One Piece Space Fruit - Chapter 24
Two months later, in Impel Down’s 5.5 Level.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Several stones flew through the air, shooting towards the blindfolded Evan. His body slightly shifted, deftly dodging the stones.
After this period of training, he had truly begun to “see” things around him with his mind. He could sense the trajectory of the stones as they flew through the air.
More stones flew towards him, but Evan’s body moved fluidly, avoiding them. The stones missed him and hit Wang Wu behind him.
“Ouch!” Wang Wu cried out, having been hit unexpectedly and unjustly.
“Master, I’m going to start fighting back!”
A smile curled on Evan’s lips. The newly mastered Observation Haki allowed him to sense everything around him as clearly as when he used ROOM for scanning, even the position of the Night Emperor.
He stepped forward, sidestepped, and charged at the Night Emperor, arms wide, ready to grab a handful of beard.
“Disciple, my body has recovered somewhat during this time.”
Seeing Evan’s attack, the Night Emperor wasn’t worried. He shook his head lightly, extending two fingers of his right hand. Armament Haki flowed, coating his fingers in an ink-black armor.
Then, he condensed sword energy at his fingertips and swung at the approaching Evan.
A tiny black slash flew out, cutting through the tough skin of Evan’s fist, drawing blood. Gritting his teeth, Evan didn’t stop his punch. It continued forward, nearly hitting the Night Emperor but stopping firmly at the last moment.
“Not bad,” the Night Emperor nodded, approvingly patting Evan’s fist.
Mastering observation Haki in just two months was quite an achievement.
“Master, was that just now…” Evan removed his blindfold, looking at the smooth, clean cut on his hand. That slash resembled the Dimensional Slash.
“Yes, that is my self-created swordsmanship—Black Night Style,” the Night Emperor’s eyes were complex, his voice tinged with emotion, “Once the strongest swordsmanship offensive style!”
“Once?” Evan asked, confused. “Why only once?”
“Because the one who defeated me in less than ten moves is the true strongest,” the Night Emperor sighed, reflecting, “Besides, I’ve been imprisoned here for forty years. Who knows if there’s someone outside who has surpassed my swordsmanship!”
“Disciple, never underestimate this world! Let me be your cautionary tale!”
Evan nodded seriously at the Night Emperor’s warning, understanding vaguely who had defeated his master and imprisoned him in Infinite Hell.
Only someone among the five at the pinnacle of the World Government’s power could have such strength and qualifications!
“But… for the past forty years, I’ve been pondering the essence of swordsmanship, thinking of ways to defeat that person. Eventually, I realized something…”
“Black Night Style doesn’t need any changes because the swordsmanship itself is on the right path! It’s just that I didn’t reach the end!”
The Night Emperor’s tone was fervent, a bit emotional. For someone who had dedicated his life to the sword, the greatest fear was the world’s doubt in his swordsmanship!
Forty years of reflection made him see the essence of it!
Black Night Style hadn’t lost! Only he had lost!
“Disciple, regardless, I have been defeated! I have no right to challenge him again, but I hope you, inheriting my Black Night Style, will one day truly defeat that peerless swordsman!”
The Night Emperor heavily patted Evan’s shoulder, filled with youthful vigor, gratified to have a successor.
Evan solemnly agreed.
No matter the overwhelming power or unparalleled swordsmanship, he would fight if he had to!
If he feared the Five Elders, how could he become the strongest? How could he make the world’s strongest bow to him?
“Of course, your martial arts training shouldn’t fall behind,” the Night Emperor looked at Evan’s hand, where the wound had already healed silently. Such self-healing was incredible.
“Master, in your decades at sea, have you never seen a tattoo like mine?” Evan asked, puzzled.
The Night Emperor frowned, thought for a moment, and shook his head. “Your tattoo has self-healing capabilities, somewhat like the markings of an awakened Devil Fruit, but not quite…”
“It shouldn’t be an awakened Fruit ability.”
Evan himself dismissed that idea. Using ROOM at deeper levels, such as “Spatial Banishment” and “Spatial Annihilation,” was still extremely difficult. His spatial abilities had not developed to that extent.
“The plant tattoo started from your navel… it seems to be growing and sprouting on you…” the Night Emperor mused.
Plant? Sprouting? Growing?
A sudden realization struck Evan, making him tremble with disbelief.
“Damn, could this be the seed of the Tree of Knowledge…”
Evan muttered, remembering the day Dr. Clover handed him the glass vial containing the Tree of Knowledge’s seed, which he kept in his right pocket. Later, during the battle with Sakazuki, his right abdomen was pierced by a magma fist.
He thought the seed and vial were melted, but it had become a tattoo growing on him.
“Amazing.”
The Night Emperor marveled, realizing that without this strange tattoo, which provided life force and healed Evan’s severely injured body, he wouldn’t have such a lively disciple now.
Then, Evan officially began learning the Black Night Style swordsmanship from the Night Emperor, while Wang Wu, given the Armament Haki training method, went off to dig and ponder.
“Black Night Style, one slash to sever all! The ultimate strike, Night Shine, can solve anything with one slash! If not, then two!”
The Night Emperor’s tone was supremely confident, his words simple and direct.
“To practice Black Night Style, the basics lie in explosive strength and perfect muscle control, especially requiring a strong wrist!”
“Starting today, lift the sword ten thousand times! Add a thousand each day until you reach one hundred thousand!”
The Night Emperor pointed to the ground, where the so-called sword was actually a stone sword, thick and heavy, though its handle was like any regular sword.
“…”
Evan was speechless, thinking only someone with his physique could endure such an extreme training regimen.
He didn’t resist, directly picking up the stone sword, and starting to train his wrist strength.
No hardship or exhaustion mattered as long as it made him stronger. Thinking of Robin’s smile, his heart felt healed, filled with sunshine and vitality.
“Robin, wait for me!”
Evan’s eyes burned with determination as he lifted the stone sword. His muscles flexed with each motion, and his body heated and energized.
The massive stone sword swung through the air with a whistling wind.
Sweating profusely, he mechanically repeated the sword swings, seemingly tireless.
The Night Emperor nodded in approval, gratified.
Even with unparalleled talent, one could only be strong. A true powerhouse needed talent, perseverance, and unwavering belief.
Evan had exceptional talent, immense perseverance, and an indomitable spirit.
Once he left Impel Down, he would be like a dragon entering the sea, stirring countless waves!
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