Chapter 45: Angelic Form

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"Let's go," Ian said to Tashigi, noticing the conflicted look in her eyes.

"It's alright," Ian said, gently patting Tashigi's head. He understood her concern.

She was worried about the large white dog. Even though she had tamed it, it had once been a pet and mount of one of Skypiea's former gods. Now that both Skypiea and the Shandia were below, it would likely be captured if it ventured down.

A dog's bite was always the owner's responsibility, unless it was a rabid animal. But even then, it reflected poorly on the owner.

While both Ian and Gan Fall had assured her of the dog's safety, traveling with such a large creature could be troublesome. Ian opened a small Reject Dial, a dark portal leading back to the Blue Sea.

From within, he retrieved a Devil Fruit and, addressing the dog, Holy, instructed it to open its mouth. He tossed the fruit in, and Holy swallowed it whole.

The large white dog's body began to shrink rapidly until it was no bigger than a small puppy, a few inches tall.

The Mini-Mini Fruit. It had appeared in the One Piece Film: Z, granting its user, a giant chef, the ability to shrink his massive body to the size of a dwarf. Or perhaps it should be called the Size-Size Fruit.

It allowed the giant to become as small as a dwarf, but Tashigi, with her extensive knowledge, recognized its potential for both shrinking and enlarging, though the upper and lower limits were unknown.

It was similar to the Magic of Brandish μ, a member of the Spriggan 12, one of the strongest mages in the Alvarez Empire in the Fairy Tail universe. At its peak, her magic could manipulate the size of anything, even shrinking tumors within a human body, saving the protagonist, Natsu Dragneel, from certain death.

Luffy's Gomu-Gomu Fruit and the Akimichi clan's Multi-Size Technique could enlarge the body but not shrink it, making Brandish's magic far superior.

"That's great!" Tashigi exclaimed, playing with the small puppy now perched on her shoulder, her face beaming with joy.

They had obtained the Devil Fruit from a pirate crew they had encountered during their journey. Ian hadn't expected it to actually exist, but now Tashigi's expression turned somber.

"Will it be cursed by the sea too?" she asked, concerned. Dogs were natural swimmers.

Fishmen, too, were incredibly fast underwater, surpassing even some Sea Kings. But Devil Fruit users were rendered helpless in water, a cruel irony that seemed incredibly unfair.

"Don't worry, it won't. It's a secret," Ian reassured her with a smile. He had taken the liberty of feeding Tashigi the Clear-Clear Fruit, and the young woman had initially confronted him about it. While the fruit was perfect for a swordswoman, granting near-invisibility when combined with Soru and Observation Haki, he had forgotten that she was also a woman, and women, given the opportunity, enjoyed showcasing their figures.

After testing her newfound abilities, Tashigi had discovered that seawater had no effect on her, much to her surprise.

She had reasoned that if even inanimate objects like swords could consume Devil Fruits and overcome the weakness to water, it wasn't entirely unreasonable for a human to achieve the same feat. She wondered if Seastone would also be ineffective, but Ian knew for certain that it would.

The Devil Fruits he created by absorbing and replicating their powers were devoid of the "devil" within, containing only the pure essence of the ability. Otherwise, wouldn't he, with his body brimming with Devil Fruit powers, be incredibly vulnerable to Seastone?

He couldn't exactly reveal his status as a transmigrator with a system, claiming that Impel Down was useless and that he could slay Devil Fruit users with bounties exceeding 100 million with ease. People would think he was insane, dismissing his claims as mere fantasy.

Absorbing souls and Devil Fruit powers… Blackbeard and Big Mom, with their Dark-Dark Fruit and Soul-Soul Fruit, possessed similar abilities. So what was so strange about a Devil Fruit user who could swim and resist the effects of seawater?

The Grand Line was vast and full of mysteries, after all. For now, only Tashigi and the dog possessed Devil Fruits granted by him.

They were Marines, and their encounters with pirates usually resulted in casualties, not scientific experiments. Clones, Pacifistas, artificial Devil Fruits… those were the machinations of the World Government, hidden from public view.

Ian then recited his Resurrección incantation, unleashing a surge of spiritual pressure, as vast and overwhelming as the ocean itself. Both Tashigi and the small puppy nearly fainted, but he managed to control its output, keeping it contained within his body.

He transported them to one of the White-White Sea's sky islands, pretending to be newcomers. With most of the inhabitants gathered beneath the Giant Jack, their arrival went unnoticed. They strolled through the various sky islands, enjoying the sights and sounds.

He was truly here on vacation.

If he wasn't actively eliminating pirates, his blatant disregard for orders would have likely infuriated Akainu and Sengoku. After all, he was a Vice Admiral at Marine Headquarters, a position that demanded a certain level of obedience and decorum. Ordinary Marines had even less freedom.

Several hours later, Gan Fall was still delivering his impassioned speech. The White Berets, Skypiea's police force, hadn't harassed them, instead requesting their assistance in maintaining order. With Enel and his priests captured, the rules had to be rewritten.

Peace between Skypiea and the Shandia was officially declared. Observing the Shandia, with their distinctive wings, and considering the immense height of the Giant Jack, it wasn't difficult to imagine that they were once a single people, their history intertwined. With that, their Skypiea adventure came to an end.

Gan Fall and Wyper respected their desire for anonymity, refraining from revealing their identities or appearances. It wasn't that Ian was a selfless hero seeking no recognition for his deeds. He simply found such matters troublesome and pointless.

What good was fame? What harm was notoriety? With the memories of his past life, he would only pursue actions that benefited him, living a life of freedom and contentment, unbound by societal expectations or obligations.

If he encountered injustice that didn't directly affect him, he might intervene. Otherwise, he wouldn't lift a finger, even if someone cried out for help. He would simply be known as a kind-hearted individual, a champion of justice, a wandering adventurer who couldn't tolerate evil. There were many such individuals in the vast world of One Piece.

The world was a cruel place. Those who gained power either embraced that cruelty, clung to their sense of justice, or simply lived according to their whims, their actions amplified by their newfound strength. And so, Ian and Tashigi began their new life, leaving Skypiea behind.

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Meanwhile. A figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the massive beanstalk.

His method of arrival was revealed as he turned, revealing a pair of magnificent white wings, spanning several meters, rivaling Ian's demonic bat wings in size and majesty. These wings, however, were composed entirely of feathers.

He truly resembled an angel, his entire being radiating a brilliance similar to Admiral Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit, a power associated with light.

Dressed in a sharp black suit, with long white hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, his identity was undeniable. One of the Five Elders, the highest authority in the World Government.

He possessed a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit. Like Marco, with his regenerative blue flames, this Elder wielded the power of light and purification. Such was the power of Mythical Zoans.

They not only embodied legendary creatures but also possessed abilities akin to Logia-types, though they couldn't transform into their respective elements. However, their regenerative abilities rivaled, if not surpassed, those of awakened Zoan users.

"Strange. Why is this place flattened? Where's the palace and that self-proclaimed god, Enel?"

The blonde-haired Elder questioned, his voice laced with confusion. If not for the identical appearance of the surrounding sky islands, he would have thought he had landed in the wrong location. He crouched down, his hand resting on the truncated Giant Jack, its top sliced off at a height of over two thousand meters, as he used his Observation Haki to sense the surroundings.

"This is…?" His expression shifted from confusion to shock and astonishment.

In addition to Enel's potent lightning, imbued with explosive, paralyzing, concussive, and scorching properties, he sensed traces of light, similar to his own abilities and Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit. It was the brilliance of a king's haki.

But there was something else, something entirely different and opposing. A sense of devouring, destructive power… and a chilling emptiness that mirrored Ulquiorra's Resurrección: Segunda Etapa, a manifestation of nothingness. If Enel represented a higher being, a self-proclaimed god, then this was the voice of Satan himself.

"A demon? Could it be...?" The blonde Elder recalled the purpose of his visit. Intrigued by Sengoku's report, he had inquired further and learned that the newcomer had requested a Log Pose, setting his sights on Jaya Island to eliminate the pirates there.

He had checked, and indeed, only a handful of pirates remained. A sense of anticipation welled up within him. Another Mythical Zoan user, embodying a power diametrically opposed to his own, a demonic force. If this newcomer lacked strength, it would be a disappointment.

He had to be at least Admiral level to make this game even remotely interesting.

He had decided to take a leisurely stroll, indulging his angelic nature by visiting the various sky islands scattered across the Grand Line.

It gave him a sense of power and control, a godlike perspective from above, purifying, healing, embracing the light, a testament to his position and authority.

However, such individuals were rare, less than one in ten. Had Enel, that foolish god, resorted to self-destruction? Or had he encountered another Mythical Zoan user, perhaps the suicidal Kaido?

There were traces of fire and lightning in the residual energy, indicating explosive, destructive power. But what about the devouring sensation?

Had their clash created a spatial distortion, a black hole? It was the only explanation that made sense.

Whoosh! Eager to uncover the truth, he unleashed his potent Observation Haki, instantly enveloping the entirety of Upper Yard. Enel had utilized the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to create his Mantra, a network of electromagnetic waves.

The Elder, however, relied on sunlight and his immense willpower. His angelic form granted him enhanced spiritual perception, though he couldn't devour souls to enhance his power like Ian, whose abilities stemmed from his Hollow nature.

Still, his spiritual perception far surpassed that of ordinary humans.

"Good thing we left early." On another sky island, Ian, enjoying the local cuisine alongside Tashigi, vaguely sensed a powerful surge of energy emanating from Upper Yard. He chose to ignore it.

Not only did he lack the ability to project his power over such a vast distance, but he wouldn't dare approach such a volatile situation, even with his transmigrator's advantage. To do so would be suicidal.

Kaido, however, had a habit of leaping from sky islands into the sea. Perhaps it was him, or maybe another hidden player within the World Government. Regardless, they were not opponents he could afford to antagonize at his current level.

He suppressed his presence, appearing as an ordinary human.

"Found them. But they're in a sorry state."

The blonde Elder commented, his Observation Haki revealing Enel and his three priests, exposed to the scorching sun. At such a high altitude, they were closer to the sun, a punishment Enel himself had devised.

Now, it was being used against him.

With a flash of light, the Elder vanished, reappearing thousands of meters away, his wings beating gracefully.

After several such jumps, he arrived before Enel, his movements mirroring Kizaru's and Minato Namikaze's teleportation abilities. He observed the hanging figures.

"I am a god… How could I be defeated?"

The Elder's hopes of extracting information from Enel were dashed. He could sense that Enel's mind was shattered, his spirit broken.

He had become a mindless husk. The three priests were barely clinging to life, having been defeated by Ian's Moonlight Sword, which inflicted soul damage, and then subjected to soul extraction. Moria was likely comatose, while Enel was reduced to a babbling idiot. It was fortunate they possessed Observation Haki.

Otherwise, they would have likely perished.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, Enel could only mumble about his godhood and invincibility. The blonde Elder frowned. Had this fool truly self-destructed out of sheer arrogance?

His chuunibyou was incurable.

Had the Skypieans somehow regained control of their island? His patience was wearing thin. He didn't have time for this nonsense.

"Since you've chosen this path, I'll reclaim the fruit myself." The blonde Elder declared.

He wouldn't allow such a powerful Devil Fruit to be wasted on a mindless fool. He possessed lightning manipulation abilities himself, able to draw upon natural energy, but Enel's lifespan was likely extended by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. He couldn't afford to wait indefinitely.

He hadn't undergone the immortality surgery. Gan Fall would likely resume his rule over Skypiea, and with his compassionate nature, he would probably leave Enel to his fate. The Elder decided to intervene, putting Enel out of his misery.

To live as a mindless husk, devoid of consciousness… it was a fate worse than death.

He soared into the sky, his wings beating powerfully. His right index finger pointed towards Enel and his priests, unleashing a laser beam similar to Kizaru's attack. Even while controlling its power, the beam spanned a thousand meters, engulfing the area in a blinding flash of light and a deafening roar. The ground was leveled, and the Elder departed, satisfied with his work.

A year ago, he had stumbled upon Enel, discovering the young man's ruthlessness and insatiable thirst for power. He had already consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and the Elder had been intrigued, observing Enel's progress, hoping to potentially manipulate him into serving the World Government.

But in such a short time, Enel had destroyed himself, proving to be a fool who relied solely on brute force, wreaking havoc with no regard for consequences.

"Damn it! Evil…" Even with his highly developed Observation Haki, he couldn't predict the future or discern other people's abilities. If he had waited a bit longer…

He might have witnessed the truth.

But to devour the Devil Fruit soul of a living being… it was an unthinkable feat. If the World Government could master such a power, they wouldn't need Impel Down to contain Devil Fruit users. They could create an army of powerful warriors.

"Golden light? Explosive power? Could it be Kizaru?" Ian muttered. Kaido's fire breath and Thunder Bagua were blue and red.

However, after the Shichibukai meeting and the selection of new Warlords, Momousagi and Chaton had returned to the New World, leaving Marine Headquarters to Akainu. Aokiji, after his departure from the Marines, had rejoined the Science Unit.

He was likely checking on Robin's safety, fulfilling his promise to his friend, the giant Vice Admiral, Saul. Crocodile had resumed his activities, mirroring Doflamingo's scheme of usurping a kingdom and obtaining an ancient weapon. Ian pondered whether to involve Robin in this situation.

"I can't figure it out. Could it be a Mythical Zoan-type with a light-based ability that hasn't been revealed yet?" It was the only explanation that made sense.

He shook his head, dismissing the thought. If he didn't know, there was no point in dwelling on it. As his power grew, he believed the truth would eventually reveal itself. For now, he would focus on enjoying the present moment.

"Ian-san… what's wrong?" Tashigi, who had been playing with the small white puppy, noticed Ian's distracted demeanor. It was the third time he had spaced out during their stroll.

"Nothing. Just contemplating my future training regimen." Ian replied. He didn't want Tashigi to discover the true extent of the World Government's power. It would only burden her with unnecessary worry.

Tashigi, however, had a different interpretation. He was already so powerful, yet he still sought to improve. She clenched her fist, determined to keep pace with him.

He was worthy of his potential Admiral status…

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Word Count [2785]

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To Be Continued..

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