章 17: The Choice

Hancock bit her lower lip as she observed Aokiji. "Are you here for me...?" she asked, her voice barely concealing her fear.

With his hands in his pockets and a relaxed posture, Aokiji sketched a lazy smile. "Well, daring to face this big guy has already proven your strength," he responded.

Suddenly, as if he had remembered the true purpose of his visit, his expression changed. The smile disappeared, replaced by a seriousness that made Hancock tense up.

"I'm here this time to invite you, Boa Hancock, to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea in the name of the World Government," Aokiji announced.

"The Shichi-" began Hancock, but was interrupted by Morgan's thunderous laughter.

"Of course, become an ally of the Navy, hahaha~!" he roared. "If you promise it, your Amazon Lily won't suffer any harm... But I assure you that you won't be saved from me!"

With a movement that generated gigantic waves, Morgan began to submerge. Before disappearing completely, he turned his head towards Aokiji. "The next time we meet, it won't be so simple," he warned.

Then, fixing his gaze on Hancock, he added: "And you, little girl... If you don't have a Billion Berries when we meet again, I'll eat you!"

With these words, Morgan plunged into the depths.

Hancock, with her fists clenched and trembling slightly, whether from anger or the evening chill, turned to Aokiji. "I promise I will become a Shichibukai," she declared. Then, with a dangerous gleam in her eyes, she added: "But! I need something that can increase my strength, something that will allow me to kill that damn dragon."

Aokiji observed her for a moment, his expression indecipherable.

"I don't know if you'll be able to kill that big guy," he finally responded, "but these three Devil Fruits that the World Government has provided will help you."

With a movement, Aokiji pulled out three strange-looking fruits from his pocket, each with a unique design and different colors.

Stretching lazily, as if the whole situation was nothing more than a minor annoyance, Aokiji smiled at Hancock. "Welcome to the alliance with the Navy, Pirate Empress," he said, extending the fruits towards her.

____

Three months have passed since the encounter with Aokiji and Hancock.

Morgan emerged from the abyssal shadows, his body now larger than ever. He had arrived at an unknown maritime area.

His presence, like an underwater storm, was felt immediately. The weaker Sea Kings instinctively moved away.

During these three months, Morgan had traveled an astonishing distance. From the warm and calm waters surrounding Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt, he had effortlessly navigated to the turbulent currents announcing the proximity of the New World.

But it wasn't just his endurance that had improved during the journey. As a reward for completing the first stage of his evolution, Morgan had gained an ability that rivaled Conqueror's Haki.

It was a type of external projection, a projection of his will that could be felt miles away underwater.

However, this was only the beginning. The system had presented him with a list of new abilities to exchange.

Void Evolution: At the end of this evolution, Morgan would become a void dragon king, able to treat space as an ocean, entering and exiting it at will. This was the most costly option.

The Spectral Evolution was quickly discarded. Although the idea of some soul-based attacks sounded useful, the prospect of becoming a ghostly bone dragon didn't align with his ambitions.

The Supernatural Evolution offered powers similar to those of devil fruits. Morgan had considered the possibilities: control over fire, ice, even light. But each evolution required consuming a specific fruit, so he quickly discarded it.

Finally, the Physical Evolution promised a body capable of moving freely through the universe. Like the warriors of Dragon Ball.

Choosing an evolutionary direction was crucial, and Morgan knew it. Fortunately, the process had several stages. He could evolve multiple times, refining and adjusting his form with each interaction.

At each stage, moreover, he could acquire the ability to change shape, transforming at will, like a Druid or the Monkey King Wukong.

For his first stage of evolution, however, Morgan chose something more practical: fins.

These new appendages, which sprouted from his back like submarine wings, provided him with unparalleled propulsion in the water. But these fins in the future could become wings.

His speed more than doubled. He moved like a living torpedo, leaving trails of bubbles in his wake.

______

On an island in the New World, Shanks' shrill laughter resounded in a cave.

"Dahahahahaha!!"

"Come on, boys! Life is short and rum is sweet!" exclaimed Shanks, raising his mug. "Let's toast to freedom and adventure!"

As the banquet was in full swing, a crew member cautiously approached Shanks. "Captain," he murmured, "he's here again."

Shanks, with a knowing smile, nodded. "Ah, always so punctual."

At the entrance of the cave, Mihawk's imposing figure stood out against the sunset light. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, fixed on Shanks.

"Akagami," said Mihawk, his voice charged with determination. "I've come to test your blade once more."

Shanks laughed carefreely. "Hawkeye! Always so formal. How about we share a drink first?"

Mihawk frowned slightly. "I didn't come here to drink, Shanks. You know well why I'm here."

"Oh, come on," insisted Shanks, throwing him a mug. "One drink won't harm your precision. Or do you fear it will affect your performance?"

Mihawk caught the mug, his eyes never leaving Shanks'. After a moment of hesitation, he drank the contents in one gulp.

"Satisfied? Now, can we proceed?"

Shanks stood up, his smile never wavering. "I suppose I can't postpone it any longer. Though you should know, I plan to set sail for the East Blue soon. It might be our last dance for a while."

"Your destiny doesn't concern me," responded Mihawk, unsheathing his black sword. "I'm only interested in the sharpness of your blade and the strength of your will."

Shanks unsheathed his own sword, his expression turning serious for the first time. "Then, my friend..."

________

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