One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

At the base of the ropeway leading to Drum Mountain, an injured and enraged Chopper roared wildly.

The blue-nosed reindeer's eyes burned red as he shifted into his humanoid form, charging furiously toward the explosion site.

"BOOM!"

A deafening rumble echoed through the air, resembling a thunderclap that shook the very earth.

Suddenly, the mountaintop of Drum Island was engulfed by an intense golden lightning storm. King Wapol, Doctor 20 (Isshi-20), and the royal guards all collapsed, their eyes rolling back as white foam escaped their mouths.

"This… What is…"

Dalton, the captain of the royal guards, fell to the ground, letting out a weak growl before succumbing to unconsciousness.

Thick clouds of smoke still swirled at the epicenter of the explosion. A figure dressed in a black suit, a long blade sheathed at his waist, emerged from the haze.

Wright walked past the unconscious bodies of the fallen, including Wapol's hippo mount. His gaze lingered for a moment on Dalton, whose face, even in unconsciousness, was tense with defiance.

Grabbing the frothing Wapol by his collar, Wright turned and disappeared into the swirling smoke.

The king's crown fell into the snow, where it was quickly swallowed by the howling wind and frost.

...

"Gulp… gulp…"

Kureha sat at the table, tears streaming down her face as she guzzled down bottle after bottle of liquor.

The alcohol numbed her mind, drowned her sorrow, and suppressed her pain. Yet, it also served as a bitter reminder of her helplessness.

"BOOM!"

The sudden explosion jolted Kureha from her stupor. She shook her head, struggling to steady herself as she looked at the empty bottle in her hand. With a bitter smile, she placed it on the table.

"Hiriluk… you fool. If only you had held on a little longer, even just a few more days…"

"Even if that idiotic reindeer couldn't recognize the Amiudake Mushroom, how could you not? Were you so eager… to die in the castle?"

She staggered toward the door, her grief so overwhelming that even her renowned tolerance for alcohol had reached its limit.

And then, she saw the source of the noise.

Across from Hiriluk's treehouse stood a snow-covered mountain, dotted with boulders of various sizes.

The largest boulder, towering over ten meters tall and positioned directly opposite the treehouse, had its upper half cleanly severed. The cut surface gleamed smooth and mirror-like.

"What is…"

Kureha's eyes widened in disbelief. With trembling hands, she removed her sunglasses.

"Hiriluk! And… that stupid reindeer!"

"And… who is that? There seems to be something—or someone—else?"

In front of the bisected boulder lay Hiriluk and Chopper, both unconscious but breathing evenly. Their faces were flushed with color, as though they were in perfect health.

Standing beside the boulder was Wright, clad in his black suit, with Wapol sprawled unconscious at his feet.

Wapol's swollen body was barely recognizable, as though he had been pummeled into submission by sheer pain and passed out as a result.

Wright picked up Wapol and tossed him onto the smooth surface of the boulder. Closing his eyes, his face flickered with indecision as faint golden light shimmered around him, reflecting his inner turmoil.

"Embrace the light!"

"This is his destiny!"

"Guiding him toward redemption is your duty!"

"He is a king, and his influence will greatly aid your mission!"

"He is riddled with sin and must be purified!"

"The powers of the Munch-Munch Fruit are boundless! Shape-Memory Alloy, the Wapometal, the material even Vegapunk covets, could be yours!"

"He could become your absolute loyal follower… just like Germa!"

Countless whispers echoed in Wright's mind. With just one use of the Lightbinding Ritual, Wapol could be redeemed, transformed into a champion of Holy Light, just like Germa had been.

After a long silence, Wright opened his eyes. A flash of golden light danced within them.

"Germa… Judge acted out of fury over Sora's death and sacrificed himself at Whole Cake Island to cover his estranged sons' escape."

"Those children… They were victims, too."

"Lightbinding? Amplifying the good in someone's soul and erasing their darker impulses… What a terrifying power…"

"To think I've harbored these thoughts all along."

"This ability could create an unstoppable force… Even as someone reborn, I can barely resist the temptation."

Slowly, Wright unsheathed his blade. The golden edge of Ashes glinted coldly in the snowy light.

"Once is enough for something like this."

The golden light around Wright dissipated as he stepped forward, sword in hand.

"I am the master of Holy Light… not its emissary, preacher, or vessel!"

Sacred flames roared along the blade of Ashes as Wright brought it down in a decisive strike.

"Ugh…"

The razor-sharp blade cleanly severed the head of the wicked king. Wapol let out a faint groan but never awoke, his life extinguished in an instant.

The divine fire cauterized the wound immediately, leaving no trace of blood.

Wright sheathed his sword and exhaled deeply.

"A king who toyed with his people's lives for his own gain, who stripped them of the right to basic healthcare, causing countless tragedies—such sins are unforgivable."

"Even without Wapometal, Germa's Shape-Memory Alloy will suffice for my purposes."

"This man… leaving him alive would weigh on my conscience."

As the last remnants of Holy Light's influence faded, Wright felt his spirit break free from its chains. His power was now fully under his control.

"From now on, I am the Holy Light."

Muttering softly, Wright lifted the upper half of the severed boulder.

"Every day, you'll watch this treehouse. Look at the man you despised so much, the man you sought to destroy at all costs. Watch how he saves this country!"

With a thunderous crash, the boulder was set back atop its base, fitting perfectly.

Snow swirled in the wind, quickly covering the faint traces of blood seeping from the seam.

Kureha dashed to the site as fast as her legs could carry her, only to see the "perfectly intact" boulder before her.

"You…"

Her eyes fell on Wright, dressed in a sharp black suit. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Kureha. I am Wright, a Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters."

Wright turned around, his gaze steady as he faced the breathless doctor.

"I came as quickly as I could after receiving Granny Tsuru's call. Thankfully, I arrived in time to save this… 'warrior.'"

"And his son."

"…"

Tears threatened to well up in Kureha's eyes once again. Standing before her was Vice Admiral Wright, and under her sharp, professional gaze, both Hiriluk and Chopper appeared perfectly healthy!

There was no sign that Hiriluk had consumed the highly toxic Amiudake soup that should have killed him within hours.

Nor was there any trace of the grievous injuries that had ravaged that silly reindeer mere moments ago.

"Could it be… miracles truly exist?"

Wright's miraculous healing ability, coupled with his astonishingly swift arrival—

Was this proof that Hiriluk, that rascal, truly had the indomitable luck of a cockroach destined to live a thousand years?

"Dr. Kureha."

Wright smiled warmly at the 130-year-old woman standing before him. "The snowstorm out here is quite fierce… Shall we continue this conversation inside?"

"Ah… Yes, of course!"

Kureha wiped away her tears and stepped forward to help Hiriluk up. But then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned and shot Wright a sharp look.

"Boy! If you're Granny Tsuru's junior, that makes me your elder, doesn't it?"

"Uh… That's correct. In your presence, I'm certainly the junior. Please, just call me by my name."

Wright scratched his head, a bit sheepish. This old woman seemed more spirited than most youngsters, braving the heavy snow in such a refreshingly light outfit!

"Alright then! But you'd better not breathe a word to those two about me crying. Got it?"

"…Don't worry, I won't say a thing."

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