One Piece Solar Rift Conqueror!

Solian's chest heaved and fell quickly as he dodged another burst of bullets and sword attacks. His body seethed with fatigue, his breathing labored. The Marines showed no mercy. Every officer he took down was replaced by two others. He had already taken out more than fifty of them, but there were too many.

Damn… how many more do I have to fight?

He barely had time to think before a Marine lieutenant charged at him with a cutlass. Solian dodged, rotating his body by inches away from the sword before slamming a flame-covered fist into the man's gut. The officer gagged, stumbling away, but another was on top of him in the next moment.

Solian teleported three meters away, behind a group of Marines. His agility had improved but was still not adequate for the sheer quantity of hostiles. His stamina was fading.

I can't keep this up for much longer…

There was a blow struck from behind, a sudden explosion—a giant-hammered Marine had broken through. Solian fell to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His vision faded. His body pounded.

I require. more strength.

The betrayed lieutenant stood far away, his face twisted with a sneer. "Weary already? I had thought better of a so-called 'emerging threat.' You're done for, boy."

Solian growled between his teeth, wiping the blood from his mouth. His flames flickered feebly. His Devil Fruit control kept his abilities under control, but he still lacked brute power.

More Marines closed in. His instincts wailed—this was it. Either he powered through past what he could do, or taken and/or killed.

No. I won't lose here.

His anger boiled. His flames, weak a moment ago, now roared to life. The heat surrounding him intensified, the air shimmering with raw energy.

Something broke within him.

His instincts took over.

When the Marines moved in, Solian's body moved of its own accord. He kicked his foot into the ground, then—

FWOOOSH!

A burst of burning light erupted from where he had stood, and in an instant, he was behind his attackers. The Marines froze.

"What the—?!"

Solian stared at his own hands in horror. He had just moved at light-speed, creating a brief afterimage of himself behind.

Solar Afterimage unlocked.

He did not have time to rejoice. The lieutenant was shouting orders, commanding the officers to encircle him again. Solian clenched his fists. His flames burned higher, taking on a white-hot hue.

The second Marine who charged towards him was met with a concentrated, plasma-filled punch. The moment his fist connected—

BOOM!

The Marine sailed across the room, into the group of his own Marines. The blow had been faster, stronger, more precise than ever.

Plasma Strike unlocked.

Solian smiled.

Yeah… This is better.

With renewed energy, he charged forward, fire burning about him. The Marines who had believed they had trapped him now wiser.

The real battle had just begun