The so-called King Ehe name of this special ability inates from the world of One Punch Man. It was the signature teique of King, the so-called "stro man oh." Supposedly, once King activated this ability, it was as if he entered a berserk state, capable of smashing eo pulp with ease.

  Iy, the King Engine was nothing more than a 'gimmick.' The stro man oh was simply a bluffing master, someone who survived on sheer luo different from the likes of God Buggy in this world.

  The King Engine's only real effect was its stant acceleration of the heartbeat. Yet, it was due to this 'ability' that King was mythologized as the "stro oh."

  When Cudius first acquired this ability, he felt rather helpless. As a pragmatidividual, he couldn't help but think, "Isn't this just a load of crap?"

  Couldn't he have been granted a more practical power? If push came to shove, Cudius would have been willing to give up his beautiful blonde hair and go bald if it meaing something more useful!

  In the beginning, Cudius viewed the accelerated heartbeat ability as nothing more than a means of showing off. He didn't believe he could bee the "stro oh" in the Pirate World through such a ridiculous teique.

  However, after several rounds of experimentation, Cudius discovered that this ability held more potential than he had initially thought. The stant acceleration of his heartbeat iably increased blood circution throughout his body, whi turn could enhance his overall physical funs, including his hematopoietic ability.

  Through multiple trials, Cudius firmed at least ohing once he activated the King Engine and his heartbeat accelerated, he could indeed enter a sort of "rampage" state. It was fair to call it a "berserk mode."

  The King Engine allowed him to temporarily boost his physical capabilities, improving strength, speed, and stamina. The burst of speed he had demonstrated while chasing the wild boar earlier rime example of what this ability could achieve.

  Of course, given his current physical limitations, this was the extent of what Cudius could do. But the potential for further development and exploration of this ability was enormous.

  If Cudius's body could withstand the strain, he could use the King Engine as a trump card a sudden power surge to overwhelm enemies who were otherwise on par with him.

  And, if he were to add a few fshy catchphrases, like "I'm getting serious now," or "I didn't think you'd push me this far," the whole dramatic effect would be taken to another level, wouldn't it?

  Thus, Cudius was actually quite satisfied with the potential of the King Engine. Whether for practical bat or pure bravado, the development possibilities were endless, making it well worth further study.

  As for the st of his transmigratifts, it was an ability called 'Zero Hour Mizu', seemingly inating from the world of Shakugan no Shana. Cudius didn't know much about its inal text.

  Fortunately, there was a manual of sorts in his mind, so he was able to grasp the basics.

  Zero Hour Mizu was the ability to "reset time to zero." In esse allowed the user to restore all their energy and vitality to a 'reset point' at zero hour.

  While the cept of "existence power" didn't apply to this world, Cudius experimented with the ability aually figured out its utility.

  Simply put, it funed somewhat like the "Creatioh" ability from Naruto. Although it didn't rely on any special energy, it could store the user's surplus energy and physical strength within Zero Hour Mizu throughout the day.

  When he stored reserves could be released, rest Cudius's stamina and strength to their peak levels.

  While it wasn't an overwhelmingly powerful skill at the moment, Cudius saw its potential for the future. It could be invaluable in prolonged battles, or… faging in more 'vigorous' activities.

  "Yeah, that's right. After all, I'm still a Celestial Dragon, a world here's no problem with marrying ten or eve wives, is there? It's pletely legitimate and legal.

  If the body 't ha and I overtax myself, I could always open up Zero Hour Mizu and..."

  He shook his head to dispel the distrag thoughts, fog ba the wild boar. After ensuring that the blood had drained into a small pool nearby, Cudius shifted his attention away from his fantasies.

  Using Shinsō, he sliced off a few choice cuts of meat from the wild boar, ensuring to pick the most tender and fvorful ses.

  "Speaking of which, it's been two weeks since I was 'killed,' right? By now, those guys should be sending a rescue team to things up. After all, if I were in their shoes, I wouldn't think my previous self could survive a shipwreck alone for a full two weeks..."

  As Cudius mused over these thoughts, five massive warships were steadily approag the isnd from not too far away.

  On the deck of one of the enormous warships stood a middle-aged man a Marine coat of justice, a cigar cmped between his teeth. He wore sungsses a his arms crossed, staring silently out at the vast sea.

  The man's short vender hair was slightly disheveled, and his muscur frame exuded a restrained yet formidable aura.

  This man was her than the current Marine Headquarters Admiral, Zephyr the Bck Arm. Zephyr's life was a tragic yet tenacious one. As an Admiral, he held a passionate heart and refrained from killing pirates, earning him the niame "The Admiral Who Doesn't Kill."

  But it was this very mercy that allowed seeds of evil to remaiually, vengeful pirates took the lives of his beloved wife and child.

  Devastated, Zephyr resigned as Admiral and redirected his focus to training the geion of Marines. He became an instructor at the Marine Headquarters Training Camp, raising many exceptional students.

  It could be said that most of the Marine's high-ranking officers ier years were personally taught by him.

  Eventually, a series of further tragedies led Zephyr to bee disillusioned with the Wover and the Marines. He left to found Neo Marines, attempting to destroy the New World. His tragic yet heroic life ultimately e the hands of then-Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.

  But those were stories for the future. At this point, Zephyr had yet to experience such heartbreak. He was still brimming with vigor and fidence.

  The task of the fleet under his and at this moment was simple yet plex to locate the Celestial Dragon, Donquixote Cudius, who had been shipwrecked in this sea more than two weeks ago!

  In truth, Zephyr had no desire to get involved in such affairs. It was clear that Cudius's deyed rescue was due to the scheming and power pys of those in Mariejois.

  As a Marine Admiral, while his status might seem prestigious in the eyes of the on folk, to the elites in Mariejois, he was just a useful pawn a mere errand boy.

  Involvement in such matters was fraught with risk. But the problem was that the Marine Headquarters only had two Admirals at the moment. Garp adamantly refused promotion to Admiral, while Sengoku had other crucial matters to attend to.

  However, when something happeo a Celestial Dragon, the highest level of authority must be mobilized to address it. So, in the end, an Admiral had to be dispatched to oversee the situation.

  Thus, the burden of this mess fell onto Zephyr's shoulders.

  Just as Zephyr was lost in thought, a zy yet youthful voice called out from behind him.

  "Teacher Zephyr, are you still worried about the Celestial Dragon? Holy, I don't think there's any point. It's been two weeks sihe shipwreck. Even if it were a powerful person, they'd have been devoured by sharks by now.

  And that's not to mention... we're talking about a Celestial Dragon. So I think this so-called rescue mission is nothing more than a political exercise, isn't it?"

  Hearing the voice, Zephyr turned around, gng at the young man behind him. A faint smile tugged at the ers of his lips.

  This young man had joihe newly established Marine Officer Training Camp two years ago. During his time as an instructor, Zephyr had discovered several promising talents, and one of them was the young man who now bore the rank of Rear Admiral on his shoulders Kuzan.

  "You're right, Kuzan. This mission will most likely end in failure. It may be beled a rescue mission, but it's more of a formality, a political obligation... However…"

  Zephyr sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid that once we return, those Celestial Dragon lords will shift the bme for Saint Cudius's death onto us, g it was due to the Marine Headquarters' inpete that point… we'll have no recourse."

  Kuzan, still inexperienced, looked at Zephyr with some surprise and asked, "What should we do then? They wouldn't really be that unreasonable, would they?"

  Zephyr chuckled softly, then said, "Heh, when you bee an Admiral someday and i more with those people, you'll e to uand. Their Celestial Dragon masters are ihat unreasonable..." Zephyr replied, his smile fading slightly.

  After a brief pause, Zephyr rotated his shoulders, turning his gaze back to the horizon. "So, even if this mission is just a formality, we must do it perfectly. We 't leave any room for those lords to nitpid bme us ter. Although it's highly likely that Cudius has already perished at sea, we must proceed as if he's still alive and in need of rescue."

  "That's the only way we minimize any problems that may arise iure."

  Kuzan ran a hand through his shaggy hair, sidering Zephyr's words before nodding thoughtfully. "You're right, Teacher. I'm still too young to see the bigger picture. So, what's our course of a?"

  Zephyr's eyes narrowed as he g the vast expanse of o surrounding them. "There's only oed isnd in this sea area. If, and I mean if, by some miraculous one-ihousand ce, Cudius is still alive, he only be on that isnd. So, our priority now is to search the surface waters while heading straight to that isnd. Ohere, we'll search thhly for any sign of Cudius."

  Kuzan nodded, uanding the pn. After a moment of ption, he looked up at Zephyr and softly asked, "But Teacher… what if that 'one-ihousand ce' actually happens? I mean, it seems like… some people higher up might not want Saint Cudius to return alive..."

  "Stht there, Kuzan," Zephyr interrupted sternly, his expression turning serious as he fixed his gaze on his disciple.

  After a tense pause, Zephyr's expression softened slightly. He pced a firm hand on Kuzan's shoulder and spoke in a low but earone, "Kuzan, you're still young, and there's much you don't yet uand. But there's ohing I want you to remember: never get too involved with those Celestial Dragons. Maybe some people above us don't want Cudius to survive, but we only o do our duty."

  He looked deeply into Kuzan's eyes, as if trying to imprint the gravity of his words into his disciple's mind. "All we o do is what's expected of us. Even if the ces are slim, if Cudius is still alive, then we must bring him baariejois safely. Uand?"

  Kuzan had immense respect for his teacher, and after hearing Zephyr's heartfelt admonishment, he nodded early. "I uand, Teacher. I'll remember your words."

  "Good," Zephyr said, giving Kuzan a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The veteran Admiral turned back to face the sea, his gaze distant and ptive as the fleet tis steady approach toward the lone isnd.