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As everyone knows, both Zoan and Paramecia Devil Fruits have the concept of awakening.
Paramecia Devil Fruit Awakening enables users to alter the properties of objects they touch, excluding themselves, and achieve effects similar to those of Logia Devil fruits.
Zoan Devil Fruits, especially Mythological Beast types, greatly enhance the user's physical attributes when they awaken, boosting their stamina and regenerative abilities.
Many fans highly praise Mythological Beast Zoan Devil Fruits, considering them exceptionally powerful. These fruits combine Zoan transformations with control over elements such as fire and lightning, rendering Logia fruits outdated.
However, the moment Kojin maxed out the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit), he realized that something was different.
He wasn't sure if this counted as an awakening, as he only knew that a ceaseless surge of power was flowing from an unknown source, flooding his body.
His control over lightning, his ability to manipulate it, and his perception of his surroundings had all dramatically improved.
He even sensed a unique new ability.
He saw a pair of majestic, icy eyes gazing down from the void, watching him, and it seemed to pierce his soul.
It was as if the Devil Fruit had materialized, revealing a demon, in the form of a monstrous shadow.
"What exactly is that?" Kojin murmured in astonishment.
He seemed to glimpse the true form of the Devil Fruit faintly. Around his body, wisps of shimmering, swaying blue ribbons floated, flickering like flames.
"A transformation like Nika's?" Kojin realized, recognizing the change the Devil Fruit underwent upon reaching its maximum level.
He couldn't tell if this was the original awakened form of the Logia fruit or a power granted by his Cheat Ability.
But without a doubt, this newfound power was extraordinarily potent.
Undeniably, Kojin was already among the world's elite in terms of strength. He had maxed out both types of Haki and wielded the all-encompassing power of the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit).
Yet, he had one critical weakness: Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
This deficiency meant he was always a step behind in combat. While it rarely surfaced against ordinary opponents, his recent battles against Zephyr and Sengoku starkly revealed this flaw.
Even with field-based assistance, he could not avoid some attacks during intense, rapid-fire clashes without Observation Haki's aid.
"I can't believe I can't effortlessly defeat them while holding back... I still have much to improve upon!"
At that time, he had sighed with such emotion.
Now, with the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit) at its maximum level, he suddenly realized with startling clarity that his power had grown once again.
Curious about the strength of this newfound power, Kojin flickered, instantly vanishing from the sight of others.
After about a dozen seconds, he appeared above an island.
"Let me see what this new power is truly capable of!"
His eyes flickered, causing his robes to ripple violently. Strands of lightning crackled and flared, transforming into fluttering ribbons of electricity. Haoshoku Haki Infusion surged around his neck, waist, and legs. Its regal purple-blue hue lent him an air of nobility.
On his bare chest, a thunder-patterned brand emerged, a mysterious image of a black qilin standing on a thundercloud.
Simultaneously, his dark hair rapidly lengthened, cascading down to his waist and fluttering in the wind. Each strand was infused with lightning.
Behind his head, a purple halo of electricity materialized.
Kojin clenched his fists, and a resounding bang echoed as arcs of electricity stretched tens of thousands of meters in all directions.
Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!
A heavy, pounding drumbeat suddenly echoed through the air. As lightning flashed, four massive drums engraved with swirling tomoe symbols materialized behind Kojin.
Then, a blue-purple aura enveloped Kojin entirely.
His features, nose, mouth, and angular jawline, sharpened into an icy, cruel beauty with an eerie allure.
His eyes burned with divine authority as he gazed down upon the mortal realm like a god surveying his creation. He wielded thunder and lightning, commanding the very fabric of the world.
"Thunder God," Kojin murmured.
He was beginning to understand this power.
It was somewhat similar to the awakening of the Nika Fruit, causing a fundamental transformation in his very being. The awakened Devil Fruit essence, born from his soul, granted him control over the fundamental forces of nature.
In that moment, he could shift his form at will, and his mastery over thunder and lightning had surged to unprecedented levels.
With a mere thought.
Within a 100,000-meter radius, lightning materialized from thin air, crackling and booming with thunderous fury.
"Range and intensity have both been amplified once more. My physical strength, reflexes, and speed have doubled as well. Is this the Devil Fruit Awakening?" Kojin clenched his fist, his mind filled with doubt.
The max-level Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit) had revealed almost all of its lightning powers, allowing him to control them.
Yet, at that moment, he had only grasped the surface.
"Still... With this power, if I were to fight Admiral Sengoku and Zephyr Sensei again... I wouldn't die a second time. I could defeat them with ease." Kojin chuckled.
He suspected that the full potential of a Logia Fruit, when developed to its peak, might extend far beyond what he had discovered, requiring a long period of exploration.
His body flickered violently, instantly transforming into lightning and vanishing.
Upon returning to the G-18 fortress, Kojin experienced the initial allure of his newfound power.
"My speed has increased even more! Now I've reached the absolute limit of lightning speed."
Consuming a Devil Fruit doesn't instantly grant mastery over all its elemental abilities. It still requires significant time and effort to become fully familiar with them.
Take Borsalino, for example. Though he had consumed the Glint-Glint Fruit, his speed was far inferior to what it would be twenty years later.
"I still need to master Observation Haki!" Kojin muttered to himself. "Once I have Observation Haki, combined with this vast battlefield, nothing will be able to escape my gaze."
A soft sigh escaped Kojin's lips as a pang of frustration lingered in his heart. Observation Haki had been a thorn in his side for years. Despite his natural talent in other areas, he had always struggled with it.
Moments later, he watched the battleship dock. Vegapunk, accompanied by Saul, Crocodile, and others, entered the base. The great scientist immediately hurried toward the Ohara scholars' location.
Afterward, he enjoyed a lively conversation with Dr. Clover.
Driven by curiosity, Kojin eavesdropped on their discussion. However, after just a few sentences, he was left with a splitting headache.
It was all academic jargon. He recognized every word, yet strung together, they were completely incomprehensible.
"Professional matters should be left to professionals," Kojin consoled himself.
He had gone to great lengths to save the Oda scholars and recruit Vegapunk, intending to allow them to contribute their expertise.
After all, advanced scientific technology was a formidable force in this world.
Especially Vegapunk's research on the Lineage Factor, which would one day shine brightly.
Time passed, and tranquility settled over the base.
Crocodile and Bullet continued to lead the soldiers in their daily training sessions. Meanwhile, Kojin quietly observed, taking stock of the forces under his command.
"Top-tier combatants: Crocodile and Bullet.
"Mid-tier combatants: Saul, T. Penn, Evans, and others.
"There's also a weakened version of the Rokushiki squad consisting of nine members."
"Secondly, we have 13,000 elite Marines, some of the strongest in the West Blue. Our special talents include the Ohara scholars and the great scientist Vegapunk."
Kojin frowned as he made a rough calculation.
"We are still too weak! We need to recruit stronger, top-tier combatants. Additionally, we must expedite the establishment of the scholars' new home and Vegapunk's new laboratory."
Many tasks awaited him, but fortunately, time was on his side.
His immediate priority was to monitor news from the Marine Headquarters and the World Government.
...
In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed.
On this day, a battleship slowly approached the entrance of the G-18 fortress.
At the prow of the ship, a burly man wearing a dog-headed hat snored loudly while standing. The gate guards exchanged shocked glances as they observed the approaching battleship and the figure at its bow.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Marine Hero Garp!"
The news quickly reached the base. Eveya, Kojin's adjutant, rushed to him, her face filled with urgency.
"Senior Official! This is bad! Vice Admiral Garp is here!"
However, Kojin wore a calm smile, completely unconcerned. "I've already seen him."
He had actually detected the battleship when it entered the base's 50,000-meter range. At that moment, he had already guessed some of the intentions of the Marines and the World Government.
"Aren't you nervous?" Eveya asked, her voice trembling.
"Nervous about what?" Kojin chuckled. "He's my sensei, after all!"
With that, he stood up and strode toward the exit.
A few moments later, the battleship sailed into the inner bay and smoothly docked at the port. The Marines of the G-18 Fortress watched anxiously as the approaching vessel came into view.
They were terrified of Garp and dreaded a clash with the legendary hero.
A man's reputation can cast a long shadow!
Vice Admiral Garp's renown rivaled that of their own Vice Admiral. If these two titans clashed, the outcome would be impossible to predict.
After a long moment, they saw the figure at the prow of the ship stretch and yawn widely.
"You little brat! Do you expect me to come grovel at your feet?"
Suddenly, the man on the prow roared.
His knees bent slightly, and, to everyone's astonishment, the front half of the Doghead Warship slammed down heavily while the rear half rose high into the air.
The next instant, the square-jawed, middle-aged man launched himself upward, leaping hundreds of meters into the sky.
"After pulling off something this outrageous, I'm going to give you a proper thrashing, you rebellious disciple!" He bellowed, hanging suspended in midair.
Simultaneously, he drew his right fist back, coiling his body into a charging stance.
Crackle!
Lightning crackled through the air.
Kojin stood in the corridor outside the office, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched Garp prepare to throw a punch.
"We're done for!" Eveya cried out in terror. "Vice Admiral Garp has come to arrest you, Senior Official!"
Nearby, Crocodile and Bullet stared intently at the figure suspended in midair.
In the next instant, Garp swung his fist.
The air pressure above the base shifted violently, and everyone felt a faint breeze brush their faces.
Then, Kojin Thunderlight flashed in the corridor and vanished.
Simultaneously, he reappeared opposite Garp, his right fist clenched and infused with black-red lightning... Haoshoku Haki Infusion.
"How could a disciple dare to do such a thing, Garp-sensei?" Kojin asked mockingly. "I was hurrying to meet you."
As his words trailed off, he punched Garp with explosive force.
The two fists collided ruthlessly in midair.
Bang! Crackle!
A thunderous clash erupted, accompanied by long streaks of lightning, and a massive shockwave roared outward, sweeping over the crowd's heads.
"Damn brat! You've gotten even stronger! No wonder Sengoku and Zephyr are still unconscious."
Garp narrowed his eyes and grinned widely.
He plummeted from the sky and landed with a heavy thud on the deck of the Doghead Warship.
Kojin flashed through the air and landed in the harbor, positioning himself directly in front of Garp.
"Welcome to G-18 Fortress, Sensei!" Kojin called out loudly with a smile.
This man had saved Kojin from certain death and trained him personally to become who he is today. Naturally, he was the person Kojin most admired, respected, and felt indebted to.
"Damn brat!" Garp barked. He jumped down from the ship and stomped over to Kojin. He glared fiercely before delivering a merciless punch to Kojin's head.
"Ouch!" Kojin immediately clutched his head and cried out in pain.
"Enough acting," Garp snapped. "Find us a quiet place. I need to talk to you about some serious matters."
Garp shook his head, half amused and half exasperated.
With Kojin's current strength, Garp's earlier punch wouldn't have elicited more than a grunt of pain.
"Yes, sir!" Kojin immediately stood up, grinning widely.
Moments later, deep within the base's luxurious estate:
The master and apprentice sat cross-legged on the floor with a teapot and two teacups between them. Eveya stood beside them, her body tense. She was dressed in loose-fitting clothes and was serving as the tea brewer.
The smile had vanished from Garp's face, replaced by solemnity and gravity.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a deep voice.
"Well done!"
Kojin froze, lifting his head in confusion. "?"
"Saving Ohara, beating the daylights out of those three brats, and adding Sengoku and Zephyr to the mix. Making the Five Elders so furious that they nearly blew their mustaches off, yet forcing them to grit their teeth and swallow their anger. Now they're scrambling to cover up this whole mess for you."
"Hahahaha!"
Garp snatched up the teacup, drained it in one gulp, and burst into hearty laughter.
"You little rascal! You did a splendid job!"
Only then did Kojin understand what his sensei was implying.
"Heh heh. So, Sensei, you approve of my actions this time?"
Garp immediately glared at him. "I didn't say that, you brat! Don't put words in my mouth!"
But the twinkle in his eyes and the faint smile on his lips betrayed his joy.
Kojin smiled faintly. "Then, Sensei, who are you here to represent?"
Ever perceptive, Eveya stepped forward to refill Garp's teacup, filling it to seventy percent.
"The World Government!" Garp boomed.
"In other words, those five old geezers who sit at the top of the world! If Sengoku hadn't pestered me for nearly half a month, I wouldn't have come to your little den, brat."
Kojin chuckled. "What did they say?"
Garp suddenly fell silent. After a few moments, he looked up at Kojin.
"They want me to tell you about your background."
Kojin froze. "Background?"
"That's right! Previously, your file at Marine Headquarters said you were from West Blue, from a town called Ohara. But recently, a letter from Nefertari Cobra of the Alabasta Kingdom to the World Government changed that."
"It clearly revealed your true background."
Garp took a deep breath, his expression grave as he stared intently at Kojin.
"Boy, you're a Celestial Dragon!"
"Your name is Nefertari Kojin!"
(End of Chapter)