One Piece: My Crew Uses Zanpakuto

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Though Blackbeard had asked Ikki about the second special fruit, he already had his own answer in mind. Since Ikki knew about the Dark-Dark Fruit, he must know something about Devil Fruits. The second special fruit was likely either the Munch-Munch Fruit or Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

But when Ikki gave his answer, the smile on Blackbeard's face dropped.

"The second special fruit?" Blackbeard asked.

"Gum-Gum Fruit," Ikki smiled with a hint of mystery.

Of course, only he knew that the Gum-Gum Fruit itself wasn't special—it was the mythical Nika Fruit hidden under it.

"Gum-Gum Fruit? Are you joking?" Blackbeard frowned. "Forget it. Give me your answer. Will you and your friends join me, or are you saying no?"

As he spoke, Blackbeard's face showed an evil smile. Nami had already attacked Van Augur, so if Ikki and the others refused to join, Blackbeard, as captain of the Blackbeard Pirates, would have to teach them a lesson.

"I'm sorry," Ikki replied. "While I respect your big dreams and patience—even now that you have the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit—I don't want to be anyone's helper. Especially someone who has turned on his own friends." The corner of Ikki's mouth turned up as he slowly drew Zangetsu from his waist.

"Huh? You know about me?" Blackbeard's brow wrinkled.

"How could we not? You're part of the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors' crews," Ikki said. "Despite being so strong, you were happy being just a regular member, even giving up the Second Division Commander spot to Fire Fist Ace. And when the Dark-Dark Fruit showed up, you killed your old friend Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander."

Ikki turned to his crew. "Everyone, be careful. Even though it was a sneak attack, this man killed a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. He even left three scars on Red-Haired Shanks' face, another of the Four Emperors. When the fight starts, stay alert—especially you, Nami. Use your power well."

Ikki glanced at Nami, clearly asking her to use the power of Bankai.

Nami nodded slightly, her serious eyes fixed on Van Augur and Blackbeard. Golden lightning began to rise from her body as she fully turned on the aura of her Mountain-Cutting Realm swordsmanship. It gave off a strong energy different from Conqueror's Haki.

Nami had always hated pirates, and Van Augur had just shot at her for no reason. Blackbeard also gave her a bad feeling. She was ready to fight the Blackbeard Pirates. As for Ikki's claim about Blackbeard's chance to surpass the Four Emperors, Nami didn't think he was that strong right now.

"Captain, it seems our guest doesn't want to accept your offer," Van Augur raised his rifle and glanced at Blackbeard beside him.

"Zehahaha! Too bad I've been turned down," Blackbeard laughed, not taking Ikki and his crew seriously. Though Nami's aura surprised him a bit, he had seen many people with stronger auras in the New World.

But his smile quickly faded. Following a soft sound, Ikki's body suddenly burst with a scary aura that covered the entire Blackbeard Pirates crew.

"Conqueror's Haki?!" Blackbeard's face changed for the first time. "And not a weak level either!"

Behind him, the once calm Blackbeard Pirates widened their eyes in surprise.

"I didn't think you'd have Conqueror's Haki," Blackbeard said. "No wonder you don't want to be my helper. Zehahaha! You really are fit to be on top. Being a bounty hunter shouldn't be your goal."

Blackbeard laughed loudly, and as he got more serious, his own aura slowly grew stronger.

"So this is Conqueror's Haki? What a strange power," Van Augur narrowed his eyes and slowly moved his aim from Nami to Ikki. "But shouldn't this power make weak people faint right away? Why are the weaklings still awake?"

"Zehahaha! This man's Conqueror's Haki is very high-level. We can stay inside the reach of his Conqueror's Haki without being knocked out. But the more amazing a man is, the more I want him as my partner. It would be sad to destroy him." Blackbeard looked at the bar customers, explaining with a laugh.

The customers and owner who had stayed to watch could no longer stay calm. They rushed to escape through the doors and windows, knowing this battle was not safe to watch. A fight between a Whitebeard Pirate and a bounty hunter who dared kill was not something they wanted to be near—they'd die instantly if they got too close.

"I like what Red-Haired Shanks once said," Ikki stepped forward, his sword pointing toward the floor as it became wrapped in scary Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki.

Seeing this, Blackbeard was shocked once more. Conqueror's Haki coating! Even after sailing the New World for years, he had only seen this move used by strong pirates like Whitebeard and Roger. This surprise showed clearly on Blackbeard's face.

"What words?" Blackbeard spread his hands, black energy rising from his body.

Though he didn't know who Ikki was, Blackbeard no longer looked down on a man who could use Conqueror's Haki coating.

"Red Hair once said that when you pull out your weapon, you must be ready to risk your life," Ikki sneered, looking at Van Augur behind Blackbeard. "That crew member of yours is very rude. I hope he learns better manners in his next life."

As he finished speaking, Ikki's Zangetsu suddenly slashed upward at an angle. A strike packed with the power of Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, and Mountain-Cutting Realm swordsmanship rushed toward Blackbeard.

"Divine Departure!" The corners of Ikki's mouth lifted in a smile. Even without using Zangetsu's released power, this blow—packed with his strong energy—could match Zangetsu's 'Getsuga Tenshō.'

'Divine Departure?' Hearing this, Blackbeard's eyes widened. He clearly remembered this as one of Pirate King Roger's moves.

In his moment of surprise, Ikki's slash had already reached him. Blackbeard quickly raised his hands to block with dark energy, but even so, the force of Ikki's attack sent him flying. In an instant, he crashed through several buildings as he was blown toward the coast.

"Nami, Nojiko, Vivi, and Robin, I'll leave these guys to you," Ikki called out. "After you deal with them, Nami, come help me."

With these words, Ikki jumped into the air and rushed straight after Blackbeard.