[Inch Force: Heartstrike]
With that single blow, Credos Vito knocked on death's door, for the lion.
A monstrous punch landed squarely on the beast's chest, fused with the one-inch punch technique Vito had been practicing.
The result? Devastating.
The force penetrated through muscle and hide, driving straight into the heart.
Even a creature as absurdly powerful as this giant lion… was still just a living being. A strike to the organs, was fatal.
Its massive body collapsed with a thud. The last light faded from its eyes.
Vito walked over and drew a shallow cut across his palm.
Suppressing his body's healing instinct, he let several drops of blood fall into the lion's open mouth.
This had become a ritual for him.
Ever since he'd become strong enough to kill these beasts, Vito had made it a habit to reward worthy opponents with a trace of his blood.
In the beginning, he fought like a madman, trading injury for injury with reckless abandon.
He was practically a human beast himself.
But after slaughtering countless predators, he finally realized… that path led nowhere.
Such tactics relied entirely on the Life-Life Fruit's regeneration. If he ever ran into Sea-Prism Stone, he'd be done for.
So from that day forward, Vito committed to building strength the right way.
No shortcuts. No crutches. Just raw discipline.
And in that journey, the island's beasts had become his sparring partners.
Though he couldn't actively channel his life energy yet, even his blood was saturated with power. It acted like a high-grade recovery potion.
Only the most powerful creatures deserved such a reward.
This was Vito's version of sustainable hunting, refuse to waste energy on weaklings.
Only strong opponents would push him forward.
As a result, the island's entire predator ecosystem went through a reshuffling. The weak got eaten. The strong survived.
Thus began a new era of evolution, where beasts competed to outdo one another, all for the chance to clash with him.
After a month, Vito could now face down packs of beasts alone and still hold his own.
And yet, despite everything, he still hadn't awakened Haki.
Not Observation. Not Armament. Nothing.
"Seriously…? I thought Haki could be awakened naturally through combat.
Don't tell me I'm just one of those talentless types…"
As Vito questioned his existence again,
Far offshore, just beyond the island's edge…
Two massive sea serpents, known as Sea-Snakes, were dragging a luxurious crimson pagoda ship across the waters. On its deck stood a group of elegant warrior women, most of them accompanied by long serpents of their own.
They were the Kuja Pirates of Amazon Lily.
The true Nation of Women, where not a single man lived.
They believed that strength is beauty, and boasted one of the highest Haki literacy rates in the world.
"Can you believe it? Hancock passed the archery trial at only nine years old. She's finally qualified for an offshore hunting expedition."
A towering female warrior crouched beside a porcelain-skinned girl, smiling proudly.
"Passing that trial is only natural!
And for the record, I'm ten now!" Hancock huffed, crossing her arms in a dramatic pout.
She wore a flower-patterned kimono with bare shoulders, doing her best to look as adult as possible.
"Don't worry, Camellia. Hancock is a prodigy through and through~"
The other warriors turned toward the approaching figure, a graceful woman about two meters tall, with short white hair and a serene smile. A massive azure snake coiled at her side.
Despite her gentle demeanor, she was Empress Gloriosa the reigning ruler of Amazon Lily.
"Snake Princess!"
"Your Majesty!"
The warriors all bowed in respect as their empress arrived. Gloriosa returned their greetings with a soft nod.
"But Hancock… being that proud at her age might get her into trouble someday."
"Hmph. As if that could happen."
Hancock stood with her hands on her hips, nose turned upward.
"That's no way to speak to the Empress!"
A few warriors frowned at her attitude.
After all, Gloriosa wasn't just royalty. She was the Snake Princess, the most beautiful woman on the island, and also its strongest warrior.
"It's alright. Hancock's just too cute. I can't stay mad at her~"
Gloriosa crouched down and gently pinched Hancock's cheek.
"She really is adorable. Fine, I'll forgive her too~"
The rest of the warriors gathered around, giggling and teasing the flustered little girl.
Hancock rolled her eyes dramatically and swatted away Gloriosa's hand from her face.
"Even her defiance is cute~"
While the teasing continued, the sea-snakes pulling the ship gradually slowed. The vessel drifted toward shore, startling a flock of birds into flight.
Chirp chirp chirp!
The warriors called their serpent companions over, these snakes weren't just pets, but lifelong partners in battle.
Grabbing hold of their serpent's bodies, the warriors pulled taut. Their snakes instantly stiffened, their heads and tails forming bow-like arcs with string fitted, serpent bows.
With practiced grace, the warriors disembarked and lined up along the shoreline. Gloriosa led them while introducing the environment.
"This is Rusukaina Island.
Due to magnetic interference, the island experiences four seasonal changes per month, thus it's known as the 'Island of 48 Seasons.'"
A few of the younger warriors gasped at the mention of such chaotic climate.
As navigators, they knew how vital weather could be, especially in the Grand Line, where entire legends had been shattered by storms.
"Because of these extreme seasonal shifts, only the fiercest beasts survive here.
Some of them… even I find troublesome."
"No way!"
"Are you serious?"
"But Snake Princess, you're the strongest among us!"
Some couldn't believe it. Others looked eager, eyes sparkling with curiosity about what kind of monsters Gloriosa was referring to.
"This sea is vast. There are countless monsters that defy common sense, not just beasts."
Gloriosa's smile faded as she spoke. She then explained that the purpose of this expedition was to thin out any potential threats near Amazon Lily.
"Snake Princess! Hancock's missing!"
"Again?! That girl is too unruly!"
"Let it go… She's too adorable. Besides, she's already passed the archery trial and awakened both Observation and Armament Haki. That's no small feat."
Gloriosa sighed, pinching her forehead. Still, she smiled softly, offering reassurance to the rest of the crew.
Upon hearing that Hancock had mastered both types of Haki, the warriors finally relaxed.
Even at her age, someone who possessed dual-color Haki was not someone you could call weak.
"Still, we can't just let her run off. Camellia, could you go bring Hancock back?"
"I understand, Snake Princess."
//----------------------------------------------------//
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