Chapter 50: The Eight Treasures Sailor Lao Cai is a Super Celebrity

Asa stood imposingly, his blue cloak fluttering in the wind. He was the first to step off the pirate ship, followed closely by Pross, who followed like a servant.

"Welcome, His Royal Highness the Prince and Lord Asa, to the New Kingdom of Vilas! Please, come with us to the palace to attend the banquet!" Morata Diton, the commander of the remaining army, shouted loudly.

Poulos looked at Asa, awaiting his decision.

"Don't bother. Just tell me where the army of the Kingdom of Flowers is," Asa said coldly, uninterested in wasting time on a meaningless banquet.

"This..." Deaton's carefully prepared speech suddenly became useless, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes.

Perhaps ruling the New Kingdom of Vilas for too long had made him believe he was its true master.

Asa considered the situation and finally understood. The reason Pross became a pirate was likely not just because the remnants of the army refused to fight but because they had no way of reclaiming their rights from Deaton.

"Pross, lead the way. Let's get this over with quickly," Asa said calmly.

He had no interest in their internal power struggles, nor did he care whether Pross was using his presence to intimidate Deaton. He only wanted to resolve the matter quickly and continue his journey to the Grand Line.

"Yes, Lord Asa..." Pross humbly took the lead, guiding Asa and his group of pirates away, leaving Deaton and his men standing there.

"Sir, the leader of the Flower Kingdom's army this time is the Eight Treasures Navy Commander, 'Green Pepper of the Cone.' It is said that this man is incredibly powerful, possessing the qualifications of a king—something that only appears once in a million people, according to legend. But for some reason, six years ago..."

"The original awl-shaped head disappeared, and he became reclusive, dedicating himself to training the next generation," Pross explained.

"The Awl-headed Green Pepper?" Asa asked with great interest. He already knew why this man's signature awl-shaped head had been flattened.

Green Pepper had a bounty exceeding 500 million beli. He had once been a formidable pirate who roamed the New World. Unfortunately, due to sheer misfortune, he had encountered Iron Fist Garp and taken a punch that shattered his very identity.

Even the ice continent that his family had passed down for generations became inaccessible to him, leaving countless buried treasures forever unseen.

What intrigued Asa the most was that Green Pepper not only possessed Conqueror's Haki but was also highly skilled in Armament Haki. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to obtain training in Armament Haki himself.

This deal had already provided him with a lead on the Men-Men Fruit, and now, it might also grant him the Armament Haki training he lacked. Asa couldn't help but feel immensely satisfied.

He didn't even bother acknowledging Pross's petty attempt to use him to intimidate Deaton.

In business, there are always losses and gains.

From Asa's perspective, he was undoubtedly profiting immensely—securing two of the things he wanted most in one deal.

The journey from the New Kingdom of Vilas to the Eight Treasures Navy's station in the Kingdom of Flowers was brief—only ten days and a half.

Poulos led Asa and his pirates back onto their ship, and they reached their destination in just about an hour.

"Lord Asa, I'll leave the rest to you..."

"Very well, you may return. Within two days, you'll hear of the Flower Kingdom's army retreating," Asa said lightly, standing at the ship's bow.

"Yes! Then, I wish Lord Asa a victorious battle," Pross said through gritted teeth.

He wanted to accompany Asa, but since Asa had no intention of bringing him along, there was nothing he could do.

Whoosh!

Asa transformed into lightning, teleporting onto the island where the Flower Kingdom's army was stationed.

Not far away, several groups of soldiers were encamped in a vast field, with rows of tents scattered throughout. It was estimated that at least several thousand troops were present.

In the world of pirates, a force of several thousand soldiers at sea was overwhelming. After all, not every battle was like the Paramount War, where a hundred thousand marines had gathered.

Asa's gaze swept across the camp and landed on a shirtless man wearing a dark blue cloak and loose, fluffy trousers. The man was patrolling with a naginata in hand, and his appearance was oddly familiar.

The most striking detail was the "13" tattoo on his left abdomen.

"Lao Cai, the future thirteenth-generation pillar of the Eight Treasures Navy?" Asa raised an eyebrow. "Let's start with you first."

Super Electromagnetic Cannon!

Harnessing magnetic forces, he drew in the ubiquitous iron sand from the ground, forming a dense iron ball at his fingertips. Asa took aim at Lao Cai's head.

Boom!!!

The thunderous crack tore through the air, instantly putting Lao Cai on high alert. Instinctively, he raised his naginata to block.

Clang!!!

The impact saved his life, but he was still sent flying backward by the immense force, crashing through several tents. The shockwave even flung some of the Eight Treasures Navy sailors aside.

"Enemy attack!!!"

After regaining his footing, Lao Cai shook his numb arm and roared in alarm.

"As expected of someone who survived battles against the Roger Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Golden Lion Pirates. Impressive!"

Asa chuckled, stepping forward. Thunder crackled around him, striking down any Eight Treasures Marines who got too close.

At such a close range, his Super Electromagnetic Cannon could easily kill most pirates with bounties under one or two hundred million. The fact that Lao Cai had blocked it with pure instinct proved he was no ordinary warrior.

"A Lightning Devil Fruit user?" Lao Cai's eyes darkened, quickly making the smartest decision.

"Everyone, fall back!" he roared.

Facing an opponent with the Lightning Fruit, charging recklessly would only ensure certain death. Their best option was to retreat and regroup.

The Eight Treasures Navy followed orders with strict discipline. Within moments, the hundreds of men on-site retreated while sending warnings to those in the tents further away.

Asa smirked. If he truly wanted them all dead, they would have perished already. A single lightning strike could have reduced both Lao Cai and even Green Pepper to charred remains. Even if they survived, they would have been left crippled.

Lao Cai, however, had seen the storms of the New World. A mere Logia fruit wasn't enough to intimidate him. Abandoning his troops, he charged at Asa alone, prepared for a fierce duel.

With a powerful push off the ground, he swung his naginata, splitting rock and air alike as he brought it down fiercely toward Asa's head.

"Armament Haki?" Asa's eyes gleamed with excitement as he noticed the naginata coated in a dense, jet-black aura.

He licked his lips in anticipation, raised his arm, and met the strike head-on.

Boom!!!

Steel clashed against flesh. The sheer force of the impact created a shockwave that sent ripples through the air. The few tents still standing were instantly blown away.

Both fighters were forced back ten meters, locking eyes in mutual recognition.

Feeling a faint numbness in his arms, Asa's grin widened.

"Lightning Controller, why did you attack the Eight Treasures Navy without cause? If you don't give me a good reason, you won't leave here alive!" Lao Cai barked, fury flashing in his eyes as he mourned his fallen comrades.

"Hahahahahaha! Cut the nonsense. If you think you can stop me..." Asa grinned, his eyes blazing with battle lust. "...then try and kill me!"

(End Of Chapter)

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