Chapter 22

With a thought, the ground beneath his feet returned to its original state.

Kaido felt he had grounds to object, but he liked fighting and wasn’t stupid—this Straw Hat and that imitator’s abilities were extremely troublesome, and there was also Whitebeard and a group of Marines.

Can’t have enough fun.

“Tch.” Kaido decided on a tactical retreat, planning to seek them out later for a proper fight.

As the light element gathered for the final time, countless feathers of light fell again from the sky.

“Quick, bring out the wounded!” cried the medics and some Marines who had regained their wits.

Warlord and Garp walked over; Su Lin wasn’t in a hurry—he knew this version of himself here wasn’t his true body.

Soon, the crowd parted, clearing a path for Garp and Warlord.

The two approached Su Lin.

“Hahaha!” Garp laughed loudly. “What an impressive young man.”

Warlord stared grimly at Su Lin: “Thank you—for saving the wounded.”

With that, the two passed Su Lin and walked toward the rear of the Marines.

"Aren't you going to look for Blackbeard's whereabouts? There should be some gains." Su Lin asked.

“Blackbeard? Tich?” Warlord stopped and turned to Su Lin.

“He started this war. He should’ve released a batch of Level Six prisoners by now. Logically, he should’ve reached this area.”

Hearing this, Warlord recalled the Impel Down convicts who had appeared on the battlefield earlier.

He took out a Den Den Mushi from his bag and called Impel Down.

“Magellan! How’s Impel Down?”

“Blackbeard and his crew were locked up by Magellan,” Warlord said, putting away the phone. “Looks like this guy’s ambitions are enormous.”

“Still, a few troublesome ones escaped.”

After speaking, Warlord turned and left with Garp.

“Is that so.”

Su Lin was slightly surprised but didn’t dwell on it—perhaps it had something to do with the Straw Hat kid.

He picked up his hat and made a farewell gesture toward the camera.

Su Lin’s figure vanished from where he stood.

Only his hat remained, slowly drifting down.

“Such a variety of abilities~,” Garp said, watching Su Lin disappear into thin air. “Is that a clone or something?”

“Whatever it is, now those trash won’t be able to sleep soundly, hahaha.”

Garp laughed heartily.

“Garp.”

“Ah, sorry, accidentally spoke the truth, hahaha,” Garp chuckled freely.

“I’m planning to resign,” Warlord said softly, not rebuking Garp. “I must take some responsibility, no matter what.”

“Besides, I’m a bit tired.”

“Is that so?” Garp wasn’t surprised. “Want to come with me to the East Blue for a vacation?”

“Let’s talk about it later,” Warlord thought for a moment. “I haven’t settled accounts with your grandson yet.”

“Also, I’m confiscating all those senbei you hoarded.”

“Huh!? Why?!”

A Marine soldier transformed into Su Lin’s appearance and walked toward Luffy.

Of course, this was also a historical projection.

Survive. Must survive.

Who knows if someone might sneak a strike at him—like Im behind the scenes.

“Su Lin!” Luffy reverted to his normal form and ran toward Su Lin, waving.

The Marines along the way showed varying expressions but ultimately didn’t stop him.

On one hand, they couldn’t beat him.

On the other… he was Garp’s grandson.

If it were any other pirate, they’d already have attacked—regardless of whether they could win.

Might as well pretend not to see him.

“Luffy, is he your friend?” Ace asked.

“Yeah, definitely. Thanks to Su Lin, I had the chance to rescue you, Ace,” Luffy slapped Su Lin hard on the shoulder—if the effects of the strength-enhancing drugs hadn’t worn off, Su Lin would’ve been knocked to the ground.

“Hello, Ace, Whitebeard, everyone,” Su Lin smiled and greeted them. “Let me introduce myself properly—I’m Su Lin, Luffy’s friend.”

“Kurahahaha.”

“Thanks to you, Su Lin, I owe you a tremendous debt,” Whitebeard said seriously. “If you ever need anything, just say the word—I’ll give my life for you.”

“Same here,” Ace declared solemnly. “My life is yours—take it whenever you need!”

“We do too.”

Whitebeard’s captains all voiced their agreement.

“I don’t need your lives. By the way,” Su Lin reached into empty space and pulled out a hat, placing it on his head. “If you want to thank someone, thank Ace’s brother.”

“Just help them out if you encounter them on the sea.”

“Uh… alright.”

Everyone thought: the Straw Hat kid’s gotten this strong.

“The Straw Hats owe us two tremendous debts as well,” Whitebeard solemnly promised, his voice resonating with authority.

“Ask for anything you want—we’ll do whatever we can.”

“Ace is my brother—what debts?” Luffy grumbled.

“We’ll talk later—the Red Hair’s ship has arrived. Men, prepare to board.”

Red Hair’s reputation had been overshadowed by Su Lin before it could even take effect.

He greeted Whitebeard’s side, lowered the gangplank, and let everyone on the battlefield board.

“Hmm, Akainu really got his ass kicked, huh, hahaha,” Red Hair jumped off the ship and met Akainu’s resentful gaze with a grin, waving.

Akainu scowled and turned away.

“Shanks! You bastard!”

“Hm?”

Red Hair turned and saw a familiar figure.

……

Amidst Buggy’s cheers as he gained new followers, everyone boarded the return ship.

Some Marines watched bitterly from afar, especially those led by Akainu.

Su Lin, of course, smiled and waved farewell to them.

One day later

The leftover mess after the banquet always made one’s heart tremble.

“Su Lin, how about joining my crew?” Red Hair leaned against the ship’s railing and invited him, holding up a wanted poster dropped by a seagull.

Composite Ability User, Su Lin, 3.5 billion Berries.

Red Hair could tell at a glance this man was a good person with no ambition.

A reliable companion.

“I’m going back with Luffy,” Su Lin said, chewing on snacks. “I think I mentioned it before—we’re not from this era.”

At last night’s banquet, Luffy and Jinbe had explained everything—Luffy revealed everything except the chat group.

Now he didn’t care about those details anymore.

After learning what had happened in another timeline, Ace and Whitebeard’s crew grew even more grateful to Su Lin.

They also realized what their brother had endured in another world to become this strong.

When they heard Luffy’s two new captains had defeated Kaido and Big Mom, the banquet reached its peak.

“Of course I know,” Red Hair slurred over, reeking of alcohol. “When you go back, the Su Lin from this timeline should join my crew!”

“No way. Su Lin is my comrade!” Luffy barged over with meat in hand, bluntly declaring.

“It’s hard to explain,” Su Lin sighed with a smile. “I don’t belong to this timeline. Meeting the original Luffy was an extremely rare accident.”

“So after I return with them, your ship will only have the Luffy and Jinbe from this timeline.”

“Oh?” Red Hair was slightly surprised, but nothing on this sea was truly shocking—he quickly recovered. “I see. That’s too bad.”

“Still, imagining the World Government worrying over someone who doesn’t even exist—hahaha, that’s hilarious! Cheers!”

"But thinking about how the World Government folks are worried sick over someone who doesn't even exist—hahahaha, that's hilarious!" Shanks roared with laughter. "Cheers!"

These pirates had somehow woken up again.

The banquet atmosphere was always joyful.

The atmosphere of the banquet was always cheerful.