HST: Chapter 98/99
Added 2025-06-03 09:24:47 +0000 UTCChapter 98: Storm
"There are four Devil Fruits, a hundred million Berries, and more than ten other treasures."
Moria presented the haul carefully, handing over a Devil Fruit encyclopedia.
It was a sizable loot, but the Berries weren't muchβmost of it had probably been spent back at Sabaody Archipelago. As for the so-called "treasures," they were just odd trinkets with no real value.
The only items worth noting were the four Devil Fruits.
Caelan took the encyclopedia and examined them one by one.
"Paramecia-type Bed-Bed Fruit? What kind of garbage is this?!"
It could turn people into various types of beds. Completely useless, though it did match the twisted preferences of the Celestial Dragons.
"Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nekomata. Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Garuda. Logia-type Cloud-Cloud Fruit."
Caelan nodded, clearly pleased.
Compared to the joke that was the Bed-Bed Fruit, these three were genuine rarities.
The Nekomata and Garuda were top-tier Mythical Zoan-type Fruits, on par with what Kaido had stockpiled.
And the Cloud-Cloud Fruit? A weather-controlling Logia. Creating thunderclouds and manipulating weather patterns would be trivial with that power.
Honestly, those two Celestial Dragons had arrived just in time, as if they'd known Caelan needed more firepower and decided to personally deliver it.
"The Cloud-Cloud Fruit is for Nami. The Nekomata Fruit goes to Tashigi. The Garuda Fruit is Vivi's. Eat them. Now."
Caelan shoved the fruits into their hands, not leaving room for refusal.
"No way! These are way too valuable!"
Nami and the others hesitated.
Devil Fruits were treasures of the sea. Even the most ordinary ones started at 100 million Berries. These three? Easily worth over a billion each.
"There's no such thing as 'too valuable' between us. If eating them helps me, then that's all that matters."
Caelan frowned. His tone was resolute.
He still had 4.8 billion Berries on the Heroic Spirit Synchronization Systemβmoney wasn't an issue.
More importantly, a major battle was coming. These Devil Fruits could shift the balance.
It was better to use them now, turning them into actual strength.
"Alright!"
Vivi, Nami, and Tashigi exchanged glances and nodded firmly.
By eating the Devil Fruits, they'd be able to support Caelan in battle.
Later on, the value of those Fruits would be repaid many times over.
"Ugh!"
The three women each took a bite, then grimaced in pain at the awful taste.
But they forced it down, determined not to waste it.
Moments later, changes began to take place.
Tashigi transformed into a graceful black cat with two tails, her body shrouded in blue flames.
Vivi turned into a majestic golden roc, blazing with radiant light.
Nami was enveloped in clouds and mist, her body constantly shifting like vapor.
"So magical⦠so powerful!"
Moria felt a rare sense of security.
Watching Caelan casually hand out top-tier Devil Fruits made him feel safer than ever.
He even felt a strange urge to become a woman, just to boost his survival chances.
Soon, Nami, Vivi, and Tashigi returned to their original forms, having already gained a basic level of control over their new abilities.
"How do you feel?" Caelan asked with a grin.
With these three Devil Fruits, they would soon reach vice admiral-level combat strength.
With proper training, there was even a chance they could break into the admiral class.
"I feel amazing! The Cloud-Cloud Fruit suits me perfectly. We'll never have to worry about storms again!"
"I think... once I get the hang of it, I can even make our ship fly!"
Nami hugged Caelan tightly, her face brimming with excitement.
For a navigator, a weather-controlling Logia was a dream come true.
"I feel like my body is ten times stronger. This is a huge boost to my swordsmanship!"
Tashigi was equally excited.
She'd always lacked physical strength, but the Nekomata Fruit had changed that. Her coordination and power had soared. She finally saw a path to becoming a true master swordsman.
"Me too! I've never felt so powerful!"
"Judging by the time, the pursuers should be arriving soon. You all leave first," Caelan said, his expression serious.
"I don't want to leave. I want to stay and help you!"
Vivi immediately protested.
The other women followed suit, unwilling to part from him.
"Remember Aokiji? That one battle wiped out an entire island. This one's going to be even bigger. You staying here won't help. It'll only slow me down."
"Return to Alabasta. I'll meet you there."
Caelan gazed into the distance, as if he could already sense Akainu's approach.
The hawkish Akainu would definitely show up. After all, with the Celestial Dragons involved, he'd need to make a display of strength to earn the Five Elders' trust.
While he'd disobeyed them after becoming Fleet Admiral, Akainu had been very obedient back when he was an Admiral.
This battle would likely bring at least three admiral-level opponents: Kizaru, Garp, and Akainu.
Caelan wasn't afraid. But Nami and the others weren't ready.
"Alright. We'll go."
The women were reluctant, but they understood.
Staying would only be a distraction.
"You have to come back safely!"
Nami looked Caelan in the eyes, her tone serious.
"Don't worry. We'll meet again in Alabasta."
Caelan smiled and gently patted her head.
Soon, he watched as Nami and the others sailed away in a small boat. The Wind Rider and Moria's ship stayed behind.
"Let's go. Find a spot."
Caelan tossed the two Celestial Dragons onto the Wind Rider and spoke to Moria calmly.
He didn't expect Moria to fight Akainu. He just needed someone to come back and pick him up.
Moria's ship had someone who'd eaten the Door-Door Fruit. That alone was enough to guarantee a safe escape.
"Yes, Caelan-sama."
Moria ordered the zombie crew to sail both the Wind Rider and his own ship toward a nearby uninhabited island.
Back at the original site, the Celestial Dragons' ship was soaked in blood. Even the World Government flag was stained red.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 99: Buster Call
An uninhabited island near the Sabaody Archipelago.
The massive ships belonging to the Wind Rider and Gecko Moria were docked along the shore, completely exposed.
Saint Charlos and Saint Rosward were still unconscious, tied to a large tree in the center of the island. Blood dripped slowly from their bodies, and their breathing grew fainter by the minute.
"Moria, are you scared?"
Caelan sat cross-legged on the ground, his giant sword resting flat across his knees.
"Not scared."
Moria stiffened his neck and answered.
"You've got guts. This time, it's Garp, Borsalino, and Akainu."
Caelan casually spoke as he sensed several powerful presences approaching.
"That's⦠a little scary!"
Hearing those legendary names, cold sweat broke out across Moria's forehead.
Each of them was a top-tier powerhouse on the sea. Any one of them could flatten him. Even Kaido-sama had to tread carefully when facing all three together.
Now they'd all gathered just to deal with Caelan. That kind of attention was way too much.
"If you're scared, go hide. Come pick me up after I win."
Caelan lowered his gaze, fully confident in the outcome.
"Thank you, Caelan-sama!"
Moria glanced at him. Seeing that Caelan wasn't joking, he bowed in sincere gratitude.
At this level of battle, even being a bystander could be fatal. Trying to get involved would be suicide.
"Open the Air Door."
Bleuno activated the powers of the Door-Door Fruit, opening a gateway to a pocket dimension.
Moria led his men and the captured shadow materials through the door.
Moments later, the island fell silent again. Only the painful, ragged gasps of the two Celestial Dragons echoed in Caelan's ears.
Even though he was confident of victory, being in peak condition was still the best plan.
"System, consume 1.2 billion Berries to increase Synchronization Progress."
Caelan muttered under his breath as a surge of immense power poured into his body.
The energy twisted and expanded his muscles and bones. His physique strengthened instantly.
Then came a torrent of Heracles combat memories.
Twelve impossible mythological feats. The Berserker class template remained vague, but the combat experience of the Heroic Spirit was crystal clear.
Saber's sky-piercing sword strikes. The Hero King's overwhelming rain of treasures. Ancient magic from the Age of Gods...
And a certain blue lancer who never stopped spinning and stabbing?!
Something else had clearly slipped in.
[Host: Caelan Alaric]
[Template: Berserker Class Β· Heracles (New template unlocked, please activate in a secure location)]
[Synchronization Progress: 100%]
[Berries: 4.86 billion β 3.66 billion]
[Attributes]
Strength: A β A+
Durability: A
Agility: A
Magic: A
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: A+
[Personal Skills]
Battle Continuation (B)
Mind's Eye (Fake) (B)
Valor (A+)
Divinity (A)
Madness Enhancement (B)
[Other Skills]
Swordsmanship: A
Armament Haki: A
Observation Haki: A
Conqueror's Haki: A
[Noble Phantasms]
God Hand: The Twelve Labors (B)
Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads (CβA+)
---
The panel showed his Synchronization Progress had reached 100%. All other attributes remained the same, except for his Strength, which had risen from A to A+.
That alone was enough to satisfy Caelan. His power had more than doubled. Now, he truly felt like a berserker.
More importantly, he had obtained a complete spiritual foundation.
He had gained a form of immortality. Even if critically injured, his body could quickly regenerate under the influence of magic.
Feeling the surging power within, Caelan couldn't wait for the battle ahead.
"Two Admirals and a legendary Vice Admiral. This island's about to get really lively."
Caelan narrowed his eyes as he sensed the three fierce presences.
He pulled out a golden Den Den Mushi from inside his coat. It was a trophy from killing Spandam. Perfect timing to use it.
"Since it's already chaos... why not add some more fuel to the fire?"
A sharp glint flickered in Caelan's eyes as he pressed the golden Den Den Mushi.
Time to make some real noise. Big enough to shake the entire world.
Now that he was no longer affiliated with the World Government, he needed overwhelming might to declare the rise of a new Emperor.
β¦
At Marine Headquarters, ten elite warships set sail, heading straight for Caelan's location.
"Gion, who do you think issued this Buster Call? And so close to HQ too?"
Tokikakke slicked back his hair, looking confused.
"No clue. It was issued directly to you and me. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku wasn't notified. My guess? A CP higher-up."
Gion looked puzzled as well.
There were two types of Buster Calls. One required authorization from the Fleet Admiral and other senior officers, typically used to take down notorious pirates.
The other type was activated directly via a golden Den Den Mushi, bypassing all procedures and launching an all-out annihilation strike.
This was clearly the latter. They had the right to execute itβbut not to question it.
"Eh, whatever. At least this one's on a deserted island. No civilians, no cleanup."
Tokikakke shrugged in relief.
Despite its name, a Buster Call usually caused more collateral damage than it solved.
But this time, with no civilians in sight, there were no such concerns.
"Admiral Akainu's ship was rerouted on short notice. Seems like he's headed the same way. Something's off."
Gion's eyes narrowed. The unease in her gut only grew stronger.
What kind of opponent would require a top Admiral and a full Buster Call?
"Maybe we're sailing straight into hell. If this is my last mission, Gion, will you marry me?"
Tokikakke suddenly pulled out a rose and proposed on the spot.
Even on the brink of war, he was committed to his hopeless romance streak.
Gion twitched, black lines appearing on her forehead.
"I refuse."
"And call me Vice Admiral."
She snapped the rose in half and flung it into the sea.
"Okay, Gion."
Tokikakke didn't look the least bit disappointed. He was used to it by now.
β¦
Even though Garp's warship was closing in fast, Akainu's ship reached the island first.
"Instead of running, he's just sitting here waiting for us."
Akainu frowned as he looked at the Wind Rider and Moria's ships on the shore.
Caelan could have easily escaped into the sea.
But instead, he had chosen to remain on a remote island and calmly await the Navy's arrival. This was a blatant provocation toward the World Government.
"Fine. Then let this island be your grave."
Akainu sneered and strode toward the island's center.
He walked at the front, flanked by Garp and Borsalino.
Any two of them working together could suppress even a Yonko.
Now, with all three assembled, Akainu couldn't imagine any way Caelan could survive.
Unless Caelan had nine lives⦠he was dead.
(To be continued.)
Fun fact: He has twelve lives xD
