One Piece: Path to Power - Chapter 90

[3000 words]

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[Back to Wano]

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Alas, the weather cleared and the ringing stopped as the wind settled down.

A bright light filled the room.

“Now, brat!” The geezer yelled as I nodded.

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Instantly, my palms started to glow red as my fruit power came into being.

*Step* *Step* *Step*

I walked to the boiling hot blades that had just recently been moulded into shape.

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I felt that energy rippling out, enough to kill Low Yonko Commanders.

*FWOOOO*

I tried to add my powers into the blade so that I could bring it out to its fullest potential and so that I could freely mould it as I wish.

The blade groaned as fruit energy seemed into the metal, refusing to go in.

‘Hmm? Denying me?’ I thought as the sword pushed back.

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BOOOOM!

Instantly my Haki burst out of my body as it roared in fury, wholly pushing down on the newly crafted blades as they clashed in dominance.

The smithy was blown up as the nearby area was reduced to dust.

The old man retreated into the crowd as I continued to pour in my Haki to control the blade.

—–

“Katsuyoshi-san, what is Damien-dono doing?” Yasuei asked as he saw the carnage.

From their point of view, they saw an exploding red column of energy as it pierced the clouds above, ripping them apart.

The geezer gulped as he was too exhausted to reply.

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“WAHAHAHA! Sugoi! Damien, that guy is forcing his will on that weapon!” Oden yelled as his swords shook.

Toki nodded as her weapon was doing the same.

—–

{{You will bow down!}}

My Haki rained down on the stubborn blade as it slowly reined in its hostility, and began to accept my power.

*FWOOOO*

The energy screeching out calmed down as it grew quieter and quieter.

*VWOOOO*

My crushing fruit power was finally allowed to flow into the weapon as it accepted it.

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The shining blades made of Heavenly Rocks glowed red as they were mixed in with my powers, growing even more powerful.

With this energy, I will be able to turn the weapon into a hammer or another weapon if I so wished without sacrificing any power.

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And finally!

BOOOOOOM!

A grand blast of energy erupted as the blade fully converged with my powers and started to rise in the air.

In the eyes of the citizens of Wano, they saw a thick column of crimson energy blasting in the air as it was visible from the entire nation.

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It lasted for a few minutes before dying down.

The weapon finally stopped releasing its energy as it finished declaring its birth.

*FWOOO*

The air was cut apart as the crimson blades slowly floated with the weapon into my grasp.

I felt the same feeling as I did with Yoru.

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(Are you my wielder?)

I heard a voice.

{{Indeed, come to my side and I will show your power to the world!}}

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And so it did.

*Grab*

I felt the thick wooden handle made of the strongest of wood.

*Vwooo*

I traced my finger along the body as the blade hummed in response.

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“Very good,” I said as I felt the weapon.

“You will be ‘Ryūshi’, meaning, ‘Particle’ as you will crush everything in your path to dust.”

The weapon pulsed with warmth as it accepted the name, glowing bright.

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“D-Damien-dono, that weapo-”

He was interrupted,

“Oh! Damien, is that a Saijō Ō Wazamono?!” Oden yelled as he jumped over Yasuei and ran towards me.

I looked at Katsuyoshi, “Old man, this is what you made, don’t blink now….”

His eyes were glued to me as I walked away from the crowd.

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*VWOOO*

I grabbed Ryūshi’s handle with my left hand as I lifted it vertically over my left shoulder.

The wind howled as the two clawed-blades started to boil in power and energy as a coat of Ryou wrapped around it.

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I slashed down with decent strength and allowed the blade to do the rest.

*FWOOOO*

*VOOOOO*

The air was shredded apart as a large crimson arc of energy was blasted forth with endless momentum, raging and ripping its way to the mountains far away.

The ground cracked as a ravine was created under the attack.

Endless energy was released as time seemed to slow down.

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BOOOOOM!

A grand explosion echoed through the entirety of Hakumai as the spectators gasped in shock.

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“Mom… the mountain!”

“A-Amazing…”

“Sugoi!”

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*CRASH*

*RUMBLE*

What followed was a mind-numbing explosion as everyone saw a 600-meter tall mountain was crushed perfectly in half as the 2 pieces started to shake and fall upon each other.

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BOOOOM

That wasn’t it.

The slash of the weapon did not halt, it kept raging on as it moved forth to the next target.

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1…3…5…7.

7 mountains.

All cut in half and an earthquake seemed to shake Wano from the falling massive blocks of earth.

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What came next was even crazier, the giant blocks of debris and rocks that were tumbling in started to glow red as they suddenly were filled with lines forming countless cubes.

The cubes glowed crimson and suddenly disappeared from the naked eye as they reduced to micrometers in size!

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The only thing remaining was a large patch of dirt as an entire range of mountains was obliterated!

———————————————-

The ruckus finally calmed down as the crowds cleared.

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“Ahem, sorry for destroying your mountains, Yasuie-san.”

“I may have gotten a bit carried away…” I said as I rubbed my nose.

Toki giggled while Oden laughed with vigour.

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“No, no, Damien-dono, a Supreme Grade Weapon deserves this much.” He responded.

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The geezer then roared out.

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“KOKOKOKO, FINALLY I HAVE DONE IT! I HAVE FULFILLED MY AMBITION AND CAN FINALLY DIE WITHOUT REG-”

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Katsuyoshi was declaring his heart as he suddenly fell to the ground,

Dead.

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The ‘Divine Blacksmith’ Katsuyoshi has passed away at the age of 182 after creating a Saijō Ō Wazamono.

———————————————-

The funeral for Katsuyoshi was held right away, yet there were no tears.

It would be a disgrace to weep for a man who passed away without regrets. A man who held on to his life for decades just to create a supreme blade.

He was to be buried alongside Ryuma in Ringo as one of Wano’s Greatest Heroes.

—

“Oden, come with me to the Flower Capital, I will help you clear your name. Plus, I’m sure the Shogun would like to know just what happened with the sword birth.” I told him.

He made a ‘yuck’ face as his retainers sighed.

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“Damien-dono, I hope the Shogun listens to what you have to say. You can use both my, and Ushimaru-dono’s name.” Yasuei said with a smile.

I nodded, “I’m sure we’ll meet again, Yasuei-san.”

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We bid farewell and travelled back to the Flower Capital.

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Along the way back, Oden kept barraging me with requests, even to the point of going on his knees to take him with me.

I said no as he wasn’t the kind to listen to anyone and he would not run well with my plans, the current ones, anyway.

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[Shogun’s Estate]

[Half a Day Later]

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Sukiyaki sat before us.

Toki to my right and Oden and his 2 retainers to the side.

Oden was grinning as he saw the scowl on his ‘father’.

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“Damien-dono, welcome back.” He said with a small smile.

I nodded as Toki smiled back.

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“Before I talk about the elephant in the room, may I know if those ‘unusual’ events all over Wano were caused by you?” He asked.

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I smirked, “That is correct. The old man Shimotsuki Katsuyoshi crafted a Supreme Grade Weapon for me, it caused some ruckus, nothing too much.” I explained off-handedly.

He nodded, “Right, you had a Supreme Grade Weapon made…”

“…”

He blinked.

“Damien-dono, d-did you say ‘Supreme Grade’?” He asked with a gulp.

I nodded.

He blinked.

“NANI!?”

——-

Skipping the shocked expression and the long explanation, we got to the next point.

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“May I know what Oden is doing here?” He asked me without even looking at his ‘son’.

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Oden chuckled, “What’s this, Lord Shogun won’t even regard his own blood? WAHAHA!”

Sukiyaki frowned, he didn’t enjoy Oden’s company.

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“Sukiyaki-san, I want you to give this idiot another chance, just a few days ago, Oden and I discovered the remnants of the Korozumi Clan as they were planning a take over of Wano,” I said nonchalantly.

“…”

“NANI!?”

——-

Skipping the shocked expression and the long explanation, we got to the next point.

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“So, you’re telling me that this foolish boy here has the legendary Sense that Lord Ryuma had? The ability to listen to the Voice of All?” he asked, astonished.

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I nodded, “He may be an idiot but he deserves another chance for his work, I have a suggestion.” I offered.

Sukiyaki gestured to elaborate.

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“Oden is rash, hard-headed and self-willed. He will never grow in this mellow capital. I suggest you send him to Kuri to bring under his power. Your way of ruling is very different from him, it’s best he learns his own way in someplace as unpleasant as Kuri.”

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The Shogun raised an eye but shook his head, “Kuri… I don’t know if he can do it. He will probably mess everything and bring me endless trouble.”

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Oden was annoyed.

“Lord Shogun, the Flower Capital is too restrictive, I will just take all the Nobles’ wives and do it myself if you don’t send me to Kuri.”

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Sukiyaki was seething with anger by the lack of respect.

“Fine, Oden! As the Shogun of Wano, I will send you to Kuri to reform the lands and fix all the wrongs! I don’t want any of the thugs and the criminals remaining before you ever think to return here again!” Sukiyaki declared.

To which Oden laughed in triumph.

———————————————-

Whitebeard is due to arrive in Wano in around a decade, in 1494.

This should give Oden more than enough time to take over Wano and to start bettering the current forces available.

With his going to adventure, Wano will continue to blossom until Kaido’s movement.

Once Oden returns in 1499 with the thoughts to open Wano, I will begin my plans and recruit Wano as a whole.

———————————————-

[Later That Night]

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We plan to leave Wano in two or so weeks, sailing back to Mortem Island.

I want to go to the last part of Wano I had yet to venture to with Toki, Kiri and Udon.

They should be quite scenic before Kaido’s rule and factories.

———————————————-

It was now nighttime, around 11 o’clock.

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We had returned to our guest room as the people had Wano had fallen to sleep.

I guess the Samurai like to sleep early as I enjoyed the peace and tranquillity.

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I look to the far back of the large room and see the balcony doors open.

Walking towards it, I see Toki standing in the gentle wind and under the moonlight, her light-green hair drifting.

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“Have you enjoyed yourself here so far, Toki?” I ask her as I stand beside her.

She had been feasting on Leviathan-Class Sea Kings and her body was going through huge growth spurts.

She had gone from 6′ to 8’7. Her body grew proportionately.

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“Mhm, I hope the day Wano can open its borders will be soon…” She said softly.

There was some hesitation in her voice, I guess jumping through decades and even centuries and returning to ruined lands can take a toll on one’s enthusiasm.

She then leaned to the side as her head was now resting on my shoulder as we stood side by side under the night sky.

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I felt something stir inside as I saw the green-haired girl lean on me.

“Don’t worry so much. Oden will bring Wano together, he may be a fool but with the mind of a Conqueror and the ability to hear the Voice, he will become quite big.”

“And when Wano is ready to open itself and protect itself from the outer threats, that is when I will ensure its return from isolation,” I told her as she hummed.

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She then closed her eyes as her face widened into a soft smile.

“Damien-san… thank you for everything you have done for my home. The people may not know it but I’m sure they are thankful with all their hearts. Ryuma-sama protected Wano centuries ago and you will free it soon.”

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Toki seemed to have fallen asleep as some time passed while we stood together.

I then made a rather impulsive choice.

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*Fwoooo*

The air shifted as I disappeared.

Toki woke up from her resting state as she looked around in confusion.

She was about to call out my name but suddenly,

*Wrap*

“Eh!” She yelped like a cat who had her tail stepped on.

I had suddenly wrapped my arms around her from behind as she was taken by surprise as her body awkwardly shifting in my grasp.

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“D-D-Damien-san…!” She started to fuse out as her face started to glow red in embarrassment.

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I rested my chin on her head and smelled the pleasant smell of her hair as I pressed my arms around her.

“Do you feel uncomfortable?” I asked her.

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She eventually returned from her shock and heard my words.

I saw her return from her momentarily surprise as she calmed down.

Her slightly embarrassed face turned into a smile as she closed her eyes and melted into my embrace.

“No… I feel quite safe and warm.” She whispered.

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We stayed in this position for five or minutes as Toki remained silent, gracefully staring at the Flower Capital without a hint of her earlier hesitation.

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“Damien-san…” She muttered.

“Hmm?”

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Her tone grew lonesome.

“When I first used my fruit power and jumped to a time of unfamiliarity, I felt so out of place.”

“I felt like a cheat. Someone who ran away and left behind everything. I didn’t know where I was, I didn’t who when I was, I didn’t even know if I was still myself.”

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She went on, “I felt so alone, so empty. My family was long gone, my hopes and dream had washed away in the river of time.”

“I tried to stay positive. With the only thing holding me sane was that cube given to me by my saviour and my desire to return to my home.”

A tear went down her face, “But even that, over 800 years worth of jumps and skips, I had begun to lose hope.”

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“But then I was suddenly pulled away by a greater power.”

Her lonely expression changed to joy.

“And then I met you. You were the key to both of the locks in my heart. The saviour’s relic was meant for you and you were also the one who helped me fulfil my life-long dream to return to Wano, to my home.”

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She went silent for a bit as I waited patiently.

“I don’t know why but over the handful of months I had known you, I started to feel where I truly belonged. Even though that brutal training and difficult routine, I still felt more free than I had for over 800 years!”

“And when you returned with Aurora-san, I felt some pain in my heart, I didn’t know it then but I do now.”

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Toki then looked up to my face and lost her shyness, though some redness remained on her fair face.

Her green eyes shined with resolve.

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“Damien-san, I don’t think I can ever live without you… so please take me wherever you go!”

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My mind drifted elsewhere as I saw her eyes of affections and slight nervousness.

I recall my mother’s word on that terrible day,

—

“???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????????.”

“???????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????????????? ????????????????.”

“???????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????????.”

—

I guess the only difference now is that I can gain the strength I lacked before to protect the ones I loved…

I originally ignored the waves in my heart from what happened in the past and the tragedies that befell my family but no longer.

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From now on, I won’t let my past hold me down, I may not be able to change what happened then but I can surely ensure it never repeats again!

…

*DING*

[Your Conqueror’s Haki mastery has been upgraded to (High-Advanced) Level. Congratulations!]

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I ignored the notification as I looked back into the burning eyes of the girl in my arms.

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I saw her resolution as I gave her a teasing smirk.

“Toki, once I answer your question, you will be stuck with me till the end of time…”

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Her eyes widened as she replied with endless joy,

“Then it’s good that I have the power of time on my side!”

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She was giving me her biggest smile as I felt the love in her voice.

I gently raised her chin with my right index finger as she followed my guidance.

I slowly moved my head forwards as she subconsciously started to tip-toe to meet my advance.

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And under the bright rain of moonlight, I gently placed my lips on hers.

She wrapped both her hands around my neck to keep herself stable as my left hand grabbed her by the waist and the right one played with her long hair.

I tasted the sweet cherry flavour of her lips as I continued the kiss as she slowly and meekly responded to my attacks.

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“Haaaa,” Toki gasped for breath as she retreated after a few minutes passed.

Her face was now slightly flushed as he eyes gazed at me with a mix of shyness, affection, joy and some lust.

…

“Kyaa!” She yelped as I picked her up in a princess carry and started to leave the balcony area and into the dimly lit room.

“D-Damien-san, are we going to…” Her voice grew quieter and quieter as the last part was lost as she whispered like a mouse.

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I looked at her burning face and couldn’t help but tease her, “Since you were so open with your love then, as a man, naturally I should be the one to take the next step.”

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Alas, the remainder of the night was spent with great passion and fervour as the Damien went on for his first conquest.

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[The following is excluded from word count]

Author’s Corner:

His Conqueror’s Haki broke through as he let go of the last shackle of his past.

Romance, what an annoying concept to write about… which idiot came up with it?