This journey through time and space went far smoother than the last one.
At the same time, Oboro's mind was no longer filled with panic or anxiety.
Because this time, he had brought his "capital" with him.
"Kneel down, right now!"
"Shh… keep your voice down."
As his consciousness gradually cleared, Oboro heard the murmur of whispering voices all around him.
"Is this… a Higher‑Level World?"
He couldn't help but wonder.
Next, his perception connected to his nervous system, and his soul re‑established its link with his flesh and blood.
Instantly, he felt the solid, tangible sensation of being in a physical reality.
Oboro opened his eyes slowly.
The first thing that caught his attention were colossal trees towering into the sky, alongside iridescent, multicolored bubbles floating high above.
When he shifted his gaze downward, he saw rows of strange, uniquely shaped buildings clustered at the base of those massive trunks.
He appeared to be standing in the middle of a street.
"This is…" Oboro's eyes narrowed. The scenery before him was far too distinct and recognizable.
Especially those giant Yarukiman Mangroves deeply rooted upon the islands… and the natural resin they secreted.
He could even smell the faint, salty tang of the sea breeze carried on the wind.
One Piece!
The name flashed through his mind instantly.
I've actually arrived in this world!
And this place… is Sabaody Archipelago! The final stop before the first half of the Grand Line!
He didn't even need to access the memories of the body he had taken over; he already knew exactly where he was. Instinctively, he reached out with his mind to sense the Will of this world… but found absolutely nothing. His spiritual connection received not even the slightest response.
As expected… Low‑Level Worlds and Higher‑Level Worlds operate on completely different principles.
With his soul's power, he was able to clearly perceive the "Little Tree" in Demon Slayer, but here in One Piece, it was completely invisible to him.
Just like in Hunter × Hunter.
Perhaps his soul was considered powerful in Demon Slayer, but upon entering a Higher‑Level World, his capabilities felt significantly diminished.
Oboro summoned his system interface. Seeing the familiar virtual screen finally allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.
All the resources and power he had accumulated in Demon Slayer… had come along with him.
"Hmm?"
His brain processed information and adapted to his current reality at incredible speed.
From the moment his soul transmigrated, to adjusting to the new body, to analyzing his surroundings, only a few seconds had passed.
Once his emotions settled, he began to notice something was wrong. He saw that people lining both sides of the street were all bowing low in his direction.
Their expressions were mixed with fear and apprehension… and the atmosphere was incredibly oppressive.
He also noticed the ranks of Marine soldiers stationed on either side.
And he heard the whispers of the term Celestial Dragon.
Thud!
Suddenly, a heavy foot kicked hard against his body.
"Hurry it up… trash! What are you dawdling for? Do you want to die?!"
A voice rang out from behind—lazy, yet filled with irritation and arrogance.
Oboro's heart sank.
He felt iron shackles clamped around his neck, attached to a chain held by another. Just like a pet on a leash, he was being paraded out in broad daylight.
He was… a slave of the Celestial Dragons!
And his master was none other than a famous character from the storyline—Saint Charlos.
The very same arrogant fool who had been sent flying by Luffy's punch at the Human Auctioning House.
"..."
Underneath the glass bubble covering his head, Saint Charlos dribbled snot and looked utterly idiotic.
When he saw his slave, who had been crawling on the ground, suddenly glance back at him, he felt unsettled.
That look in the eyes was different from usual. It held none of the fear or fawning obedience he was used to. Instead, it was cold… icy cold.
Saint Charlos's face darkened instantly. He felt deeply displeased.
"What are you staring at?! I told you to move… Do you have a death wish?!" Saint Charlos shrieked in rage, kicking and stomping furiously at Oboro's body on the ground.
"And over there… is Kizaru."
Oboro remained silent. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the Admiral standing nearby, casually picking at his ear with his pinky finger, wearing that perpetually laid‑back and lazy expression.
He had an Admiral guarding his master at close range.
Oboro weighed his options, then continued to crawl forward slowly.
He was thinking…
This is the absolute worst possible situation! The absolute worst‑case scenario!
And he had guessed right!
He had been specifically targeted by the Will of this world.
He had appeared right into an impossible, deadly trap. This world simply did not want him to grow or survive.
It seemed terrified that he, an outsider, would destroy the established order.
It wanted to eliminate this "virus" as soon as possible.
"My physical condition is simply abysmal!"
Oboro assessed his body's attributes.
Years of abuse and torture at the hands of the Celestial Dragons had left him emaciated, covered in scars, and incredibly weak.
But more importantly… the power of his soul seemed to be heavily suppressed and ineffective within this Higher‑Level World known as One Piece.
It was similar to his experience in Hunter × Hunter.
Back then, after he had reduced the burden on his soul in the Dark Continent, even upon returning to the human world on Lake Shore Island, his power was roughly equivalent to the level before Isaac Netero's death.
Additionally, due to the differences in the power system here, although the concept of the soul existed, the applications and techniques derived from it were severely limited.
The only thing remotely related to the soul was Haki.
There was a source of power, but very few channels to express it…
This world placed far greater emphasis on external, physical power—raw strength and Devil Fruits.
"The Will of this world is deliberately suppressing my soul." Oboro understood clearly.
To put it simply: he could no longer freely use his soul abilities like he did in Demon Slayer.
Things like exerting spiritual pressure or fusing his soul with techniques were now impossible. He had felt these restrictions and barriers the very second he arrived.
Before, he had been playing freely on a low‑difficulty map. But now…
Clank!
Oboro was still processing this information when, having crawled only a few steps, the chain around his neck was suddenly pulled tight, choking him.
Saint Charlos had yanked it back violently.
The Celestial Dragon ordered him to move, so Oboro moved.
But now that he was crawling forward, it seemed to displease the man even more.
"I've had enough!"
Saint Charlos shouted in fury. He instantly pulled out a pistol and pressed the muzzle against the back of Oboro's head.
What infuriated him most was that Oboro hadn't crawled over to apologize or grovel for mercy before moving.
He hadn't given his master the pleasure of submission. This slave was acting strange today, and Saint Charlos's patience had run out.
The moment Saint Charlos drew the weapon, Oboro sensed the imminent danger.
Even though his soul abilities were weakened and suppressed, they hadn't vanished entirely. For example… his senses remained transcendent and sharp.
He turned his head instantly, locking eyes with that cold, dark gun barrel.
His expression remained calm.
"Heh."
A mocking laugh echoed within his mind.
This world… truly wants me dead.
Without the slightest hesitation, the Celestial Dragon pulled the trigger.
Sparks flew as the bullet shot forth.
Oboro's pupils contracted sharply. His perception was still flawless, causing the flow of time around him to seem to slow down…
He could clearly trace the bullet's trajectory in mid‑air.
"Very well then… let's play… for a while."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he laughed silently.
He was speaking directly to the Will of the world itself.
"Though it's going to be… a bit troublesome."
Troublesome indeed. While his reaction speed was godlike, his physical body was simply too weak and broken to keep up.
Bang!
The bullet landed, piercing straight into the ground.
But at the same time, blood sprayed from Oboro's head, and his body collapsed limply to the ground.
It looked exactly as if he had been shot right through the skull.
"Tch… trash… You've ruined my entire day!"
Saint Charlos strode over, kicked the corpse several more times in disgust, and stormed off in a foul mood.
The surrounding onlookers were terrified, their faces pale and bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Some young children instinctively tried to look over, only to be quickly pushed down or covered by their parents.
"Shh… quiet."
Admiral Kizaru whistled softly as he followed behind the Celestial Dragon.
As he passed Oboro's body lying in a pool of blood, seemingly devoid of all life, his eyes glanced briefly from behind his yellow tinted glasses. He slowed his pace slightly.
"Was that… an illusion?"
Kizaru pondered.
For just a split second earlier… he could have sworn he saw on that man's face… a smile?
Perhaps it was the expression of someone finally finding release… Being a slave to the Celestial Dragons is truly a miserable way to live, after all.
Thinking nothing more of it, Kizaru shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away. He turned his head and casually instructed a few nearby Marines:
"Yo… clean this up, will ya?"
"Yes, Sir!"
Several soldiers saluted in unison, rushed forward, lifted Oboro's body, and quickly carried it away from the scene.
____________________
For more advance chapters visit my patreon
patreon.com/kane45
Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter
20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter
40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter
Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"
"Saturday and Sunday - Off"