How Should I Describe It?
Oh my, how should I describe her? Ulti is truly amazing! Her appearance and personality are like they come from two completely different worlds. If I had to describe her accurately, it's no exaggeration to say that she's a JR with a baby face! Or in other words, she's the kind of cute and fierce little girl that makes you want to get close to her but also a little scared.
However, it's important to note that she and Perona are completely different styles. Perona is the adorable, innocent princess type, always giving off a naive and pure feeling; while Ulti, on the other hand, has a touch of babyish charm, her cuteness is simply melting hearts. But that's not the main point. What's truly eye-catching is the mysterious tattoo on her fair and delicate left cheek.
For pirates, having one or two tattoos is perfectly normal. But the tattoo on Ulti's face is extraordinary! In this vast world, it's considered an absolute taboo— the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark. This mark symbolizes profound meaning: on one hand, it represents the Celestial Dragons' supreme power and authority; on the other hand, it signifies the endless humility and humiliation of slaves. Therefore, no one dares to get such a tattoo, as no one wants to provoke the Celestial Dragons, much less bear such a heavy burden.
Furthermore, it should be understood that anyone bearing the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark is invariably considered the private property of the Celestial Dragons. No matter where these people are, even if they flee to the ends of the earth, they will eventually be captured and brought back by the Celestial Dragons and their henchmen.
Even more terrifying is that, in order to reclaim these so-called "private properties," the Celestial Dragons are even willing to directly use the Navy's highest combat power... Therefore, those who bear the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark on their bodies often try to hide it.
On one hand, for those unfortunate people who had suffered the cruel enslavement of the Celestial Dragons, the fear of the ruthless pursuit and encirclement by the Marine Admiral was like a seed buried deep in their hearts, which continued to grow and sprout over time. It must be understood that the Marine Admiral is not just a simple title; it symbolizes the ultimate and unparalleled power of the World Government!
The sheer magnitude and vastness of this power far surpasses the limits of ordinary human imagination. Their terrifying strength, inspiring fear in all who hear of it, surges forth like a tidal wave, instantly crushing anyone who dares to oppose them into dust. Their ruthless and decisive style and methods are like demons descending upon the world, cold-blooded and merciless to the extreme; any slight disobedience will inevitably result in annihilation. Just the thought of such a scene is enough to send chills down the spines of countless people.
Those who have endured hardship and weathered many storms have a profound understanding of this. They know all too well that if they inadvertently reveal even the slightest trace of their past identity, they will inevitably be met with a relentless and frantic pursuit. In this life-or-death struggle, the enemy will show no mercy; they will stop at nothing to track down their target to the very end, determined to bring them to their deaths.
Not only that, but also came the inhuman and insane torture. Various cruel tortures were used in turn, leaving people unable to live or die, plunging them into an abyss of despair from which there was no return. Just imagining such a tragic scene was enough to send chills down one's spine and make one tremble uncontrollably.
However, compared to the numerous threats from the outside world, the more crucial and heavier reason lies deep within their souls—an escapist mentality arising from the very depths of their hearts towards that past filled with endless humiliation. That unbearable history haunts them like a nightmare; every time they recall even a fragment of it, it pierces their fragile nerves, awakening painful memories buried deep in their hearts. Therefore, they would rather carefully conceal their tracks than touch that long-forgotten place of pain.
That dark, unseen history, like a lingering, terrifying nightmare, clings tightly to their hearts, making them afraid to touch it lightly. Whenever they inadvertently recall those hellish years, the deep-seated pain, the indelible shame, and the profound helplessness surge forth like a raging tide. It feels as if an incredibly sharp blade has mercilessly pierced the depths of their fragile souls, bringing unbearable agony.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark has become an insurmountable chasm in the hearts of all those who have been enslaved by the Celestial Dragons. It is not merely a physical mark, but an indelible scar on the soul. As long as that hoofprint remains imprinted on their bodies, they cannot escape the shackles of Celestial Dragons enslavement, no matter where they go. Even a powerful being like Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, would likely find it difficult to protect these unfortunate souls from the persecution of the Celestial Dragons.
Just then, Moke gently placed the injured Ulti on the ground, his movements so tender as if afraid to disturb her slumbering pain. Then, he slowly straightened up, his once gentle eyes instantly becoming incredibly sharp, shooting like two bolts of Inazuma straight at Page One in the distance, and said with a hint of scrutiny, "If I'm not mistaken, you probably have some on your face too!"
Upon hearing this, Page One, as if resigned to his fate, slowly raised his hand and removed his mask. In an instant, his true face was revealed to everyone. Admittedly, this guy was actually quite good-looking. However, regrettably, the clearly visible Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark on his cheek was like an extremely ugly scar, completely ruining what should have been his good looks.
Moke fell silent for a moment, his gaze falling on Ulti and Page One, a complex emotion welling up within him. He suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the two of them.
It's important to know that the Celestial Dragons' methods of treating slaves are evident from the descriptions in the original work. Originally, Moke intended to eliminate them completely, but he changed his mind at this moment...
Moke slowly spoke, "I'll give you two choices. First, join my pirate crew, and I'll help you remove this Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark, a symbol of shame and suffering. Second, die by my blade!" However, it must be clear that Moke is not the kind of saintly person who indiscriminately bestows kindness. There are actually other important considerations behind his decision to save them.
First of all, these two are indeed formidable. Especially considering their ages—one is 22 and the other only 20—they possess considerable fighting power at such a young age, making them rare talents. Moreover, youth often means that unlimited potential has not yet been fully unleashed. Strictly speaking, both of them can be considered exceptionally gifted geniuses. If they could be recruited, my pirate crew would undoubtedly gain two members who are both strong and full of potential.
Secondly, Moke pondered the timeline and thought of Boa Hancock also bore the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark. She was probably around 28 or 29 years old at this time. Back then, Boa Hancock, only 12 years old, was unfortunately kidnapped and enslaved by the Celestial Dragons, only to be rescued by the Fish-Man leader at the age of 16. This painful experience must have left her with indelible scars.
Time flies, and looking back, about twelve or thirteen years have passed. At that time, Ulti and Page One were not seven and nine years old, but rather eight and ten years old, respectively, which is a very young age.
Therefore, it can be inferred that these two individuals, like Boa Hancock, were likely rescued by others twelve or thirteen years ago. In this case, they may have some connection with each other, and may even know each other. If this connection is used as a bridge for communication, it would likely be able to successfully gain Boa Hancock's initial trust.
Next, if one were to use methods to remove the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark that symbolizes shame from her, it would certainly win her favor even more... With this approach, the probability of successfully subduing her would rise to its peak.
Even if we ultimately fail to capture her, when the Seven Warlords of the Sea system is abolished and the Navy launches its massive attack, and she can no longer remain in Amazon Lily... she will most likely come to our side. Thirdly, the adorable little girl, Ulti, who is right in front of us at this moment, could perfectly complement Perona and form a striking little girl duo.
This is undoubtedly a brilliant choice... tsk tsk tsk! It's truly killing three birds with one stone, achieving three goals at once! "What?" Upon hearing this, Ulti and Page One exclaimed in unison.
At this moment, the way they looked at Moke had undergone a complete transformation. The fear and pleading that had filled their eyes before had vanished, replaced by utter astonishment and disbelief.
Some faces merely showed shock and deep anticipation. Their resolute decision to join the Beast Pirates stemmed from two main reasons: first, Kaido's terrifying power filled them with awe and reverence for this powerful figure; second, they considered that if their identities were exposed, Kaido's erratic and tyrannical nature, along with his unparalleled strength, might protect them. However, if they could successfully erase the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark, a symbol of shame and pain, it would undoubtedly bring them... A complete transformation of life. From then on, they could completely bid farewell to those unbearable memories, those nightmarish recollections that haunted their hearts... This was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of! The Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark was like an insurmountable chasm, deeply imprinted on their bodies, indelible. Even if someone in the world possessed such miraculous abilities, probably no one would dare risk such a huge deal to remove it for them. After all, if this matter were to come to light, the severe consequences would be far beyond what ordinary people could bear.
Just then, Ulti seemed to have completely cast aside her deepest fears. Her face flushed crimson, and she asked excitedly, "R-really, can it be removed?" Moke, standing beside her, nodded slightly in affirmation. "In my opinion, this Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark was first branded onto the skin with a red-hot iron, and then colored with special tattoo ink. Therefore, strictly speaking, it is actually a kind of trauma. Since that's the case, I'm confident that I can restore it to its original, intact state, as long as it's a trauma."
"Really?" Upon hearing this unequivocal answer, Ulti and Page One's eyes instantly brightened, shining like stars in the night sky. They quickly exchanged a glance; their long-cultivated understanding allowed them to instantly read each other's thoughts from their eyes. Almost without hesitation, they nodded in unison and said, "Ulti and Page One greet the Captain!"
Just then, a hearty laugh suddenly resounded throughout the space. It turned out that Moke couldn't help but burst into laughter. As his laughter rang out, a Ghost Aura, fused with the mysterious and powerful eerie energy on the Holy Sword, surged forth from Moke's body like a surging tide. This Ghost Aura first permeated the air around him, and then gradually gathered towards his hands.
In a short while, all the Ghost Aura concentrated in Moke's palm, forming a ball of energy that burned fiercely like a black flame. Moke slowly raised his hand and extended it towards Ulti, who was standing to the side. However, perhaps because she had just witnessed Moke's unparalleled power, Ulti subconsciously flinched back. After all, the immense strength and domineering aura that Moke had displayed were deeply imprinted in her mind, unforgettable.
Ulti's delicate body trembled, and she stood straight in place as if frozen in place, not daring to move. She simply raised her head slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Moke in front of her. Moke slowly raised his broad palm and gently placed it on her delicate cheek, which was as white as mutton fat jade.
The moment Moke's hand touched Ulti's skin, a strange feeling welled up inside her. She felt as if Moke's fingers carried a touch of magic, gently caressing her face and bringing a faint itch. That itch did not come from the surface of her skin, but from the depths of her heart, as if an invisible little hand was gently tickling her heartstrings.
Moreover, the warmth from Moke's palm traveled through her skin to her heart, causing ripples to spread across her once calm mind. This wonderful feeling made Ulti's heart race involuntarily, and an alluring blush gradually spread across her cheeks.
At this moment, Ulti's gaze was completely drawn to Moke. In her eyes, Moke was so handsome and dashing, exuding an irresistible charm. Especially his powerful strength and majestic aura, which used to inspire fear and awe, now Shine like the brightest star in the night sky.
As Moke gently stroked her face, Ulti was surprised to find that the Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark on her face, a symbol of shame and pain, began to fade at a visible rate. At first, the color only lightened slightly, but soon, the deep imprint on her skin became fainter and fainter until it was almost imperceptible.
This astonishing scene naturally did not escape Page One's eyes. His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, yet he couldn't suppress his excitement. He knew clearly that Moke was using his mysterious and unpredictable abilities to help them get rid of the terrible mark imposed by the Celestial Dragons! This heavy burden that had been weighing on their hearts could finally be completely removed.
Time flowed by like sand in an hourglass, each second seeming exceptionally long. Finally, after a breathtaking wait, Moke slowly stopped what he was doing. At that moment, the whole world seemed to stand still, and everyone's gaze turned to Ulti's face.
Everyone was stunned, speechless with shock. Their eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets, as if they had witnessed the most unbelievable thing in the world. They stood frozen in place like statues, staring blankly ahead, their faces filled with disbelief.
These people's mouths were wide open, big enough to fit a whole egg, but they couldn't close them for a long time. It was as if their throats were blocked by a wad of cotton, and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't squeeze out even half a complete sentence.
At that moment, a jaw-dropping scene suddenly unfolded! All eyes turned to Ulti's face, a face that should have been charming and delicate. The Celestial Dragon Hoof Mark, once deeply imprinted on her features, vanished without a trace, as if by some mysterious magic, without the slightest warning! Previously, this hoofprint had been clearly visible, like a hideous, sinister Ulti, cruelly and mercilessly etched upon Runti's exquisitely beautiful face. Everyone who witnessed this felt a surge of intense pity and regret.
However, this very hoofprint, which everyone believed would remain forever, vanished without a trace in an unimaginable way. It disappeared so completely that not even the slightest trace of its existence remained! Not only that, but even more astonishingly, the faint, almost imperceptible color that had lingered at the hoofprint was completely absorbed by Moke in an instant. The speed was so fast that it was as if that faint color had never existed at all.
In that fleeting, split-second moment, the whole world seemed to be paused by an invisible hand, time seemed to freeze instantly, no longer flowing by as usual.
The surrounding air seemed to be affected by some mysterious force, becoming unusually heavy, as Fudō as lead, and even the slightest breeze could hardly stir this deathly space, thus creating a terrifying atmosphere that made people feel extremely oppressed and suffocated.
At this moment, everyone present seemed to be frozen in place, their gazes fixed on Ulti's exquisite and charming face as if drawn by a powerful magnet. No matter how hard they tried, they could not tear their eyes away even a fraction of an inch.
At this moment, a tremendous tsunami seemed to have erupted deep within everyone's heart, with surging waves of shock and disbelief washing over them like an endless tide.
Such an unimaginable, Mew scene suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes without any warning. The shock was so great that it was unbelievable and inconceivable. Everyone present was dumbfounded and could hardly believe that everything they had witnessed was real!
When people turned their gaze back to Ulti with astonishment and doubt, they were shocked to discover that the changes around her had reached a level that was utterly astonishing. For a long time, she had endured the relentless and cruel erosion and torment of wind, frost, rain, and snow.
Back then, her delicate skin was as smooth and supple as white jade, so soft and delicate that it seemed as if it could easily break with a flick of the finger. But now? The ravages of time and the ravages of nature have gradually dulled her once radiant skin, as if covered with a thick layer of dust. The once dazzling pearl has lost its brilliance.
However, in that seemingly fleeting, almost negligible moment, an astonishing miracle quietly descended upon Runti—her skin suddenly began to radiate an unprecedented, strange light. This light then spread rapidly at an astonishing speed, covering every inch of her body. Simultaneously, her skin, as if under some kind of magical spell, was undergoing Ulti, unprecedented transformation.
Like a flower struggling to survive in arid and barren land, she finally received the long-awaited nourishment of rain. The warm and gentle morning light shone on her face, like a light veil gently covering her, making her look radiant and beautiful. Her originally haggard and sallow skin now bloomed with a charming glow, crystal clear, as smooth and delicate as white jade; or like a ripe peach, pink and tempting, exuding a captivating charm.