One Piece: Lone Monster
Chapter 21
Ron lay on the bed, sleeping peacefully as Gloriousa clung to him. A sharp knock on the door pulled him out of his rest, his eyes opening slowly.
He stood up, stretched, and opened the door. Stussy stood there, her expression dark and on the verge of snapping.
"We're reaching the checkpoint where the Heavenly Tribute will pass," she said, barely holding back her irritation.
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Ron nodded calmly, got dressed, and stepped outside. Without another word, he spread his black wings and flew into the sky, completely ignoring Stussy's death glare behind him.
Within minutes, he reached above the clouds and spotted the convoy below. His Observation Haki expanded, scanning everything in detail.
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"Hm… multiple CP squads, a Vice Admiral, a Navy warship… and two familiar auras," Ron muttered with a chuckle before turning back.
He returned to the ship and landed casually. "Security is tighter than before. More CP and Marines… and two familiar faces are present."
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Stussy frowned at his words, her instincts sharpening. "Familiar? Who are they?" she asked, now fully focused.
Gloriousa, on the other hand, leaned against Ron, tracing circles on his chest with her finger, completely relaxed.
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Ron glanced at them both. "Sengoku… and Zephyr," he said calmly.
Stussy stiffened slightly, while Gloriousa's eyes sharpened with interest.
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"Fine. I'll handle Sengoku," Ron continued. "Gloriousa, take care of Zephyr and the CP. Stussy, you deal with the Vice Admiral and the Marines."
Stussy nodded, confident in handling the lower forces with her agents.
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Gloriousa smirked and pecked Ron's cheek. "Leave Zephyr to me," she said, her voice filled with confidence.
Ron didn't object. He knew she was strong enough now, even if Zephyr was no weak opponent.
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They moved toward the convoy swiftly. As soon as they were in range, Ron grinned and raised his arm.
"Fire Fist."
A massive flaming fist tore through the sky, descending toward the ships like a blazing meteor.
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Panic spread instantly across the fleet. The moment they recognized the Rocks Pirates' ship, chaos erupted.
Ron hovered in the sky, his black wings spread wide, flames dancing behind him. Gloriousa floated beside him, gravity bending subtly around her.
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Sengoku and Zephyr stepped forward immediately. Sengoku transformed into his Buddha form and launched a shockwave punch infused with Armament Haki.
"Yo, Sengoku. Long time no see," Ron greeted with a grin as he descended.
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Sengoku sighed, his expression heavy. "I wasn't planning on meeting you again."
Ron drew Surtr and swung, releasing a flaming slash before diving straight into close combat.
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Zephyr moved to intercept Ron, but before he could reach him, a powerful kick slammed into him from the side.
Gloriousa hovered in the air, her eyes cold. "With your strength, you dare interfere with Ron?"
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Zephyr crashed into the ground but quickly recovered, jumping back up. "Former Empress… so you joined the Rocks Pirates," he said, attacking without hesitation.
Gloriousa amplified gravity around both of them and met his strike head-on.
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Their clash sent shockwaves through the air, black lightning crackling from advanced Armament. Zephyr was forced back, blood trickling from his lips.
Gloriousa raised her hand toward the incoming CP forces.
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"Shinra Tensei."
A massive gravitational force erupted outward, blasting the CP agents and their ship away. The vessel shattered instantly, and the agents coughed blood as their insides were crushed.
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Even the sea was pushed back by the force.
Mid-fight, both Ron and Sengoku glanced at her attack.
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"Good. She's using it properly," Ron said with a smirk.
Sengoku's face darkened. "A gravity ability… another monster on Rocks' crew."
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"Don't get distracted," Ron said, swinging Surtr again, flames and advanced Armament coating the blade.
Sengoku met it with a shockwave-infused punch, the clash shaking the sky.
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Meanwhile, Stussy infiltrated the Marine warship, cutting through resistance and securing the Heavenly Tribute.
Gloriousa raised her hand again, locking onto Zephyr.
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"Bansho Ten'in."
A powerful pull dragged Zephyr toward her, and she followed with a gravity-enhanced kick.
Their clash echoed again, but the added gravitational force sent Zephyr flying backward once more.
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Sengoku gritted his teeth, wanting to assist, but Ron gave him no opening.
Gloriousa then turned toward the warship.
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Stussy waved from atop it, already securing the cargo.
"Shinra Tensei."
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Another devastating force obliterated the warship, sending Marines crashing into the sea.
Sengoku's eyes reddened with anger, but he could do nothing as Ron kept him locked in combat.
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That brief distraction was enough.
Ron struck, Surtr slicing through Sengoku's defense. Advanced Armament penetrated inward, causing internal damage and forcing him back.
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Ron immediately disengaged and flew toward the ship. Gloriousa used her gravity to lift the tribute vessel into the air.
Together, they escaped, carrying the ship through the sky.
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Once they reached a safe distance, Gloriousa slowly lowered the ship back to the sea.
Ron shrank back to his human size and walked onto the deck beside her.
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"Sigh… this fruit is tiring," Gloriousa complained. "Shiki only needs to lift something once. I have to keep the gravity active constantly."
Ron nodded slightly.
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"That's because your body isn't strong enough yet. Train under constant gravity, and your stamina will grow," he said. "Eventually, you'll lift islands… or crush them."
Gloriousa smiled brightly and jumped onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
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"Don't worry. I won't waste this power," she said, pecking his cheek.
Ron carried her effortlessly as Stussy counted the Heavenly Tribute, a satisfied grin on her face.
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The operation was a complete success.
And somewhere far behind them, Sengoku stood in silence, realizing just how dangerous Ron had become.