One Peace, The Shadow Monarch

The surviving Marines were still occupied with extinguishing the fires and saving the lives of their injured colleagues, while the three Rear Admirals continued to banter over their presumed victory. Rescuing so many from the wrecked ships, only to be battered by the relentless sea waves, had exhausted them.

Fortunately, the Rear Admirals succeeded in defusing the situation with the shadow monsters by confronting Hector the Black. However, they were unaware that Hector was evolving into a higher level of power and the clouds were rumbling turning dark with his transformation.

Hector became large and muscular with a height of 3.5 meters, as he healed all his previous injuries. Moments later, he was enveloped in shadows and was now wearing jet-black armor and a long smoky black cloak. On his helmet, he had glowing flame-like purple hair, glowing purple eyes, two curved black horns, and his gauntlets had sharp claws. In his armor, he now almost measured 4 meters tall.

"Arise!"

Across the battlefield, each marine was ambushed by Shadow Soldiers emerging from the earth, impaling them with their weapons. The three Rear Admirals realized their peril too late as a multitude of spears and swords erupted from beneath, impaling them as well, serving a bitter retribution. As they lay dying, Hector advanced slowly and menacingly, his heavy armor clanking with each step.

Rear Admiral Bluff swallowed hard.

"I... beg for mercy, sir... We were just obeying orders to halt you..."

A hush fell for a brief moment before Hector murmured softly.

"So be it."

Shirohime materialized from the ground, her gaze falling upon her three targets, paralyzed by the multitude of spears and swords. Bluff caught a fleeting glimpse of her luminous blue eyes before she executed him with her signature elegant and swift decapitation, directed by Hector.

Without a second glance, Hector dismissed the weapons impaling Bluff, who slumped to the ground headless.

The Rear Admirals' eyes welled with tears, facing the imminent end. Hector removed his helmet, confirming it was indeed he who had ascended in a ship to deliver the fatal strike.

"What are you?"

inquired Rear Admiral Kadar, petrified by the sight of Hector in his jet-black armor.

"I am your demise! Shirohime, finish them."

commanded Hector.

After the deed was done, he uttered his iconic phrase once more.

"Arise!"

[Level up]X22

Skill Point:11

Moon Step: A- Rank > S- Rank

Iron Body: A Rank > S Rank

Tempest Kick: A+ Rank > S+ Rank 

Shave: A+ Rank > S+ Rank

Finger Pistol: A Rank > S Rank 

Kami-e: A- Ran > S- Rank

Presence Sensing: C Rank > B Rank

Strength Sensing: E- Rank > D- Rank

Emotion Sensing: F Rank > E Rank

Intent Sensing: E Rank > D Rank

Future Vision: F- Rank > E- Rank

Ding!

[Secret Quest: Defeat your Hunting Party]

[Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Devil Arm Diablo]

Ding!

[Secret Quest: Defeat 3 Rear Admirals]

[Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Devil Arm Diablo Skill Scroll Max]

Ding!

[Secret Quest: Shadow Army Brigade (5,834/2,000]

[Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum]

Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum:

The serum was formulated to enhance the human body and mind. +150 to all Stats

Ding!

[New EX Skill Acquired: Shadow Army Strengthening]

Shadow Army Strengthening:

Grants the ability to bestow items upon your Shadow Soldiers, significantly boosting their abilities.

Ding!

[New EX Skill Acquired: Yubashiri Gear 2]

Yubashiri Gear 2:

Employs the power of the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, to augment both its own and the user's speed and agility.

Ding!

[New EX Skill Acquired: Yubashiri Gear 3]

Yubashiri Gear 3:

Yubashiri expands its blade structure, increasing its size to amplify its force.

Yubashiri's transformation into an Odachi Black Blade, complete with a blade edge adorned with purple and white cloud patterns, left him in awe. Eager to test his new Shadow Army Strengthening skill, he summoned Baskerville and fed him the Chop-Chop Fruit acquired from defeating Buggy the Clown.

Moments later, he erupted into hysterical laughter as he watched Baskerville disassemble into segments, setting ablaze various parts of the ship with his newfound power. Seeing that he had enough Mana he sent a few of his Sea Kings to a certain locations.

The Navy's recent actions against Hector might just be their most ill-advised in years. They have inadvertently provided him with over 5000 Shadow Soldiers of Knight Rank or higher, including 3 of Commander Rank. Moreover, all his Shadow Soldiers have advanced in rank, with the weakest now at Elite Rank, bolstering his most significant named shadows.

[Baskerville Pyromancer LV3]

Rank: Commander

[Brionac: Hydromancer LV7]

Rank: Commander

[Shirohime: Master Swordsman LV4]

Rank: Commander

[Bell: Slayer Lv2]

Rank: Commander

[Dusk: Templar Lv1]

Rank: Commander

An hour later, Pearl had come back with the girls, who were completely surprised by his new stature and the hat he took of one of the Rear Admirals. The hat was a Tricorne Hat with a Flamboyant Black Ostrich and Rooster feather, it looked good with his regular noble outfit.

"I know right, my new hat is awesome!"

Hector said to the girls, who kept looking him up and down. Nami jumped in the air and bunked him in the head while screaming at him.

"It's not that you idiot. How did you grow twice your size in one hour?"

He just looked at her sheepishly

"Well, Nami I'm still a growing boy."

With a sigh, they dropped all the questioning and left for The Black Pearl, as she began to consume the ships and also the ones that were sunk as his Sea King's brought them up to the surface. Certainly, he remembered to take the loot from the Marine ship, which included a bounty of supplies: crates brimming with vegetables, fruits, and fish, along with barrels of wine, all of which he stored in Pearl's hold.

As the storm raged on, Hector sat in his study, mulling over an idea before deciding to test his hypothesis. He presented Pearl with the Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum to see if she could replicate it.

Astonishingly, after one of her ethereal hands absorbed the blue vial, she produced a case on his desk filled with more than a dozen doses of the Serum. His attempt to replicate the Haki Awakening Skill Path Scroll, however, was unsuccessful as Pearl informed him she couldn't duplicate it or certain other items.

Thrilled by the prospect, he resolved to distribute the spoils, beginning with Carina. Knowing her temperament, he realized that failing to provide the weapon she desired would lead to mistrust and possibly her departure. To prevent this, he awarded her with one of the Rewards.

Nami: Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum

Nojiko: Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum

Kaya: Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum, Haki Awakening Skill Path Scroll

Carina: Wilfred Nagel Perfected Super Soldier Serum, Haki Awakening Skill Path Scroll, Devil Arm Diablo, Devil Arm Diablo Skill Scroll Max

After the rewards were distributed, they celebrated with a large feast, as he had cautioned them about the need for substantial nutrition and vitamins to prepare their bodies for the Serum. The Serum would demand much from them before the transformation could occur.

Once in bed, he administered the Serum. Later that night, they were convulsing and contorting in their beds. Her vitals rose but remained within safe limits. Their muscles twisted and swelled slightly before becoming denser, and their skin tightened around them. Their bones emitted cracking sounds as they realigned properly.

Eventually, the process ceased, their body relaxed, and the trembling subsided until her breathing was steady. Their body had undergone noticeable changes, and their appearance now resembled what their future selves would look like. He left them to rest, falling asleep after the ordeal. Before departing, he performed Appraisal, revealing a vastly different narrative.

Nami The Cat Thief

Affection (100/100)

Obedience (100/100)

RACE: Human

Health Points: 6,600

Stamina Points: 3,440

Vitality: 165

Endurance: 172

Strength: 176

Dexterity: 222

Perception: 245

Skill: 238

Nojiko The Sniper

Affection (100/100)

Obedience (100/100)

RACE: Human

Health Points: 6,880

Stamina Points: 3,760

Vitality: 172

Endurance: 188

Strength: 187

Dexterity: 209

Perception: 277

Skill: 180

Kaya the Nurse 

Affection (95/100)

Obedience (80/100)

RACE: Human

Health Points: 6,320

Stamina Points: 3,440

Vitality: 158

Endurance: 172

Strength: 184

Dexterity: 186

Perception: 202

Skill: 230

Carina The Thieving Songstress 

Affection (80/100)

Obedience (60/100)

RACE: Human

Health Points: 6,800

Stamina Points: 3,600

Vitality: 170

Endurance: 180

Strength: 164

Dexterity: 200

Perception: 190

Skill: 210

Their stats were impressively close to two hundred across the board, surpassing the strength of average pirates with bounties ranging from fifty to one hundred million Beri. What they lacked was experience.

RACE: Human■■■■■■

NAME: Hector Barbossa■■■■■■

Level: 47

Health Points: 30,200

Mana Points: 26,520

Stamina Points: 15,100

Attunement: 1,326

Vitality: 755

Endurance: 755

Strength: 1,255

Dexterity: 1,360

Perception: 755

Skill: 755

Safe Rewards From Daily Quest:

+Stat Points: 20

+Skill Points: 4

Skill Tree:

+Haki:

-Observation Haki: A Rank

-Armament Haki: A Rank

-Conquers Haki: EX Rank

+Rokushiki

-Moon Step: S- Rank

-Iron Body: S Rank

-Tempest Kick: S+ Rank 

-Shave: S+ Rank

-Finger Pistol: S Rank 

-Kami-e: S- Rank