"Why aren't we heading for Reverse Mountain? Why are we entering the Calm Belt?"
Not feeling a trace of wind around them, Robin quickly deduced where they were.
This was undoubtedly the Calm Belt.
She already knew that Hancock ruled a country located in the Calm Belt.
So naturally, she couldn't help but suspect—
Malverick must be going to see that woman!
"Stop overthinking. Hancock's country is in the other Calm Belt. We're not going to see her."
"As far as I'm concerned, the first half of the Grand Line… aside from a few people, there's really nothing worth visiting."
Malverick had many acquaintances—mostly met during his days with the Roger Pirates.
For example, those three in Water 7.
Even Tom the Fishman wasn't executed yet at this time.
"And besides, I've already traveled through the entire first half with Hancock once.
No need to go again."
Upon hearing this, Robin clenched her teeth and glared at him.
"Hancock this, Hancock that! You only ever mention her! You may as well go die in her arms!"
She felt wronged.
These days, Malverick had mentioned Hancock countless times.
And every night he video-called her on his phone.
She was right next to him, yet he acted like she didn't exist!
"Alright, alright."
Malverick pulled Robin into his arms, but she pushed against him with all her strength.
Realizing she couldn't budge him at all, she punched his chest twice in frustration.
"From now on, don't mention her in front of me!"
"Okay. I'll try."
Two days later, they finally exited the Calm Belt.
Feeling the long-lost sea breeze, Robin stretched out her arms.
"Ahh, fresh wind really feels the best!"
Just as she was enjoying the breeze, a cannonball exploded on the sea not far away, sending up a water column.
"What was that?"
Robin jumped slightly but wasn't afraid.
"Nothing. Just some pirates who don't know their limits."
Malverick looked to their right.
A pirate ship was approaching — dozens of pirates on deck, staring curiously at the giant snail.
Or more accurately, staring at the snail-ship.
"Captain, is that… a snail?"
"Looks like it. And I think people are living on it!"
"Quick, keep firing! We're taking that thing!"
"It'll sell for a fortune!"
As the captain gave the order, all cannons aimed at the snail—
"Fi—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, a beam of light shot across the sea, striking the captain's head and shattering it into a mist of red-and-white matter.
The pirate closest to him was splattered across the face.
Up on the snail-ship, Alice held a special long-range weapon pointed at where the captain had stood.
Romantic Cannon Platform — Pumpkin!
Her specialty: long-distance sniping.
"Hmph. How dare they disturb us."
"Captain, what about the rest of them?"
"Deal with all of them. No need to keep any."
"Yes!"
Alice leapt into the air, and her body transformed.
Her Weapon-Weapon Fruit let her become various firearms.
Her right leg turned into a Gatling gun.
Tatatatatatatatatata—!
A rain of bullets swept the pirate ship, riddling it with holes in moments.
All the pirates were neutralized.
Watching this, Robin was stunned.
This… was the same gentle maid who gave her a massage yesterday?
What on earth had she let this girl do to her?!
"Captain, all targets cleared!"
"Good work."
With that minor incident finished, the group continued toward Sabaody Archipelago.
Along the way, many pirate crews set their sights on the snail-ship—
But all were struck down by Alice's barrage.
Those few who survived briefly… ended up in Xiaobi's stomach.
After eating the Munch-Munch Fruit, Xiaobi's appetite had increased significantly.
She wasn't picky anymore.
Besides her usual meat, she now also ate guns… cannons… swords… even pirate ships.
Of course, these weren't eaten for nothing.
Everything Xiaobi consumed could be converted into part of her body—
Just like Barrett's Fusion-Fusion Fruit.
If she ate enough, she could become a monster just as terrifying.
At Sabaody, in Aunt Shakky's bar, Rayleigh wore an expression of helplessness as he looked at Malverick drinking at the counter.
It had only been a few days, yet they'd run into each other again.
"What? Old man, you don't want to see me?"
Malverick swirled the red wine in his glass.
Rayleigh didn't reply.
"Relax. I'm only staying a few days. Then I'm leaving."
As if Malverick were some disaster bringer.
"There's only three of you this time?"
Rayleigh glanced at the side.
Susanoo and Corazon sat on the sofa.
Xiaobi lay at Malverick's feet.
"No. I brought quite a few. Some are out handling things."
"If you've got something to say, just say it. They're not outsiders."
Malverick could tell Rayleigh had something on his mind.
"A few days ago, Barrett fought Kaido of the Beasts."
Malverick paused in surprise—
But not shock.
"Kaido? I thought Barrett would challenge Whitebeard first."
By now, Whitebeard held the title of World's Strongest Man.
With Barrett's personality, he absolutely wouldn't accept that.
Those two were destined to fight.
"So? Who won?"
"Neither. After two days of fighting, they both retreated."
"Oh? Now that's interesting."
Rayleigh then fixed a deep look at him.
"Barrett… and Ledfield. Why did you release those two?"
He clearly disapproved.
Malverick put down his glass.
"No reason. I just think the world doesn't have enough top-tier fighters. Some people shouldn't rot in Impel Down."
"And besides… I need a few lightning rods."
With everything Malverick had done, once he set foot in the Grand Line, the Navy would definitely go crazy trying to hunt him down.
He was strong, but even he couldn't take on the world alone.
The best way—
Let someone else draw the fire first.
Barrett and Ledfield were both notorious solo monsters — top priority threats to the Marines.
With them stirring chaos, Malverick's pressure would be greatly reduced.
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