New Shining Star |『 Male Reader 』• One Piece

Page 48: Roots of Defiance

"The time is the Great Pirate Era!"

"Countless pirates fight desperately for the One Piece, the great treasure left behind by Gold Roger, the Pirate King."

"Y/n L/n, a young man whose body can transform into a buffalo after eating the Ox Ox Fruit Model Water Buffalo, also takes the sea to become the Pirate King."

"As Y/n and his friends overcome numerous adventures, the World Government is less and less able to ignore their existence."

"The crew, on its way to the New World, will speed along the Grand Line again today!"

The air in the Shimmering Enclave's basement crackled with tension as Souta and Fuyuto stood back-to-back, their breathing steady but shallow. Their bodies were already dotted with fresh bruises and shallow cuts, a testament to the punishment Vice Admiral Valeria had delivered in their brief encounter.

Before them, Valeria stood tall, her emerald eyes gleaming with an unsettling mix of amusement and menace. Her dark green hair swayed with the faint breeze created by the writhing mass of vines that coiled around her. The Vice Admiral's confidence as her vines swayed in preparation for her next move.

"You two are impressively persistent for pirates," Valeria began, her voice smooth yet mocking. "But persistence without purpose is just foolishness. So tell me...what do you think you're accomplishing here?" she asked.

Fuyuto smirked, twirling his ice sword between his fingers before taking a stance. "Accomplishing? That's easy," he said, his tone light but edged with defiance. "We're kicking your ass and taking back our friend," added the mink.

Beside him, Souta chuckled softly. "You should already know this by now. We don't stop for anyone, no matter how much they posture," he added as Valeria raised a brow, her amusement deepening.

"Is that so?" she mused, her tone patronising. "Let's see how far that bravado carries you, boys. It's time you learn how fruitless defiance truly is," she said. Then, as if to punctuate her words, Valeria thrust her hand forward. A massive wall of vines erupted from the ground, weaving themselves into a dense, impenetrable barrier.

"Verdant Barricade," said Valeria as the wall expanded outward with terrifying speed, forcing both pirates to leap back. The force of the growth kicked up a whirlwind of dust and debris, momentarily obscuring their vision.

Thankfully, Souta landed lightly on his feet, steam hissing softly from his body as he rolled his shoulders. "You want to block me out? Fine. Let's see how well that wall holds up!" he shouted, dashing forward.

As he closed the distance, his movements became erratic, weaving left and right in seemingly drunken patterns. His staff swung in unpredictable arcs, narrowly missing the thick vines that lashed out in response.

"Tipsy Trap!" said Souta as he ducked under a vine strike, spinning low to the ground before springing upward and slamming his staff into the barrier. Steam hissed and swirled around him as he twirled his weapon in a blur.