One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

Golden flames erupted into the sky, and the terrifying heatwave instantly swept across the entire area, making even the boiling oil pot over the nearby bonfire seem cold by comparison.

"Oh!!"

The crowd was forced to retreat by the intense heat, with those in the front row already drenched in sweat.

"What kind of ability does this kid have?"

In the back, Queen muttered under his breath, "There's no record of it in the mythology of any country."

There's a theory that Devil Fruits are manifestations of a person's inner desires.

The earliest Devil Fruits were blank slates, and only after someone consumed them did they evolve unique abilities based on the eater's inner desires.

According to this theory, Mythical Zoan Fruits are powers manifested from various Myths.

All Mythical Zoans can be traced back to some myth.

Except for Ian's ability.

His power is unique even among Mythical Zoans.

And it's too strong.

With just a raise of Ian's hand, golden flames surged from his palm. As he thrust his hand forward, a scorching pillar of fire shot out.

"Semimaru!"

Kurozumi Higurashi called out loudly.

Kurozumi Semimaru crossed his arms in front of his chest, forming a cross with his fingers. A translucent barrier suddenly appeared in front of the two of them.

The fire pillar collided with the barrier but couldn't break through it, instead splitting off in all directions.

Ian raised an eyebrow. A Paramecia-type Barrier Fruit, with a defense even stronger than King's. Not even Kozuki Oden could defeat this absolute defense.

Throughout the world of One Piece, as far as it's known, the only thing that can break this barrier is the Demon King of Song summoned by Uta in the movie, but that was in a dream world.

However, such a powerful defense doesn't mean invincibility.

Ian stepped forward, approaching the barrier. The golden flames surged like a tsunami, threatening to engulf the entire barrier and everyone behind it.

If breaking through the barrier head-on isn't possible, then just bypass it.

The area that a Barrier Fruit user can cover is limited.

"Orochi-sama! Hurry, come over here!"

Kurozumi Higurashi screamed.

Kurozumi Orochi, who was facing off against Fukurokuju, turned around, and the golden flames were already rushing towards him. He was so frightened that he nearly lost his soul, instinctively rushing toward Kurozumi Higurashi.

Since he was young, it was this old woman who had guided him forward. These two old folks were his greatest support—at least for now.

"Semimaru!"

Seeing Orochi approaching, Kurozumi Higurashi's voice sharpened.

"I'm trying my best!"

Kurozumi Semimaru unleashed his full power. What initially looked like a simple wall rapidly expanded, growing into a spherical barrier that completely enclosed the three of them.

Now, there were no blind spots.

However, Queen, watching the fight, couldn't help but laugh. "Mwahahaha, you just trapped yourself in a hot pot!"

Indeed, the nearly indestructible barrier could block almost any physical attack.

But how could a barrier that couldn't even block out sound possibly protect against the searing high temperatures brought by the raging flames?

The golden flames quickly engulfed the spherical barrier, and the terrifying heat began to permeate inside.

"It's too hot! Too hot!!"

Inside the sphere, Kurozumi Orochi was already jumping around in agony, unable to stand on the blistering barrier.

Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru also looked utterly desperate. The rapidly rising temperatures made it nearly impossible for them to breathe; the scorching air seared their lungs as though their insides were being cooked.

And the temperature continued to rise.

Ian's flames were hotter than boiling oil!

Karma had come full circle.

Ian glanced at the giant cauldron nearby. "Kozuki Oden was thrown into boiling oil. You guys can enjoy your air fryer; it's just as fitting."

"I can't take it anymore!!"

Orochi's scales were cracking, and he screamed, "Let me out! Let me out!"

Even being burned alive outside would be better than suffocating like this!

His wish was soon granted.

The barrier surrounding them disappeared the next second.

Kurozumi Semimaru and Kurozumi Higurashi collapsed into the surging flames, instantly consumed by the blazing fire.

They were almost completely drained by the intense heat, and their lives ended there.

"Aaaahhh!"

Orochi, who had just been begging to get out, was instantly swallowed by the flames. All six of his heads were wreathed in golden fire, and his screams nearly pierced the clouds.

The onlookers recoiled in terror; the sight was horrifying.

Of course, not everyone found it terrifying.

"Yay! Ian!"

Sitting on Kaido's shoulder, Yamato pumped her fists excitedly. "That's how you deal with him! Burn him to ashes!"

What a bloodthirsty spectator.

Orochi's wails gradually weakened as he collapsed to the ground within the flames. Another of his lives had come to an end.

So, five more lives left?

Ian thought to himself.

"Brat!"

In the next instant, five of Orochi's heads, still engulfed in flames, suddenly lunged at Ian, intent on biting him.

Ian casually reached out, grabbing the face of one of the snake heads. His sharp claws pierced straight through the bone, and with a swift motion, he effortlessly flung the massive snake into the air before slamming it onto the hard ground with a thunderous crash.

The primary enhancement the Winged Dragon Fruit granted Ian was an indestructible defense, but its other enhancements were equally terrifying, far surpassing those of ordinary Mythical Zoan types.

Though this power wasn't fully displayed when facing a Haki master like Hyougoro, in truth, Ian's strength was already on par with Charlotte Linlin at the same age.

The remaining snake heads shrieked in agony as another life was swiftly extinguished in the flames.

Four lives left.

"No! I don't want to die!!"

The resurrected Kurozumi Orochi was in total despair, having lost all courage to confront Ian. He turned to flee through the flames.

Ian descended from the sky, landing heavily on Orochi's back. The immense force snapped Orochi's spine in an instant.

Three lives left.

"Spare me! Please spare me! I won't be the shogun anymore! I'll give you everything I have!"

"Blaze Cannon."

Two lives left.

"Help! Kaido! I was wrong! Please, I beg you, forgive me!"

Raising his right hand, a small sun began to form in Ian's palm.

The blazing flame of the Winged Dragon!

Now, only one life remained.

Amidst the roaring flames, Kurozumi Orochi revived once more.

This time, the Yamata no Orochi had only one head left.

Realizing there was no escape, Orochi abandoned all pleas for mercy and began cursing,

"Damn you, brat! And Kaido too! Neither of you will die well! I curse you both from the depths of hell! I'll curse you for all eternity!"

Ian smirked slightly.

Sorry, gods are immune to curses.

I'll remind Teacher Kaido to watch out for your dying words.

Ian lifted his foot and then brought it down.

Silence.

The flames faded, and the citizens of the Flower Capital, who had been watching the entire scene, fell silent as well.

Was Orochi… really dead?

Easily killed by a child.

"Kuhuhuhuhu!"

Kaido's laughter echoed across the skies outside the Flower Capital. "Now, welcome your new Shogun Ian!"

"Shogun Ian!"

Fukurokuju was the first to kneel, swearing his loyalty to Ian. "The Oniwabanshu will forever be loyal to you!"

"Shogun Ian!"

The ninjas and samurai declared their allegiance to Ian in unison.

The crowd of onlookers was left stunned, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

A Shogun? 

Ian thought to himself, Well, I might as well give it a try.

But first, this title of "Shogun" has to go.

After all, other nations have kings, and here I am, just a Shogun. It sounds so inferior.

Shogun Ian?

No, King Ian!

Amidst the confused crowd, a shadowy figure cloaked in black swiftly departed.

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