On the other side, Robin's group was making their way towards the colossal bean vine.
Initially, they were all searching without a specific direction. They did spot some scattered ruins along their path, but nothing of significance turned up.
Eventually, Nami couldn't take it anymore. She used Moonwalk to ascend to a high altitude and finally spotted the enormous bean vine.
The massive bean tendrils were simply too conspicuous to miss.
Generally, it's easier to find clues in places that stand out, so it was natural for everyone to head towards the direction of the bean vine. And with the lure of gold fueling her, Nami was particularly driven.
She didn't feel tired in the slightest!
Just then, a strange rattling sound echoed through the forest.
It sounded like trees being crushed.
However, the others didn't pay much attention. After all, the trees here were so massive that it seemed unlikely for them to be easily overwhelmed. "Six Six Zero"
In contrast, Chopper, Bepo, and Luffy were more sensitive to the sound, and they all looked back. What they saw was a thick, large tree trunk covered in peculiar patterns lying flat on the ground, and this big tree trunk was moving.
Could a tree trunk really move?
Chopper looked at Bepo with questioning eyes: "Bepo, did you see that?"
Bepo shook his head: "How can a trunk move? If we say anything, everyone will think we're just being cowardly."
Chopper nodded repeatedly, so the reindeer and the white bear decided to remain silent. On the other hand, Luffy tilted his head, observing the strange tree trunk, and immediately became alert.
His beastly intuition screamed that this tree trunk was incredibly dangerous!
Robin, Nami, Mari, and Tashigi all turned back: "Chopper, Bepo, Luffy, what's wrong?"
Chopper and Bepo quickly shook their heads: "No, nothing."
"Huh? Is there a strange pattern on that big tree trunk?" Tashigi wondered aloud.
"You're right, there is a pattern! We noticed it earlier!" Chopper quickly added.
"And it's still moving," Nami also pointed out.
"Definitely moving! We're not imagining things!" Bepo exclaimed.
Suddenly, a massive snake's head descended from the sky, and everyone froze in utter shock. It turned out that it wasn't a moving tree trunk at all, but the body of a giant boa constrictor!
"ROAR!"
The giant python roared, its bloody maw wide open as it lunged to bite them.
Everyone screamed instantly, scattering and fleeing in all directions.
However, Luffy had already been on guard. The moment he saw the snake, he transformed into his giant lion form and swatted the python's head away with a massive paw. At the same time, he surged forward with ten pairs of paws, pinning the massive python fiercely to the ground.
The giant python swung its enormous tail, slamming it against Luffy's back repeatedly.
But Luffy's skin was tough and his flesh was dense; the python's blows barely fazed him.
However, the battle between the two colossal beasts caused widespread destruction, leveling the trees in the area and causing significant damage.
Moreover, the original group had completely scattered. Afraid of being caught in the crossfire between Luffy and the giant python, they ran as far as they could, ultimately becoming completely separated and seemingly lost.
Even with Luffy's immense size, if they were too far away, they wouldn't be able to spot him even if they used Moonwalk to gain altitude.
There was no other option; everyone could only proceed in the direction of the bean vine.
The massive bean vine stretched straight into the sky. As long as they kept moving towards it, they wouldn't get lost. It was their agreed-upon destination, so everyone stopped worrying about losing their way.
On Luffy's side, he had no idea that he had been abandoned by the others.
Seeing that the giant python was still thrashing around, he simply sat on its body, relentlessly slapping its head with a pair of his large paws until it finally stopped moving.
In that short time, the others had run a considerable distance.
This was the first time Tashigi had been separated and acting alone since joining the Straw Hats. Being alone in such a terrifying forest, even with her current strength, she still felt a little scared.
She didn't know how long it had been when the bleating of sheep reached her ears.
She saw two strange soldiers appearing on a tree. They glanced at Tashigi and immediately declared her an enemy, "People from the Blue Sea, eliminate them!"
As he spoke, he held out his palm towards Tashigi.
Tashigi was initially taken aback, but she suddenly sensed danger and immediately dodged. In the next second, two invisible slashes sliced through the tree behind her.
"A slash?! How did you do that?!"
Tashigi was thrown off balance and couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
How could someone create a cutting attack just by extending their palm? It wasn't like a swordsman's technique, and it wasn't like Tempest Kick. What was going on?
Seeing Tashigi evade the slashes, the two strange soldiers rushed towards her on their jet-powered skates, flanking her... then raised their palms again and aimed at Tashigi.
"Flame attack!"
The two strange soldiers roared. One of them spewed out a gust of gas, and the other ignited it with flames.
Tashigi immediately rolled on the ground, and with a quick glance, she saw the gas erupt into a fiery explosion. If she hadn't reacted in time, she would likely have been killed or severely burned.
These two guys obviously didn't know her, so why were they being so ruthless?
Tashigi yelled angrily, "What are you doing! Why do you want to hurt people for no reason?!"
The two strange soldiers replied matter-of-factly, "This is God's order. The jungle survival game has already begun. Our divine soldiers are responsible for eliminating all Shandians and Blue Sea people."
What? A game? They were treating killing like a game?
What a ridiculous joke!
Tashigi suddenly became enraged. "This so-called god is so cruel, treating human life as worthless and turning killing into a game! My sense of justice will never allow it! If that's the case, I will defeat you and go to your god to reason with him!"
She slowly drew her sword, Shichiseiken, and adopted a fighting stance.
The two strange soldiers didn't care. One of them, Feng Bei, circled Tashigi on his skates and pointed his palm at her again. But Tashigi suddenly stomped her foot on the ground, and her entire body vanished in a puff of smoke and dust.
"Shave!"
Tashigi reappeared behind one of the strange soldiers and swiftly cut him down.
The other strange soldier was startled and quickly jumped into the sky, only to find Tashigi also stepping on the air, pursuing him relentlessly. With a soft thud, this divine soldier also met his end.
Tashigi landed on the ground, exhaling heavily.
Taking a life still made her feel uneasy.
At that moment, a burst of applause echoed, and a tall, fat man emerged, dressed similarly to the two strange soldiers.
"I didn't expect such a little girl to be so powerful. Truly surprising."
The tall, fat man smiled and said, "I am Dashan, a soldier serving the omnipotent God. God has issued an order to eliminate the idlers in Skypiea. So, may I ask you to die? Hasshoken!"
For the first time in her life, Tashigi sneered mockingly, "Huh? God's order? None of my business!"
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