One Piece: Lightning's Heir

~ Support & Read 12 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!

~ If you like the story, please leave a Review :)

❁❁❁❁

"A Pirate Hunter?" Mozambia studied Arthur intently.

The adjutant beside him instantly raised his flintlock, aiming it squarely at Arthur, ready to fire at the slightest provocation.

"You could say that. Gotta make a living somehow, right?" Arthur ignored the Marines' hostility, offering a casual, fabricated explanation.

Mozambia waved his hand, ordering his soldiers to stand down. He led the fleet back towards the base. As they went, he asked, "Bounty Hunter, may I have your name?"

"No reason I can't tell you. It's Seabury D. Arthur..." Arthur scanned his surroundings and then sat down unceremoniously on a deck chair.

His casual attitude once again irritated the disciplined Marines.

"Seabury D. Arthur? The Lightning Master who destroyed the Mafia HQ?" Only now did the full impact of the situation hit Mozambia.

"No wonder he's strong—as fast as Vice Admiral Kizaru. He's a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user." Possessing a powerful fruit provided an insane boost to one's strength.

Arthur's name now echoed throughout the West Blue, and it was beginning to spread to the Grand Line.

After all, destroying a medium-sized island with a single attack was far beyond the capabilities of most Pirates. Combined with lightning's ability to both attack and defend, it was practically semi-invincible in the Four Blues.

Accompanying the Marine fleet, a group of Marines returned to the branch base. After collecting the 45 million Belly bounty, Arthur had no desire to linger. He left immediately.

Mozambia tried several times to persuade him to stay, probing for information from all angles. Arthur deflected with vague answers about unimportant matters and expressed no interest in joining the Marines. Only then was he allowed to leave.

....

Carrying 45 million Belly, Arthur strolled leisurely through the town on the island.

His first act after getting the money was to change his clothes. After all, he'd been at sea for three days without a bath. Arthur's cleanliness was the only thing preventing him from smelling.

Carrying a case of Belly, he entered a clothing store. The attractive proprietress was incredibly enthusiastic, personally selecting clothes for the statuesque Arthur.

He chose a white shirt and pants, along with a blue greatcoat the same color as his lightning. His six-foot-six frame was on full display, the powerful chest visible through the unbuttoned shirt. Combined with his handsome looks, he appeared to be a completely different person.

It's true what they say: clothes make the man.

Ignoring the proprietress's subtle flirting, Arthur changed and left the store.

He had always wondered why people in the One Piece world wore greatcoats. Now he finally understood.

Not only did they protect against the sea breeze, but they also looked cool and were a way to show off.

The blue greatcoat billowing behind him in the wind, Arthur strolled slowly down the street, happily buying a bunch of food and clothes similar in style to what he was wearing. He sent it all back to the Pirate ship, then continued his leisurely stroll.

The people he was waiting for hadn't arrived yet. He didn't want to leave just yet.

He stopped here and there, Arthur's mood was still good. He found a few more taverns and bought a batch of strong liquor to bring back to the ship...

....

Outside the waters of the branch base island, a warship bearing the mark of Marine Headquarters finally entered the harbor.

A squad of uniformly dressed Marines disembarked, splitting into two lines on either side of the path, clearing a passage wide enough for several people.

Shortly after, a man wearing pants, shirtless, with a Justice greatcoat draped over his shoulders, his purple hair striking, and a somewhat disheveled Vice Admiral in a yellow striped suit disembarked together.

Behind Zephyr and Kizaru followed several strangely dressed individuals of varying heights and builds—members of the World Government's direct, secret intelligence agency—Cipher Pol 0.

Although they were dressed differently, they all radiated a dangerous aura of indifference to life. Even Zephyr and Kizaru were reluctant to spend much time with them.

"Admiral Zephyr, Vice Admiral Kizaru! We of CP0 will take our leave first. You need not concern yourselves with this mission!" The CP0 member, covered in a white robe and wearing a smiling mask, spoke in an indifferent tone, as if he were giving orders to Zephyr rather than consulting with him.

The World Government's direct intelligence agency—CP0, answered directly to the world's highest authority, the Five Elders. They could even disregard orders from the Fleet Admiral, Kong.

After all, to the World Government—the Marines were merely a facade. The real obedient dogs were always the members of Cipher Pol.

Therefore, the Five Elders trusted Cipher Pol more than the Marines. They could perfectly handle any dirty work.

The best example was five or six years ago, around 1490, when "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World, user of the More-More Fruit, a formidable Pirate who rampaged through the New World.

Byrnndi World's More-More Fruit was extremely powerful. His amplified—powerful attacks were impossible for the Marines, who were suppressing the Grand Line, to deal with.

In the end, it was members of Cipher Pol who turned World's subordinates against him, severely wounding him with firearms. Only then was he finally frozen and sent to the Underwater Prison, Impel Down.

This organization was practically omnipresent. No one knew if there were members among their own ranks.

"The opponent is a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user. This fruit is very fast. Only Kizaru has a chance of successfully restraining him. You are not up to the task!" Zephyr disliked CP0, believing they lacked justice due to their indiscriminate killing. But for the sake of the mission, he had to offer a reminder.

Just moments ago, Captain Mozambia had reported via Den Den Mushi that Seabury D. Arthur was still roaming the island. The combined forces of the Marines and CP0 could easily "persuade" him to join.

"That is none of Admiral Zephyr's concern. We have our own arrangements!" The masked CP0 member said indifferently, directly leading the others away.

He didn't believe that the opponent would refuse after they revealed the name of the World Government.

....

"Are they here?" Arthur strolled down the street, looking around, sipping from a bottle of liquor. His Observation Haki clearly picked up their conversations.

He finally understood by now. The World Government didn't know the true capabilities of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, or perhaps they only knew some of its surface abilities.

They didn't even know about the electric wave ability that could vastly amplify Observation Haki, and they dared to speak in his "presence"? Didn't they know they were exposing themselves?

No wonder the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia only had a few lines describing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Arthur had initially thought that the World Government was intentionally concealing the fruit's detailed information, not wanting others to know.

Now it seemed that their information on this invincible fruit was insufficient.

"Vegapunk wants the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's electricity to aid in research? No wonder they're looking for me." Arthur stroked his chin, calmly pondering.

❁❁❁❁

~ 12 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)