Chapter 71

Choosing to remain silent, I focused on the gathering storm above, the clouds swirling with increasing ferocity as lightning crackled ominously as if ready to devour anyone in its path. Though I was only beginning to harness the power of the Lightning Logia, I felt an uncanny sense of harmony with the fruit, as if it willingly submitted to my will. While mastering its full potential would undoubtedly require years of practice, I encountered no resistance from the fruit itself.

Sensing the impending danger, Issho reached for his sword instinctively, his senses on high alert. "Ross Kun, what are you doing?" His voice betrayed a mixture of concern and apprehension, realizing that whatever I had planned was not to be taken lightly. He feared that his own actions might have inadvertently contributed to the birth of an unprecedented threat.

"Issho san, I ask that you do not interfere," I implored, my tone grave and resolute. "I have inherited my families will, like you said I need to follow what my heart truly desires and though I am unbound by any shackles, I must fulfill the first wish that we brothers swore on this very island, that still remains unfulfilled . We once vowed to exact vengeance upon those who tormented us in our darkest hour, and I intend to honor that vow. Please, step aside."

My words hung heavy in the air, laden with the weight of solemn purpose. This was to be the ultimate tribute to my family members who fell , a final farewell gift in the form of retribution. These people were the same ones who relished in tormenting us when we were down; if not for Doffy back then, my journey would have ended as I came into this world; this blood would mark the beginning of our families new journey, a cathartic closure to the pain and suffering we endured.

Yet, even as I prepared to enact my vengeance, Issho, bound by his own principles, could not stand idly by and watch indiscriminate violence unfold. With resolve in his heart, he unsheathed his sword, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Ross-kun, listen to me. They are innocent people..." However, before Issho could continue, my laughter cut through the air like a sharp blade, with lightning surging around me. Unlike Enel from Canon, my lightning was completely pitch black, imbued with something more than mere electricity.

"Innocent? Issho-san, I respect you, and I owe you my life for saving me back then. So, even though I don't have to justify myself, let me tell you what these people, whom you call innocents, did to me and my family." Although I had absolute confidence in killing all these people, even if Issho intervened, I didn't want things to sour between us because of a misunderstanding.

However, if Issho chooses not to follow me and my family, then so be it. I could endure having a kind man by our side, but I would never tolerate a hypocrite in my family. This was a cruel world, and those who were naive to its true workings had no place beside me or my family.

So, with a few brief statements, I explained exactly what had transpired during my childhood and why Doflamingo had vowed to kill them all. Even Issho's resolve faltered a bit as he understood that I wasn't lying. He felt conflicted, but he still stood opposite me, clinging to his principles and wanting me to forgive them for his sake.

"The concept of innocence holds no significance in this cruel world, Issho-san," I asserted, my voice tinged with resolve. "Whether young or old, man or woman, out in the open seas, it all boils down to strength and weakness. And for the weak, they don't even have the luxury of expressing their emotions. This is a debt I owe to my brother." With determination coursing through my veins, I drew Sandai Kitetsu, channeling both lightning and Haki through the blade.

However, despite being a black blade currently, Kitetsu originally was a low-grade weapon when compared to true apex weapons, so it groaned under the sheer strength and pressure. I instinctively knew that my strength had surpassed what the third-generation Kitetsu could bear. I might soon need a new blade. I doubted that even the famed 21 Great Grade blades might suffice me when I reached the apex. I should find myself a Supreme Grade blade. However, for now, Kitetsu should suffice.

Issho knew that, with us both standing on opposite sides, conflict was inevitable, so he wanted to gamble. Although he doubted whether he could truly stop me, he wanted to try. Issho was someone who trusted in fate so he wanted to gamble everything for this one chance.

"Ross-kun, for my sake, how about we make a bet? Let's fight each other with all our might. If I win, I want you to give up on killing the people on this island. If you win, you can go ahead and do as you will." Issho remarked, his blade firmly gripped in his hand.

"Issho-san, you jest. Even if we were to gamble, the stakes should be equal. If you win, you save the lives of all these people. If I win, I simply don't get anything. I have already resolved to kill these people, and it's not like I need your permission." I countered. This was a god-given chance to have Issho join me, and the man himself was proposing the bet. I knew for a fact that Issho was a man of his word and wouldn't back out later.

"So, what do you propose, Ross-kun? Except for my life, I don't think that I have anything worthy of me. So, if it is my life that you want as the victor, you can have it." Issho was already resolved to fight to the end.

Although he wasn't there when things truly happened back then, he was sure that there must be innocents on this island who had no connection to the torment that Ross and his family went through. So, he had to fight for their sake.

"Issho-san, do you think that I am so ungrateful as to ask for your life even after all you? No, I want something much more precious: your loyalty, Issho-san. If I win, I want you to join my family and truly follow me with all your heart." I commented.

This was my one true shot at gaining Issho's true allegiance. I was not exactly sure what kind of decisions I might make in the future, but I was sure that there were going to be a few littered with countless bodies. At that time, I did not want Issho to have a change of heart.

After contemplating the bet I proposed, Issho finally gave a nod. "Very well then, Ross-kun. So be it. You have my word. However, let's take this fight to a nearby island." With that, he jumped onto a small boulder nearby, which he manipulated with his gravity to move towards the uninhabited island.

My new lightning powers gave me the ability to traverse through the air unimpeded, but I chose to move like a flicker of lightning grazing the sea surface. After making sure that Lucci and Gladius were safe, I knew no other Devil Fruit user would truly attempt something like this. For me, the sea was not a barrier that could stop me.

For a man like me who relished the thrill of battle, the last three months were torture. Back during Marineford, Admiral Agana was too much for me to handle, but the current me was different. I instinctively felt that I had already breached the level of Admirals. A fifteen-year-old with Admiral-level power—now, this might be a first in this world. But if I truly wanted to achieve my dreams, this was not enough. I needed more. I needed to be strong enough to even beat Imu, who had ruled this world for over eight centuries.

Issho and I stood facing each other. The deserted island was quite large, but due to its rocky terrain, it was not feasible for human habitation. Issho did not stand on ceremony and directly launched an attack, signaling the start of the battle.

"Gravity Blade!" Issho started sending out a high-gravity stream, trying to pin me down. However, with my future sight enhanced to unprecedented levels, it all seemed too slow. Although I could easily dodge the attack with my current speed, I chose to take the attack head-on. Issho's gravity fruit might be a great way to train my family in the future. Even I could use his gravity powers to push myself beyond the limit. As I was making plans for the future using the gravity fruit's power, Issho's words resonated.

"Ross-kun, I hope you don't underestimate me. Although I may not look like it, I am strong enough to hold my own against you," he said, increasing the pressure of gravity with his previous attack.

"It's you who's underestimating me, Issho-san. Maybe if I were the same me as three months ago, you could have been my match. But now..." With a smirk, I unleashed Kitetsu, clad with both lightning and armament Haki.

"Lightning Tiger!" With an upward slash, despite the heavy gravity, a flying slash manifested itself, taking the form of a massive dark tiger made of lightning, charging towards Issho, who was trying to keep me pinned down.

Detecting the incoming threat, Issho quickly swung his blade horizontally while clad in armament Haki. He even used his gravity powers to try to pin the incoming Lightning Tiger, but the lightning beast charged ahead unimpeded. Issho had to defensively hold his blade in front of him as the flying slash pushed him back, despite his efforts to hold himself steady. The lightning beast completely engulfed Issho, electrocuting him. If he hadn't been clad in Haki, he would have been burned to a crisp.

Issho quickly understood that the fruit Ross had consumed must be the feared Devil Fruit lost in legends. Earlier, when Ross emerged from the sea, Issho believed he might have consumed some kind of mythical Zoan Devil Fruit that could alter the weather. But now he understood the kid hadn't consumed a Zoan fruit but the rumored strongest Logia.

After being pushed back for a dozen meters, Issho steadied himself. His yukata was already damaged from the simple attack by Ross. He knew half measures were not going to help, so he ripped out the purple cloak and threw it aside.

The air was heavy with anticipation as Issho and I stood facing each other, the battle shifting gears as we prepared for the clash that would determine the fate of all the lives on the island. Three months of anticipation and battle deprivation had led to this moment, and I could feel the weight of expectation bearing down on me. This was my chance to unleash myself completely and show the world the true extent of my power.

With a swift movement, Issho launched himself forward, his blade flashing in the sunlight as he closed the distance between us in the blink of an eye. I met his charge head-on, my own sword singing as it sliced through the air with deadly precision. Our blades met with a resounding clang, sending sparks flying in all directions as the force of our clash reverberated through the surrounding landscape.

But Issho was not content to simply exchange blows. With a roar of determination, he unleashed his signature technique:" Raging Tiger!." The attack generated an immense level of gravitational force around Issho, pushing out horizontally and knocking away anything in its path. Rocks, boulders, trees—nothing could withstand the sheer power of his assault as the landscape around us was reduced to rubble.

Undeterred by the destruction unfolding around us, I pushed forward, my own lightning-infused attacks crackling with energy as they clashed against Issho's gravity-enhanced strikes. With each strike, I poured more of my strength and willpower into my attacks, refusing to be intimidated by the overwhelming power of my opponent.

"Dark Thunder Descent!" I roared, unleashing a torrent of lightning-infused slashes that cut through Issho's gravity shockwaves and other flying slashes with ease. The sheer force of my attack overwhelmed Issho's defenses, leaving him momentarily staggered as he struggled to regain his footing.