Chapter 88 – [88] : Plundering Fortune! Haōshoku Coating! Admiral Level!

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BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

A tyrannical crimson-black light flared violently in Rowen’s eyes!

The next moment, it seemed to solidify, erupting into crackling arcs of crimson-black lightning that danced wildly through the atmosphere!

Under this overwhelming surge, Crocodile, who was in the process of elementizing into sand, froze mid-transformation!

Elementalization—failed!

Before Conqueror’s Haki could be infused into attacks, it couldn’t directly inflict fatal damage on Crocodile. However, by disrupting his mental state for a crucial instant, it could temporarily halt his elemental transformation.

And that momentary halt was all Rowen needed!

“Smoke Release——! Munch-Munch Release——!”

FWOOSH!

White smoke instantly enveloped Crocodile’s body.

Then, from within the smoke, a large volume of seawater—which Rowen had previously ‘munched’ and stored—was forcefully expelled!

SPLASH!

The seawater completely drenched Crocodile’s body!

A horrifying wave of weakness washed over him, his face contorting in horror.

“Th-This is seawater?! No way… How can your fruit contain seawater?!” Crocodile shrieked, his eyes wide with utter disbelief.

Devil Fruit users—in exchange for their mighty powers, were cursed by Mother Sea, becoming unable to swim—Seawater was the absolute bane of every devil fruit user! Contact with it nullified their fruit powers and sapped nearly all their strength!

Yet this man’s fruit—somehow concealed seawater?! And this was the Smoke-Smoke Fruit’s power, right? How could the Smoke-Smoke Fruit store seawater?!

Drenched and powerless, Crocodile was utterly bewildered.

“I’m under no obligation to answer your questions, Crocodile,” Rowen replied with a chilling smile.

Although Rowen’s current strength was more than enough to defeat Crocodile conventionally, this was Vivi’s country. A full-blown Logia battle would undoubtedly cause massive collateral damage to Alubarna.

Combining the Munch-Munch Fruit with the Smoke-Smoke Fruit allowed Rowen to store seawater beforehand and then release it, instantly neutralizing Crocodile.

With such an efficient method available, why bother with a drawn-out fight?

Rowen was a pirate!

Maximizing profit—obtaining what he wanted—that was the pirate way!

“Alright, Crocodile. You can die peacefully now,”

Rowen stated, the tyrannical crimson-black light flaring in his eyes as he looked down at the completely helpless Warlord.

“W-Wait! Y-You care deeply about Alabasta, about Nefertari Vivi, don’t you?! Otherwise, why go to such lengths to help her?! In Alubarna—there’s a super-bomb! If I don’t give the order to stop it within two hours—that bomb will detonate in Alubarna!” Crocodile, sensing overwhelming killing intent, paled and desperately played his final trump card.

“Super-bomb?” Rowen looked at Crocodile.

“That’s right! That bomb is powerful enough to destroy the entire city and everyone in Alubarna! What do you gain by killing me?! The fame of defeating a Warlord? Your reputation is already massive; you don’t need that! Instead, let’s cooperate! We can transform Alabasta into a military nation! With us working together, the entire sea will be ours in the future! Aren’t you—THE MAN WHO WILL STAND ABOVE ALL?!” Crocodile pleaded, attempting to tempt Rowen.

“Interesting… HAHAHAHA!” Rowen laughed.

“How about it?! Cooperate with me! Sky Sovereign Rowen—KUHAHAHAHA!” Crocodile, thinking he had swayed Rowen, let out his signature laugh.

“What I find interesting is… everything you just said… is being broadcast live, you idiot,” Rowen stated, gesturing towards the numerous Image Transponder Snails strategically placed around them.

Crocodile’s triumphant laughter froze instantly on his face.

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“Crocodile—is that kind of person!”

“Just like His Majesty said!”

“Damn you, Crocodile!”

…

In Alubarna’s main plaza, the citizens of Alabasta, watching the live broadcast, erupted in outrage.

Before Crocodile’s arrival, this area had been set up as a public viewing point.

During the past two days, Rowen hadn’t just been waiting. He used his Observation Haki to locate and neutralize all Baroque Works agents hidden within the Royal Army and Alubarna.

Their distinct auras and emotional states made them stand out clearly from normal citizens and loyal soldiers under Rowen’s focused Pale Gold tier Observation Haki.

Then, King Cobra revealed Crocodile’s entire plot to the people of Alubarna.

Though some, influenced by Crocodile’s carefully crafted hero image, were initially skeptical, Cobra simply requested they come and watch the broadcast.

The truth revealed itself, exactly as Cobra—and Rowen—had planned.

(The ‘welcoming crowd’ for Crocodile in Alubarna was, of course, composed of disguised Royal Army soldiers.)

“But where is that bomb?!” The citizens now erupted in panic.

“CITIZENS! LISTEN TO ME!”

A beautiful figure appeared on the clock tower, her voice amplified, “The bomb has already been dealt with!”

“PRINCESS VIVI?!” Seeing her, the crowd’s panic gradually subsided.

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“BASTARD!” Seeing the Image Transponder Snails, Crocodile felt like he was being publicly shamed before all of Alabasta. He didn’t care about that, of course—he was a pirate!

Even becoming a Warlord was just a means to obtain Pluton!

But this meant—this man never intended for him to live!

“Fine! If that’s how it is—then this city can accompany me to hell!” Crocodile snarled savagely. Beg for mercy? Crocodile would rather die! But this city—would die with him!

“Alubarna Plaza Clock Tower. Mr. 7 and Miss Father’s Day,” Rowen’s calm words struck Crocodile like a thunderbolt.

“Y-YOU!” Crocodile stared at Rowen in utter horror. “How did you know?! Not even Nico Robin knew about that backup plan!” Crocodile hissed like a wounded beast, glaring at Rowen.

“You can ponder that question in hell,” Rowen replied, slowly raising his Haki-coated fist.

“NOOOOOOOOO!” Crocodile roared in defiance.

Then, the Haki-infused fist descended, engulfing him completely.

Crocodile—who had inflicted so much psychological torment on Vivi—Rowen would never let him live.

CRUNCH!

The lifeless body of Crocodile was broadcast live via the Image Transponder Snails.

One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Crocodile—has fallen!

——

—[Iconic Pirate Faction figure, Warlord Crocodile, has fallen!]—

—[Faction Fortune (Apex Gold) activated! Plundering all of target’s Warlord ‘fortune’!]—

—[Conqueror’s Haki immensely strengthened!]—

—[Tier Advanced! Upgraded to: Conqueror’s Haki (Deep Gold)!]—

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VMMMM!

A horrible crimson-black light flared violently in Rowen’s eyes!

Faction Fortune—after plundering and converting—massively boosted his Conqueror’s Haki!

Conqueror’s Haki—advanced to Deep Gold tier!

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Conqueror’s Haki (Deep Gold): Initial mastery of Conqueror’s Haki Infusion for attacks!

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CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!

Arcs of crimson-black lightning now crackled wildly around Rowen’s entire body!

Compared to before, this manifested Haki lightning was incomparably more violent!

CRACK! CRACK!

The tyrannical aura even caused the ground beneath Rowen’s feet to crack and splinter!

Rowen raised his right fist, his eyes narrowing intensely.

VMM!

The roaring, rampaging crimson-black lightning, now like obedient sprites, surged towards Rowen’s right fist, coalescing around it!

Forming a thin, pulsating film of pure crimson-black energy! Wild arcs of Haki lightning continued to rage around him.

Feeling this power, a fierce, commanding curve touched Rowen’s lips.

The most domineering power in the One Piece world!

What Emperor Kaido described as—”ONLY HAKI CAN TRANSCEND ALL!”

Conqueror’s Haki — Infusion! Haōshoku Coating!

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New Trait:Haōshoku Coating (Infused Conqueror’s Attack) (Apex Gold): A devastating attack infused with Conqueror’s Haki!

Its offensive power is supreme across all seas!

Its violent force terrifies even strong individuals who cannot wield it—A full-power Haōshoku Coating attack from a peak Emperor can instantly defeat Yonko Commander level fighters.

Even Admiral-level fighters without Haōshoku Coating (except those with extreme offensive Devil Fruits like Akainu’s Magma-Magma) cannot match its raw destructive power.

Even with initial mastery of infusion, the attack power of Haōshoku Coating reaches the Apex Gold tier threshold—Admiral level.

Like Gear Fourth Luffy in the Onigashima War—undoubtedly Yonko Commander level, strong enough to defeat Doflamingo—yet still instantly defeated by Kaido’s full-power Haōshoku Coating blow.

And Yamato—not yet true Admiral level—could contend with Kaido solely because of Haōshoku Coating!

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The reason Yamato wasn’t yet considered true Admiral level despite using Haōshoku Coating—Rowen now understood.

“The stamina consumption—is huge,” Rowen exhaled slowly, feeling the immense drain.

Strengthening Conqueror’s Haki, unlike Armament Haki, didn’t require corresponding physique improvement; only spiritual strength mattered.

But Haōshoku Coating attacks were overwhelmingly powerful that using them consumed not only spiritual energy at an alarming rate but also massive amounts of physical stamina!

Before his Haōshoku Coating reserves were depleted, Rowen’s attacks were indeed Admiral-level!

But because he had only initially mastered infusion, his stamina and spiritual reserves couldn’t sustain Haōshoku Coating attacks for long. His endurance couldn’t compare to true Admiral-level fighters.

Regardless, Rowen’s offensive capability had now broken into the Admiral-level threshold! Before exhausting his Haōshoku Coating, Rowen was Admiral-level!

Finally… reached this stage… stepped into the ranks of the truly strong on these seas!

“But… no wonder it’s called ‘initial mastery’,” Rowen murmured, feeling the power of Haōshoku Coating, a look of understanding on his face.

After mastering infusion, more information about Conqueror’s Haki was automatically unlocked for Rowen via the System.

Haōshoku Coating wasn’t just for attacks. It could also be used to boost speed!

It was an all-around enhancement!

Full mastery—elevating Conqueror’s Haki to the Apex Gold tier—would grant the user frightening speed—No wonder Shanks and Garp were incredibly fast…

That too, was the power of Haōshoku Coating!

But such abilities would have to wait until his Conqueror’s Haki advanced further.

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“Plunder.” Rowen commanded, looking down at Crocodile’s unconscious form.

A gleam of golden light was extracted from Crocodile’s body, merging into Rowen.

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—[Physique energy from Sand-Sand Fruit automatically absorbed.]—

—[Superhuman Demonic Physique (Pale Gold) Enhanced]—

—[Tier Advanced! Upgraded to: Superhuman Demonic Physique (Deep Gold)]—

—[Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) activated. Armament Haki Enhanced]—

—[Tier Advanced! Upgraded to: Armament Haki (Deep Gold)]—

—[Haōshoku Coating mastered. Automatically comprehended: Armament Haki – Ryūō (Deep Gold)]—

——

Another cascade of notifications!

Faction Fortune had plundered Crocodile’s Warlord ‘fortune’. But Crocodile’s personal Strength-type Traits could still be plundered by Rowen!

The Sand-Sand Fruit—Crocodile hadn’t Awakened it.

Logia Awakening was incredibly difficult. And Crocodile had pinned all his hopes on an external object, Pluton.

Not only was his Haki unusable, but he lacked the focused desire required for Awakening.

Crocodile’s strongest ability—’Ground Secco’—merely desiccated buildings into sand by absorbing water through his hand; it couldn’t permanently alter climates.

However, Crocodile’s physical energy was even greater than Ace’s, yielding seven Pale Gold Upgrade Materials for Rowen!

With his Sand-Sand Fruit, even without Haki, Crocodile’s strength was infinitely close to Yonko Commander level.

Luffy defeating him in the original story truly was peak plot armor, heavily exploiting the fruit’s critical weakness to water.

“But… normal Haōshoku Coating isn’t my limit either,” Rowen murmured, a red glint flashing in his eyes.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” Rowen called out to Nami and the others who were running towards him, then utilized his Kilo-Kilo and Smoke-Smoke Fruit abilities to fly off towards the desert.

Soon, Rowen reached a desolate stretch of desert.

“Great Flame Commandment——!” Rowen roared, the red in his eyes solidifying. Searing flames erupted from his entire body!

“CONDENSE!” Rowen extended both fists, focusing all the Flare-Flare Fruit’s power.

Under his control, all the released flame energy converged entirely into his fists!

VMM!

Rowen’s fists now looked as if he were wearing gloves made of pure, blazing suns!

“Haōshoku Coating——!” The crimson-black light in Rowen’s eyes flashed violently!

VMM!

Conqueror’s Haki surged into his fists, enveloping the sun-like constructs!

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New Ultimate Technique Trait:Flame Gloves (Apex Gold): The combined power of the Flare-Flare Fruit’s intense heat and Haōshoku Coating.

Can continuously inflict terrifying damage on enemies.

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An Ultimate Technique Trait!

Even more powerful than normal Haōshoku Coating!

The inspiration came from Aokiji’s strongest ability during his clash with Garp: Ice Glove.

However, Ice Glove combined Aokiji’s Awakened Ice-Ice Fruit, Garp’s inherited ‘Fist’ techniques, AND his own Haki—a trinity of power creating his ultimate force.

It was this power that allowed Aokiji to fight head-on against Emperor-level fighters using Haōshoku Coating! (Though its offensive power was still arguably a tier below true Haōshoku Coating.)

But Rowen—possessed Haōshoku Coating himself.

Though only initially mastered, before this power was exhausted—Rowen’s offensive capability should now be comparable to Aokiji’s.

And this—still wasn’t Rowen’s current limit.

“Bomb-Bomb Fruit——” Rowen’s eyes flashed madly.

The power of the Bomb-Bomb Fruit was infused into the Flame Gloves!

Upon use, these fists—condensed with the Flare-Flare Fruit’s energy AND Haōshoku Coating—would utterly EXPLODE!

Though a one-time devastating attack that would instantly consume the condensed flame energy and infused Haki—this was undoubtedly Rowen’s current, absolute strongest move!

Flame Burst Gloves (Apex Gold)!

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