Ch 10: Kill another king

Chapter 10: Kill another king

What Ayaan had used just now was, of course, the Body Flicker Technique unique to the Naruto world.

The Body Flicker isn't just a single jutsu—it's a broad category of techniques, much like the Clone Jutsu.

There are many types of clone techniques: Shadow Clone, Water Clone, Earth Clone, Lightning Clone, Illusion Clone, and even physical or chakra-based clone techniques. In fact, even the space-time Flying Thunder God Technique can be considered a type of instantaneous movement technique.

What Ayaan had used was the most basic form of the Body Flicker—a technique that combines physical movement with chakra. It was the lowest-level and most commonly used version of the Flicker Technique.

This was something passed down from his Chūnin father. However, his body and chakra had been too weak to cultivate it before. Now that both had improved considerably, he could finally use it—barely.

Jack and Ruth were both shocked after witnessing Ayaan's move and began to feel a bit more confident in him.

However, just around the corner, Ayaan—who had been pretending to be cool—was now rubbing his legs with a grimace. He gritted his teeth and took a while to recover.

"Sure enough… I can barely pull off the Body Flicker for now. It's still a bit forced. Flashy, yes—but practically useless," Ayaan muttered. If he hadn't needed to impress Jack and Ruth, he wouldn't have put himself through the pain just for show.

That night, Ayaan returned to the castle and used his usual method to sneak into the royal palace of the Drum Kingdom once again.

In just a few days, the palace guards had become even more incompetent.

Ayaan wasn't fully aware that Wapol, after succeeding the throne from the deceased king, had started abusing his power. Chaos had erupted throughout the palace.

Especially after Wapol discovered that the Baku Baku no Mi and a large amount of gold and Berries were missing from the treasury, he had suspected embezzlement and thrown many of his own guards into prison. Naturally, with the inner ranks in turmoil, the palace's defense had become even sloppier.

Lowering his chakra signature and suppressing all sound, Ayaan began exploring the palace. This time, he didn't find the new king, Wapol, in the master bedroom. Understandable—after all, the former king had died there. Wapol would avoid returning to such an unlucky room.

Still, it didn't take long for Ayaan to find where Wapol was—he was wide awake, holding a grand banquet inside the palace.

In addition to Wapol, many ministers were in attendance. A long rectangular table was laid out in the palace hall, overflowing with delicacies. Dozens of beautifully dressed maids flitted about, serving food like butterflies in a garden.

Ayaan's eyes lit up. He immediately performed the Transformation Technique, changing into a curvaceous beauty. Quietly knocking out one of the real maids, he picked up her tray and walked confidently toward Wapol.

Wapol, drunk and dazed, waved his hand dismissively. Ayaan set down the food and, as he turned to leave, flicked a small object—a crumpled paper ball—onto the back of Wapol's collar.

Then he slipped out unnoticed.

Once out of the hall, he released the Transformation Technique, climbed out of a nearby window, hooked his wire onto the windowsill, and slid down rapidly using just one hand.

The moment he hit the ground, a loud explosion echoed from the palace behind him. Panic ensued—shouts, screams, and chaos filled the air.

"Call a doctor quickly!"

"The king is dying!"

A slight smile formed on Ayaan's lips. The "paper ball" he'd flicked onto Wapol's back had actually been made of two Detonating Talismans.

At such close range, even one of the Navy's Admirals would've suffered burst eardrums if they weren't elementalized and prepared—let alone someone like Wapol?

Without his Devil Fruit, Wapol's physical strength was nothing special. Chances were, his entire head had been blown off. No doctor could save that.

After leaving the palace, Ayaan used the Transformation Technique once more, this time turning into a large rabbit. Then, he began to sprint through the streets like a wild animal.

Back in the palace, the guards were in complete disarray. They began searching the entire city and even talked about locking it down.

But no matter how thorough the search, no one suspected a large rabbit. In fact, most guards instinctively avoided the creature, knowing its bad temper.

In just a few hours, Ayaan returned to the clinic. Though the mission had been a success, he was still somewhat irritated.

"If I'd known this would happen, I should've just killed Wapol during my first infiltration. I wasted an entire day going back and forth for nothing."

When he got back, the town had yet to hear news of Wapol's death. Ayaan quietly slipped into the clinic and went straight to bed.

The next morning, he awoke to a commotion outside.

"What's going on out there?" Ayaan asked as he opened his door. Outside stood Jack and Ruth, beaming with excitement.

"Ayaan! You're back? Yesterday—"

Ayaan waved dismissively. "What are you talking about? Yesterday, today… I've been here. You two must be confused. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on outside?"

The two quickly understood what Ayaan meant and played along. Jack's mouth twitched, but he still answered, "Oh, right. The new king was assassinated last night. The kingdom is in mourning now."

As he spoke, Jack pulled out some eye drops, squirted them into his eyes, and pretended to cry.

Only… the expression on his face looked more like he was weeping tears of joy.

"So the current king is dead again. Who's the next in line? Surely not the exiled eldest prince?" Ayaan asked, rubbing his chin.

Jack shuddered. "If it is the eldest prince, we'd better run. That guy's even worse than Wapol. I don't want to randomly die from one of his poison gas experiments."

Ayaan curled his lips. The One Piece world really is a broken place. As the saying goes, if the upper beam is crooked, the lower beams will follow. The World Government is already garbage—how could the kingdoms beneath it possibly produce good kings?

"But I doubt it'll be the eldest prince," Jack added. "That maniac doesn't discriminate—his mycelium poison gas kills everyone, even the ministers."

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