Chapter 119 - 7

Chapter 209Zoro, who had been dozing in a corner of the deck, suddenly woke up. He let out a yawn and, without a word, shouldered his swords and walked straight off the ship."Hey! Zoro! Where are you going by yourself?" Usopp hurriedly called out.Zoro looked back and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Going for a walk. What's wrong?"Usopp was nearly at his breaking point, clutching his head with both hands. "Don't go! I'm begging you!"Sanji also couldn't help but curse loudly, "Just forget it, you super lost cause! This is an archipelago made up of 79 islands! The terrain is incredibly complex, and finding you will be a nightmare!"A cross-shaped vein popped on Zoro's forehead as he retorted, "Who's going to get lost?! How could anyone get lost in a place like this!"He pointed at the giant trees in the distance. "Isn't the number clearly written on every tree? At worst, if I can't find my way, I'll just ask someone! Even a three-year-old child could find their way back!"Usopp looked at him in shock. "You... you actually have that much IQ?!"Sanji was also stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Zoro to say something so logical. He scratched his head, his tone softening slightly. "Uh, it seems we underestimated you. Sorry. Then, be careful on the way."But he still added an uneasy warning, "Be sure to ask for directions humbly! You absolutely cannot trust your own sense of direction!"Zoro was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged. "How chilling!"He turned away indignantly and walked forward with great strides, muttering to himself, "Just remember the numbers. Hmm, we came from Number 44, and this is Area 1. If I can't find my way back later, I'll just have someone take me back to Area 1."Isn't this simple?He walked along with full confidence, completely unaware that a large, colorful bubble that had just floated by happened to obscure a part of the number on the giant tree in his line of sight. He only saw the 1, but after the bubble floated up, the number 41 was revealed."Those guys actually look down on me that much."Zoro thought resentfully as he walked, complaining, "Who would get lost in a place like this! They talk about me like I'm some hopeless lost cause."Meanwhile, Luffy's group had already boarded the characteristic transportation of the Sabaody Archipelago—Bubble Bikes.This was an interesting mode of transport where a wooden board device was attached to a tough bubble; by pedaling, an air current was ejected from the back of the platform to propel it forward.Luffy rode one, with little Merry sitting excitedly on the crossbar in front of him, hands tightly gripping the handlebars, while Nami sat sideways on the platform behind him, her arms naturally circling his waist.Vivi, Robin, and Bonney shared one, Nika carried Chopper and Camie, and Hatchan rode one himself, carrying the stylish starfish Papyg.Hatchan had initially been strongly opposed to Camie going ashore, worried about her safety.Although she was disguised, there were many criminals in the Sabaody Archipelago with sharp eyes who could easily target Camie."Leave the safety to me," Luffy said with a smile."Don't worry, he'll do what he promised," Namiadded.Luffy had promised to send Arlongs Crew flying, and the fact was he directly hit a home run.Compared to that, Nami looked at the prosperous commercial streets around her, unable to suppress her shopping soul.After resolving Luffy's business, she would invite Vivi and Robin to go to the shopping street together!While heading toward the place Hatchan mentioned, they also shopped along the way.Until they left the commercial district and arrived at Peninsula 11, Hatchan suddenly spoke with a grave expression: "Everyone, we must be careful from now on.""Have we reached the so-called Lawless Zone?" Vivi asked, glancing at the map she had bought."Yes, there are too many criminals of all kinds in the Sabaody Archipelago. Even though the Marine Headquarters is right next door, they can't manage it all," Hatchan said.This was somewhat ironic.The criminals next to the Marine Headquarterswere so rampant that, in comparison, even the East Blue seemed more peaceful.What was the reason for this?It became very clear if viewed from another perspective.Right under the feet of the Western Heaven is where life is plunged into misery.Under normal circumstances, Hatchan wouldn't dare to go deep into these Lawless Zones, but remembering Luffy's strength made him feel a bit more at ease.Sure enough, as soon as their oddly dressed group entered a relatively secluded road, they were targeted by several sets of malicious eyes.There were bounty hunters wanting to collect rewards, as well as slave traders coveting the beautiful women.A group of thugs exchanged glances and swarmed out from several directions almost simultaneously, lunging at Luffy and the others with greedy sneers on their faces."They're all top-quality goods.""We're rich, we're rich!"However, they couldn't even get within ten meters of the Bubble Bikes.Luffy merely looked up calmly and swept a glance over them.An invisible, formless, yet mountain-heavy pressure swept through like a storm!Voom!The movements of the dozen or so people in the front instantly froze. Their eyes rolled back, and as if struck by an invisible heavy hammer, they collapsed to the ground without a word, losing consciousness.Those behind, whose movements were slightly slower or who were a bit stronger, also felt a surge of intense dizziness and heart palpitations, as if they were being stared down by a primordial beast. Scared out of their wits, they turned and fled, crawling and scrambling away, disappearing around the corner in the blink of an eye."Brother Luffy!"Camie's eyes were sparkling like starlight. "This is just too strong!"Sitting on the Bubble Bike, Bonney felt that terrifying aura that erupted and retracted in an instant, and she couldn't help but click her tongue in secret."This man's Haoshoku is becoming increasingly terrifying, and his control is frighteningly precise."She glanced at Luffy's seemingly unchanged profile, her heart filled with awe."He is our Captain, after all.""It's only normal to have this kind of strength.""Actually, I wanted to try out my skills too."Vivi and the others were accustomed to this, and even secretly thought it was a pity.In the shadows, more prying eyes witnessed this scene and fearfully retracted, no longer daring to target this group.Shortly after this small commotion subsided, a louder uproar and crying suddenly came from another street not far away.A man in rags with an iron collar around his neck came rushing out, scrambling and crawling. His face was full of terror and tears as he kept kowtowing and bowing to the passersby, begging someone to help him unlock the collar."Please help me! Save me! I don't want to die!"The curious Camie and Chopper couldn't help but want to get closer to see, but they were strictly stopped by Hatchan."Don't go over there, you absolutely must not go over, it's best not to even look!" Hatchan said with a heavy expression.Chapter 298: The Legend Ends, the New King AscendsHatchan's voice even carried a hint of dread, as if he were afraid of something.Just as his words fell.Boom!!A violent explosion rang out, and the collar on the escaping slave's neck suddenly blew apart. Fire and smoke instantly engulfed his figure.The surrounding crowd screamed and scrambled to get away.As the smoke cleared slightly, a bloated and obese figure wearing a transparent bubble helmet and spacesuit-like clothing walked out slowly, escorted by a black-clad bodyguard. He held an exquisite pistol, spat toward the direction of the explosion, and cursed in a slurred but arrogant tone:"Lowly slave, how dare you dirty This Saint's shoes.""Is that a World Nobles?" Luffy asked.His eyes, however, were fixed on the figure with the bubble helmet.As expected, he was incredibly weak.Luffy suspected he could slap him into oblivion with a single hand.Hatchan nodded heavily and urged in a low voice, "Let's leave here quickly.""We can't be discovered by the Celestial Dragons."Camie shrank back in fear. "Young female mermaids like us are among the highest-priced commodities in the human auctioning market. Especially if we are caught by a Celestial Dragon."She didn't finish her sentence, but the fear in it was self-evident.In her low-voiced narrative, Luffy and the others learned that mermaids and Fishmen had long been classified as fish in history, suffering worldwide persecution and discrimination.Even though the World Government had announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with Fish-Man Island two hundred years ago, this phenomenon only subsided on the surface. The underlying discrimination and hunting never stopped, and in many places, people didn't even hide their malice toward them.Because mermaids were unique and rare, many Celestial Dragons coveted beautiful mermaids even more.Luffy remained silent, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on the departing back of the Celestial Dragon.Nami keenly noticed the subtle change in his mood and couldn't help but ask softly, "Luffy, what are you thinking?"Luffy withdrew his gaze and smiled, "Nothing.""You don't look like it's nothing.""I just thought of a good idea that might save Ace."Nami felt a premonition that something big was about to happen.But Luffy didn't continue. He just pedaled harder, and the Bubble Bike accelerated forward."Let's go, we need to meet that man named Rayleigh first!"After Luffy demonstrated his strength, they basically encountered no decent resistance.It was true that criminals loved money, but they weren't stupid. They quickly recognized the identity of their group from Luffy's features.Once they heard he was a tough character who could go toe-to-toe with an Admiral, they basically gave up.The occasional few who weren't afraid of death ended up being used by Vivi to practice her skills."Help! Quick, put me down, I'm afraid of heights!""So hot! It's hot! It's really hot!""Is no one going to speak up for me? This wind is too strong!"A group of criminals was nearly driven mad by the Wind-Wind Fruit.Merry clapped, providing plenty of emotional support. "Sister Vivi is amazing!""It's alright, but the development of my Devil Fruithas finally shown some results," Vivi said happily."We're almost there."Under Hatchan's lead, they passed through natural arches formed by giant tree roots, bypassed the bustling commercial areas, and gradually arrived at the relatively quiet Grove 13.Following a path overgrown with green grass, a detached building built on a small hill appeared before them, with a quaint sign hanging at the door."Shakky's Rip-off Bar..." Luffy stopped the Bubble Bike and read the words on the sign.Looking at the name, Papyg was so scared his color changed."Rip-off Bar?! This name is too blatant! Is that Rayleigh some kind of violent person? And Shakkysounds like a woman's name!"Hatchan smiled honestly and reassured him, "Don't worry, Aunt Shakky and Uncle Rayleigh are both good people, just a bit special."The more he said that, the more curious everyone became.Luffy directly pushed open the bar's wooden door, which looked quite old.Ding-ling~The bell on the door gave a crisp ring.The interior of the bar was dimly lit, with a simple decor that bore the marks of time.A woman with neat short hair and a fine figure was standing behind the bar, wearing a sexy tank top and hot pants, her aura capable and carrying a hint of laziness.She held a long, slender cigarette in her mouth, and her hands were each dragging the ankle of a burly man who looked like a pirate.The two burly men were already beaten black and blue, covered in blood.She seemed to be preparing to throw them out.Seeing this scene, Nami and Chopper were instantly petrified, and Papyg almost fainted.Indeed!This bar's name wasn't wrong at all!The woman heard the doorbell, looked up, and revealed a well-maintained face that still possessed her charms.