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The Strongest Frost Loli (106)
🕑 Added 2024-08-23 17:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 106 - The Return of Shiki
– The first escape from Impel Down.
Previously known as the inescapable prison, Impel Down, had never experienced a successful breakout. Until now. Shiki, the “Golden Lion”, severed his own legs and escaped using his Devil Fruit ability. It was a feat that captivated the world.
With the admiral of a grand pirate fleet on the loose, it was natural to assume that the seas would be plunged into chaos once again – but contrary to expectations, the situation remained relatively calm.
There were two reasons for this.
One, the once mighty pirate fleet he commanded had been decimated.
And two, Shiki himself was an incredibly meticulous individual.
He didn't immediately instigate another war. Instead, he went into hiding, to a location unknown to the Marines.
His destination – Merveille, a hidden island in the Grand Line that reached up to the clouds.
"It's good to see you all again," Shiki said.
"We're glad you’re back safe and sound, Admiral," one of his men replied.
“Those were some humiliating years,” another commented.
“Jihahahaha! There were many frustrating things… But at least you three remained. I’ll give you that much.”
Lucien, Apsu, and Leilampargo – the three Grand Dukes.
Two of them had been captured by Kanata and were in a dire situation, but they had managed to escape and rejoin Shiki. They were currently guarding Dr. Indigo, their scientist, on Merveille.
The grand pirate fleet that had once assembled under the banner of the Golden Lion was no more.
Kanata was their primary adversary, but the remnants of the fleet had been attacked by Linlin and Kaido, leaving very little remaining.
Rebuilding their former glory was a difficult task. And besides, Shiki’s current obsession wasn’t Kanata or Linlin.
– It was Roger.
“So, what are we going to do, Admiral? Rebuild our fleet from scratch?”
“That can wait. We have time… Dr. Indigo! How long will it take?”
“Let’s see… five, ten… no, twenty years, I believe.”
“Very well! We’ll initiate the plan in twenty years. Prepare yourselves!”
The opportunistic pirates who had joined him for treasure were of no concern to Shiki. His only thought was his hatred for this damned Great Pirate Era.
He grinned, lighting a cigar and blowing out a puff of smoke.
“Linlin and Kaido won’t be interested in me now that I’ve fallen from grace. It’s infuriating, but at least I won’t have to deal with those bastards. Consider it a vacation.”
“…What about Whitebeard and the Witch?”
“Newgate won’t be targeting me. We shared a drink before I came here.”
Therefore, the only remaining problem was the Witch.
“She relentlessly pursued me… That woman might come after me. Jihahahaha!”
“Hey, Admiral, this isn’t a laughing matter. She’s a monster, on par with Whitebeard. And she’s a Warlord, working with the government. She has every reason to target you.”
“…Working with the government?”
That was the only thing Shiki couldn't understand. He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Considering her mother and her supposed father, he couldn’t imagine her willingly collaborating with the World Government. She must have a reason.
She wasn’t the type to make such a deal without a purpose.
However, having been imprisoned in Impel Down, he lacked the information to discern her intentions.
“…I don't understand what she's thinking. Anyway, as long as our location remains a secret, we won’t be attacked. I don't want to deal with her right now."
Without his fleet, even Shiki would be at a disadvantage against the Twilight Pirates.
…Kanata had likely anticipated this, which is why she had thoroughly crushed his fleet.
He sighed, blowing out another puff of smoke. She was a meticulous woman, just like her father. He decided to set aside his thoughts for now and instructed Indigo to continue his research.
They had nothing to do for a while. He had been in Impel Down, a desolate, inescapable hell. First things first – he wanted a drink. As he thought about it – a deafening roar shook the island.
“What’s happening?!”
Lucien immediately tried to investigate, but Apsu stopped him.
“Look… The island’s beasts are being taken down one by one…?”
From the edge of the island to their location, a straight line of fallen beasts was visible.
It was happening at an incredible speed. They would reach them soon.
“Are they pursuers? But they’re too fast…”
Before anyone could answer Shiki’s question, a voice echoed from an unexpected direction.
“No, we were waiting. We’ve been preparing ever since we heard you escaped.”
Shiki immediately turned towards the voice.
Standing there was someone who shouldn’t be there.
“Long time no see, Shiki. I was disappointed when you were imprisoned, but I’m glad you’re back – It wouldn’t have been possible to kill you directly while you were locked up.”
“Kanata!! What are you doing here?!”
Kanata took out a small piece of paper, as if to answer his question.
“That’s… a Vivre Card! But I don’t remember giving you mine!”
“Of course not. This isn’t yours.”
Kanata held two Vivre Cards.
Apsu and Leilampargo’s.
She had created them when she captured them and had been monitoring their location ever since. The three Grand Dukes were skilled fighters with advanced Observation Haki, but monitoring them wasn’t difficult.
She had subordinates who specialized in assassination, and others who excelled at stealth and infiltration.
“However… You’ve certainly changed.”
A ship’s steering wheel was embedded in his head, a souvenir from his battle with Roger. Both his legs had been severed at the shins, replaced with swords.
She had heard from the Marines that he had cut off his own legs to escape Impel Down… but she hadn't expected him to replace his feet with swords.
“Shut up. I don’t need legs if I have my ability. I gave them up willingly.”
He floated into the air with his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi ability, radiating Haki.
“I’m sure those behind you are your doing as well. I’ll crush you and your subordinates.”
“You talk big… but you’re all talk.”
This was true in Water Seven, the Maubeugemour Sea…
Despite having opportunities, Shiki had failed to take Kanata’s head.
That’s how she saw him.
She provoked him.
“–Shut up, you little brat!!”
He imbued his swords with Haki, swinging them horizontally for her neck.
Kanata intercepted the attack with her spear.
“….”
His Haki felt the same. His fighting style had clearly changed, but there was something else…
“You’ve grown weaker.”
He hadn’t been able to train while imprisoned.
The change in his fighting style, the lack of training, and the rust that had accumulated from avoiding battle – it was undeniable.
Two years might not seem like a long time, but it was a significant difference.
Kanata, who had been constantly fighting and training, was now stronger. Shiki’s strength had clearly diminished.
“To think you, who were once stronger than me, have fallen so far… I was hoping for a good fight, but it seems that won’t be possible.”
“You think so? Then show me you’re not all talk!”
Their Haki clashed, generating shockwaves.
Apsu and the others tried to escape, sensing the presence of the figures that had been approaching.
“OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”
A giant wolf appeared.
It wasn’t human-sized. It was clearly larger than even a giant, its black fur radiating power.
“What the hell is that?! It’s as big as the island’s monsters, or even bigger!”
“Leila!”
“Yes!”
Massive claws swiped at them. Leilampargo instinctively stepped forward, blocking the attack with his battle axes.
The claws were reinforced with Haki. It was clearly not one of the island’s native creatures.
“It’s just a big target! Apsu, restrain it!”
“Got it!”
Countless chains erupted from the ground, binding the giant wolf. With Apsu’s chain ability and Lucien’s cannon creation power, taking down a wolf of this size was a simple task.
Of course, that was assuming they were only facing one.
“–?!”
Two shadows leaped from the wolf’s back, attacking Apsu and Lucien. They were familiar faces.
“The Six Harmonies Great Spear and Red Mane… All the executives are here?”
“Hihin. Not all of them.”
While the Twilight Pirates now had a considerable number of executives, it was rare for all of them to gather in one place.
However, in terms of strength, these two were at the top. They weren't underestimating the Grand Dukes.
“Kuhahaha! Long time no see, Apsu. I’ve been waiting for a chance to settle our score.”
“Well, here I am!”
Apsu unleashed a barrage of chains, targeting Junshi. Junshi dodged with minimal movements, occasionally destroying chains and trying to force a close-range confrontation. Apsu, unable to focus on restraining the wolf, was overwhelmed, and the chains binding it shattered under the force of its Haki.
“OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”
“Guh…!”
Even Leilampargo, with his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit ability, had to strain himself to match the wolf’s strength. He glared at it, then unleashed a burst of lightning to break the stalemate.
The wolf, momentarily paralyzed, was sent flying by Leilampargo’s punch.
Leilampargo relentlessly attacked the wolf with his battle axes crashing down.
“You’re merciless, Leila. Aren’t you going to help your comrade?”
“He wouldn’t be here if he was that weak. And if I turn my back, you’ll attack me, won’t you?”
“You saw through me. That’s unfortunate.”
Lucien himself was a long-range fighter. He knew he would be at a disadvantage in close combat, so he drew his sword and tried to create distance, but… Zen relentlessly pursued, closing the gap, using Electro to keep him in check.
While he wasn't weak, his primary role was to command the fleet and formulate strategies. Zen was a difficult opponent for him.
He desperately sought to switch with Leilampargo and called out to him.
“Hey, Leila! If you’re done, let’s switch! I can’t handle this one!!”
“Uu–”
Just as Leilampargo turned towards Lucien’s voice, a massive fist slammed into him, sending him flying.
“We’re not done yet…!”
The one who stood up was the wolf – or rather, a giant wearing armor.
The Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Dire Wolf – an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit.
A giant, with a rare Ancient Zoan ability. Like other Zoan Devil Fruit users, his physical strength was enhanced, amplified by his giant physique. He had endured Leilampargo’s attacks without falling.
“A giant with a Devil Fruit ability… Seriously…!”
Lucien couldn’t help but exclaim.
Giants were already incredibly strong. Adding a Devil Fruit ability to the mix made them practically unstoppable.
Like Feiyun, a single giant with this kind of power could change the tide of battle.
“Dilus! Keep Leilampargo occupied! You can kill him!!”
“Aye aye, Captain!”
The giant, Dilus, transformed back into a wolf and charged.
Eliminating one of them would significantly weaken their forces. The speed at which Zen could defeat Lucien would determine the difficulty of this battle.
Zen leaped over the cannons Lucien had created around him, closing the distance.
Lucien knew where he was aiming based on the direction of the cannons. However, Zen’s Observation Haki and dynamic vision made it almost impossible for him to hit his target.
“You can still surrender! What will you do?”
“I refuse! I’m proud to be his subordinate!”
Even though they were pirates, looked down upon by the world, Lucien believed that once you made a decision, you had to see it through. That was what it meant to be a man.
“I won’t betray him just because I’m in danger…! I wouldn’t be able to live with myself!”
“I see. You’re a man of honor.”
Kanata had said they could spare the Grand Dukes if they surrendered, but they never expected them to comply.
They clashed blades, Zen pressing his attack as Lucien struggled to defend.
“Guh…!”
“It seems you’re lacking in combat strength. You need more training.”
“I’m a commander! Fighting on the front lines isn’t my job!”
He parried Lucien’s attack, creating an opening. Zen raised his spear, about to strike – when Lucien grinned.
“Let me tell you one last thing. I’m the user of the Ute Ute no Mi – the Cannon-Cannon Fruit. My ability is to create firearms.”
The Cannon-Cannon Fruit. He had been creating cannons and firing them, so there was no doubt about the validity of his claim.
However, it didn’t mean he could only create cannons.
“I can create more than just cannons. I can create any firearm.”
Countless firearms floated in the air, surrounding Zen. Unlike the cannons, which were fixed to the ground, these firearms were suspended in mid-air, their numbers far greater.
Even Lucien would be caught in the crossfire, but he was prepared to sacrifice himself. He had created a suicidal encirclement.
“This…!”
“It’s a bit lonely going to hell alone. It’s a shame you’re not a beautiful woman, but… die with me.”
Before Zen could react, the firearms fired.
***
Clang! Clang!
Fists and chains collided, generating a cacophony of sound.
“Aren't you going to use your Six Harmonies Great Spear?”
“It’s useless against you. I’ll stick to hand-to-hand combat today.”
A spear was an extension of one’s arm. True mastery of the spear required skill in unarmed combat.
While reach was a spear’s advantage, it became a liability against Apsu’s countless chains. That’s why Junshi had decided to fight barehanded.
During their previous encounter, it had taken both Dragon and Junshi to hold back Apsu… but now, Junshi could fight him alone.
“You’re quite persistent for a mere grunt…!”
Junshi had constantly fought against stronger opponents. He rarely fought against equals or weaker individuals, except when training his subordinates or honing his own skills.
He always sought greater strength, constantly refining his abilities.
Apsu had been stronger before, but Junshi, through relentless training, had caught up. They were now equals.
“Fighting a strong opponent like you gets my blood pumping! Wonderful!”
“I’d rather not…!”
Chains, materialized from Apsu’s body, shot towards Junshi’s vitals like bullets.
He dodged them with minimal movements, occasionally destroying chains and trying to close the distance.
He considered grabbing the chains and pulling Apsu closer, but the length of his chains was also variable. While there had to be a limit, simply pulling them wouldn't be enough to disorient him.
And then, there was the matter of his ability – the power to transform matter into chains. It was a strange ability, even for a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user.
This was the reason Junshi was struggling to gain an advantage.
“Troublesome… While it’s a Paramecia ability, it’s somewhat unique. Is transforming matter into chains also part of your power?”
“Don’t you know about Awakening?”
Devil Fruit users could sometimes “awaken” their abilities, extending their influence beyond their own bodies.
While Apsu’s case was limited to Paramecia-type abilities, both Zoan and Logia types could also awaken their powers.
However, such users were incredibly rare.
“I see… It’s good to know such individuals exist.”
There were stages to Devil Fruit mastery. Those who were controlled by their abilities. Those who could wield them. And those who had awakened them.
While “awakening” didn’t guarantee strength, it was undeniable that most awakened users were incredibly powerful.
Junshi smiled faintly, excited by the prospect of facing more awakened users in the future.
“Let me see your full power!!”
His Haki-clad fist shattered the wall of chains Apsu had created. It wasn’t just ordinary Haki. He channeled his Haki into his opponent, destroying them from within.
Apsu dodged his next attack and landed a powerful kick from the side. However, Junshi blocked it with one hand and grabbed Apsu’s leg, causing him to lose his balance.
Chains erupted from Apsu’s body, piercing Junshi’s arm, but he ignored the pain and struck Apsu in the abdomen.
“Guh…!”
Apsu’s Haki activated, but a single blow from Junshi was enough to make him cough up blood.
It wasn't an ordinary attack. Apsu was a powerful fighter, having survived countless battles in this world. He could easily withstand minor injuries and counterattack. But he couldn't do it now.
In terms of sheer destructive power, Junshi was superior. Apsu felt a sense of danger.
“Hah!”
He retracted his chains, pushing Junshi away with his other leg. He immediately transformed the ground into chains, sending them surging towards Junshi, but Junshi used Geppo to leap into the air.
Chains, morphing into whips, snaked towards Junshi. Their unpredictable movements made them difficult to avoid.
He narrowly dodged the chains, landing on the ground and immediately charging towards Apsu.
One step, two steps.
In just three steps, he bypassed the chains and reached Apsu, effortlessly deflecting his frantic attacks.
“Your strength is impressive, but your technique is unrefined.”
Apsu’s fighting style was self-taught, honed through countless battles. However, it lacked the years of refinement and theoretical foundation of a true martial art, a fighting style designed to kill.
The difference in their skill, while minimal, was fatal in a battle between equals.
Junshi parried Apsu’s punch, then, stepping forward, landed an elbow strike on his heart.
Apsu’s Haki and chains activated, but the impact pierced through both defenses, mortally wounding him.
“–!”
Seizing the momentary opening after piercing his heart, Apsu’s chains entangled Junshi’s leg.
“You’re still moving?!”
Blood dripped from his mouth, but Apsu was determined to take Junshi down with him. He thrust a chain towards Junshi’s heart.
Junshi, unable to move his legs, calmly deflected the attack with his Haki-clad arm. As long as he was within striking distance, he could generate enough power with his upper body alone. He relentlessly pummeled Apsu until he stopped moving.
If he had decided to kill, there would be no mercy.
Even as Apsu desperately defended, a chain pierced Junshi’s abdomen…
Unable to move, unable to escape, his only option was to counterattack and crush his opponent first.
“OOOOOOHHHH!!!”
Apsu, enduring a barrage of fatal blows… finally collapsed.
***
An immense mass, as if trying to overturn the earth, rose into the air.
By not holding his swords, Shiki could manipulate matter more easily with his arms.
Several giant boulders had already crashed into the sea. Even in his favored aerial combat, Shiki was struggling against Kanata.
“Damn it, my wound…! It hurts!”
The scar on his forehead, a souvenir from a past large-scale war, throbbed with pain. The swords embedded in his legs weren’t effective enough. Even with Haki, he wasn’t sure how much of an advantage they provided against Kanata.
“Aerial combat is your specialty, yet you’re struggling?”
Kanata effortlessly dodged the rain of slashes that could shatter the sea, then threw a barrage of ice spears she had created in her hand.
Shiki dodged and deflected the spears, but in the momentary distraction, Kanata closed the distance and aimed her spear at his throat.
He leaned back, narrowly avoiding the attack, then, spinning vertically, unleashed a slash, counterattacking and creating distance.
He wanted to buy time for Indigo to escape, but with Lucien and Apsu defeated, he had to prioritize eliminating Kanata.
There was no escape route from here.
“Are you finally getting serious?”
She wouldn’t let him escape with Indigo, even if it meant sacrificing herself.
Of course, if he abandoned Indigo and fled alone, there was a chance he could escape… but even then, she wouldn't let him live. She had prepared for this, knowing he was adept at escape.
She had relentlessly clashed with him in mid-air, exhausting his Haki. Her efforts were paying off.
He couldn’t escape. She wouldn't let him.
“Damn it… You’re a troublesome woman…! Fine, let’s settle this here!!”
The earth of Merveille transformed, as if shaken by a tectonic shift.
The ground morphed into a giant lion, charging towards Kanata. She sliced through it, approaching Shiki, who skillfully maneuvered his swords, trying to break through her defenses. He was confident that even with his strength slightly diminished, the outcome wouldn’t change against someone like Kanata.
His Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, allowing him to manipulate anything he touched and turn it into a weapon, was incredibly troublesome, making it difficult for Kanata to fight.
He had assumed that as long as he prolonged the fight, he couldn’t lose… But Kanata wasn't the same as before.
She had been formulating a way to defeat him quickly.
“–Niflheim Silver World.”
Previously, it had simply been a technique to release intense cold and manipulate the ice within her range… But it was different now.
She encased the surrounding area in ice, then, by expending a massive amount of Haki, turned the ice black, sealing off Shiki’s escape routes. The dome-shaped ice trapped the cold, the temperature plummeting to a level unsuitable for human survival, relentlessly draining his body heat.
The inside of the ice dome was her domain. She could manipulate the cold freely, creating an inescapable prison.
“This…!!”
He immediately tried to escape, but… the Haki-infused ice was incredibly durable. Even his attacks couldn’t shatter it.
Countless ice shards, transformed into weapons, hurtled towards him. He dodged, soaring into the air, but the intense cold relentlessly drained his body heat with every movement.
The air he breathed chilled his lungs, threatening to freeze them.
The longer the fight dragged on, the more disadvantageous it became for him.
“Damn it… You’re fighting dirty!”
“I came up with this specifically for you, who loves to run away. You should be grateful.”
They clashed, the impact of their Haki shaking the ground.
Shiki tried to manipulate the earth with his ability, but Kanata encased it in ice and infused it with Haki, leaving him with very little to control.
The situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable for him.
He reinforced his entire body with Haki to prevent it from freezing, but if he continued to clash with Kanata, it would eventually reach its limit.
His movements gradually slowed, his body beginning to freeze – and finally, he made a fatal mistake.
“–Guh!”
Kanata’s attack pierced his Haki and slashed his shoulder. Blood spurted from the wound and instantly froze.
The intense cold, radiating from his frozen blood, began to drain his body heat. Kanata, seizing the opportunity, threw her spear to sever his arms.
“You think this will kill me?!”
“Yes, you’re going to die here. I won’t let any of the former Rocks Pirates live.”
While she had her reasons for targeting certain individuals…
There was no benefit to keeping him alive.
He narrowly dodged the spear, and Kanata instantly closed the distance, thrusting her spear towards his heart.
“GAAAAAHHHH!!!”
“I’ll take your heart. The Golden Lion ends here.”
She pierced his heart, pinning him to the ground, then froze his lower body for good measure. Powerful individuals, like him, were surprisingly tenacious. She couldn’t afford to underestimate him, even now.
His blood, flowing from the wound, quickly turned to ice, draining his body heat. He was likely numb already.
Even then, he spoke.
“G-Guh… You said you’d kill the former Rocks Pirates, you bastard…”
“Yes. Once you’re gone, I’ll target Linlin, Kaido, and Newgate.”
“Hah… You’re going to kill Octavia as well?”
“…Yes.”
Even Octavia, who could be considered the root cause of this situation, was an enemy to Kanata.
Her intentions were unclear, but based on their past encounters, she seemed unwilling to negotiate. And above all –
“You’re no different. I’ll kill you if I find you.”
“Even your own mother… Jihahaha. Your ruthlessness is just like Rocks.”
Shiki knew Rocks well. His ruthlessness, his strength.
The way she stared down at him with those red eyes, her determination to kill… Even though they didn’t look alike, he could see it.
“You’re… similar to Rocks…”
He died with those words on his lips.
***
Kanata informed the Marines of Shiki’s death.
They retrieved his body to confirm his identity, but the two swords he had wielded remained in her possession.
“Oto” and “Kogarashi”.
She gave them to George and Scotch, saying “Shiki used them as prosthetic legs.” Their expressions were priceless.
The casualties included Shiki, Apsu, Lucien, Dr. Indigo, and several of their subordinates. Leilampargo, surprisingly resilient, had sustained severe injuries, but survived.
Zen and Junshi, while wounded, were also alive and well, swinging their spears with renewed vigor.
Of the Devil Fruits they had obtained, the Ute Ute no Mi and the Jara Jara no Mi were stored away, while the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi was secretly given to George.
With this, the Golden Lion Pirates were completely destroyed, fading into the annals of history.
– And then.
Two years later… The Vivre Card pointing towards Kozuki Oden burned out, signaling his death. The stage was set for Wano Country.
