One Piece: Absolute Domination; Reborn as Luffy

"Or…" Shanks paused, "…any fruit with powers similar to the Rubber Fruit. Capture anyone with similar abilities—alive. Do you understand?"

There was a nod on the other end of the Transponder Snail. "Understood, Boss!"

And so began a covert mission to secure all fruits similar to the Rubber Fruit. Shanks wanted to keep it under wraps, to avoid raising suspicions and tipping off others, especially powerful figures like the Five Elders. The secret of the Nika Fruit was far too valuable to risk exposure.

But secrets are hard to keep. Eventually, word leaked out. In a dark corner of the Hive, a sinister laugh echoed.

"Zehahaha! Is that information reliable?" A man with a wicked grin sat upon a throne, speaking through a Den Den Mushi.

"It is! I swear on my life!" the voice on the other end assured him.

The man rose, laughing so hard his shoulders shook. "Zehahaha! If that's true, then you've done me a great service. I'll reward you handsomely! But after this, stay hidden. Don't contact me again!"

With that, he ended the call, a shadow spreading across the room as his laughter filled the air.

"What's going on?" one of his followers, the Evil King, asked, watching him curiously. The man, now known as Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, one of the new Yonko after the Paramount War, was grinning from ear to ear.

Evil King pondered something, and his entire hand transformed into a massive stone fist, smashing into Blackbeard. Debris flew everywhere as he was engulfed by the crumbling stone door. After a moment, Blackbeard emerged, laughing. "Zehahaha! Evil King, what are you doing? Trying to kill me?"

"No, no!" the Evil King replied quickly. "I thought something was wrong with you. You've always said that pain calms you down, so I thought I'd help you out."

Everyone rolled their eyes.

Van Augur walked over, sighing. "BlackBeard isn't the one who's lost it—it's you, Evil King. You really are a blockhead."

Just then, Shiryu, disturbed by the noise, approached with his sword drawn. Realizing there was no intruder, he muttered, "What a waste of time. I was hoping for some action. My blade's thirsting for blood."

Blackbeard simply waved a hand. "Relax, Shiryu. We have work to do. You'll have plenty of people to kill soon enough."

He grinned, revealing a flash of teeth. "I received confidential information, but I can't go into detail just yet. However… I want you all to search every corner of the world for fruits with powers similar to the Rubber Fruit or anyone with comparable abilities."

Though Blackbeard didn't fully understand Shanks's intentions, anything that could shake Red-Haired Shanks had to be significant. Following along was sure to yield big rewards.

"Zehahaha! But remember, this mission is secret. Don't let anyone figure out our goal."

Only a select few of Blackbeard's closest allies were present, those he could trust implicitly. They shared a look, realizing the immense opportunity awaiting them. Recently, they'd been on a spree, hunting down Devil Fruit users. Now, they just had to keep an eye out for any fruit with the right abilities.

"Zehahaha! I have a feeling something big is about to go down. Just thinking about it gets me excited!"

Back in the cabin, Luffy burst into laughter. "Hancock! You've really perfected your stance over this time—404 times! You nearly stopped my heart!"

Hancock, the Empress, smiled, her face a mix of pride and sadness. "Luffy, you'll soon be heading out on your journey again. I have to give my all to satisfy you… or else I'd be left with regrets." She sighed, her tone tinged with longing. "I truly don't want to leave your side."

Her words were simple but genuine, overflowing with the warmth of her feelings and her reluctance to part. Luffy nodded in understanding, a shared understanding passing between them.

Luffy grinned and said, "Hancock, you could just come along with me. Nothing's stopping you, right? We can have some fun together."

Empress Hancock shook her head. "But you've given me so many responsibilities. If I leave, who'll help you establish your grand stronghold?"

Luffy scratched his head, almost forgetting the tasks he'd assigned. He'd been too caught up in the moment. Recently, he had a feeling that his journey was drawing near, and he wanted to make the most of his time, creating memories to carry with him. They'd had so much fun that a couple dozen beautiful women had ended up in the infirmary from the intense training, though fortunately, they hadn't suffered any serious injuries. Luffy cared deeply for them and would never push them beyond their limits—though they still endured a fair amount of hardship.

That was just the nature of this world, the price and purpose of life itself.

Reflecting on his growth, Luffy realized that his Conqueror's Haki power had stalled around 90 points, barely advancing. For a while, he even suspected his system's cap might be stuck at 90. But no—his potential was limitless. It was just that the depth and complexity of his understanding had reached a plateau, making further leaps challenging.

In the meantime, the island had become home to thousands of new ability users and large beasts, thanks to Luffy. Many of the ability users came from duplicated Devil Fruits, while the beasts were ordinary creatures from the sea and land that he'd enhanced. By altering their consciousness, physicality, and abilities, he had evolved them into formidable beasts. Although not comparable to powerful primates like the giant gorillas, these creatures could still rank in the millions in terms of strength. It was a simple transformation for Luffy.

He even had the power to alter human consciousness, modifying their movement and sensory systems, or awakening latent potential. However, he avoided tampering too much, as it could hinder their natural growth through training. Still, if he wanted, he could easily transform a person into a loyal servant or even a powerful weapon.

Luffy's mastery over Conqueror's Haki allowed him to control molecular and conscious vibrations at an intricate level. He could almost reshape things completely. The scientists of this world, like Vegapunk with his SSG weapons, had achieved similar results through biological and mechanical engineering. Yet, while Vegapunk relied on technology, Luffy was tapping directly into the essence, reaching a level far beyond.

But he wasn't in any rush. Compared to creations like SSG and other human weapons, which required complex machinery and scientific advancements, his approach felt effortless and fun. Thinking about it, Luffy laughed, convinced that his army would be practically invincible. Only the Yonko's forces might stand a chance against it.

At that moment, a little bird shot in through the window, swift as lightning.

"What incredible speed!" Hancock gasped, watching as the bird landed gracefully on Luffy's head. It chirped happily, a creature of simple intelligence but possessing the understanding of a young child. Though it couldn't match an adult's intellect, it could handle small tasks perfectly. Another of Luffy's creations, it was entirely under his control without needing a conscious connection. These creatures acted on their own will, carrying out tasks like loyal attendants, ensuring everything ran smoothly in his absence.

"All set," Luffy announced. "The bonfire feast is ready for tonight. My feathered friend here just gave me the heads-up." He took Hancock's hand and led her outside.

She followed without resistance, finding comfort in his touch. It felt natural, as if things should always be this way. The thought of his departure made her heart ache, and as they approached the dining area, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy.

They reached the table, and Luffy took the main seat while Hancock sat beside him, eager to assist. Over the past few weeks, she'd gathered the most beautiful individuals from her nation to please him. Yet, Luffy found that without a truly breathtaking quality, sheer numbers no longer impressed him.

So, in the end, he'd chosen only a select few, around a dozen. Seated around the table, the dozens of beautiful women waited in silence, only moving once Luffy was seated. This wasn't by anyone's instruction but rather an unspoken understanding they'd picked up, influenced by his overwhelming presence.

At this level of Conqueror's Haki, even his unspoken preferences affected people's behavior. They instinctively aligned with his tastes, aiming to please him and draw closer.

On the table before Luffy was a single cup of tea. He no longer needed elaborate meals or grand feasts for energy. With a physique already in the billions of units of power, he could heal, recharge, and sustain himself with just his mind. Simple, pure, and efficient, it suited his journey's path.

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