Chapter 159: [159] : [BONUS] – Explosive Growth! This Era—Belongs to Sky Sovereign!

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Rowen ravenously devoured all the delicious food.

Food after complete Physique exhaustion—tasted even more exquisite than usual.

——

—[Superhuman Demonic Physique (Apex Gold) activated. Physique energy continuously increasing.]—

——

The food Rowen consumed was rapidly digested under the effect of his Superhuman Demonic Physique Trait, converted into his own Physical energy, replenishing every cell in his body.

His Physique energy, previously depleted and overdrawn, quickly recovered—then grew even stronger.

In his life-or-death battle with Akainu, Rowen’s Physical energy was completely exhausted for the first time, even overdrawn.

This extreme state fully activated the ’Training Recovery’ aspect inherited from Zoro’s Demonic Physique, maximizing its synergy with Luffy’s Superhuman Physique during this feast.

After reaching the Apex Gold tier, further increasing Haki or Physique energy became incredibly difficult. Plundering other Traits—even Pale Gold Traits from Vice Admiral-level fighters—had minimal effect.

Apex Gold—Emperor/Admiral level—was the pinnacle of combat strength on these seas, the absolute top-tier of any era. Further improvement at this level was incredibly challenging.

Under these circumstances, Potential-type Traits became even more important.

Rowen’s Physique, under the effect of Superhuman Demonic Physique (Apex Gold), grew stronger at a rapid pace.

The crucible of life-or-death battle—carried immense risk.

Having personally experienced it against Akainu, Rowen had a new understanding. In such a battle, one wrong move meant true death!

And precisely because of that, under such extreme conditions, human potential could be truly unlocked. Those who survived the tempering of life and death could achieve massive growth.

His eating speed gradually slowed, his digestion rate also returning to normal.

This phase of growth was nearing its end.

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“Phew! Full!” Rowen exhaled contentedly, clenching his fists, feeling the immense power suffusing every cell in his body.

This time, his Physique, like his Haki, had received a massive boost.

From Apex Gold ’1’, it had advanced a tier to Apex Gold ’2’.

Rowen was quite satisfied with this gain.

Physique energy wasn’t just fuel for Haki and Devil Fruit abilities; combined with Asura Aura and Hakoku Sovereignty, Rowen could now channel Hakoku Sovereignty’s shockwave energy into a physical energy cloud, coating his fists like Haki—practically another form of Devil Fruit ability!

And as Rowen’s physique grew stronger, the power of Asura Aura and Hakoku Sovereignty would also increase, directly enhancing his combat strength!

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The increase in both his Haki and Physique was no less than the gains from directly plundering all the power of an Admiral-level fighter—which made Rowen realize: After reaching Apex Gold, to break one’s own limits, one ultimately had to rely on oneself.

Especially to surpass the Emperor/Admiral level, to reach a new height…

Rowen activated the intelligence enhancement of his Human-Human Fruit ability, deep in thought.

In the current era, the limit of a powerhouse’s strength was peak Emperor/Admiral level—Kaido and Shanks were at this level. A single individual couldn’t handle the combined assault of two or more Admiral-level fighters.

But from later events in the One Piece story—Joy Boy most likely surpassed the Emperor/Admiral level, reaching a new height!

Whether it was the Conqueror’s Haki blast stored in the Ancient Robot for 800 years, its release making even Imu tremble and kneel, or the depiction on the Elbaf murals of Joy Boy battling the original twenty kings who formed the World Government—both demonstrated Joy Boy’s power had reached a new level.

At the very least—he could definitely fight multiple Admiral-level opponents.

To achieve this—simply plundering the strength of others wasn’t enough.

After all, the current strongest were the Four Emperors, and based on existing intel, their strength was still considerably below Joy Boy’s level.

Even plundering all their power likely wouldn’t allow Rowen to reach Joy Boy’s realm.

Reaching that level—required tapping into humanity’s own limitless potential…

This was a profound realization for Rowen after his life-or-death battle with Akainu. And the powerful Potential-type Traits he possessed were now key to his future growth.

The Superhuman Demonic Physique (Apex Gold) was a special Trait, not only representing Rowen’s current strength but also allowing his physique to surpass its inherent limits. His future physical development relied on this Trait.

His Haki potential was tied to Born of the Sea (Apex Gold). His spirit, now tempered by the battle with Akainu, could accommodate and digest even more of the sea’s energy, continuously strengthening his Haki.

Plus Faction Fortune (Apex Gold) granted further growth potential.

These were his three strongest Potential-type Traits.

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The Summit War was approaching.

An era was about to end…

And with the fall of Whitebeard—who, despite Rowen’s meteoric rise, still remained the undisputed figurehead of the Pirate Faction—Rowen’s very first Apex Gold Potential Trait, Faction Fortune, would unleash its full power!

Crocodile’s fall, triggering Faction Fortune for the first time, had allowed him preliminarily master Haōshoku Coating.

But Crocodile’s influence within the Pirate Faction, compared to Whitebeard, was like a firefly compared to the moon.

Whitebeard’s fall would surely usher in a new era.

In the original story, the new era was still one of chaotic warfare.

But in this new era, there would be only one name—Sky Sovereign!

Rowen’s eyes blazed with astonishing ambition. It was time to charge towards the pinnacle of this era.

The Summit War—was the true starting point for Rowen to forge his own era.

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“I worried you all, Nami, Vivi,” Rowen’s thoughts, processed in an instant thanks to the Human-Human Fruit, brought him back to the present.

He looked at Nami and Vivi, his women, and smiled warmly.

“And you too, Robin.”

Robin, whose eyes had darkened slightly because Rowen only named Nami and Vivi, now covered her mouth, staring at Rowen’s gentle smile.

“Without your cheers, I couldn’t have won that fight against Akainu in the end,” Rowen said, taking the hands of all three women and smiling.

“And of course—all of you too,” Rowen added, looking towards Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper.

Everyone beamed with pure joy.

This time, they weren’t just under Rowen’s protection; they had become a true source of Rowen’s strength!

“Shishishi! We’re comrades! Isn’t that a given?!” Luffy grinned.

“But Rowen, my strength has increased again too!” Luffy declared, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

After the battle, Luffy had also collapsed, falling into a deep sleep for five days while Rowen slept for seven.

Not just Luffy—Zoro and Sanji, having also reached their limits, slept for three days. That battle had truly drained all of them.

But after such complete exhaustion came—explosive growth. Luffy’s Gear Fourth, the next time he used it, wouldn’t be as strenuous. And his physique and Haki were significantly stronger—

“Our strength has grown too, Rowen! Next time—make sure you use that intelligence boost from your fruit to give us stronger opponents!” Sanji said, flexing his wrist. Rowen’s appetite was already impressive.

“Hmph,” Zoro also grinned.

“And me! My Sand-Sand Fruit ability has gotten stronger too!” Vivi added, cutely raising her small hand.

“Of course. You are all my important comrades,” Rowen smiled.

He then checked everyone’s Traits.

Sanji’s combat power had reached Pale Gold, even approaching Deep Gold. The enhancement from his awakened Exoskeleton was astonishing; Sanji, previously only at Rear Admiral level, had leaped to the top tier of Marine HQ Vice Admirals.

Though not yet Yonko Commander level, he could fight head-on with high-ranking officers of an Emperor’s crew.

In his Ifrit Jambe state, with its blue flames hotter than the Flare-Flare Fruit’s limit, combined with his Exoskeleton and Armament Haki—his raw offensive power had reached Deep Gold.

[Ifrit Jambe (Deep Gold).]

A Deep Gold tier Ultimate Technique Trait!

And the Modified Exoskeleton, now Awakened, would further strengthen him! Sanji reaching base Yonko Commander level was just a matter of time!

….

Zoro’s physique and Haki, after defeating Onigumo, were also much stronger.

His swordsmanship had also improved drastically.

Zoro’s Three-Sword Style, unlike Mihawk’s controlled blend of strength and finesse, was pure raw power. The boost to his physique directly translated to stronger sword strikes!

[Demonic Physique (Pale Gold)]

[Three-Sword Style (Pale Gold)]

Even in his base state, Zoro was now undoubtedly Vice Admiral level—Though, in his base state now, Zoro’s combat strength was slightly inferior to Sanji with his Exoskeleton, which had been massively amplified.

But Zoro’s strongest form was his Asura state—channeling the power of Conqueror’s Haki with his Asura Aura.

In that state, his Nine-Sword Style attacks were Deep Gold level.

[Nine-Sword Style (Deep Gold)]

….

Seeing their new Trait tiers, Rowen smiled.

To reach such strength at this point in time—who could say he wasn’t the Strongest Mentor?

Though Zoro and Sanji’s strength also came from their own potential Traits, Rowen’s Haōshoku Coating training played a crucial role. Without Rowen’s ’demon-like’ training, they would never have reached this level so quickly.

And seeing Vivi’s Traits

left Rowen even more impressed.

[Sand-Sand Fruit (Pale Gold)]

Vivi now also possessed Vice Admiral level strength!

And she was incredibly close to Awakening her fruit!

Vivi’s affinity for the Sand-Sand Fruit had already surpassed Rowen’s expectations; her initial progress stunned even Luffy and the others. Now, after such a massive battle, the tempering effect had further boosted her mastery of the fruit, bringing her one step closer to Awakening!

Once Awakened, though the fruit alone wouldn’t grant Vivi Admiral-level strength, reaching peak Yonko Commander level was very possible.

And Rowen would later give her Conqueror’s Haki.

….

As for Luffy—

Gear Fourth (Deep Gold).

In Gear Fourth, Luffy was a Yonko Commander level fighter! And Luffy also now had an Ultimate Technique Trait!

Gear Fourth – King Kong Gun (Deep Gold).

This combined the powers of Gear Fourth AND Gear Third.

During the Enies Lobby battle, having only just mastered Gear Fourth, Luffy’s strength in that form had only barely reached Deep Gold tier; he couldn’t even use Gear Third in Gear Fourth.

Now, after recovering from that battle, not only had Luffy’s physique and Haki become much stronger, but his assimilation of Nika’s ’Desire for Liberation’ also progressed—

The original story’s ’Monster Trio’—should probably be called the ’Monster Quartet’ now, adding Vivi.

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“Your strength… has truly grown,” Rowen smiled.

With him included—they were a true, fully-fledged, Emperor-level pirate crew!

“Of course! We’re your comrades!” The crew all laughed heartily.

“Just like I said back on Enies Lobby—” Rowen declared, a powerful smile on his face.

“The path to standing above all—is too lonely to walk alone! Accompany me to the end!”

“THIS ERA—WILL BEAR THE NAME—SKY SOVEREIGN!!” Rowen roared with laughter.

“OHHHHHHH!!!” The crew also erupted in joyous laughter.

Luffy beamed as well.

He just wanted to be King of the Pirates, the freest man on these seas. As for the name of the era—that, of course, belonged to Rowen!

This Era—would be named for Sky Sovereign!

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