Chapter 96: Ace's Request!
After sensing the changes in Chrollo, Aka and the others imdiately consud the Life Essence in front of them.
One by one, they began entering the process of digesting it.
Watching the shifts in their aura, Ryuunosuke smiled with satisfaction.
As the Life Essence began strengthening their bodies and enhancing their physical power, Ryuunosuke could feel it too. The mont their strength grew, he received a feedback effect through the system.
With this, he released his Armant Haki for the first ti.
As it spread across his body, he could feel the Haki itself evolving—not just in quantity, but in quality as well.
Soon, pitch-black Armant Haki covered Ryuunosuke completely.
And then, sothing changed.
The black Haki began to shimr with a purple tallic luster.
"...Ryou Sakura?"
He felt the transformation and quickly ford a theory. After all, when one's Armant Haki reaches a certain threshold, it begins to evolve into Ryou Sakura.
Ryou Sakura not only enhances attack, speed, and defense—it also allows for penetrating strikes, bypassing defenses entirely.
And in this world, against monsters like the Four Emperors, basic Armant Haki just isn't enough. Not even Luffy with his Gear powers and Haki could break through soone like Kaido's defenses without it.
So, mastering Ryou Sakura wasn't just progress—it was necessary.
Although his current Haki only showed sporadic signs of purple tallic shine, Ryuunosuke believed that advancing further wouldn't be difficult. Now that he'd begun, it was just a matter of ti.
It was wild to think how far he'd co in under a year.
The rise in system reputation, the increasing power of the Evil Warship, the strengthening of his recruited crew, the expansion of the Dragon Hunter Pirates...
Things others might spend their whole lives chasing, he'd already achieved. It almost felt like a dream.
"Brother..."
Just as Ryuunosuke was lost in thought, Ace approached him—with a strange, mischievous look in his eyes.
"Ace?"
Ryuunosuke blinked. "What's up with you?"
Ace never looked like this. That smirk on his face? Full of mischief and so heavy intentions.
"Uh, well..." Ace scratched his head. "I have a favor to ask."
"Please—you have to say yes!"
Before Ryuunosuke could reply, Ace dropped to his knees.
The atmosphere instantly changed. Ryuunosuke's expression turned serious.
What the hell was going on with him?
Did Garp finally knock so wires loose after all those years of smacking him upside the head?
Sothing was off.
"Ace, if you really see as your big brother, get up."
"Whatever it is—if I can help, I will."
Ace stood up without hesitation.
"I want... Life Essence—for my dad!"
He didn't beat around the bush.
Hearing Ace's words, Ryuunosuke relaxed and let out a quiet breath.
That was it?
He thought it was sothing major... but it was just a drop of Life Essence?
Seriously?
Ryuunosuke didn't even hesitate. "Here."
He pulled out a small vial containing a single drop of Life Essence.
Though the rich vitality was sealed within the glass, Ace could imdiately sense the overwhelming life energy radiating from it.
It was the sa thing they had just used monts ago.
"...Thank you, big bro. I'm thanking you on behalf of my old man."
"My dad's body... it's really not gonna hold out much longer."
Ace's voice trembled, and his eyes grew wet with emotion.
He'd watched Whitebeard deteriorate over the years.
As the old man aged, the damage caused by the Tremor-Tremor Fruit beca harder to suppress. The strain on his body had worsened dramatically.
Nowadays, Whitebeard had tubes running through him just to stay alive.
Without those dical supports, he would've collapsed long ago.
Even as one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard had no clear successor.
He wasn't like Kaido or Big Mom.
Kaido was a monster. He could jump from Sky Island and still get up like nothing happened. Thanks to his Mythical Zoan fruit awakening, his vitality was off the charts.
Big Mom had the Soul-Soul Fruit. She could literally steal people's lifespans and use them for herself.
But Whitebeard?
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit wasn't like that.
It was powerful—but it ca at a steep cost to the user.
Back in his pri, the strain was manageable. But now that he was older, it was catching up fast.
And yet, to maintain the Whitebeard Pirates' reputation, he had no choice but to keep fighting.
Because right now, no one in his crew could carry that torch.
And that was the most painful part of all.
Of course, it was a consequence of Whitebeard's own choices too.
"You don't have to thank ," Ryuunosuke said, shaking his head. "Uncle Whitebeard is your family. That makes him my family too. This is the least I can do."
"But, Ace... you realize this isn't a permanent fix, right?"
Ryuunosuke gave it to him straight.
He shared all the thoughts he'd just had.
If they kept relying on Whitebeard like this, the sa problem would co up again.
Why do you think the Red-Haired Pirates managed to beco one of the Four Emperors so quickly and earn that recognition?
Because their crew is balanced. Strong. Even if Shanks disappeared tomorrow, they wouldn't fall into chaos.
You only need to look at what happened with Weevil.
He hunted down Whitebeard's commanders. Took over their territories.
The Whitebeard Pirates had no one who could stop him.
"I know, big bro," Ace nodded, fists clenched. "That's why I'm gonna get stronger. Strong enough to carry my father's will—and protect our family."
Flas ignited around his fist as he made the vow.
Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed with amusent.
"Already improving again, huh?"
"I can already picture it... A few years from now, the new Overlord of the Sea—Fire God Ace."
He grinned.
"Co on, bro, you're exaggerating." Ace laughed, scratching his cheek. "I'm still a long way off. But... if I can reach your level in the next few years, maybe then I'll be worthy."
"There's still a lot of work to do. Every step I take from now on—I'll make it count."
He turned to the sea, eyes burning with purpose.
Ryuunosuke watched him, smiling silently.
With him around, there wouldn't be a Marineford War.
Ace wouldn't fall into Blackbeard's hands.
And now, Ryuunosuke began planning.
He had to eliminate Blackbeard—the unpredictable wildcard.
Because soone that cunning, with ambition and patience?
That kind of guy always becos a problem.
It'd be best to take him out now... before it's too late.
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