"Continue the experiment."
Qin Yang focused inwardly.
"Entering anyone's shadow silently is already terrifying… but I still don't know how strong this form is in actual combat."
In its natural state, the Shadow Demon was intangible—immune to all physical attacks. It could also teleport instantly into the shadow behind any chosen target.
If it also possessed solid offensive power, then it could truly be called the world's strongest assassin.
The problem was simple.
If no one could touch him… how was he supposed to touch anyone else?
"Let's test it on someone."
He closed his eyes again.
At once, the star-filled void reappeared before him—countless lights, bright and dim, stretching endlessly like a night sky.
This time, however, he noticed something new.
Among the stars, the one representing Sengoku had formed a faint connection with him.
"So once I lock onto someone, I can recognize them again?"
A useful trait.
It meant that whenever he wished, he could reappear behind Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"But he's too strong for testing purposes."
Sengoku had risen from Admiral to Fleet Admiral. His strength stood at the peak of the world—arguably beyond even Sakazuki.
"I need someone weaker."
With that thought, Qin Yang selected another star and moved toward it.
The familiar dizziness followed.
When he opened his eyes again—
He was somewhere else entirely.
He did not reveal himself immediately.
In shadow form, unless a third party was watching closely, it was extremely difficult to detect his presence.
He surveyed the surroundings.
A tavern.
It was lively—coarse male laughter and loud voices filled the air. Behind the counter, the owner polished a glass, while a young waitress hurried from table to table serving drinks.
The place was modest—five or six tables.
All but one were occupied by rough-looking men.
From the conversation, Qin Yang quickly pieced things together.
"I'm telling you, that girl earlier was incredible. I almost dragged her back with me."
"Don't be stupid. This is the Sabaody Archipelago. Pirates are everywhere. You stir up trouble, you'll regret it."
"Captain, we're about to enter the New World. The Four Emperors divide the seas there. Which one are we joining?"
Sabaody Archipelago.
Of course Qin Yang knew it.
The world was mostly ocean. Aside from the Red Line encircling the globe, only scattered islands broke the sea's expanse.
The Grand Line crossed the Red Line in a perfect X.
The second half of that route was known as the New World.
And Sabaody was the final island of the first half—the gateway to the New World.
"These are pirates who've just completed the first half of the Grand Line."
Perfect.
Excellent test subjects.
The New World was a different beast entirely. The Four Emperors ruled it with overwhelming power—each one standing far above an Admiral in sheer might.
But the first half?
Aside from a select few, most pirates there held bounties under one hundred million Berries.
Right on cue, their captain spoke up.
He was a bald brute, broad-shouldered, with a massive cleaver resting at his feet. Clearly drunk, he slammed his cup down and roared with laughter.
"Join one of the Four Emperors? Don't joke! My bounty is seventy-five million! I'll become King of the Pirates myself! First thing I'll do in the New World is take down Whitebeard!"
His crew howled in agreement.
Kill Whitebeard?
Qin Yang couldn't help himself.
He burst out laughing.
"Who's there?!"
The bald captain jerked upright, sobering instantly.
"Sharp senses."
Since he'd been noticed, Qin Yang stopped hiding.
A shadow slowly peeled itself away from behind the captain.
"Is that a ghost?!"
"A monster!"
"What the hell is that?!"
The crew leapt to their feet in alarm.
But the captain himself stared blankly.
He followed his men's gazes—
And saw nothing.
"Stop looking," Qin Yang said casually. "You can't see me."
He examined the captain with mild disdain.
"You? Kill Whitebeard? With seventy-five million? Even a cabin boy on his ship is worth eighty million."
The disembodied voice made the captain's skin crawl.
He could hear it clearly.
He could even sense its direction.
But there was nothing there.
"Enough tricks!"
Fear turned to aggression.
The captain seized his cleaver and swung it down at Qin Yang's position.
Qin Yang did not move.
The blade passed straight through him.
As if cutting through smoke.
For a heartbeat, the tavern went silent.
"Logia-type?!" one pirate blurted in shock.
Qin Yang raised a brow.
"You even know what a Logia is? Impressive."
The man who spoke swallowed nervously.
"Who are you?"
Qin Yang ignored the question and turned his attention back to the captain.
"You attacked me. So it's only fair I return the favor. Let's see… can I solidify?"
He focused.
His body began to condense.
The captain staggered backward, knocking over a table.
Before him—
A pitch-black silhouette took shape.
It began at the head, thick as ink, then spread downward until a full humanoid form stood there.
It had no face.
Only two faintly glowing eyes pierced through the darkness.
Black smoke drifted constantly from its body, adding to its eerie presence.
"So this is solid form…"
Qin Yang flexed his hands experimentally.
"Though it seems I can't maintain it for long."
He lifted his gaze to the petrified captain.
In the next instant—
He moved.
His right hand clenched into a fist.
Black smoke coiled violently around it.
"Take this."