Quietly Watching

Moke gazed silently at the breathtaking scene before him, a surge of awe at the Devil Fruit welling up within him once more. He knew all too well that the Devil Fruit truly was a shortcut to rapid power! At this moment, with the immense power granted by the Devil Fruit, he estimated that he was probably invincible in the East Blue. Even Smoker, known for his tenacity, would likely be helpless and powerless against him now.

However, despite his outward success, Moke knew very well that he had a fatal weakness: his true strength had not actually improved; everything he possessed was merely a result of the Devil Fruit's power. This situation was undoubtedly extremely dangerous; the slightest mistake could give his enemy an opening, leading to a fatal blow and instant defeat.

Just like Enel, who once possessed strength almost approaching that of Marine Admiral, he was unexpectedly defeated by Luffy, whose strength was far inferior to his own. Admittedly, Enel's Devil Fruit, which granted him immunity to lightning damage, was indeed a crucial factor. However, an even more critical point was that Enel over-rely on the powerful abilities granted by his Devil Fruit, completely neglecting the training and strengthening of his own strength. As a result, his physical constitution became extremely fragile. Once he lost the protection of his Devil Fruit ability, he was as vulnerable as a candle in the wind, ultimately forced to Luffy helplessly as Gale's relentless barrage of punches rained down upon him, leaving him powerless to retaliate until his complete defeat.

Therefore, he knew he needed to do everything in his power to fill this gap. However, to truly achieve this goal, he needed to find a suitable substance to absorb and transform into an eternal power. Undoubtedly, Devil Fruit abilities exist at different levels: domination, manipulation, and Awakening. When someone first consumes Devil Fruit, the ability is as if it's integrated into their innate talent. At this point, the user can control and manipulate the power at will, and the so-called techniques are merely clever applications of their own abilities. Just like Sabo, who could effortlessly wield the power immediately after consuming the Flame-Flame Fruit.

As users continuously explore and expand their Devil Fruit Ability, they reach a new level of understanding and application, thus entering the Manipulation Realm. Once they reach this level, even the same move will unleash power far beyond what it once Koby. It is no exaggeration to say that any user who successfully advances to this level can firmly occupy their own territory, even in the vast and perilous Grand Line.

Finally, let's talk about the Awakening of Devil Fruit Ability... Once you reach the Awakening stage, the ability and the user become completely integrated. At this point, the user can unleash the full power inherent in the Devil Fruit without reservation. Undoubtedly, Devil Fruit Awakening is the pinnacle state a Devil Fruit user can achieve! Anyone who successfully reaches this level, even in New World teeming with powerful individuals and rife with Wind Rises, will undoubtedly become renowned and awe-inspiring. However, those who truly reach this supreme realm are extremely rare... and at this moment... Moke is currently in the initial stage of the Dominance Realm. The Absorb-Absorb Fruit at this Dominance Realm possesses an astonishing ability—it can absorb an entire object, or a specific substance, and transform it into a permanent ability. In a sense, this is equivalent to creating a permanent passive skill. Like his current earth-based ability, with a mere thought, Moke could instantly transform into Devil Fruit User controls the power of nature and earth. Unfortunately, even so, this is not what Moke truly desires deep down. After all, what good would it do to successfully become Logia Fruit user?

It's important to understand that while Moke could swagger and dominate in the East Blue and the first half of the Grand Line, that was merely minor trouble. Once he stepped into the New World, a realm fraught with endless challenges and dangers, the situation would be entirely different. In this place teeming with powerful individuals, if he encountered even a master of Armament Haki, Moke would likely be instantly overwhelmed and utterly defeated, perhaps even losing his life... It is precisely for this reason that Moke's original aspirations have never wavered in the slightest.

He deeply understood that if he wanted to truly establish himself in this Wind Rises world, relying solely on his existing Devil Fruit Ability was clearly far from enough. Only by exploring and altering the immense potential within his body could he possibly go further and fly higher on his future path. Only in this way could he not rely solely on the power granted by his Devil Fruit, but rather steadily improve his true strength through his relentless training and countless intense battles.

Just then, Moke's gaze involuntarily fell upon the swords and blades scattered on the ground. To be honest, for Moke, who was eager to break through at this moment, the swords and blades were undoubtedly a very good choice. If he could successfully absorb these swords and blades into his body, then he could transform into an indestructible iron man! At that time, his entire body would undergo earth-shattering changes, gaining unprecedented potential for improvement.

However, ordinary swords and blades were simply beneath Moke's notice. After all, with his ambition and aspirations, how could he be satisfied with such commonplace items? At the very least, they had to be Meito swords and blades of the same caliber... The reason was simple: once he successfully absorbed a weapon of the Meito level, his physical strength would directly leap to the same level as that Meito!

The moment the words "Meito" came to mind, Moke almost immediately thought of Loguetown, where Smoker was stationed. As far as he knew, that mysterious and legendary town held more than one coveted, peerless Meito!

Roronoa Zoro's incredibly sharp Yubashiri, the mysterious Sandai Kitetsu, and Tashigi's exquisitely small Shigure —all were irresistible choices. Therefore, Moke Dark-Dark Fruit decided on his next destination: Loguetown.

Moke was always a decisive person; once he set his sights on something, he would never hesitate. He swiftly picked up two boxes specifically for storing Devil Fruit, holding them carefully in his hands. One box contained the rare Paramecia Slip-Slip Fruit; the other box was used to pack smaller but valuable items for him to take with him. After all, money is always indispensable, no matter what world you're in!

After making all the preparations, Moke stepped out without hesitation. However, when he finally set foot on the ground, he was surprised to find that the guy Buggy had been waiting with his men for a long time at the exit. The moment Moke appeared, Buggy's originally unremarkable eyes immediately became filled with malice and malicious intent.

Moke's gaze naturally fell upon Buggy the Clown, and for a moment he was involuntarily lost in thought. After all, this was no ordinary person, but the legendary "Chosen One"! Even those who ate the Baccarat Fruit, which is also Paramecia Lucky-Lucky Fruit, probably couldn't compare to Buggy's luck.

On this vast and mysterious sea, powerful figures abound, and competition is fierce. Yet, there is one figure who, despite possessing only mediocre strength, has, through astonishing luck and fortuitous encounters, not only successfully ascended to the throne of the Shichibukai but also unexpectedly become one of the Four Emperors, Might-Shaker Four Seas. How about that? Faced with such a legendary rise to power, can you still calmly express your dissatisfaction?

Even Luffy, who has always been fearless and relied on his own tenacious struggle to gradually Luffy to prominence, would probably have to give way to this legendary figure. After all, Luffy has truly experienced countless hardships and dangers on his Luffy. It's no exaggeration to say that every adventure has been a brush with death, and a slight misstep could have led to his demise. If it weren't for the dazzling protagonist's halo protecting him, who knows how many times he would have sunk in this turbulent sea of fate.

But look at this amazing guy! He's practically the legendary "King of Lucky Finds"! Everything went smoothly for him, with all sorts of coincidences coming his way, as if the heavens were especially kind to him. Just like that, effortlessly, he managed to snag all the good fortune in the world and eventually became one of the Four Emperors, a figure revered by all. This kind of life, where he practically won without lifting a finger, is truly enviable!

Just then, Buggy, his face contorted with greed, roared, "You brat, hand over that treasure you're holding! Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead..." If it were anyone else daring to provoke him like that, given Moke's fiery temper, he would have killed them without a second thought. However, regarding this special guy, Moke pondered for a moment and decided to let him go for now. What could he do? The world would lose a lot of unexpected fun without such a unique character. Besides, although this guy seemed like a rogue, he actually possessed extraordinary insight. Once he sensed that the other party had overwhelming strength, he could quickly assess the situation and wisely disappear without a trace.

Therefore, Moke completely ignored Buggy. He slowly raised his arm, stretching his palm straight out to the blazing sun. It was midday, the sun blazing like fire, its intense rays pouring down like a waterfall, mercilessly drenching the earth. The intense light seemed to ignite everything in the world, making it difficult to look directly at it. However, Moke stood firmly in place, calmly enduring the scorching sunlight, even clearly feeling the burning heat it brought.

In the next instant, a miracle occurred. Moke's palm began to emit a dazzling light, like the brightest star in the night sky, or the first rays of dawn breaking through the darkness. The light grew brighter and brighter, gradually illuminating the surrounding space, enveloping Moke in a mysterious and dazzling radiance. A slight smile appeared on his lips; the smile he had been suppressing could no longer be contained, blooming freely. "Haha, just as I thought... it works..."

Only then did Moke turn his gaze to Buggy beside him, his eyes filled with mockery and amusement. He chuckled softly and said, "Buggy the Clown? So you're the so-called great pirate from the East Blue! As someone who roams the Four Seas, you must possess the Eternal Pose that leads to Loguetown!"

Upon hearing this, Buggy's face turned deathly pale. He was no ordinary nobody; he had once followed the great Pirate King Roger on his adventures. While his own strength might not be outstanding, his years of experience and knowledge far surpassed that of the narrow-minded pirates of the East Blue. With just a glance, he grasped the crux of the matter. In an instant, Buggy's pupils contracted sharply, a deep fear welling up within him.

However, Buggy only ever submits to the truly strong. Towards ordinary people, he always displays an arrogant and unruly demeanor. At this moment, he stares intently at Moke before him, his eyes as cold as ice, and speaks without any politeness, "Hmph, the Eternal Pose in Loguetown is indeed with me, but who do you think you are? Why should I hand it over to you? Do you think you have the ability?"

Faced with Buggy's arrogant attitude, Moke was not angered. Instead, a slightly malicious smile appeared on his lips as he said unhurriedly, "Heh heh, have you ever experienced being kicked by light?"

Upon hearing this, Buggy was taken aback, a series of question marks instantly appearing on his face. Then, a look of disdain spread across his face as he sneered, "Tch, who do you think you are... You think you can compare to Marine Admiral Kizaru?" However, before he could finish speaking, he suddenly noticed that Moke's right leg was beginning to gather light continuously. The light grew brighter and brighter, eventually enveloping his entire right leg, radiating a terrifyingly powerful aura.

Buggy had witnessed Kizaru's terrifying power firsthand and knew all too well how formidable it was. At this moment, he was filled with dread, completely stunned by the sight before him. But only a moment later, he quickly recovered, roaring angrily, "You brat, don't think you can scare me with some fancy tricks! No matter what tricks you're playing, you won't leave here alive today! Prepare to die!" With that, Buggy waved his hands, and countless tiny fragments shot towards Moke like bullets.

It's important to understand that in this vast and mysterious world, there can't possibly be two identical Devil Fruit! After all, Kizaru is still living a carefree life and serving as Marine Admiral, so how could this guy standing in front of me inexplicably possess Kizaru's unique Glint-Glint Devil Fruit Ability?

Just then, a man riding a unicycle and carrying a sharp longsword quickly stepped forward and shouted, "Captain Buggy, please calm down! You don't need to personally deal with such a small fry!" Moke, with his sharp eyes, recognized him immediately with just a casual glance. This man was Cabaji Kabaji, Buggy's trusted lieutenant and capable subordinate...

Upon hearing Cabaji's words, Buggy slowly turned his head, his gaze fixed on Moke's right leg, which was radiating a dazzling light. His eyes were deep and sharp, as if trying to see through the light to everything. At this moment, Buggy's heart was churning like a stormy sea, with various thoughts constantly intertwining and colliding.

"Alright, since that's the case, let's send this kid to scout things out first. Although from the current situation, this guy doesn't seem like the real Kizaru, he's still someone with special abilities. If he really has some hidden methods and strength, we can know in advance and prepare a countermeasure." Buggy nodded slightly as he pondered, seemingly having made a decision.

Thinking of this, Buggy's expression became even more serious. He looked at Cabaji solemnly and said, "Remember, we must not take this operation lightly."

"Nothing to hold back, give it your all! Only in this way can we more accurately discern the enemy's true strength!" Buggy commanded solemnly, his gaze unwavering. Having received Buggy's approval and clear instructions, Cabaji's eyes flashed, and without the slightest hesitation, he nodded emphatically, indicating that he understood the arduousness of the mission and the full effort required.

Immediately afterward, Cabaji took a deep breath, as if to take in the entire world. With this deep breath, his previously slightly relaxed body erupted like a powder keg, instantly unleashing astonishing power. Every muscle tensed up, its lines clearly visible, as if meticulously sculpted by a master sculptor, brimming with a breathtaking explosive force.

In the next instant, Cabaji suddenly concentrated all his power into a single point. In that instant, an invisible, powerful aura erupted from his body and shot straight into the sky.

This overwhelming force was like a surging, all-encompassing ocean wave, one higher than the next, constantly assaulting people's mental defenses; it was also like a roaring, furious Gale, unleashing its boundless power and rage, terrifying everyone. Just as everyone was stunned and speechless by this force, suddenly, he roared fiercely, the sound like a thunderclap in a clear sky, deafening, exploding between heaven and earth, echoing all around. This roar seemed to contain infinite energy, making everyone who heard it tremble with fear.

His movements were as swift as Inazuma and as fast as a whirlwind. In a flash, he shot out like an arrow, his speed beyond imagination, so fast that it was difficult for onlookers to even follow his trajectory. In an instant, he had reached the front. At the same time, his entire body began to spin rapidly, the speed increasing faster and faster, like a high-speed spinning top. As his body spun rapidly, the surrounding air seemed to be drawn by some powerful gravitational force, rushing wildly towards him and violently churning, forming a huge, billowing cloud of smoke.

The thick smoke quickly spread, obscuring the sky and completely enveloping his figure. However, in the blink of an eye, everyone was astonished to find that Cabaji had already leaped high into the air.

In that instant, he seemed to transform into a blazing meteor, streaking across the sky with unstoppable force. The light emanating from him was even more dazzling and radiant than the midday sun, so brilliant and dazzling that it was impossible to look directly at him.

The intertwined lights resembled an exquisitely magnificent battle robe woven from countless glittering gems, completely enveloping his body. This "battle robe" of light not only made him appear imposing but also added a Haki of unparalleled dominance.

He descended from the sky like a towering mountain, carrying an unparalleled and powerful aura. Like a colossal mountain, he crashed down with overwhelming force, radiating a suffocating pressure, as if carrying the immense power to destroy everything in the world. The sharp blade in his hand gleamed coldly as he slashed down fiercely at Moke below.

The ferocity of this strike was beyond imagination, reaching the pinnacle of skill. Its unparalleled sharpness was like Inazuma flashing across the night sky, dazzling and captivating. It seemed that with just a gentle swing, it could easily tear through the void and open a mysterious passage to the unknown world.

As he rapidly approached, the surrounding wind suddenly became exceptionally sharp and piercing, like the Kikoku. The whistling sounds rose and fell, echoing through the sky, deafening and sending chills down one's spine. Wherever he passed, the air currents surged violently like a lit powder keg, forming massive, clearly visible vortexes. These vortexes spun wildly, constantly impacting the surrounding space, emitting muffled roars, as if trying to devour the entire world.

Such a terrifying attack, as if the end of the world had arrived, surged forth with overwhelming power, carrying endless destructive energy. A huge beam of light, like Inazuma, tore through the sky and rushed straight towards Moke. Its speed and power were astonishing, and it seemed poised to cleave him in two on the spot!

At this moment, Moke was like a lone boat in Gale storm, appearing so small and fragile. The surrounding air currents surged wildly, forming powerful vortexes that seemed to want to drag him into an abyss. The deadly light drew ever closer, distorting and deforming the space in its path, emitting a series of ear-piercing whistling sounds.

In an instant, the entire battlefield was enveloped by this powerful energy shockwave, filled with smoke and dust, obscuring visibility. No one could see what was happening inside, nor did they know whether Moke had truly managed to withstand this terrifying attack. All the answers remained hidden in a thick fog, unknown to anyone...