One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 471: Volume 3 – - 114: I Got Set Up

Almost the instant that voice rang out, the once-clear sky was suddenly shrouded in thick, heavy clouds.

Whoosh!!

A massive bolt of lightning tore through the sky like a colossal pillar of blue and white light, crashing down toward Shiki with overwhelming force!

The intense flash illuminated the world for a brief moment.

Shiki's pupils shrank.

A powerful sense of danger surged in his chest.

"What the hell is this!?"

He roared as his body floated upward, rapidly retreating in an attempt to evade the lightning strike from above.

But in the next moment, something unbelievable happened—

The bolt of lightning, originally falling straight down, suddenly veered sideways mid-air in response to his movement!

Its target was still Shiki!

"How is that possible!?"

Boom!!

The thunderclap struck hard, unleashing a massive explosion on the ground.

Flames surged through thick black smoke, spreading quickly across the jungle. Countless towering trees were set ablaze and began to collapse.

Suddenly, a sharp sword flash cut through the firelight.

A fierce gust from the slash blew out the surrounding flames.

"Damn it..."

Shiki staggered out of a scorched crater, his body wreathed in smoke, a line of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

His entire body was coated in a layer of jet-black Armament Haki—he had clearly taken that strike head-on.

"Lightning... can change direction?"

His eyes bloodshot, Shiki stared in disbelief at the Marine Vice Admiral standing before him.

Daren casually pointed to the ship's wheel floating above Shiki's head, lit a cigar, and smiled.

"That thing's the best lightning rod you could ask for."

Shiki froze.

A pale blue spark flashed through the air, quickly forming a figure beside Daren.

With two sideburns and a grim expression, he stared warily at Shiki.

It was Momonga!

"You're late."

Lightning surged from Momonga's fingertips as he spoke in a low voice.

Daren chuckled.

"Took a few extra laps to wear him down. Otherwise, your shot wouldn't have landed so cleanly."

Momonga frowned. Even with that direct hit, he didn't feel any relief—he stayed on high alert, eyes locked on Shiki.

"So this is the infamous Great Pirate Shiki? I'm surprised you've lasted this long..."

Though he hadn't awakened Observation Haki yet, he could still sense the terrifying pressure radiating from Shiki.

That overwhelming aura of death—it felt like being hunted by a feral beast. It made Momonga's skin crawl.

He and this monster weren't even in the same league!

That realization hit hard as he instinctively glanced at Daren.

The brutal injuries covering him made Momonga shiver.

He'd been following reports from the Edd War closely.

And it had already been a full day and night since that battle ended!

From the New World to the North Blue, Daren had chased this monster nonstop without a break... An insane pursuit like this was almost unheard of.

"A Logia-type mouse?"

Shiki now understood Momonga's power and sneered.

"The Goro Goro no Mi, said to be the strongest Logia... I didn't expect it to end up in your hands, Daren, you little brat."

A cruel grin spread across his face.

"So this is your backup plan?"

"If this is all you've got, I won't mind killing both of you right here!"

As his words fell, Shiki raised his hand and slashed!

His strike was brutal and lightning-fast, unleashing a Flying Slash worthy of a top-tier swordsman!

A magnificent golden slash burst through the air, silently ripping the earth apart as it roared toward Daren and Momonga.

With the insight of a pirate who had ruled the seas, Shiki instantly saw through it—this little brat with the moustache might've developed his Devil Fruit well, but without Haki, he was no real threat!

"Here it es!"

Momonga barked as he raised his hand, releasing a bolt of lightning.

Lightning and sword light clashed in midair—but the stalemate only lasted a moment before the golden sword beam crushed the lightning and surged straight toward Daren!

A twisted, mocking grin curled at the corners of Shiki's mouth.

With that Marine brat's injuries, there's no way he can dodge this strike!

But in the next instant, Shiki's eyes flew wide open.

"What!?"

The Marine made no move to evade. Instead, he dropped his knees low, his scar-covered torso leaning forward, eyes burning with a crimson madness.

He took a deep drag from his cigar, the tip visibly shrinking.

With both hands coated in jet-black Armament Haki, he braced himself and charged straight into the ining sword beam!

Boom!!

The towering golden slash, over ten meters high, swept forward with terrifying momentum. Daren's feet dug into the earth like iron stakes as he slid back, crashing through countless massive trees.

He was driven back thirty meters, carving a massive trench through the forest before the sword light finally faded away.

Dust and smoke filled the air. The Marine Vice Admiral stood firm in his stance, white smoke still rising from his body.

"This... this can't be happening!"

Shiki stared, eyes bulging, barely able to believe what he was seeing.

His gaze locked onto the Marine's palm.

Aside from a faint white streak—there wasn't a single wound!

Even though the strike hadn't been infused with Haki, it should've at least done some damage!

That same slash had been effective throughout the entire chase!

Even Momonga, who had already retreated to a safe distance, was stunned speechless.

A great swordsman's slash—blocked barehanded!?

"Seriously now..."

Amidst the swirling smoke, Daren's calm voice echoed overhead.

He exhaled a long stream of smoke.

It coiled through the air like a dragon, clouding the space before him.

"Looks like you still don't get it, Shiki..."

He slowly raised his head, a wild grin forming on his face.

"It's not you hunting me anymore—now I'm the one hunting you!"

Rip!!

He tore apart his already shredded military uniform.

"Seimei Kikan!"

His muscular body, crisscrossed with wounds, was laid bare before Shiki.

A shock unlike anything before surged through Shiki's eyes.

Something strange was happening to the Marine's body—those brutal wounds were closing up, the bleeding stopped, and every muscle seemed to swell with power, glinting with a cold, metallic sheen.

An overwhelming, almost demonic aura began rising from Daren's form.

It was as if that battered, broken body had been a lie—a "false image" held in check by Seimei Kikan!

This absurd, diamond-hard defense was his true physique!

Shiki froze in place.

This... can't be real...

Seeing the strange transformation play out in front of him, his eyes turned blood red, a tidal wave of realization crashing through his mind.

Indestructible Body!!

This was definitely an Indestructible Body!

There's no mistaking it!

Training the human body is the hardest path of all—especially when it es to core physical attributes like strength, durability, speed, and explosive power. Humans have natural physiological limits!

Once those limits are reached, growth stops.

Unless someone has a special bloodline, unique genes... or a method!

Wait...

A method...

Indestructible Body...

Shiki suddenly remembered the ruined factory he'd seen during that arms deal with Kaidou in Wano.

"That Marine brat showed up, but I didn't let him walk away unscathed..."

Kaidou had said that with a cruel grin.

Back then, he hadn't thought much of it. But now, looking back, Kaidou's expression... something had seemed off.

Don't tell me...

Did Kaidou set me up!?

Realization dawned, and Shiki let out a furious, bloodcurdling roar, eyes nearly bursting from their sockets.

"Damn you, Kaidou!!!"