That rapidly charging fist, blackened as if covered by a layer of hardened steel, surged toward him, enhancing the force behind the strike and turning it into a weapon capable of shattering stone.
This aura was Busoshoku Haki (Armament's Haki)! The very ability Qin Yi had long been searching for and awaiting.
His pitch-black pupils instantly changed, and three tomoe emerged.
Baaki's movements became instantly clear to him. The trajectory of the punch was understood in a flash within Qin Yi's mind.
"At last, I've found it!"
Light shot from his eyes. He stepped forward with one foot and shifted his body to the side.
"Swoosh!"
Baaki's fist grazed past Qin Yi's robe, an attack that could have crushed rocks, but failed to make contact with Qin Yi's body.
This sudden shift changed Baaki's expression drastically. He hadn't expected that the full-powered punch he'd gathered all his strength for… would miss.
It was as if the opponent had already seen through his movement before the strike was even launched. That realization made his heart skip.
"Clack!"
At the same moment, Qin Yi's hand seized Baaki's wrist.
"Up!"
With a loud shout, overwhelming strength erupted, and Baaki was instantly yanked off the ground.
"Pull!"
Qin Yi stepped back, his right hand still gripping Baaki's wrist, and slammed him toward the ground.
"Boom!!"
A deep, muffled shockwave burst out. The entire street quaked, and dust flew up over three feet. The place where Baaki fell collapsed into a pit.
With a single move, just a dodge, a grab, and a slam, Baaki was completely subdued.
"Too strong! The gap between the two is just too big. I don't know what kind of power was swirling around Baaki's arm, but it was obviously formidable, strong enough to pulverize stone with ease, and the speed was impressive, too. That's some high-level Taijutsu."
"But still..."
The surrounding pirates, watching this brief clash, all had their pupils shrink and then sighed with a shake of their heads.
Many of them lived with their blades licking blood, with real combat experience and keen eyes. Baaki's strength was without a doubt exceptional, but in front of Qin Yi, he was like a child of three, completely powerless to resist.
At that moment, Baaki, lying face down on the ground, felt his entire body had been smashed apart. The intense pain coursing through him shook his very spirit.
Yet even more unbearable than the physical pain… was the wound to his pride.
More than forty years of hard training, forging that "Martial Arts" in his arm, and now, his first time using it at full strength ended in this humiliating defeat. Baaki felt like he had no face left to show the world.
"Am I really… this weak?"
He began to doubt himself. And at the same time, he was shaken by how vast and terrifying the world truly was.
"I didn't use my full strength. You'll be fine. Get up."
Just then, a voice came from above, making Baaki tremble.
Though pain coursed through every fiber of his being, Baaki gritted his teeth and stood up.
"I lost. You're truly strong."
He lowered his head. He was an honest man. If someone were stronger, he would admit defeat.
"Oh? People who lose to me… usually don't live." Qin Yi gave a faint smile, his voice soft.
That sentence made Baaki's pupils contract sharply.
"What are you going to do?"
"I appreciate your ability," Qin Yi said calmly, "So I can spare your life. But you must join Qin's Nation."
Qin Yi's eyes flickered as he spoke lightly.
"Join Qin's Nation?"
Baaki was stunned. Naturally, he was aware of Qin's Nation, which had recently risen to prominence in the Grand Line. This man in front of him was its king, and he was inviting Baaki to join.
But after only a moment's hesitation, Baaki nodded in agreement.
"Fine. I lost to you, so I'll join your nation."
Hearing his acceptance, a smile immediately appeared at the corners of Qin Yi's mouth.
Outsiders might not understand why he invited Baaki, but Qin Yi himself knew very well, this was a huge win.
"Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki)."
After parting ways with Baaki, Qin Yi turned and left with Robin, his face clearly showing satisfaction.
Baaki, forty-five years old, could only cover one arm with Armament Haki. By any measure, his talent was pitifully poor; there was virtually no hope of his ever becoming a true expert. At best, he could barely eke out a living in the first half of the Grand Line.
But in Qin Yi's hands, this kind of ability had potential.
If he could push Buggy's Chop-Chop Fruit to the early stages of awakening, then naturally, he could also bring out the true brilliance of Armament Haki.
More importantly, this ability would be especially useful against the enemy he was about to face.
Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), enhanced by the Goro-Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit), had given Enel extraordinary insight, offensive power, and mobility, far beyond what an average person could contend with. This was precisely why Enel ruled all of Skypiea as its sole and undisputed god.
If this Logia fruit user who wielded the Goro-Goro no Mi were to appear in the Blue Sea, his name as a "daimyō" would've already shaken the entire ocean.
"Buggy, Sanji, and Ace. It's time for us to depart, for Skypiea."
Led by Robin, Qin Yi walked over to the group and said with a smile.
Immediately, the three stood up quickly.
"We're finally leaving? Awesome! We were dying of boredom here!"
The three, Ace, Buggy, and Sanji, stretched and groaned.
"Your Majesty," Robin said, "the soldiers have prepared your personal transport vehicle."
"It's... something called a 'plane'."
Her expression was a bit strange as she said this last word. She still couldn't quite believe that this iron hunk with wings could fly.
Soon, Qin Yi led everyone to a wide open area near Mock Town.
"The forest has already been cleared by the soldiers, and the ground has been leveled. This will serve perfectly as an airfield."
Qin Yi glanced around and nodded with quiet satisfaction.
The open space was quite large, just enough for a small airstrip.
At the starting point of the makeshift runway, near Qin Yi and his group, a small private aircraft stood silently, bearing the character (Qin) on its hull.
This aircraft had been custom-made for Qin Yi within Qin's Nation. Although the technology of Qin's Nation wasn't highly advanced yet, it was barely sufficient; building a plane wasn't that difficult. It had been stored on a warship for some time, and now that it was needed, it was brought out.
"This is my first time flying a plane!" Staring at the private jet in front of him, Qin Yi's eyes sparkled with eagerness.
"So this is what the soldiers meant by Your Majesty's exclusive aircraft? A technological product that can soar through the sky?"
Ace ran up excitedly. Buggy and Sanji also walked over quickly, curiously touching the machine.
"It's just a bunch of iron parts… can it really fly?"
Everyone was filled with doubt. The Pirate World had many wonders, but airplanes? That was unheard of.
"No need to doubt. Get on board, I'll take you to Skypiea." Qin Yi said with a laugh.
(End of Chapter)
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