One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

"Mom!!"

Weebull lay on the deck, crying weakly but desperately, his snot and tears making his already bloodied face even more unsightly.

But all he could do at that moment was cry.

As an ability user, after being handcuffed and shackled with seastone, he can only lie weak and powerless on the ground like a caterpillar.

His mother lay beside him, also wearing seastone shackles, but the old woman was much quieter. Although she was just as bloodied and mangled as Webull, she was fast asleep.

The unexpected crisis was thus resolved smoothly.

Knight looked away from the mother and son.

Bagingom Stussy.

Once a high-ranking officer of the Rocks Pirates, she is now an unknown figure whose identity has been replaced by a clone, and even the veteran Zephyr didn't recognize her.

However, if it weren't for him, this mother and son would have shattered Master Zefa's Dao heart.

After experiencing the deaths of his wife and children and retiring from the front lines, Zephyr's abilities have indeed declined significantly. At his age, Weevil is at best only at the level of an ordinary Shichibukai, let alone the ridiculously weak Bakingom.

It can only be said that belief is something that truly doesn't lie in this world; those who lose their belief are destined to become weaklings.

As the hero who resolved the crisis, after completely bringing Weevil and his mother under control, the new recruits surrounded Knight, showering him with praise.

  

The recruit, a bit taller than Knight, with broad shoulders and long arms, was praised by Binz as he patted Knight on the shoulder. "You can definitely do it if you want to! Knight, I'm truly impressed this time!"

A new recruit laughed and said, "Binz, Knight's Illusion-Illusion Fruit is definitely much more useful than your vines! If it weren't for him this time, I don't even want to think what would have happened!"

Binz is a Paramecia-type Lush Fruit user, capable of freely manipulating plant growth, and typically uses tough vines in combat.

"Isn't this something anyone can do with their hands?"

Knight stood leaning against the ship's railing, his soft hair falling naturally, almost obscuring his eyebrows and making his droopy eyelids even more noticeable. His tone was languid as he said, "What are you guys making such a fuss about?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"As expected of Knight, still as arrogant as ever!"

"Hahaha, Knight is only humble when he's sleeping!"

"Luckily, this guy isn't very bright."

Ain, with her blue hair, turned to look at Weevil lying on the ground. "If he can calm down, Knight, the illusions you created probably won't fool his Observation Haki. You'd better be more careful in the future."

"Aion,"

Knight gave a lazy smirk. "Are you teaching me how to do things?"

"You bastard..."

Ain placed her hands on her slender waist and sighed helplessly.

"As expected of Knight, he doesn't hold back even when it comes to our new recruit's most beautiful girl!"

Binz couldn't help but give Knight another thumbs up.

Not only is Ian exceptionally strong, but she is also impeccably beautiful! She is extremely popular among the new recruits.

Knight yawned sleepily, shifted to a more comfortable position against the ship's railing, and said slowly, "I'm going to be a Fleet Admiral, women are just a hindrance."

Ian rolled her eyes at his words. "Don't talk nonsense, Binz. I don't want to have anything to do with this guy either."

Knight didn't move his head or lift his eyelids, but his eyes moved slightly as he glanced at Ain. "Ain, the fact that you think this way shows that you still have some self-awareness."

"Knight!"

Ain's fist hardened, and the veins on her forehead throbbed involuntarily.

Although he managed to turn the tide this time, Knight is still the same annoying Knight after all!

"I think I heard you talking about the Marshal, Knight."

Zefa walked over, his usually serious face now quite gentle, his tone even carrying a hint of teasing.

He just contacted headquarters to explain the sudden attack.

Knight said slowly, "Isn't there a saying? A general who doesn't want to be a marshal isn't a good general."

Zefa smiled and nodded approvingly, saying, "That's right. Truly great people just set their sights on the highest goals and keep moving forward."

This kid always looks like he's half asleep, and he's incredibly arrogant in his words and actions, but in fact, he's the hardest working among this year's recruits, working harder than anyone else.

Moreover, Knight not only works harder than anyone else, but his talent is also top-notch.

During the year-long training, this kid not only fully mastered all six styles, but he also became quite proficient in both types of Haki—Kuzan hadn't even learned Haki when he graduated.

The only downside is the Devil Fruit. The Paramecia-type Illusion-Illusion Fruit can create all sorts of illusions and sounds at will, but at least for now, it's not very useful for someone who's proficient in Observation Haki.

"Also, Knight,"

Zephyr patted Knight on the shoulder. "Well done."

"Oh!"

Knight sighed lazily, even drawing out his sigh, "That feels good, Professor Zephyr. Next time, just praise me honestly."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Zefa couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Knight is definitely not a good student in the conventional sense; he's arrogant and narcissistic, but probably no teacher would dislike him.

Hard work, talent, and the courage to step forward without hesitation.

This child will become a pillar of the navy in the future.

Zefa had no doubt about this.

"We're returning home, children!"

He announced loudly, "Final assessment successfully completed!"

"oh!!"

The deck erupted in cheers.

In that case, they finally graduated.

"Professor Zephyr,"

Binz glanced at Weevil and his mother, who were still lying on the deck. "What are we going to do with them?"

Without hesitation, Zephyr said, "Their fate is Impel Down, of course."

I knew it.

A gleam of interest flashed in Knight's half-closed eyes.

Now that you've successfully graduated, it's time to get started!

First, let this mother and child have a sweet dream.

……

"Where am I?!"

Barkingom Stussy tilted his head back and shouted at the top of his lungs.

She was on a vast, empty grassland.

A gentle breeze blows, and the grass rustles.

The surrounding area was vast and boundless.

The sky is clear and blue, and the white clouds are beautiful.

A beautiful scene, like a painting.

But Barkingom had no interest in appreciating the scenery at that moment.

She only remembered that she had been hit twice in the previous second, and the next second she was here.

His body was completely intact, with no trace of any serious injury.

Before Baginom could rejoice for long, she realized that she seemed to be trapped.

Although there were no obstacles around her, no matter which way she ran, there was only an endless grassland, and as far as the eye could see, there was nothing else at all.

"Whose power is this now?!"

Barkingom, in a fit of rage, pounded the ground with her cane, leaving hole after hole. "Where have you sent me?"

She was frantic with worry. Without her, Weevil would be finished! That child has no brains at all!

It was at this moment that Bakingom suddenly froze.

Because when she unconsciously looked up, she saw something—above the sky, no, something much higher!

Perhaps it is outside this world, or perhaps it is in heaven.

Like the sun and moon hanging high in the sky, one shining with golden light, the other gleaming with silver radiance, a pair of eyes as large as stars are quietly watching her.

"...!"

Barkingom stopped breathing.

My body was trembling, and my mind was blank.

What is that?

Is it God?

Before Baginom could think, her eyes suddenly shattered, tiny fragments splattering with blood.

"Ughhhhh!!"

The old woman covered her eyes and screamed in agony.

The excruciating pain was unbearable even for a seasoned veteran like her.

At that moment, she had only one thought in her mind.

What is this? Are gods not to be looked at directly?

"Who exactly are you—"

Her terrified question barely escaped her lips before her body began to collapse.

This isn't a description, but rather what's actually happening to Barkingom right now.

She felt as if all the bones in her body were about to shatter, and she couldn't help but curl up.

Her body twisted uncontrollably, and her consciousness gradually faded into chaos.

She completely lost consciousness and collapsed on the spot.

Finally, the chunk of flesh reshaped itself, and Bagingom reappeared unharmed in the same spot.

At first, Bagingom was in a daze.

She was able to see again, feel her body again, and make sounds again.

"Waaaaaah!!"

A heart-wrenching scream immediately echoed through the sky.

Barkingom began to back away.

She took one step back, then two, and on the third step her legs gave way, her knees buckled, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

She curled herself up into a ball.

He trembled all over, tears streaming down his face, and screamed hysterically.

"Spare me!"

She pleaded, "Whatever you want me to do, just spare me—"

That feeling of fear, despair, being fully conscious yet forced to watch helplessly as her body was twisted at will, and the excruciating pain that made her wish she were dead—Barkingom never wanted to experience it again.

Then, Bagingom saw the light.

A small ball of light appeared out of thin air in front of her, emitting a soft white glow.

Bathed in the light, Bagingom inexplicably felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

She raised her right hand, trembling, and grabbed the ball of light.

Baginam felt something seeping out of the light and penetrating her body.

She could refuse, but she didn't dare.

The dazzling light engulfed her.

Then, in the next instant, before Baginom could even react to what had happened, the scenery before her eyes suddenly changed.

When she stared in horror, she saw a dark and damp cell, heavy shackles on her body, and even the wounds on her body had returned.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

Baginom was breathing heavily.

What exactly happened?

Was everything that just happened a dream?

"Mom! You're awake!"

Suddenly, the weak voice of the mentally challenged son came from the next cell.

"Weebull—"

Bagingom, who always doted on her son, immediately looked in the direction of the sound and saw her son, who was tightly bound to the ground in shackles and unable to move.

"What exactly happened—"

She had no idea what had happened and thought that Weevil might know something, so she prepared to ask.

but.

Bakingom's pupils dilated instantly.

I can't move!

Something she couldn't understand flowed into her body through a channel she also didn't know how it happened!

Her consciousness began to blur, as if she were half-asleep, as if something had squeezed her consciousness out of her brain.

Her body sat up without her permission!

Then, he turned to look at Weevil in the next cell.

Baginam heard himself say, "Weebull, don't resist."

"Okay, Mom."

The dutiful Weebull responded as a matter of course.

No, Weevil!

Barkingom's eyes widened in horror.

But it was no use; the next second, Weevil had already lost consciousness.

Immediately afterwards, Barkingom felt a blur before her eyes, and she was back in that vast, empty space.

"Wow! Mom! Where am I?!"

Beside him was his silly son, who was excitedly looking around.

"..."

Baginom's body was trembling uncontrollably.

The body is no longer out of control, and judging from Weevil's loss of consciousness just now, this should be some kind of mental space.

But it's pointless now.

Because she knew that as long as the master of this world wanted, she could be pulled back here at any time.

Even in the real world, the body can be manipulated!

A collar had been placed around his neck, from which he could not escape; there was nowhere left to run.

"Mom, what's this?!"

Weebull's surprised cry made Baggingom instinctively turn his head.

She saw a familiar ball of light floating quietly in front of her mentally challenged son.

Bagingom opened his mouth, then remained silent for a few seconds.

Now that things have come to this, is there any other option?

We can't let Weebull experience that kind of excruciating suffering, can we?

She said, "Weebull, grab it, don't resist it."

"good!"

Weevil obeyed his mother's orders without question and grabbed the ball of light.

And so, the dazzling light also engulfed him.

Weevil, swallowed by the light, could not see it, nor could Bagingom, who was watching his foolish son, see it either. In fact, there were two people watching them all along.

One of them said, "In that case, this mother and child are also your puppets, Lord Knight."

It was a very gentle, serene female voice.

Knight then said lazily, "It'll do, I guess. How's your 'Domineering Aura' training going?"

The man said gently, "Your Observation Haki is already quite proficient, but as for Armament Haki, you can't yet achieve hardening."

Knight raised an eyelid. "Tsk, the progress is a bit slow. Shall we learn the domineering style together?"

The woman simply bowed her head respectfully, saying, "Of course I cannot compare to you."

"Alright, that's enough. The training is temporarily over. If the Impel Down operation goes smoothly, you can come with me to the New World. You're still missing a Devil Fruit, so you need to get it as soon as possible."

"Yes."

"Okay, that's settled."

Knight yawned and stretched, "Seriously, how come I'm so sleepy even in my dreams?"

Knight, seventeen years old, traveled through time for a full year, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user with the Dream-Dream Fruit ability.