One Piece: The Strongest Trait System
Chapter 142: [142] : A Gift for Rowen! The First Glimpse of Nika’s Power!

Chapter 142 - [142] : A Gift for Rowen! The First Glimpse of Nika's Power!

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"Life Return——! Armament——!" Onigumo roared. His hair writhing like spider legs, each strand deftly manipulating a sword.

His epithet, 'Demon Spider', stemmed from his mastery of Life Return, allowing him to control his hair like extra limbs. Combined with his hands, he could wield eight swords simultaneously—Eight Sword Style.

Among Marine HQ Vice Admirals, his strength was top-tier, his combat level comparable to an Emperor crew's core officers.

But facing Roronoa Zoro now—he felt immense pressure from the outset.

Zoro wasn't just a Three-Sword Style user; his blades were infused not only with Armament Haki but also a bizarre, demonic power that even channeled the terrifying might of Conqueror's Haki!

Though Onigumo hadn't faced an Emperor's Haōshoku Coating, Straw Hat's own Conqueror's Haki, which knocked out thousands of Marines earlier, still lingered on the battlefield—and within Zoro's demonic power, Onigumo's Observation Haki clearly sensed traces of Conqueror's Haki!

'Just as the intel suggested! This man also possesses Conqueror's Haki!'

'And he can channel its power through this weird ability, even without Haōshoku Coating! Though not true Haōshoku Coating, its destructive force still surpasses Armament Haki!'

Facing such an opponent, even Onigumo couldn't afford to be careless. He immediately unleashed his combined Life Return and Haki powers.

Against Onigumo's Eight-Sword Style, Zoro's Three-Sword Style was instantly pushed into a difficult fight.

Though his Asura Aura could channel a small amount of Conqueror's Haki, Onigumo's Armament Haki, swordsmanship, and physique were all superior.

Especially the hair-manipulated Eight Sword Style; it kept Zoro's Three-Sword Style constantly on the defensive.

"What's wrong, Roronoa?! Is that all you've got, Three-Sword Style?? Before my Eight-Sword Style, your swordsmanship is nothing!"

Onigumo, being one of Akainu's favored subordinates, had also learned a thing or two about using trash-talk to demoralize opponents.

Trash talk wasn't useless... in certain situations, it could be quite effective.

Having the upper hand, it could make an enemy more agitated and frustrated—

—And both Armament Haki and Observation Haki were greatly affected by emotional instability.

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"Desert Spada!"

WHOOSH!

A blade of compressed sand suddenly erupted from the ground beside Onigumo.

Onigumo instantly deflected it with two of his Haki-infused swords.

"Hmph! The Sand-Sand Fruit user, Desert Princess Vivi," Onigumo grunted, looking towards Vivi who had come to Zoro's aid, his expression darkening.

The Sand-Sand Fruit's abilities, though T2 level among Logias, were still strong—Crocodile used it to become a Warlord.

Onigumo hadn't expected this little girl, after acquiring the fruit, could master it to this degree in such a short time, even infusing the sand with Armament Haki.

Even he couldn't just tank those attacks; he had to deflect them!

With this brat interfering, this fight could drag on...

"What a Pirate Hunter! A man with the Conqueror's Haki... yet still relying on a little girl to fight me—" Onigumo sneered, looking mockingly at Zoro.

He hadn't forgotten their primary mission: Kill or Capture this Pirate Hunter.

Originally, with the Buster Call's strength, they could have assigned two Vice Admirals to Zoro.

But they hadn't anticipated Sky Sovereign Rowen would be this terrifying!

With the Straw Hat's powerful Conqueror's Haki clearing the field, plus the two rampaging Giants—the Buster Call's original numerical advantage was instantly nullified.

To quickly complete their primary objective under these circumstances required using all means available. Based on Marine intel, Roronoa Zoro was incredibly proud and never attacked women or children.

Provoking him with insults about needing a woman's help might cause the hotheaded Zoro to momentarily lose control—

And that would be Onigumo's chance!

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"Are you... looking down on me?" Zoro asked, a fierce, predatory grin spreading across his face.

"Hm?" Onigumo's mocking smile vanished, replaced by a scowl.

"Beasts usually hunt alone. But have you ever seen a foolish King of Beasts relying on others?" Zoro's eyes blazed with the purple-black aura of his Asura power.

Zoro was incredibly proud—

But he wasn't the same naive fool who challenged the World's Strongest Swordsman back in the East Blue without even mastering Armament Haki or the ability to cut steel.

He was now a man guided by the Fifth Emperor, Sky Sovereign Rowen, on the path to becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman!

And he would do anything to help Rowen achieve his dream!

If he refused to fight alongside Vivi due to some misguided sense of pride, and that led to defeat, jeopardizing Rowen's plan—Zoro would be utterly ashamed.

"Hmph," Seeing his plan fail, Onigumo's expression darkened.

But his strength was still superior to this Pirate Hunter's! His Eight-Sword Style could completely suppress Zoro's Three-Sword Style. Even with the Sand-Sand Fruit interference, he still held the advantage!

"Quite confident in your Eight-Sword Style, aren't you?" Zoro asked, having created some distance between himself and Onigumo with Vivi's help.

"My Eight-Sword Style will crush your pathetic Three-Sword Style. Remember that, Roronoa," Onigumo taunted.

"Then..." Zoro's eyes narrowed.

Asura Aura could channel a fraction of the pure spiritual power of Conqueror's Haki—

Naturally, it could also be strengthened by assimilating the spiritual power Rowen infused into him.

Zoro held his three swords parallel.

The purple-black aura of his Asura power instantly materialized, enveloping him completely.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Under Onigumo's utterly shocked gaze—

Two more heads and four more arms sprouted from Zoro's body—each of the new heads' mouths and each new hand held a sword—Combined with his original three swords—Zoro now wielded nine blades!

"Asura Aura: Nine-Sword Style——!!" Zoro grinned, a demonic glint in his eyes as he looked at Onigumo.

"Now... whose swords outnumber whose???"

Unleashing his Asura Aura to its fullest, he and Vivi launched a ferocious assault on Onigumo!

Zoro wasn't aiming for a mere draw—

He intended to cut Onigumo down!

A gift for Rowen.

If Rowen intended to use Enies Lobby and the Buster Call to demonstrate the might of the Fifth Emperor—then he, as Rowen's No. 1, would naturally present the Emperor with a fitting tribute!

Vice Admiral Onigumo's head—would be the perfect gift!

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WHAM!

"Gear Second! Gomu Gomu no... JET PISTOL——!!!"

Luffy's fist, wreathed in dense Armament Haki, slammed into Momonga's sword. The terrifying force transmitted through the blade, also coated in Armament Haki, made Momonga's brow furrow deeply.

'Such powerful martial arts! Such strong Haki! As expected of someone possessing Conqueror's Haki!'

If not for Sky Sovereign Rowen's meteoric rise, Straw Hat would be the most dazzling Supernova of this generation.

Before even reaching Sabaody Archipelago, before completing the first half of the Grand Line, he had already mastered such Haki and fighting skills, developing his Devil Fruit ability to this extent. As expected of Vice Admiral Garp's grandson; such potential was truly astonishing.

"HAAAH!" Momonga roared, slashing back with a flying slash—

—A rubber man's weakness was slashing attacks—even with Armament Haki, this weakness remained! As long as he infused stronger Armament Haki into his slash, he could inflict a fatal wound!

WHOOSH!

Facing the Haki-infused slash, Luffy instantly vanished.

"Six Powers—Shave!" Momonga's eyes narrowed.

WHOOSH!

Luffy reappeared above Momonga.

"Gomu Gomu no... JET GATLING——!!!" Luffy roared, raining down punches on Momonga.

"Tekkai——! Hagane (Iron Body: Steel)——!" Momonga immediately deployed both Armament Haki and Tekkai, enduring the barrage head-on.

Marine HQ Vice Admirals were all master users of the Six Powers. Combined with their Armament Haki, they were far superior to CP9's agents.

"Shave——! Moonwalk——!"

After blocking Luffy's attack, Momonga, using a combination of Shave and Moonwalk, propelled himself into the air, slashing down at the airborne Luffy with his Haki-infused blade!

CLANG!

Luffy, unable to use Moonwalk mid-air, could only block with his Armament Haki.

The powerful impact sent him crashing back down to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Momonga remained airborne using Moonwalk, looking down at the dust cloud, his Observation Haki spreading. Moonwalk, besides granting flight, allowed one to launch flying slashes from above—

"Hmm??"

Momonga's Observation Haki suddenly sensed an unusual surge of energy from within the dust cloud!

"GEAR THIRD——! Gomu Gomu no... Thor Elephant Gun——!!!"

A fist larger than a giant's, wreathed in dense Armament Haki, exploded from the dust cloud, hurtling towards Momonga!

"WHAT??"

Momonga's eyes widened in shock as he saw the terrifyingly massive fist rapidly approaching, its sheer size covering his limited aerial maneuverability granted by Moonwalk! He had no choice but to block head-on!

"Armament——! Tekkai——!" Momonga immediately focused his Armament Haki and activated Tekkai! He braced himself, meeting the colossal fist head-on!

SCREEEEECH!

A shower of sparks flew from where Momonga's Haki-infused sword met Luffy's attack.

The sheer force of the impact made blood trickle from the corner of Momonga's mouth.

"HAAAAH!" Momonga roared, unleashing all his swordsmanship, Haki, and Six Powers' strength to deflect the giant fist.

"Hah... Hah... What incredible power..." Momonga gasped, covered in sweat. Directly blocking an attack like that had consumed massive amounts of his stamina and Haki reserves—Straw Hat's Devil Fruit could even achieve something like this??

'Is a Rubber Human supposed to be this strong?'

Momonga returned to the ground.

Down here, he could use his Haki and Shave to dodge such an attack. Blocking a finishing move like that head-on was the worst option. But now that he had blocked it, it proved Straw Hat's fruit ability alone no longer posed a major threat.

Straw Hat's potential was astonishing, and he now possessed strength to fight evenly with an average Vice Admiral—but he, Momonga, was among the top tier of Vice Admirals, extremely close to Admiral Candidate level! Momonga was confident he could take Straw Hat down!

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"Shishishi! As expected of a Marine HQ Vice Admiral," Luffy commented, his arm shrinking back to normal, looking at Momonga. With Rowen's help, Luffy could now control Gear Third perfectly; there was no post-usage shrinking like his initial attempts.

"Surrender now, Straw Hat," Momonga stated grimly.

Defeating Straw Hat would give the Marines a significant advantage in this battle. They might even capture the entire Straw Hat crew (except Rowen).

"That's not happening," Luffy exhaled, then grinned at Momonga.

"Hm? He's smiling?" Momonga frowned.

"Ever since encountering Aokiji, I've been thinking—this can't continue..."

"Aokiji, Akainu, even those Buster Call warships—we've been relying too much on Rowen's power."

"As captain... I need to show some resolve now." Luffy slowly raised his right arm.

"I—AM THE MAN WHO WILL BECOME KING OF THE PIRATES!!"

"ROWEN—IS THE MAN WHO WILL STAND ABOVE ALL!!!"

"I—WILL NOT ONLY BECOME KING OF THE PIRATES—I WILL ALSO BECOME ROWEN'S NUMBER 1!!!"

"I'm still not very good at this technique—ARE YOU READY, VICE ADMIRAL?" Luffy declared, his eyes blazing with powerful Haki.

"ARMAMENT——!" Luffy focused all his Armament Haki onto his right arm.

He then took a deep breath—and blew an immense volume of air into his Haki-coated arm.

"Muscle Balloon——!" Luffy's blackened right arm began to ripple and bulge grotesquely.

This time, he blew not only air into his muscles and bones—he also blew the Armament Haki itself into them.

The Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika—though unawakened, granting only the rubbery body—this wasn't ordinary rubber!

It was Nika's rubber!

Not only could it stretch, but its true power was to accommodate and encompass everything!

Including Armament Haki...

Not just coating it, not just hardening it—but fully integrating it into the very muscles and bones themselves—

Perfectly fusing Haki with his Devil Fruit body.

The power of Nika—was beginning to preliminarily reveal itself!

WHOOSH!

The compressed Haki and air within the massive Muscle Balloon arm flowed into Luffy's body. His form rapidly expanded; he grew to over three meters tall, his physique drastically enlarged. A demonic, swirling pattern manifested on his chest.

VMM! VMM!

Luffy's arms and legs, now imbued with potent Armament Haki, pulsed with power. The intense energy coursing through his legs made him bounce uncontrollably on the ground.

"GEAR FOURTH——! BOUNDMAN——!!!" Luffy declared, a dark shadow now covering his eyes. His voice, slightly distorted by the transformation, boomed with exaggerated emphasis.

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"That form... Your rubber elasticity makes you unable to stand still?" Momonga commented dryly, looking at the bouncing Luffy.

"I'LL BEAT YOU SO BADLY YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO FIGHT BACK! THEN I'LL GIVE YOUR HEAD TO ROWEN AS A CELEBRATORY GIFT!" Luffy roared, his eyes blazing with ferocious Haki as Gear Fourth activated.

"Gomu Gomu no..."

Luffy's arms, like coiled springs, began to retract rapidly.

The Armament Haki fully integrated into his rubber body was also amplified by the elastic force—Luffy's Haki in Gear Fourth was a full tier above his normal Haki!

BAAAAAAAAANG!

Luffy's legs, acting like powerful springs, launched him skyward! In Gear Fourth, Luffy could fly!

His maneuverability and speed both surpassed Moonwalk!

"WHAT?!" Momonga's pupils constricted sharply.

An attack this fast—he could only block directly.

"GOMU GOMU NO... KONG GUN——!!!"

Luffy's right fist, massively empowered by compressed Haki and elasticity, slammed into Momonga's sword!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The terrifying force sent Momonga flying like a cannonball, crashing through multiple buildings on Enies Lobby.

He coughed up blood, his expression contorting with agony.

"VICE ADMIRAL MOMONGA!" The surrounding Marines yelled in horror.

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