The remains of the rookie battlefield were silent. Dust floated through the air like drifting feathers. The survivors crawled away, terrified to make another sound. The only figures confidently present were Lo Ye… and the three women who had watched every second of his performance.
Dahlia reached him first, stretching her arms behind her head."You beat Kaido like he was nothing. That was fun to watch."
Lo Ye gave a soft exhale, the ghost of a tired smile touching his lips."I'm glad you were entertained."
Dahlia moved closer—too close for casual comfort."You did more than entertain me."
Before she could finish her thought—
The ground suddenly shifted.
A windless swirl of sand began forming behind them, twisting like a miniature cyclone. The sunlight dimmed as a cloud of gritty particles surged upward.
Isla instantly stiffened."That's a Devil Fruit… a Logia."
Stussy narrowed her eyes behind her sunglasses."And an impatient one."
A man rose from the sandstorm, his body shifting between solid and grain. He grinned wickedly.
"You were distracted," he hissed. "Perfect."
He thrust both arms forward, launching a storm of razor-sharp sand bullets straight at Lo Ye.
The attack was fast—faster than any normal pirate could react to.
But Dahlia moved first.
She grabbed Lo Ye's arm and pulled him back, shielding him with her body as the sand barrage ripped past. Her boots dug into the dirt as she held her ground.
"Stay behind me!" she shouted.
He didn't.
Lo Ye switched positions instantly, using Dahlia's shoulder as leverage to push himself forward. He planted himself in front of her—protecting her instead.
Dahlia blinked once.Then her cheeks warmed.Just slightly.
The sand user laughed, delighted.
"The famous intern in white. Let's stain that suit."
Isla stepped forward."Lo Ye, let me strategize a path. This is a ranged—"
But she froze.Her eyes widened.
Lo Ye had disappeared.
He reappeared directly in front of the sand user, one hand already coated in black Armament Haki.
He grabbed the man's throat.
The sand user gasped."W–What?! You can't touch me—!"
"You're sand," Lo Ye said calmly."And sand is filth."
The man tried to transform into sand, but Lo Ye tightened his grip. Haki locked his ability down.
Then—
A thin spray of sand landed on Lo Ye's shoulder.
A grain. A tiny speck.
But it stained the white.
Isla, Stussy, and Dahlia all knew what that meant.
Lo Ye's expression froze.
His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"…You dirty my suit."
Golden fire erupted around his arm like a sudden sunrise.The legendaryWushan Fire.Hotter than normal flame.Purer.Alive.
The sand user screamed as the flames engulfed him.
"NO—NO—NO—!!"
The fire didn't just burn his body.It burned the sin behind his intent.His malice.His killing nature.
Stussy watched, breath catching in her throat."That fire… it's gorgeous."
Isla felt her heartbeat quicken."He's not just powerful. He's evolving."
Dahlia whispered,"Burn him… burn everything that touches you."
And the flame obeyed.
The sand user turned to ash, the wind carrying away the last of him.
Lo Ye flicked a burnt grain from his sleeve.
Then—A chime echoed in his mind.
DING—!
Wushan Fire Mastery: 25% → New Skill UnlockedPassive Skill: Purifying Flame — burns impurities and sins.Seal Condition Triggered: Water Element Awakening…Warning: Immense energy surge incoming.
The ground trembled.The sea roared.The clouds twisted above.
Isla clutched her chest."This energy… it's enormous."
Stussy stood slowly, lowering her rifle, her lips parting in shock."Is this… his next element?"
Dahlia took a defensive stance beside Lo Ye, ready to fight anything that emerged.
Then the ocean split.
A gigantic shadow rose from the deep.
A creature older than legends.A beast whispered about in ancient sailor nightmares.
A Leviathan.
Its glowing blue eyes locked onto Lo Ye as water spiraled violently around its massive body.
The next phase of his destiny had arrived.
And with three women drawn into his orbit, the battle ahead would test more than his strength—it would test their growing bond.
The sea shook with the roar of the monster.
Lo Ye lifted his gaze, calm and cold.
"Fine," he said softly."If you want to awaken my Water Power…"
"…then come."