One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"What are you saying…"

Judge was stunned. Before he could process what his opponent meant, he saw the man discard his Germa-standard longsword and slowly draw a golden blade radiating an ethereal glow from the scabbard at his waist.

"You…"

Judge's eyes locked onto the blade. It stirred a faint sense of familiarity within him, but this was not the moment for idle recollections.

"So, you're serious now?"

Gripping his lance tightly, Judge assumed a combat stance, anxiety gnawing at him. "Damn it! He wasn't even fighting seriously before, and I'm already… This is bad! Why haven't the guards reacted yet? Could this barrier block sound as well?"

"Wondering why your guards haven't shown up yet?" Wright said calmly, his form enveloped in a faint golden aura that began to shift and morph. "Now… do you understand?"

Judge's eyes widened in shock as another version of himself—a perfect, lifelike replica—stood before him.

"You! You impersonated me to give them orders!" Judge roared, disbelief flooding his voice. "That's impossible!"

"Just because you don't know how doesn't make it impossible. As a brilliant scientist, you should understand that much," Wright replied coolly, his form shifting back to its original appearance as he charged forward, blade in hand.

"You're…" Judge froze when he saw Wright's face. His scalp prickled as recognition set in. He knew this man!

"Wait…" he managed to utter a single word before his opponent vanished from sight. A moment later, searing pain erupted throughout his body, and consciousness faded into darkness.

"The Navy… why…"

"Humph!"

Wright sheathed his blade after swiftly incapacitating Judge, sparing a glance at the unconscious man sprawled on the ground. "Fool. Did you really think the Navy was weak enough to be trifled with?"

"Celestial Dragons? World Nobles? Those parasites bypassed the Navy entirely, huh…

"It seems they knew better than to directly provoke Garp in his homeland. Still, they couldn't resist stirring up trouble…"

Wright crouched beside Judge, placing his right hand atop the man's head.

"This method may be a bit forceful, but power… when wielded for justice, remains just. For scum like you, this is a punishment far more fitting than death."

Closing his eyes, Wright focused his will, channeling a blinding surge of Holy Light into Judge. The light was so brilliant it pierced through the dim surroundings, saturating everything in a golden glow.

"Infusion of the Holy Light—Lightbinding Ritual!"

"The earliest Lightforged soldiers were undoubtedly warriors of noble ideals, willing to undergo the trials of the Holy Light voluntarily.

"But Lightbound… Archon Yrel of Draenor forcibly infused Mag'har orcs with Holy Light, altering their minds…

"In my case, the Seed of Light, guided by the caster's will, awakens the deepest yearning for light within a person's soul.

"Heh… Humans are inherently drawn to light. Who willingly chooses the darkness? Harnessing the Holy Light to cleanse evil thoughts and redirect the soul toward the light—while harsh—is an act of redemption!

"For those of you whose crimes are unpardonable, use what remains of your lives to atone. Embrace the Holy Light for the sake of your victims… and for world peace."

The radiant Holy Light enveloped Judge, seeping into his head, chest, and entire body. Beneath his combat suit, a golden mark formed on his back—a Lightbound Sigil.

Judge felt as though he were trapped in a long dream. In the dream, he spent his days consumed by petty vengeance, plotting to dominate the North Blue nations and even going so far as to force his pregnant wife into experimental surgery, cruelly modifying their children…

In defiance, his wife had taken a gene-suppressing drug at great personal cost, weakening her body until her eventual death. And yet, he had loathed their third son—the one spared from modification due to her desperate efforts…

What a despicable, irredeemable monster I am…

As his consciousness stirred, Judge's thoughts crystallized, and clarity returned.

"…Thank the Holy Light… and thank you, Lord Wright, for granting a wretch like me a second chance…"

"You're awake? How do you feel?"

Wright's voice roused Judge fully. A flicker of golden light danced in his eyes as he instinctively knelt on one knee before Wright.

"Lord Wright!" Judge exclaimed. "Thank you for granting me new life. I feel… amazing! A warm power nourishes my body… I feel stronger, and my mind seems clearer!"

"…" Wright wiped an invisible bead of sweat from his brow. The Lightbinding Ritual was working better than expected. Judge, once consumed by ambition and rage, now appeared wholly transformed.

"Any new abilities?" Wright inquired.

Judge paused, sensing the changes within himself. Stretching out his right hand, he summoned a faint glow of Holy Light—a humble but unmistakable manifestation of the sacred power.

"Excellent," Wright said, narrowing his eyes as he perceived a bond forming between them. Within Judge's core was now a Seed of Light. Though weak, it would grow if nurtured by a steadfast faith in the light.

"Unlike brainwashing, the Holy Light has cleansed his darkness and cruelty, leaving his memories, thoughts, and even personality intact… Remarkable." Wright mused. "The wonders of Azeroth… this world could use more surprises like this."

After conducting tests, Wright confirmed that Judge, now the world's first Lightbound, had awakened a specialized branch of Holy Light: the Power of Protection. With this, he could employ defensive Holy Light techniques, such as the Wall of Light.

"So, Lightbound are limited in scope…" Wright mused. "It seems I'm this world's sole source of Holy Light. My unique, all-encompassing power sets me apart, while Lightbound gain abilities aligned with their nature and will."

Amused, he added, "Judge chose protection instead of retribution? For someone obsessed with revenge, this is unexpected. Perhaps the light reshaped his priorities, turning vengeance into the desire to protect?"

Wright's guess was close. Judge's deep remorse for his family and his sins awakened a newfound resolve: to protect his children and the vulnerable, leading to his awakening of the Power of Protection.

"Lord Wright, I have a request…" Judge said, kneeling again.

"Stand up. There's no need for such formalities. With the Holy Light, we are allies on the same path. What is it?"

"My children… I beg you to perform the ritual on them. They were stripped of their humanity by my experiments, rendered cold and cruel. Now that I've repented, I wish to give them the chance at a proper life. It's my sin to bear!"

"…Fine," Wright exhaled after a long pause. "Bring them to me. They're still young and haven't yet succumbed to irredeemable evil. There's hope for them."

"Thank you, my lord!"

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