One Piece: Start Collecting Nicolo

The question is where did you get the torch?

Robin looked at Caesar deeply.

Kim Caesar.

Male, 18 years old, from Luoge Town, Donghai. He is the big boss of Caesar Group. He owns many industries, with resource extraction as his pillar industry. He rose like a comet two years ago and was praised by the World Economic Herald as: a man who controls endless resources.

Such a person, without enjoying his wealth, took the risk to go to a place like the New World to pursue an illusory devil fruit.

Although the two did not interact much along the way, it was still obvious that this was a man who had a clear understanding of the world and had certain ambitions.

Caesar stepped into the tunnel holding a torch. The firelight flickered in the narrow passage, illuminating the mottled marks on the wall.

The tunnel is not long, but the air is filled with a damp and musty smell, brewing the decadent atmosphere of time.

"In this kind of environment, I wouldn't be surprised if a skeleton jumped out the next second."

Marco's fingertips were burning with blue flames. He walked in front carelessly, with a hint of ridicule in his tone.

Caesar did not respond. His attention was completely focused on the front and he was already impatient.

Over the years, he had tried many methods to break his own limits, such as food and medicine, or hiring a naval general to teach him the Six Styles and Haki...

But given his innate conditions, even if he spent a lot of money and effort, and trained every day until he almost fainted, he ultimately only learned the shave among the six styles, and there was not even a hint of domineering power.

The only reward is lighting up the hidden achievements of the six styles. When all six styles are mastered, you will be rewarded with the secret of the six styles - life return.

Caesar felt that if he could master the return of life, he might be able to break through his own limits.

But judging from his progress in cultivation, even at the most ideal speed, it would probably take at least ten years.

ten years…

How many decades are there in life?

It is now the 1516th year of the Haiyuan calendar, four years before Luffy goes to sea, and one year before Ace goes to sea.

Judging from the plot, the next ten years will definitely be turbulent, and it is unknown what the world will be like by then.

Do we have to go with the flow of the times like everyone else?

Stop kidding me!

After all, I'm a time traveler. Even if I can't claim the throne, I should at least have the power to control my own destiny, right? Otherwise, I might as well just hang myself with a pair of stockings!

At the end of the tunnel is a heavy stone door with a huge bat relief carved on it. Two blood-red gems are inlaid in the place of the bat's eyes, which flicker strangely in the firelight.

Robin stepped forward and looked at it carefully for a while, then reached out and felt around carefully. Finally, he pushed the stone door hard, but found that it would not move, so he slowly stepped back two steps.

"There's a doorstone behind the door, so it can only be dismantled with force. I'm not sure if there's a mechanism behind it, but I suspect there's probably not. After all, it's just a secret room built by an ordinary person..."

"Leave it to me, and step back."

Marco took a step forward, green flames swirling around his body. His arms turned into green flame wings to shield the two people behind him, and his legs turned into huge bird claws, one of which kicked the stone door!

boom--

With a loud bang, the stone door shattered and collapsed, and the tunnel was filled with smoke and dust.

Fortunately, there was no mechanism behind the door, only an empty stone chamber, and in the empty stone chamber there was only a lonely stone platform.

On the stone platform stood an exquisite wooden box, the surface of which was carved with intricate patterns and inlaid with several gleaming gems.

"Is that the vampire fruit?" Marco folded his wings and looked at the stone platform in the center, his eyes full of curiosity.

Caesar did not answer, but threw a stone next to the stone platform. Seeing that it did not trigger any mechanism, he quickly walked to the stone platform and carefully opened the wooden box.

Inside the box lay a strange fruit, its surface covered with spiral arabesque patterns. The fruit was purple-black in color with a hint of blood-red at the bottom. The heavy hue seemed to contain endless power.

The moment he saw the fruit, Caesar's heart suddenly started beating wildly, his blood was boiling, and his eardrums were beating violently.

"System! Collect the vampire fruit!"

Caesar grabbed the fruit in his hand and called out urgently in his heart.

The next moment, the fruit in Caesar's hand disappeared out of thin air, and was replaced by a golden card the size of a playing card!

[Collection Item: Devil Fruit (Animal, Bat Fruit, Mythical Beast, Vampire Form)]

[Rarity: S]

【Collection value: SS】

[Comment: Double-A in strength and speed. More like a vampire bat than a vampire. Can you accept wings growing on your arms?]

[Achievement: Collect a Mythical Beast Devil Fruit]

[Achievement Reward: Masterpiece Upgrade]

【Masterpiece Upgrade: Can be used on an object to fully upgrade it.】

[Note: This does not work on the system and cannot make the fruit user immune to seawater. The Devil Fruit's Drowning Curse is an external factor, and requires 30% progress in the main storyline to become immune.]

[Main Mission: Collect the World]

[Task progress: 9%]

"Use Masterpiece Upgrade on the Vampire Fruit!"

hum-

The fruit card in Caesar's hand flashed with brilliance, and the next second, a circle of luxurious gold edges appeared around the card.

[Collection Item: Bright Vampire Fruit (Zoo-type·Human-Human Fruit·Mythical Beast·Vampire Form)]

[Comment: Powerful and beautiful! Not afraid of sunlight or mithril, you're more sinister than a vampire, but you're no match for Varudo!]

"Use the Vampire Fruit!"

As Caesar gave the order, the golden card suddenly shattered and turned into a streak of light that sank into his body.

Because of their positions, the two people at the door of the stone chamber did not see this scene.

The two men only saw Caesar open the treasure chest containing the fruit and then stand there in a daze. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and a pair of broad and black bat wings pierced his expensive custom-made suit.

In the darkness, the person in front of him slowly turned around. Before the joy in his scarlet eyes faded, a faint sense of oppression swept over him!

Feeling the aura that was still immature but undoubtedly symbolized the qualities of a king, Marco took a step forward and stood in front of Robin, his eyes full of astonishment.

"Is this... Domineering Haki?! Hey, hey! Are you kidding me?"

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Chapter 2 Main Line: Collecting the World

"Heroic Haki? What is that?"

Feeling the oppressive atmosphere, Robin asked in confusion.

"It's... the qualifications of a king."

Marco explained succinctly, "Most of the powerful people in the New World possess a power called Haki. Whether they are pirates or marines, if they want to gain a foothold in the New World, Haki is something they must master."

"There are three types of Haki: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror Haki. Armament Haki and Observation Haki are powers that everyone can cultivate. Armament Haki can enhance attacks and capture the physical form of a natural ability user. Observation Haki can anticipate the enemy, explore the environment, and even briefly foresee the future."

"Unlike the previous two, the probability of Conqueror's Haki appearing is less than one in a million. It is also the only Haki that cannot be acquired through practice. It is also an indispensable condition for becoming a top powerhouse. Whether it is the Four Emperors or the former Pirate King, all of them are the owners of Conqueror's Haki..."

Robin glanced in Caesar's direction with some surprise: "So, Mr. Caesar also has the potential to become a Yonko?"

Marco laughed out loud: "Well... that's true, but this is a new world..."

"Yes, the new world..."

In the darkness, Caesar slowly folded his wings, raised his right hand, and carefully looked at his sickly pale yet slender and broad palm.

The darkness around him could not hinder his vision at all. His scarlet pupils were like a whirlpool that swallowed everything, not letting go of even the slightest ray of light, and projecting everything within his sight into his mind.

Caesar's elf-like pointed ears trembled slightly, and he could clearly hear the subtle sounds of insects crawling in the soil behind the surrounding stone walls, the fresh and healthy heartbeats of the two people in front of him, and the sound of blood flowing in their veins.

The most important thing is that he saw the "warmth" of the two people in front of him!

"A one-in-a-million chance of becoming a king? Who among those who can make a name for themselves in this sea area isn't a leader who stands out from the crowd? The so-called king's qualifications are nothing more than an admission ticket."

"But if I must say... the vast majority of people in this world don't even qualify to enter."

"Imagine this: you're a famous strongman in your hometown, so strong you could flip a cow over. One day, you confidently set sail, becoming a sailor or a pirate, and you become somewhat famous. Then, you enter the New World—you see a hundred-meter tsunami, a flying dragon, cascading lava, a crashing meteorite, a sea-splitting slash..."

"A casual attack from these monsters is so powerful that you could never match it in your entire life. You can't even withstand the aftermath of their battle. Even a random piece of debris flying in the field may contain a terrifying force that you cannot resist."

"This is the disparity of the world, and it's the tragic fate I'm willing to spend a fortune and risk sailing to the sea to change."

As Caesar spoke, he walked out of the darkness. His pale face was illuminated by the torch in Robin's hand. His already handsome face looked even more handsome in the light of the fire. His scarlet eyes made him look more ascetic.

“It looks good…”

Marco looked at Caesar in amazement. "How does the legendary vampire fruit feel?"

Caesar didn't say anything, he just folded his wings, waved to the two of them, and walked quickly out of the ruins with an uncontrollable smile on his face.

Marco and Robin smiled at each other, obviously noticing Caesar's excitement, and quickly followed.

As soon as the three of them left the tunnel, a black streak of light suddenly pierced the sky!

Above the sky, Caesar spread his wings, his half-long black hair fluttered in the wind, his blood-red eyes narrowed slightly, and he slowly opened his arms towards the setting sun.

The next moment, countless vampire bats, as if summoned by something, flew into the sky and circled around Caesar.

The black wings flapped gently, carrying Caesar into the air.

Although he is a legendary vampire, he looks extremely sacred under the setting sun.

"This guy has a way of showing off, right?"

Marco's mouth twitched, as if remembering what he looked like after eating the fruit. He couldn't wait to shout, "Is it possible that you can only control bats? Show us your abilities!"

"Haha, it seems this kind of curiosity is an inevitable experience for every ability user..."

Robin chuckled softly, "Come to think of it, this vampire is only eighteen years old this year. He's been suppressing his youthful nature all along the way, calmly waiting for the end of his journey. It's really hard for him."

"Yeah, I really want to tie him to the boat..."

"???"

"Ah no, I mean it's like seeing my past self, haha..."

Marco scratched his pineapple head and laughed.

Robin was silent for a while. You clearly said what was in your heart, right?

But it's true that young and promising people like Caesar are the best fresh blood, no matter for pirates or navy. No wonder Marco would be attracted to him.

The most important thing is that Caesar still has money!

Very rich!

This is also the main reason why Robin is willing to contact Caesar. Regardless of whether the other party has any other conspiracy, at least she doesn't have to worry about being backstabbed because of the bounty.

After all, her 79 million reward was not as much as the tips Caesar gave out along the way.

Suddenly, there was a flash of blood in the sky.

The two of them saw a crimson blossom, and Caesar's figure instantly appeared before them. His body was flushed, and a trace of blood slowly dissipated around him...

Marco's pupils suddenly shrank: "So fast!"

"By controlling the blood flow to accelerate it, I strengthen my body, thus significantly increasing my strength and speed. The trade-off is that if my body isn't strong enough, frequent use will consume my lifespan. But fortunately, that's what I have the most..."

Caesar slowly clenched his fists, the redness on his body gradually faded, and the sense of power coming from his body made his heart surge.

The principle of this move is the same as Luffy's Gear Second. The difference is that Luffy can withstand it because of the characteristics of the rubber man, while he relies on his absolute control over blood like instinct.

Caesar slowly opened his palm, and a pool of scarlet blood gathered in his palm.

Then he raised his hand and pointed, and the blood turned into a surging shock wave that suddenly blasted out, easily piercing through a tree that was more than ten meters high and required several people to hug it, like a cannonball, and without losing momentum, smashed a boulder that was several meters high!

"Very good! It looks more suitable for fighting than my Phoenix..."

Marco saw this scene, and a hint of eagerness flashed in his eyes: "Do you have any other abilities?"

"The core ability is the control of blood. Not only can it create bloody battles, but it can also maintain eternal youth and heal injuries by absorbing the blood of others... or rather, the vitality contained in blood. You all know this. As for other aspects..."

"Hey, wait!"

Marco quickly interrupted Caesar and looked at him expectantly: "Can you use this ability on others?"

"…Yes, but there's a price."