Ren was organizing his new ingredient index in his own kitchen. The material reserves of the G-1 fleet were far beyond his imagination. Not only were there rare ingredients from all over the world, but there were also a few experimental nutritional supplements developed by Dr. Vegapunk for studying the physical limits of soldiers. Ren wasn't very interested in the chemical synthetics, but he did discover a few natural plant extracts from the ingredient list that could greatly improve energy conversion efficiency.
"I see. By simmering the juice of this 'Boiling Blood Grass' with the nerve cords of a Sea King, I can create a 'Combat Broth' that can instantly triple muscle activity..." Ren scribbled furiously in his small notebook, his eyes shining with the light of a scientist discovering a new continent. To him, this sea was his largest kitchen, and all enemies and allies were ingredients and diners on his menu, waiting to be developed.
Three days later, the repair work on the Azure Dragon was finally completed. Although there were still some battle scars on the hull that could not be completely repaired, the overall structural integrity was even higher than before. Dolum had used all his strength to weld all the areas that could be reinforced with double-layer alloy plates. The current Azure Dragon was like a black beast wearing heavy armor.
"Captain! We can set sail!" Dolum stood at the brand-new helm and shouted excitedly, like a general about to command an invincible fleet to battle.
"Good!" Rocks leaped up, his voice as loud as a bell. "Alright, boys! Hoist the sails! Set course!"
"OOOH!"
Amid the sky-shaking cheers, the power core of the Azure Dragon let out a low rumble. The massive hull tore through the calm sea, and toward the legendary, most dangerous sea in the world, where the strong gathered like clouds, it sailed resolutely!
After leaving the Maelstrom Sea, the rest of the voyage became exceptionally smooth. The performance of the Azure Dragon far exceeded everyone's imagination. It was like a moving fortress gliding across the sea, ignoring the unpredictable and strange climates of the first half of the Grand Line. After sailing for another ten days, one day, the Azure Dragon entered a sea region that was perennially shrouded in a thick fog. The fog here was strange, a faint milky white. It not only blocked vision but also seemed to be able to block sound and presence. Even Silver's Observation Haki was greatly restricted here.
"This place is a bit off," Gatz shouldered his anchor and looked around warily. He could feel a sticky, uncomfortable dampness in the air.
Dolum gripped the helm, sweat beading on his forehead. "The Log Pose is not working again! The magnetic field here is completely chaotic! It's like we're trapped in a sealed box!"
Just as everyone was on alert, Silver's voice suddenly came from the crow's nest. It was as calm as ever, but with a hint of gravity. "Straight ahead. A ship has been spotted."
Everyone's spirits lifted, and they all looked toward the bow. In the thick fog, a huge black shadow slowly appeared and gradually became clearer. It was a single-masted sailing ship of a peculiar style. The hull was made of an unknown dark wood and looked extremely sturdy. The figurehead was a grinning skull, and on the sail was also a skull wearing a straw hat. The crossed background was not bones, but two sharp swords. That flag was flamboyant, confident, and filled with an infinite desire for adventure.
"Roger..." Rocks looked at the flag and slowly said the name he had been hearing so often lately. For the first time, a truly interested expression appeared on his arrogant face.
"Gurararara, another one with a 'D'. This sea is getting more and more lively," Newgate also walked over. He looked at the ship and grinned.
Just as the two ships were about to pass each other, a hearty laugh came from the other ship. "Wahahaha! You on the ship ahead, you all look pretty strong! Want to come down for a drink?"
A man wearing a straw hat with a black mustache was standing at the bow, one hand on his hip, the other holding a huge wine cup, gesturing to them from afar. He looked unruly, but his eyes, which shone like stars, contained a world-conquering Haki that was in no way inferior to Rocks's. The laughter seemed to have a strange penetrating power, ignoring the thick fog and clearly reaching the deck of the Azure Dragon.
Gatz was stunned for a moment. He scratched his head and asked uncertainly, "Captain, is he talking to us? Does he want to invite us for a drink?"
"No. He's challenging us," the corner of Rocks's lips slowly curved up. It was the aggressive smile of a hunter who has seen its prey. He could clearly feel that hidden beneath the other's seemingly hearty invitation was an equally arrogant desire to compete with the strong. This was the mutual attraction between their kind, the fateful meeting between kings.
"Gol D. Roger..." Rocks muttered the name, the flames in his eyes burning fiercely. He took a step forward and responded in an equally loud voice, "We can drink, but you have to win the fight first!"
"Wahahaha! Interesting! I like straightforward people like you!" The man on Roger's ship burst into laughter again. He drained the wine in his cup and then casually threw the huge cup behind him. A man with shoulder-length blond hair and glasses caught it steadily.
"Roger, don't cause trouble as soon as you meet someone," the blond man said, pushing up his glasses helplessly. His demeanor was calm and sharp, like a famous sword hidden in its sheath.
"This isn't causing trouble, Rayleigh," Roger grinned, showing his white teeth. His gaze was fixed on Rocks on the Azure Dragon, his eyes filled with undisguised excitement and anticipation. "This is the guidance of the sea! It let us meet here so we could have a good fight!"
"Gurararara..." Newgate also began to laugh. He gently planted his naginata on the deck, and an invisible shockwave spread out, blowing away some of the surrounding fog. "You're my kind of guy."
The two pirate crews, representing the future top-tier combat power on the seas, had met by chance in this strange, foggy sea region. And in just a few words, they had ignited a battle that would shock the world. There were no more pre-battle mobilizations, no complex tactical arrangements. For powerhouses of their level, the reason for a fight was often that simple and pure—you look strong, and I want to fight you.
"Alright, boys!" The voices of Rocks and Roger sounded almost simultaneously.
"Prepare for battle!"
"Let's have a party!"
-------
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