ashen.
Looking at these five, they were not the Five Elders from the original story, but five unfamiliar faces.
However, looking at their temperament, they clearly possessed the intense aura of superiors. Without a doubt, they were the current Five Elders!
The highest authority in the world, at least on the surface!
"Detestable CP0! They are simply a bunch of worthless idiots!"
"They haven't even entered the Grand Line, and they've already run into trouble in the weakest sea, East Blue!"
"Which CP0 squad was responsible for transporting the Heavenly Tribute? Immediately imprison those people in Impel Down and await judgment!"
One old man said furiously, his nose nearly bent out of shape from anger!
The entire East Blue's Heavenly Tribute was stolen! Doesn't that mean the Celestial Dragons' expenses will be drastically cut?
Wouldn't that group of gluttonous and lazy Celestial Dragons come storming into this hall to raise hell?
Thinking of this, the old man felt his head was about to explode.
"Hmph, it's useless. I've already sent someone to contact them. The CP0 responsible for this transport still hasn't sent any news. I'm afraid they've all been wiped out!"
Another old man said gravely.
"Damn it! I also heard that this time they found the Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi in East Blue!"
"If we could have obtained the Mera Mera no Mi, the World Government would have gained another powerhouse!"
Another old man clenched his fists, smashing a table made of luxurious wood to pieces with one punch!
The Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi... has fallen into the hands of pirates.
One side's loss is another's gain. It can be foreseen that another powerful pirate will appear on the seas in the future, stirring up chaos.
"And those slaves... without those slaves, that group of Celestial Dragons will definitely be even more dissatisfied."
"Damn it!" one old man even couldn't stop himself from swearing, showing just how agitated he was.
"The most crucial thing now is to find out exactly who did this!"
"Was it the Rocks Pirates, or another long-established pirate crew? This is definitely a major incident!"
The last old man said with a red face. It would be terrible if the Mera Mera no Mi fell into the hands of the Rocks Pirates.
As the most prominent pirate crew on the seas, the Rocks Pirates' strength was already formidable enough to cause the World Government and the Marines a major headache.
If they were to add a Mera Mera no Mi powerhouse with considerable destructive power, the Rocks Pirates would become an even bigger headache!
"Report! We have a detailed result regarding the Heavenly Tribute incident!"
Soon, the CP0 agent responsible for intelligence gathering arrived.
"The main culprit this time... was it the Rocks Pirates?" The Five Elders immediately asked about their biggest concern.
"No... it was not." The CP0 replied. Hearing this, the Five Elders' suspended hearts immediately settled.
As long as it wasn't the Rocks Pirates.
"B-but... the main culprit this time... is perhaps even more terrifying than the Rocks Pirates."
However, the CP0's next words made the Five Elders' hearts leap right back up.
"More terrifying than the Rocks Pirates? How is that possible?" The Five Elders snorted.
If the era in the original story was the era of the three great powers—the Four Emperors, Marine Headquarters, and the Seven Warlords—then the current era is the era of only one great power: the Rocks Pirates!
There were no "Four Emperors" or "Five Emperors." The Rocks Pirates were the rulers of the New World, the sole kings of the sea!
Even the Marines had little chance of winning a head-on confrontation with the Rocks Pirates!
How could there be a culprit more terrifying than the Rocks Pirates?
"The main culprit this time is named Rono. His age is around 17. He alone nearly wiped out the entire CP0 squad responsible for the transport."
The CP0 agent hadn't finished speaking before he was interrupted by the Five Elders.
"What? You said the main culprit this time is a 17-year-old kid?!"
The Five Elders were somewhat shocked, directly cutting off the CP0.
"Yes. Not only that, according to the description of the surviving Marines, this kid named Rono killed the CP0 members with strength that was 'almost a one-shot'!"
"One-shot? How is that possible for a 17-year-old kid?" The Five Elders exclaimed.
The CP0 squad leader responsible for this transport was at least Vice Admiral level. A 17-year-old kid one-shotting a Vice Admiral?
That's absurd!
"That's right. According to the Marines' description, Rono already possesses Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki!"
"CP0 was no match for him at all. The entire battle was over in less than five minutes."
Even the CP0 agent's tone was filled with awe as he said this.
"What did you say?! He awakened all three types of Haki at 17?!"
The five old men's eyes widened again, their faces filled with disbelief!
He's awakened all three types of Haki... Where did this monster come from?!
"Th-that's right. Furthermore, based on speculation, his three types of Haki are all at least at the advanced level. This is why he was able to directly one-shot the CP0 squad leader."
After saying this, even the CP0 agent himself found it hard to believe.
Hearing this, the entire authority chamber fell silent. So silent, you could hear a pin drop.
"Five Elders?" the CP0 agent whispered.
Because at this moment, the Five Elders were completely stunned, speechless!