《THE VAST CHRONICLES OF BLOX FRUITS》 CHAPTER 0 - PROLOGUE Prologue: The World of Blox Fruits The world is vast. Endless oceans stretch beyond sight, filled with secrets yet to be uncovered. But in these treacherous waters, power reigns supreme. At the heart of it all lie the Blox Fruits¡ªmystical, cursed fruits that grant extraordinary abilities to those who consume them. Fire, ice, darkness, even reality itself¡ªthose who eat these fruits wield powers beyond mortal limits. But power always comes at a cost. The ocean itself rejects them, forever stripping them of the ability to swim. The Three Seas The world is divided into three massive seas, each with its own dangers and legends: The First Sea ¨C A land of beginnings, where fresh adventurers set sail. Towns flourish, pirates rise, and warriors seek their first taste of power. It is where ambition is born. The Second Sea ¨C The crown of the ocean, heavily patrolled by the Marines. Here, the Navy¡¯s rule is absolute, and pirates fight desperately to claim dominance. To rule over the Second Sea is to stand among the strongest. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. The Third Sea ¨C A battlefield where only the elite survive. Ancient islands, lost treasures, and warriors beyond mortal limits shape this lawless domain. Many enter. Few leave. And at the top of it all sits Rip Indra, the feared ruler of the Third Sea. As the leader of the Rip Crew, his name alone is enough to break the will of countless warriors. Under his reign, the strong thrive, and the weak are crushed. But change is coming. The Top Hat Crew In the shadows of tyranny, a new force rises¡ªthe Top Hat Crew. They do not seek power or conquest, but something greater: a world where justice is not dictated by fear. At the helm stands Steve, a pirate who dares to defy the impossible. By his side are warriors forged through battle and hardship: Leon, a titan of strength feared even among legends. Simon, a rogue Marine who walks his own path of justice. Max, a swordmaster so fast his blades are barely seen. Leggy, whose magma-fueled kicks reduce even the strongest foes to ashes. Their goal? To tear down the empire of fear that Rip Indra has built. But the road ahead is paved with enemies. Monsters of the sea, warlords, and even the world¡¯s strongest factions stand in their way. Will they rise and shatter the chains of tyranny? Or will they be consumed by the storm that awaits? The tides of destiny are shifting. Their legend begins now. Chapter 1 The Vast Chronicles of Blox Fruits Volume 1: The Rise Beyond the Ocean Chapter 1: The Kingdom of Rose bustled with life, its streets packed with merchants, adventurers, and nobles alike. The towering castle stood as a symbol of power, its walls nearly impenetrable¡ªor so everyone believed. Under the cover of darkness, a lone figure sprinted through the city¡¯s alleyways, silent as the night itself. His sharp eyes gleamed as he approached the castle walls. With a swift motion, he leaped up, landing on a ledge with ease. His form was lean, yet his movements carried an unnatural grace. Three glowing blue tails flickered behind him, their eerie light casting shadows on the stone walls. "Intruder!" a guard shouted. The figure turned his head slightly, his lips curling into a smirk. "Too slow, chubby!" Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! In the blink of an eye, the guard''s vision blurred. He barely had time to register the claws slashing toward him before he collapsed, unconscious. A second guard ran in, but met the same fate. Panic spread like wildfire. "Sound the alarm!" a voice rang out. Inside the Marine Quarters¡­ Admiral Leon Graves, dressed in his crisp Marine coat, leaned back in his chair. The reports on his desk were dull, but the peaceful night was a rare luxury. Then came the noise. Shouting. Running footsteps. Leon sighed. "What now?" A guard burst into the room, panting. "Sir, an intruder¡ªinside the castle! He¡¯s taking down men left and right!" Leon¡¯s golden eyes flickered with interest. "An intruder, huh?" He stood up, stretching. "I was getting bored anyway." As he entered the throne room, the sight before him was unexpected. Dozens of guards lay motionless, their bodies covered in claw marks. And standing at the center, surrounded by floating blue orbs, was the Fox-Boy. Leon smirked. "Well, well. A cat got loose in the castle?, Bold move." The intruder bared his fangs. "Your reign ends tonight, Admiral." Leon chuckled, rolling his shoulders. " Ah, a Dramatic one. I like it. Let¡¯s see if you can back up those words." In a flash, Leon vanished¡ªonly to reappear right in front of him. His fist struck the Kitsune''s chest with the force of a cannonball. BOOM! The intruder was sent flying through the castle walls, crashing into the courtyard outside. Leon stepped through the debris, cracking his knuckles. "I hope you¡¯ve got something better than that, fox-boy." The Kitsune coughed, pushing himself up. "This¡­ is just the beginning, Admiral!" His body shimmered, morphing into a majestic nine-tailed fox, his fur alight with blue flames. Leon grinned. "Now we¡¯re talking." Chapter 2 Chapter 2: The dust settled as the Kitsune stood tall, his nine shimmering tails swaying behind him. Blue flames crackled at his feet, his eyes glowing like two burning embers. Leon exhaled, rolling his neck. "Not bad. But let¡¯s see how long you can keep up." With a flick of his tails, the Kitsune vanished, reappearing behind Leon in a blur. His claws lashed out¡ªa streak of blue cutting through the air. Leon barely twisted in time, the attack scraping across his arm, leaving three deep gashes on his coat. "Tch." Leon glanced at the tear in his sleeve. "That was my favorite coat, you know." The Kitsune smirked. "Then you better start dodging." Before Leon could react, the Kitsune struck again¡ªfaster this time. He darted in and out, his movements too quick to follow. Each swipe of his claws left thin red lines across Leon¡¯s arms and chest. Leon grit his teeth, raising an arm to block the next strike¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t fast enough. The Kitsune spun, his tail glowing bright, and unleashed his attack. Fox Fire blast! A torrent of blue fire erupted from his tails, spiraling toward Leon like a raging inferno. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. BOOM! The explosion sent Leon crashing through the courtyard, flames licking at his coat. He hit the ground hard, smoke rising from his body as he groaned. The Kitsune landed gracefully, tilting his head. "What¡¯s wrong, Admiral? Too slow?" Leon coughed, forcing himself up. His golden eyes burned with something new¡ªexcitement. "Heh¡­ Alright then." He rolled his shoulders. "Let¡¯s stop playing around." His body began to change. Scales erupted from his skin, his muscles expanded, and his limbs stretched. A deep, guttural growl shook the castle grounds as Leon transformed. Where once stood a man, now loomed a massive T-Rex, golden eyes glowing through the night. The Kitsune''s smirk faltered. "Oh." Leon roared, RRRAAAAAUUUUGGHHH! the force sending a gust of wind ripping through the courtyard. Then, he charged. The Kitsune barely had time to react before Leon¡¯s massive jaws snapped shut¡ªright where he had been standing. But the Kitsune was fast. Too fast. He twisted mid-air, landing on Leon¡¯s snout. Then, in one swift motion¡ª His claws raked across Leon¡¯s eye, forcing a thunderous roar from the beast. Leon staggered back, shaking his head. That one hurt. The Kitsune landed, flicking his tails. "Big, but still too slow." Leon¡¯s eyes narrowed. Enough games. His jaws opened wide¡ªand this time, when he lunged, he didn¡¯t miss. The Kitsune yelped as Leon¡¯s massive teeth clamped down on him, crunching down with raw, unrelenting force. The flames around the Kitsune flickered. His body trembled. His transformation faltered. With one final bite, Leon crushed the Kitsune¡¯s strength, forcing him back into his human form. Leon then lifted his head, tossing the Kitsune into the air¡ªbefore snapping him up in his jaws again. And then, suddenly¡ª "STOP!" The castle guards finally arrived, weapons drawn. Leon exhaled through his nostrils, his jaws still clamped around his opponent. Slowly, he untransformed, spitting the beaten Kitsune onto the ground. "Put him in the dungeons," Leon ordered, dusting off his coat. The guards hesitated. One of them glanced at the wreckage around them. "You¡­ handled that alone?" Leon smirked. "What? You expected him to win?" The Kitsune, barely conscious, coughed weakly. His glowing blue eyes locked onto Leon¡¯s. "This isn¡¯t over¡­" he muttered. Leon chuckled. "I hope not. Things were just getting fun." The guards dragged the Kitsune away. Leon, still feeling the sting of his wounds, cracked his neck and turned toward the Marine Quarters. He had a feeling this was just the beginning. Chapter 3 The first rays of sunlight stretched over the Kingdom of Rose, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold. The city stirred with life, but within the Marine Quarters, Admiral Leon Graves was already awake. Seated in his office, he sipped his tea, his golden eyes staring at the city skyline. His mind replayed the events of the previous night¡ªthe kitsune intruder who had broken into the castle, cutting through dozens of guards like paper. His movements had been swift, precise, almost like an assassin. And yet, Leon could tell¡ªhe wasn¡¯t here to kill. Not yet. A firm knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Enter," Leon called, setting his cup down. A Marine officer stepped inside, saluting. "Sir, the prisoner still hasn¡¯t spoken." Leon sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Still?" The officer nodded. "Not a word. We tried everything. All we got is his name¡ªRyoma." Leon¡¯s fingers tapped against his desk. "And?" "He¡¯s definitely connected to the Rip Crew," the officer continued. "We don¡¯t know how deep, but it¡¯s clear he¡¯s not just some rogue mercenary." Leon narrowed his eyes. "That¡¯s a bold assumption. There are still crews out there just as dangerous." "Yes, sir, but¡­" The officer hesitated before continuing, lowering his voice. "It¡¯s his abilities. We¡¯ve never seen a fruit like this before. His power doesn¡¯t match any recorded Blox Fruit in history. And if there¡¯s anyone who can introduce a new fruit into this world¡­ it¡¯s Rip Indra, the Captain of rip crew." Silence hung in the air for a moment before Leon exhaled slowly. "So¡­ it¡¯s time." The officer stiffened. "Sir?" Leon didn¡¯t respond immediately. Instead, he reached for the snail phone on his desk and dialed a secure frequency. The line crackled, and then a deep voice answered. "Leon?" "We have a problem," Leon said flatly, staring at the wall. "It¡¯s happening." Silence followed. A silence that spoke volumes. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. On the other end, Admiral Simon Ashford processed the words carefully. He was currently stationed at Hot and Cold, a Marine base in a frigid part of the sea. The moment Leon referred to had been years in the making¡ªa moment they both had been trying to keep out of their lives. Finally, Simon let out a low sigh. "I see." His usual calmness wavered just slightly. "Then we don¡¯t have time to waste." "Get moving," Leon ordered. "We¡¯ll regroup at the Kingdom of Rose." "Understood," Simon replied. The call ended with a click. Leon exhaled, gripping the phone tightly. No more waiting. No more pushing things to the side. The storm was finally here. Hot and Cold Marine Base Simon stood up from his chair, his mind already calculating his next move. His crew members moved around him swiftly, preparing for departure. He pulled on his Marine coat and stepped out onto the docks, where a transport ship awaited. The frigid air bit at his face, but he ignored it. Just as he was about to board, a whistling sound cut through the air. His instincts screamed, and he leaped back just in time¡ª SLASH! A powerful wind slash tore through the wooden dock, splitting it apart. Simon landed a few feet away, his eyes scanning the area. Two figures emerged from the mist, their fox-like features unmistakable. Their blue tails flickered in the cold wind, and their glowing eyes locked onto Simon like hunters cornering their prey. "You¡¯re not leaving here alive, Admiral," one of them snarled. The Hot and Cold Marines stationed nearby rushed in, weapons drawn. "Protect the Admiral!" The kitsunes vanished in an instant, their speed overwhelming. The next second¡ª Blood sprayed into the air. The marines barely had time to react before two of them dropped, their bodies slashed open. The remaining guards turned, but it was too late. The second kitsune dashed between them like a blur, his claws tearing through armor and flesh alike. Simon¡¯s jaw clenched as he watched his men fall within seconds. "Tch. I should¡¯ve expected this." He flexed his fingers, and the air around him rippled with power. "You shouldn¡¯t have come here." With a deep breath, Simon¡¯s body expanded as his golden skin turned smooth like polished metal. BOOM! A shockwave erupted from his transformation, shaking the docks. His towering Buddha form loomed over the battlefield. His massive fists clenched, radiating raw power. The kitsunes didn¡¯t hesitate. They dashed forward, weaving between his legs, aiming for weak spots. But Simon anticipated their movements. His massive hand swept down, catching one of them mid-air. With a crushing grip, he squeezed, causing the kitsune to let out a strangled gasp before¡ª CRACK! Simon hurled him into the ground with earth-shattering force. The second kitsune retaliated, launching a barrage of blue energy slashes, each one cutting through the icy dock like butter. Simon raised his arm, the attacks bouncing off his golden skin with little effect. He took a step forward, the ground quaking beneath him. "You don¡¯t stand a chance." His voice rumbled like thunder as he swung a devastating punch. The air distorted around his fist before¡ª BOOM! The attack connected, sending the second kitsune flying across the dock. He crashed into a pile of crates, coughing up blood. But then, something strange happened. The first kitsune, who was barely alive, smirked. "We weren¡¯t here to kill you, Admiral. Just to deliver a message." Before Simon could react, the kitsune¡¯s body glowed. A small orb of blue energy detached from his chest¡ª And shot into Simon¡¯s body. Simon¡¯s breath hitched. His vision blurred. His body felt heavy. His massive golden form shrank back to normal, his knees buckling. "W-what¡­ is this¡­?" His energy drained rapidly, his body turning motionless. He tried to move, but his limbs refused to respond. The kitsune chuckled weakly. "sweet dreams, Admiral." Simon collapsed, his body hitting the docks with a dull thud. A few Marines rushed to Admiral Simon''s side, checking his condition, while others swiftly restrained the wounded Kitsunes. Kingdom of Rose ¨C Marine Quarters A snail phone rang. Leon picked it up. A panicked voice came through. "Admiral! It¡¯s Hot and Cold Base! Admiral Simon¡ªhe''s been attacked!" Leon¡¯s expression darkened. "What happened?" "It was Kitsunes, sir. They left him¡­ unconscious. He¡¯s not moving. We¡¯re bringing him to you now!" Leon exhaled slowly. He turned toward the door, his golden eyes glowing. "Wake up the prisoner. It¡¯s time to talk." Chapter 4 The vast ocean stretched endlessly, the rhythmic waves crashing against the hull of Admiral Logan Wells¡¯ flagship. The scent of salt filled the air as the ship cut through the waters, leading a fleet of three vessels toward the Kingdom of Rose. The crew moved efficiently, adjusting sails and keeping watch, but Logan stood still, leaning against the ship¡¯s railing, lost in thought. His expression was unusually serious. The earlier ambush had left no major damage, and his crew had fended off the attacker easily. But that wasn¡¯t what concerned him. No, the real problem was why it had happened. "That sudden attack gave me a shock. Although the intruder didn¡¯t cause much damage, I feel like something¡¯s wrong..." The attack hadn¡¯t been random. It was too precise, too deliberate. The moment replayed in his mind¡ªthe swift movements, the unnatural fox-like agility, and the blue flames flickering in the darkness. There was no doubt. It was a Kitsune. A marine officer approached, his sharp eyes studying the admiral¡¯s face. "I wonder what you¡¯ve been thinking about for so long, Admiral Wells. You look kinda... troubled." Logan exhaled sharply, rubbing his chin. ¡°This was surely connected to the Rip Crew... I wonder if it¡¯s...¡± His voice trailed off as a disturbing thought entered his mind. The Challenge. A chill ran through him. If this was truly the beginning of Rip Indra¡¯s move, then the seas were about to become a nightmare. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°That¡¯s why after all this time... they decided to take action.¡± He muttered under his breath, his mind racing. Then, suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, everything clicked. ¡°YEAH, THAT¡¯S WHAT IT IS!¡± he shouted, his voice booming across the deck. The marine officer flinched, nearly dropping the logbook he was holding. ¡°Sir! You ought to give me a heart attack or what?!¡± Logan snapped back to reality and burst into laughter, slapping the officer on the back. ¡°My bad! Just tell the crew to start moving faster. We must reach the Kingdom of Rose ASAP.¡± The marine officer saluted and rushed to relay the orders. As the ship picked up speed, Logan leaned against the railing once more. His mind lingered on the Kitsunes. If he had been attacked, then... did that mean the other Admirals had been as well? A storm was brewing. And this time, it wasn¡¯t one of nature¡ªit was one of war. The air inside the Marine Headquarters¡¯ dungeon was damp and thick with the scent of salt and old stone. Flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the walls as Vice Admiral Leon stood outside a cell, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on the prisoner before him. A Kitsune user. The man with three fox like tails sat on the cold stone floor, his arms bound in Sea-Prism Chains, yet his face remained eerily calm. His golden eyes flickered with unreadable emotions, his body eerily still, as if conserving energy. Leon stepped forward, his boots clicking against the stone. "You work for the Rip Crew, don¡¯t you?, whats the message you got for us from your captain?" The Kitsune user said nothing. Leon exhaled slowly, his patience already thinning. "You think keeping your mouth shut will help? I¡¯ve dealt with pirates, spies, and bounty hunters. You¡¯re nothing new." Still, no response. Leon¡¯s fist clenched, but he forced himself to remain calm. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see how long you last.¡± With a sharp nod, he signaled the guard. "Bring the irons." The marine hesitated. ¡°Sir¡­ he heals too.¡± Leon¡¯s gaze darkened. So that¡¯s the trick. He turned back to the prisoner. "Your body regenerates, huh? I bet it hurts every time, though." He cracked his knuckles. ¡°Let¡¯s test the limits of that healing.¡± The next hour was brutal. Leon tried everything¡ªfire, electricity, even Seastone-infused weapons. Each time, the Kitsune winced, his wounds deep and raw, but within minutes, they closed up as if nothing happened. Leon exhaled, stepping back, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°You¡¯re not an ordinary blox Fruit user. Whatever this is¡­ it¡¯s dangerous.¡± Before he could press further, a marine rushed in. ¡°Vice Admiral Leon! The Hot and Cold Marines have arrived.¡± Leon turned, giving one last glance at the Kitsune. "I¡¯ll deal with you later." Then he strode out, leaving the prisoner alone in the flickering torchlight, his golden eyes watching his every move. Chapter 5 Inside the medical ward, Simon lay motionless, his breathing shallow, his skin unnaturally pale. Around him, doctors and medics whispered in hushed tones, their faces filled with confusion. One of them turned to Leon, shaking his head. ¡°Vice Admiral¡­ we¡¯ve checked everything. No fractures, no internal bleeding, no poison¡­ nothing.¡± Leon¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Then why is he still unconscious?¡± The medic hesitated. ¡°We believe¡­ it¡¯s not a physical injury.¡± Leon¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Call Master Wei. Now.¡± Minutes later, the door swung open, and in stepped Master Wei¡ªa tall, broad-shouldered man with a scarred face. He was a martial arts master, known for his Superhuman fighting style¡ªand his ability to heal even the strangest afflictions. Wei studied Simon for a long moment, then placed a hand on his chest. The room went silent. Then, his fingers twitched. His eyes narrowed. ¡°There¡¯s something inside him,¡± Wei muttered. Leon crossed his arms. ¡°What is it?¡± Wei pressed his palm harder. A faint blue glow pulsed beneath Simon¡¯s skin. ¡°¡­An orb,¡± he said darkly. Leon¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°An orb?¡± Wei nodded grimly. ¡°It¡¯s draining his energy. It¡¯s charging itself¡­ possibly forever.¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Without another word, he moved quickly, pressing pressure points across Simon¡¯s body. Suddenly¡ª ¡°HAAAHH!!¡± Simon gasped, his body convulsing as the orb shot out of his mouth, floating midair, glowing ominously. Wei snatched it out of the air, his grip firm. He studied it for a moment, then crushed a few herbs into a vial, shaking it until a shimmering blue liquid formed. He tilted Simon¡¯s head and poured the potion down his throat. Slowly¡­ Simon¡¯s breathing steadied. His color returned. Wei sighed. ¡°He¡¯ll live. Let him rest.¡± Leon gave a sharp nod. ¡°Thank you.¡± But as he left the room, his thoughts were dark. Leon sat in his quarters, fingers drumming against the wooden desk. His eyes were locked onto the snail phone in front of him, but no matter how many times he tried, the calls never went through. A sigh escaped him as he leaned back in his chair. "Damn it, Steve. Pick up for once..." he muttered. He had managed to reach Max¡¯s home, but his wife had informed him that the swordsman was out. As for Steve, his island was too far for any quick correspondence. Leon wasn¡¯t the kind of man to sit and wait, but at this moment, he had little choice. A sudden knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Heavy footsteps echoed before a familiar voice spoke. "Enter," Leon called. The door swung open, revealing a tall figure dressed in pristine white. His uniform was immaculate, matching the polished black boots that struck the floor with authority. Admiral Logan Wells. "Such a long time passed since we last met, Leon," Logan said with a smirk. Leon raised an eyebrow, sitting up straighter. "It sure has. But what brings you here even before my call?" Logan stepped in, closing the door behind him. "Kitsunes. I¡¯m sure you encountered one, Leon?" Leon¡¯s eyes narrowed. "So you too... I guessed it right. Every Admiral was attacked, huh?" Logan folded his arms. "Did you contact the others?" "I tried," Leon replied. "Max is out. His wife said he left for dark arena island, and Steve¡ª" he sighed, "¡ªhe isn¡¯t answering. I can¡¯t send letters either, not when his island is so damn far away." Logan exhaled, rubbing his chin. "I have a feeling Max will be back by the time I reach his home. I¡¯ll pay him a visit myself." Leon nodded. "Alright then. Just be careful. The seas are on fire right now." Logan let out a short chuckle. "Since when have I ever been careful?" He turned to leave but paused at the doorway, his tone dropping to something more serious. "By the way, Leon... if Rip Indra is really behind this, then Steve''s assumptions were right." For a moment, the room was silent. Logan''s words lingered, striking a nerve. Leon¡¯s jaw tightened, his fingers subtly clenching at his sides. The faint hum of the office''s lamps seemed deafening in the sudden stillness. Then, something shifted. Leon¡¯s eyes gleamed, a piercing glow illuminating the dim room. He didn''t speak, but the flicker of light in his gaze said everything ¡ª acknowledgment, resolve, and a growing sense of anticipation. "You''re right," Leon murmured, his voice low yet firm. "Steve¡¯s plan¡­ it¡¯s working." Logan offered a knowing nod, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile before stepping out of the room, leaving Leon alone with his thoughts. The glow in Leon¡¯s eyes slowly faded, but the determination it reflected did not. Chapter 6 Somewhere on Green Island... A lone figure moved silently through the dense forests of Dark Arena Island. His steps made no sound, his presence nearly undetectable. He moved as if he had spent a lifetime in this forest, knowing every inch of the terrain. Admiral Max Stormblade. A swordsman so skilled, he could cut down an entire army without taking a single scratch. Every move he made was precise, calculated, and deadly. Then¡ªBOOM! A fiery blast appeared through the trees, forcing Max to halt. Blue flames crackled at the ground where he had just stood. His sharp eyes turned toward the shadows as several Kitsune users showed up, their fox-like eyes gleaming, fangs prepared. As the Kitsune users appeared from the wild , Max narrowed his gaze. He adjusted his grip on his katanas and spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "So, you sent that letter and called me over here?" One of the Kitsune stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "That''s right. We wanted to make sure you came alone." Max exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "And here I thought it was some official business. Turns out, you just wanted me dead." The Kitsunes laughed. "You catch on quick, Admiral. This will be your last battle. We are here to put a full stop to your story." Max fell into thoughts, his mind processing the situation. The Kitsunes moved swiftly, wasting no time, and in the next instant, they launched a barrage of fox-fire blasts straight at him. Max barely dodged, the scorching heat grazing past his uniform. "Fast!" he noted, watching as some of them transformed mid-air, their bodies stretching into monstrous fox-like forms. Their speed had doubled. A few quick slashes from Max kept them at bay, but he noticed something troubling. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. They weren¡¯t stopping. More Kitsune showed up from the cliffs, their numbers growing. Dozens surrounded him. Max let out a low chuckle. "So¡­ it¡¯s one versus an entire army, huh?" Then¡ªhe moved. Faster than the Kitsune had ever encountered, Max dashed between them, his triple katana style leaving a trail of blood in his wake. One Kitsune charged¡ªMax sliced through his leg with one katana, cut his lungs with the second, and ended it with the third, severing his head cleanly. Another tried to jump him from behind¡ªhe sidestepped and countered with a swift spin, slashing through its ribcage. One by one, they fell. But more kept coming. Then¡ªROOOOAAARRR! A powerful presence erupted from the wild, shaking the ground. Max barely turned before a massive Kitsune, larger than the rest, slammed him from behind¡ªsending him crashing into a cliff. Max grunted, wiping blood from his mouth. His sharp gaze locked onto the towering Kitsune, its fur glowing with an unnatural aura. It wasn¡¯t just any Kitsune. This one was different. For the first time, Max couldn''t predict his opponent¡¯s next move. The Kitsune army saw their opening and charged together¡ªbut then¡ª A blue portal appeared behind Max. And in an instant¡ªhe was gone. SHRIIING! A flash of steel. The giant Kitsune froze, its body splitting apart in several clean cuts before it even realized what had happened. Max had reappeared behind it. The power of his Portal Fruit. The remaining Kitsune staggered back, their confidence breaking. "Impossible¡­!" one of them muttered. Another snarled, "He¡ªhe''s a monster! We have to retreat!" But Max didn''t leave that option open. One by one, he hunted them down, slicing through the survivors. The few who remained bolted into the forest. But they couldn¡¯t escape. "Triple Dragon Twister!" Three massive hurricanes erupted, sweeping through the battlefield, trapping and shredding the Kitsune in their grasp. Only one remained. The massive Kitsune leader stood tall, his burning claws clashing against Max¡¯s katanas, shaking the ground with every strike. Max grinned, "Not bad¡­ but you''re out of luck." WHOOSH! Another portal opened¡ªMax vanished. The Kitsune hesitated¡ªthen felt something tighten around its neck. Max had reappeared behind it, gripping a lead like it was a wild dog. "You''re a bad boy, Tommy," he said, smirking. The Kitsune roared, thrashing wildly, but Max held firm. Desperate, the Kitsune bolted toward the sea, intending to drag Max down with him. Max narrowed his eyes. He understood the plan. At the last moment¡ªhe let go. A portal opened above the ocean. Max stepped through, appearing a few meters above¡ªand kicked the Kitsune down with full force. The giant beast hit the water¡ªsinking instantly. There was no escape. No return. A Devil Fruit user in the sea¡­ was as good as dead. Max returned to the barely alive Kitsunes lying on the ground. Their bodies trembled as they released glowing orbs¡ªfragments of their energy forming temporary souls. The orbs flickered and moved toward him, trying to enter his body, but Max swiftly dodged. He frowned. "What the hell is this?" The orbs rushed at him. He dodged. They circled him like they were alive. "Whatever this is... it¡¯s dangerous." He glanced at his canteen, still half-filled with water. A quick idea formed. Max swiftly uncapped the bottle¡ªand trapped the orbs inside. "Now... let¡¯s take you to the Kingdom of Rose," he muttered, stepping toward the village. Before that¡ªhe needed to call Leon.