As countless Blood Shadow Bats streamed back into his body, Fang Huo drank in the rich life force.
"A master of Conqueror's Haki—his energy is so pure!"
Fang Huo licked his lips in excitement, every cell in his body rejoicing.
Power surged endlessly; it felt as though his body had broken its shackles and entered a virtuous cycle.
His physique now seemed capable of wielding both the Gravity Fruit and the Moonlight-Moonlight Fruit without relying on the Vampire ability's feedback.
"This world's biology makes no scientific sense!"
Fang Huo could feel that his body had undergone some sort of metamorphosis.
So, "eating people" really can make you stronger!
The stronger and more gifted the victim, the greater the benefit to him!
"'Patriarch' Wang Zhi is dead!!"
An Executive of the Wang Zhi Pirates, sensing through Observation Haki that Wang Zhi's life aura had vanished completely, shrieked in terror.
As the last Blood Shadow Bats dispersed from Wang Zhi's body, his pale, desiccated face remained frozen in a hideous rictus of fear.
Fang Huo expressionlessly pulled the Seven-Star Sword free and casually kicked the shriveled corpse aside, looking every inch the callous demon.
"Worororo! Fang Huo, you've grown stronger again!"
Rocks sensed the earth-shaking change in Fang Huo's body; this mysterious kid was steeped in the unknown.
Yet, Rocks remained confident he could keep Fang Huo in check and make him a key piece in toppling Imu.
"Jihahaha! Congratulations, Fang Huo!"
"Golden Lion" Shiki was the second to offer praise, his desire to recruit Fang Huo peaking.
"He's only relying on Devil Fruit powers and a cursed sword!!"
"Silver Axe" was once again convinced of how crucial a mighty Devil Fruit could be.
Look at Fang Huo—without even the three types of Haki, he had still slain Wang Zhi using only Devil Fruit abilities and a demon blade.
True, the "Pirate Patriarch" had been worn down by their tag-team assault.
But no one could deny the combat strength of this triple-Fruit user!
Silver Axe studied his own famous giant axe, wondering whether he should upgrade to a more prestigious weapon.
The eerie power of that Seven-Star Sword was simply enviable.
It could enslave the weak-minded and amplify both sword aura and piercing power.
Even an average swordsman could unleash a slash that stretched halfway across an island.
To Silver Axe, Fang Huo's blade seemed outright superior to Newgate's Supreme Grade blade, Murakumogiri, and Rocks's sword.
At that moment, Silver Axe realized that besides a mighty Devil Fruit, he also needed a formidable weapon.
If that bastard Shiki was hunting famous swords, then he too would add weapon hunting to his goals.
"Fang Huo, you're amazing—my true friend!"
Charlotte Linlin danced atop the thunder cloud Zeus, shrieking with glee.
"Vice-Captain!! Awesome!!"
The burly Fishmen, Babel and Sunbell, cheered.
"He's grown stronger again, huh."
Newgate sensed the change; where he'd had sixty-seventy percent odds of beating Fang Huo, it now looked like fifty-fifty once more.
Taking down this triple-Fruit user wouldn't be easy.
But Newgate burned with fighting spirit.
Only by defeating someone like Fang Huo would the challenge be worthwhile.
Beating his friend Fang Huo and catching up to his nominal Captain, Rocks, were now Newgate's goals.
—Amid the panicking onlookers—
"Black Flag" Black's mind was in chaos; Fang Huo had actually slain Wang Zhi—something completely outside their projections.
Weren't the Rocks Pirates expanding, recruiting every talent in sight?
Why kill Wang Zhi instead of recruiting him?
It clashed with Rocks's usual habit of poaching manpower!
And those Blood Shadow Bats that had attacked him... cold sweat dotted Black's brow.
Should he abandon the mission and flee right now?
At that moment—
The Executives and pirates of the Wang Zhi Pirates suddenly bolted in all directions.
They had no intention of avenging Wang Zhi or begging to join the Rocks Pirates—they only wanted to escape.
Had Wang Zhi's clash with the Rocks officers not obliterated their base,
they would have looted the treasury before scattering.
Now, they could only seize the "Patriarch's" flagship, still laden with treasure and supplies.
Amid the chaos, Black hesitated, unsure whether Fang Huo had seen through him.
But this was a covert mission ordered by Saint Saturn.
Even with an eighty percent risk of death, he had to finish it!
Having decided, Black quelled his panic and fear, fully becoming the pirate "Black."
Right now, he was nothing but a pirate!
If Fang Huo killed him, he'd still die a defiant freebooter!
Black drew his blade and cut down a minor officer of the Wang Zhi Pirates, slipping into the role of a savage pirate.
He had fought Wang Zhi earlier; now, taking it out on the remnants was perfectly reasonable.
"Jihahaha! It's all mine—hands off!!"
"Golden Lion" Shiki dove into the harbor scramble; every pirate crew was prey to him.
Wang Zhi's inheritance—no one else could touch it!
"Silver Axe," Babel, Sunbell, Streusen—each joined the frantic free-for-all.
No one got to freeload off the Rocks Pirates.
"Fang Huo—does that guy check out? Can we recruit him?"
As Fang Huo flew back, Rocks pointed straight at "Black Flag" Black, who was cutting down foes left and right.
A 444-million-Berry Great Pirate who fought so cleanly was exactly to Rocks's taste.
If there were no red flags, he'd personally haul the man aboard.
Newgate also eyed Black; his style was indeed more decisive than any of their officers,
even more ruthlessly efficient than Silver Axe, the self-styled "Gangster Killer"!
"A guy who's mastered the Six Powers—what do you think?"
"Don't be fooled by that long blade; I bet the calluses on his hands aren't even as thick as mine!"
Fang Huo said flatly, gazing at Black like a hunter sizing up prey.
Having tasted power from Wang Zhi, he was now an insatiable demon eager to devour this next target.
"The Six Powers? Those used by Marines and CP agents?"
Rocks's eyes sharpened, admiration flipping to thick murderous intent.
His D. Clan had been hunted by the World Government for eight hundred years, reduced to skulking fugitives.
Only by hiding their name had a remnant survived.
Those CP agents were the most vicious hounds in that chase.
His hatred for them far exceeded even his grudge against the Marines' façade of justice.
"That 'Black Flag' Black is a CP agent of the World Government?"
Newgate tightened his grip on Murakumogiri, his narrowed eyes fierce and imposing, killing intent rising.