Manipulating Gravity

"Wow, you're really something." Seeing Shirakawa defeat Akda, Kaiser Lynn ran out excitedly and gave him a playful punch to the chest—it didn't hurt at all.

"Of course, look who you're talking to." Shirakawa flicked his hair and struck a pose he thought was very cool.

"But you really made a mess of this scene." Looking at the gruesome state of Akda's corpse, Kaiser Lynn's stomach churned and wouldn't settle for a long time.

Indeed, Akda had been split clean in half from the middle, the sight truly bloody, like a thick layer of censorship had been slapped over it.

"Still, it's weird—your clothes don't even have a single bloodstain. What material is this made of? Introduce me to it sometime."

"Heh, it's a talent. You can't buy it."

"Shirakawa, that move of yours was awesome. What's it called?" Shanks also stepped forward, his mind still replaying Shirakawa's descending strike.

"What do you think of 'Buddha Divine Sword'?"

"I can't agree with that name." Hearing that name from Shirakawa, Shanks found it utterly ridiculous; the impression of that sword strike in his heart instantly crumbled.

"Haha, just kidding you. I call it 'Falling Goose.' How about that?" Seeing Shanks's constipated expression, Shirakawa found it amusing—maybe he had some kind of special hobby.

"'Falling Goose'... that name is passable. But I noticed your descent wasn't that fast, so why couldn't Akda dodge it? And the way he looked just now, it was like something heavy was pressing down on him."

"Want to give it a try?" Shirakawa raised an eyebrow at Shanks, looking eager.

"Sure, I'd like to see what's so special about your swordsmanship." Shanks drew his blade halfway, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

Seeing the fired-up Shanks, Shirakawa smiled mysteriously. Suddenly, Shanks felt his body become abnormally heavy.

"What's going on?" Completely baffled, Shanks nearly collapsed under the sudden gravity, but he managed to hold on—though his expression was twisted.

"Hey, Shanks, what's wrong?" Seeing Shanks's terrifying face, Buggy got a little scared and was very concerned.

"It's nothing. Can't you see he's enjoying it?"

Shirakawa signaled Buggy not to worry. Though Shanks looked awful, Shirakawa could sense excitement in his heart.

"Shirakawa, what's really going on with Shanks?"

"Nothing much. Buggy, why don't you give it a try too."

"No way." Hearing that, Buggy immediately shook his head and put a lot of distance between himself and Shirakawa.

"Don't worry, it's free."

Shirakawa flashed a sly grin. Seeing that smile, Buggy knew he was in trouble, and before he could refuse, the gravity descended.

Hit by the sudden weight, Buggy collapsed flat on the ground, unable to lift his head.

Seeing Buggy's miserable state, Shirakawa quickly withdrew the gravity and shook his head. "Looks like the gap between Buggy and Shanks is really getting wider."

"Hey, what was that just now?" Recovering, Buggy immediately demanded from Shirakawa.

"Secret." Shirakawa didn't explain further.

By now, Shanks was also struggling, drenched in sweat from head to toe. Seeing this, Shirakawa removed the gravity from Shanks as well.

As soon as the gravity vanished, Shanks felt his breathing ease. Exhausted, he knelt on the ground, his expression somewhat blissful.

Shanks rolled over, sat down, and rested for a while before saying, "You were controlling gravity just now, weren't you?"

"As expected of Shanks. You know a lot, unlike Buggy, who's still completely lost."

Hearing Shirakawa say that about him, Buggy's face turned red with embarrassment, but Shirakawa was telling the truth, so he had nothing to argue.

"Buggy experienced it too? How long did he last?"

Seeing the eager, questioning look in Shanks's eyes, Shirakawa didn't want to crush Buggy's confidence.

"He lasted... a little shorter than you." Shirakawa scratched his cheek and looked away.

Hearing this, Buggy, who had been bracing for Shanks's mockery, suddenly felt like he'd seen a savior and looked at Shirakawa with grateful eyes.

"Shirakawa, you're really my brother. I'll never forget your great kindness for the rest of my life."

Feeling Buggy's gaze, Shirakawa got goosebumps all over, his whole body feeling uncomfortable.

"Is that so? Buggy, you're really impressive."

Shanks praised Buggy too. He'd originally thought Buggy wouldn't last long, but he didn't realize Shirakawa was lying to him.

"Hehehe." Hearing the three of them talk, Kaiser Lynn covered her mouth and snickered. She had seen everything that happened.

"Crap, forgot about this little girl." Hearing that laugh, Buggy realized there was a witness.

He turned that look to Kaiser Lynn. She blinked and mischievously gave an OK sign.

Seeing that gesture, Buggy relaxed.

"What were you laughing at just now?" The clueless Shanks asked Kaiser Lynn.

"I feel like my mother is going to give me a little brother today, so I'm very happy." With that, she burst out laughing again.

"Oh, well, congratulations then." And somehow, Shanks actually believed it.

Hearing that lie, Shirakawa couldn't help but find it amusing. Coming up with such a lie was truly bizarre—she was seventeen or eighteen, so her mother would have to be in her forties at least. It reminded Shirakawa of a scene from a movie in his Past Life.

Still, Shirakawa managed to hold back in the end.

"Alright, after resting, let's continue on our way. There's still a long road ahead."

This was the first time Shirakawa would be traveling such a long distance, and he felt a hint of anticipation, wondering what bizarre events and experiences might await them along the journey.

"Then let's go." Shanks knew the others were waiting for him, so he quickly regulated his breathing, recovered some stamina, and spoke to them.

"Let's head out."

After several days of travel, Shirakawa was growing thoroughly annoyed, because Shanks kept making him apply gravity pressure on his body.

"I finally understand why your strength grows so fast—turns out you have this kind of cheat."

After testing it for a few days, Shanks noticed a slight increase in his own strength, and he spoke to Shirakawa with sudden realization.

"You only just figured that out? I thought you knew the first time I applied gravity on you." Shirakawa was truly irritated and didn't want to exchange many words with Shanks.

He was starting to regret how he'd impulsively brought Shanks along in the first place.

As for Buggy, he had been very well-behaved on the road, probably not wanting to draw too much attention or experience that feeling again.