Chapter 114: Lei Shen Island

Concept art of Lei Shen Island

After entrusting all affairs of Beehive Island to Tenghu and Jin Ni, Barzab Seven became a hands-off boss and came to Lei Shen Island with Bear.

In the original timeline, Tenghu was a Marine Admiral and Jin Ni was the East Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army; handling affairs of a single island was more than sufficient, even a waste of their talents.

Only when the Morning Star Pirates reclaim Wano will these two fully unleash their initiative.

Boom～ Boom～

Affected by the crackling electricity in the air, Bear’s two tufts of curly hair beside his ears instantly stood on end, like a cat that had been provoked.

“This place is really uncomfortable.”

“Indeed.” Barzab Seven’s body was wreathed in lightning.

The instant he stepped onto Lei Shen Island, the thunder overhead, as if finding its master, crackled and hissed in a warm greeting toward Barzab Seven.

Only because Barzab Seven is a Lightning Man—anyone else would have been reduced to charcoal.

“Bear, wait here for me.”

“Alright.” Bear nodded.

Following the treasure location recorded on the parchment, Barzab Seven instantly flashed to the island’s center, feeling every pore of his body groan and revel in Lei Shen Island’s unique violent weather.

Barzab Seven immediately made up his mind—

Plant the flag on Lei Shen Island!

Lei Shen Island is located exactly at the entrance to the New World; planting the flag here would align the Sky Island above Paradise with Beehive Island in the latter half of the New World in a straight line.

Moreover, Lei Shen Island borders the Red Line.

Once he gains sufficient confidence, it will also be convenient to pay a visit to Mary Geoise and cultivate ties with the Celestial Dragon Elaine Sheng.

Otherwise, prolonged absence might dull the relationship.

More importantly, no region on this sea is better suited than Lei Shen Island—for developing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit’s abilities.

The perpetual thunderstorms and crackling currents in the air are essentially Barzab Seven’s sacred training ground, and he need not fear disturbance.

Following the map’s guidance, Barzab Seven found a hidden cave beneath the storm clouds.

I have to admit that the World Government’s forgery techniques are remarkably sophisticated—there was no indication that any of this had been deliberately arranged.

Barzab Seven suddenly realized he couldn’t just constantly guard against the three undercover agents; at the right moment, he could subtly reveal some true-and-false secrets—

For instance, that Lox’s son is still alive, to artificially create hardships for the Black Fatty.

How easy is it to become a king?

Even Barzab Seven himself waited six years to unlock his system; to become king in two years? That simply won’t be allowed.

Before entering the cave, Barzab Seven ignited a roaring flame in his left hand as a torch, while activating Conqueror’s Haki defense, wary of any trap the World Government might have laid.

Soon, skeletons began appearing sporadically across the cave floor.

Seeing this, Barzab Seven muttered to himself.

Talent, indeed—ruling the world for eight hundred years requires real ability; the World Government’s personnel left Barzab Seven envious, wishing he could recruit them all.

Black Arm Zephyr was impossible.

When Zephyr’s family was killed by pirates, Barzab Seven was still the cook aboard Roger’s crew.

Vegapunk, however, could be cooperated with.

Finally, the treasure chest came into Barzab Seven’s view, flanked by two skeletons, their shapes clearly reaching toward the chest.

Barzab Seven hurried forward and opened the chest.

Inside lay a Devil Fruit, its entire surface covered in spiral patterns.

【Would you like to convert the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Nue Form, for 20,000 points…?】

【No】

Barzab Seven stored the Nue Form Devil Fruit.

The Mythical Zoan: Nue Form debuted in the One Piece 20th Anniversary event: “The Straw Hats’ Journey Through Another Wano.”

Equivalent to a parallel-world Wano.

“So it’s this Mythical Zoan.”

The Nue Form is a legendary demon of Wano; Barzab Seven was satisfied with all its abilities except one thing—the snake tail… that was somewhat troubling.

Having lived two lives, he feared only one thing: snakes—the giant snake on the Sky Island had been strictly forbidden from entering the Divine Island.

After brief thought, Barzab Seven directly listed the Nue Form Mythical Zoan on the trading platform.

【Mythical Zoan: Nue Form: 100,000 points, Legendary Demon. Seller’s Note: Wano’s Great Demon—want it or not?】

If successfully sold, the earned points could be used to awaken the fruit’s abilities at any time.

Still, after settling down, Barzab Seven planned to first attempt awakening the fruit’s abilities himself—why not try? After all, it’s 100,000 points.

The saved points would be enough to fully acquire Observation Haki’s Future Sight and Armament Haki’s Flowing Cherry Blossom.

At that point, he could focus entirely on securing the chance to consume a second Devil Fruit—and become a Complete Form.

Having achieved his goal, Barzab Seven did not leave immediately; instead, he flew into the thunderclouds above Lei Shen Island and attempted to wrap Conqueror’s and Armament Haki around the lightning.

The status of Logia Devil Fruits has declined since the appearance of Mythical Zoans precisely because they cannot wrap dual Haki.

Of course, perhaps they always could—just that Oda hasn’t revealed it yet.

The Paramecia Line-Line Fruit and Nuo-Nuo Fruit can already have Armament Haki wrapped over them; why couldn’t a Logia do the same through its own ability?

As long as you have enough imagination, Imu could take maternity leave.

Developing Devil Fruit abilities requires immense imagination and perseverance.

If one attempt fails, try ten; if ten fail, try a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand.

If he truly could wrap dual Haki around lightning, Barzab Seven could instantly create tens of thousands of swords, daggers, needles, and more.

Techniques like “Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Root” or “Rain of Needles” might not be impossible!

And what about simulating Susano’o with lightning, activating a Thunder God Form wrapped in dual Haki—who says you need a Mangekyou Sharingan to summon Susano’o?

Lightning crackled around his fingertips as Barzab Seven molded the violent thunder into a middle-parted hairstyle, then into suspenders.

After playing for a while, seven miniature plasma swords instantly materialized before him, then slowly enveloped in black-red Haki—but could not remain fixed for long.

“Is it because they lack physical form?”

Barzab Seven did not lose heart,

but first wrapped Armament Haki around the plasma sword blades in varying proportions, then, once shaped, re-wrapped them with Conqueror’s Haki.

Of the seven plasma swords, only one remained fixed for several minutes.

Dispersing the plasma swords, Barzab Seven re-summoned seven and attempted again, following the proportions from memory.

This situation resembled a beginner cooking: too much flour, add water; too much water, add more flour.

Though the final result differed greatly from the original intent, he had successfully kneaded the dough.

(๑＞؂＜๑）

Cover mini-drama.

East Blue, Loguetown.

Away from the bustling commercial street, Roger’s Bar now had a small line beneath its sign: “One minute to make the Emperor of the Sea, Barzab Seven, fall in love with drinking.”

At the bar counter, owner Raoul was busy polishing glasses; because of this line, Roger’s Bar had become one of the most famous bars in the East Blue.

Pirate King Roger had drunk here.

Emperor of the Sea Barzab Seven had drunk here too.

Raoul wiped sweat from his brow, his peripheral vision suddenly catching another drunkard—Lu Bianyi.

“Lu Bianyi, go home and clear your head.”

“You’ve been drinking here for two and a half years—we’re practically old friends. Listen to me: stop thinking about capturing Barzab Seven.”

“A man like that is destined to become king.”

“People like us, common folk, are lucky just to have seen him once—we can brag about it for life. Go home, take a break.”

Lu Bianyi, unusually, did not argue: “You’re right. I should go home.”

Raoul asked casually: “By the way, where’s your hometown?”

“Fengqin Archipelago, Orange Town.”

“Oh, same hometown as Barzab Seven.”

“Just geographically close—he’s from Konomi Archipelago’s Housha Town.”

Raoul handed him a newspaper.

“Over the past two years, a Buggy Pirates crew has been active in your hometown, Orange Town. Be careful when you go back.”

Lu Bianyi sneered: “A pirate with a five-million-berry bounty? I’ll take him on with one hand.”

“I’m off, Raoul. Once I catch them, I’ll come back and pay you back for the drinks.”