Chapter 255: The Freebie Old Man, Z
White clouds unfurled in the azure sea and sky, painting a serene picture.
The Merry parted the waves, sailing slowly on the sea surface.
Reiner and Zoro were training at the stern, the giant barbell swinging with the wind.
On the rooftop, Nami, having just finished pruning the two tangerine trees, put down her shears with satisfaction and wiped the sweat from her brow.
On her wrist, the Log Pose she used to wear had been replaced. The current dial now had two additional needles.
The magnetic field of the New World was even more chaotic than the first half, and a regular Log Pose could no longer point stably to a single island.
The method of following a fixed route, sailing from one island to the next, was no longer viable.
Here, every time they reached a place, they had to choose one of three directions for their next destination.
And after Fish-Man Island, the choices were Raijin Island, Risky Red Island, and Mystoria Island.
Nami took out a white paper card and placed it in her palm. The paper card slowly moved in the direction the Merry was sailing.
"The direction is correct. According to the distance Jinbe mentioned, we should arrive in two days if there are no accidents."
After confirming that the course had not inadvertently deviated, Nami put the paper card away with relief.
This was the Vivre Card Ace had given Luffy in Alabasta. Because the destination of this voyage was somewhat special, she had specifically asked Luffy for a small piece.
"Honestly, why did he have to choose the island with the most chaotic magnetic field?"
Looking at the needle in the middle of the dial that was constantly jumping back and forth, Nami sighed helplessly.
Raijin Island... just from the name, she knew it must be very dangerous.
After the events on Fish-Man Island, Jinbe had informed Ace, who had just arrived there.
Since the trouble had been resolved, Ace decided to stay on Raijin Island. Coincidentally, Luffy had also just decided to make it their next destination.
This was an island perennially covered in lightning strikes.
Reiner remembered that not long after the Summit War ended two years ago, the 'Mad Monk' Urouge had entered the New World and landed here, even defeating one of Big Mom's Four Sweet Commanders.
To be able to fight a Sweet Commander right after entering the New World, his strength was second to none among the Supernovas.
After putting away the pruning tools, Nami walked down the stairs to the lawn deck.
On the ship's rail, the three brothers, Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp, sat leisurely, each holding a fishing rod.
The second day in the New World was quiet and ordinary.
"Mmm-ah~~"
Luffy, sitting cross-legged in the middle, yawned, his face listless. An hour without a fish on the hook had made him a little sleepy.
Chopper had even hung his fishing rod on the side and lay down, his face showing a lack of interest.
"I say, you two have no perseverance at all."
Usopp said with a calm air, nodding to himself, "Fishing is an art that tests one's patience."
"The process may seem boring and tedious, but in reality, enjoying this moment of tranquility is a valuable cultivation of the mind. We should..."
"Z—Z—Z~~"
Luffy's head tilted to the side, a bubble emerging from his nostril, rising and falling with his snores.
Already bored, he had finally managed to doze off under Usopp's hypnosis. However, he still held the fishing rod firmly in his hand.
"Sigh~~"
Usopp sighed in disappointment, then turned back to watch the bobber on the sea surface with boredom.
After a good while had passed...
Luffy's hook seemed to have caught something. The bobber sank rapidly.
"You've got a bite, Luffy!"
Usopp hurriedly woke the dozing Luffy. "Quick! Hold on to the rod, don't let it get away!"
"What!"
"What's happening!"
Luffy, who had just woken up, was startled and looked around. Suddenly, he felt a huge force coming from the fishing rod.
"Is it here! Watch me!"
Realizing what was happening, Luffy jumped up in pleasant surprise, quickly grabbing the bent fishing rod and leaning his body back.
"—Whoa! Even the fishing rod Franky made is bent like this!"
"Looks like it's a big one! Go for it, Luffy!"
Chopper and Usopp cheered excitedly from the side. This fish must weigh several hundred pounds.
"Hee hee hee, leave it to me!"
Luffy laughed cheerfully and jumped back from the railing. No need to play the fish, no technique whatsoever, he just violently grabbed the fishing rod and yanked it upwards with all his might!
Splash!
A black shadow broke through the water's surface, streaked across the azure sky, and landed on the deck with a thud.
However.
There was no image of a large fish flopping around as they had imagined. The three of them stared blankly at the figure lying on the lawn, soaking wet.
His bare chest was covered with solid muscles, a head of purple hair was particularly conspicuous, and his hand was fitted with a huge mechanical arm.
"Usopp," Luffy tilted his head, rubbing his chin with a puzzled expression. "What kind of fish is this?"
"How does that look like a fish at all!"
Thump!
Usopp rolled his eyes and shouted, chopping him on the back of the head with the side of his hand!
Chopper was a little scared. He cautiously walked over and poked the man. Seeing no reaction, he extended a hoof to check his pulse.
"He's still alive."
Chopper turned his head and said gravely, "He needs immediate treatment. Luffy, help me carry him to the infirmary."
"Then let's go," Luffy said with a cheerful laugh, hoisting the man onto his shoulder and rushing up to the second floor.
Nami, who was coming down from above, saw this and hurriedly called out, "Wait a minute, Luffy! Who is he?"
"Hee hee, I just fished him out of the sea," Luffy said proudly, not looking back as he rushed into the infirmary.
"Huh?"
"He's probably a shipwreck survivor," Usopp said casually as he ran past Nami, following Luffy's footsteps with Chopper.
A shipwreck survivor?
Nami glanced over with a puzzled expression but didn't ask any more questions.
She went into the dining room and had Sanji make her a glass of juice, then carried it towards the stern, preparing to start enjoying this peaceful and leisurely day.
Arriving at the stern deck, Reiner and Zoro were still training.
Nami sat down on a lounge chair under a parasol, took out a newspaper and opened it, and said casually, "Luffy and the others seem to have just fished up a shipwreck survivor."
"Fished? Shipwreck?"
Reiner stood up, shouldering the barbell. The huge iron plates at both ends bent the bar. He said strangely, "To be shipwrecked in this sea and still be alive is a rarity."
"Now that you mention it, he did seem a bit strange."
Nami rested her index finger on her chin and looked up, recalling the scene just now. "His right hand seemed to be fitted with a very large machine. It should be a mechanical arm."
"A mechanical arm?"
Reiner muttered to himself. Such a characteristic feature naturally made him think a little more.
Technology was quite developed in this world. There were many cyborgs, but as for those with mechanical arms, he seemed to remember only two.
Nami would definitely recognize Kid. The only one left...
Suddenly.
Bang!!
The barbells in Reiner's and Zoro's hands were slammed heavily onto the deck. The two of them simultaneously focused their cold, sharp gazes.
A sudden burst of hostility erupted from within the ship's cabin. Its powerful aura made even them frown.
Zoro picked up the three longswords at his side, his expression solemn. "It seems a formidable beast has arrived."
"Wh-what's going on!!"
Nami scrambled up from her chair in a panic. She also felt the inexplicable burst of aura and hurriedly looked up at the second floor.
Just then.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three figures instantly broke through the wall and were sent flying backward!
Amidst the flying wood chips, the bodies of Luffy's trio crashed into the stern railing one after another.
Even the hard wood of the Adam Treasure Tree cracked under the impact.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Luffy's face was a little pale, as if he were enduring intense pain.
He grabbed the railing with one hand, raised the other to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, and looked gravely towards the ship's cabin from which they had been sent flying.
"What's wrong, Luffy!"
Before Nami could finish asking, a tall figure charged down from the ship's cabin!
Messy, short purple hair was mixed with a few strands of weathered silver. His chocolate-colored skin made his bulging muscles look extremely powerful. The huge mechanical arm on his right hand was ferocious and deadly!
Z?!
Reiner's eyes widened as he looked at Luffy. What kind of supreme fishing rod did you use?!
"You must be Roronoa!" Z's gaze turned cold. He dragged his mechanical arm and instantly disappeared from the spot!
"Soru!"
Swish!
When he reappeared, his figure had already reached the two of them. Without another word, he smashed the [Smasher] down on Zoro!
—Zing!
Clang!!
A burst of sparks shot out. Two longswords quickly parried the three claws at the front of the Smasher. The heavy force made Zoro grit his teeth gravely.
What's with this guy? Attacking them for no reason.
"Watch out for his arm, Zoro!" Luffy shouted anxiously.
"Hmph," Z grinned sinisterly. The mechanical claws clamped down tightly on the longswords, and the pitch-black gun barrel instantly spat out a muzzle flash!
Rat-a-tat-tat!!
"Damn it!"
Zoro, unable to pull his swords back, was instantly alarmed. He timely wrapped his arms in Armament Haki and crossed them in front of him to block.
The torrential rain of bullets made it difficult for Zoro to parry. Z raised his leg and kicked fiercely at Zoro.
At the same time, a blue figure shot up at high speed!
Bang! Bang!
Reiner swiftly raised his leg, his foot striking the mechanical arm from below. Zoro hurriedly grabbed his released longswords, then was kicked away, crashing into the railing.
"Black Snake Reiner."
Z glanced over coldly. The Smasher, which had just been kicked away, whistled through the air as he swung it, crashing down fiercely on Reiner.
He subconsciously raised his hand to block, but suddenly his pupils constricted, and a warning instantly arose in his heart.
If I remember correctly, this thing is fitted with Seastone!
Reiner stared fixedly at the three claw-like tips. Relying on his powerful core strength, he forcefully twisted his body to avoid it, while at the same time striking out with his palm!
"Get off!"
Bang!
The Haki gathered in his palm was instantly released, transforming into an impact that crashed into the mechanical arm.
The Smasher was knocked aside. Z's movements didn't stop. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, a dense Armament Haki glowing black as he punched down fiercely!
Reiner's eyes hardened. He also wrapped his right wrist in Haki and met the massive fist head-on!
Bang!!
A dull impact exploded. The force of the fists transformed into a strong pressure wave, blasting out from the two of them as the center!
Before everyone's shocked eyes, Reiner actually gritted his teeth and spat out blood. The two of them were sent flying backward!
Bang! Bang!
Z broke through the wooden wall and crashed into the first floor. Reiner, on the other hand, crashed into the railing and collapsed next to Luffy and Zoro, all of their faces looking rather pale.
"How could this be?"
"Even Reiner can't win?"
Nami was extremely shocked. In just a few moments of exchanging blows, the strongest monsters on the ship had suffered setbacks one after another.
A fierce glint appeared in Reiner's eyes. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. An external force seemed to be raging violently inside his body.
The Haki technique of internal destruction.
To be caught off guard by such a blow... no wonder Luffy and Zoro looked like they had eaten a fly.
"What do you mean, can't win? Get out of the way."
He activated his Haki to forcefully disperse the Armament Haki Z had driven into him. Reiner stood up with a grim face. "Don't blame me for beating up an old man today."
Nami pouted but didn't say anything, silently retreating to the back.
"Hey, you guys step back and let me handle this."
"Wait a minute! I'm the one who fished him up!"
A fighting spirit erupted in Luffy's and Zoro's eyes. They stepped forward, the three of them staring intently at the figure that walked out of the ship's cabin, dispersing the thick smoke.
"Black Arm Z."
Reiner drew a giant battle-axe, a cold smirk on his lips. "If you want to cause trouble on our ship, you should have at least brought two more Admirals with you."
(End of chapter)
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