In the blink of an eye, another three days had passed.
The next destination had yet to be reached, and the Sunset continued to sail steadily across the sea.
"Achoo!"
Xiano suddenly sneezed, rubbing his nose in confusion.
"Strange, why have I been sneezing so easily these past couple of days? Who's been thinking about me?"
At that moment, he had just pushed open the door of the training room, shirtless and drenched in sweat.
He glanced up, noticing the moonlight spilling through the porthole onto the corridor. The entire ship was quiet, with only the sound of waves gently lapping against the hull.
It was already late at night.
"That's enough for today. Time to sleep."
He stretched, having just completed nearly twenty hours of grueling, self-imposed training. It was indeed time to let his muscles relax.
Hmm?
Xiano suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Wait.
Relax?
He stroked his chin, his gaze shifting to the dark sea outside.
Come to think of it, he had been so preoccupied with the Poneglyph these past few days.
As for the Deep Sea Breathing Method, after initially mastering it, he hadn't practiced it much.
The reason was simple: to improve further, he would need to spend long periods submerged in water, meditating and gradually adapting to the sensation of breathing underwater.
It was too time-consuming, which was why he had set it aside for the time being.
But now, a sudden realization struck him.
Given his level of control over his body, he should be able to maintain the automatic operation of the Deep Sea Breathing Method even while unconscious. He could simply sleep underwater.
This way, he could use his rest time to both catch up on sleep and gradually master this secret technique.
Brilliant!
Twenty-four hours of seamless training—who could possibly outwork me?
Without hesitation, Xiano found a sturdy rope, tied it around his waist, and then leaped off the side of the ship into the sea.
The moment he entered the water, he didn't need to consciously control anything. His pores naturally opened, and his muscle fibers contracted rhythmically like gills.
Gurgle—
Bubbles escaped from the corner of his mouth as Xiano slowly sank deeper.
Twenty meters, thirty meters, fifty meters…
Moonlight pierced the surface of the water, casting a hazy blue glow in his vision. Schools of small fish scattered in alarm, their silver scales twinkling like a galaxy.
"More comfortable than I imagined."
Xiano adjusted his breathing rhythm, allowing his body to sink further into the darkness. Once the rope was nearly taut—
"Ah…"
He rested his hands behind his back, crossed his legs, and floated as if lying on a bed, slowly closing his eyes.
Perhaps it was because he had trained so hard today, but falling asleep underwater seemed easier than on the ship.
The seawater blocked out all noise, leaving only the slow rhythm of his heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Under the influence of the Deep Sea Breathing Method, each heartbeat caused his muscles to subtly vibrate, rippling the water around him.
Xiano's consciousness gradually faded, but his body continued to maintain the breathing technique on its own.
Hmm, his judgment had been correct.
He truly could continue to refine this secret technique even in his sleep.
Now…
He could finally rest in peace.
...
Splash, splash.
As the Sunset moved forward, the rushing currents flowed past his body.
For an ordinary person, such turbulence would knock them off balance, making it hard to stay upright.
But the black-haired boy remained completely unaffected.
He was still sleeping soundly.
A curious giant sea beast emerged from the distance, casting a massive shadow. Upon spotting the figure ahead, its eyes lit up, and it hurriedly sped up its swimming.
However, as it drew closer and sensed the faintly dangerous aura emanating from Xiano, the expression on the giant sea beast's face grew increasingly hesitant.
Finally, it stopped and wisely swam off in another direction.
In this realm where even sunlight couldn't reach, time seemed to stand still.
"Gurgle..."
Xiano rolled over, shifting into a more comfortable sleeping position.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Suddenly—
"Boom!"
A muffled explosion sounded from above, jolting Xiano awake. His eyes snapped open.
Nearly a hundred meters of water filtered the sound, making it indistinct, but he instantly pinpointed the direction.
It was from the southwest. A ship had fired at the Sunset.
Xiano frowned, his body rapidly ascending. In an instant, he broke through the water's surface and landed on the deck.
The sky was bright, the sun high in the sky. His crewmates were already up. He had clearly slept for six or seven hours.
"What's going on?"
Xiano glanced into the distance and casually asked.
To his surprise, it wasn't a pursuing Navy warship that had fired, but a fleet of six black-sailed pirate ships.
"They're here to die, I guess."
Nojiko shrugged. "No grudge, no reason, they just fired out of nowhere. Probably after your 500 million berry bounty."
"Is that so?"
Xiano laughed heartily.
Back when they had just entered the Grand Line, they had encountered several pirates with ill intentions. They hadn't even given them a chance for a boarding battle, easily crushing them.
But after the details of the battle on Toll Island were revealed, and his bounty reached the peak of Paradise, such incidents had become rare.
Now, the Falling Stars Adventure Crew was already "notorious" in the first half of the Grand Line.
Out of ten pirate ships, nine would turn tail and flee at the sight of the white flag fluttering in the wind.
But on this vast sea, nothing was impossible.
There would always be some pirates who were... brave.
Brave to the point where you couldn't even understand their thought process.
Like now.
But speaking of which, this pirate fleet before them was quite sizable.
The six ships forming the fleet were all large vessels, their decks packed with people. Combined, there were probably four to five thousand of them?
Not much less imposing than Krieg's fleet.
Xiano took a monocular telescope from Nojiko beside him and looked at the pirate flag.
Tsk, no impression at all.
He immediately lost interest and said to Nojiko, "I'm going to have breakfast. Leave this to you and Nami."
The reason he said this was that both sisters had recently acquired Devil Fruit abilities and loved to test their new moves on these clueless pirates.
The last few pirate ships they encountered had also been left to the two of them to handle.
"But it seems like it's not our turn this time," Nojiko shrugged. "Bro, turn around and look. Someone's been itching to make a move but was waiting for you to come up."
Hmm?
Xiano turned to look.
Kuina stood at the stern of the ship, her black ponytail fluttering in the sea breeze. Her left hand rested on the scabbard, while her right hand gripped the hilt of her sword. Her gaze was as sharp as a blade.
"This time, let me handle it, Lord Xiano."
Noticing Xiano's surprised look, the girl tilted her head slightly, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. "It's a good chance to show you the results of my training these past few days."
Oh?
So she's eager to show off?
This side of Kuina was quite rare.
"Seems like you've made good progress."
Xiano nodded with interest. "Alright, then I'll hold off on eating for now and stay here to witness this properly."
Kuina took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes.
At that moment, Xiano faintly sensed that the air currents around her seemed to be converging toward her body.
Oh?
His eyes lit up, his interest growing even stronger. Could it be that Kuina had already mastered that technique so quickly?
————
Meanwhile.
On the largest flagship in the center of the opposing fleet.
A burly, purple-haired man with a cruel demeanor, wearing a captain's hat, was waving a cutlass and roaring at his crew.
"See that! Boys, that's the ship of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates! The head worth 500 million Berries is right in front of us!"
The purple-haired man's spit flew as he spoke, his face trembling with excitement.
"Such a small ship! It seems this pirate crew's strength is nothing special. They're not even worth the 70 million Berries bounty on my head! They just got lucky and escaped from a Navy Admiral with their lives!"
"Once we take his head, I'll be the new 500 million Berry pirate! Boys, from today on, our Rufu Pirates will be famous across the entire Grand Line!"
"Oooohhh—!!!"
"What a bold and inspiring speech!"
"As expected of Captain Rufu!!!"
The pirates on the deck were all in a frenzy, raising their arms and cheering like a roaring tide.
At that moment.
"Captain! Captain!"
The lookout suddenly shouted, "There's movement on their side!"
At the stern of the Sunset, a slender black figure leaped into the air, dashing forward using Moon Walk!
It was Kuina.
She coldly stared at the pirate fleet, her Wado Ichimonji still sheathed at her waist, her right hand firmly gripping the hilt.
"What! They're sending a little girl to her death?"
The purple-haired captain named Rufu sneered as he raised his cutlass. "She's got no idea what's coming! Boys, fire all cannons, full power! Blast that sword-wielding girl into pieces!"
"Yes, Captain Rufu!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The cannons on the six ships fired simultaneously, nearly a hundred cannonballs streaking through the sky, dense as rain, heading straight for Kuina.
Kuina's gaze remained indifferent as her right hand slowly tightened its grip on the hilt—
The next moment.
"Iai·Rokudō·Steel Tempest!"
With a sharp cry, the gleaming blade was finally drawn!
Countless translucent air currents wrapped around the blade, converging into a sharp edge as she thrust forward, howling through the air!
Whoosh—!!!
As the sword strike was unleashed, the sea suddenly erupted into a violent gale!
The sword energy surged forward, splitting the sea in two as it advanced. The raging airflow swept up all the incoming cannonballs, crushing them into lead dust.
The sword energy, however, continued unabated, absorbing the surrounding air currents in an instant, forming six massive tornadoes, each towering fifty to sixty meters high. They surged and swirled across the sea, intersecting before splitting apart, as if alive, precisely targeting six pirate ships!
Whoosh!
The violent winds swept across the sea, tearing the water into a mist of spray. Before the tornadoes even approached, the six pirate ships began to rock and sway violently, their masts groaning under the strain.
"Hey! What the hell is this?!"
The purple-haired man widened his eyes in terror, his scimitar clattering to the deck.
Swordsmanship?
No, it must be a Devil Fruit Ability User!
No swordsmanship could achieve something like this!
"Turn the rudder! What are you all standing around for? Turn the rudder, you idiots!" As the tornadoes drew closer, he finally snapped out of his daze, turning his head and screaming at the top of his lungs.
However.
It was already too late.
The moment the tornadoes made contact with the ships, the sturdy hulls were torn apart like paper, beginning to disintegrate.
The lackeys gathered on the deck had no idea how to resist. They turned to flee but were immediately swept up into the air by the violent winds, letting out piercing screams!
"No, no!!!"
The purple-haired man also felt the approaching wind at his back. He clung desperately to the main mast, turning his head to watch as his flagship was slowly devoured by the tornado, crying out in despair:
"I can't die here! I'm going to become the Pirate King, I—"
Before he could finish.
The wind blade had already sliced across his neck.
The captain's hat flew into the air along with his head. In his unfocused, lifeless eyes, the last thing he saw was the sight of the other five ships being torn apart in the tornadoes.
Six ships, in less than a minute.
All completely destroyed.
As the tornadoes gradually dissipated, the sea returned to calm, leaving only floating debris and the occasional cries of survivors struggling in the water.
Kuina slowly sheathed her sword, turning and using Moon Walk to land back on the deck.
Her black ponytail swayed in the wind, her clothes fluttering. Despite having just emerged from the storm, not a single drop of water had touched her.
The stern deck fell into complete silence.
That single sword strike had left everyone on the ship in awe.
Even Robin, for a moment, unconsciously set down her coffee, her eyes filled with astonishment as she gazed at the young Master Swordsman before her.
"You're so cool, Kuina!!"
Nami cheered, throwing herself into Kuina's arms and hugging her waist. "I suddenly want to learn swordsmanship! Teach me, okay? From now on, you're my real sister! I'm disowning the one behind me!"
"Hey!" Nojiko bared her teeth in anger. "You little brat, have you not been beaten in a while? Are you itching for it?"
"Ahh, so scary! Kuina, protect me!"
Kuina smiled softly.
She patted Nami's head. This girl, aside from her navigation skills and her own bounty, only had a fleeting interest in anything.
Learn swordsmanship? She naturally wouldn't take that seriously.
What mattered more, however, was...
"How was it?"
She tilted her head slightly, looking up at Xiano, her eyes filled with a hint of anticipation.
That look, that expression—Xiano found it oddly familiar.
It reminded him of when Agin was still a cub, and every time he brought home strawberry milk and put it in the fridge, Agin would look at him just like that.
Clap, clap, clap!
"Brilliant!"
He didn't hold back his applause, clapping vigorously while smiling and saying:
"Absolutely brilliant! You've only been practicing the secret manual for less than a week, and yet you can already unleash a Wind Sword Technique of this caliber. Such talent... truly worthy of being called the genius who stands above all at the Isshin Dojo!"
He meant every word of it.
Compared to the other crew members, he had some expectations for the effects of Steel Tempest—after all, it was just about creating a tornado, right?
But he never expected...
It was indeed a tornado, but Kuina had managed to unleash six of them in one go, and each one was terrifyingly powerful.
It left him momentarily stunned.
Even Yasso himself would have a hard time pulling that off, wouldn't he?
Girl, you're like a human apocalypse machine!
"Thank you, Master Xiano."
Kuina suppressed her excitement, her cheeks slightly flushed as she replied, "You're too kind. I still have room to improve. My next step is to figure out how to combine this technique with Haki to take its destructive power to the next level..."
"Great idea."
Xiano gave her a thumbs-up, then suddenly added after a moment of thought, "But compared to that, I think there's something even more important that you urgently need to improve."
"Huh? What is it?"
"It's not flavorful enough!"
Xiano said seriously, "When you unleash this sword technique, don't shout so many random things. To bring out its full power, you need to shout 'HASAKI!'"
HASAKI?
What does that mean?
The young Master Swordsman tilted her head in confusion. Usually expressionless and aloof, she now looked adorably puzzled, creating a charming contrast.
"Alright."
She eventually nodded firmly.
Even though it didn't seem to make much of a difference.
But if it was Master Xiano's suggestion, it must be correct.
...…
The destruction of the pirate fleet seemed to have gone entirely unnoticed.
The Sunset continued its journey.
Xiano, feeling the growling emptiness of his stomach, headed to the dining hall. The rest of the crew, who also hadn't had breakfast yet, followed suit.
Zeff was already prepared, laughing heartily as he untied his apron:
"Today's breakfast has eighteen options: grilled steak, Naruto ramen, minnow sushi, matcha mousse cake... Everyone, line up and pick your dishes. Hey! Smoker, I told you to use the tongs, not your hands, didn't I?"
With a sharp whoosh, Zeff delivered a powerful kick.
Thud!
Three bumps immediately appeared on Smoker's head. Cursing the old man under his breath, he obediently picked up the tongs.
There was no helping it—in the kitchen and dining hall, Zeff was the boss. Even Xiano had to listen to him.
...
Xiano carried a mountain of dishes to a window-side seat.
He started with a bite of mousse cake to whet his appetite, then stabbed a piece of golden, crispy steak with his fork. The tender, juicy meat burst with flavor in his mouth, making him close his eyes in satisfaction.
"Old Man Zeff's cooking just keeps getting better and better."
He mumbled his praise between bites, then scooped up a spoonful of seafood chowder. The creamy broth was filled with clams and shrimp, the rich aroma tickling his nose.
As the warm soup flowed down his throat, a comforting heat spread from his stomach to his entire body.
So satisfying!
Xiano quickened his pace.
After a night of arduous cultivation, there's nothing more comforting to the body and soul than waking up to a lavish feast.
A full stomach is essential to starting a new day with vigor and enthusiasm!
Speaking of which.
As expected of Zeff.
Eighteen unique and incredibly delicious dishes, all prepared single-handedly in just over an hour.
Good thing I acted quickly back then and got the old man on board.
Otherwise, where would I find such an amazing chef?
The others were also engrossed in eating and drinking heartily. With Zeff in charge of the kitchen, mealtimes were the most relaxed and enjoyable moments for everyone.
"Heh..." Zeff crossed his arms and grinned as he watched the scene.
As a chef, he needed nothing more. Seeing his crewmates silently stuffing their faces with food was the highest praise and recognition of his culinary skills.
However, at that moment.
"Brrrrring! Brrrrring!!!"
The public Den Den Mushi in the restaurant suddenly started ringing with an intensity far more urgent and piercing than usual.
Huh?
What's going on?
Xiano stood up, puzzled, and reached for the receiver. The crew members instinctively looked up, their attention drawn to the commotion.
"Wait a moment, Captain," Smoker suddenly spoke up. "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a call from the Navy."
"The Navy?"
Everyone was surprised. Nami was skeptical, "Really? Cigar guy, the Navy? How did they get our number?"
"They don't need to know," Smoker instinctively pulled out a cigar, ready to light it, but under Zeff's disapproving gaze, he silently put it back.
"Besides the normal communication signals, Den Den Mushi has two other special reactions," he explained, holding two chopsticks in his mouth. "One is suddenly bursting into tears, which happens when someone nearby sends an emergency distress signal. Anyone can do it, and it's quite common."
"The other is like this now. It's a technical method only large organizations like the Navy Headquarters possess. They enhance the signal over a large area and contact all Den Den Mushi in this sea. Generally, they can't pinpoint the target accurately. They use this method only when they need to screen and try each one in a certain area."
"Eh?" Nami widened her eyes. "There's such a thing? I learned something new. So, does that mean the Navy roughly knows which sea we're in now?"
"That's normal," Smoker said gravely. "After all, we just appeared in Alabasta a few days ago. They can guess our route."
But that didn't mean the warships could easily surround them.
After all, a ship isn't a target; it's constantly changing position, not staying still, letting you narrow the encirclement.
The biggest challenge for the Navy in capturing pirates has always been how to catch up with them in the vast sea without losing them.
Just knowing the general sea area is basically useless.
"Anyway, let's answer it first," Xiano shrugged, unfazed, and directly picked up the receiver.
It was strange that the Navy suddenly wanted to talk to him urgently. He was quite curious to see what they were up to.
"Hello?" A serious voice came from the receiver. "I'm a communications officer from the Navy Headquarters, currently ordered to search for traces of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates in this sea. Everyone who answers, please cooperate. If you're not related, you can hang up. But if you have any clues about the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates, you're welcome to provide..."
"I'm Xiano," Xiano said calmly. "Who's your superior? What do you want with me?"
"You're Xiano... Huh?" A startled cry came from the other end. "Mr. Garp! Please come quickly. The person on the other end of the line claims to be that Xiano!"
"Is that so?" Garp's muttering voice came through. "It's not another fake, is it? We've been fooled several times in just this hour. These pranksters, humph, if it weren't for..."
"Old man Garp?"
Xiano raised an eyebrow, interrupting the other person.
"Oh?!!!! This voice sounds so familiar and warm, as if it's the man himself, ahaha, quickly hand the Den Den Mushi to me!!"
Snap!
In the next moment, the Den Den Mushi's face suddenly contorted, transforming into a rugged visage wearing a Dog-head hat.
"Hey! Long time no see, it's me, Garp!"
The Den Den Mushi had half a donut in its mouth, munching it with a crunch while laughing heartily:
"Finally found you, Xiano, you little rascal! It's been quite a hassle trying to get in touch with you!"
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