Chapter 182

"Clang—clang—"

"Clang—clang—"

The sound was like hammering iron,

It seemed Brook was under a storm of attacks, yet it caused him no harm.

On the Owl CP0 side,

Because he clashed with Brook, the green flames spread more, swallowing most of him in the blink of an eye, yet he was helpless.

"No! Impossible!"

"I am Garuge!"

The Owl CP0 roared, continuing to bombard Brook in near madness; this time he completely abandoned all defense, solely to crush Brook.

But...

His advanced Armament Haki could not touch Brook.

In the end,

His soul was burned away by the green flames, wisps of essence floated from his head, and were inhaled by Brook, who had been beaten for so long.

"Yo-ho-ho-ho—A strong man's soul!"

Much like Brook's side.

The others also used their own methods to cleanly finish their respective opponents, holding nothing back.

If one were to classify dogs by breed,

The Navy are the World Nobles' hounds, while CP0 are the World Nobles' bootlickers!

The Navy at least maintained the basic order of the seas.

CP0 only escorted the wanton World Nobles, doing nothing but evil!

Killing them at random is well-deserved death.

Very quickly,

Except for the Straw Hat Pirate Crew, no one remained standing at the scene.

"The first step of the plan succeeded," Sima Di said, "Everyone replenish your stamina; wait and see which Navy Admiral comes."

Before anyone could reply...

"Boom—boom—boom—"

Heavy footsteps approached; everyone turned to look as a tall figure emerged.

Just as they were about to ask who he was,

That tall figure lifted the door curtain and bent to let an old man with white hair enter the hall.

"Oh?" Crocus exclaimed, "I didn't expect to meet you here."

"I didn't expect it either, Crocus; to meet you again in my lifetime," the white-haired old man said.

Sima Di stared at the white-haired old man; his beard and hair were all silver, and a scar ran across his right eye beneath his glasses.

It was...

"Vice-Captain Lei Li, I didn't expect to see you again!" Crocus sighed.

The Straw Hat Pirate Crew was shocked!

Vice-Captain Lei Li?

Then isn't he...

"Are you the Dark King?"

"The Pirate King's Vice-Captain?" Sanji added.

"If there is no one else, then it must be me," Lei Li nodded, "When I saw you join a new pirate crew back then, it really startled me... That little girl named Laboon, could she be...?"

"Yes! He is Laboon; now that he has eaten the Druid Fruit, he can turn into a human," Crocus nodded.

Lei Li couldn't help but sigh and shake his head.

"You haven't given up? Didn't we get news that the pirate crew already..."

"Yo-ho-ho-ho—That is our captain!" Brook spoke up, "Allow me to introduce myself: Brook, former violinist of the Rumbar Pirate Crew. We did not flee the Grand Line; after we all died in battle, I, who ate the Huang Quan Fruit, was trapped in the Devil's Triangle for 50 years, that's all."

50 years?

And that's all?

Lei Li glanced at Crocus; after the latter nodded in confirmation, he couldn't help but look at Brook a few more times.

"He's a man."

"Yo-ho-ho-ho—The Vice-Captain of the Pirate King's praise is truly flattering!"

Lei Li looked at the World Nobles' special seating area, now full of wreckage, somewhat confused.

"Crocus, didn't you try to dissuade them? This has become tricky."

"In fact... our goal is to kill the World Nobles and attract a Navy Admiral," Crocus laughed heartily, "How about it? The thing Luo Jie wanted to do most back then, which you stopped, we did it today!"

"Oh? Specifically attracting a Navy Admiral?" Lei Li was somewhat surprised.

Are young people this confident nowadays?

And Crocus, a man as steady as an old dog, actually agreed to this plan...

This pirate crew seems to have a bit of skill.

"Hmm?"

Lei Li's gaze suddenly fixed on Luffy's straw hat; this wasn't...

"You noticed?" Crocus smiled, "This is Luo Jie's straw hat; Shanks gave it to him."

"Hahaha—Interesting! Too interesting!" Lei Li suddenly laughed loudly, "Since the Luo Jie Pirate Crew disbanded, I haven't encountered anything as interesting as today; count this old man in for your plan!"

As a veteran powerhouse, and with the added connection of Crocus.

Logically speaking, Lei Li's request to join should have been very welcome.

But......

Lord Sima shook his head and said: "I'm very sorry, Lord Lei Li, but this is the Straw Hat Pirates' trial battle, a battle of proof. Please do not interfere."

This refusal shocked everyone!

You've got such a big shot offering to escort you, and you actually refused?

But immediately, the members of the Straw Hat Pirates all smiled.

"That's right!"

"This is our own battle. Lord Underworld, please don't interfere."

"It's just an Admiral — Di can take them on just like Luffy!"

Everyone was brimming with confidence, looking like newborn calves unafraid of tigers.

It left the astonished Lei Li a bit caught between laughter and tears.

Is it truly confidence?

Or is it excessive arrogance?

At this moment,

Lord Sima said in a deep voice again: "However... there is indeed one favor I need Lord Lei Li's help with."

"Oh? You little punk are this confident, yet there's something you can't handle?" Lei Li teased.

"I need a chance to speak with Whitebeard. Can you arrange it?" Lord Sima said on his own.

"Hmm... if that old fellow hasn't changed his Den Den Mushi, it shouldn't be a problem." Lei Li stroked his beard and asked back: "But why should I help you?"

You just got rejected, and you think you can just ask for help and get it?

Does he have no shame?

Don't want to......

Lord Sima looked at Luffy and said: "Luffy, if I remember correctly... who is your sworn brother Ace's father?"

"Oh, Ace. His father is the Pirate King, Luo Jie." Luffy said casually.

As if saying "Ace's dad is some random passerby," perfectly ordinary.

But for those present, it was a bolt from the blue!

Everyone:? っQ?;)っ

What the heck?