Chapter Twelve: The General’s Potential

A single wrong move can change the game. Hammock, who had seen himself as the hunter, never imagined that within just a few exchanges, his role would be reversed so swiftly—he was now the prey. And why was that? It was, of course, due to the sudden unleashing of the Asura Wings by Chu Yi.

Taking advantage of the moment when Hammock was fully focused on his assault, Chu Yi condensed a dark red light at his back with his own Devil Fruit power, silently unfurling the Asura Wings. In that instant, he seized the opportunity, wrapping the wings around Hammock and trapping him firmly before him.

Indeed, the formidable strength of the Asura Wings made them not only an impenetrable shield for Chu Yi, but also a cage to restrict his opponents. Yet, more exhilarating than capturing a powerful enemy like Hammock was the thrill of discovering new material. For when Hammock had just revealed himself and struck at Chu Yi with a threatening slash, a prompt echoed in Chu Yi’s mind:

“Ding! Host, awakening material detected. Would you like to collect it?”

Without hesitation, Chu Yi communicated with the system and chose “Yes.” The system immediately issued a mission: “Host, awakening material collection has begun. Please complete the collection within three days, or the attempt will fail. Awakening mission triggered: Shatter Hammock’s Absolute Defense. Complete within the time limit.”

So, this Marine’s name is Hammock? Never heard of him—he must be one of those forgettable characters in the original pirate story. But what is this so-called Absolute Defense? Does he think he’s the Sand Shield from those old legends, like Gaara with his impenetrable defense?

No matter. As long as he defeated this so-called Hammock, the awakening material mission would be complete.

A faint smile played at the corner of Chu Yi’s lips as he gazed at Hammock, now bound tightly by the Asura Wings. Victory seemed all but assured. He was no longer thinking about how to win, but rather anticipating what kind of awakening material Hammock would yield.

As Chu Yi began to contract the Asura Wings, tightening his hold on Hammock, he bent his knees slightly, preparing his stance to deliver a powerful punch. But just as he was about to unleash a three-thousand-watt strike, the smile that suddenly appeared on Hammock’s face caused Chu Yi’s pupils to narrow in alarm.

“Excellent. It’s been a long time since I’ve met an opponent worthy of my Devil Fruit powers. You’re quite the prey,” Hammock said, showing no sign of realizing his role had reversed.

With an air of confidence, Hammock glanced at the Asura Wings restraining him and asked, “Is this your Devil Fruit ability? Or perhaps… are you a native of Sky Island, and these blood-red wings are your birthright? Hmm, they’re sturdy enough to restrain me for the moment.”

Too much talk.

Though Chu Yi had no idea where Hammock’s confidence came from, he was more than ready to give him a surprise. Originally, he only intended to defeat Hammock with a three-thousand-watt punch, but provoked by Hammock’s taunts, Chu Yi’s aura surged, a terrifying pressure blowing back even Hammock’s hair.

The next instant—

Boom!

Asura Form to the limit!

Ten-thousand-watt punch!

Unleashing the full force of the Asura Form, Chu Yi’s fist rocketed toward Hammock’s chest. The air itself seemed to freeze; the friction of his fist against the atmosphere produced a sonic boom.

Even Tiger, far off in the double-gravity zone, was startled by the force of the blow, and the Marine “Pigeon” who had previously dismissed Chu Yi couldn’t help but glance over in surprise.

But just as this mighty blow was about to land on Hammock’s chest and erase him from existence—

Thud!

A mysterious, yellowish energy suddenly radiated from Hammock’s body, forming a pattern like a tortoise shell that blocked Chu Yi’s ten-thousand-watt punch dead in its tracks.

“That fist of yours…” Hammock sneered. “It doesn’t seem all that strong.”

——

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

In the Admiral’s office, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was buried in paperwork, but the incessant crunching and munching was driving him to distraction. Annoyed, Sengoku glared at the man sprawled out in front of him, legs crossed, stuffing rice crackers into his mouth.

“Karp, if you have something to say, just say it. Would you stop eating in my office?”

“Hahaha, Sengoku, want a cracker?”

“I’ll pass,” Sengoku sighed, declining the offer. He thought to himself how impossible it was to get used to Karp’s habits. If you have business, just say so—why disrupt my work?

He set aside the paperwork, already guessing Karp’s purpose in coming. With a raised brow, Sengoku cut straight to the point, “You’re here about that kid Hammock, aren’t you?”

“Hahaha, that’s right! Sengoku, you’re sharp as ever!”

Karp laughed heartily, but then his eyes sharpened and he turned serious. “Sengoku, I know you have high hopes for Hammock, but I absolutely don’t approve of you letting him mix with the CP9 crowd. That could mess up his principles.”

“We both know exactly what the Visualization Fruit means. So I hope you’ll recall Hammock immediately and have him train under me for a while. Anyone who can obtain the Visualization Fruit is destined to stand out in the Marines. And someone as exceptional as Hammock, who can fully bring out the fruit’s power, well…”

“He has at least the potential of an admiral!” Karp concluded, and silence filled the office.

After a moment, Sengoku picked up the transponder snail on his desk, gave Karp a reassuring look, and muttered, “You’re right. Surviving a clash with Sakazuki, even though Sakazuki was holding back, is proof enough that Hammock is no ordinary major.”

——

My punch lacked strength? That was a ten-thousand-watt punch—the limit of my Asura Form!

Hammock’s mocking voice echoed, but rather than anger, Chu Yi felt a chill run down his spine. The man before him was far more unfathomable than he’d thought.

What was that tortoise shell-like defense? What kind of Devil Fruit user was Hammock?

One question after another flooded Chu Yi’s mind as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

And then, suddenly—bang! All Chu Yi saw was a blur of black shadow. In a flash, he was sent flying, struck down by a force he could barely perceive.

Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Chu Yi fixed his gaze on Hammock once more. Behind Hammock now stood a savage apparition—a tortoise-bodied, serpent-tailed beast.

Even though he had crossed into the world of pirates, the blood that flowed in Chu Yi’s veins was still that of Huaxia. As a son of Huaxia, how could he be unfamiliar with that tortoise-bodied, serpent-tailed specter?

Staring at the brutal phantom behind Hammock, Chu Yi’s voice trembled with astonishment.

“That’s… that’s…”

“The Black Tortoise of legend?!”