DXD: The Awakening Of Phenex

Far from Cocoyashi Village, the navigator and five marines stood on the ship's deck. The sea was calm, but the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

Fear dominated them all, coexisting with restrained anger. The recent horrors they had witnessed haunted them, and a heavy silence hung over them, broken only by the gentle sound of waves against the ship's hull.

The marines exchanged glances ranging from disbelief to rage. One of them, a middle-aged man, finally broke the silence, his voice low but laden with emotion.

"I can't get out of my head what he did. All those men... burned alive, and we couldn't do anything."

Another marine, a young man with wide eyes, nodded in agreement. "I've never seen anything like it. That wasn't human. Riser is a monster. But what angers me most is that we're here, alive, only because he wanted it. He used us as tools."

The navigator, who had been staring at the horizon, slowly turned to his companions. His eyes showed a mix of determination and anguish.

"I know we're afraid, but we can't just let this go unpunished. There are limits to what we can endure, and what we saw went beyond any of them. It's not just fear. It's a matter of the Navy's honor."

He took a deep breath and made a decision. Approaching a wooden box where he kept the Den Den Mushi, he picked up the device, knelt beside it, and dialed, trying to establish a connection with Navy headquarters.

PURUPURU!

PURUPURU!

Before opening its eyes and speaking in a mechanical voice.

"Navy Headquarters, this is the navigator of the 16th Division. We have an emergency to report."

A deep voice came from the other end of the line. "This is the Commander. Identify yourself and report the situation."

The navigator swallowed hard and replied. "Captain Nezumi is dead. An individual named Riser attacked our division and killed most of the marines. He possesses extremely powerful fire magic abilities. We couldn't stop him."

On the other end of the line, the Commander remained silent for a few moments, pondering the received information.

'Magical abilities' probably meant a Devil Fruit, he thought. Perhaps Riser had consumed a Devil Fruit, which would explain the ability to generate flames with such intensity. This was concerning, especially considering that the information indicated an uncommon power for the sea they were in.

"I understand the situation. Thank you for the report. We will take the necessary measures to deal with this threat."

The navigator, still holding the Den Den Mushi with trembling hands, wasn't satisfied with just the vague response.

"Commander, there's one more thing. This Riser isn't acting alone. He's a member of Buggy the Pirate's crew. The attack on our division was under his command. Buggy is behind all this."

"Understood," the Commander responded, his voice now sounding graver and more determined. "The Navy is aware of Buggy's connection to this attack. Measures will be taken to neutralize this threat. You must stay out of sight for now and not attempt to confront him again without reinforcements. We will dispatch a detachment to the region to ensure the situation is resolved."

The navigator sighed, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. He nodded, even though the Commander couldn't see him. "Understood, sir. We will await instructions."

The Den Den Mushi emitted a final sound before the connection was terminated, leaving the navigator and his companions immersed in silence once more. The wind blew gently, swaying the ship's sails, as the men tried to process what was to come.

The navigator looked at the horizon, his thoughts divided between anger at what Riser had done and hope that the Navy could truly do something to end this threat. But one thing was certain: they couldn't afford to fail again. Buggy's name needed to be brought to justice, and Riser, this monstrous being, had to be stopped at any cost.

Cocoyashi Village at Night

Night had fallen over Cocoyashi Village, but the darkness didn't bring silence and rest. On the contrary, the village was celebrating, rejoicing in the victory against Arlong and the liberation from his tyranny. Lanterns hung from trees and posts, illuminating the streets with a soft, welcoming light, while tables were filled with food and drinks that Sanji, with all his culinary skill, had prepared.

Music filled the air, and laughter echoed through houses and squares, as villagers and pirates celebrated together, dancing and toasting to their newfound freedom. Luffy was at the center of the party, laughing loudly and eating everything he could, while Usopp told exaggerated stories about how he single-handedly faced an army of fish-men.

Sanji, for his part, was clearly busy flirting with Nami, offering her the best dishes and complimenting her at every opportunity, while she smiled and laughed at his advances. Sanji was so focused on pleasing Nami that he didn't notice the events around him — or perhaps decided to ignore them.

In a more secluded corner, Zoro lay under a tree, his head resting on a root, with a bottle of sake in hand. He was clearly exhausted and had drunk enough to fall asleep, though he still held the bottle firmly. His eyes were closed, and he seemed oblivious to the joy around him, resting after the battles.

Riser observed the scene from a distance. His eyes narrowed upon seeing Zoro, vulnerable, lying defenseless. A cold smile appeared on his lips. He focused for a moment, releasing a murderous intent that cut through the air like an invisible blade heading straight for the sleeping swordsman.

Zoro's eyes opened instantly, his hand going straight to his sword's hilt. He rose with an agile movement, looking around, trying to locate the source of the threat. His breathing was heavy, and he could feel the imminent danger, his instincts screaming in alert.

Riser, seeing that Zoro was on alert, began to walk calmly toward the forest. His steps were silent, and he disappeared among the trees like a shadow in the night.

Sanji, who was close enough to see Zoro rise and follow Riser, merely raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but chose not to intervene.

"Let the marimo handle this. I have more important matters here," he murmured to himself, turning his attention back to Nami, who was laughing at something he had said.

In the forest, Riser sat atop a large rock, his translucent wings glowing faintly under the moonlight. He stared intently at the moon, high in the sky, unfazed by the approaching footsteps. He knew Zoro was coming but didn't avert his gaze from the celestial body above.

Zoro stopped a few meters away, swords in hand, observing Riser. "Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice laden with caution and anger. "Are you looking for a fight?"

Riser smiled slightly before turning his gaze to Zoro. "I just wanted to see if the great swordsman is still alert... and it seems you are. Impressive, considering your condition."

Zoro frowned, his eyes shining with a mix of anger and determination. "If you want to fight, come on. I'm not afraid of anyone."

Riser let out a cold laugh and rose from the rock, walking toward Zoro. He looked at the swordsman's chest, where a deep cut was still covered by bandages. "That wound... who gave it to you?"

Zoro gritted his teeth, knowing Riser's comment was a provocation. "It was Mihawk. I fought him."

Riser feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow. "Mihawk? The best swordsman in the world? Were you brave or just an idiot to face him?"

Zoro stood firm, his eyes never leaving Riser's. "I had no choice. If I want to be the best, I need to face the best."

Riser smiled, but there was something cruel in his expression.

"You're a fool, Zoro."

Zoro felt anger rising within him. He raised his sword, pointing it directly at Riser. "No matter how many times I fall. No matter how many wounds I have. I will be the best swordsman in the world, and I'm not afraid to face anyone who stands in my way. If you want to fight, I'm ready."

Riser looked at Zoro for a moment before laughing again, but this time his laughter sounded more respectful than cruel.

Riser picked up a tree branch beside him and raised it as if it were a sword. He smiled at Zoro, his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and curiosity. "I'm not here to fight you, Zoro. I'm here to teach you."

Zoro frowned, surprised by Riser's change in tone. "What can you teach me?"

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