Chapter 24

◇Flashback: 2 months ago, Punk Hazard◇

A massive monster that is drooling is staring at me like prey. Little did this beast know that I wasn't the hunted. I am the HUNTER!

Dragon Number Thirteen was a very large dragon, the dragon was covered in red scales, had a long neck and tail, and walked on four stumpy legs; his forelegs were much smaller than his hind legs. It has very sharp teeth, two horns on his head that pointed backward, a pair of wings, and a row of spikes that went along his backside from the top of his neck to the end of his tail.

I don't like his appearance!

*Roaaaar!*

*Thud!* *Thud*

The intense charge of the monster shook the ground, causing the rocks and rubbles to shatter into pieces. The dragon has amazing destructive power.

Then its large jaw with razor-sharp fangs is descending at me!

I unsheathed Shadowfall and hold my ground against the large monster.

*Clank*

My [Imbued] dagger clashed with the fangs of the dragon. And the clash was totally different than the expected outcome. It was the dragon who took a step back from the clash!

Did this monster really think I'm weak?

I am strong! Physically! Why? It's all because of [Shadow's Asgard]! This move is what really made me strong! It has everything you need to get strong!

It trains your will! I can retain the skills of the shadows! I can somewhat retain the height I got! And the most important is the strength of [Shadow's Asgard]!

Moria's [Shadow's Asgard] let him have the physical strength to destroy the Thriller Bark in one strike!

I have trained using this move many times already. I retain some of the physical strength making me have the immense superhuman physical strength that can even block this large dragon in front of me!

Although I boasted about having this kind of strength, There's still someone out there that has monstrous physical strength.

But I know that I am close to her strength! I feel that I am still below the strength of Charlotte Linlin. And if I surpass the 3000 shadows milestone, I can fight her equally if we are talking about brute strength!

Suddenly, the heat around me started to rise!

I saw the dragon with its bloodthirsty eyes!

*Growls*

The dragon shook its head to clear its mind. It then started to charge a breath in its mouth!

*Grrrr... Roaaaa~r*

Then it breathed out fire directly at me and the overwhelming heat assaulted me. I quickly submerged under my own shadow and entered my [Niflheim].

After a few seconds, I jump at the portal and went back to the real world. The area around me was still fresh and the rocks were melting.

The dragon thought I was exterminated and let its guard down. I instantly use [Soru] to charge at the monster and punch the monster!

I disoriented the dragon and back away. I want to test the physical strength of my shadow that has absorbed 1000 shadows. I have a lot of reserved shadow pills that I can use for myself or my shadow.

A large, semi-liquid, humanoid avatar rose from my shadow! Even the appearance of my shadow clone changed to a devil-like silhouette surrounded by smoky shadows!

"[Doppelman: Giant mode]!" (Shikage)

This shadow clone of mine has used the [Shadow's Asgard] to absorb the same amount of Moria's final ditch when he was fighting the Straw hats. The shadow clone flexed his shadow muscle and challenged the dragon.

『 Oraaaaa~! 』

"Geez, Don't pulverize it, okay?" (Shikage)

I reminded the shadow clone because I can feel the tremendous energy of [Doppelman]. And its desire to rampage against this equally large monster!

Two large creatures charged forth at the same time. Their intense clash made a large dent on the ground. Massive shockwaves were produced when the meteoric fist of [Doppelman] connected to the dragon!

So far, the battle is one-sided. [Doppelman] rain down blows after blows that was [Imbued] by my Haki and strike the dragon without touching it. This is the result of my training. I learned how to use the [Emission].

Yes, I do know the advanced level of the armament Haki and the observation Haki. As for the conqueror's Haki. Ehehe~ That's a matter to talk about next time.

The dragon tried to fly up but was shocked that my [Doppelman] isn't limited to the sky too. The only place that my shadow can't reach is the below seawater. Well, we can do it if we have the Coral Bubbles.

And so, Under the tremendously powerful offense, The dragon and its scales were shattered and ultimately loses its life.

[Doppelman] returned to its normal size and we looked at the bloody mess that we created. I decided to turn this dragon into my [Shadow warriors].

"Arise!" (Shikage)

But there was a process to do first before it would become a [Shadow warrior].

First, I commanded the shadow of the dead dragon to be absorbed by it. Then it becomes a dragon zombie that has fresh wounds and broken bones.

Next, my [Doppelman] or my shadow will implant itself into the dragon zombie. I would change the structure of the zombie by controlling the shape of its shadow. I really don't like the appearance of this dragon, So I changed it into a fit and scary-looking dragon. This technique was created by Moria, of course, I will use it too. It is the [Kage Kakumei].

[Kage Kakumei] lets Moria implant its shadow in the shadow of an object and distort its form freely. I used this principle to change the appearance of the dragon.

The last part is why the zombies and [Shadow warriors] are different. I held my hand to the head of the dragon zombie and focused hard. The next part is difficult because I am tapping the very potential of my DF ability.

Awakening is the full manifesting of a Devil fruit's full power. I have read the explanation of my Senpai many times already.

He said that there is another stage entirely to the powers of a Devil-fruit, It is the Awakening. It's very rare but, some powers can awaken and affect objects aside from the wielder.

I have considered this as my guide in training for the past months! And my power is one of those rare ones!

"Submit to me, [Shadow dragon 13]" (Shikage)

Our surroundings were filled with smoky shadows. The ground, rocks, and the rubbles transformed into a shadow.

*Woosh*

The dragon zombie in front of me was devoured by its own shadow and drastically change its appearance. It even changes its race! Now, the dragon took on a different color scheme, with black scales, glowing purple horns, and a glowing purple underbelly.

This is what I've become. I can freely manipulate shadows and can even affect everything outside my body and my shadow!

*Roaaaaaa~r*

The new [Shadow warrior] lets out a roar to the sky and breathes out purple flames from its mouth. Oh, man. Looks like I got some ridiculous [Shadow warrior].

Hmm? Didn't this one fly a while ago? Huh?! I can use this one to fly!!

I immediately climbed on its back and flew together away from the burning land. We were headed to the icy lands. There were massive gale-force winds that were blocking us. But we bulldoze our way to the icy land.

"Wooohooo~!" (Shikage)

*Crash!*

But sadly, the fun was interrupted when we suddenly crashed because of the light blue spatial barrier. We were just flying around the frozen mountains and swapped places with the rocks in the ground.

I fell to the ground. Luckily, the snow had cushioned our fall. I push myself up right away and submerged the [Shadow dragon 13] back to [Niflheim].

I stick my hand inside my shadow, take out warm clothes, and use it right away due to the cold of this Icy lands.

(Hah... What happened? Who dare disrupt my fun time!) (Shikage)

*Step*

I heard some footsteps in the snow. And using the color of observation, I knew someone is approaching me. I turned around and saw a cheeky young man with a large sword.

"If it isn't the Shadow hunter-ya... What are you doing here?"

It turns out that it is my Kohai who interrupted my fun time.

"Imma ask you the same question... Trafalgar Law." (Shikage)

"I am going to ask you to leave, Shadow hunter-ya. Or else..."

"Or else what? You know what, I was going to leave after I got the dragon... But now, I'm itching for a fight. Let me see how strong you are!" (Shikage)

I am slowly walking to Law. I'm sure he could clearly feel my desire to fight because of the sweat on his cheeks.

*Step* *step* *boom*

After taking a few steps, I instantly charged at Law. Why is it I'm fighting him? Well, I just wanted to mess around and ruin his day. Just like he did a while ago.

"ROOM~" (Law)

The same barrier expanded on the battlefield. This means that the area around us is in full control of Law.

But it doesn't matter to me, I am already at his front and he will receive my [Hardened] fist!

*Clank*

Law managed to block it with his sword. Our attack clashed and I sent him flying with my strength. But he quickly swapped places with a stone beside me and counterattacked.

*Clank*

This time, I was the one who's blocking. A dagger and a long katana clashed.

Lucky for me, I [imbued] my dagger to avoid being split by Law's DF ability.

*Clank* *Clank*

As we were exchanging swings, The rocks and boulders around us started to float. Sometimes, We used them as our footing if one of us was sent flying by the other.

Since we can both teleport, the battle was so fast-paced that the rocks and boulders would crumble one after another.

And when the battle reached the climax, Law finally hit me and split my body apart.

"Fuu~ What an unreasonable guy. Stay like that and cool your head-ya. This place is good for chilling." (Law)

I continued to float with a separated body and was feeling it to the fullest.

And before Law sheathed his katana, I made my move.

"Sorry Kohai, You're power is just incompatible with mine." (Shikage)

"What?!" (Law)

My lower body that's lying to the ground becomes a semi-liquid shadow. And my body who's floating suddenly regenerated its lower body part.

Yep, With my [Doppelman], I can attach my separated body back. I quickly used [Genpou] and arrived fast at the surprised Law to deliver a heavy blow!

*Smack*

I felt my fist hits his face and I'm sure that I broke some of his teeth. Well, since he's a surgeon with a nasty DF ability. He can surely attach his teeth back.

After he was pushed back by the force of the punch, I followed him using [Soru].

As he got up, his mouth is already bloody and his cheek had swelled. He shouted as he uses his katana and chopped me into pieces.

But these pieces turn into bats and started to surround him.

Law was still dealing with the bats until he was bound by numerous shadow tentacles. Lucky for him, The bats stopped attacking and he saw me walking towards him like a boss.

"Urgh... Move!" (Law)

He tried to resist but with the shadow tentacles around him, He can't do anything!

I made sure to totally restrict him, even his fingers are tied.

After moving to his front. I faced him and looked down on my kohai.

"Tsk tsk... That's no good, Kohai... You should've just retreated when I started to use my abilities." (Shikage)

"... What will you do now? We are both on the same side-ya. You can't have my bounty!!" (Law)

He's right. I can't do anything harmful to him. And because I just beat him, I'm the wrong one here.

Finally, The spectators couldn't take it anymore and started to open fire at me. I think they're the enemies of the Straw hats in the future. But all the bullets fired were predicted before it hits me.

And sure enough, It didn't hit me. I have turned my body parts into a semi-liquid shadow. It is where the bullets would land.

I look at Law without minding the other guys.

"Listen Kohai, I really hate that someone would interfere in my business... I also hate that you're a bit cheeky when we first met... I'm a reasonable guy. If you didn't teleport me back then, I would've ignored you guys... However, I won't hesitate to kill each and every one of you guys!" (Shikage)

I started gathering intense pressure on my dagger! I concentrated my Haki to the fullest and my dagger's color turn into deep purple!

Law saw the edge of my dagger transforming into shadow. And he felt that there's an intense Haki alongside it.

Law looked up and saw my cold expression. He gulped and was overwhelmed by the pressure I'm releasing. He thought he would take the attack, but he saw me turning around to face those people in the snow.

"[Shadow rend]!" (Shikage)

I am done preparing it and I slashed towards the firing mob characters.

*Swoosh*

It was a horizontal flying slash that is [Imbued] with Haki and shadow!

*Shing* * boom*

A large flying attack came out of the swing and sliced all of those people. Even a snow mountain was just sliced horizontally!

"Make sure to keep that in mind..." (Shikage)

Law finally felt that I'm not kidding when he saw the sliced frozen mountain and the sliced Punk Hazard men.

By the way, we are at the outskirts of the Icy lands so, I didn't stop their business. I'm just here to get myself a dragon.

"Oh, One more thing, Don't you ever make trouble to a woman with an orange-hair on the Straw hats." (Shikage)

"!!! Oi! Wait! What do you mean by that?!" (Law)

I didn't answer him back since I was sinking into the shadow to leave this place.

But this battle didn't mean that Law is weak. His ability is so strong but it won't work on me who can [Substitute] body parts with a shadow clone. The ROOM is ineffective to me.

And so, I teleported to my vacation house using the shadow I attached to a draugr on a different island in New World.

This [Shadow warp] technique is a cheat-like ability that I plan to abuse in the future!

◇Present: 5 months before the meet-up of the Straw Hats◇

And that's how I got the [Shadow dragon 13].

I've visited the Punk Hazard already! I still plan on going to different Islands in the next month to boost up my [Shadow warriors] and my zombies! I'm planning to stop until I can take on the world with only my army!

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(a/n: Draugr would be explained in the next chapter.)