On the Marine warship.
Watching the two parallel pirate ships start to move away from each other through a telescope, confusion flashed in Tsuru's eyes: "Why did they split up?"
"He! Hee hee hee!
"It seems those guys opposite aren't idiots!"
The speaker was a sturdy man nearly seven meters tall, with purplish-red scallion-like hair. What was peculiar was that a pair of small, upward-curved demon horns grew on both sides of his forehead.
Saying this, he looked at Tsuru with a cunning gaze, giggling: "Since they have already run away, then is our contract to come and support you over?
"Tsuru, is your intelligence true? In the Kano Country (Country of Ice), is there really the corpse of Oars the 'Continent-Puller' from hundreds of years ago?"
"And that kid, does he really have the tough body you mentioned?"
"Fufufufu."
"Since they have already run away, we should withdraw too. We aren't here to play hide-and-seek with you."
This time, the speaker was a slicked-back man around thirty years old with a horizontal stitched scar on his face. He had a golden hook like a scorpion tail on his left hand.
The two Shichibukai who came to support spoke so unreliably.
Tsuru narrowed her eyes slightly. Such lawless great pirates would not obey her orders like her cute subordinates.
However, she said: "In that case, you two split up as well. One chase Doflamingo with me, and one chase that kid."
Hearing this, Gecko Moria said directly, "I'll go chase that kid."
Seeing this, Tsuru chuckled: "Okay. But be careful, that little guy is no pushover. Careful you don't die by his hand."
Hearing this, Gecko Moria's face instantly became hideous and unhappy: "Who are you looking down on? Who do you think I am? A mere brat who can only play in the Four Blues, will be my opponent?"
Saying this, he jumped off the warship in exasperation and landed on his own ship. Immediately controlling his shadow to merge into the ship's shadow, the sailing ship moved without wind, chasing quickly.
"Impatient man."
Tsuru thought secretly in her heart.
Regarding him chasing Merlin, regardless of the purpose or result.
Regardless of who lived or died in the end, for the Marines, it was a good thing.
Glancing at Pink holding the helm, Merlin held a nautical chart at this moment, looking at his final destination, the Kano Country (Country of Ice).
In these few months, Merlin hadn't just been cultivating. In his spare time, he was also learning brand-new knowledge.
Therefore, Merlin comprehended a new skill specialty.
[Entry Level Navigation]: You already know how to observe the weather and can preliminarily use tools like compasses and astrolabes. The sea is no longer pitch black to you.
And for the vast majority of navigators in this world, their navigation skills were generally at this entry level.
For example, Rosinante, who taught him navigation at the beginning. During a casual chat, Merlin knew he could do it, so he asked. And since he wanted to discourage Merlin, he taught him.
But now, under the effect of "Climate Sense," and communicating with Diamante during this period, Merlin's understanding of navigation became increasingly profound.
With his current skills, it was enough to sail freely in this North Blue.
And this nautical chart was provided by Doflamingo.
"Big Brother Merlin, want some black tea?"
At this time, Baby 5 ran over excitedly, holding a tray and asking with a brilliant smile.
"Thanks!"
Merlin smiled and took a cup. After blowing on it, he took a sip. However, seeing Baby 5's expectant expression, Merlin said: "Tastes good, very delicious."
"Hee hee!" Baby 5's smile instantly became even more brilliant. At this time, she looked at Pink holding the helm: "Mr. Pink? Do you want a cup?"
Pink turned back and smiled: "Then thanks, give me a cup."
At this time, from the lookout on the main mast, Monet suddenly shouted: "Merlin, a pirate ship has caught up from behind. On the deck is Gecko Moria."
Merlin raised his eyebrows slightly, then leaped up. With a pa, borrowing force in mid-air, he arrived at the lookout on the main mast.
Taking the telescope from Monet, he looked over. He saw only three living figures on the deck of the opposite pirate ship.
Gecko Moria at the bow, a blond young man, and a ten-year-old pink-haired little girl holding a doll.
After seeing this, a glint flashed in Merlin's eyes. Then he looked at Pink and said: "Pink, hard to starboard. Sail the ship to the nearest uninhabited island, Arkadiel. We'll go meet this guy."
Hearing this, Pink frowned: "This guy is a Shichibukai. It is said he is a very powerful guy. Are you sure you want to fight him?"
"Should we avoid him?"
Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly, shaking his head at him, "That guy's ship speed is abnormal. We can't hide."
Hearing this, Pink nodded, but he added: "Then check if there is a Marine warship trailing behind them?"
"No, there are no other ships in sight."
"How many people on the opposite ship?"
"Three. Besides Moria, only a young man and a brat left.
"Later, that young man, I leave to you to handle. As for that brat, leave her to Monet and Baby 5."
"Okay."
"Mmh, leave it to me."
"Okay, Big Brother Merlin."
After speaking, Merlin jumped down from the lookout.
Arriving at the stern.
Merlin glanced at the ship behind, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
The equipment slot appeared before his eyes.
Now the synchronization values of the two equipments were: 62% and 47%.
And when the Demon Form synchronization value was at 50%, Merlin obtained another special specialty.
[Combat Instinct]: You are naturally belligerent and possess a strong desire for combat. You have super combat talent and can master various combat techniques without a teacher.
And since possessing this specialty, the progress of swordsmanship cultivation and Rokushiki comprehension had been rapid.
And in the next moment.
Merlin's mind moved. The Camel Fruit origin with 47% synchronization value was consumed. Azure brilliance bloomed from the equipment slot and wrapped the Camel Fruit origin in the second frame.
From the Camel Fruit origin, Merlin obtained the "Climate Sense" specialty. As for later, Merlin felt he probably wouldn't obtain any very powerful specialties.
So consuming it didn't hurt.
Moreover, the physical fitness bonus of this fruit was just so-so for the current Merlin.
Not long after, the fruit origin was devoured completely.
At the same time, the third frame appeared.
And at this moment, as the third frame appeared, in a moment of sudden enlightenment, Merlin realized a marvelous instinct brought by this upgrade of the [Equipment Slot], which was that when [Synthesizing] equipment, he could interfere with the final form of the equipment.
[Appearance Customization]
An idea couldn't help but arise in his heart.
At this moment, looking at the two empty equipment frames, Merlin had an urgent impulse to fill them all.
The Shadow-Shadow Fruit (Kage Kage no Mi) would be quite good...
Thinking this, Merlin looked at the two katana hanging at his waist. One was Night Earl, and the other was the Great Grade sword paid to him by Doflamingo.
Sword name: Zangetsu (Slaying Moon).
Just an "ordinary" Great Grade sword, not a Cursed Sword (Kitetsu). However, compared to Night Earl, it was merely longer, harder, and sharper.
It was a sword with a slender body, greater curvature, and heavier weight.
At this moment, Merlin's eyes flickered, glancing at the ship a thousand meters away.
Both hands gripped the hilts of the two swords at his waist. Clang! Unsheathed.
The next moment, pitch-black flames ignited all over his body, enveloping a diameter of five meters around him, enough to make the inside completely invisible from the outside.
Observation Haki was wrapped in the black flames, shielding against possible perception.
The next moment, the two swords disappeared from his hands and appeared in the equipment slot.
[Compatibility: 100%]
Immediately after, Merlin's mind moved. Azure brilliance enveloped the two swords. Then, under the consumption of his own energy, the two swords began to merge with each other under the synthesis rules of the equipment slot.
A moment later, it was like having fought a battle with Gion. The energy consumption was only about twenty percent of his total.
Merlin thought to himself, It seems Devil Fruits are indeed more special.
However, since the swords were synthesized, calling it Night Earl was no longer appropriate. Zangetsu, Night Earl... let's call it Zanye (Slaying Night) for now!
With a thought, Zanye appeared in Merlin's hand. He raised it to examine it.
Zanye's appearance and length were similar to Night Earl. The blade was dull, with strange flame-like patterns on the edge.
However, the workmanship traces, that artificial trace on the sword, had disappeared at this moment, looking more like it was born this way.
Great Grade · Cursed Sword · Zanye.
Inheriting the blood-sucking characteristic from Night Earl, and the toughness, sharpness, and heaviness brought by Zangetsu.
Not long after, the two scabbards were similarly synthesized by Merlin, merging into one.
The energy consumed was even smaller.
Returning the sword to the scabbard seamlessly.
At this time, the black flames on the body surface converged into the body. Merlin gripped Zanye and inserted it back into the waist clip.
At the same time, he looked at another short sword-type dagger at his waist, his family heirloom.
But now, regarding the dagger-type usage technique obtained by equipping it...
Merlin didn't value it much anymore. After all, by analogy, his swordsmanship was far superior and more suitable for him.
Not thinking too much, Merlin looked at Gecko Moria's ship chasing closer and closer in the distance.
Already approaching a distance of three hundred meters.
The next moment, Clang! Zanye unsheathed. Merlin held the sword, sensing the touch like an extension of his arm. Accumulate power!
A slash swung out.
Hum!
A sharp whistle came from the atmosphere.
A dark red slash beam with a diameter of one hundred meters bloomed.
In a breath, the vacuum slash compressed the atmosphere and arrived at Moria's bow.
"Ahhhhh! Lord Moria, act quickly! Going to die, going to die, going to die!"
Seeing this scene, that blond young man's eyes bulged in horror, screaming in panic.
And that little girl burst into tears, trembling and losing her voice from fear of this terrifying scene.
"Kishishishi, just watch me! A mere slash."
Before the words fell, his shadow under his feet suddenly expanded, transforming into a terrifying monster claw to meet the attack.
Bang! The shadow claw comparable to steel collided with the slash, and both shattered.
Seeing this scene, solemnity flashed in Moria's eyes, but on his face, he laughed proudly: "Don't worry! Just a mere brat, not my opponent."
Saying this, discovering the shock in that little girl's eyes, pride flashed in his eyes: "See that, Perona? I am a famous strong man on the sea. Just follow me obediently in the future!"
Perona, who had just joined the Moria Pirates not long ago, showed a touch of movement in her eyes at this moment, but she turned her face away somewhat tsundere-ly, and snorted lightly at the same time: "Horo horo, if you want this lady to be your crew member sincerely, then it depends on your performance in the future!
"Be proud! This is this lady's recognition of your strength."
Hearing this, Moria's mouth twitched, his gaze becoming unkind, and Perona couldn't help becoming guilty and timid.
Scared into taking a step back.
After all, Moria's appearance, looking like a demon, was scary enough.
Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly, watching this scene. As expected of Moria. In this period, he was not yet the fat otaku more than ten years later.
The strength of the Hero of the West Blue was still there.
However, Merlin didn't think the current him would be weaker than him.
"Since you came to trouble me, then presumably, you are also prepared to be defeated and lose your life for this."