Chapter 46 Special Weather on the Grand Line
The going merry sailed on the deep blue sea, its sails hoisted high, and everyone on board was busy.
Miss Nami stood at the stern, watching the log pose, which pointed steadily in one direction, leading them towards Whiskey Peak.
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Lin Ning stood on the deck, practicing their Body Tempering Technique.
The few of them were bare-chested, muscles taut, sweating profusely, and the air was filled with the scent of sweat and power.
"Crack—"
A clap of thunder, and the sky suddenly darkened. The scorching sun was obscured by dark clouds, the temperature plummeted, and snowflakes began to fall.
"What kind of crazy weather is this?!" Usopp, shrinking his neck, pointed at the falling snowflakes. "It was sunny just a moment ago, now it's snowing!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Go shovel the snow!" Nami stood by the helm, already wearing a thick cotton coat.
Her face was full of impatience. "Don't let the snow pile up and affect our navigation!"
Usopp, with a reluctant expression, took a shovel and began to clear the snow from the deck, muttering incessantly:
"What kind of weather is this! It was summer just now, and now it's winter. Is a tornado coming next?"
"It's thundering…" Miss Wednesday, wrapped in a blanket, poked her head out of the cabin, looking at the lightning flashing in the snow.
Her face was full of helplessness. "This is the Grand Line."
"The Grand Line?" Usopp turned his head, his face full of confusion.
"Is this chaotic weather normal for the Grand Line?"
Miss Wednesday snorted, a hint of pride in her tone:
"It seems you people know nothing about the Grand Line! I don't know how you managed to get through Reverse Mountain alive."
"Hey! What do you mean?!" Usopp immediately felt indignant, putting his hands on his hips and saying, "We are a very powerful pirate crew!"
"Whether you're powerful or not has nothing to do with the Grand Line's weather." Miss Wednesday wrapped her blanket tighter, her tone serious.
"Listen up, the weather in the Grand Line is completely different from ordinary seas outside. The weather rules here are utterly chaotic!"
"Chaotic?" Nami raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Every sea area in the Grand Line is affected by island magnetic fields." Miss Wednesday patiently explained.
"The magnetic field of each island interferes with the weather System, causing the weather in different areas to be completely different.
One second it might be sunny, the next it's a downpour; it might be summer here, and a kilometer further it's winter.
Trying to predict the weather? It's impossible!"
"So that's why?" Nami looked thoughtfully at the dark clouds in the distance. Snowflakes were still falling, and lightning flashed continuously.
"Of course, that's not all." Miss Wednesday continued.
"On the Grand Line, there are also strange winds, storms, tornadoes, and even climate superposition.
For example, thunder during a snowfall, or the sun suddenly coming out during a strong wind—these are all normal here."
"Normal?" Usopp's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Miss Wednesday raised an eyebrow. "What you're seeing now is just the daily routine of the Grand Line."
"What a troublesome place." Nami sighed, crossing her arms, her gaze becoming more solemn.
"It seems my navigation skills alone are not enough to cope with this environment."
"That's why you need a log pose." Miss Wednesday shrugged.
"Only a log pose can take you to the next island; otherwise, relying on an ordinary compass, you wouldn't even find the direction."
"Hmph, you talk as if you're so amazing."
"Aren't you guys also shivering wrapped in blankets?"
Zoro snorted, continuing his Body Tempering Technique practice.
His bare-chested body steamed with heat, like a large furnace, melting all the snow that fell near him.
"That's different!" Mr.9 shivered as he poked his head out of the cabin. "You monsters are practicing bare-chested in the snow; how can we normal people compare?!"
"Less talk!" Lin Ning said coldly, glancing at the two. "If you can't even adapt to this weather, don't talk about surviving in the Grand Line."
"You people are all crazy!" Mr.9 shrank his neck and hid back in the cabin, not daring to say more.
"In short, you must remember one thing." Miss Wednesday sat at the cabin door, looking at the snowy scenery and saying,
"On the Grand Line, the only constant is its change."
"Change?" Nami looked at the log pose on her wrist and whispered, "It seems this really is a difficult adventure…"
The snow fell heavier, and the deck was quickly covered with a thick layer of snow. Usopp was shoveling when he was suddenly startled by a clap of thunder, jumping up:
"Hey! Why is it thundering again? Is this winter or summer?!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Get to work!" Nami picked up a snow broom and tapped Usopp's shovel. "If the snow on the ship isn't cleared, there will be problems with navigation!"
"Got it, got it…" Usopp mumbled softly while shoveling snow.
"With this chaotic weather, I really don't know if we can safely reach Whiskey Peak…"
Just then, Miss Wednesday suddenly looked at Miss Nami, with a hint of doubt in her tone:
"Hey, Miss Nami, you haven't touched the helm since just now. Is that really okay?"
"Ah?" Nami was startled, looking down at the log pose on her wrist. "Don't worry, I confirmed the direction just now."
As soon as she finished speaking, her gaze fell on the log pose again, and she instantly screamed: "What?! Something's wrong!"
"What happened?!" Sanji heard Nami's scream, immediately stopped his training, and hurriedly asked, "Is there a problem with the direction?"
"Of course there's a problem!" Nami grabbed the helm with one hand and pointed at the log pose with the other. "Quick! Turn the ship around one hundred eighty degrees! Hurry!"
"One hundred eighty degrees?" Usopp looked bewildered, hugging the mast and asking, "Why are we turning back?"
"You idiot!" Nami yelled exasperatedly,
"Our ship has completely turned around and is going in the opposite direction! I didn't pay attention to the log pose for a moment, and we went off course!"
"It can go off course like that?" Miss Wednesday frowned, a hint of skepticism in her tone.
"Miss Nami, do you really understand navigation? In the Grand Line, you can't trust anything; the only thing you can trust is the log pose!"
"What did you say?!" Nami instantly became furious, turning to glare at Miss Wednesday.
"Shut up! Don't act so superior here! Go shovel snow!"
Miss Wednesday was startled by Nami's roar and could only grumble indignantly as she pulled Mr.9 to get shovels.
"Usopp! Hoist the mainsail!" Nami commanded loudly.
"Understood!" Usopp grumbled as he climbed the mast. "What a hassle! This wretched weather won't let anyone rest!"
"Sanji, take the helm!" Nami then shouted.
"Received!" Sanji wiped the snow from his hands and quickly ran to the helm, gripping the wheel tightly and turning it with force.
Under everyone's busy efforts, the going merry slowly turned its bow and sailed back in the correct direction.
Strangely, the sky, which had been snowing heavily just a moment ago, suddenly became calm and sunny, with sunlight casting a long-lost warmth on the sails.
"This weather is too bizarre!" Usopp wiped the sweat from his forehead. "It was freezing cold just now, and now it's so warm."
Nami looked up at the sky, her expression growing more solemn: "Don't let your guard down; the weather in the Grand Line is never predictable."
Sure enough, the warm sunlight didn't last long, and a thick fog gradually rose from the sea.
The visibility was obscured by the vast white mist, and the entire world seemed to be enveloped in a labyrinth.
"Everyone, be careful." Nami stood at the bow, her gaze vigilantly scanning her surroundings. "This kind of fog is not a good sign."
As the going merry sailed forward, a massive dark shadow appeared in the fog.
"It's an iceberg!" Usopp shrieked, pointing ahead. "A giant iceberg!"
"Damn it! Too close!" Sanji gripped the helm, turning it hard. "Our vision is blocked by the fog; we can't completely avoid it!"Chapter 47 A New Method of Cultivation
Just as the rapidly moving going merry was about to crash into an iceberg, and everyone held their breath in tension.
Lin Ning stood at the front of the deck, his halberd resting quietly on the ground. His gaze was stern, and his Aura suddenly surged.
"Boom—!"
Lin Ning tightened his grip on the halberd, gently raised it, and then swung it forward with a fierce motion.
A black-red Armament Haki surged on the halberd. A lightning-like red glow, accompanied by whistling wind, formed a sharp slash that shot directly towards the iceberg.
"Boom!"
The giant iceberg was instantly split in half by the impact of the slash, and chunks of ice fell into the sea with a shattering sound.
This stirred up towering splashes, and the going merry successfully passed through the created gap.
"So strong..." Miss Wednesday stared blankly at Lin Ning's burly back, her eyes filled with shock. "What kind of monster is this guy?"
"Hmph, you'll get used to it." Nami glanced at her, a hint of pride in her tone. "Lin Ning's abilities are far more than just this."
"Lin Ning's Armament Haki has gotten even stronger!" Sanji lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exclaimed, "I need to hurry up with my training too!"
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a red light suddenly flashed in Lin Ning's pupils. He stood at the bow of the ship, his gaze profound, seemingly piercing through the thick fog.
"What's wrong now?" Usopp noticed Lin Ning's expression and asked nervously, "There isn't another iceberg, is there?"
"It's not an iceberg," Lin Ning said in a low voice, tightening his grip on the halberd slightly. "Something is coming."
"Something?" Nami looked at him in confusion. "What something?"
Lin Ning didn't answer, instead gesturing to Zoro.
Zoro grinned, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes. He slowly drew sandai kitetsu from his waist and said coldly, "Looks like I need to stretch my muscles."
"Wait, what's going on?" Usopp was still confused. "What are you talking about?"
Zoro stepped to the bow, gripping his long sword, his sharp gaze fixed on the depths of the fog. "Leave the rest to me."
On the deck, Zoro held sandai kitetsu, his gaze deep, the sharp glint reflected in the scabbard sending shivers down one's spine.
He slowly walked to the bow, his steps steady, his Aura imposing.
"What is Zoro doing?" Nami frowned, watching him draw sandai kitetsu. "Is he putting on such a big show because he wants to practice his sword again?"
Usopp shrank his neck, staring at the sword in Zoro's hand, muttering, "He's not going to try and split the bow, is he?"
"You people are really slow." Miss Wednesday poked her head out of the cabin, looking at Zoro's back. "By the look of him, he must have found something."
Luffy and Sanji both stopped what they were doing, smiles on their faces, as if they already knew what was about to happen.
Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, said lazily, "Hmph, Mosshead got there first!"
Nami was startled and asked, "What do you mean?"
Before she could finish her question, a huge wave suddenly surged in the sea in front of the going merry, the water turbulent, as if some colossal creature was churning beneath the surface.
Immediately after, a massive black shadow burst out of the water, bringing with it astonishing splashes, and lunged towards the going merry.
"Oh my goodness!" Usopp screamed, hugging the mast, his voice completely changed. "What... what is that?!"
"A sea... sea fish?" Nami's eyes widened, her face turning pale as she looked at the giant beast before her. "How is this fish several times bigger than the going merry?!"
Mr.9 screamed, clutching his head, "It's over, it's over! We're dead now!"
"This guy thinks the going merry is lunch!" Miss Wednesday's face was ashen, her voice tinged with fear. "Run! Otherwise, we'll be eaten!"
But while the others were in a panic, Lin Ning, Luffy, and Sanji showed no signs of tension; instead, they grinned.
"The meat of this fish looks good." Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, evaluated it with utmost seriousness. "It should be very tender."
"We just happen to need to replenish our food," Lin Ning said calmly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Our training volume has increased recently, so we need to eat more."
"Leave it to Zoro!" Luffy said with a cheerful grin. "Zoro hasn't gone all out in a long time."
The giant sea fish opened its massive, blood-red mouth, a foul stench assailing them, and its enormous shadow enveloped the entire going merry.
Just as it was about to pounce onto the ship, Zoro moved.
"Clang—"
The sound of sandai kitetsu being drawn from its sheath was crisp and sharp, instantly cutting through the roar of the raging waves.
Zoro's hand holding the sword was as steady as a rock, the blade enveloped in Armament Haki.
"Hmph." Zoro's lips curved slightly upwards, his Aura instantly surging. "One-Sword Style: Iai — Lion's Song!"
Accompanied by a low shout, Zoro's body and sword moved simultaneously.
He drew his sword at an extremely fast speed, and then quickly sheathed it, the entire movement executed in one fluid motion, swift as lightning.
Only a formidable Sword Qi was left in the air, soaring upwards, like a sharp blade cutting through the sky.
"Boom—!"
The Sword Qi sliced through the giant sea fish. The colossal creature paused in mid-air, then was instantly cut in half down the middle.
Blood rained down, and the two severed halves of the corpse crashed heavily into the sea, stirring up colossal waves.
"What..." Mr.9 stared blankly at the scene, his gaze fixed on Zoro. "One sword... he split that monster fish with one sword?!"
"This... is this the strength of a Great Swordsman?!" Miss Wednesday's voice trembled.
She stared at Zoro, who stood at the bow, as if she was looking at something unbelievable.
"Zoro is really getting stronger and stronger." Nami stood at the stern, admiration in her tone.
Sanji extinguished his cigarette butt and excitedly ran to the side of the ship, looking at the huge fish meat floating on the sea:
"The best parts of this fish absolutely cannot be wasted!" He jumped to the side of the ship, grabbed his tools, and began to busy himself.
"How extravagant." Usopp stood on the mast, watching Sanji collect the fish meat, muttering, "Such a huge amount of fish meat, and we can only take a portion."
Lin Ning walked over to Zoro, his gaze sweeping over the sea fish that had been cut in half, a hint of approval in his tone:
"Not bad, your sword skills have improved a lot from before; you've already reached the level of a Great Swordsman."
"Hmph, it's still far from enough." Zoro grinned, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his tone firm,
"My goal is to become the World's Strongest Swordsman, and I'm still a long way from that."
"Such grand ambition." Miss Wednesday's lips twitched slightly, and she muttered in a low voice, "What kind of people are these guys? Each one of them is so abnormal."
"You'll get used to it." Nami stood by, a hint of teasing in her tone. "Being with them, if you don't get scared for three days, that's considered progress."
Lin Ning glanced at Luffy and Zoro, his eyebrows slightly raised: "I have a new idea!"
"What?" Luffy and Zoro looked over at Lin Ning. Even Sanji, who was collecting fish meat, cocked his ear to listen.
"Our daily training is too monotonous, and without actual combat, it's not enough," Lin Ning said with a faint smile, then continued:
"Practicing Armament Haki and Observation Haki on the ship doesn't allow us to really stretch our limbs; we need a bigger place!"
"We can conduct an indiscriminate combat drill on the island we're about to reach next, to test the results of our training!"
"What?!" Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji's faces all turned green, feeling that Lin Ning was once again trying to mess with them.
The three of them remembered the fear of being dominated by Lin Ning when they were just training Observation Haki and Armament Haki.
"What's wrong? If you have an opinion, you can voice it!" Lin Ning clenched his fist, making a cracking sound.
"Nothing!!!" The three of them shouted in unison.Chapter 48 Arrival at Whisky Island
The sea wind howled, and the going merry sailed through the magnificent Grand Line, riding the waves.
The sails were hoisted high, the sun shone on the deck, and everything looked full of vitality.
Although there were constant storms along the way, with the assistance of Lin Ning and Luffy, the going merry sailed exceptionally smoothly, getting closer and closer to Whiskey Peak.
On the deck, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji stood shirtless, all nearly two meters tall, appearing tall and robust.
Their well-proportioned muscles gleamed in the sunlight, and steaming heat enveloped their bodies.
They gritted their teeth, persevering in their Body Tempering Technique training, sweat dripping down their cheeks onto the deck.
"Hmph, not bad," Lin Ning stood to the side, his gaze calmly sweeping over the three, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"As expected, the pressure of actual combat drills is best at unleashing their potential; even their training is more desperate now."
Luffy gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his arms, shouting, "I can't let Lin Ning beat me up again! This time, I'm definitely going to hit back!"
Zoro clenched his fists, sweat continuously dripping from his forehead:
"As long as my physical strength improves a little more, my Armament Haki will become stronger! By then, I'll definitely be able to block Lin Ning's attacks head-on!"
Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, had a determined gaze, his footwork as swift as a gale:
"Hmph, I can't always be suppressed by that guy Lin Ning; I don't want to always be in the back."
To further improve their strength and avoid being thoroughly beaten by Lin Ning at Whiskey Peak, the three used every ounce of their energy.
They diligently used the Body Tempering Technique to enhance their physical fitness, knowing that physical strength was fundamental.
Only then could they unleash stronger combat power and make their Armament Haki more robust.
Only then could they counterattack under Lin Ning's offensive instead of being passively beaten; this was the key.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji all possessed the heart of a strong person and an indomitable will.
Moreover, they had methods to quickly become stronger, which is why they trained so hard.
They were all making their final efforts for the no-holds-barred combat drill at Whiskey Peak.
None of them wanted to be left far behind by Lin Ning.
The same belief emanated from them—to become stronger beings, not to be suppressed by anyone.
It was this indomitable will that made the three fight with all their might.
On the other side, Nami and Usopp stood by the deck, watching the trio's training with complex expressions.
"These guys are really monsters, even though I'm used to it..." Usopp folded his arms, unable to help but click his tongue.
"They're all red and steaming, yet they can train so hard; they're practically not human."
"Don't complain," Nami sighed.
"Although we're long used to their rigorous training, to be honest, their progress speed is unsettling."
Usopp scratched his head, a hint of nervousness on his face: "If we don't work harder, we'll be left far behind by them sooner or later..."
"That's right," Nami nodded, a trace of determination in her eyes.
"When we reach Whiskey Peak, we also need to find a way to intensify our training; we can't always let them widen the gap."
After the training, Lin Ning and the three of them feasted on a giant grilled fish on the deck.
Sanji neatly skewered the pre-prepared fish onto an iron rack, emitting an enticing aroma.
The group devoured the food, leaving no bones, clearly unable to stop due to the hunger brought on by the training.
"This fish is great; let's catch a few more next time!" Luffy, his mouth full of fish, shouted loudly.
"Indeed, this texture is perfect for replenishment after training," Lin Ning nodded in evaluation. "Sanji, next time, pay more attention to selecting more nutritious parts."
"Got it, got it," Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, didn't stop, continuing to flip the fish on the grill.
Suddenly, Nami's voice came: "Whiskey Peak has arrived!"
Everyone looked up, and sure enough, a small island appeared on the distant sea, its outline gradually becoming clear.
Lush vegetation covered the island's slopes, and the harbor by the shore appeared quiet and peaceful.
As the going merry approached the harbor, Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday exchanged glances, complex expressions on their faces. They stood by the deck, their expressions grave.
"Thank you for bringing us back, but we'll handle what comes next ourselves," Miss Wednesday said in a heavy tone.
"We need to hurry back and persuade the people on the island not to attack you," Mr. 9's voice carried a hint of panic. "Otherwise... they'll be completely wiped out by you."
After speaking, without waiting for the others to react, the two jumped directly into the sea and swam towards the shore, leaving the bewildered group on the deck.
"What exactly are these two guys so anxious about?" Usopp scratched his head. "How dangerous are the people on the island?"
"Dangerous?" Lin Ning sneered. "Rather, they're worried about their own people being taken out by us, aren't they?"
"Nami, how long do we need to stay on this island?" Lin Ning asked, his tone calm.
"The log pose indicates it will take one day to fully charge," Nami replied while looking at the compass.
"One day is enough," Lin Ning nodded, his gaze sweeping over Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. "Enough for us to have a real combat drill."
Upon hearing this, a spark of excitement simultaneously flashed in the eyes of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji.
Whiskey Peak's harbor was very dilapidated, the wooden pier creaking.
The few small fishing boats nearby swayed as if they could be swallowed by the waves at any moment.
The going merry slowly docked, and Lin Ning's group moored the ship, then walked along the narrow gangplank towards the shore.
"This place doesn't look very good," Usopp wrinkled his nose, looking at the dilapidated houses in the distance. "The houses are about to collapse; do people really live here?"
"Stop talking nonsense," Lin Ning's gaze was calm. He raised a hand and pointed to the barren mountain in the distance. "We're not going to the residential area; we'll settle it over there."
On the barren mountain, the wind howled, dry grass swayed with the wind, and the ground underfoot was covered with gravel and dirt.
Lin Ning stood in the center of the hillside, the halberd in his hand vibrating slightly, its sharp blade reflecting a cold glint.
He turned and glanced at Nami and Usopp: "You two stand back; this isn't something you can interfere with."
"Got it, got it," Usopp mumbled, quickly retreating to a safe distance with Nami.
"Finally!" Luffy stretched his wrists, his face full of excitement. "I'm ready for a big fight!"
"Just in time to test my recent progress," Zoro gripped his sword hilt, his gaze sharp. "Lin Ning, be careful not to get cut by me!"
"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time," Sanji grinned, the corner of his mouth with the cigarette slightly upturned. "This time, I can properly test the results of my training."
Lin Ning gently inserted the halberd into the ground, crossed his arms, and coldly swept his gaze over them:
"Alright, no need for more talk. This is a barren mountain, so you can fight however you want.
The rules are simple: Observation Haki and Armament Haki can be used freely, and weapons are also allowed.
But remember, Haoshoku is forbidden. Whoever stands last is the winner."
"Haha, awesome!" Luffy grinned, a faint black Armament Haki appearing on his fists. "Come on, let me see your strength!"
"I'm just afraid you won't last until the end," Zoro snorted coldly, drawing his wado ichimonji, the blade trembling slightly, emitting a chilling coldness.
"Don't hog the spotlight," Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, stepping lightly, and the ground actually cracked.
"This time, I'm going to show you what a real fight is."
"Stop talking nonsense," Lin Ning said indifferently, gripping the halberd tightly in his hand. "Let's begin!"Chapter 49 Fierce Melee
On the desolate mountain, the strong wind stirred up dust, and dark clouds rolled in the sky, signaling the imminent battle.
Lin Ning stood with a halberd in his hand, his feet slightly apart, his Aura as majestic as a mountain.
Opposite him, Zoro held two swords, biting wado ichimonji in his mouth, and the Armament Haki on all three swords emitted a cold glow.
The blades trembled slightly, like a leopard poised to strike.
Sanji stood on the other side, a wisp of smoke curling from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with calmness and sharpness.
The stones beneath his feet cracked slightly from his gentle exertion, and his legs were enveloped in pitch-black Armament Haki, faintly radiating a scorching heat.
Luffy clenched his fists, a excited smile on his face, black Haki patterns appearing on his fists, and his body trembled slightly with Battle Intent.
The four stood in a square formation, the air thick with an imminent sense of battle.
"Lin Ning, this time I'm definitely going to send you flying!" Luffy was the first to speak, his smile bright, yet filled with intense fighting spirit.
"Try it," Lin Ning's voice was low and steady as he tightened his grip on the halberd.
"Stop talking nonsense, my swords can't wait any longer!" Zoro bit wado ichimonji, stomped his foot, and shot towards Lin Ning like an arrow, "Onigiri!"
Zoro's figure transformed into a gust of wind, his dual blades slashing forward fiercely.
At the same time, the wado ichimonji in his mouth also struck horizontally with a sharp Aura, forming three intersecting attacks aimed directly at Lin Ning's chest.
"Hmph," Lin Ning sneered, suddenly raising his halberd, its blade covered in dense Armament Haki, and it collided fiercely with Zoro's three swords.
"Boom!"
A tremendous crash echoed through the desolate mountain, and Zoro's body was instantly sent flying like a cannonball, heavily impacting the rock wall dozens of meters away.
"Bang!"
The rock wall instantly collapsed, stones fractured, dust flew, and a huge deep pit appeared on the rock wall, with Zoro embedded in it, blood spilling from his mouth.
Nami and Usopp, watching from a distance, were dumbfounded.
"Zoro won't be beaten to death, will he?!" Usopp's voice trembled with fear, "Lin Ning is too ruthless!"
"He should... be okay, right?" Nami's tone also held uncertainty, "But with that kind of impact, if it were us, we'd definitely be dead instantly."
"Not enough power!" Just as Lin Ning retracted his halberd, Luffy's voice came to his ear: "Gum-Gum Pistol!"
Luffy's arm suddenly stretched, his fist covered in black Armament Haki, and it smashed towards Sanji with a whistling gust of wind.
"Don't underestimate me!" Sanji sneered, tapping his foot, instantly vanishing from his spot. The next second, his right leg was already raised high, "Diable Jambe!"
"Bang!"
Luffy's fist and Sanji's leg collided in mid-air, creating a wave of Qi under the enhancement of Armament Haki, stirring up dust from the ground and flattening vegetation.
"Hehe, Sanji, you're still a bit short on strength!" Luffy grinned, the power in his fist suddenly increasing again.
"Damn it!" Sanji gritted his teeth, but it was already too late to retreat.
His body was suppressed by Luffy's strength, and he flew out like a kite with a broken string, crashing onto the ground in the distance, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Sanji slowly got up, exhaling a puff of smoke, the smile on his face growing wider: "That was quite something, again!"
Just as Sanji was sent flying, Lin Ning's figure suddenly appeared in front of Luffy.
"Too slow, Luffy," Lin Ning said coldly, raising the halberd in his hand high, its blade whistling as it chopped down fiercely.
Luffy's Observation Haki detected danger, but Lin Ning's speed was too fast. He could only grit his teeth and retract his fist.
"Gum-Gum Bullet!" His Armament Haki-covered fist suddenly shot out, colliding with Lin Ning's halberd blade.
"Boom—!"
A massive sonic boom spread, and Luffy's body was instantly sent flying by Lin Ning's power, tracing a long arc and heavily crashing onto the ground dozens of meters away.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, a huge crater was smashed into the ground, and smoke and dust billowed.
Luffy was embedded in the pit, blood on his lips, gasping as he looked at Lin Ning in the distance.
Not far away, bounty hunters hiding in the residential area watched this scene through binoculars, cold sweat streaming down their faces.
"My god, these monsters... and we wanted their bounties?"
"Thank goodness we listened to Mr.9 and Miss Wednesday, otherwise we'd be dead without a trace!"
"Quick, write this down! Absolutely do not provoke these guys!"
The bounty hunters buzzed with discussion... Zoro, embedded in the rock wall, slowly got up, spitting out a mouthful of blood foam, his gaze cold and resolute.
"One-Sword Style, Lion's Song!"
He quickly got up and rushed towards the battlefield, gripping his sword hilt with both hands, unleashing a fierce slash, the Sword Qi heading straight for Lin Ning's chest.
A red light flashed in Lin Ning's eyes. His Observation Haki perceived the trajectory of the Sword Qi, and he subtly shifted his body, letting the Sword Qi graze past him.
"Too slow," Lin Ning commented coldly.
"Damn it!" Zoro gritted his teeth, charging at Lin Ning again, his three swords cutting dazzling cold light through the air.
Sanji seized the opportunity, rushing out from the other side with a "Collier Shoot!" aiming directly at Lin Ning's neck, but Lin Ning easily dodged it, then kicked him away.
Luffy attacked from behind, "Gum-Gum Whip!" His leg whistled through the air as it lashed towards Lin Ning.
Lin Ning raised his halberd, colliding fiercely with Luffy's foot, and a wave of Qi swept out, both sides simultaneously pushed back.
"Warm-up's over," Lin Ning steadied himself, saying coldly, "Next, let's get serious."
"Hmph, bring it on!" Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji all grinned simultaneously, their Aura climbing once more.
The sun hung high in the sky, the dark clouds had dispersed, and the scorching sunlight bathed the desolate mountain, the surrounding vegetation swaying gently in the strong wind.
Lin Ning stood calmly in the center of the battlefield, holding his halberd, like an unshakeable mountain.
His gaze swept around; Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji each occupied a corner, their eyes burning, their Battle Intent high.
"Don't let him stand there laughing at us!" Luffy grinned, the Armament Haki on his fists flickering with black light, "Let's go, take him down!"
"Hmph, just don't hold me back," Zoro gritted his teeth, his three swords covered in dense Haki, their sharp blades bloodthirsty like wild beasts, gleaming with cold light.
Sanji, cigarette dangling from his mouth, curled a cold smile: "Opportunities for a group attack like this don't come often, I won't hold back."
Zoro was the first to charge out, stomping his foot, his entire body transforming into a gust of wind, his three swords cutting through the air, rushing towards Lin Ning with a fierce whistle.
"Tiger Hunt!"
Three slashes intersected, their Saber Qi tearing through the earth, reaching Lin Ning in an instant.
"Still not fast enough," Lin Ning snorted coldly, gently twirling his halberd. The Armament Haki covering its blade suddenly erupted, colliding with the three swords.
"Boom!"
The sound of the collision was like thunder, the powerful impact cracking the ground and sending shattered stones flying.
Zoro's body was sent flying by the immense recoil, but he quickly attacked again.Chapter 50 Princess Vivi
"This level is far from enough!" Lin Ning retracted his halberd and shouted, "Show me all the results of your recent hard training!"
"Attack me with the intent to kill, let me see your capacity!"
"And I will not hold back; I will unleash all your potential. Breakthrough yourselves in battle!"
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji heard Lin Ning's words, and the boiling blood in their bodies surged even higher.
Their already soaring Battle Intent became even more vigorous, and a determination to overcome everything rose within their hearts.
Seizing the opportunity while Lin Ning was speaking, Sanji quickly rushed out from the side.
The Armament Haki on his feet faintly glowed with a scorching red light: "Diable Jambe: Collier Shot!"
His figure was like a swift gale, carrying a strong Aura, kicking directly at Lin Ning's neck.
"Petty tricks," Lin Ning said softly, tapping his foot. His body swayed slightly like flowing water, dodging Sanji's kick.
At the same time, he counter-attacked with a backhand, the tail end of the halberd heavily striking Sanji's abdomen.
"Bang!"
Sanji's body flew out like a cannonball, crashing onto the ground and raising a cloud of dust.
Sanji gritted his teeth, covered his abdomen, and stood up, spitting out a mouthful of blood, yet he grinned and said, "As expected, it's quite a kick!"
Luffy leaped up, his fist stretched to its limit, Armament Haki covering his fist, striking Lin Ning with a fierce gust of wind: "Gum-Gum Bullet!"
"Head-on?" Lin Ning sneered, raising his halberd high, and it collided fiercely with Luffy's fist.
"Boom!"
The aftermath of the collision swept around like a hurricane, the ground cracked, and gravel flew into the sky.
Luffy's body was repelled by the powerful impact, crashing heavily onto the ground, raising a sky full of dust.
As soon as Lin Ning stabilized himself, Zoro had already rushed forward again: "Three Sword Style, Tornado!"
He spun his body rapidly, wielding his three swords to unleash a powerful Sword Qi, sweeping towards Lin Ning like a storm.
At the same time, Sanji attacked from behind with a "Mouton Shot!" directly kicking Lin Ning's lower back.
"Interesting," Lin Ning said in a low voice, suddenly swinging his halberd. A slash cut through the air, directly cleaving Zoro's Sword Qi.
Then, he turned around, raising his foot to meet Sanji's attack. Their soles collided, emitting a muffled thud.
"Bang!"
Sanji was kicked away again, but Zoro's Saber Qi seized the opportunity to close in.
Lin Ning raised his halberd, easily blocking the attack, then struck fiercely, pushing Zoro's body back several steps.
As time passed, the trio's cooperation became more and more synchronized, and the battle grew increasingly fierce.
Luffy's "Gum-Gum Gatling" repeatedly struck Lin Ning's halberd, creating countless Qi waves;
Zoro's "Lion's Song" constantly pressed against Lin Ning's defense, but it was easily resolved by him;
Sanji's "Diable Jambe," though swift, still couldn't Breakthrough Lin Ning's offensive.
"Too strong!" Luffy panted, his fists trembling slightly. "Lin Ning, this guy has no weaknesses!"
"Less talk!" Zoro gritted his teeth, gripping his swords. "Keep attacking! We'll find an opportunity sooner or later!"
"Then let's see," Lin Ning smiled slightly, his Aura suddenly changing. The halberd in his hand drew a sharp arc, directly pressing towards the three of them.
As time passed, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji gradually became covered in wounds.
However, with their strong physical recovery, the wounds healed quickly, but new ones were soon added.
All three fought with all their might, and their strength grew rapidly in battle.
The sun set, night fell, but the aftermath of the battle still didn't cease.
The four fought from one end of the barren mountain to the other; the ground was covered with cracks and craters, the wild grass and trees had long been overturned by the Qi waves, and the air was filled with the smell of scorched earth.
Sanji finally collapsed from exhaustion. He sat on the ground, panting, and managed to force a smile: "It seems I've reached my limit."
He had reached his limit, covered in wounds, and his body's recovery ability was slowly weakening as the battle progressed.
Only Lin Ning, Luffy, and Zoro remained in the arena.
"Again!" Luffy gritted his teeth, clenching his fists again, covered in wounds but showing no sign of retreat.
"Hmph!" Zoro's chest was covered in scars, his white shirt long torn, but his Battle Intent remained fervent.
Both rushed towards Lin Ning simultaneously, their fists and blades lunging at their opponent with their last vestiges of strength.
"Please... help me!"
A weak voice broke the rhythm of the battle. Miss Wednesday, riding a giant duck, fell from the hillside, covered in wounds.
The few of them paused, their gaze turning to her. Before she could speak further, a low male voice came from the hillside: "Today, no one can save you!"
In the night, two blurred figures, one male and one female, slowly appeared.
"Princess Vivi, you really ran fast," the man's tone was low and cold. His gaze swept over Lin Ning and the others with a hint of disdain.
"Looks like you found helpers?" the woman chuckled softly. "But these people don't seem like much, covered in rags like beggars about to collapse!"
Nami, who was hiding in the distance, heard the commotion and quickly walked to Vivi's side with her long legs, helping the wounded Vivi up from the ground.
"Why do they call you Princess Vivi?" Nami asked Vivi curiously.
At this moment, Princess Vivi's slender figure was covered in wounds, her blue hair draped over her shoulders.
Her long and well-proportioned legs were exposed beneath her shorts, but her face, filled with despair and hatred, marred her beauty.
"I am the Princess of Alabasta. To find out who is destroying my country and my people, I infiltrated Baroque Works!"
"They are Mr.5 and Miss Valentine from Baroque Works..."
Vivi seemed to grasp at a lifeline. At this moment, she had placed all her hope on the Straw Hat Pirates.
The miserable-looking Vivi successfully swayed Nami's sympathy.
The man chasing Vivi walked in front, a cold sneer on his lips, his hands in his pockets, his steps composed yet radiating an undeniable Aura.
He was Mr.5, as Vivi had called him, a Devil Fruit User of the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, wearing a dark trench coat, with slightly curly hair and cold, sharp eyes.
The woman followed closely behind, holding a yellow polka-dot parasol, her steps light and elegant.
A sweet smile hung on her pretty face, but that smile carried a venomous chill.
It was Miss Valentine. Miss Valentine had a slender and tall figure, her long legs appearing even more shapely and attractive, accentuated by her yellow bodycon skirt.
Her golden short hair was neat and smooth, her face delicate, her eyes large and bright, her eyebrows long and curved, and the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, her smile carrying a sweet cunning.
The hem of her yellow bodycon skirt swayed gently with her movements, and the white high heels on her feet added a touch of sexiness and elegance to her.