Chapter 034: Stick and Elektra

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Hell's Kitchen 

Cemetery

A bitter wind swept through the graveyard, sending dry leaves skittering across the ground. The already desolate place seemed to grow even more bleak.

Amid the biting cold, an elderly man in a trench coat, his hair entirely gray, stood sternly before a gravestone, his demeanor as cold as the wind. The picture on the tombstone showed a young man with a bright smile, 

It was none other than Matt Murdock.

"How ironic, Matt," the old man muttered. "Every day, you wore that mask and tight suit, playing the part of a ridiculous clown, fighting for this city. And in the end, what did you get?"

"I warned you before," he continued. "Emotions make you weak. They'll get you killed."

The old man wore dark sunglasses and stared ahead as if lost in thought. He held a long staff in his hand, speaking in a familiar tone to the tombstone.

"You were the most talented student I ever had," he said, "but also the dumbest! You wasted your gift only to die without dignity. But you were my student, after all."

"I've found the person who killed you," he continued. "I'll reclaim your honor for you. May you rest in peace."

The old man placed a single flower on Matt Murdock's grave. Just as he straightened up to leave, he suddenly paused, sensing someone behind him.

"It's been a long time, Elektra," he said without turning around.

"Stick!" came a voice from behind. A sharp, capable woman with an icy demeanor approached.

"I knew you would come," Stick replied. "You never stopped caring about Matt.".

"That's why you drove me away, isn't it?" Elektra responded coldly. "To keep Matt from getting distracted. Yet in the end, Matt left you too."

Her face showed no emotion, but a hint of sadness crossed her eyes as she glanced at the photo of Matt Murdock on the tombstone. Though she hadn't seen Matt in a long time, she had never forgotten the young man who had once entered her life.

Ignoring Stick, Elektra placed her own bouquet on Matt's grave, silently paying her respects. Then she straightened up.

"You're planning to avenge Matt, right? Don't deny it — I heard everything," Elektra said firmly. "I want in! Whether you like it or not!"

"If you don't agree, I'll act alone. I can manage without you," she added.

"When did you ever need my permission, Elektra?" Stick replied calmly.

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Elsewhere...

Inside Kingpin's hideout

*Bang!*

A dull, heavy sound echoed as a large steel plate, fixed to the ground, shuddered. A hole had been punched through it, and molten steel dripped from the edges, glowing red-hot.

Standing before the steel plate, Kingpin's right fist was similarly glowing, radiating intense heat that made anyone nearby hesitate to approach.

"No doubt about it — Devil Fruits are incredible!" Kingpin said, clearly pleased with the results of his punch.

He had pierced a steel plate five centimeters thick with a single blow. Who could withstand such a punch?

"Boss, it's astonishing that you've gained such tremendous power in just three days!" Wesley exclaimed, adjusting his glasses.

Had anyone told him about someone punching through a steel plate like this before, he'd have thought they were crazy. Yet, he had just witnessed it with his own eyes.

"This is the power of a Devil Fruit!" Kingpin remarked, marveling at his own strength.

The Devil Fruit was incredible, granting him strength far beyond ordinary human capabilities. He considered himself lucky to possess such power.

"But there's still a long way to go, Wesley," Kingpin added, shaking his head. The punch might have looked impressive, but it had taken time to build up.

Although the punch had impressive power, it took time to build up. Kingpin's control over his new abilities was still in its early stages.

He could easily turn his fists into steel, but it took nearly ten seconds to heat them up to that level! 

In a real fight, no one would give him that much time.

He still found turning his whole body into steel to use as a defense challenging. Mastery over his chest, abdomen, and other areas needed to be more refined than his control over his hands.

This was understandable. After all, it's easier to flex and control biceps or arm muscles than abdominal or chest muscles, especially if one isn't a seasoned bodybuilder.

"Wesley, how are you coming along with developing your Fruit?" Kingpin asked, looking at him expectantly.

"Not bad, but not great either," Wesley shrugged.

Wesley handled everything inside and out for Kingpin, leaving little time to develop his fruit powers.

"Still, there has been some progress," Wesley said with a slight smile. Suddenly, he stretched out his hand and pointed at the steel plate.

*Clang!*

A bullet shot out, sparking against the steel plate.

The bullet wasn't as powerful as one fired from a gun, but with more training, it could eventually reach that level.

''Not bad," Kingpin nodded approvingly.

Wesley was his secretary and manager, not a fighter. He didn't need to engage in combat, so Kingpin found this skill level quite satisfactory.

"Boss, it's time to pick up Miss Vanessa," Wesley reminded him after checking the time.

"Prepare the car," Kingpin instructed, nodding.

Since learning about the Devil Fruits' wonders, Kingpin planned to buy one for Vanessa. She had been busy these past few days, and today was her first chance to make the trip.

''On it, boss,'' Wesley replied, promptly exiting the room.

Meanwhile, Kingpin took a quick shower and changed his clothes. By the time he reached the ground floor, a convoy of four cars was already lined up, waiting for him.

Wesley opened the door respectfully, and Kingpin climbed in. The convoy set off, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.

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Next Chapter: Only One Option Left

Next Next Chapter: The New Iron Fist

Next Next Next Chapter: This World Is Too Crazy

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