Chapter 181: Technological Replica, Bandaged Woman

Words : 1112 Updated : Oct 16th, 2025

"Your Haki is decent, but still a bit lacking compared to Red-Haired Shanks. After all, you're just a substitute. Heh." Roy chuckled lightly. His words struck a nerve, igniting a blaze of fury in the eyes of this 'Shanks.' "Oho, someone's mad. You're upset because I called you Red-Hair's replacement, aren't you?" Roy teased. The expression on this 'Shanks' said it all, his face was cold and emotionless, completely unlike the real Shanks. He no longer spoke, instead drawing his blade and charging at Roy. "Tsk tsk... So this sword is in your hands?" Roy looked at the weapon, it was very familiar. The real Shanks wielded a saber named Gryphon, not the the sword once used by Roger. Roger's weapon was a cutlass, Ace, one of the twelve Supreme Grade swords. And now, the very blade once carried by the Pirate King was in the hands of this 'Shanks.' Whoosh! His speed was terrifying, faster than lightning, closing the distance in an instant. With a single slash, he brought down his sword, infused with Conqueror's Haki, aiming straight for Roy. The faces of the Five Elders were illuminated by the crimson glow of Conqueror's Haki, their expressions calm as they observed the scene. Now that the Knights were fighting, they no longer needed to step in. "What, bullying me because I don't have a weapon?" Roy had no weapon to fight 'Shanks,' so he wrapped his arm in Armament Haki instead. Clang! A metallic clang rang out as the two stood face-to-face. For the first time, 'Shanks' showed a different expression, shock and disbelief. He hadn't expected his strike to be blocked so easily by Roy's Armament Haki. "Did everyone think I only had Conqueror's Haki? My Armament Haki is also maxed out, I just never showed it before." 'Shanks' gaze lifted to Roy, only to see his entire body now shrouded in Conqueror's Haki. The sight left him even more stunned. How could Roy, while fully enveloped in Conqueror's Haki, still use Armament Haki to block his attack? This meant Roy's Armament Haki had reached another level, its hardness was enough to coat him inside and out like a living black blade. How are black blades formed Beyond the material itself, they could also be tempered through Haki infusion. Take Shusui, for example. It was once a normal named blade, but became one of the top 21 Great Grade Blades as because it was the only one among them that had been fully infused with Haki, turning it into a black blade. In short, the blade gets "marinated" in Haki over time until it's fully imbued. Roy's body was like that, his inner and outer body completely reinforced with Armament Haki, like a blade that had been thoroughly "marinated." "See? Seems you're not completely brainless. You're smart enough, yet you're still just a replacement," Roy said mockingly. "SHUT UP!!" Finally, 'Shanks' snapped, his composure shattered "Oho, look at you, getting all worked up again. I just called you a substitute, no need to throw a tantrum." Roy chuckled. "I said shut your mouth, you lowly insect!" 'Shanks' roared in fury, swinging Ace at Roy in a relentless barrage. Roy raised his hands. With Observation Haki fully activated, his hands moved like a thousand-armed Buddha, leaving afterimages as he blocked every attack with ease, retreating slightly under the pressure. You call me a lowly insect, but they don't even see you as human. Have you realized it yet? You're not a Celestial Dragon, you're just a bloodline clone, a lab-grown substitute. Do they truly treat you as one of their own?" Roy taunted." Roy said. 'Shanks' remained silent, his slashes growing even fiercer. But Roy sensed his Observation Haki waver. His movements slowed slightly. 'Now!' Roy seized the tiny opening. It was just a split-second, less than a blink. He struck. "Air Burst!" Compressed Conqueror's Haki exploded on his chest, the shockwave slamming into the fake 'Shanks' and sending him flying. "If this thing can hurt Newgate, then old age must have really caught up to him." Roy muttered. Whitebeard's Observation Haki was extremely powerful. For someone to injure him in that state, it meant their strength was formidable. Yet, no visible injuries marred 'Shanks' body, clear evidence of successful modifications, likely incorporating Germa's technology. "That punch won't kill him. As expected, tech is a serious power boost." Whoosh! Suddenly, countless bandages flew at Roy. He dodged by hopping back twice, avoiding the surprise attack. A woman wrapped in bandages crouched on the ground. The bandages were unraveling from her body. "Another Celestial Dragon... seems not all of them are idiots. Some are clever," Roy muttered. More bandages shot toward him, but he dodged them easily. "Come on, keep going," Roy taunted. His words clearly enraged the woman. As a Celestial Dragon, no one had ever treated her so dismissively. "Silence!!" the woman shouted furiously. Her bandages came faster and more numerous than before. Roy couldn't tell what kind of ability it was. It didn't seem like a typical Paramecia. Celestial Dragons never eat ordinary Devil Fruits. Look at the ones that appeared in God Valley: the Fish-Fish Fruit, Paw-Paw Fruit, Phoenix Fruit, all top-tier. "What kind of fruit are you using?" Roy asked while dodging. The woman didn't respond, she just kept attacking. It wasn't until Roy charged directly at her that she reacted. "You-!" This time, her face finally changed expression. "You're just too dumb." Before she could respond, Roy punched her in the face. In the next second, her body exploded into a mass of bandages and flying dust. "Hmm?" "The Sand-Sand Fruit?" "No... this isn't what the Sand-Sand Frui looks like. Crocodile is still alive anyway. How could she turn into sand? Looks like this power isn't simple." Roy's mind rapidly analyzed her ability in that brief instant. Too bad the public Devil Fruit Encyclopedia is incomplete. The only full version is the one held by the Celestial Dragons. Even the Nika Fruit had been erased and renamed the Gum-Gum Fruit. If the Celestial Dragons wanted to hide certain fruits, it'd be effortless. "Never mind. No point overthinking." Bandages flew toward him again, this time from point-blank range. The blast of bandages from earlier had wrapped tightly around him. As the sand swirled, the woman reappeared before Roy, staring down at him with cold eyes. .. If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead. [email protected]/DaoistJinzu

Chapter 181: Technological Replica, Bandaged Woman

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