One Piece: Lightning's Heir

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...

The old woman, Amazon, was stunned. Arthur had dodged the Impact Dial's blast while facing away from her. It was unbelievable.

She steadied herself, recovering from the Dial's powerful recoil. She aimed at Arthur again, releasing another blast.

"Boom—!"

A powerful gust of wind rushed from behind.

This time, Arthur had no intention of facing it head-on—He wanted to test his newly awakened Observation Haki.

He didn't look back at Amazon, but in his mind, a blurry, white figure appeared.

This was Amazon's form, projected into his mind through his—Observation Haki.

He tilted his head to the left. The blast grazed his ear again, another clean miss.

Arthur was ecstatic. This initial awakening of his Observation Haki was remarkable. It wasn't just sensing air currents or the speed of the wind.

He could directly project a white silhouette into his mind. He could "see" the figure's movements, its weapon, and even the airflow caused by the attack!

This was strikingly similar to the Observation Haki of the future Marine Admiral, Fujitora.

He remembered Rayleigh's words: Haki was a latent power within all humans in the world.

This power was an innate ability. It was like instinct, existing alongside concepts like presence and intimidation.

Most people were unaware of this power. Or—they couldn't unlock it, even after a lifetime of trying.

Besides Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki and Observation Haki could be awakened and strengthened through training.

Conqueror's Haki was a sign of a king. Those with Conqueror's Haki could attack without even lifting a finger. It was a form of mental attack.

Those hit would foam at the mouth and faint.

Unlike—Observation and Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki was innate. It couldn't be learned or inherited. It was determined by fate.

It required an innate strength of spirit!

Every person who possessed Conqueror's Haki was a lawless individual, living freely on the sea. This was why most people who awakened Conqueror's Haki were pirates.

The Marines had to follow orders. How could they train their own spirit?

But let's put aside Conqueror's Haki for now.

Observation Haki heightened the five senses. It allowed one to sense the presence and emotions of others. It could also be used to predict and avoid danger.

As long as a creature was alive, its body emitted a unique sound. Observation Haki could use these sounds to predict an opponent's next move and position. With training, the range could be expanded.

Arthur's five senses were naturally strong. He could sense when someone was watching him. It wasn't surprising that he had awakened Observation Haki.

"Did I gamble on this rising current and gain this power early? Hahaha, this is—perfect."

Arthur laughed wildly. He moved like a willow in the wind, dodging the Impact Dial's blasts again and again.

The old woman, Amazon, was stunned. Her arms trembled slightly. She couldn't withstand the powerful recoil anymore.

"I wanted to enter Sky Island without fighting anyone. But you won't let me. If I'm going to fight someone, I might as well go all the way!"

Killing intent flashed in Arthur's dark eyes. His feet moved rapidly. The powerful reaction force made him disappear instantly. He reappeared next to Amazon. His clenched fist struck out.

He was going to silence her!

He didn't want to be cruel to an old woman. But if he let a witness live, he would have no place to hide on Sky Island.

Amazon would surely report his arrival to the God who guarded Heaven's Gate, Gan Fall.

With Arthur's current meager strength, going against the endless Sky Island guards was foolish.

Gan Fall and his priests in their prime were surely stronger than Arthur.

If that happened, he would be hunted, captured, or even executed.

The best way was to kill the witness, Amazon.

Only the dead could keep secrets.

Killing her would only buy him some time. The Sky Island guards would eventually find out she was dead.

Before that, Arthur needed to get the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. If he couldn't, things would get serious...

He quickly considered two options. He always planned ahead.

When the Sky Island army came looking for him, Arthur would either have to hide among the Skypieans or in some remote location.

Or he could join the Shandians and fight against the Skypieans.

The Shandians were the original inhabitants of God's Land, Upper Yard. They were forced out of their homeland by the Angel Islanders, who desperately craved soil.

For centuries, they had been trying to reclaim their land. They hadn't succeeded. If Arthur joined them, they would never refuse a strong fighter, unless they were completely insane.

Before gaining the power to crush all conspiracies, planning was essential. Once he had 'that' power, he could just crush everything in his path. No need for plans.

Arthur understood this—deeply.

...

Appearing next to Amazon as if by teleportation, his rapid steps carried him forward in a blur. His iron fist, swift and powerful, slammed into her head.

"Despicable Blue Sea dweller, God won't forgive you..."

Those were Amazon's last words. Arthur's fist struck her head. Her body flew out like a broken sack.

"Boom—!!!"

She crashed into the Heaven's Gate structure. Blood spurted from her orifices. Her bones were shattered. She died instantly.

Arthur didn't feel any remorse for killing. In fact, he felt a faint thrill.

This lawless world, where might made right, was fascinating. Only with enough power could one achieve their dreams, their ambitions, and obtain true freedom!

"It's so exhilarating to kill without restraint, without the burden of guilt..." A cold smile played on Arthur's lips.

The wind rustled his black hair.

His gradually recovering vision took in the scene of blood. In the reflection of the blood, he looked like a demon.

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~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones