One Piece: With Sign-in System

Sabaody Archipelago…

Rayleigh was momentarily stunned when he heard the news.

While he had anticipated that the World Government might pull some reckless moves, he hadn't expected them to so quickly paint Ron as a villain.

After all, he hadn't known that Nico Robin was aboard Ron's ship. That revelation was entirely beyond his calculations.

"I heard Akainu and Garp have already set sail for the North Blue," Shakky said gravely.

"That's expected. Given that the World Government has issued such an order—and considering the overwhelming strength Ron displayed by taking down Golden Lion Shiki—Sengoku, being the cautious man he is, would undoubtedly respond with overwhelming force to eliminate this potential threat," Rayleigh remarked as he sipped his drink.

"Do you think he can survive this ordeal?" Shakky's voice carried a hint of worry.

Despite Ron's remarkable feat of defeating the Golden Lion, Shakky still doubted he could match either Akainu or Garp in battle—let alone both of them together.

Rayleigh gazed into the bubbling amber liquid of his Sabaody rum and, after a moment of contemplation, spoke softly.

"This time… it's all up to him."

…

Somewhere along the Grand Line…

"Ron…"

Wrapped in a black cloak, her twin swords hanging by her left side, Kuina stared at the latest reports, her heart shaken but filled with concern for Ron.

"This time, I must stand by your side and face the dangers with you…" she resolved inwardly and immediately set out for the North Blue.

…

East Blue, Loguetown…

Inside a tavern.

"So it's really that Ron?!"

Ace, the captain of the newly formed Spade Pirates, had just arrived in Loguetown and was staring at Ron's picture in the newspaper with excitement.

Six years had passed since he parted ways with Ron in Foosha Village, and during that time, he had only learned bits and pieces about him from Garp.

As he looked at the paper, Ace's voice carried admiration and amazement.

"His first bounty is directly from the World Government… and it's 430 million berries. That's so like him!"

While Ace himself remained largely unknown, Ron had already made a name that shook the seas!

For Ace, the goal he needed to chase was crystal clear. It was Ron!

At this moment, Ace closed his eyes. In the darkness of his mind, he could vividly picture a glowing path ahead of him. At its end stood a figure in black, back turned, holding an ominous blade.

"How strong have you become now?" Ace murmured.

…

Still inside the same tavern, not far from Ace, a plainclothes Smoker sat at the bar. With a cigar in his mouth and a glass of Plague Rum in hand, he read the newspaper, his face darkened with frustration.

"Over something like this… they've slapped a bounty of 430 million on him and officially made him our enemy?" Smoker muttered, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes.

This was forcing Ron to walk against the Marines. What the hell were those people in headquarters thinking?

Unbeknownst to Smoker, the order came directly from the World Government.

…

Six battleships cut across the Calm Belt as Akainu and Garp sailed from Marineford to the North Blue.

This deployment Marines sent shockwaves across the seas, signaling that the World Government intended to bring overwhelming might to bear in capturing Ron.

With the news spreading, Ron's name climbed to an entirely new level of notoriety.

From the Warlords of the Sea to the Emperors of the New World, everyone took notice of this man called Ron.

The infamous Big Mom Pirates, known for their Road Poneglyph, also became intrigued by Nico Robin's involvement.

"If that Ron brat manages to escape from Akainu and Garp, you all bring him to my ship," Big Mom commanded her three Sweet Commanders. "I want that Ron. And I want Nico Robin too!"

Similarly, other Emperors in the New World harbored their own schemes. Many considered drawing Ron into their fold, though all knew one thing: it hinged on whether Ron could survive this trial.

If Ron managed to slip through the grasp of Akainu and Garp, the world would have no choice but to acknowledge the rise of a powerhouse—a figure surpassing the Supernovas and standing shoulder to shoulder with the mightiest of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

This rising star, already radiating a light that blinded the seas, was only 17 years old.

Should he emerge from this encounter unscathed and enter the Grand Line—or even the New World—his decisions would undoubtedly tip the balance of power. Whether he chose to ally with one side, join a faction, or act independently, the entire world would tremble.

At this moment, the seas were silent with anticipation. Every corner of the ocean, from the Grand Line to the four blues, awaited the next update from the North Blue.

What would happen next? Could Ron face and overcome the most formidable challenges of his life?

Only time would tell.

At this moment, the North Blue was shrouded in ominous clouds, a silent and foreboding sea stretching endlessly.

The Traveler sailed slowly through the waters.

"Has our captain not come out yet?" Conis asked, her voice tinged with worry.

It had been three days since that astonishing battle ended.

After sustaining severe injuries, Ron had returned to the ship and locked himself in his room. Since then, no one had seen him.

Robin rubbed her chin, her brows furrowed. "Could he have been seriously injured during the fight?"

"Injuries wouldn't be surprising," Bonney interjected, her arms crossed. Her pink wavy hair swayed slightly as she spoke, her heart-shaped lipstick drawing attention to her pursed lips. "After all, his opponent was the legendary pirate, Golden Lion Shiki."

Thinking back to the seven-day-long battle in the skies, Bonney couldn't help but show a trace of lingering fear on her face.

"Master will be fine, right?" Enzo asked, his tone heavy with concern.

"Squeak!"

Beside Conis sat the winged, enlarged cloud fox, Su, who had consumed a Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit. It called out softly, nudging its head toward the room where Ron was staying.

Conis reached out and gently stroked Su's fluffy head, her voice calm yet filled with determination. "He'll be fine. He's our captain, after all."

…

Inside Ron's quarters.

He sat cross-legged on the floor, his upper body bare, his expression calm and composed.

His physique was lean but exceptionally well-defined, his muscles taut and refined like steel cables.

As he practiced the Sun Breathing technique, his muscles alternated rhythmically between relaxation and tension, while immense vitality coursed through his body. Waves of white steam rose continuously from his skin.

The horrifying injuries that had covered Ron after the battle were fully healed by the second day, thanks to his Healing Art. However, he hadn't stepped out of his room since then.

Not because of his injuries.

But because he was still absorbing and internalizing the monumental gains from that titanic battle.

Golden Lion Shiki's reputation as a legendary pirate was well-deserved. Despite being absent from the seas for over two decades, his strength remained formidable, almost insurmountable.

As a Grandmaster Swordsman with mastery over the three forms of Haki and the fearsome Float-Float Fruit, Shiki had dominated the initial stages of their fight. Even when Ron fought with everything he had, he struggled to match Shiki's relentless onslaught, suffering considerable defeats.

But as the battle dragged on, Ron's physical advantages began to shine. His robust body and seemingly endless stamina, further enhanced by the Sun Breathing technique, gave him an edge Shiki couldn't match.

With the ability to restore himself daily using the Healing Art, Ron only grew stronger as the battle continued.

Shiki, realizing the tide was turning, attempted to retreat. Yet, Ron clung to him like an unrelenting shadow.

After seven days of grueling combat, Ron's swordsmanship reached the level of a Grandmaster Swordsman. That decisive breakthrough sealed the victory.

In many ways, Ron had overwhelmed Shiki with sheer physical endurance and unyielding determination.

It was almost unfathomable to imagine how Luffy in the original story, relying only on Gear Third, had managed to defeat such a titan.

The protagonist's aura was, indeed, absurdly powerful.

…

Ron slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Finally... everything has been fully digested."

The seven-day-long deathmatch against Shiki had brought gains beyond Ron's wildest expectations. Compared to his previous battle against Aokiji, this encounter had been far more rewarding.

Through Shiki's blade techniques, he had sensed the "Breath of All Things," stepping firmly into the realm of a Grandmaster Swordsman.

His mastery of physical combat had also reached an unprecedented level.

The Conqueror's Haki, which had shattered limits during the fight, was now at Level 4.

Even Shiki's two famed swords, Oto and Kogarashi, were now in Ron's possession.

However, these gains paled compared to Ron's greatest reward—the powers of the Float-Float Fruit.

With a thought, Ron lightly touched the wooden floor beneath him.

An indescribable sensation coursed through him.

It was as though he could lift the entire ship into the air with a mere act of will.

This was the power he had obtained after using the Devil Fruit Copy Card: an ability identical to the Float-Float Fruit but without its inherent weaknesses.

Ron's body floated gently, breaking free from the constraints of gravity. He hovered effortlessly in midair, his control absolute.

"So, this is the power of a Devil Fruit," Ron murmured, his voice carrying a tinge of marvel.

With a flick of his finger, the dust scattered across the floor and the air gathered toward him, swirling and condensing. It formed a miniature dragon, no larger than a finger, that slithered around his hand as though alive.

"The Float-Float Fruit allows me to manipulate anything I touch that isn't alive. But the definition of 'touch'... isn't as narrow as physical contact."

Ron closed his eyes, contemplating the broader implications.

Touch wasn't limited to the physical realm. Shiki had demonstrated many times during their fight that his abilities could extend to anything his sword slashes struck.

If Ron could achieve similar feats, what about the Haki he unleashed? Could his Conqueror's Haki, too, be considered a form of touch?

Ron's eyes snapped open.

His Haki expanded outward in an instant. Like an invisible ripple, it spread far beyond the confines of the Traveler.

In a flash, it encompassed the sea for tens of thousands of meters in every direction.

A sharp glint flickered in Ron's eyes.

Suddenly, the vast expanse of ocean within his Haki's range trembled.

Countless tons of seawater defied gravity, rising several meters into the air along with the Traveler. The scene was surreal, as though a thin blue pancake had been lifted from the boundless sea.

Viewed from above, it seemed as if a massive, translucent disc had separated from the ocean.

Hovering midair, Ron surveyed his handiwork, his lips curving into a faint smile.

"It seems... there's still much to explore about this incredible power."