Chapter 103: Golden Lion come to Revenge

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"Arashi, Zeus is just the prototype of the Seraphim. It still requires improvement and refinement," Vegapunk said with dissatisfaction. 

The term "prototype" inherently implied flaws, and the technology wasn't yet fully mature. Sending it out on a mission now could easily lead to issues.

"Combat is the fastest way to identify problems and flaws," Arashi smiled. "The prototype Zeus also needs an evaluation, doesn't it?"

Arashi had originally planned to personally travel to Wano Country, but with Zeus at his disposal, there was no longer a need. 

After all, with his current status, appearing unexpectedly in another region would attract attention.

As for Wano's current situation, Arashi wasn't particularly interested. Roger once said this era wasn't the best time for grand actions.

Vegapunk muttered a few complaints but eventually relented.

"Moreover, Zeus will bring back an exceptionally powerful specimen this time," Arashi added. "Kozuki Oden is a world-renowned swordsman."

He issued a command to Zeus, who nodded in acknowledgement. Lightning burst forth from Zeus's body, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished into the distance.

"I'll need more materials," Vegapunk said. "I've already compiled a list. These will be used to create additional Seraphim clones."

"No problem. I'll fully support all your research projects!" Arashi declared confidently. His enthusiastic response softened Vegapunk's expression.

"From the ancient texts recovered from Ohara, I've gleaned substantial information about an ancient civilization. 

The Great Kingdom of the past was a highly advanced technological society. It even made me question the origins of Devil Fruits," Vegapunk explained.

Arashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and waited for him to elaborate.

"Lately, I've been wondering if Devil Fruits could also be artificial creations of technology," Vegapunk continued. 

"I want to explore the possibility of creating artificial Devil Fruits."

"Please, go ahead and experiment boldly!" Arashi said with a smile. "By the way, I also have a question for you, Doctor."

"Ask away," Vegapunk replied with a nod.

"When a Devil Fruit user dies, is there a special method to transfer the ability to another fruit?" 

"Or, to put it differently, is it possible to directly transfer the power of a Devil Fruit?" Arashi asked.

Being the genius he was, Vegapunk instantly understood Arashi's intentions.

"Are you considering consuming a second Devil Fruit to become a dual-fruit user?"

Arashi nodded. At his current level of strength, there were limited ways to grow further—either he could awaken advanced Observation Haki or consume another powerful fruit. 

Even then, the latter would only marginally enhance his offensive capabilities.

"That's an interesting avenue for research," Vegapunk mused. "I'm genuinely intrigued."

"I've studied Devil Fruits extensively before, including the technology to imbue inanimate objects with their abilities."

"Through special methods, it's possible to confine the 'devil' behind a Devil Fruit—or, as I call it," he glanced at Arashi, 

"The Devil Factor. Limiting the Devil Factor's activity range has significant potential to capture the fruit's ability."

Arashi's eyes lit up. "You can achieve that?"

"Of course! And this is one of the reasons I've started questioning the origin of Devil Fruits," Vegapunk said with a sigh.

"Please ensure this method is shared with me," Arashi grinned. "It may come in handy in the future."

West Blue – G-18 Marine Base

Most of the time, this base was calm and orderly. Soldiers engaged in routine physical and combat training while Marine ships came and went from the harbour on missions. 

The weather was beautiful—sunlight bathed the base, and a gentle breeze carried the cries of seagulls across the sky.

Atop the main building, Buggy, Smoker, and Ashura sat on the roof's edge with their legs dangling over the side, letting the sea breeze wash over them as they enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation.

"This is so peaceful," Smoker said with a sigh.

"Downtime like this helps me recover from mental exhaustion," Buggy said.

"I want to keep training," Ashura said quietly.

Both Smoker and Buggy immediately glared at him. "Please, stop being such a grind!"

Ashura shrugged, looking helpless. The three were about the same age and got along well in their daily lives. 

Their exceptional combat abilities had earned them the title of the "Three Monsters of G-18 Fortress." 

Among them, Ashura—a Lunarian youth—was relentless in his efforts and had progressed the fastest in strength.

"What's that?" Buggy suddenly pointed at a black dot in the sky with a puzzled expression.

The other two looked up and froze in astonishment. A black speck had appeared on the distant horizon, growing larger by the second.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Buggy stammered. "Don't tell me that's a meteorite!"

The object's speed and size continued to increase rapidly.

"No… it's not a meteorite!" Smoker said, his pupils narrowing in shock. "It's an island!"

As the alarm blared across the G-18 base, the massive object hurtling down from the sky became clear—it was a falling island.

"How can there be an island in the sky?" Smoker muttered, his gaze sharpening. "And why is it dropping directly onto our fortress?"

The three leapt down from the rooftop and watched as chaos unfolded below. 

Marines poured out in droves, and shrill whistles echoed through the base, summoning all personnel. 

The fortress was in uproar as the falling island cast a massive shadow over everything.

The wind howled as an immense pressure descended, forcing the three's bodies to bend under the weight.

"That island… is it going to crash down!?" Buggy exclaimed in disbelief.

The sky trembled with invisible waves of energy, shattering glass with a deafening crack! 

Even the tops of buildings began to fracture under the pressure.

Bullet gazed skyward, his sharp eyes piercing through the chaotic scene. 

Behind him, T. Bone, Ivans, Eveya, and others stood at the ready, bracing for what was to come. 

The air pressure grew increasingly intense, and the waters of the inner bay churned violently. The anchored warships swayed uncontrollably.

"What's going on?"

"An island is falling from the sky!"

"You've got to be kidding!"

The Marines craned their necks upward, their pupils contracting in shock as a massive island loomed ever larger, blocking the sky. 

It cast an enormous shadow, and its descent seemed inevitable.

"Golden Lion… Shiki!" Bullet muttered, spitting out the name with sharp precision.

At that moment, the colossal island was just a few hundred meters from colliding with G-18 Fortress. 

The violent pressure caused buildings within the fortress to explode and collapse one after another. 

The Marines scrambled in panic, rushing aboard their warships in preparation to evacuate.

"Hurry! Evacuate the entire fortress!"

Urgent shouts echoed throughout the base.

With a thunderous boom, the island suddenly stopped midair, sending out a shockwave that destroyed everything on the fortress grounds. 

Those unable to evacuate in time were thrown into the air by the powerful gusts, crashing hard and coughing up blood.

A chilling, invisible aura of terror spread throughout the base, suffocating all in its grasp.

"Arashi!"

A deep, commanding voice rang out. Bullet's pupils constricted as he gazed at the figure descending from the island.

"Shiki!" Bullet's voice was taut, his suspicion confirmed. No one but the legendary Golden Lion Shiki could create such an awe-inspiring scene.

The Golden Lion floated down slowly, his sharp eyes scanning the retreating Marines.

Upon spotting them fleeing, he smirked coldly. Raising his right leg, he struck viciously.

"Lion Wave!"

A powerful slash ripped through the air, slicing over a dozen Marines cleanly in two.

"Damn it!" Buggy, who had been organizing his troops' retreat in the distance, clenched his fists in rage as blood rushed to his eyes. 

Those were his men! Without hesitation, he flashed forward, charging toward Shiki.

"You bastard! How dare you!" Buggy roared. He stood before the Golden Lion in a few swift steps, bent his knees, and leapt high into the air. 

He brought it down with a long blade in hand in a ferocious strike.

"Oh?" Shiki raised an eyebrow, his mouth curling into a mocking grin. "So, the cowardly weakling from Roger's crew joined the Marines, huh?"

Shiki's right leg shot up to meet Buggy's attack head-on.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out as sparks flew.

"I'm no coward anymore!" Buggy bellowed, twisting his blade into a sharp arc aimed at Shiki's neck. 

"I'm one of the 'Three Monsters of G-18 Fortress' now, you bastard!"

Years of gruelling training had transformed Buggy into a formidable force. He was no longer the man he had been aboard Roger's ship. 

His physical prowess had reached superhuman levels, and he had even mastered Soru and Geppo, two techniques of the Six Powers.

"Interesting," Shiki sneered, intercepting the attack with a flick of his right foot.

Clang!

Sparks flew once again. This time, however, Buggy's blade shattered with a resounding crack.

"Die, red-nose!" Shiki said coldly, his leg slicing through the air toward Buggy's neck.

Buggy froze for an instant as his head flew cleanly off his shoulders. 

But the next moment, his right hand, hanging by his side, clenched into a fist. His detached head glared downward with rage.

"I told you!" Buggy's fist shot forward, his furious voice reverberating. "I'm a monster now!"

The punch tore through the air instantly, landing squarely on Shiki's face.

Boom!

Shiki staggered slightly, his expression turning icy cold. His leg moved again, unleashing a wave of slashes with a single command.

"Slashing Wave!"

Countless energy blades burst forth, cutting Buggy into dozens of neatly severed cubes. 

They hung suspended in the air for a moment before retreating and reassembling into his body.

"I'm not afraid of slashes!" Buggy declared with a defiant smirk.

Shiki's eyes narrowed momentarily, then relaxed as he chuckled darkly. "You're quite amusing."

His body floated upward, both feet hovering above the ground. "But I didn't come here to waste time with a small fry like you."

Bending down sharply, he slammed both hands into the ground with a resounding smack.

Boom!

The entire G-18 Fortress trembled violently. The earth roiled as the inner bay rose, sending waves crashing in every direction. 

Marines screamed in terror as the entire area was engulfed in chaos.

"Arashi."

Shiki's voice rang out once again, echoing across the battlefield.

"Where are you?!"

<End Chapter>

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