https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-549-The-Power-of-the-Western-Ocean-Hero/12984325/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-551-The-Battle-for-the-Flower-Capital/12984327/
Chapter 550: The Shadow Mage!
Chapter 550: The Shadow Mage!
During the Summit War, the two had crossed paths and fought to a stalemate, but it was brief and didn't truly reflect their actual abilities.
After all, how could a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea wholeheartedly serve the World Government? And at that time, Jinbei only wanted to protect Luffy and rescue Ace, not get entangled with Moria.
However, he was still confident back then. Although Moria had undergone some changes, abandoning those zombies, his overly dependent personality, which Jinbei had heard about for many years, still made his strength slightly inferior.
If they had fought seriously at that time, he would have been confident in defeating Moria.
But things were different now. The determination and willpower in this guy's eyes were unwavering, something Jinbei had never seen before.
A tough opponent! Jinbei took a few deep breaths, clenched his webbed hand into a fist, and struck down forcefully.
Bang!
With one strike, the bleeding on his waist stopped, and when he released his hand, one could see the terrifying claw-shaped gash on his waist.
"No wonder you're a Western Ocean Hero!"
Jinbei assumed a fighting stance and spoke in a low voice, "But you have your resolve, and I have mine! Luffy promised to help Momo Tsuchi defeat Kaido. So, I must follow the captain's orders. Anyone who stands in my way, I will fight to the death!"
"Heh heh heh heh heh!"
Moria cackled, "A Sea Hero is still a Sea Hero. We're both pirates who have left the Seven Warlords of the Sea for the new era. Alright, Jinbei, I won't try to stop you anymore. Continue!"
The opponent was a formidable figure who had made a name for himself on the vast sea, rising through the fierce competition among the many powers. Even Big Mom couldn't defeat him in a short time, so of course, Moria didn't have the ability to do so either.
To underestimate the enemy is also to underestimate oneself.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea were never to be taken lightly, even in the current situation, within the walls of Push City. Even Doflamingo, in his weakened state, couldn't be underestimated.
Baki?
Baki was a great fishing buddy, personally endorsed by Sage.
The guy who could make the fish bite Sage's hook was a true king of good fortune!
"But fighting like this is too slow, Jinbei."
As the voice sounded, his body mysteriously vibrated, and the shadow beneath his feet moved forward. Whether it was the positioning or the environment, his shadow seemed to stretch taller.
Crack!
The depressed shoulder blade that had sunk inward began to heal as the shadow gradually lengthened.
Moria's mouth curled into a grin, and he spread his arms wide, his face contorting as he said, "Let me show you the power I've recently developed!"
In essence, he and Jinbei belonged to the same type.
On land, without water, Jinbei could only rely on the moisture in the air to forcefully activate his Fishman Karate, which was still powerful to some extent. However, the racial talent of the Fishmen couldn't be fully utilized here.
Similarly, Moria also needed to be in a dark place to use his abilities without restraint.
Unlike when he dealt with Joz and Vista, where his abilities were almost fully developed, and the shadows of the entire forest were at his disposal. He could easily defeat Vista and bind Joz, whose Haki level wasn't high.
But in this bright environment, where he could only use his own shadows, his abilities were significantly weakened.
With both sides weakened, Moria had gained a slight advantage in the fight so far. As the first true battle after regaining his confidence, Moria felt exhilarated.
However...
"I'm not just someone who relies on the environment to win!"
Moria glared, "This obese body is too cumbersome for movement. Disappear! Shadow Revolution!!!"
As the shadow gradually lengthened, it started to transform from its obese, round shape. As it stretched upward, it became slender, and the feedback to his body made his round belly start to shrink and flatten.
After his defeat at Kaido's hands, he had neglected his training, and his declining willpower had altered his physique. His gradually shortening legs began to lengthen along with the shadow.
His legs, which previously only showed his oversized shoes and short legs, now revealed visible knees at this moment, exposing his thighs and calves, transforming into robust thighs.
His long arms also adjusted at this moment, returning to their normal shape, not too long or too short, but perfectly suited for battle.
The obese chin, which had merged with his neck, now separated, becoming a normal neck as his body transformed, and revealing a square jaw.
His face also became thinner.
"Ha, hahaha, hee hee hee hee!"
Under the shadow's swaying, Moria suddenly tore open his collar and pulled it down, turning his clothes into a Gothic-style overcoat, revealing his robust chest and abdomen.
He twisted his neck and said with a smile, "The Land of Harmony, so nostalgic... And the old me, so full of vigor!"
Just like back then, when he was in his prime!
"You..."
Jinbei's pupils shook as he watched Moria transform from an obese man into a robust figure. He couldn't help but ask, "Can your ability do this?"
"Nothing is impossible. Abilities do have their limits, as Sage said. Just like how Devil Fruits are born from the desires of those who sail the sea, the limits of abilities are naturally based on their understanding," Moria explained.
"It's like the sun's fire, which is even brighter, but no one would say that the Burn-Burn Fruit represents the sun's fire. That's a different ability."
"Fire is fire. Wildfires, hearth fires, and celestial fires - these are the most basic forms of fire, and they are the ways in which life perceives and understands fire. This led to the creation of the Burn-Burn Fruit."
"But," Moriah raised his hand and looked at Jinbei, "Humans can surpass these limits if their will transcends the entire world!"
Jinbei was taken aback by these words, "Are there such people on the great seas?"
"Yes!"
Clink! The two pairs of scissors previously embedded in the ground were pulled out by the shadows and flew towards Moriah.
"Sage is such a person!"
Snap! The scissors recombined in Moriah's hand, transforming into a large pair of shears.
"Sage's desires are more intense than the combined desires of everyone on the great seas. His will is firmer than that of anyone in the world! I don't know how much history the great seas hold, eight hundred years? Over a thousand? But I dare say, in a thousand years, only Sage has dared to think, act, and put his will into action!"
The shadow of the scissors gradually closed and transformed into the shape of a large katana.
"What is the Pirate King? Before Roger became the Pirate King, everyone wanted to navigate to the end of the Grand Line, to reach the 'Final Island' that the Eternal Pose could point to. Roger was the only one who entered the Final Island, but as you know, the Final Island wasn't truly the end."
"There's another island, the true Final Island with a 'Treasure that Covers the Entire Island.' Finding it will make you the new Pirate King!"
"But do you know what Sage said? If one can sail around the Grand Line and find that so-called island, they would be called the Voyage King, not the Pirate King!"
"The Pirate King isn't just the one the World Government recognizes. We pirates admired Roger's feat because he did what other pirates couldn't. But this feat isn't the only path to becoming the Pirate King!"
The scissors in his hand, under the influence of the shadows, also gradually closed and transformed into a large katana in physical form.
"Whether it's with sincerity or deception, everyone must work for Sage, pay taxes to Sage, and support the one true king of the world! Uniting the four seas and ruling the world! What others dare not think or do, Sage dares to become the true King of the World!"
Moriah roared, "Sage's will transcends the world! Jinbei, do you think Sage is only strong in terms of combat power? No! His will is so immense that even the Devil Fruit is influenced by it!"
Can the Momo Fruit change its own form and weight? Bundy Wald couldn't do this, perhaps not due to lack of development, but because the ability's limit is right there. He can change other substances, but only his own speed is enhanced.
Moriah didn't understand this at first, but after hearing Sage's comments about the Devil Fruit, he suddenly realized.
Since it's caused by life's perception, are ability users considered life? To change this perception and reach a new level of ability is simple - just transcend the world!
Sage achieved this, and in his hands, the Momo Fruit reached a new level.
Moriah couldn't do it yet, but he had reached a new level in his ability's application.
The Shadow Revolution could affect inanimate objects, but what about ability users themselves?
"Come!"
Moriah gripped the sword's hilt with both hands, assuming a stance. The shadow in front of him rapidly vibrated, elongating and rushing towards Jinbei.
The shadow's speed was undoubtedly faster than any human's, and in an instant, it reached Jinbei, flickering and revealing Moriah's figure.
He had already leaped, his sword blade shimmering with black flashes, and slashed forcefully.
"Shadow Strike!"
Swoosh! In a flash, the sharp blade sliced into Jinbei's shoulder.
"Plum Skin!"
Thud!!! But Jinbei quickly reacted, his arms erupting with the same black flashes, crossing into a cruciform shape and pushing upwards, firmly blocking the sword blade from advancing even a millimeter, accompanied by a loud clanging sound.
Boom!!!
The floor beneath them cracked, creating a large depression with countless fractures.
Moriah smirked, "You can't block it!"
Whoosh! In the next moment, his body vanished, and the shadow beneath him moved to Jinbei's side, allowing Moriah to reappear there.
Thud! The katana thrust forward, piercing Jinbei's abdomen.
Jinbei retreated, but his leg pressed down, and one of his webbed hands grabbed the thrusting sword blade, allowing blood to flow from his fingers as he forcefully held back the advancing sword.
"Martial Spirit!"
By controlling the sword, he also controlled Moriah's body. His other hand stood upright like a palm, gathering the moisture in the air, and with a mighty strike, he hit Moriah's face.
Bang! The moisture and impact formed a cluster, shooting out from above and punching a large hole in the ceiling.
In the eerie scene, Moriah's upper body eerily shifts sideways, forming a ninety-degree angle with his lower half as he looks up at Jinbei with a sinister smile.
The shadow beneath him takes on the exact same posture.
"You can't stop him!" exclaims the duo.
Moriah, with a sinister tone, says, "My Shadow Revolution has more uses than this."
It's not about controlling the body with one's consciousness; it's about controlling the shadow, which then influences the body, allowing one to achieve a formidable physique even with a lack of training.
Even if struck, it doesn't matter as long as the consciousness remains. The shadow can continue to influence the body to keep attacking.
And just like that—
Pff!
Even before Jinbei could steady himself, a voice resonates from his chest.
He freezes, instinctively lowering his gaze to see a shadow piercing through his chest.
"Shadow Horn Spear!"
Moriah's shadow, at some point, had merged with his own, and as he retreated, it stretched out, forming a long-haired gecko-like protrusion on the ground, stabbing from behind.
This sudden penetration causes Jinbei's body to freeze in place.
Moriah's foot is already stepping on the elongated shadow.
"Shadow Stomp Technique!"
Moriah laughs, "If the environment isn't there, create it. If the shadow isn't enough, concentrate it. I am..."
Whoosh!
Moriah appears from within the elongated shadow, raising his sword and slashing down with force.
"Shadow Mage!"
The sword, shimmering with dark flashes, cleaves towards Jinbei's forehead. In that fleeting moment, Jinbei's mind flashes back to his past.
As a youth, he was a gang leader in Fishman Street. Later, he became a soldier in the Dragon Palace, and eventually, he followed Tiger to establish the Sun Pirates.
Throughout his journey, he gained extensive experience. From his initial hatred towards humans, similar to Arlong, to his eventual understanding and forgiveness after Tiger's persuasion, he no longer spread his animosity.
He witnessed the death of Yuki, saw the summoning of the Sea Kings by White Star, and felt gratitude towards Big Mom for protecting Fishman Island. He joined her crew and was later inspired by Luffy, deciding to join his cause.
Luffy once said, "If someone can surpass the world, then a grand feast for everyone in the world is enough to surpass it!"
Jinbei's eyes flashed with determination as he abruptly raised his head and shouted, "I'm willing to give my life to help Luffy become the Pirate King! Don't underestimate the Sea Hero or the future Pirate King's helmsman!"
His fist clenches tightly.
"Fishman Karate: Oni Wa Fist!"
Bang!!!
The fist, shimmering with dark flashes, collides with Moriah's descending sword, creating a brief connection that intensifies the dark flashes, resembling a thunderbolt.
Both are at the pinnacle of their Armed Color, each with an unwavering determination to win.
One believes his captain will undoubtedly become the Pirate King, changing the future of fishmen and mermaids, sacrificing his life to aid his captain's growth.
The other entrusts his dreams entirely to his captain, believing that the captain will steadily fulfill his plans, also sacrificing his life to assist him.
Their gazes intersect within the dark flashes as they shift positions, both striking simultaneously.
Bang!
Jinbei's fist lands on Moriah's chest.
Ssshhh!
Moriah's sword slashes from Jinbei's shoulder, cleaving down to his waist, ripping through the previously formed gash.
Boom!
The impact from the brief clash finally erupts, creating a shockwave that, centered on the two, blasts open at least half the floor of the great hall, piercing through from the fourth floor to the bottom.
Clatter.
Moriah lands on the edge of the floor, one hand holding his sword, the other clutching his chest. He looks down at Jinbei, who lies below, his eyes rolled back, a massive gash on his chest, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth as he smiles sharply.
"A grand feast for the world? Straw Hat doesn't even have a territory. Where's the grand talk now? Big talkers can't compare to those who pay. I've got substance over you, Jinbei! I win!"
(End of Chapter)
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