The Next Second
"???" However, in the next instant, time seemed to freeze, and he stood rooted to the spot as if he had been frozen in place. His fingers, which were about to touch Moke's head, were less than ten centimeters away from the target, but those few centimeters seemed like an insurmountable chasm.
Colonel Wild Dog was terrified. He tried desperately to move his body, but no matter how hard he tried, it was to no avail. He looked down in fear and realized that, without his noticing, his entire body had been controlled by a mysterious force—soil gushing from the ground, coiling around him like a serpent and binding him tightly.
Faced with this sudden turn of events, Colonel Wild Dog was filled with shock and confusion. He had no idea why such a bizarre thing had happened. Where did this mud come from? And how did it manage to trap him so tightly in such a short time? Countless questions swirled in his mind, making him feel dizzy.
Just then, a soft "whoosh" was heard, and the Sandai Kitetsu in Moke's hand flashed across the night sky like Inazuma, leaving a beautiful yet deadly arc in the air. This arc, carrying a sharp killing intent, rushed straight towards Colonel Wild Dog's neck!
"Not good!" Colonel Wild Dog's expression changed drastically upon seeing this. He knew that the power of this attack was not to be underestimated, and if he were hit, the consequences would be unimaginable. But tragically, he had completely lost his ability to move and was powerless to dodge. Helpless, he could only watch as the gleaming Sandai Kitetsu closer and closer to him, and the shadow of death loomed over his heart.
At that critical moment, Wild Dog was terrified, for there was no other way to deal with the crisis before him. Veins bulged on his forehead, his eyes widened, and he clenched his teeth, gathering all his strength into his neck. He growled, "Tekkai!" With this growl, his body trembled slightly, as if all his muscles and bones had instantly hardened like iron.
However, facing Moke's Inazuma -fast attack— the Sandai Kitetsu, with a sharp whooshing sound, sliced through Wild Dog's neck with overwhelming force. With a soft "whoosh," Colonel Wild Dog's Tekkai defense was easily breached as if made of paper.
At first, only a small wound slowly appeared on Colonel Wild Dog's neck, but after only a few moments, the wound rapidly enlarged, and blood gushed out like a fountain. In an instant, the scarlet blood stained Wild Dog's collar and the surrounding ground.
"No... no... impossible..." Colonel Wild Dog's face was filled with disbelief as he stared wide-eyed at Moke. Before this, he had always thought that Moke's ability was similar to Logia Devil Fruit like the Glint-Glint Fruit, allowing him to transform into elemental forms such as light or lightning to fight. But now it seemed that this was not the case at all; Moke could even manipulate earth to launch attacks, which was completely beyond his comprehension.
However, at that moment, Colonel Wild Dog suddenly noticed some details. He was surprised to find that, at some point, Moke's once smooth and shiny skin had lost its luster, becoming dull and even faintly yellowish. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he simply couldn't believe that such a change could happen to Moke.
Unfortunately, for the self-important Wild Dog, realizing all this was far too late. At this moment, standing directly opposite him, Moke was like an unshakeable mountain, completely unmoved by the situation. Moke's lips curled slightly upward, a cold and smug smile that seemed to be a merciless mockery of Colonel Wild Dog.
Just moments ago, when Wild Dog unleashed his devastating Tempest Kick, its power was enough to shatter mountains and split rocks. Yet, Moke, without flinching, met the attack head-on, taking the blow head-on. Although the powerful impact forced him back four or five meters, in that instant of Rewind-Rewind, he deftly reached out and touched the ground. In that instant, something miraculous happened— Moke, like Chameleon, swiftly transformed from a Shine form into a muddy mess—his unique Mud-Mud Ability!
Moreover, Tekkai, a seemingly ordinary defensive technique, displayed unparalleled power at this moment. Facing Wild Dog's deadly strike, unleashed with all his might and imbued with boundless Ghost Aura, Tekkai acted like an insurmountable wall of iron, easily blocking the ferocious attack. Colonel Wild Dog, caught off guard by this unexpected outcome, instantly lost all his advantages, his defenses exposed. Moke, naturally, wouldn't let this golden opportunity slip by. With a swift and powerful swing of his blade, he struck the enemy with overwhelming force. A crisp "crack" rang out, and Colonel Wild Dog, without even a scream, was decapitated, dying instantly.
Just as this breathtaking scene unfolded, a figure silently emerged from a dimly lit and extremely secluded corner. This person held a camera, intently pressing the shutter button on Moke. Clearly, this mysterious figure was quite skilled at photography, constantly adjusting the shooting angle to capture the perfect shot. Finally, as Moke gracefully sheathed his long sword, the mysterious figure successfully captured that incredibly powerful moment. In the photo, Moke's eyes were cold and sharp, revealing an arrogant air of disdain for all living beings, as if the entire world was under his control.
Meanwhile, Moke frantically searched everywhere for Bartolomeo, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't catch a glimpse of that familiar figure. He was stunned, thinking to himself, "Where did that guy go? How could he disappear without a trace..." He muttered to himself involuntarily, "No wonder he's an important character, he's got incredible luck!"
However, lingering in Loguetown was clearly pointless at this moment. Moke raised his head with a determined look, held his right hand high, and aimed it precisely at the blazing sun in the sky. In an instant, a powerful energy surged from his body and quickly gathered in his palm. Then, accompanied by a dazzling flash of light, Moke successfully unleashed his Glint-Glint Ability once again.
The next moment, he seemed to transform into a dazzling beam of light, speeding straight towards Reverse Mountain at an astonishing pace. He moved with lightning speed, unstoppable, and in the blink of an eye, he traversed numerous obstacles and successfully arrived at the Grand Line.
Upon entering the Grand Line, one is presented with a complex and interconnected network of shipping routes. And on the first island at the start of each route, without exception, a mysterious underground force hides, selling all sorts of classified information. Here, one can purchase the Eternal Pose for almost every island, though at a hefty price.
Moke knew that this intelligence was crucial to the success of his mission, and that obtaining it would be no easy task. So, from the moment he set foot on the mysterious island, he had a clear goal in mind—to find clues as quickly as possible. Without hesitation, he strode forward with firm and urgent steps, heading straight for the most bustling and lively tavern in the area.
The moment Moke stepped into the tavern, a sharp-eyed and quick-witted waiter spotted Moke instantly and greeted him with a beaming smile, asking enthusiastically, "Welcome, esteemed guest! What would you like to order today?"
Moke, equally decisive, stated directly, "I want an Eternal Pose from Chef Island." Before he finished speaking, his nose twitched involuntarily; a rich, enticing aroma wafted towards him. This fragrance, like an invisible hand, gently teased his taste buds, instantly igniting a strong appetite in Moke, who had been focused on his mission. He then added, "And also, please bring me a table full of your most renowned delicacies."
"Alright... Please wait a moment, sir. You can find a comfortable seat here, and I'll prepare it right away." After receiving clear instructions, the waiter responded and immediately turned to get busy.
Moke smacked his lips, his gaze quickly sweeping over the numerous tables and chairs in the tavern. Then, seemingly casually but with a clear purpose, he walked to an empty table and sat down with an air of nonchalance. At that moment, however, the people who had been chatting and laughing or engrossed in their food and drink, as if by unspoken agreement, all turned their gazes toward Moke. Some of them revealed obvious ill intent in their eyes, and even let out chilling sneers, as if a storm was about to break out.
"Hey, look who's here? Another arrogant newcomer has arrived..." A sharp, piercing, and sarcastic voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, like a dagger piercing straight into people's hearts.
"Hahahaha, look at him! With that innocent look on his face, he's just like a child who hasn't grown up. He's probably lost in his dream of becoming the One Piece right now!" Immediately afterward, another, even more arrogant laugh rang out, its mockery and contempt like a surging tide, instantly engulfing the entire space.
"That's right! These newcomers are all so naive and ridiculous. I really don't know where they get the confidence and courage to step into our territory." At this moment, another malicious voice chimed in, revealing deep contempt and disdain for the newcomer.
Despite the chorus of jeers and taunts around him, Moke merely raised an eyebrow, his deep, sharp eyes sweeping slowly across everyone present like bolts of Inazuma. In that brief exchange of glances, a hint of undisguised contempt inadvertently flickered in his gaze.
In truth, Moke knew better than anyone else that most of these so-called "old folks" were nothing more than cowards who had long lost the courage to forge ahead and dared not step out of this comfortable place to venture into the vast New World. The only reason they chose to stay here was to take the opportunity to suppress the newcomers and show off their insignificant so-called seniority in front of everyone, so as to barely regain a pitiful sense of existence.
Just then, a burly man in the crowd suddenly stood up and strode straight towards Moke. Reaching him, he looked down at Moke and gruffly shouted, "Hey, brat! I heard you're looking for the Eternal Pose to a specific island? Hmph, that thing is worth a fortune! You must have some money on you, right? Be smart, pay for the drinks at our table, and then leave me a little something to spend, how about that?"
Although it sounded like a question, his firm and unquestionable tone revealed it to be a blatant threat and extortion.
Moke remained seated calmly, slowly raising his head to meet the burly man's fierce gaze. Seeing the man's arrogant expression, confident he could defeat him, Moke suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha, this is utterly hilarious! A coward like you, cowering on the first small island at the entrance to the Grand Line, actually dares to mock those who have dreams and bravely pursue their goals?"
Nevertheless, most of those guys were indeed not good people. However, compared to you bunch of cowards, they were much better!" With this angry rebuke, the once noisy and bustling tavern instantly fell into a deathly silence. Whether it was the uninvited guest who had just barged in or the people who had originally come to watch the show, they all looked at each other, their faces frozen as if solidified. It was because his words were like a resounding slap across everyone's cheek.
In an instant, the way everyone looked at Moke changed drastically. The previous expressions of amusement vanished without a trace, replaced by a ferocious look of wanting to devour him alive. Especially the burly, broad-shouldered man, whose eyes were wide open in fury, almost popping out of their sockets. His face was flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead, and he was spewing out a torrent of anger. "You..." However, just as he was about to unleash his fury, he unexpectedly met Moke's deep and eerie eyes.
At that very moment, a startling scene unfolded— Moke's pupils suddenly turned a deep purple, like two mysterious and unfathomable amethyst gems embedded within. Simultaneously, a sinister and terrifying Ghost Aura, like a burst dam, surged forth from his body, sweeping wildly in all directions with overwhelming force. The burly man was the first to be impacted; he had barely uttered a single word when he was struck as if by a heavy hammer. His face instantly turned deathly pale, his body swayed violently, and he nearly lost his footing and fell to the ground... The remaining words he was about to utter were swallowed back down his throat, unable to escape his grasp.
"Hiss..." A gust of cold wind howled past, and everyone present couldn't help but tremble, as if a chilling cold air swept down their spines, causing them to involuntarily shiver. Most importantly, the young man standing in front of them at this moment was exuding a terrifying aura, and his presence had undergone a complete transformation!
This overwhelming sense of oppression weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, making their breathing difficult. These were people who had traveled from all corners of the Four Seas and possessed considerable experience, yet even so, they were filled with fear and dread in the face of the mysterious and unpredictable young man's imposing presence.
Moke's face was as cold as frost, his eyes sharp as two swords piercing the crowd. He coldly said, "Hand over all your valuables and get out of here! Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless today and making you pay for your offense with your lives!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces instantly froze, and their initial intention to bully the newcomer vanished in an instant. They had only planned to harass the inexperienced newcomer and maybe get a share of the spoils. Who could have imagined that their attempt to steal a chicken would backfire so spectacularly, and they would be the ones being robbed instead! For a moment, everyone was completely dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.
However, these men were, after all, pirates whose hands were stained with countless lives; greed was ingrained in their very bones, an indelible part of their nature. How could they willingly hand over their hard-earned wealth so easily? Thus, a fierce conflict seemed inevitable...
With a loud crash, a burly pirate with a face full of scars smashed through the window like a raging beast, and then leaped out of the broken window.
However, just when he thought he had successfully escaped, a deafening roar suddenly rang out—"Boom..." Everyone in the tavern looked in astonishment toward the source of the sound, only to see Moke standing quietly in place, his slender index finger steadily aiming at the pirate who had just jumped out of the window. At this moment, his index finger was flashing with dazzling light, and a large amount of light elements were frantically converging toward him like a tide.
The next moment, an incredibly thick beam of light shot out like Inazuma, tearing through the night sky with lightning speed. This beam of light, carrying unparalleled power and speed, instantly pierced through the back of the pirate who was trying to escape. With a muffled "thud," blood splattered everywhere, and the pirate didn't even have time to let out a scream before falling straight to the ground.
However, unexpectedly, this mysterious and incredibly powerful beam of light did not stop its advance upon hitting its target. On the contrary, like a wild horse unleashed, it continued its relentless and unstoppable charge forward, like a cannonball suddenly fired from a cannon, carrying boundless power and an overwhelming impact. In an instant, this beam of light, like Inazuma piercing the night sky, swiftly crossed the vast distance between the tavern and the towering, sky-covering tree a hundred meters away, and slammed into the thick trunk with the force of a mountain crushing an egg.
In an instant, a deafening roar that shook the heavens and earth erupted, splinters of wood rained down, and dust billowed into the air like a raging torrent, instantly engulfing the surrounding space and blurring visibility. Faced with this terrifying power, the once majestic tree, towering into the clouds and with its lush foliage resembling a giant umbrella, was utterly powerless, easily snapped in two! The massive trunk crashed down with a heart-stopping sound, like a mountain collapsing, slamming heavily onto the hard ground and raising a cloud of dust that blotted out the sky, as if a sudden sandstorm had swept in.
No one knew how much time had passed; it was as if time itself had frozen at that moment. Finally, in this suffocating atmosphere, someone was jolted awake by an invisible force and was the first to regain their senses.
The man's face was as pale as paper, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. His lips trembled slightly as he swallowed with great difficulty. As the saliva slid down his throat, it produced a low, muffled "gurgling" sound, which suddenly rang out in the otherwise silent tavern, like a thunderclap ripped through the sky.
Almost simultaneously, another person, as if struck by a great shock, shuddered violently and involuntarily gasped. The chill rushed straight into his lungs and then burst out of his nostrils, creating a sharp, piercing sound. This sound echoed in the tavern, where you could hear a pin drop, and was exceptionally clear and loud, like a sharp dagger mercilessly piercing the taut strings of people's hearts.
Gradually, the others also began to recover from their initial shock. However, when they turned their gaze to Moke standing not far away again, their eyes were completely different from before. The look that was once full of contempt and resentment had vanished, replaced by an uncontrollable sense of awe from the depths of their hearts.
At this moment, in the eyes of these people, Moke was no longer just an ordinary person, but had transformed into a terrifying being with extraordinary power, as if Demon God had descended. The powerful aura emanating from his body was like a surging wave, sweeping outwards and overwhelming everyone who faced him, making their legs weak and even their breathing difficult.
No one dared to hesitate or be negligent any longer; they all rushed to place all the money they were carrying respectfully on the table in front of Moke. Only after doing so did they cautiously turn and leave, afraid that even the slightest delay would offend this unfathomably powerful figure...