LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Hermes
The Metal-Devouring Ant King retracted its metallic wings into its exoskeleton, making it appear as if it never had wings at all.
Roar!
Enraged, the Ant King charged again. As the ruler of this island, it couldn't tolerate any challenge to its dominance.
"Hahaha! You're still not giving up? Fine, I'll beat you until you do!"
Li Yuan's Observation Haki clearly sensed the Ant King's unyielding defiance. Laughing, he raised his fist and met its charge head-on.
The Ant King was no pushover—it possessed exceptional Armament Haki and physical strength, capable of holding its ground even against someone like Barrett. But against Li Yuan, even without the use of advanced techniques, it stood no chance.
Li Yuan's relentless punches shattered the Ant King's sturdy metallic exoskeleton, embedding fragments deep into its flesh. What started as a bid for dominance quickly turned into a one-sided beating.
---
Crack!
Within a minute, the once-mighty Ant King was reduced to a battered heap, barely recognizable. Yet Li Yuan didn't stop, chasing it down and hammering it each time it tried to escape.
"How about now? Ready to submit?"
Li Yuan paused and used his Observation Haki to project his thoughts into the Ant King's mind. His mastery allowed him to communicate directly with creatures, akin to telepathic transmission.
Roar!
The Ant King roared defiantly, making its stance clear—it refused to bow.
"Oh? Still not giving up? Looks like you haven't been beaten enough!"
Li Yuan smirked, raised his fist, and delivered another punishing blow, sending the Ant King flying. Each time it landed and tried to escape, he intercepted it, battering it in a different direction. Even when it spread its wings to fly, Li Yuan used Geppo to knock it back to the ground.
"Ready to admit defeat yet?" he bellowed, his fists raining down without mercy.
Finally, after fifteen minutes of relentless pounding, the Ant King broke. Its once-fiery defiance had been extinguished.
---
"Good. Acknowledge your mistakes, and you'll have a bright future ahead. From now on, your name is Hermes!"
Satisfied, Li Yuan patted the now-subdued Ant King. Despite its rebellious streak, its raw talent and potential made it a valuable addition to the Infinity Pirates.
"Let's get you patched up."
Li Yuan led Hermes back to the Hades Underworld, ensuring it was well-fed and treated.
---
Onboard, Hermes devoured piles of metal ores and food with ravenous enthusiasm, its injuries visibly healing as it ate. Medical personnel applied restorative salves and potions, speeding up its recovery. Within an hour, it was fully healed.
Roar!
Hermes let out a mighty roar, venting its earlier frustration.
"Oh? You're upset again? Want another beating?" Li Yuan asked, raising his fist threateningly.
Hermes immediately fell silent, bowing its head submissively.
"Good, that's more like it," Li Yuan chuckled. "Don't worry. Stick with me, and you'll always have enough to eat. I'll teach you how to grow stronger and show you the vast world beyond this little island."
Hearing this, Hermes' eyes gleamed with determination. As a Beast King, it understood and aspired to explore the broader world.
---
"Let's head to the island's center and retrieve the Gravity Stone," Li Yuan said, motioning for Hermes and Yinwa to follow.
---
At the heart of the island stood a massive Gravity Stone, resembling a small mountain, with much of it embedded underground.
"So, this is what's altering the island's gravity," Li Yuan murmured. "I wonder if other Gravity Islands have similar stones."
"Yinwa, it's your turn. Absorb this Gravity Stone and become stronger," he instructed.
"Alright, Brother! I'll get started!"
Yinwa eagerly began merging with the Gravity Stone, its energy blending seamlessly with its own.
---
After a full day, Yinwa finished absorbing the Gravity Stone. Its form now seemed denser, and its capabilities had significantly improved.
"How much gravity can you control now?" Li Yuan asked, curious.
"Brother, I can control up to 25 times gravity now! And my body has doubled in weight," Yinwa replied happily.
"Excellent. This mission was a success. Let's head back," Li Yuan said, nodding in satisfaction.
Hermes, meanwhile, gazed back at the island it had called home for years, realizing it might never return.
"Feeling nostalgic? Don't worry. If you ever want to come back, I'll make sure you can," Li Yuan assured, sensing Hermes' hesitation.
Reassured, Hermes followed Li Yuan to the ship.
---
Back on Onigashima, Li Yuan presented Hermes with a rare Devil Fruit—the Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daimyo Warrior Monk.
"This Devil Fruit will grant you human-like intelligence and even greater strength. Eat it," Li Yuan said.
Hermes swallowed the fruit whole, not even bothering to chew. Moments later, its body began to transform.
Standing upright like a human, Hermes now possessed an eight-meter-tall hybrid form—a mix of ant and man. Its limbs were muscular and humanoid, though its hands retained sharp claws. The metallic wings folded neatly against its back, and its face combined ant-like features with human expressions.
---
"Captain, who is this?"
Barrett arrived on Onigashima, his interest piqued by Hermes' imposing presence.
"Haha! Barrett, meet Hermes, our newest officer. It's the Metal-Devouring Ant King that ate the Mythical Zoan Fruit. I want you to train it in combat and Haki," Li Yuan explained.
"Interesting! Don't worry, Captain. I'll make sure Hermes reaches its full potential," Barrett said, his enthusiasm evident.
Hermes, now much more intelligent, seemed to understand the arrangement. Although it couldn't yet speak, it nodded in acknowledgment.
---
With Hermes' training entrusted to Barrett, Li Yuan turned his attention back to other matters.
---
Grimoire Island, located in the West Blue near the Calm Belt, was a small, impoverished island with little activity—until now.
News had spread that the Infinity Pirates planned to conduct trade there, selling goods such as weapons, medicines, and rare items from the New World.
"Have you heard? The Infinity Pirates are opening trade on Grimoire Island!"
"Of course! Everyone's heading there—representatives from the West Blue's five major mafia families, royal merchants, and even underground factions. They're all hoping to secure deals."
"Apparently, the best goods will go to those offering rare resources or Devil Fruits. Regular folks with just Beli will have a hard time getting anything."
"Figures. The world's never been fair."
The buzz surrounding the Infinity Pirates' trade reached not only the far corners of the West Blue but also the other seas—and even the ears of the World Government and the Marines.
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