“Conqueror’s?
What’s that?” Feeling the oppressive atmosphere that weighed on her heart, Robin asked in confusion.
“It’s…
the disposition of a king.” Marco explained concisely, “Most powerhouses in the New World have mastered a power called Haki.
Whether you’re a pirate or a Marine, if you want to gain a foothold in the New World, Haki is a necessity.” “Haki is divided into three types: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror’s.
Armament and Observation can be cultivated by anyone.
Armament Haki enhances attacks and allows you to strike the true body of Logia devil fruit users.
Observation Haki lets you predict enemy moves, sense your surroundings, and even briefly see into the future.” “Unlike those two, Conqueror’s Haki appears in less than one in a million people.
It’s the only Haki that cannot be gained through training, and it’s an indispensable requirement for becoming a top-tier powerhouse.
Whether it’s the Four Emperors or the former Pirate King, every single one of them possessed Conqueror’s Haki…” Robin looked toward Caesar in surprise.
“So, Mr.
Caesar has the potential to become one of the Four Emperors?” Marco burst out laughing.
“Well…
that’s true, but this is the New World, y’know…” “Indeed, the New World…” In the darkness, Caesar slowly folded his wings and raised his right hand, examining his pale, long, and broad palm.
The pitch-black environment did not impede his vision at all.
His crimson eyes were like all-devouring whirlpools, capturing every stray trace of light and projecting every detail of the surrounding scene directly into his mind.
His elf-like pointed ears twitched slightly.
Behind the surrounding stone walls, Caesar could clearly hear the faint sound of insects burrowing through the soil, the vibrant, healthy heartbeats of the two people before him, and the rush of blood coursing through their veins.
Most importantly, he could see their ‘temperature’!
“A king’s disposition, with a one-in-a-million probability?
Among those who make a name for themselves in these waters, who isn’t an elite standout from their respective seas?
The so-called disposition of a king is nothing more than an entry ticket at best.” “Though, strictly speaking…
the vast majority of people in this world don’t even qualify for a ticket.” “Think about it.
Imagine you’re a famous strongman in your hometown, strong enough to flip an ox.
One day, full of confidence, you set out to sea, becoming a Marine or a pirate, making a decent name for yourself—until you enter the New World.
Here, you see hundred-meter tsunamis, flying dragons, sky-covering lava, falling meteors, and strikes that slice the ocean in two…” “A casual strike from these monsters possesses terrifying power that you couldn’t achieve in a lifetime.
You can’t even withstand the shockwaves of their battles.
A single stray pebble flung from the field might carry destructive force you can’t hope to resist.” “This is the disparity of the world, and the tragic fate I spared no expense and took risks out at sea to change.” As Caesar spoke, he stepped out of the darkness.
His pale face was illuminated by the torch in Robin’s hand.
His already handsome features appeared even more striking under the firelight, and his crimson eyes lent him a subtly restrained, aloof air.
“Not bad-looking at all…” Marco marveled as he sized up Caesar’s appearance.
“The legendary Vampire Fruit…
How does it feel?” Caesar didn’t say anything.
He simply pulled back his wings, gestured to the two of them, and walked briskly out of the ruins, a smile playing across his face that he couldn’t hold back.
Marco and Robin shared a smile, clearly sensing Caesar’s excitement, and quickly followed.
The moment the three emerged from the tunnel, a streak of black light pierced the sky!
High above, Caesar spread his wings wide, his shoulder-length black hair fluttering in the wind.
His blood-red eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly opened his arms toward the setting sun.
In the next instant, countless vampire bats flew into the sky as if answering a summon, fluttering and circling around Caesar in a noisy swirl.
With gentle flaps of his dark wings, Caesar hovered in midair.
Though he was the legendary vampire, illuminated by the sunset, he appeared strangely divine.
“He sure knows how to strike a cool pose, this kid…” Marco smirked, seemingly recalling how he had acted when he first ate his Devil Fruit, and called out eagerly, “Don’t tell me you can only control bats?
Hurry up and show off what else you can do!” “Hehe, it seems this kind of curiosity is a natural phase for every Devil Fruit user…” Robin covered her mouth with a light chuckle.
“Speaking of which, Mr.
Vampire is only eighteen years old this year.
Holding back his youthfulness all this way, staying calm and composed until reaching the end of the journey—it really must have been hard on him.” “Yeah, I really want to tie him up and haul him onto our ship…” “???” “Ah, no, I mean it’s like seeing my past self, hahah…” Marco scratched his pineapple-like head and laughed awkwardly.
Robin remained silent.
*You clearly just said what was on your mind, didn’t you?* Still, it wasn’t wrong.
A talented young man like Caesar was premium fresh blood for both pirates and Marines alike.
It was no wonder Marco was tempted.
Most importantly, Caesar was rich!
Extremely rich!
That was also the main reason Robin was willing to interact with Caesar.
Setting aside whether he had other ulterior motives, at least she didn’t have to worry about being stabbed in the back for her bounty.
After all, her 79-million-berry bounty wasn’t even as much as the tips Caesar had handed out along the journey.
Suddenly, a crimson flash gleamed in the sky.
The two only saw a burst of scarlet bloom before Caesar instantly appeared right in front of them.
His skin flushed red, and a wisp of blood-colored mist slowly dispersed around him…
Marco’s pupils contracted sharply.
“So fast!” “By controlling blood circulation to accelerate flow, the body is reinforced, dramatically increasing strength and speed.
The cost is that if the body isn’t tough enough, frequent use drains lifespan.
Luckily, the one thing I don’t lack is lifespan…” Caesar slowly clenched his fist.
The flush on his skin faded, and the surging sense of power within his body filled him with excitement.
The principle behind this technique was the same as Luffy’s Second Gear.
The difference was that Luffy could endure it due to his rubber properties, whereas Caesar relied on his innate, absolute control over blood.
Caesar slowly opened his palm, and a ball of crimson blood gathered within it.
He pointed a finger, and the blood turned into a surging shockwave that blasted outward, easily piercing through a dozen-meter-tall tree that took several people to encircle, then shattering a boulder several meters high without losing momentum!
“Not bad.
Looks even better suited for combat than my Phoenix…” Seeing this, Marco’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
“Any other abilities?” “The core ability is blood control.
Not only can I create blood for combat, but I can also siphon others’ blood…
or rather, the vital energy within blood, to maintain eternal youth and heal injuries.
You both know this much.
As for other aspects…” “Hey, wait!” Marco hurriedly interrupted Caesar, looking at him with anticipation.
“Can you use this ability on others?” “…I can, but there’s a catch.” Caesar shook his head.
“Anyone I inject with my blood becomes a thrall.
Setting aside that their thoughts and actions become controlled and their abilities are weakened, if they’re submerged in seawater or face strong Haki, the ability will be neutralized.” “Even if someone regains youth by absorbing blood, once the ability is neutralized, that borrowed life force will rapidly drain away.
Aside from me, the actual vampire, no one can truly absorb external life force.” Marco’s disappointment was visibly obvious.
“I see…” “It can’t be helped.
Devil Fruits aren’t omnipotent.
Maintaining eternal youth is already unheard of.
Anything more exaggerated, and the World Government would dig up the entire world to find this fruit.
How could it ever have fallen into my hands?” Caesar spread his hands slightly.
The Vampire Fruit’s abilities were already completely absurd.