ALL NOVEL Chapter 162: Chapter 162
You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04
---------------
Arthur began his own "Reverse Mountain" training program at the end of January 1521. Driven by sheer determination, he took two and a half months to level his first stone mountain, reducing it almost completely to the ground.
After completing this intense effort, Arthur could sense significant progress in his Armament Haki. While the improvement wasn't as monumental as he had initially hoped, it was clear and notable.
Previously, his Haki ranked among the upper-tier second-rate fighters, but now he had advanced to the very top of that category. If he could flatten another mountain, Arthur believed he could elevate himself to a true first-rate Armament Haki user, though there was still a long way to go to match the world's top Haki masters.
Over time, even these enormous 3,000-meter stone mountains would provide less noticeable growth, much like how achieving the last few points on a test from 90 to 100 is the hardest.
Otherwise, legends like Garp, who had shattered countless mountains, would have easily become the world's strongest.
While leveling this mountain, Arthur's most exciting gain wasn't just Haki advancement but also his body's newfound self-healing ability.
On a scale using Marvel's Wolverine's regeneration as a reference, Arthur estimated himself to be around level two out of ten. This allowed him to recover from cuts quickly, making it a major advantage despite its slower speed compared to Wolverine's peak power.
Having completed one-tenth of his training goal, Arthur decided to take a break. He planned to focus on one mountain every three months to balance work and rest. For now, he intended to visit the New World.
Though the Fish-Men were considered allies, Arthur often felt like the only one genuinely invested in maintaining the bond. Meanwhile, Shirahoshi, now around thirteen or fourteen, had begun visiting the Island of Gods frequently.
Spending time together sparked her curiosity and growing feelings about relationships, though mermaids only transform their tails into human legs around the age of thirty. Seventeen more years seemed like a long wait, and Arthur was unsure how to bridge their drastic size difference.
Realizing that major changes awaited in the coming years, Arthur was determined to train relentlessly despite the strain. Thanks to pure gold, he had a potential lifespan of over 10,000 or even 20,000 years, providing ample time to master his Thunder Fruit abilities to their peak.
After leaving orders for his deputies on Rusukaina to continue training, Arthur traveled to Amazon Lily, where he rekindled his connection with Boa Hancock, one of the world's most beautiful women. After their time together, he returned to the Island of Gods. Though he spent time venting his energy by training and visiting Hancock, Arthur still missed his other companions.
Three days later, after bidding farewell with a few tender words, Arthur transformed into a bolt of lightning and disappeared.
High in the skies above the New World, Arthur continued searching for life signals using electromagnetic fields. He spotted the immense form of Zunesha, the ancient elephant, from hundreds of kilometers away.
As a living creature, Zunesha did not possess the stable magnetic field of typical islands in the One Piece world, which meant it moved constantly and required the use of a vivre card for navigation.
Since there was no straightforward way to locate the destination, Arthur opted for a simple but time-consuming method: scanning the skies tirelessly during flight.
Fortunately, with his immense physical strength and energy, Arthur could sustain himself in battle for over ten days without rest—a feat even more remarkable now than a year ago. A mere task like flying continuously for a month without sleep posed no real challenge for him.
Arthur's interest in locating the Mink Tribe stemmed from their impressive combat skills. Every member of their society, from the youngest children to the eldest, had natural fighting prowess. In the original story, even young Mink children could generate millions of volts of electricity.
His plan was to enlist the Minks, adding them to a grand alliance: angels as the aerial force, Fish-Men as the naval power, and the Minks as the ground troops. Although earning their allegiance would be difficult, Arthur believed it wasn't impossible.
Days turned into a week of searching the vast seas, yet Arthur found no trace of Zunesha, the massive elephant carrying the Mink Tribe. He traversed much of the New World's ocean, convinced that he had simply missed its path. Frustrated, he mused, "Did Zunesha travel right across where I just searched? I should've thought of building a telescope on the moon to spot it sooner."
Grumbling at his missed opportunity, Arthur called his team. Although high-resolution telescopes wouldn't offer immediate help, he saw their value for future missions. He instructed his angel apprentices and available scientists to construct the telescopes.
Hanging up, Arthur's thoughts wandered to Violet, a Paramecia user known for her unique abilities. While Arthur wasn't keen on gathering a large group of women, he did see strategic value in relationships akin to Big Mom's alliances through offspring. Unlike her, Arthur preferred cultivating connections with key characters from significant story arcs.
Although trust was always a concern, familiar faces were easier to trust than strangers. As a king, Arthur believed in creating alliances through strategic marriages, including bonds with influential women in his circle.
"Violet…" Arthur mused, recalling her striking appearance. Winning her over seemed advantageous.
Three days later, Arthur finally spotted a massive elephant near the Calm Belt at the edge of the New World. Despite encountering countless Sea Kings before, Zunesha's size still left him in awe.
Switching on his Observation Haki, Arthur instantly sensed the numerous inhabitants on the elephant's back. "Finally, I found it—Zunesha!" he thought, watching the slow-moving giant.
As he approached, he observed Zunesha, punished to walk endlessly for ancient wrongs, posed no immediate threat. Arthur ascended to the elephant's back, marveling at how its massive body resembled an island.
Almost immediately, Arthur's arrival caught the attention of a monkey Mink standing guard atop a watchtower. "Halt! Human, state your business! This is the Land of Zou!" shouted the guard.
Arthur studied the Mink closely, noting the striking resemblance between the monkey Mink and real-world monkeys. His prolonged gaze seemed to annoy the guard.
Others quickly gathered at the watchtower, curious about the new arrival. Visitors to the Land of Zou were rare, and none simply appeared out of thin air. Arthur's effortless ascent, without any sign of fatigue, marked him as someone powerful.
The observing Minks exchanged wary glances, readying themselves for whatever might unfold next.