Sakazuki's interest was thoroughly piqued. He gave a short nod.
"Go on. Show us."
Barrett glanced around at his fellow soldiers, then locked eyes with Vice Admiral Sakazuki.
A sense of certainty settled over him. He hesitated no longer.
He nodded with grave determination.
"Yes, sir!"
With that, he closed his eyes and reached deep, drawing forth a power from within.
The soldiers, still sparring with wild enthusiasm, suddenly felt a chill sweep across the deck—a cold, ghostly presence.
Barrett's eyes snapped open.
His entire appearance had transformed. His eyes glowed a feral, blood-red. His skin had turned an unnatural blue, and a bone-chilling aura radiated from him. His mouth split in a cruel, predatory grin.
Suddenly, he turned his gaze to the nearest soldier.
Whoosh—
Like a blue-skinned demon, Barrett took a single step forward, intent on attacking the closest man.
BOOM!!!
With a thunderous crash, Sakazuki appeared out of nowhere and sent Barrett flying with a single devastating kick.
But Barrett was up again in a flash, now a streak of blue lightning as he charged straight at Sakazuki.
Sakazuki watched the mindless, snarling Barrett barrel toward him and chuckled.
"Oni Aura, huh... Not bad. This could be interesting."
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—...
Everyone aboard froze, their duels forgotten, turning to watch the absurd spectacle.
The blue demon Barrett had become was like a rubber ball—charging in again and again, only to be sent flying by Sakazuki every single time.
All they saw was a blur of blue light ricocheting between Vice Admiral Sakazuki and the ship's railings.
As dusk settled over the sea, admiration filled every face on deck.
Getting kicked around by Vice Admiral Sakazuki all day, and he still didn't even flinch!
The Oni Aura continued to seep deeper and deeper into Barrett's body, but Sakazuki didn't let up. Each time, he sent Barrett flying from a different angle, never letting him get comfortable.
Driven purely by instinct, Barrett tried countless times to block or counter. He failed every single time.
Rage built up inside him—hot, wild, and relentless.
After yet another bone-rattling kick, that fury finally boiled over, shattering whatever mental chains remained.
A wave of raw, furious energy erupted from the spot where Barrett staggered to his feet, pressing down on everyone around him.
"ROOOOOOOAAARRRR!!!!!!!!!"
His furious bellow thundered across the ship, laced with Conqueror's Haki. Even the seasoned Marines felt a wave of discomfort wash over them.
Sakazuki and Karol's eyes lit up in surprise.
"Did he just awaken Conqueror's Haki like that?"
Sakazuki had only meant to sharpen Barrett's Observation Haki by pushing him to his limits in a state of pure instinct. Once his Observation Haki grew strong enough, Barrett's will would be able to suppress the Oni Aura, letting him maintain control.
He hadn't expected a breakthrough like this.
After that earthshaking roar, the Conqueror's Haki slowly faded.
The rage seemed to bleed away with it.
Barrett's crimson eyes found Sakazuki. The cruel smile faded, replaced by something more human. He raised his hands, staring at his blue skin in awe.
This was the first time he'd ever witnessed this state while still conscious. In the past, whenever he'd lost control, he'd always black out—only to awaken later, surrounded by nothing but corpses.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, this...?"
He looked at Sakazuki, confusion written on his face.
Sakazuki smiled.
"In that state, you awakened your Conqueror's Haki—and completely suppressed your Oni Aura."
Barrett knew about the three types of Haki, but this was the first time he'd ever heard the term "Oni Aura."
"Oni Aura?" he echoed, puzzled.
Sakazuki nodded.
"That's right. Oni Aura.
Where it comes from, or how to master it—no one really knows.
You'll have to figure that out for yourself.
All we know is, Oni Aura can fuse with all three types of Haki.
Right now, you've found a new form—one your instincts must think is best.
That's why, when you lose control, you transform like this."
Barrett nodded, only half understanding, still staring at his hands.
He could feel it—his body was stronger than ever before.
Then a thought struck him: Would this monstrous form scare his comrades?
He jerked his head up—only to find every single face around him shining with admiration, eyes sparkling like stars.
From across the deck, Sakazuki's voice rang out:
"Alright, clean up! Get ready for the banquet!"
The soldiers erupted with excitement.
"Woooooo!!"
They swarmed Barrett like a pack of kids.
"That was insane!!"
"Barrett, you're awesome!"
"Whoa, those red eyes!"
"So cool!!"
"Woohoo!!"
Up on the second deck, Sakazuki and Karol watched the crowd of ecstatic soldiers gathered around the Oni Aura Barrett.
Sakazuki stroked his chin, then spoke up,
"How about forming an assault team?"
Karol blinked in surprise, glancing at Barrett.
"An assault team?"
Sakazuki nodded.
"Yeah. Barrett is like a blade's edge.
Once he's fully grown, whether it's breaking through enemy lines, assassinations, or all-out war—he'll be able to shatter any stalemate."
Karol nodded in agreement.
"You're right. His talent is incredible. He's practically the next Vice Admiral Garp."
Sakazuki thought of that More-More Fruit and chuckled.
One Garp might not be enough to keep up with this kid...
He turned to Karol.
"Later, let's hold a selection. Pick the fastest, toughest soldiers—fifteen for now."
With that, he turned and headed back toward the cabin.
Karol looked down at the deck, then nodded.
"Alright."
Suddenly, she remembered something and called out,
"What about the name?"
Sakazuki's figure was already gone, but his voice drifted back,
"Roaring Assault Team..."
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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