A True Shortcut to Becoming Stronger

Moke gazed silently at the scene before him, a surge of admiration for the immense power of Devil Fruit welling up within him once more. Devil Fruit truly lived up to their reputation; they were indeed a shortcut to becoming a powerful being! At this moment, thanks to the abilities granted by the Devil Fruit, he felt his strength was virtually unmatched in the East Blue. Even if Navy Captain Smoker himself were to intervene, he would likely find it difficult to defeat him.

However, despite his seemingly glamorous exterior, Moke knew very well that he possessed a fatal weakness: his current formidable strength relied entirely on the power of his Devil Fruit, while his original strength had not been substantially enhanced. This situation was like walking a tightrope; a slight misstep would send him plummeting into the abyss. After all, over-reliance on external aids meant that in the event of an unexpected situation or if the enemy discovered his weakness, he could easily be seized upon and dealt a fatal blow, instantly turning the tide of battle.

This involuntarily reminded Moke Enel, the once- Might-Shaker figure who possessed strength nearly comparable to Marine Admiral. Back then, Enel, with the unparalleled power of his Rumble-Rumble Fruit, was virtually invincible. But who could have imagined that such a formidable figure would ultimately be defeated by Luffy, whose strength was far inferior? Certainly, Luffy's rubber body, which granted him immunity to lightning, was a key reason for Enel's defeat. But more importantly, Enel's excessive reliance on his Devil Fruit's power led him to neglect the training and improvement of his own strength. As a result, his physical constitution became extremely fragile, unable to withstand Luffy's Gale and fierce attacks. Thus, the seemingly invincible Enel ultimately fell to Luffy's seemingly chaotic yet incredibly powerful punches.

Therefore, he was well aware of this flaw and determined to overcome it. However, to truly remedy this deficiency, he needed to find the perfect substance to absorb and transform into a powerful, permanent ability that would accompany him throughout his life. Indeed! In fact, the abilities granted by the fruit also have different levels, specifically including: the Dominion Realm, the Manipulation Realm, and the Awakening Realm.

The moment someone swallows Devil Fruit, the special abilities it grants seem to instantly merge into that person's innate talent. At this moment, the user can control and manipulate their abilities at will, and those so-called techniques are merely unique ways of utilizing their own abilities. Just like Sabo, who was able to skillfully wield the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit.

As Devil Fruit users continuously delve deeper into the potential of their Devil Fruit Ability reach a new level, marking the Manipulation Realm. Once at this level, even the same move becomes vastly different in power compared to before. It's no exaggeration to say that any Devil Fruit user who reaches this level can undoubtedly carve out their own niche, even on the perilous and challenging Grand Line.

Finally, there is the remarkable Awakening the Devil Fruit Ability... Once one successfully enters the Awakening Realm, the power and the user will perfectly merge and become one. In this state, the user can unleash the full potential hidden within the Devil Fruit without reservation.

Without a doubt, Devil Fruit Awakening the ultimate, coveted realm for any Devil Fruit user! Anyone fortunate enough to embark on this path to the top, even in New World teeming with powerful individuals and Wind Rises, will have their name resound throughout the land, becoming a legendary figure feared and Might-Shaker by all! However, reality is often cruel; those who truly succeed in reaching this peak are as rare as priceless treasures...

At this very moment, Moke was in the initial Dominion Realm of Awakening and domination. In this wondrous state, his mysterious Absorb-Absorb Fruit possessed astonishing power—it could effortlessly absorb a complete object or a specific substance into his body, transforming it into a permanent, powerful ability. To put it another way, it was as miraculous as suddenly gaining a permanent passive skill!

Just like now, as Moke faced this vast expanse of earth, he slightly narrowed his eyes, and in a flash, underwent a magnificent transformation, becoming a Devil Fruit User of fully wielding and controlling the power of the earth in nature! However, it's regrettable that even with such incredible power, he still couldn't satisfy the deepest, most fervent desire within Moke. After all, even if he truly became a Logia Fruit user, what difference would it make? For Moke, this was far from his ultimate goal!

Although Moke could dominate the East Blue and the first half of the Grand Line, he knew very well that to truly become the ruler of the seas, he had to venture into the New World. However, the New World, a vast and mysterious realm, was not a place easily trodden by ordinary people. It was a place teeming with masters and hidden dragons, where every corner might conceal a peerless expert. They were either proficient in various magical martial arts or possessed awe-inspiring power. Even a chance encounter with one of these powerful individuals with Armament Haki could mean an instant plunge into an abyss of no return for Moke, and a slight misstep could even cost him his precious life.

Despite facing such difficulties and obstacles, Moke never forgot his original dream—to deeply explore the boundless potential hidden within his own body. He deeply understood that relying solely on the special abilities granted by the Devil Fruit was far from enough. To truly achieve a breakthrough in his strength, he needed to persevere in rigorous training and bravely throw himself into thrilling, life-or-death battles.

At this critical moment, Moke's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the gleaming swords and blades laid out on the ground. To be honest, for Moke, using traditional weapons like swords to enhance his combat power was indeed a brilliant and effective method. If he could truly absorb and integrate the essence of these swords and blades into his own body, he would transform into an invincible, unstoppable steel giant! At that time, he would not only gain immense offensive power, but his physical attributes would also undergo a dramatic transformation, giving him even more room for self-improvement.

However, ordinary swords and blades were simply beneath Moke's notice. In his view, only weapons of the "Meito" worthy of his absorption and utilization. After all, only swords of such exceptional quality could, upon absorption, directly elevate his physical strength to the level of Meito. And when Meito were mentioned, the Loguetown, where Smoker resided, immediately came to Moke's mind. As far as he knew, that town was home to many Meito!

Zoro's incredibly sharp Yubashiri and the unpredictable Sandai Kitetsu, combined with Tashigi's delicate and petite Shigure, these three weapons are undoubtedly excellent choices. After careful consideration, Moke had made up his mind: the next destination was the mysterious Loguetown!

It's important to know that Moke is always a decisive person; once he sets his sights on a goal, he never hesitates. He swiftly picked up two boxes from the table. One box contained the coveted Paramecia — the Slip-Slip Fruit; the other box was used to hold the small but valuable items he had selected. Because no matter what world you live in, money is always indispensable.

With everything ready, Moke stepped outside without hesitation. However, the moment he stepped out of the room and onto the ground, the scene before him made him pause in surprise. It turned out that the annoying Buggy was already waiting at the exit with his men. And, the instant Moke appeared, a cunning and malevolent glint flashed in Buggy's previously unremarkable eyes, like a Sanjuan Wolf eyeing its prey.

Moke steadied himself and turned his gaze to Buggy the Clown before him. To be honest, Moke felt a certain apprehension towards this man. After all, as everyone knew, this Buggy was the legendary "Chosen One"! Even Baccarat, who had eaten the Paramecia Lucky- Lucky-Lucky Fruit, which was said to bring endless good fortune, probably couldn't compare to him in terms of luck!

In the vast and Wind Rises world of One Piece, there exists a character whose strength is shockingly low—it's no exaggeration to say he's a complete weakling. Yet, this seemingly insignificant individual, through a series of fortuitous events and unexpected methods, not only successfully ascended to the throne of the Shichibukai but also ultimately became one of the Four Emperors, a figure who commands Might-Shaker Four Seas! So, are you convinced or not?

When this legendary figure is mentioned, even Luffy, who is always brave and never backs down, pales in comparison and has to obediently step aside. After all, Luffy has grown up by facing powerful enemies head-on and fighting bloody battles. His experiences can be described as surviving by the skin of his teeth. If it weren't for the protagonist's halo, he would probably have died countless times by now.

In stark contrast, however, is our lucky guy who rose to power as if he had cheated. He seems to have been born with a magical ability—to snatch up bargains! No matter when or where, as long as there's something to gain, he always appears at the perfect moment and effortlessly pockets those precious items. In this way, he sailed smoothly through the ranks, encountering almost no significant obstacles before easily ascending to the position of one of the Four Emperors. This way of reaping the rewards without lifting a finger can only be described as a prime example of "winning by doing nothing"!

At that moment, Buggy, his face contorted with greed, glared menacingly at the young man before him, shouting, "Kid, you'd better hand over what you have right now! Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless and making you wish you were dead..." Anyone else facing such a threat would likely have been terrified, but for Moke, he merely glanced at Buggy indifferently, silently considering how to respond.

In fact, based on Moke's usual style, anyone who dared to disrespect him like Buggy would usually be eliminated without hesitation. But considering that this person was no ordinary individual! Putting aside everything else, this guy's superhuman luck alone was enough to make one wary. Besides, if the world really lost a character like Buggy, wouldn't it become much less interesting?

Not to mention Buggy, he's not only insatiably greedy, but also incredibly eloquent! But don't be fooled by appearances; in reality, he's extremely astute at assessing situations. If he senses that someone is significantly stronger than him, he'll turn tail and run without hesitation or a word, without any lingering or protracted struggle.

So, after fully considering all the factors, Moke Dark-Dark Fruit thought to himself: I should let Buggy go for now. As a result, Moke completely ignored what Buggy said and did.

Moke slowly and deliberately raised his arm, then steadily placed his palm directly at the blazing sun high in the sky. It was midday, and the sun seemed to be burning, radiating intense and scorching light. The fierce and relentless sunlight poured down without restraint, enveloping the earth in a blanket of heat.

However, despite the intense sunlight, Moke remained calm and showed no sign of distress. He stood quietly in place, intently feeling the powerful, almost unbearable heat emanating from his palms. It felt as if a raging fire was trying to burn his skin.

But in the next instant, time seemed to freeze. Everyone stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape, for something astonishing and utterly astonishing had happened without warning! Suddenly, a dazzling, radiant light burst forth from Moke's previously ordinary palm, like the brightest pearl in the night sky, radiating an intense brilliance that was impossible to look directly at. This light instantly illuminated every inch of the surrounding space, even illuminating the darkest corners in the distance as if it were daytime.

In an instant, the gazes of everyone present were drawn to this strange light as if by a magnet, unable to look away even slightly. They were all speechless with astonishment, their faces filled with disbelief.

Meanwhile, Moke was already immersed in immense joy. He could hardly contain his surging excitement, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned upwards, forming a wide arc. He desperately tried to suppress the smile that was about to get out of control on his face, but all his efforts were in vain, and the smile only became brighter, "Haha, as expected, it really works..." Laughter echoed in the air, filled with pride and excitement.

After a long while, Moke finally snapped out of his euphoria. He slowly shifted his gaze from his Shine hands to Buggy beside Buggy. When their eyes met, a hint of mockery flickered in his eyes. Then, he chuckled softly, his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears. "Buggy the Clown, I've heard you're a legendary pirate who roams the East Blue, your name renowned and your Might-Shaker awe-inspiring. In that case, with your abilities, you must surely possess the Eternal Pose to Loguetown, right?"

Upon hearing this, Buggy was jolted, as if struck by lightning. His eyes widened, staring intently at Moke, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He never imagined that this seemingly unremarkable fellow would know that he possessed the Eternal Pose! For a moment, he felt a chill run down his spine, his mind going completely blank. He had once followed the Pirate King Roger across the Four Seas; although his own strength wasn't top-tier, his experience and knowledge far Koby of ordinary pirates who roamed the East Blue for years. With just one glance, he grasped the crux of the matter—this Moke possessed the power of Devil Fruit!

In an instant, Buggy's expression changed drastically. His previously composed face was now filled with terror. His pupils contracted sharply, as if he had seen something extremely frightening.

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

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 hard by light?"

Upon hearing this, Buggy was taken aback, a series of large question marks instantly appearing on his face. Then, he sneered disdainfully, "Oh ho, who do you think you are? Or perhaps you're...?"

Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, he suddenly noticed that a dazzling amount of light was beginning to gather continuously on Moke's right leg. The light grew stronger and stronger, eventually enveloping the entire right leg and emitting a terrifyingly bright light.

Buggy had witnessed firsthand the terrifying scene of Marine Admiral Kizaru's attack, and naturally knew the immense power contained within that light. In an instant, a chill ran through him, and he was completely stunned.

But Buggy quickly regained his senses, and in a fit of rage, roared at Moke, "You brat, no matter what tricks you're playing, this is where you'll die! I'll personally take your life..."

In this vast and mysterious world, every Devil Fruit is unique; it's impossible for two fruits to be exactly alike. Especially the powerful and unique Glint-Glint Fruit like Kizaru's. Since Kizaru is still alive and kicking, how could this person standing before them possibly possess the exact same abilities? Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, a figure rushed over swiftly. The newcomer rode a strangely shaped unicycle, gripping a gleaming longsword, arriving with Kizaru speed. It was none other than Buggy's trusted henchman— Cabaji!

Moke's eyes were sharp; with just a quick glance, he immediately recognized the man's identity. Cabaji, with a fawning expression, said to Buggy, "Captain Buggy, dealing with such an arrogant little brat doesn't require your personal attention! Leave it to me!"

Upon hearing this, Buggy slowly turned his head and looked at Moke standing to the side. When his gaze fell on Moke's right leg, which was emitting a strange light, his heart involuntarily trembled slightly.

Buggy pondered to himself, "Hmm... this situation is rather interesting. Although it's unlikely that this guy has actually obtained the powerful abilities of Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit, he must still have some strength as a Devil Fruit user. We can't underestimate him."

Thinking of this, Buggy's lips subtly curled upwards, forming a barely perceptible arc, a faint smile appearing on his face. Then, he nodded slightly to Cabaji beside him, indicating his agreement to let Moke go forward first to test the waters.

Buggy added, "No need to hold back..." Cabaji nodded solemnly in response. Then, Cabaji took a deep breath, gathering all his strength in one place, and unleashed his most powerful move—"The Amazing Officer Triple Act: The Smoke Hot Springs Murder Incident!"

In an instant, Cabaji's body spun rapidly like a whirlwind, kicking up thick plumes of smoke. As the spin increased, the smoke rose into the air like a giant, menacing dragon. Cabaji used this momentum to leap high into the air, gripping his weapon tightly with both hands, and slashed at Moke with overwhelming force.

This attack was incredibly powerful, as if it would split Moke in two, its momentum was terrifying!