Chapter 114: AAA Arm Wholesale Sister Luo

He recalled the judgment given by Brandon from the advisory department during the bounty-setting meeting at the headquarters.

"…It can be confirmed that this wolf is the hidden second strongest combatant of the pirate crew!"

"One of the Rear Admirals under Vice Admiral Onigumo was severely injured after a brief encounter with it, nearly having his neck bitten off. According to his recollection, the wolf appeared quite casual during the fight, not even exerting its full strength!"

At the time, Dalmatian had listened with a cigar in his mouth, scoffing at the idea.

Just a wolfdog, how strong could it be even if it went all out?

He had always believed that within the entire Falling Stars Adventure Pirates, only their Captain, Xiano, was worth paying attention to.

But this time, he had witnessed it firsthand…

Despite sending two of his Rear Admirals and several Captains to join forces, they still couldn't restrain the giant wolf, allowing it to wreak havoc across the battlefield, throwing their formation into disarray.

In the end, it even found the opportunity to assist its comrades in severely injuring Bumaya, buying the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates ample time to board the ship.

Such strength might still fall short compared to seasoned Vice Admirals like himself.

But it was undoubtedly on par with an average Vice Admiral!

"…Additionally, Mr. Sakazuki," Dalmatian added, "Apart from the already bountied individuals, the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates have unknown accomplices who also possess considerable strength."

"Hidden accomplices?" Akainu frowned slightly.

"Yes, this person likely infiltrated the warship unnoticed during our landing battle, tampering with the mast and sails. Despite over a hundred marines guarding the ship, none noticed anything amiss."

"It wasn't until we hastily boarded the ship to pursue the Falling Stars that the mast suddenly collapsed, and the sails were torn with numerous gaps… only then did we realize something was wrong."

Akainu's gaze darkened further.

A mysterious hidden accomplice.

Crew members far stronger than anticipated.

And that Xiano…

"The Falling Stars Adventure Pirates are indeed hiding quite a lot…" Akainu spoke in a low, icy voice, "Set sail back to headquarters. Have the intelligence department intensify their investigation and ensure they uncover the details of this hidden accomplice."

"Yes!" Dalmatian hurriedly responded.

Akainu turned his head, casting one last glance at the distant horizon, the killing intent in his eyes still lingering.

"There will come a day, brat… the next time we meet, I will personally send you and your accomplices straight to hell."

To hell, not Impel Down!

This time, I was indeed a bit careless, allowing you to escape.

But… this disgrace of capsizing in a ditch, I will reclaim it all one day!!!

————

Soon.

The warship was repaired, and the marines from the southern and northern islands gathered at the dock, ready to set sail.

Neither Akainu nor the other marines noticed.

High above in the sky, a black vulture soared past.

And on the vulture's back sat a pajama-clad otter, swiftly sketching something on a drawing pad, looking down at the scene below…

————

Hundreds of kilometers away on the sea.

The afterglow of the sunset scattered golden light across the water's surface.

Splash!

Xiano burst out of the water, his soaked black hair clinging to his forehead. He gasped heavily, veins bulging on his arms as he used the last of his strength to climb onto the reef.

"Ha... ha..."

His chest heaved like a bellows, every muscle groaning under the strain.

He lay back on the reef, letting the seawater drip from his chin.

Where was he now?

Who the hell knew!

But he had definitely shaken off the Marines; there was no way they could catch up now.

After escaping the waters around Toll Island, he had swum continuously for several hours, changing directions multiple times along the way.

Even he had no idea where he was—how could the Marines possibly find him?

"Cough..."

The sunlight was still a bit harsh. The black-haired youth raised his trembling arm to shield his eyes, peering through his fingers at the sky dyed red by the evening glow.

The image of Akainu's magma-infused fist seemed to leave a searing mark on his retina, and the intense pain throughout his body hadn't completely faded yet.

What a mess I am...

That old man truly deserved his place as one of the world's top-tier powerhouses. The so-called Marine Admiral was ridiculously strong.

Even after exhausting all his trump cards and relying on his inhuman physical defense and the healing abilities of the Regeneration Art, he had only managed to hold out for a little over half an hour.

And throughout the entire fight, he had been battered and bruised, with countless instances of his flesh charred and peeled back, revealing the white bone beneath.

If he hadn't taken that one Mystical Bean...

He would have been turned into Brook by now.

But.

Just as Akainu himself had said, the fact that he hadn't been instantly defeated and had managed to hold out for so long was something to be proud of at his age.

Moreover.

In the end, he had even managed to wound Akainu, something the Admiral himself hadn't anticipated.

"The gains aren't bad."

Xiano grinned.

Fame and reputation didn't matter much to him.

What was important was that he could feel, after this life-and-death struggle where he had given it his all, that his Armament Haki and combat experience had improved.

The improvement wasn't huge, but at his current level, every bit of progress was precious. If he kept accumulating like this—

One day!

One day, he too would stand at the pinnacle of this vast sea!

...

The last rays of the setting sun dipped below the horizon, and the night surged in like a tide.

Xiano pulled his thoughts back and turned his gaze to the system panel before him.

Here, another one of his gains was recorded.

[Offering: Sakazuki's Marine Cap]

[Quality: Epic]

[Value: 4500 Points]

[Appraisal: The cap of Marine Admiral Akainu, which has accompanied him for many years, embodies his obsession and fervor for the path of "Absolute Justice." The scorch marks of magma on the brim bear witness to countless battles with formidable foes; the stubborn bloodstains that cannot be completely washed away speak of the ruthless methods he employed in suppressing Pirates and civilians alike]

A full 4,500 Points, even more than the Dog-head hat he had borrowed from Garp back in the day.

The two of them were probably still on the same level in terms of strength, so why was there such a big difference in Point value...

Most likely, the Dog-head hat suffered from not appearing much in the later stages, while Akainu's cap remained glued to his head even after he became the Fleet Admiral.

The remaining Points had suddenly reached forty-five thousand five hundred. When the store refreshed next time, he could indulge in some serious shopping.

But now...

Xiano closed the system panel and sprawled out on the ground.

He was utterly exhausted.

So tired that he couldn't even lift a finger. All he wanted was to lie on this reef and get a good night's sleep.

As for contacting his companions... the Den Den Mushi hadn't survived, and there was no immediate solution. He would have to wait until he had caught up on his sleep.

After all, he had mastered Observation Haki. If any real danger approached, he would automatically wake from his slumber.

However, such a situation was clearly impossible.

Unless he was extremely unlucky and encountered a curly-haired guy passing by on a bicycle, there was no danger in this sea for him now...

His consciousness gradually blurred, his eyelids heavy as lead. In no time, the fatigue surged over him like a tidal wave.

"Huu..."

With a soft snore, the young man completely drifted into sleep.

————

The moonlight was cool as water.

The waves gently lapped against the reef, and the tranquil sea surface suddenly revealed a vague, enormous figure.

It was a massive sea turtle, leisurely swimming over, wearing a cowboy hat on its head and an old-fashioned pipe in its mouth.

On the turtle's back.

A slender figure in a purple crop top stood up. The sea breeze tousled her smooth, shoulder-length black hair, and the moonlight outlined her delicate profile, exuding a mysterious and intellectual beauty.

Noticing the figure on the reef, she chuckled softly:

"Ara, after searching for hours, so this is where you were?"

With a light leap, she landed on the reef.

As soon as she touched down and got a clear look at Xiano, Robin's pupils contracted, and her expression changed.

The black-haired young man before her was covered in an eerie bluish-purple hue.

Even the surface of his skin faintly displayed intricate black patterns, as if some kind of potent toxin had already spread through his body.

If Xiano had been conscious, he would have recognized it at a glance.

It was the lingering effect of Bumaya's toxin within him.

When he had jumped into the sea to escape, he had already noticed the changes in his skin color—sometimes normal, sometimes turning bluish-purple.

However, after confirming that this toxin posed no threat to his life and couldn't even corrode his internal organs, only affecting the surface of his skin, he had decided to ignore it for the time being while he was on the run.

He figured he could deal with it after getting some rest and a good meal, using Life Return to handle it later.

Unfortunately.

Robin, at this moment, was unaware of all this.

To her, the sight of Xiano covered in bluish-purple and unconscious was a clear sign of a life-threatening situation.

How could this be?!

Robin couldn't suppress the disbelief in her heart.

Having secretly followed him for so long, she knew all too well how terrifyingly powerful this black-haired young man was.

Not to mention the earth-shattering battle today, even in Little Garden, she had personally witnessed him punch through a mountain peak...

What kind of toxin could bring down such a man? How horrifying must it be?

"He needs treatment immediately..."

Without hesitation, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and softly chanted:

"Ocho Fleur: Crane!"

Whoosh!

Eight pale arms grew from beneath Xiano, gently but firmly lifting him and slowly moving him onto the turtle's back.

Robin deftly used her coat to cushion his head, then carefully checked his pulse and breathing.

"Good, his vital signs are stable."

She breathed a slight sigh of relief and turned to the turtle, saying, "Binky, I need your help. We need to go full speed ahead to find a professional doctor for him as soon as possible."

"No problem."

The turtle, puffing on his pipe, nodded and immediately quickened his paddling speed. But soon, he glanced back and asked:

"But where exactly are we heading?"

--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/LegendaryTL

Thanks!