"Gurararara… If you've made up your mind, stop dawdling."
Whitebeard's wild laughter faded, his expression turning more serious than ever.
"This captain's cabin is too small. You won't have enough space to unleash anything here."
Whitebeard placed his massive hand on Lucian Thorn's shoulder, his touch carrying a steady, mountain-like weight.
"Come with me."
"I'll take you to the right place."
Lucian didn't ask questions. He simply nodded heavily.
The two left the captain's quarters, one behind the other.
Lucian followed the towering figure of Whitebeard, like a living mountain, out into the open.
On the deck, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates were still immersed in the tension and excitement of the upcoming war—sharpening weapons, checking cannons and ammunition.
When they saw their Pops and Lucian stepping out with solemn expressions and heading straight into the heart of the island, everyone froze.
"Where's Pops going…?"
"Brother Lucian's with him?"
"They look so serious…"
Jozu, Vista, and the other division commanders exchanged glances, each seeing deep confusion in the other's eyes.
But none stepped forward to ask.
Whitebeard's decision was the will of the Whitebeard Pirates.
All they needed to do was follow it—without question.
Their base camp sat atop a wild, undeveloped island.
Within the island's interior, towering ancient trees and jagged stones filled the landscape.
Whitebeard clearly knew this place like the back of his hand. With Lucian in tow, he led them skillfully through the thick jungle, eventually arriving at a secluded location.
It was a vast, open mountain valley.
Surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs, the area resembled a natural, enclosed arena.
The air here was so still it was almost eerie—not even the sound of the wind could be heard.
"This is the place."
Whitebeard stopped and scanned the surroundings, his voice low and heavy.
"Plenty of space here. Even if you blow up the whole island, it won't affect the others."
With that, he strode toward the edge of the valley and plunged his massive naginata—Murakumo Giri—into the rocky ground.
Woom—!
The blade let out a deep hum. A surge of invisible Conqueror's Haki burst from him, spreading across the entire valley and enveloping everything within.
Arms crossed, eyes sharp as a hawk, Whitebeard fixed his gaze on Lucian.
He didn't say another word.
But his battle-ready stance said it all.
He was prepared to handle anything that might happen next.
Lucian felt the powerful presence surrounding him—a pressure that brought a strange sense of calm. His last shred of hesitation melted away.
He stepped into the center of the valley and slowly closed his eyes.
He looked again at the old man before him—that steadfast figure, solid as a mountain—and warmth surged in his chest.
Lucian closed his eyes and summoned the System with a single thought.
In the next instant, a strange fruit materialized in the palm of his hand.
[Mutated: Sun God Apollo Fruit]
The moment it appeared, the dim valley was instantly bathed in light!
The fruit was a radiant, golden hue, exuding a holy brilliance. Its surface lacked the typical Devil Fruit spiral patterns. Instead, it bore searing lines that pulsed and burned like solar flares.
A divine aura filled the entire valley.
It was warm, sacred—yet terrifyingly powerful, as if it could burn the heavens to ash.
Even from a distance, Whitebeard felt the blood in his veins boil the moment he saw the fruit.
"This is…"
Even with decades of experience ruling the seas, the emperor of the ocean sensed something he had never felt before—an aura beyond all known Devil Fruits.
A presence more ancient, more primordial—pure divinity.
"Gurararara… What a terrifying fruit…"
And this brat found it.
Whitebeard muttered, his eyes burning brighter with anticipation.
He was even more eager to see what kind of storm Lucian would stir up after devouring it.
In the center of the valley.
Lucian lifted the fruit in both hands, feeling the raw power pulsing through his palms.
He could feel it calling to him—urging him to become one with it.
He didn't hesitate any longer.
He raised his head and cast one last glance at the reliable figure in the distance.
Then, he opened his mouth and bit down on the Mutated: Sun God Apollo Fruit.
Crunch!
The crisp sound echoed through the silent valley.
Unlike the legendary foul taste of Devil Fruits, this one had no flavor, no texture. It was like biting into a mass of weightless light.
Suddenly, a searing heat mixed with divine warmth exploded in his mouth.
It felt like he had just swallowed a newborn sun and a star-forming nebula in the same breath.
Lucian didn't have time to process the sensation—he finished the entire fruit in one go.
Gulp.
The fruit slid down his throat.
Lucian stood still, bracing for an eruption of world-shattering power.
One second.
Two seconds.
Ten seconds.
A minute passed.
The valley remained eerily still.
Lucian slowly opened his eyes.
He looked down at his hands, then checked inside himself.
Nothing.
No rampaging power. No searing pain. Not even the slightest abnormality.
It was as if the fruit had vanished without a trace.
"What's going on…?"
Lucian frowned deeply.
He lifted his head, confused, and looked toward Whitebeard.
But Whitebeard's expression was more intense than ever.
His arms were still crossed, but his muscles had unknowingly tensed, and sweat had begun to bead on his forehead.
His Observation Haki was already pushed to its limits!
From Lucian's own senses, everything felt calm and normal.
But from Whitebeard's perspective, a terrifying power was brewing uncontrollably inside Lucian!
"Kid…"
Whitebeard's voice was hoarse and low.
"Don't relax. Brace yourself!"
"It's coming!"
The moment his words fell—
Woom—!
A tiny sliver of golden light pierced outward from Lucian's heart!
At first, it was only the size of a pinhead—yet blinding like the noonday sun.
And then—
That point of light began to expand at a monstrous speed…!