One Piece: Rising to Power as a Warlord of the Sea

The Smile set sail once again. After briefly outlining their mission, Natsu led Enel and the rest out of the Chaos Sea, heading toward their next destination.

As they traveled, Natsu decided to use all the enhancement cards he had won from the system's lottery. Instantly, he felt a surge of power. His body brimmed with energy, and his mastery over the Navy's Six Powers reached new heights. Even the much-maligned Iron Body technique seemed on the verge of shedding its reputation as useless.

"After all, if I'm tough enough, nothing can hurt me."

Looking at the system interface, Natsu noticed a skill labeled Epiphany. Curious about its effect, he activated it. A mysterious, overwhelming aura erupted from his body. Centered around the Smile, the sky above split with thunder and lightning as thick clouds parted dramatically, revealing a path ahead. The previously calm sea turned wild with howling winds.

Enel and Kumo, who were either training or lounging, felt the shift and turned their attention to Natsu at the bow.

"Conqueror's Haki? And it's this strong?" Enel murmured, his usual nonchalance giving way to unease. He couldn't help but recall their earlier duel—this was on another level entirely.

It was clear that Natsu's strength, especially his Haki, had advanced by several tiers.

"Boss, you're amazing! Long live the boss!" Kumo cheered, hopping about in excitement as Natsu's fearsome aura filled the air.

For a full hour, Natsu sat cross-legged at the bow, lost in his epiphany. Wherever the Smile sailed, the skies above split, leaving a straight, cloudless path.

At one point, a Sea King leapt from the ocean, jaws wide in an attempt to devour the crew. It was instantly subdued by Natsu's Haki, collapsing unconscious into the sea. The crew fished it out, later serving it as a feast.

"Ahh, that was refreshing!"

When Natsu opened his eyes, they glowed with a sharper, more profound light. His Haki manifested in flashes of red and black lightning, and anyone gazing into his eyes would see a swirling vortex capable of captivating the soul.

Reviewing his system interface, Natsu couldn't help but grin. This single Epiphany had elevated his Haki mastery to new heights. He could now freely apply hardening, imbuement, and even emission. If he faced Garp again, at least in a pure Haki battle, his fists wouldn't be aching anymore.

Though Natsu still marveled at Garp's seemingly boundless strength, he knew he had a long way to go before reaching the pinnacle of Haki mastery, a level that rivaled the Four Emperors. But he was making progress, and in the world of pirates, even the flashiest techniques were pointless without the power to back them up.

"Just one more Epiphany, and I might be able to grasp the secrets of internal destruction Haki," Natsu mused, his ambition growing. Beyond Armament Haki, he resolved to strengthen his Conqueror's Haki through rigorous training. He remembered Hundred Beasts Kaido's words: Haki reigns supreme above all else.

If he could push his Haki to its limits, he might even unlock a pirate version of the Susanoo, akin to what Admiral Zephyr demonstrated in the Film Z. A colossal warrior of Haki, capable of offense and defense, towering hundreds of meters tall—invincibility could indeed be within reach.

No Devil Fruit power, be it Logia, Zoan, or Paramecia, could stand against it.

"Captain, we've arrived!"

Kumo's voice snapped Natsu out of his daydream. He wiped a bit of drool from his chin and refocused on reality, chuckling sheepishly.

After some time, the Smile finally docked. The crew disembarked but was immediately surrounded.

"Hey, kid! Do you know whose territory this is?" A towering man with dark skin and a wild, red afro emerged from the crowd. His flamboyant outfit, adorned with colorful patterns and a double-breasted coat, stood out. A green-handled saber rested on his shoulder.

Natsu glanced up at the man.

"Rockstar," he muttered, recognizing the infamous subordinate of the Red-Haired Pirates.

"Of course, I know," Natsu replied calmly. "Where's Shanks?"

Rockstar's posture grew even more arrogant, his confidence bolstered by his allegiance to the Red-Haired Emperor. "You think you can meet Captain Shanks just like that? This is Red-Haired Shanks' territory! You little punks aren't worthy!"

Ignoring him, Natsu walked forward without hesitation.

"Hey, you—"

CRACK!

Before Rockstar could finish, a bolt of lightning struck him square on the head, courtesy of Enel. Smoke rose as Rockstar collapsed to the ground.

"Enel, we're here for a visit. Show some respect."

"Understood, Captain," Enel replied, retracting his Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers as the storm clouds dispersed.

The crew proceeded toward a nearby beach, where the Red-Haired Pirates were mid-celebration. Seated at the center was Shanks, nursing a tankard of ale.

"Well, well! If it isn't the hotshot rookie making waves lately—Monkey D. Natsu! What's this? Already tired of being a Warlord and looking to challenge me?" Shanks grinned as he adjusted the saber at his side.

The mood shifted instantly. The Red-Haired Pirates stopped their revelry, fixing Natsu with serious gazes. The air grew tense.

"No, no," Natsu waved dismissively as he plopped down on the sand. "I didn't come to fight. I just wanted to meet the man my idiot brother can't stop talking about and thank you for looking after him back then."

"Brother? Monkey D.? You're Luffy's brother?" Shanks' eyes lit up in recognition. The tension dissipated as the crew's expressions softened.

"Yes."

"Luffy, huh? It's been a while." Shanks leaned back, a nostalgic smile crossing his face.

"But even so, attacking one of my men isn't something I can overlook," he said, his tone turning serious.

"And what will you do about it?" Natsu asked, unbothered.

"Well, there's only one solution: we'll settle it with a drink! Hahaha!" Shanks burst into laughter.

"Alright, lads! You heard the Captain. Let's party!"

"YEAH! PARTY TIME!"

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