161. Fierce Beasts

East blue.

Leo was currently on an island where fierce beats were last spotted. However even after searching for a whole day they didn't find anything.

"Troublesome ability."

Leo was annoyed by Shiki's ability to fly as well as his ability to make any inanimate object float. He is practically a moving fortress.

"That's enough, let's head on to the next location."

He ordered his men. The ship sailed towards the next nearest location where fierce beats attacked.

"Sir, do you really think it's Shiki?"

Mace couldn't help but ask. He had heard about Shiki and his legends. This was a man who cornered the pirate king once.

Leo didn't immediately reply and thought for a moment before saying, "There is a high chance it is. Even Sengoku-san thinks this is his work."

Mace still had his doubts, "Just because he was seen in this sea area doesn't necessarily mean he is behind this."

Leo replied, "That's true. But considering the damage those fierce beasts have done it's impossible for them to vanish without a trace. Unless, there is someone with an ability to make that happen."

"And Golden Lion Shiki is one of them. Putting it all together, it can only be him."

Mace didn't refute Leo's words and kept silent.

Just as they were halfway through their journey the water rumbled and a huge disgusting fish popped out.

The crew were stunned and immediately steered the ship to dodge it.

Leo was in his cabin when he heard the commotion. He came out and saw the large fish.

"Is this one of those fierce beasts?"

He asked to himself.

Mace jumped of the ship and shot towards the huge fish using Geppo. He had already transformed into his devil mode. He had a long heavy sword in his hands.

He slashed it at the huge fish. A bloody sword ray shot towards the fish. The huge fish was sliced in half.

Mace returned to the ship after finishing the job.

"Not bad, you grasped a bit of sword intent."

Leo continued, "Devil-Devil fruit isn't an ordinary fruit, do your best to dig out it's potential. Simply using the strength amplification brought by your mode isn't enough.*

"Raise your own strength. Devil mode is your strongest form, it should stay that way. Using it in every battle will not do you any good, it should only be used when you truly have no choice."

Mace understood what he was saying, "A trump card."

Leo nodded.

Devil-Devil fruit was simply made for battle, it gave Mace accelerated healing, stronger defence and finally incredible strength and speed.

They soon reached their destination. After asking around they found the sight where fierce beasts attacked.

It was outside the town, on a small piece of land owned by a family of four.

The place was a mess. The house was destroyed and the field of crops were destroyed.

Leo frowned. These attacks doesn't seem like they were planned, rather it looked messy and in chaos.

Suddenly a thought struck him. His face clouded over.

Is that lunatic taking these people as test subjects to know the attack capability of those beasts?

As this thought came to his mind he couldn't shake it off. The more he thought the more he felt he was right.

Mace also seems to have realised something after all this time. He wasn't looking good either.

"Sir, beasts are attacking the town!"

Suddenly Leo's den-den mushi rang and one of his men reported.

"Let's go!"

Leo rushed towards the town and Mace followed.

When they reached the town they saw a huge wolf and a giant crab destroying everything in their sights.

Kill!

Leo rushed towards the wolf. It had the highest battle power.

Mace took the crab. He immediately used devil mode. They were in a town, it was no time to hold back.

Merciful Rain!

Leo's sword shimmed with a sharp gleam as he sliced down.

The wolf was a wild animal and it's instincts warned it about the threat Leo's sword possessed.

It immediately dodged but the sword suddenly disappeared and appeared before it's eyes.

Slice!

Leo put the sword back into it's scabbard and rushed in Mace's direction.

The wolf fell down behind him. It's head slid off from it's neck and blood spurted out like a spring.

Mace was swinging his heavy sword, trying to crack open the crab's hard shell.

After three strikes he was able to make a crack. Just as he was about to swing once more Leo shot past him and slashed with his sword.

The hard shell of the crab failed to stop his sword. It gave no resistance as Leo slashed it in half.

After finishing off both beasts Leo turned his attention towards a ship floating in the sky.

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

Geppo!

Kicking the air he shot towards the ship in the sky.

There were several people wearing lab coats and some other men inside the ship, they panicked when they saw Leo rushing in their direction.

They were simply here for a live test and didn't expect to encounter marines, especially a vice admiral!

"Fuck! Get us out of here!"

A man wearing an open vest yelled. He had a pistol and a sword on his waist. Sweat dripped down his sideburns when he saw the two beasts falling just like that, he was nervous inside but the priority was to escape.

Hearing his order the men immediately reacted and steered the rudder and started to ascend.

Boom!

Suddenly the ship rocked and a hole was blasted in it's hull.

Leo swaggered in, he looked around and locked his eyes on the man wearing the open vest.

"Where the fuck is Shiki?"