One Piece: Path to Power

Chapter 43: [43] Experiments

[2200 words]

I have a week-long break from classes so I thought I might as well up the releases for the coming 7 days.

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Damien had officially left Hachinosu and taken a 'break' from the Rocks Pirates. 

He "borrowed" a rather pristine ship from some super rookies who thought they could attack Hachinosu. It had all but two seats and was operated by a motor, removing any need for sails and was the size of a dinghy.

The Sin Incarnate skimmed through the seas and toward his destination, all the while going over some things in his head.

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

[Einar D. Damien]

[Age: 17 years, 3 months, 6 days]

[Status: Thriving]

[Devil Fruit: Pulverize-Pulverize Fruit (Nigh-Advanced Mastery) ↑]

[Fruit Rating: 6.5 Stars]

[Seastone Resistance: 95.8% ↑]

[Notable Characteristics: Black Bones (II)]

[Skills: Titanic Recovery, Titanic Vitality, Evolable Anatomy, Voice of All Things, Will of D., Rokushiki, Underwater Breathing]

[Haki: Observation Haki (Advanced Mastery) ↑, Armament Haki (Intermediate Mastery), Conqueror's Haki (Intermediate Mastery)]

[Strength: Pseudo-Yonko ↑]

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

"I'm less than a year from eighteen years old," Damien murmured. "By my previous life's standards, nearly an adult."

His eyes gazed at the distant horizon under the rather oddly pleasant weather of the sea. The bright sun bathed the young pirate with warmth as his hair flowed wildly. 

"Though most would think it's way too early to get hung up on aging, it's not a bad idea to address it."

"One Piece characters seem to take a significant hit to their stamina when it comes to age. Rayleigh was struggling with Kizaru and Whitebeard falling apart from his age and sickness, I sure as hell don't need such chains pulling me down."

Damien narrowed his eyes, cupping his chin in thought.

There were things to control/manipulate lifespan and age.

1. Perpetual Youth Surgery of the Ope-Ope Fruit. 

2. Pure Gold of Alchemi Island. 

3. Hobby-Hobby Fruit.

4. Age-Age Fruit.

5. Other Devil Fruits that can manipulate age.

"But none of these are within my grasp," he muttered.

Damien wanted something not just for himself, but also to sustain any of his eventual pirate crew. 

"Aging is directly connected to cells and mitosis… there is a technique that allows for control over bodily functions."

A few figures came into the pirate's mind as he recalled the name of the technique, "Semei Kikan."

"Cipher Pol used it to control their hair and even digestion. Sibyl, any thoughts on it?" Damien asked. 

The feminine voice replied soon after, [Though it has merit, the technique is essentially capped at the macro level. To control your very cells with it would be implausible. Unless…]

"Unless I can find a way to apply the technique microscopically." 

Damien balled up his fist as it began to shake with crimson energy. 

"My Pulverize-Pulverize Fruit can crush things to a fine degree but maybe, just maybe I can train it to apply it at the microscopic level."

[There is quite the distance between where you are and cellular-level dismantling,] Sibyl interrupted.

Damien nodded, his eyes tracing the horizon.

"Awakening my fruit will answer those questions… for now I need to get my hands on Life Return."

[A/N: Semei Kikan translates to "Life Return" and will be addressed as such henceforth.]

…

[Three Day Later]

Damien's current goal was to go from the New World to the North Blue. 

He chose against going the long way, back to the Grand Line and up Reverse Mountain. Instead, he used the shortcut—The Calm Belt!

The Calm Belts acted as walls that ran perpendicular to the Red Line, along the Grand Line. The Belts were not physical obstructions and yet they go unused by practically anyone.

Why?

Sea Kings!

The Calm Belts, for whatever reason, had no wind which made it impossible to sail naturally. Beyond that, they are also the lairs of the Sea Kings, making ships travel akin to a death wish.

.

"You can cross directly into the North Blue from the New World via the Calm Belt, which makes it a lot easier for me."

Damien sighed, "Traveling by boat is slow; One Piece never highlighted how boring these journeys could be."

However, his eyes suddenly sparkled. 

"""Rawwr!"""

Three giant shadows erupted out from the calm sea, growling their magnificent teeth at the intruder to their lair. 

Damien eyed the colourful beasts, though instead of fear, he showed gratitude. 

"Finally, a better ride."

His eyes soon burst out with indomitable spirit as the waves of Haki descended upon the beasts.

*Vvoo!* 

The pulsating pressure rippled through the seas as tides went off in their wake. 

The Sea Kings' eyes shook with great fright and their bodies hunched forward as if asking for mercy. 

"Pull my ship and I'll let you go, eventually."

The Voice of All Things easily conveyed his words to the sea monsters. 

The three beasts frantically nodded their heads, acting like children who had just been scolded.

Damien leaned back into a chair and enjoyed the fresh breeze as he went further into the Calm Belt, nearing his destination. 

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[The Ruins of Encephala Island]

Sengoku, an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters. He stood tall and proud. The marine coat danced in the passing wind. 

The Admiral was receiving a report to which he couldn't help but repeat out loud: "What's that? The Sin Incarnate left the Rocks Crew for an extended period of time?" 

"Yes, Admiral. One of the spies of CP-1 got the news at Hachinosu," a voice replied. 

Sengoku squinted his eyes in thought. 

"Did the spy give any further intel?"

The reply this time wasn't all that positive. 

"About that… the spy went MIA moments after giving the report."

Sengoku frowned, then released a sigh. 

"The Black Death is as impressive as ever," he murmured. "Did we get any reports on which way he headed?"

"Negative, Admiral. Both G-1, G-5 and G-9 are on high alert, but as of now the Sin Incarnate's whereabouts remain unknown."

Sengoku nodded, "Alright, keep up the good work."

"Katcha~!"

Another voice broke the momentary silence, this time a woman. "Sengoku, we're clear to leave."

The Admiral glanced at the woman, nodding. 

"Tsuru-chan looks like we harvested quite a lot of troops this time around."

He beckoned Tsuru to the sides. 

Tens of warships stood ready as if to go to war. Tens of thousands of troops ran in and out of the ships, carrying supplies, gear and uniforms. Guns went off near the far edge of the island as if running a shooting drill. 

Ten Vice Admirals roamed the entire island, instructing countless other soldiers. 

A concentration of noise and rummaging filled the island, ringing up the fallen Overlord's kingdom with great spirit.

.

"Twenty thousand recruits, at least a third of them have the physical capabilities to be put in the New World," Sengoku gave an estimate. 

However, his enthusiasm wasn't matched by the woman. 

"Easy for you to say, you know how much it took out of me to wash their minds?"

She took a seat on a broken column of concrete, sighing. 

"You've done great work, Tsuru-chan, go take some time off." Sengoku rubbed his head with an embarrassed laugh. 

The woman shook her head, "No way, the Rocks Pirates are just getting started. Whitebeard took a Heavenly Tribute. Captain John robbed a Kingdom and killed their royalty. Shiki killed three Vice Admirals."

"Beyond that, Pryde D. Sol seems to be plotting for something in a few years. Everything is getting more and more chaotic."

Sengoku rubbed his temples, feeling his hair gray out much like his superior's, "Alright then. Let's go back to Marineford."

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[A Few Days Later]

[Wailles Island, North Blue]

Wailles was a unique island.

It used to be a flourishing, forested area with joyful residents.

They were originally doing great, they paid the Heavenly Tribute, they attended the Reverie, and they even had a marine branch stationed here.

But that all changed when the Fire Nation Pirates attacked.

A man named Zuko Zazz, the user of the Ignite-Ignite Fruit and captain of the Fire Nation Pirates came. 

The man covertly attacked and took over the kingdom, saying that he was a bastard son of the previous ruler, giving him a claim to the throne. His arrival expelled all the joy and happiness away. 

The World Government did not send any support as the Heavenly Tribute was still being paid in full by the usurper and all their internal conflicts were outside of their jurisdiction.

.

That happened 19 years ago and now the Wailles Kingdom has utterly collapsed. 

The Tribute was lost and officially abandoned by the World Government, leaving behind an island ripe for piracy.

For nearly two decades, the main population was gone and now the island was ruled by the Scum of the North Blue. Nowadays, a new pirate crew has laid claim to the once prosperous island – Shiryō Dorobō, aka Dorobō the Ravager.

The mighty pirate who had so charismatically overtaken the land now remained dormant here. He, alongside his fleet of five thousand like-minded scum, has dominated the nearby seaways for a few years now.

The Ravager Pirates charge a heavy fine for any merchants passing by while also being deeply connected to the Underworld of this Sea.

These diabolical actions have given Dorobō a frightening bounty of 17 million berries!

…

[Wailles Bay]

"Dorobō-sama, more and more pirates have come under our flag, it won't be long before we completely take the North Blue for ourselves!" a wild-looking pirate roared out.

He was talking rather politely, contradictory to his wild appearance, to the 7-foot tall man seated before him.

They were in the main watchtower that overlooked the Bay of Wailles Island, near the South End.

"Dorororo! I don't know why but the pirates are getting more and more impatient, leaving to sea far more than in previous years. It really is a blessing for my ambition!"

Dorobō was decently tall with spiky green hair and brown skin.

.

He then stood up from his seat and walked to the edge of the tower, the bay right in front of him. 

Dorobō eyed the gorgeous lineup of over forty pirate ships! Each flying his flag. Thousands of pirates flurried through the dense area, a true pirate den.

But soon the wide smile turned upside down; Dorobō frowned as he saw an unknown ship in the far, far South, barely within eye distance.

"Who the hell is that, he's not flying my banner!"

The fodder nearby rushed up to confirm: "D-Dorobō-sama, I've never seen that boat, but it looks expensive!"

Dorobō hummed, he was thinking over some possible scenarios.

"Send a scout ship, if they can't pay the tax then kill all those onboard and steal all the goods," he casually ordered.

"Roger!"

…

[Far South of the Bay]

The lone boat skimmed through the seas. It zoomed through beyond its capabilities. It was rather special as it had no sails!

"Let's board it!"

A pirate ship soon arrived and intercepted the coming boat.

They swung over from their ship and landed on the deck of the rather tiny boat, barely fitting two scouts.

"Wakie-Wakie, you better take out some money or we'll take it ourselves!" one of them laughingly said.

They looked around carefully, and eventually one of them went to the small cabin to see inside.

Meanwhile, the second pirate's gaze fell to the side.

"What the hell…?"

He ambled to the edge of the boat and saw three thick ropes tied to the front. His hands traced one of them and impulsively tugged at it.

*Krrr*

The pirate turned his head in confusion.

He continued to tug without any rhythm, completely oblivious to what exactly he was bothering. It took only two seconds for his curious eyes to turn into that of one fearing death itself.

"N-No way…"

He audibly gasped as he saw two eyes staring straight into his soul from the sea below.

"R-Run! The ship's being pulled by Sea Ki-!"

A beastly mouth shot out from the sea and enveloped the pirate. The giant maw had tens of teeth fitted over five different rows, each sharp as a sword.

*Crunch*

The sounds of bones breaking resounded as the beast practically inhaled the poor pirate in two bites.

Thud!

The second pirate soon fell dead by the doors into the cabin, his eyes and ears flooded with his brain matter that seemed to have exploded in his cranium.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

A young pirate sauntered out from the cabin, stretching his rather towering figure.

Damien gave out a dull yawn, walking around the messy floorboards. "No matter which sea you go to, all these pirates don't know how to knock politely."

The red-eyed pirate reached the edge of the boat as he scanned the faraway island.

Boom!

An explosion went off in the background as one of the Sea Kings obliterated the scout ship with a single attack.

It took a significant amount of time for the pirates at the docks to scramble as a sharp alarm blared and echoed hard in Damien's ears. The annoying sound woke everyone on the island up, each running to the docks as the intruder closed in.

Damien smiled as he felt the tense atmosphere build up on the island. "Quite a lot of fodder; there's a new move I've been meaning to try and now I've got some testing dummies..."

To Be Continued…

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Author's Corner.

Damien's pondering on life span. One may say he's being hasty and rushing too much and they would be right. For now, it's just a few theories of his own.

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