https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1043-Kuro-I-m-Going-to-Use-That-Move-/13540838/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1045-How-Could-He-Grab-It-With-Just-One-Hand-/13540842/
Chapter 1044: The True Cruelty of the Grand Line
Chapter 1044: The True Cruelty of the Grand Line
Lida was strong.
As Kuro, the one who'd stayed by Lida's side the longest, watched her growth step by step, he understood this better than anyone.
From initially starving every time she used her abilities, to gradually mastering her Devil Fruit and Life Return, she steadily reduced the side effects of her powers.
During the Top War, Lida had already become unafraid of close combat against any opponent, since she could single-handedly handle numerous Captains back then.
After resolving the ability curse inflicted by Luo Shen, her innate talent surged even further, accelerating her strength's rapid progression.
Though Luo Shen's ability curse might have empowered others, for Lida, it had been a severe limitation.
Once Luo Shen perished, Lida's unarmed combat techniques' tremendous potential was fully unleashed. However, Kuro had advised her to develop her Devil Fruit abilities alongside her martial arts. Now, she'd nearly completed both.
With her extraordinary innate talent for unarmed combat, she'd even been the first to analyze and deconstruct the principles behind 'Instant Thousand Strikes', allowing her perfect control over her own techniques.
Lida's raw strength was already immense. While Haki-type Devil Fruits primarily absorbed and released energy for restoration, they could also produce 'impact' effects. Though usually manifesting as shockwaves, variations certainly existed.
Recently, she'd developed a new technique—combining her physical strength with concentrated impact, unleashing it outward in a fist strike.
This created a startling phenomenon.
Without even glancing at the descending giant steam sword, Lida suddenly threw a punch forward. Her fist struck empty air.
Boom!
A heavy, thunderous sound erupted, radiating outward in waves from her fist. The shockwave rippled across the steam blade, instantly halting its descent mid-air.
An area extending forward from Lida's fist abruptly fell into absolute stillness—a silence like the calm before a storm.
Crack!
As the shockwave expanded, fissures began spreading from Lida's fist outward, fracturing the air like shattering glass.
Witnessing this, both Klah and the three figures aboard the pirate ship felt their hearts sink, gripped by an ominous premonition.
Lida's lips curled into a faint smile as she softly murmured, "Earth-Shaking."
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion erupted. The fractured air shattered violently, unleashing a massive impact wave that surged forward.
The steam sword, along with the entire steam-powered giant, disintegrated under this colossal force, revealing William's figure within. With a stifled grunt, he was blasted backward like a cannonball, crashing onto the pirate ship.
Thwack!
Montblanc reacted instantly, catching William mid-air as he tumbled backward.
"That... that was..."
William coughed violently, staring at Lida, who still had her fist raised. His eyes brimmed with terror.
Boom! Boom!
Air trembled from the shockwaves. The Grand Line itself seemed to roar. The entire space quaked violently.
"Help me!"
"I can't swim! The current's too strong!"
Pirates still below deck screamed as seawater surged violently. The lone intact pirate ship rocked wildly in the churning waves.
"First, apply emergency first aid!"
Elmira snapped back to action, but as she began saying the word "person", her voice caught. A look of deep horror crossed her face.
Before her, seawater rose unnaturally, as though a massive section had been sliced upward. This towering wall of water rapidly expanded toward them, lifting the entire square area—including their ship—into the air. The pirates still struggling to board were engulfed by the surging tide.
A Tsunami!
With just a single punch—shockwaves through the air, and a monstrous tsunami!
Kuro smiled broadly, watching this spectacle unfold. "Nice work, Lida!"
Klah pushed his glasses up with a trembling hand, staring at Lida's fist. His voice shook. "Sh-Shock and quake? The Quake-Quake Fruit?!"
What was happening?!
Had Kuro secretly killed Blackbeard? Did Lida obtain and consume a second Devil Fruit like Blackbeard?!
But that hadn't been reported at all!
"Who said shockwaves require the Quake-Quake Fruit?"
Kuro happily lit a cigar. "As long as the ability shares similar characteristics, shockwaves can still be produced. It's just not as straightforward and direct as the Quake-Quake Fruit."
By deeply developing her Devil Fruit powers, Lida had combined her immense strength with concentrated impact release at a single point, mimicking the Quake-Quake Fruit's shockwave ability. However, this required far greater mastery than Blackbeard's simple innate power.
Yet, the result remained catastrophic.
Only those who mastered "catastrophic" level abilities could truly cross into the elite tier of the strongest warriors.
Lida had done it!
Kuro had first realized this alternative impact usage early on, guiding Lida through the training. This breakthrough was inevitable.
With this shockwave technique alone, Lida had nothing to fear.
Even among pirates, she'd solidly surpassed the "Emperors' Vice" tier.
Seawater continued rising, churning wildly across the forward arc. The massive tilted seawater wall collapsed, transforming into a towering tsunami that crashed downward.
The pirate ship rode the waves, finally slamming back onto the Grand Line's surface, rocking wildly.
Inside the ship, everyone sprawled across the deck, fear etched onto their faces.
But the deepest terror came from William and the four core members.
They knew Whitebeard!
Seeing Lida unleash such power left them even more stunned.
That was Whitebeard-level strength!
How had a Navy officer achieved this?!
"Kuro."
Noticing the pirate ship had landed intact, Lida slightly pouted, glancing back at Kuro.
Kuro approached, affectionately ruffling her hair. "Don't worry. It's normal to lack precision at first. Keep practicing, and you'll stabilize the technique. The hardest part is reaching the first breakthrough. Beyond that, progress becomes easier."
This move was newly developed, initially just a concept. When Lida first told him she was close, he'd only seen one test run. Back then, she could only generate air shockwaves, not tsunamis. Now, she controlled both.
With more practice, shattering continents would become inevitable.
He withdrew his hand, his expression cooling as he stared toward the ship.
"Once you've calmed down, it's my turn. My little hometown buddy seems to have grown rather arrogant. Looks like fortune's favored him, keeping him unscathed. Since nobody else will teach him, I'll have to do it myself. Time to remind him—with a taste of the Grand Line's true cruelty."
What incredible luck this guy had! Why couldn't Kuro have such good fortune?
Unacceptable! It defied all reason!
But since no one else would handle him, Kuro would just have to step in!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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