The sheer difficulty of Devil Fruit awakening was undeniable.
Paramecia awakenings were supposed to be easier than Logia, but in all his years, Kai had never heard of a single Paramecia user achieving true awakening—let alone a "second awakening." The very concept was unheard of.
Whitebeard caught the confusion on Kai's face. Since they weren't true enemies, and Kai had restored him to his prime, Whitebeard decided to explain.
"You know about Devil Fruit awakening, right? Zoan types—when awakened, they gain massive boosts to recovery and combat power. Paramecia, when awakened, can affect things beyond the user's own body. Logia awakenings grant even greater elemental control.
But a second awakening? That's a whole new realm—awakening built on top of an awakened Devil Fruit.
As far as I know, only two people have ever reached this level: me, and 'Beast' Kaido.
After Roger died, my body couldn't handle the backlash of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's second awakening anymore. But now, thanks to you, I get one more chance to use it.
Listen up, Marine brat: when a Paramecia Devil Fruit achieves second awakening, the user creates a domain—a territory where their power reigns supreme. My domain is the Tremor Domain. Within it, I control every vibration, every quake. Nothing escapes me.
Don't die on me now, Marine brat!"
Whitebeard's words had barely faded when Kai felt it—a colossal tremor erupted from his chest and abdomen, rippling through his entire body.
His blood churned, his limbs felt ready to shatter, and pain stabbed deep into his bones.
Armament Haki—Full Body Armor!
In an instant, pitch-black Haki covered Kai, forming a protective shell. Only then did the pain begin to subside.
But suddenly, Kai's eyes narrowed in alarm.
Cracks were spreading across his Haki armor.
Impossible! Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit could actually affect Haki itself?
Haki was supposed to be the bane of Devil Fruit powers, yet Whitebeard had flipped the law—using his fruit to suppress Haki.
"Kuhahahaha…" Whitebeard laughed, seeing the shock in Kai's eyes. "Second awakening Devil Fruit powers don't fear Haki anymore. Back in the day, even Roger fell to my Tremor Domain."
Whitebeard punched out.
There was no change around his fist, but in the space before Kai—without warning—a fracture appeared, racing toward him.
Kai's Six Powers: Paper Art—Infinite Body, Divine Kagura Mind's Eye, and Observation Haki were all active, but spatial fractures gave no warning, no airflow, no sign at all. The attack was instantaneous.
Even Kai couldn't react in time.
The crack tore across his shoulder, and by the time he dodged, a half-meter gash, deep enough to expose bone, ran from his shoulder down his back.
But Kai's body—rebuilt by the Divine Tree Fruit and perfected by Sage Physique—had long since surpassed human limits. In a single breath, the wound vanished, leaving no trace.
Kai raised his right arm, fingers splayed, then clenched tight.
Ryūjin Jakka appeared in his grip!
No hesitation.
"All things in creation… turn to ash—Ryūjin Jakka!"
With a low chant, Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai state flared to life in Kai's hand, flames roaring along the blade.
"First Form: Nadegiri!"
A torrent of wild, raging fire shot toward Whitebeard, faster than lightning.
Whitebeard's eyes widened. Was this Marine brat a Flame-Flame Fruit user? Then what was that blue fist earlier? Could he have eaten two Devil Fruits? That was supposed to be impossible!
He couldn't figure it out—but now wasn't the time to wonder.
"Pine Torch!"
Kai's assault didn't let up. The flames transformed midair, swirling into a tornado-shaped wall that wrapped around Whitebeard, spinning and burning.
"Blazing Hell!"
Ryūjin Jakka's strongest Shikai technique!
The tornado of fire contracted rapidly, crushing inward.
BOOM! A pillar of flame erupted skyward, piercing the heavens.
A wave of heat blasted outward, so intense that even those aboard Kai's approaching navy warship and the Moby Dick felt the scorching air.
On the navy warship—
"That's… Vice Admiral's ability!" Johnson recognized it instantly. Five years ago, Kai had used this move on Sabaody Archipelago's Grove 1—everyone remembered it.
Back then, Kai had held back and still defeated Admiral Kizaru.
This time, the fire pillar was even more concentrated, its color a deeper crimson, tinged with gold—Kai was fighting for real, no holding back.
On the Moby Dick—
Jozu, Vista, and all the division commanders stared in shock.
"Could that Marine be a Flame-Flame Fruit user!?" Jozu blurted.
"Incredible… such terrifying flames! Clearly, when he fought us earlier, he wasn't using his full power," Vista said, face grim.
"I wonder how the fight's going!" Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander, muttered.
"Hmph, what's there to worry about? Pops will win for sure!" Blamenco, the Sixth Division Commander, said confidently.
And somewhere in the shadows of the Moby Dick…
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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