【One Piece】Dawn in the Darkness

......

Dresden Coast

These damn Marines' vines are really troublesome. Qi used his Devil Fruit ability to dodge several vines that were wrapping around him. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with both hands. He had cut countless vines and hit his body several times, but his wounds always healed. No matter how many times he slashed at his body, new vines would grow back.

Qi squinted at the admiral whose body had changed again. His body had completely transformed into a vine-like body wrapped around tree roots, resembling a giant tree root with a human face. He refused to believe that this guy's body could regenerate after being cut into several pieces.

“I hate troublesome things. Why can’t you just let me catch you obediently?” Aramaki said, his voice unusually deep. He was already getting impatient. He had wasted too much time on this guy. “However, you do deserve a lesson for what you did two years ago. I really want to get that person’s praise.”

"Then you'll be disappointed, since you can't even handle this clone of me," Qi sneered.

"A clone?" Huang Mu's eyes narrowed instantly, revealing an ugly expression. The development of events was somewhat unexpected. He suddenly couldn't see through this kid anymore, nor could he figure out the other party's attitude. "You're not Monkey D. Lucci?"

“That’s right.” Qi stared at the Admiral’s face, which twisted instantly, and said mockingly, his tone tinged with a hint of sarcasm, “Congratulations on finally finding out.”

Dozens of sharp vines rushed towards Qi like swords, and the latter instantly disappeared from his original spot. A huge crater appeared on the ground where Qi had been standing. The next second, his figure appeared out of thin air in front of Huang Mu like a ghost. The domineering sword blade cut through the air with a sharp whistle and went straight for the general's body.

At the same time, a giant fist made of countless vines slammed down from Qi's side. In the last instant, Qi twisted his body and changed his move to meet the giant fist. His blade drew a meteor-like arc of light, and the giant fist was instantly cut in half. However, Qi also lost his best opportunity to attack. He flipped his body in mid-air and barely dodged the giant fist that followed.

Before he could land, countless giant fists made of vines slammed down on him again. Qi raised his sword to block at the last second, but was still heavily knocked down by the impact and crashed onto the beach below. Immediately afterwards, countless giant fists slammed down on the spot where Qi fell, and dust instantly rose up.

"Kid, you're really agile." Green Bull looked at the area shrouded in dust, a ferocious smile spreading across his face, thinking he had completely solved the mystery. "How can humans fight against nature?"

However, as the smoke cleared, a whooshing sound suddenly rang out, and a cross-shaped streak of light flashed. Qi had already teleported behind the general, his eyes flashing with a cold light: "Shadow Ten Slashes!"

The sharp blade pierced through the Admiral's body like a flash of cold light. Aramaki's writhing vine body suddenly stopped, and the next second it collapsed with a bang. The body, cut into four pieces, slid in different directions. However, as soon as the remains hit the ground, new shoots sprouted again, and the Admiral's body was instantly restored to its original state.

Although his body had recovered, Huang Mu still coughed up blood from the blow and staggered backward. Although the distance was not far, it was enough to attract attention. He slowly looked down at the spot on his chest where he had been hit. The cross-shaped wound was clearly bleeding, and the bloodstains spread like ink stains on rice paper.

These scars shouldn't exist, shouldn't come from a man like Monkey D. Lucci, shouldn't come from such a small-time pirate! And this guy isn't even his true form. Aramaki felt a little anxious, but didn't show it.

Looking at the Navy Admiral's restored form, Qi felt a headache coming on. He was really troublesome. He could even be reborn. Did he have to be cut into countless pieces to be dealt with?

Lost in thought, Qi suddenly looked down at his body, only then noticing that his sword, or rather his body, was...disappearing. Qi's expression turned grave. What was happening? Had Lucci encountered something? Or was it a side effect of using too much of his shadow ability? He really should find another sword...

Aramu's brows furrowed slightly as he stared at his suddenly vanished opponent. He had indeed been fighting a fierce battle with pirates, and his wounds were fresh, but where was the man? Had he run away? Why did he have no memory of this, and how could he have been injured?

"Hey, hey, hey, this is damaging to the reputation of a Marine Admiral! How could he be injured by a mere pirate? What's going on?" Aramaki recovered his form in disbelief.

"Brut, Brut!"

"Click."

"General Green Bull, a very important figure has appeared in the arena and we need your support."

"Okay, I'll go back now."

……

"Click."

"Violet dares to betray the young master..." Sugar hung up the Den Den Mushi, popped a grape into her mouth, and then looked down at the person she had just turned into a toy. "Let's make a contract... Huh? Where's the toy!?"

……

Bullfighting Arena

"Next up is the arena match in Zone C. It will begin as soon as the arena is repaired!"

"Please gather at the entrance."

"It's my turn!" Luffy shouted excitedly as soon as he heard the announcement.

"Now let me introduce the popular players in Zone C!"

"New World, Central Martial Arts Tournament V2 Champion! Destruction Cannon, Ideo!"

"The Funk Brothers, ruthless killers who even target pirates with bounties over 100 million!"

"Haijdin, the strongest pirate mercenary, a contestant from the distant land of giants, Elbaf!"

"John the robber, who will stop at nothing to drive his prey to the brink of destruction!"

"Who can stop this bull? The Grim Reaper of the Arena, the Savage Bull!"

"And there are also the favorites to win, the gangsters from the Flower Country, Lao Cai and Abu! And the legendary former pirate, Qingjiao!"

"Besides these, there are many other top competitors! Let's wait and see!!"

"Luffy, your group's opponents seem to be quite formidable." Ace listened with interest to the announcement over the loudspeaker. "It's a pity, my team doesn't have any worthy opponents."

"Hehehe, that's what makes it fun!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, eagerly anticipating his turn to fight. "I can't wait any longer!"

"You've completely forgotten why you came to this island, haven't you?" Ace said, looking at the excited Luffy.

"Where have you been hiding, Garp's grandson?!"

Seeing the old man still searching for them below, Luffy jumped down from the stone pillar. "Why is this old man so persistent? He's such a troublesome old man."

"I can only say you're too good at attracting attention..." Ace jumped down as well, watching the old man with green peppers leave, and said, "Your identity is completely exposed. The transaction time is almost up, isn't it? After we get out, the road..."

Ace paused suddenly, his brows furrowing involuntarily. He had just been thinking about who would scold Luffy.

Luffy noticed that Ace's body suddenly stiffened, and tugged at his sleeve with some confusion. "Ace, are you alright?"