The Price of Bloodline Factor Awakening? (Third Update)

At the edge of the ice far from the Whitebeard Pirates, Yaen removed his mask and deactivated Bankai: Great Crimson Lotus Hyōrinmaru. His hair color and various other physical features also returned to the normal appearance of the Hero of the Marines, Teffimoe Yaen.

However, Yaen's complexion was faintly abnormal, and there was obvious blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Father, are you hurt?" Ying asked nervously.

Yaen smiled and placated Kong and Ying, clearly unconcerned. "It's nothing. Just a minor injury. Whitebeard is probably in much worse shape than I am..."

In truth, Yaen's injuries were extremely serious. It would not have been an exaggeration to call them genuine grave wounds.

The Tremor-Tremor Fruit had indeed displayed a terrifying power in Whitebeard's hands, one that could almost be called world-destroying. Against someone with a relatively weak physique like Yaen, in particular, it had a truly suppressive effect.

Fortunately, the Zanpakutō Yaen used this time was not Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, but Bankai: Great Crimson Lotus Hyōrinmaru, which could form a layer of protective ice over his body. Otherwise, Yaen's physique probably would not have held out for long.

However...

Yaen slowly closed his eyes, joy showing on his face.

Through this battle, after his Reiatsu had become powerful enough to fully control Bankai: Great Crimson Lotus Hyōrinmaru, Yaen had finally confirmed that he truly possessed the strength to directly contend with a monster like Whitebeard.

This was different from his previous battle with Red-Haired Shanks. At that time, Red-Haired Shanks had already been quite exhausted from fighting Kaido of the Beasts. In the end, Yaen had essentially relied on Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi and his speed to wear Red-Haired Shanks down by force.

Although Red-Haired Shanks had readily admitted defeat in that battle, Yaen knew very well that if they