Chapter Ten: A Transformation into Udean

“Teacher, I need to speak with you.”

Bursting into the collection room, Luo Lan shouted out loudly. At this moment, he truly seemed like a thirteen-year-old child.

“What’s the matter, Luo Lan? Shouldn’t you be out training in the forest right now?”

Golden Lion strolled out slowly, carrying a sword, and looked at the sweat-drenched Luo Lan with some confusion.

Over the past few years, Luo Lan had always conducted himself with remarkable composure. This was the first time Golden Lion had seen him so flustered.

“I’ve discovered an unknown Devil Fruit. Judging by its appearance, it seems to be from the Zoan type.”

Luo Lan handed the fruit in his hand directly to Golden Lion.

“So, you want to ask me if you should eat this unknown fruit?” Golden Lion examined the Devil Fruit and immediately understood Luo Lan’s intent.

Luo Lan nodded. “Please instruct me, teacher.”

Although he knew what power this Devil Fruit held, he still wasn’t sure whether he should eat it.

In the anime, both Zoro and Mihawk, in their pursuit of supreme swordsmanship, had refrained from eating Devil Fruits. Furthermore, in Roger’s era, most people didn’t favor Devil Fruits at all, preferring instead to grow stronger through their own training and discipline.

Luo Lan was torn—should he walk the same path?

Golden Lion suddenly asked, “What is your dream, Luo Lan?”

Hearing these words, Luo Lan was taken aback, but then instantly understood what Golden Lion meant. “I understand now, teacher. My pursuit is ultimate strength, not the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Whether it’s sword skills or the power of a Devil Fruit, they are merely tools for me to achieve the greatest strength.”

Yes, why was he even struggling with this decision?

Be it swordsmanship or a Devil Fruit’s power—as long as it could make him stronger, wasn’t that enough?

Even the power in the form of a devil was just that, a power. What difference did it make to him?

He was not Zoro. He didn’t need to make the name of a swordsman resound in heaven.

With this clarity, Luo Lan’s conviction became even firmer.

Golden Lion smiled again. “Then be mindful—Devil Fruits are something you’ll never want a second bite of after the first. Fortunately, you only need one bite to gain the ability. If you had to eat the entire thing, I doubt there would be many Devil Fruit users in these seas.”

“Yes, teacher.”

Luo Lan took back the Devil Fruit, recalling scenes of famous figures eating theirs, and his expression grew grim.

Closing his eyes and gritting his teeth, Luo Lan took a big bite of the Devil Fruit. In an instant, his face turned ashen.

The taste was indescribable. Even if the world’s worst chef were to cook, Luo Lan doubted the result could ever taste worse than this Devil Fruit.

Fighting the urge to retch, Luo Lan forced the flesh down and took deep breaths to ease the powerful nausea.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have acquired the special ability: Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Devil Form.”

“Ding! The first transformation stage has been unlocked. Transformation target: Demon Hunter Udyan.”

As Luo Lan managed to soothe his stomach, the system’s notification chimed, and a unique sensation swept through him.

“Udyan?”

With his eyes closed, a hazy figure appeared in Luo Lan’s mind.

That was a proud hero, silently resisting invaders, yet unrecognized by his own kin.

After five years in this world, memories of Luo Lan’s previous life had grown faint. Aside from his expertise and the plot of One Piece, most of his past was now lost to him.

“Transform.”

With a low murmur, Luo Lan’s body was suddenly engulfed in emerald flames.

Under the branding of fire, strange runes began to appear across his body, and as they emerged, his form started to change rapidly.

A pair of menacing horns sprouted from his forehead.

Great leathery wings burst through his clothes, slowly unfurling.

His legs morphed into powerful hooves, lifting his body higher.

His upper garment was shredded, revealing wild, bulging muscles that radiated raw strength.

Yet, compared to Udyan from the game, Luo Lan’s current stature was much smaller—almost like a miniature version.

“So this is the power of a devil?”

In front of Golden Lion, Luo Lan refrained from revealing Udyan’s name, referring only to the form as ‘devil’.

Savoring the strength coursing through him, Luo Lan felt exhilarated, all the fatigue of the day swept away by excitement.

If he were to use the system’s way of measuring levels, he reckoned that all his basic stats had been forcibly raised by a full tier.

With strength, speed, and constitution at level three, he could now stand against those at level four.

“Looks promising,” Golden Lion said, observing the transformed Luo Lan, who now towered above him, with no trace of surprise—only admiration.

In this world, there was nothing too odd for Golden Lion—he’d seen all manner of strange fruits and creatures. This was hardly enough to astonish him.

He nodded in satisfaction and asked, “So what fruit is that?”

Perhaps due to exhaustion from today’s training, Luo Lan couldn’t maintain his transformed state for long and soon reverted to human form. Looking up at Golden Lion, he replied softly, “Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Devil Form.”

“Devil, is it?” Golden Lion fell silent. He knew there was a core of justice within Luo Lan, but why was this justice paired with the power of a devil?

Yet Golden Lion didn’t dwell on it for long. After all, aren’t Devil Fruits said to be the power of devils? Why should he question Luo Lan’s sense of justice just because of a form?

Aren’t the Marines the so-called force of world justice? And yet, their fleet admiral and three admirals were all Devil Fruit users, wielding the power of devils. What was there to question?

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll begin teaching you my true swordsmanship. Also, it’s time you started learning Haki.”

Golden Lion handed the long sword in his hand to Luo Lan and strode out of the collection room.

“This sword is called Short Zao. Apart from Nara, it’s the finest blade here, though it’s not one of the famed swords. If you want a better one, you’ll have to go find it yourself on the seas.”

“Yes, teacher.”

Luo Lan gazed at the katana with its dark red scabbard and fell silent.

Golden Lion was telling the truth. Over these years, apart from training, Luo Lan had spent most of his time reading—encyclopedias of Devil Fruits, legendary swords, and the like.

He had lost count of how many times he’d visited the collection room. Though there were many swords, apart from the likes of Nara, none matched the level of a famed blade.

As for Short Zao, in the compendium, its rank was just below the grade of the fine blades.

Now that Golden Lion had given him Short Zao, there were no other catalog-worthy swords left in this collection room.

Accepting the sword, Luo Lan felt a pang of guilt as he recalled that he’d first approached Golden Lion simply to attach himself to a powerful figure.

Over the years, Golden Lion had treated him as a true heir, teaching him swordsmanship without reservation, giving him every notable blade he owned—everything he could offer, he had given.

“If possible, let that ending never come to pass.”

In his mind, Luo Lan saw the scenes of the floating islands crashing down.

Back when he watched the anime, he’d felt nothing but satisfaction; yet now, worry gnawed at his heart.

After all, since that movie, the name Golden Lion had never again appeared in the world.