One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

Although the business deal had been finalized, the banquet was far from over; they had only eaten half the meal.

Moreover, since the business deal had been finalized, the atmosphere at the subsequent banquet became even more harmonious.

Knight and Kaido even seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

However, they only talked about things related to the Celestial Dragons.

"So, the reason the Five Elders are able to live forever is also because of their contract with that guy?"

Kaido took another sip of his drink and asked a question.

"certainly."

Knight nodded slightly. "Im's contracts are also divided into different levels, with the Five Elders being the highest level."

"What about immortality?"

Quinn, as a scientist, was indeed very inquisitive. "What does that mean? Does it mean that everyone who signed a contract with that guy named Im is invincible?"

"Nothing in the world is eternal. Im's strength is indeed unimaginable to ordinary people, but in the end, he is just an ability user, and just someone who has lived a little longer."

Knight said that most of the monsters in this world who are called gods in legends are just ability users, and are still a long way from being gods in the true sense.

"The so-called immortality is just a terrifying regenerative ability. Of course, it is not easy to break through, and you need to use Conqueror's Haki."

"An attack imbued with Conqueror's Haki can significantly slow down their recovery. If the Haki is strong enough, it's not impossible to completely shatter their immortality and kill them outright."

Just like Loki killing Harald.

"Conqueror's Haki?"

Hanafza, who was also listening intently, frowned. "This threshold is already high enough, let alone adding Conqueror's Haki to the attack."

"Hehehehe! That guy named Im, his abilities are truly outrageous!"

Kaido laughed loudly.

Since the Conqueror's Haki's entangling effect can suppress it, he has nothing to worry about.

However, Kaido had another concern: "What's with that guy's ability to forcibly control people? Is there no way to resist it?"

Rocks's Haki was definitely stronger than his; even Rocks couldn't resist it, so Kaido couldn't help but be wary.

"You've already seen how it's controlled; it should involve inflicting damage first."

Knight said, "As for means of resistance, there certainly are, but I'm not sure."

  

The Black Transformation technique was ineffective against Loki and Luffy, and even Chopper could easily break it.

This unreasonable ability must have some kind of huge flaw.

But it's still unclear.

"However, the method to crack it is quite simple."

Knight took a sip of his drink. "All you need to do is kill the person you're controlling once."

"Kill?"

Jin was taken aback. "Then he'd die?"

"Does being killed mean certain death?"

Knight countered with a question.

"what?"

Jin was a little confused.

Do you want to listen to what this guy is saying?

"Being controlled is equivalent to being forcibly injected with a new personality, and after being killed, the new personality collapses, and the original personality revives."

Knight said with a hint of sarcasm, "So, Rocks didn't actually have to die back then."

Kaido was slightly taken aback.

Knight remarked with a touch of regret, "Roger and Garp went overboard."

That shows too much respect for Lox.

If Rocks had held back a little in his final finishing move, instead of completely draining his stamina and giving him the strength to face Garin who would later come to take advantage of the situation, Rocks would have survived.

Kaido paused for a moment, then said in a somewhat enigmatic tone, "That idiot, did he really die that stupidly?"

Was that Rocks really taken care of so easily?

However, now that we know the weakness of that move, it's not like we can't fight it.

The banquet was drawing to a close.

Knight was almost full. After all, this body wasn't his original form and couldn't eat as much, so the exquisite dishes characteristic of Wano Country were barely enough to fill him up.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Knight said, "Although we can only produce inferior Devil Fruits now, it's not impossible to replicate real Zoan-type Devil Fruits."

"Oh?"

Kaido's eyes lit up instantly.

Knight smiled slightly, "But this requires continuous research, Kaido. I also need Zoan-type Devil Fruits as materials."

Even a seasoned veteran like Kaido couldn't help but twitch his lips. "You bastard, do you expect me to provide you with Devil Fruits?"

Not enough of taking advantage of deals?

"I can pay for it."

Knight said, "Don't you want a real, artificial Devil Fruit?"

Kaido's eye twitched, then he said in a low voice, "I can sell you one."

"At least two are needed."

Knight said, "One is a regular Zoan type, and the other is an Ancient type. The difference between an Ancient type and a regular Zoan type isn't that big. Maybe we can break through in one go."

"Just think about it, Kaido, an army entirely composed of Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit users!"

Kaido clenched his teeth, as if he wanted to tear apart the pie Knight had promised him.

"it is good."

His voice was almost sinister. Kaido looked at his little brother, "Hanafza, do you have any Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits?"

Hanafza hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "We've managed to collect another one."

"Give it to him."

Kaido said through gritted teeth.

"it is good."

Hanafza could only nod.

"That's great."

Knight nodded in satisfaction. "Let's go with the market price. A regular Zoan-type usually costs around 100 million Berries, while an Ancient Zoan is more expensive, around 500 million Berries is about right."

The market price is indeed what it is, but whether you can actually buy it is another matter entirely. Devil Fruits are always something that has a price but no market.

"Six hundred million Berries, huh, Kaido, then just give me twenty-four billion later."

Click.

The wine glass in Kaido's hand shattered instantly.

You son of a bitch!

"Now that you've finished eating, get the hell out of here!"

A little while later, Knight, carrying two boxes, soared into the sky, heading straight towards the coast of Wano Country.

On the main building of Ghost Island.

Queen looked at Kaido, who was standing on the edge of the terrace drinking, and scratched the back of his neck. "Boss Kaido, have we been scammed?"

We gave away two Devil Fruits and a large sum of money for nothing.

Kaido did not answer.

Jin calmly spoke up, "You came all this way just to provoke us? That Waldo guy isn't stupid enough to fight us to the death for a mere two Devil Fruits and a few billion Berries."

"Moreover, if that intelligence is true, its value already exceeds what we've paid."

Kaido simply continued drinking quietly.

According to that guy, it will probably take another year for the first batch of fruit to ripen.

All that's left to do is wait.

Once away from Ghost Island, Knight immediately activated his projection ability, creating an invisible platform that lifted him into the sky, soaring straight into the clouds. Then he changed direction and headed directly towards the direction of Head Mountain.

This trip has been incredibly lucrative.

Enma has been successfully obtained and tamed.

The last resistance force in Wano Country will fall into our hands.

They have also planted spies within the Beasts Pirates.

Finally, he also obtained more than 2 billion in start-up capital and two Devil Fruits without any investment.

He said he had won.

Teacher Kai is a good person.

Be gentle with him when we conquer Wano Country in the future.

At full speed, the mountain he had seen the night before soon reappeared before Knight's eyes.

It was daytime now, and the mountain stronghold was even more conspicuous under the sunlight.

Knight fell like a meteorite, his speed suddenly decreasing just before he crashed into the courtyard of the mountain stronghold.

Hey.

He landed gently on the ground.

The bandits, who were practicing their swordsmanship against a wooden target in the spacious but crude courtyard, were suddenly stunned.

then.

"Who goes there!"

Naturally, the bandits immediately drew their swords at Knight.

"Stop! Stop it, all of you!"

From a dilapidated house on one side, Kozuki Sukiyaki rushed out carrying three swords, shouting at the top of his lungs, "They're not enemies! Put down your weapons!"

If you anger this guy, you're doomed!

Upon hearing Sukiyaki's words, the bandits did not immediately put down their weapons, but hesitated.

"Everyone, stand back!"

A deep, resonant voice rang out.

The bandits, who had been hesitant, immediately obeyed and retreated.

Knight turned his head, and behind Kozuki Sukiyaki, a tall, round figure strode out carrying a knife.

Beside him stood Hiyori Kozuki, who was looking directly at Knight.

"It's you, isn't it!"

The tall, fat man had his pink, fluffy rice rolls styled into a bun, wore a coat, and had his chest and round belly exposed.

At this moment, the man, who used the alias Shutenmaru but was actually called Ashura Doji, glared fiercely at Knight, "You bastard who threatened Lord Sukiyaki and Lord Hiyori!"

"Oh?"

Knight raised an eyebrow, glanced at Kozuki Sukiyaki, then at Kozuki Hiyori, and asked, "Is that what you guys are saying?"

"No, Mr. Ashura has misunderstood..."

Hiyori Kozuki quickly denied it.

"Enough with the nonsense, quickly untie Hiyori and the others!"

Ashura Doji strode forward, blocking the path of Kozuki Hiyori and Kozuki Sukiyaki. "Otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"