Chapter 43

With the leader dead, the remaining tasks were much easier to handle.

Facing 200 weaklings, whom Shanter could defeat even on his last breath, naturally posed no challenge.

The dozen or so with slightly better skills were swiftly dealt with under Shanter's focused attacks. Apart from leaving a few shallow scars on him, they achieved nothing before meeting their end and being sent to the afterlife.

This was largely because Shanter had expended significant energy dealing with the leader, resulting in minor injuries. Still, the name of the supreme-grade blade Shizhou Muramasa wasn't just an idle boast.

Panting heavily, Shanter looked at the scattered corpses on the ground. Ignoring the still-drying blood, he sat down to rest.

During his fight with the leader, Shanter had been extremely cautious, yet he still ended up contaminated by a trace of ghostly aura. Fortunately, his robust physique kept him from suffering any severe harm.

About five minutes later, after regaining some strength, Shanter was ready to look for Robin.

Since Robin had rescued him from the Treviste Pirate Crew, Shanter's view of her had greatly changed. The little girl from Ohara, who once relied on him for everything, had transformed into an independent and trustworthy equal.

Initially, Shanter's feelings for Robin were more akin to familial love than romantic. Proposing to her stemmed from feelings of companionship and a sense of responsibility, rather than passion. He had been worried about her facing life alone. But after Robin risked her life to save him, his feelings began to shift from familial affection to genuine love. Previously, Shanter simply viewed Robin as someone he needed to care for entirely. Back in his hometown eight years ago, Shanter had harbored guilt toward his sister, which he had unintentionally projected onto Robin in the form of overcompensation.

Knowing Robin's abilities, Shanter wasn't in a hurry to rescue her; instead, he focused on recovering his own state.

"Almost forgot—Shizhou Muramasa!" Shanter was about to leave when he remembered to retrieve his spoils of war—the supreme-grade blade Shizhou Muramasa.

The 73.32 cm long blade was a much better fit for Shanter's hand than his previous Fukuoka Ichimonji. Had he acquired Shizhou Muramasa before finding Huangtian, Shanter would have been utterly captivated by it.

But now that he owned the extremely compatible black longsword Huangtian, Shizhou Muramasa seemed far less significant.

Compared to so-called supreme-grade blades, Huangtian was far more suited to Shanter's tastes.

After all, when compared to the four-foot-long, one-foot-wide Huangtian that had to be carried on his back, both Shizhou Muramasa and Fukuoka Ichimonji, which could be worn at the waist, felt far too small.

"Shizhou Muramasa truly is an excellent blade," Shanter murmured, running his hand along its edge, carefully inspecting every detail.

"But alas, I already have Huangtian and no longer need you. However, rest assured—I will find you a worthy owner." Initially, Shanter planned to sell Shizhou Muramasa to fund his and Robin's journey. A supreme-grade blade could easily fetch tens of millions of berries. Yet after truly handling the sword, he changed his mind.

A fine blade like this shouldn't end up in the hands of some clueless rich fool!

In his heart, Shanter had already chosen a new master for Shizhou Muramasa: Red-Haired Shanks.

"Shanks, with this supreme-grade blade, perhaps you'll finally surpass Mihawk!" Shanter leapt to his feet and began pursuing the direction Robin had fled.

"Hm?" After taking just two steps, Shanter suddenly froze, cold sweat dripping down his back. Forcing himself to calm down, he used his Observation Haki to carefully scan the surroundings.

What he sensed filled him with despair.

Creak, creak, creak. The sound of a bicycle wheel turning reached his ears.

Shanter quickly stored Shizhou Muramasa in his bag and took out Huangtian from his back.

"Kuzan, what brings you here? Are you specifically here to take my life? That doesn't seem like a task worthy of a Navy admiral," Shanter said, leveling his blade at Kuzan, who had just dismounted his bicycle.

Shanter had already made up his mind: if Kuzan attacked, he would unleash his as-yet-unmastered new technique. He knew he wouldn't win, but he would fight regardless. Even leaving Kuzan with a scratch would count as a small victory.

"Oh, of course not. There's no need for that," Kuzan replied lazily, his face exuding nonchalance. "Besides, you're just... what was it again?"

"What are you even talking about?" Shanter's face darkened. How is this guy even more scatterbrained than Shanks? He can't even finish a sentence properly.

"Together, your and Robin's bounties add up to... 41 million plus 79 million. What's that again? Let me calculate." Kuzan began counting on his fingers.

"120 million berries!" Shanter's expression turned even darker. He had known Kuzan was unreliable, but this was beyond his expectations.

The Navy's three admirals—Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino—were equal in strength, their abilities mutually restraining one another: magma beats ice, ice beats light, and light beats magma. However, their levels of reliability differed significantly.

Sakazuki, with his hawkish demeanor, was the most dependable; his serious attitude was clear at first glance. Borsalino came next with his slippery, easygoing personality. But Kuzan was by far the most unreliable, as evidenced by his choice of transportation. Who else would chase pirates on a bicycle?

"Oh, that's quite a lot," Kuzan said lazily.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Shanter asked impatiently. "I'm in a hurry to find Robin!" Despite speaking, his body remained tense, with Armament Haki swirling around him to guard against a sudden attack from Kuzan.

Shanter didn't believe Kuzan would resort to a sneak attack—such tactics were beneath him both in status and strength—but it was always better to be prepared.

Recently, Shanter's strength had improved rapidly. However, his growth time was still short, leaving him with the equivalent of a Navy headquarters captain's power level—this despite the guidance of Shanks and the use of Huangtian. Back during the Treviste battle, Shanter had barely reached a Navy lieutenant or commander's level. Now, with his All Things Sword Technique and the new moves developed through the War God Fruit, he might hold his own against a rear admiral or vice admiral. But against Kuzan—a Navy admiral—he stood no chance.

Of course, this didn't mean Shanter would go down without a fight. No matter how strong the enemy, dying standing was always better than kneeling.

"I was just bored of staying at Marineford and decided to take a stroll. I happened to see you two—though I didn't expect you to notice me," Kuzan said, still as languid as ever.

"So, you're not here to kill us. Figures—it's not like we're important enough for an admiral to deal with personally." Shanter slowly sheathed Huangtian, though his vigilance didn't waver.

"Indeed. I wouldn't bother with something so troublesome." Kuzan's voice was as laid-back as his posture. "My philosophy as a marine is one of... what would you call it? Lethargic justice."

"There's one more thing." Shanter suddenly bowed deeply to Kuzan. "Thank you—for sparing the girl's life four years ago. I owe you, and one day I'll repay this debt."

With that, Shanter turned and walked away without looking back.

Kuzan watched his retreating figure for a long time, then shook his head.

"Saul... Saul, were you right, or were you wrong?"

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