svetikya Page 85
Page 85
Robin gazed into the distance, recounting the stories with familiarity, "The West Blue is not only the oldest and most culturally diverse of the four seas, but it has also given birth to many powerful nations and organizations. In particular, the Mafia's influence is deeply entrenched, and it was also an area where the Revolutionary Army was frequently active in its early days."
After sailing for most of the day, they saw two ships engaged in fierce combat on the horizon ahead.
Those were not ordinary pirate ships plundering merchant vessels, but two well-equipped warships flying different pirate flags!
Artillery fire roared and gunpowder smoke filled the air.
But what truly caught the attention of Sabo and his companions was the figure weaving through the gunfire and masts, engaging in hand-to-hand combat.
A burly man wearing a captain's hat and wielding a scimitar clashed violently with a tall, thin man wielding two swords. The point where their blades met was clearly covered in jet-black Armament Haki! The shockwave sent several nearby crew members flying.
"John, you bastard! How dare you steal my goods!" Captain Curved Blade roared, his blade flashing and slicing through the air.
"Hmph, Carlos, the rule of the West Sea is the survival of the fittest! Your goods are mine now!" John, the man with two swords, sneered. His swordsmanship was cunning and ruthless, with each strike aimed straight for vital points.
Not only the captain, but at least a dozen people on both ships were using Armament Haki for offense and defense, and the use of Observation Haki was also frequently demonstrated. Some people could predict the trajectory of bullets, and some could sense sneak attacks from behind.
His fighting style is fierce and ruthless, with every move potentially fatal. He is completely unlike the naive pirates of the first half of the Grand Line, and even has a more honed and practical combat feel compared to some pirates in the New World who rely on Devil Fruit abilities.
"Bang!" A henchman was struck in the chest by his opponent's domineering fist. His sternum visibly collapsed, and he flew backward, spitting out blood. He was clearly not going to make it.
The victors, without pausing, immediately pounce on the next target.
The ferocity and efficiency of the battle were astonishing.
Sabo's eyes lit up: "Amazing! The level of Haki of these two captains would be at least 80 million Berries in the first half of the Grand Line! And their officers are no slouch either!"
Kuina's eyes were sharp as she carefully observed the swordsmanship and use of domineering aura by both sides: "Their fighting style is more direct and efficient, less flashy, and more decisive. This is what they have honed through years of fighting in this environment."
Robin said softly, "Unlike the Grand Line, the West Blue doesn't have clear routes. The islands are more interconnected, and the competition is more direct and brutal. The pirates who make a name for themselves here have fought their way through countless bloody battles, and mastering Haki is almost an essential skill for survival."
Their small boat did not get close, but the fierce fighting still attracted the attention of both sides.
Captain Carlos forced John back with a single strike, then glanced at the unassuming little boat. Seeing the three distinguished young men and the inconspicuous man on board, he frowned and shouted:
"Hey you over there! Are you just passing by or trying to interfere? If you know what's good for you, get lost! Otherwise, I'll take care of you all!"
John also looked over with a sinister gaze, the domineering aura emanating from his twin swords flickering uncertainly: "Looks like a few lost lambs. Carlos, take care of you first, then go catch them. Looks like we can sell them for a good price!"
Clearly, even in the midst of fierce battle, these West Sea pirates maintained a high level of vigilance and made no attempt to conceal their greed and ruthlessness.
Sabo grinned, showing no fear whatsoever, but rather a hint of eagerness: "Uncle, it seems the West Sea is much more savage. I like it."
Liu Jiu remained seated at the bow of the boat, seemingly oblivious to the threats from the other side, and simply said, "Ignore them, go around them."
Sabo shrugged, though itching to do so, he obediently adjusted the small boat's direction, preparing to circle around the edge of the battlefield.
However, they didn't want to cause trouble, but trouble wanted to cause them trouble.
Just as the small boat was about to round the battlefield, a fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the twin-sword captain John. He seemed to think that the people on the small boat had a special temperament and might be some easy prey. In the midst of the fierce battle, he suddenly unleashed a sharp flying slash (although not as powerful as the swordsman's wave slash, its power should not be underestimated) and cleaved straight at the small boat!
"Trying to slip away? Stay here!"
However, the purple blade flashed and arrived first!
With a crisp sound, the flying slash was severed in mid-air by a more condensed and swift purple blade of light, disintegrating into chaotic air currents.
Guina had somehow appeared at the edge of the small boat. Ziyun was slightly drawn from its sheath, and she looked at John with icy eyes: "If you want to die, I can grant your wish."
She didn't even fully draw her sword; with just the aura of the blade at the moment it was drawn, she precisely severed the opponent's attack.
This scene caused both sides in the fierce battle to pause for a moment.
Carlos and John looked at Kuina in shock. They knew very well the strength of that slash; how could it have been broken so easily?
John's face darkened: "Looks like it's not a lamb, it's got thorns."
He licked his lips, a bloodthirsty smile spreading across his face. "Even better! It'll be even more fun to slaughter them!"
Carlos's eyes also flickered, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.
Sabo stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kuina. Armament Haki flowed naturally around him, creating a powerful aura. He grinned and said, "What? Want to fight two-on-two? Or should you two settle things first, and the winner can come and play with us?"
Chapter 100 West Sea Supply Point
Sabo's provocative words, like sparks thrown into boiling oil, instantly ignited the already tense atmosphere.
Such provocation, especially, is out of place in the West Sea and must be the work of an outsider from other sea areas entering the West Sea.
Carlos and John exchanged a glance. Having fought each other at sea for many years, they knew each other's methods and thoughts very well.
With just a glance, they reached a temporary, unspoken understanding.
In the West Blue, it's common for pirates to fight to the death, but if a powerful outsider tries to cross the river, these local bullies won't hesitate to join forces and crush the outsider first! This is an unspoken rule formed in the cruel environment of the West Blue—internal struggles can be fierce, but the spoils must never fall into the mouths of outsiders!
"Kid, you're pretty arrogant!" Captain Carlos grinned maliciously, his curved sword radiating even more power. "In the Western Sea, arrogance comes at a price!"
John added coldly, "I originally just wanted to capture you and sell you for money, but now it seems I'll have to break your bones one by one first!"
Almost simultaneously, the pirates on the two ships, who had been fighting each other, suddenly turned their attention to each other as if they had received a silent command.
Swords, muskets, fists covered in Armament Haki—all the attacks, filled with murderous intent, poured down on the small boat like a torrential downpour!
They actually intended to tear the small boat, along with everyone on board, to shreds in an instant!
"Tsk, just as I thought." Sabo showed no panic, but instead revealed a knowing smile, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Then don't blame us for being impolite!"
Before she finished speaking, Guina's figure had already disappeared on the small boat.
The next instant, she appeared like a ghost at the top of the mainmast of the two-masted sailing ship (John's ship), her purple cloud fully drawn, the cold blade reflecting a dazzling glint in the sunlight.
"One-Sword Style Secret Technique: Swallow Return!"
There was no earth-shattering display, only a thin, purple thread that seemed to cleave space in the blink of an eye.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
All the cannons on the ship, pointing at the small boat, and the weapons in the hands of several ability users who were about to unleash long-range attacks, were all snapped in two! The cuts were as smooth as mirrors!
"What?!" John's pupils shrank sharply; he hadn't even seen how Kuina made her move!
At the same time, Saab made a move.
Instead of boarding the ship, he stood on the small boat and thrust his palms forward!
"Dragon's Breath - Rapid Fire!"
boom! boom! boom!
Several highly compressed shockwaves, like invisible cannons, precisely struck Carlos's ship (the scimitar) near the waterline on its sides! The ship's planks groaned under the impact, instantly revealing several huge holes, and seawater rushed in frantically!
"Hold on! Quickly plug the breach!" Carlos was both shocked and furious. He hadn't expected the enemy's attack to be so domineering, directly aiming to sink his ship!
"A Hundred Flowers in Full Bloom: Larkspur!"
Robin's cool voice rang out. On the decks of both ships, countless enormous arms instantly sprouted. These arms weren't attacking the crew, but rather, like agile pythons, they seized any elite officers attempting to board or use ranged weapons!
"what?!"
"let me go!"
"A devil fruit user?"
Screams echoed throughout the room. Those officers with considerable strength were held firmly by the enormous arms, unable to move, and could only watch helplessly as Sabo's shockwave and Kuina's blade flashed.
The battle was almost a one-sided massacre.
John and Carlos were both shocked and furious, and they launched an attack simultaneously.
"Dual Sword Style - Venomous Fang Thrust!" John's twin swords, like two venomous snakes, pierced through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
"Shark Slash!" Carlos's scimitar whipped up a violent gust of air, like a giant shark opening its mouth to bite.
Faced with the two men's furious combined attack, Sabo neither dodged nor avoided, but leaped up and charged forward. His steel pipe was covered with a deep black and red domineering aura, and he delivered a simple sweeping blow!
"Dragon's Roar - Entanglement!"
The moment the steel pipe was swung out, the domineering black and red aura surged and swirled like flowing magma!
With a deafening crash, John's twin swords and Carlos's scimitar were simultaneously knocked from their hands and flew out of their grasp! Both men suffered severe cuts and spurts of blood, their bodies flying backward as if struck by a high-speed sea train, spitting blood and crashing heavily onto their respective wrecked decks. After struggling for a few moments, they were unable to get up for a while.
Their proud Armament Haki was as fragile as paper in the face of Sabo's "entanglement"!
In just a few minutes.
Kuina's battle also ended, which could barely be considered a warm-up.
The artillery fire ceased, and the shouts of battle fell silent.
Two pirate ships, belching black smoke, were seen slowly sinking on the sea.
Pirates lay sprawled on the deck, groaning or unconscious.
Sabo put away the steel pipe, leaped back onto the small boat, and pouted, "I thought we could play a little longer, but it's over already? The pirates of the West Blue aren't as tough as I thought."
Guina landed lightly back on the small boat, and Ziyun was already sheathed, as if she had just done something insignificant.
Robin had already deactivated her powers, and those enormous arms vanished like phantoms.
Liu Jiu didn't even lift his eyelids once from beginning to end; he was like a passerby throughout the entire process, less noteworthy than a cloud drifting across the sky.
Its presence is extremely low.
The small boat slowly passed between two sinking ships.
Carlos and John struggled to lift their heads, watching the small boat slowly pass by, their eyes filled with fear and disbelief.
What kind of monster did they provoke?!
Did they start cultivating from the womb?!
Sabo turned around, grinned at the two defeated soldiers, and waved: "Thanks, you helped us stretch our muscles! Welcome to come visit us again next time!"
A gust of wind suddenly blew by, and the small boat set sail and sailed away.
The two pirate ships were beyond saving, and they sank to the bottom of the sea with their crew.
Where the sea meets the sky, the outline of an enormous mountain range, seemingly connecting heaven and earth, gradually becomes clear.
That is Reverse Mountain, the Miracle Mountain leading to the Grand Line, and also the first insurmountable barrier blocking the way for countless pirates from all over the world.
There are five waterways in total: four waterways that converge upwards from the four seas of the East, West, South, and North, plus one waterway flowing out from the Grand Line.
The two rivers converge at the mountaintop, and the surging ocean currents flow upstream along the mountainside, creating a natural wonder.
Their small boat could not possibly withstand the violent water pressure and turbulence of the current rushing against the mountain.