下載應用程式
98.88% One Piece: Path to Power / Chapter 174: [174] Roots of Redemption

章節 174: [174] Roots of Redemption

[2180 words]

----------------------------------------------

It was late evening when the band of pirates arrived at the uncharted island.

*Crunch* His thick boots dug deep into the rich soil, sending out a pulse of energy that rippled through the island, bringing evident joy to the wildlife and greenery.

A lone Damien paused in his steps, standing tall and enjoying the warm air, hearing the singing trees and the dancing flowers. 

Such familiar grass. Such familiar breezes. Such familiar sights. After nearly seven years, Damien had come back home.

A soft sigh escaped the notorious pirate's lips, a reaction shared by Ares to his side, father and son, both heartstruck. The nostalgia from long ago came back in surges.

*Fwoooo* A gentle breeze passed the two, almost as if they were welcomed back home.

"All those years in a cold and decrepit cell… I never thought I could enjoy this simple yet homely island ever again," Ares muttered, even forgetting his impending doom.

Damien absently smiled, feeling the same. 

A mix of the mundane years of his childhood in a peaceful village and then the years he spent all alone on this very island.

As if sensing the young pirate's ambivalence, a soft hand grasped his own. "Damien-san," Toki's cheerful voice beckoned his attention. She smiled at him: "The air here is even purer than that of Wano."

Damien nodded, sensing the thriving nature.

Though at face value, it was overgrown and uncontrollably so, at the same time, the blooming nature brought on its own disastrous beauty. The blessing of the Dryad Fruit and Damien's own affinity had left Renaissance truly reborn out of its ashes from years ago, true to its name. 

Trees that had been reduced to black logs had grown to colossal sizes, giving home to a vast array of species to call their home.

.

"Woah, the vibe here is even more nurturing than from Mortem Island," Kuzan commented, pulling up his eye mask and shaking out of sleep. He ran a hand through a few blades of tall grass, pulling at that: "Jeez. This stuff is tough!"

Mihawk went further, unsheathing his katana and stabbing at a tree.

*Clang!* It was as if he had struck a solid column of dense metal; the shock reflected in his hawk-like eyes as it ran down his arm. "It's tougher than steel…"

Solomon, who had grown up under the forsaken forests of Extinction Valley, was just as surprised. He leaned in to sniff another sturdy tree: "There's no end to the weapons you can make with wood like this. Hell, even the grass is as sturdy as steel wire!"

"I'll say," Kraft said, tracing his hand across the bark of a tree. The shipwright's mind ran through dozens of ideas inspecting the forest: "The wood here is close to rivalling Adam's Oak!"

Eventually, the party made their way through the verdant island. Where the average person would see an endless maze of towering trees, Damien saw nothing but a self-opening path, leading him to the island's real treasure.

[Ten Minutes Later]

And there it was, the wide span of trees forming a mangrove. The spanning leaves allow the ideal amount of rainwater and sunlight to pass through, keeping this treasured area in its most perfect state.

The smell of roses and lavender with rainbows was born from the dripping water under the approaching moonlight.

"Damien… t-this tree…!"

It was the first time the young pirate had heard his father stutter in such a stupor, frozen at the sight of the mangrove.

A mass of trees, vines, flowers, grass, bushes, and shrubs collectively formed the face of a sleeping woman. The arriving moonlight gave the portrait a sacred halo, making it shine.

[Image (in Discord)]

"So mystical," Toki muttered, lost in a trance at the arboreal sight.

"I bet sleeping in this grove would be heaven on earth," murmured the ice-boy.

"The Dryad Fruit that you told us about," Aurora's voice came to Damien's ear. "Is this from it?"

Damien hummed, his eyes still locked on the figure of the sleeping woman.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump* 

Ares, who had woken up from his fazed state, slowly walked ahead, his shoes gently stepping through the grassy floor.

A scarred hand was placed at the center of the enchanted grove portrait. After a brief pause, the man with the weathered and war-struck face brightly smiled and softly uttered, "Sorry I'm late."

"..."

The tranquil grove seemed to hum with a soft breeze as if embracing the newfound connection. A few spring leaves fell from the arboreal portrait, fluttering their way down to the ground. 

One tearful streak ran down the aged man's face, his single eye wide open and not blinking as if it would disappear if he did.

"!!!" Yet it didn't last long as a bone-rattling pain suddenly spazzed through Ares' body, rippling through his limbs, torso and even skull.

*Thud!*

The man fell to his knees, but with a final burst of strength, he shifted his fall so he could slowly lower himself by slanting against the tree. 

With a grunt, he sat down, sucking in a breath that made his lungs feel as if they were taking in lava. "It's alright," he reassured Toki, who had rushed to alleviate the pain. 

He leaned his head on the tree and addressed them all, "My time is near… there are some things I want to share with my boy."

The weakened words were an obvious way of asking the others to give the father-son duo some space.

Indra looked to Damien and received a nod, taking his leave to the island's edge. 

Most of the others were quick to follow...

"Even a kid like me knows what he's asking. Stop standing there and move on!" Kuzan hissed at the casual Solomon.

"Tch, I know what he meant!"

.

"We'll be fine," Damien finally spoke, asking the girls to leave, too. They looked at him with troubled expressions, knowing full well what was to come. 

Alas, leaving the two alone.

"..."

A breeze whistled through the emptied grove, creating a sharp tune for the two silent men to hear.

"You know, I can feel Nadia's grace all around you… it's almost like she's been with you all along."

Ares looked around after speaking, seeing the vibrant green around Damien's feet. "Ruhahaha! Unlike me, she would never leave you alone, even in death."

Damien blankly looked to the floor, seeing the lively grass and sighed. 

*Thump* *Thump* He walked up, rustling the grass, and sat in front of the waning Ares. The two were now at eye level, a meter apart.

"This is quite familiar," Damien muttered, much to his father's amusement. 

"I sat in front of you back in your cell Impel Down… now we're here, sitting before one another in a place of primal freedom, hehe, how ironic!"

The younger pirate couldn't help but smirk, "Life is full of ironies."

.

Another peaceful silence passed as the father-son duo felt the draft pick up—the sun had set completely.

"I've been thinking, kid," Ares began, his voice hoarse yet steady. "I saw you pluck those Devil Fruits from those insects at Impel Down."

The War God sheepishly smirked, catching his son's narrowed eyes. "If your amazing mother can leave you such a gift," he said, his hand brushing through the lively flowers at his side, "how can I meet her in the afterlife without leaving you something of my own?"

Damien remained silent, allowing the dying pirate the space to unravel his thoughts.

"I've seen the pages of your past fights. That ice-kid is a big fan of yours, Ruhahaha!" Ares' laughter turned into a violent cough, a raw sound that forced blood from his throat. *Ptui!* He spat, clearing his lungs, his bloody grin defiant even against his fading strength.

"All that strength you've built in just a few years…" His smile grew softer, weary but proud. "It's a marvel, but it's also a burden. Your body is being pushed beyond its limits, and while your will can carry you through, it won't keep you standing forever."

Damien's lips tightened. He didn't deny the truth in his father's words. He could feel the echoes of exhaustion in his Haki. His body remained as titanic as ever, but there was mental fatigue born from nearly seven years since he left to a life of little rest and endless battle.

"You mean…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing in question.

"Ruhahaha!" Ares roared the laugh of a man unafraid of the abyss before him. While raising a clenched fist, his single burning eye gleaming, he declared, "That's right. I want you to have it—my War-War Fruit!"

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

"No man can bring down a mountainous force that has existed for over seven centuries." Ares' tone grew sharper, charged with the weight of his own history. "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, it need not be lived again!"

His voice rose, a final rallying cry echoing through the endless green of Renaissance. "This fruit earned me the name 'God of War!' Take it upon my death and bring the world to its knees!"

Ares' words continued to echo through the island's forests, booming through its endless green. The dangerous words evoked a sharp, hissing gust of wind, leaving Renaissance shivering.

If heard by a commoner, it would undoubtedly leave them frozen, but coming from a pirate that once terrorized the seas would leave them frightened.

"..."

The grove seemed to shiver; the arboreal figure above them basked in moonlight.

Damien's gaze remained fixed, his father's words stirring a storm within him.

He had one Fruit Ability Transfer Token left—the last of the three gifted to him many years ago. He thought of the centuries-old mountain of power that was the World Government, one so stable that even the Rocks Pirates had barely shaken it.

'I alone can't do it either,' Damien thought, the fire in his eyes rekindling. Tales of Ares' relentless campaigns against Navy forces played in his mind. The War-War Fruit's power wasn't just fearsome—it was a weapon capable of reshaping the tides of history.

The dying Ares watched intently as Damien's resolve sharpened, the flicker of fire in his son's eyes mirroring his own from decades ago.

"Ruhahaha! But kid," Ares said, his voice softening, "don't be in such a hurry."

Damien's head tilted slightly, uncertainty flashing across his expression.

"You've been chasing power like a demon for years," Ares continued. "Your body might be fine, but your mind needs a break too." He glanced at the darkening skies, his voice quieting. "Such greed and hunger for strength were my undoing—and I don't want you to share the same fate."

The old pirate leaned back against the tree, tracing its dense bark with a scarred hand. "I've spent decades fighting the world, throwing myself into endless battles. But do you know the one moment I've never forgotten? The one moment that's always stayed with me?"

Damien raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting his father speak.

"It was the month I spent here with your mother. No wars. No blood. Just peace. I wasn't a pirate or a fighter—I was just me."

Ares smiled wistfully, the weight of decades present in his eye. "Every story has an end, boy, and it ain't always a good one. If you're so focused on that end, you'll miss all the beauty along the way."

The weathered hand played idly with a blade of vibrant grass, his gaze now locked on Damien. "You were born into a hellish era, one ripe with clashing egos. Tragedy gave you strength, but it also gave you scars. You've got to carry that ambition carefully—it can guide you, but it can also consume you. It happened to Rocks… he thought he could master it, but in the end, he became its slave."

A soft but cool breeze passed through the grove, carrying Ares' words with it.

"Take your time, kid. See the world. Treasure your crew and those two girls by your side—they're more precious than anything else you'll ever find."

The strength in Ares' body began to fade, his hands falling limp as his breathing slowed. "You've got the blood of the D and mine too. 'Sworn enemy of the Gods'—that's what they call us. But don't let them define you."

His voice grew softer, every word deliberate. "Live freely. Love fiercely. And when the time comes… give hell to those who stand in your way. I wasn't there for your childhood, but I'll be with you beyond my death!"

With one final breath, Ares exhaled, the air carrying his words like a final prayer. A smile lingered on his face—a smile of peace, pride, and relief.

Leave fell from the arboreal portrait, shimmering under the moonlight. They landed gently around the man who had found his peace.

Damien stood in silence, staring at his father's peaceful face. For a moment, the grove was still, the world holding its breath for the passing of a legend.

To Be Continued…

----------------------------------------------

Author's Corner.

One Piece doesn't have the best fathers *Cough* Dragon, Roger, Yassop *Cough*, and mothers usually get a terrible death (mothers of Ace, Robin, Sanji, Ussop, etc.) This chapter the end to Ares, who has chosen to have his son inherit his legacy in the form of the War-War Fruit. Leaving us with one final chapter to end Part 1 of the fanfic.

Images are available on Discord alongside other niche details: https://discord.gg/aJHHHPvb6q


next chapter

章節 175: [175] Renaissance

[3000 words]

----------------------------------------------

Einar D. Ares passed away at the age of 66. He was once known as the 'God of War,' a man who alone stood against the esoteric might of the World Government. 

*Vvoooo* Damien remained seated, his eyes shut. The only sound in his ears was the passing nightly breeze.

Before he knew it, five minutes had almost passed.

"..."

[Damien!] a voice echoed in his mind.

'...Sibyl?'

[His fruit power will soon respawn if you wait any longer.]

Damien found Sibyl's concise and straight-to-the-point tone rather refreshing. He nodded and once again looked at his resting father—a fellow member of the D who was always smiling, even in death.

"Don't worry, old man. I'll make them remember your power."

With a slight smile, the young pirate directed his open hand, exercising his ability: the arm went gray as a white fern-like pattern emerged, pulsing with energy. It took but a few moments before a rather odd-shaped fruit appeared.

The War-War Fruit resembled a durian with a crimson and gray exterior covered in sharp, natural-looking spikes. Dark red swirls etched across its surface like ancient scars. Its ripened, organic texture gave it an ominous yet alluring presence.

>=-=----[]---<>---[]---=-=<

[War-War Fruit (Sensō Sensō no Mi)]

[Paramecia Fruit]

[Fruit Rating: 6.5 Stars]

[Allows the user to siphon energy through all forms of combat, making them a Warmongering Human.]

[Expanded: Any combat will grant energy that can replace the human need to eat, sleep or rest for the entire duration of the altercation with no future repercussions.]

>=-=----[]---<>---[]---=-=<

[A/N: War-War Fruit Image (in Discord)]

He glanced at Ares once more and then back at the fruit, then took out a golden coin-like item. Crushing the token, it burst out in a golden spectacle as it swarmed to the War-War Fruit, covering it whole.

"..."

Moments passed as the golden energy slowly absorbed the Devil Fruit's power, leaving it as a dulled husk of its former self. The energy retreated and flowed to the undying pirate's heart, blessing him with its mind-bending power.

Damien sighed deeply while a ding went off in his mind.

[One {Fruit Ability Transfer Token} has been used. The token has materialized into the following ability: ]

[{God of War} – Grants the auxiliary ability to reap energy through combat.]

A satisfied smile appeared on the young pirate's face: "It's a fitting name."

.

Damien's auxiliary fruit tokens had now been used up: The Deprive-Deprive Fruit, the Balance-Balance Fruit and the War-War Fruit.

'With these powers in hand, there aren't many obstacles that can get in my way,' he brazenly thought, clenching his fist with zeal.

.

"Damien-san!"

Toki suddenly came from the sea of forests, hopping down from a tree with the cat-like movements of a kunoichi.

The warm-hearted girl ran toward the pirate, gently holding his arm. Her green eyes looked up to meet Damien's red ones, "Are you okay?"

*Purrup* At the same time, the shadow below the young man's feet began to squirm, quickly materializing into the shape of a woman.

"He seems at peace," Aurora whispered, leaning into Damien's arms.

Damien hummed, stroking the girl's silky purple hair while embracing the quiet Toki, "He died without regrets; many would envy that."

It didn't take long before a funeral of sorts was held at the usually tranquil Renaissance Island. Ares was laid to rest in front of Nadia's arboreal portrait—husband and wife together.

Damien stood at the forefront with the girls to his side while the rest of his unnamed crew were huddled around.

Kuzan, usually chipper, had quieted down and, like Indra, was left staring at the newly buried grave.

A fellow escapee, Kraft, shook his head, unsure of how to feel. He was joined by Solomon and Mihawk, who felt complicated by Ares's death. They had known them for barely a week yet felt downcast.

The island was plunged into darkness and silence, and all but a few torches hung from the trees to add an amber glow.

"I resented him for quite a while," Damien admitted through the silence. "Now that I got to know who my father was, all I can say is that I'm glad he can rest in peace."

Though his face warped into a smirk as he chuckled, "Rahahaha! He would probably rather us drink and celebrate his life than mourn his loss!"

Solomon was the first to join in, and he loudly proclaimed while pumping his fists, "Kuhuhuhu! I wouldn't mind drinking in the monstrous old geezer's name!"

"Hehe, I'll join in as well then," Kuzan grinned, throwing a thumbs up. Though Toki quickly burst his bubble, "Don't even think about it! You're way too young to drink."

Solomon smirked and slapped the boy's back, mocking, "Don't worry, kid. At the very least, I can slice you up into ice cubes to chill up my saké!" 

"Huh!? How about I freeze you into an ice sculpture to decorate Old Man Ares' grave!"

The exchange invoked a boisterous environment as the others joined in, bringing new life to the island.

Meanwhile, a mysterious light passed Damien's eyes as he whispered, "Death is not always the end…"

[Later that Day]

The feast in the War God's name had ended, leaving others to their own devices.

Damien took the time to go over some thoughts regarding the coming future.

He sat atop a spanning cliff, enjoying the night chill under a soft drizzle, pondering, "Without a doubt, the next four to five years will be quiet in terms of piracy, but beyond that will be a new era of unrest."

The lonesome pirate reviewed some old plot points, nailing down his imminent actions. "Whitebeard, Big Mom, Shiki and even Kaido will begin recruiting their ships and building their influence. There's no way I can miss out on that."

He thought over his current forces with light rain dripping from his hair.

Indra was indeed his strongest card. Yet even his strength was fragile against the masters of Haki since his own was weak. Solomon and Aurora were in the same boat, while Kraft, Kuzan and Mihawk had negligible strength. Toki had a rather unique power but was not a combatant at heart.

"Suffice to say, everyone needs a handful of years to prepare for the coming era… the Era where the One Piece will surface!"

The rain drizzled lightly, pooling into a small puddle near Damien's feet. As he gazed into its dark reflection, a face stared back at him—not his own, but the scarred visage of Rocks D. Xebec.

"Whether you like it or not," the Abyssal Sin's voice echoed in his mind, "all your strength, your ambition—everything—was born from my shadow. And in it, you will forever remain! You will avenge me!"

Damien's jaw tightened as the venom of Xebec's ambition clawed at the edges of his mind. 

The young pirate raised his dominant left hand. Clenching it, he felt a surge of violent Haki at the thought of Rocks.

"So go on, defy the fate I couldn't escape. Tear down the Government, destroy all they hold dear, and bring tyranny to the seas in my name! Einar D. Damien. You are the incarnation of my sins, and my will is yours to inherit… You will avenge me!"

"Inherit Will?" Damien lightly scoffed, feeling the venom along his Haki. But as the darkness of the corrupted Haki was doing its thing, another voice came to mind—his father's voice, gentle yet resolute: "That ambition can guide you, but it can also consume you. It happened to Rocks… he thought he could master it, but in the end, he became its slave."

The storm within Damien calmed, the rain's cold touch grounding him. Slowly, he unclenched his fist, watching as the face in the puddle warped. Xebec's domineering grin dissolved, replaced by Ares's warm, weathered features.

"Xebec was the loser of his era, dragged into the abyss by his own ambition," Damien murmured. His crimson eyes reflected the clarity of his newfound resolve. "I'm done letting his words drag me with him."

As he exhaled, the oppressive darkness in his Haki began to recede, shifting from its venomous rage to a refined, steely resolve. A faint glow of moonlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the vibrant green of the cliff's edge. He could feel the grass around him rustle and glow while Ares's voice steeled his resolve—his mother's grace around him and his father's words within, both calling out to neutralize Xebec's venomous touch.

"This new era… I'll make it mine," Damien declared softly, the weight of Xebec's shadow lifting at last. The arcs of black lightning along his arms now flowed with clarity, manifesting his unwavering conviction.

*Ding!*

[Conqueror's Haki Mastery has reached the Grandmastery (II) Stage.]

The strands of controlled Supreme King's Haki were thicker and more dominant than ever. A grin appeared on the pirate's face as he basked in the newfound power. Empyrean Haki, the War-War Fruit and now something just as special!

[Sometime Later]

The remnants of the light rain had long sept into the soil, leaving a glow along the island's grass. The smell of fresh water mixed in with the salty sea air from the coast filled the central grove.

Dawn had begun to break; it would undoubtedly shower the island in orange any minute now.

"Why did the Boss call us here so early?" a yawning Solomon asked out loud, still in his usual shirtless get-up.

"For once, I agree with your words," Kuzan yawned with him, glancing at the skies that had begun to wake up.

[A/N: I literally yawned as I wrote this in.]

"What's wrong, Kuzan-kun? Doesn't the lifting night feel fresh?" Aurora commented, enjoying the cold embrace of the dark sky.

The boy clicked his tongue, crossing his arms in protest. "That's only because your fruit power thrives at night! I, on the other hand, was born with Need-More-Sleep Disease and always feel sleepy!"

"I had the same problem when my old man used to force me into studying the intricacies of every ship that graced the seas," Kraft commented while tinkering with some gears as he leaned on a tree.

Kuzan nodded thrice, recalling all the studying Damien had forced onto him. The boatload of homework that was set for tomorrow left the boy in tears.

"What about you, Mihawk, aren't you tired?"

The jet-black-haired swordsman showed no signs of fatigue, returning a sharp response as always: "I like the night."

The answer left Kuzan facepalming. "Why did I ask the guy raised on an island literally called 'Night Sky?'"

But his gloom was replaced with warmth. He saw a freshened-up Toki bring over a steaming cup: "Here you go, Kuzan-kun. It will wake you up."

Toki was shining bright, just like the sun which had crept from the horizon, blinding the boy as he reached for the drink. "Ooh, coffee, just the way I like it!" 

Boom!

With the roar of thunder as his background music, another person appeared. His arrival sent tiny pops through the air from the heat.

"You're late, Indra," Solomon smugly said, glancing at the swordsman with a condescending look.

Indra gave the Zoan user a side glare.

"I long dissolved my electricity into the atmosphere. Hence, I am ubiquitous within the island," he calmly replied. "In other words, I was here before you even thought to arrive."

"..."

"Tch! Damn Logias," Solomon grumbled, somewhat envious of the universal attributes of the dominant fruit type.

*Zap* Though a trial of crimson of innumerable red particles broke apart any other conversation as the Captain appeared at the center of the gathering.

He stood tall, facing the others with the arboreal portrait and Ares' grave behind him.

"Looks like everyone's here." Damien's words drew all their attention, a new day and a new vibe around him.

Indra was the first to raise an eyebrow and thought, 'He looks… different.'

Aurora had similar thoughts but looked deeper. 'He hasn't worn such bright-coloured clothes since he returned to Mortem.'

Damien wore a striking turquoise shirt adorned with intricate, lattice-like patterns along the shoulders and sleeves. The tailored fabric clung tightly to his muscular frame, accentuating his broad chest and powerful build.

'Not only that, but his Haki has also cleared up!' Aurora exclaimed. Her eyes widened in relief while exposing the amethyst glow.

[Shirt Image (in Discord)]

.

Damien returned the smile, knowing full well what the girl was thinking.

"I called you all here to let you know we will lie low for the next few years. But I also think it's time we finally dub our little group."

The simple sentence elicited quite a reaction. 

Kuzan's eyes turned starstruck, and he nearly tossed aside the coffee. "Are we finally getting a name!? I call dibs on making the Jolly Roger!"

"Your drawing is at the same level as my singing; it's trash!" Solomon countered. He turned to his soon-to-be Captain, pounding his chest in a declaration: "Instead, I think I should be left with making our flag!"

Damien smirked at their argument and waved it off. He held up his right arm as if to invite someone to him: "I had Aurora craft up a few Jolly Rogers, so forget it."

"Ehh, Aurora-nee knew all along?" Kuzan slumped, turning to the woman while feeling betrayed eyes.

Aurora patted the shoulder of the boy. "Many Underground artists run entire businesses by piecing together flags and ship designs. Don't worry, I made them work until they gave me something nice."

She rolled her eyes at the thought of the lazy artists: "Those parasites get whiny working two hundred hours a week. Isn't it their fault for taking so long to make something I could present to Damien?"

Kuzan blankly stood, seeing Aurora stroll ahead while taking out a folded-up black fabric and handing it over.

"Rest assured, I think you'll like what they came up with."

Damien grinned, slowly unwrapping the pristine cloth but ensuring that he took his time to allow the suspense to build up.

As he unveiled the flag to the world, it embodied his legend, commanding awe and dread in equal measure. The centrepiece was a grinning, angular skull crowned with jagged black spikes that formed a dark, chaotic crown—a reflection of Damien's inevitable dominion over the next era. Its glowing crimson eyes mirrored his fiery ambition, piercing through any who dared oppose him. Separate from the crown, crimson wings spread outward, sharp and defiant, symbolizing his unyielding rise above the world's constraints. Beneath the skull, crossed bones stood as a grim testament to the fate awaiting his enemies. 

Indra cupped his chin and slowly nodded. Mihawk was never overly fond of piracy but felt intrigued by the flag.

"It's perfect!" Toki said, bringing her hands together. Meanwhile, Kuzan was forced to put aside his frustrations and murmured under his coffee-stung breath: "It's a little better than what I had in mind."

"Kuhuhu, I'll work hard to make sure everyone in the sea will shake in fright when they see that flag!" Solomon commented, unveiling his reckless nature. 

Kraft scratched his head, playing with his goggles. "If I saw this Jolly Roger pulling up to our old shipbuilding island… Well, let's just say I would walk the other way."

This flag was a dark emblem against the twilight skies. A symbol of conquering the incoming Era of Pirates!

[Jolly Roger Image (in Discord)]

.

Damien then said, "Though they aren't set in stone, I did draft the crew positions." He began listing them out:

"Vice Captain – Indra." "Combatant – Solomon." "Ship Doctor and Cook – Toki." "Head of Intelligence – Aurora." "Shipwright and Sniper – Kraft."

Indra, the perfect Warborn, returned a firm nod to his Captain. The responsibility on his shoulders had just spiked compared to the Fourth Division. 

On the other hand, Solomon was left with a sharp glint in his eyes. He felt the scar across his chest throb. A look at Indra, and all he could do was accept. 'Cheh! I guess I'll have to prove myself as the tank of the crew then!' he exclaimed.

But there were a few inconsistencies…

"A-ra-ra!" Kuzan looked around as if he was the only child who didn't get his test back. "Uhm, what about me?" 

Mihawk was also left glaring at Damien, blinking in confusion.

"The two of you are still kids. You'll remain as apprentices for now," Damien casually said.

Kuzan was about to refute but suddenly had an epiphany. 'No direct position means I can laze around as I please… this is a blessing!' he thought.

"I agree. I need at least another hundred years of apprenticeship before graduating to any cemented position!"

Damien rolled his eyes along with others in response. But it was Mihawk's voice that brought up an equally important topic: "What about the crew name?"

"..."

"It's a name that will become more fitting as the years go by…" Damien allowed another moment of suspense to build up, enjoying their impatient looks. Alas, revealing the name firmly: "We will be The Undying Pirates."

As dawn washed the seas of darkness, Damien stood tall, the Captain of the Undying Pirates, before his crew. Rocks' era had long cast its shadow over the seas, but its echoes were finally beginning to fade, leaving behind scars and lessons for those who dared to inherit its chaos. 

The nefarious Golden Lion Shiki. The aloof Patrick Redfield. The overwhelming Whitebeard. The fallen Herja. The unpredictable Roger. The mad Mors. The hungry Charlotte Linlin. The wild Kaido. The undying Damien. Each set their sights on the horizon, ready to carve their legend into the times to come.

While the World Government remained steadfast in its pursuit of peace and order, its focus sharpened with the approaching Reverie in two years. Yet, the keen ones understood that the next five years would be a quiet storm—a deceptive calm before the world erupted into chaos. Unknowingly, it was bracing for an age of piracy, ambition, and the race for the ultimate throne.

END OF PART ONE…and…To Be Continued…

----------------------------------------------

Author's Corner.

One Piece has a knack for simple crew names: Straw Hat Pirates, Roger Pirates, Red-Haired Pirates, Whitebeard Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, etc. Much like Indra, Damien has been reborn, freeing himself from the ghosts of his past. Now with his Undying Pirates, he has chosen to go dark at Renaissance.

This marks the end of Part 1. I initially planned for two parts, but splitting it into three—one per era—feels more fitting. While Parts 2 and 3 will likely be shorter than Part 1 combined, the journey will hopefully get there. For now, I'll be taking an extended break. Yes, a "hiatus," as mentioned on Discord. After my finals, I'll post an update chapter around New Year's to clarify what's next, and I can't promise it will be very satisfactory. Otherwise, thank you all for reading!

Images are available on Discord alongside other niche details: https://discord.gg/aJHHHPvb6q


Load failed, please RETRY

每周推薦票狀態

批量訂閱

目錄

顯示選項

背景

EoMt的

大小

章評

寫檢討 閱讀狀態: C174
無法發佈。請再試一次
  • 寫作品質
  • 更新的穩定性
  • 故事發展
  • 人物形象設計
  • 世界背景

總分 0.0

評論發佈成功! 閱讀更多評論
用推薦票投票
Rank 200+ 推薦票榜
Stone 66 推薦票
舉報不當內容
錯誤提示

舉報暴力內容

段落註釋

登錄

tip 段落評論

段落註釋功能現已上線!將滑鼠移到任何段落上,然後按下圖示以添加您的評論。

此外,您可以隨時在「設置」 中將其關閉/ 打開。

明白了