Chapter 201

"Boy Di, you really are..." Kurokas's gaze was peculiar.

This made Sima Di very displeased.

"If you've got something to say, say it! Don't stutter—do you think you're a girl?"

Vivi suddenly hit Sima Di. "What are you talking about!"

Yet...

Except for Vivi, not a single person there understood his sarcasm.

——They're all bachelors!

"Boy Di, do you know the true power of that Divine Slash?" Kurokas recalled: "Back then, Luo Jie used this move to slay the legendary pirate Rocks, and its residual shockwave nearly collapsed the Valley of the Gods—alongside Kapi's Iron Fist and Zhanguo's Buddha Shockwave!"

Is it that strong?

Sima Di glared skeptically at Kurokas.

Although that sword strike was a bit powerful, it shouldn't have been enough to split an island, right?

"Don't look at me—it's because Lei Li didn't train it well, not because the technique itself is weak," Kurokas hurriedly said.

"Hey, what are you saying!" Lei Li grumbled: "I wasn't even at full power—after all, it was just a sparring match."

Not even full power?

The Straw Hat Pirates were nearly numb from the shock.

Only Sima Di squinted: "Not full power? I don't think so!"

Lei Li awkwardly looked away.

Although not full power...

He still used eight-tenths of his strength.

Who else but Sima Di could learn the "Divine Slash" after just one glance?

——Back then, under Luo Jie's instruction, he still needed three days to barely grasp it.

"By the way!" Lei Li narrowed his eyes: "Boy Di, how well have you learned this Divine Slash?"

Speaking of which...

Sima Di recalled.

He realized his memory of the "Divine Slash" was extremely vivid, and his mastery of Armament Haki had surged dramatically.

What's going on?

Did he just tap into his hidden potential?

Oh right!

Wasn't there a system notification just now?

【Ding! Congratulations on signing in to the iconic scene "The Slash That Buried the Rocks Pirates!"—Reward received: "The Sword Master's Swordsmanship of Pirate King Luo Jie"!】

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"The Sword Master's Swordsmanship of Pirate King Luo Jie": As a non-Demon Fruit user, Luo Jie conquered the seas with his swordsmanship and became Pirate King—his Divine Slash ended an era!;

——————————

No wonder Sima Di's understanding of the "Divine Slash" was so high!

So it was a "Luo Jie bonus pack" from the system...

Perfect!

Time to use it to shut down that old man Lei Li.

Sima Di used telekinesis to retrieve Hyōrinmaru, then channeled Armament Haki through it just as Lei Li had done, wrapping it in Armament Haki until golden lightning crackled around it—the fierce aura made Lei Li's eyebrows twitch!

This aura...

No mistake!

He really learned it?

Just this control—this restraint before release—his mastery of the "Divine Slash" already surpasses mine...

And his Armament Haki has improved significantly too?

"Are you even human?" Lei Li snarled.

This isn't something a human should be capable of!

"Just a bit of talent," Sima Di humbly said.

Lei Li and the others all turned grim.

That's "a bit of talent"?

Then what are we?

A bit of trash?

One sentence—

It left Lei Li questioning his entire life.

He walked off silently.

Sima Di shrugged at Vivi. "Why are people today so fragile?"

"You, always picking on us," Vivi grumbled.

If she didn't have Lei Shenzhichui, she'd probably be in self-imposed isolation right now.

Now?

Lei Shenzhichui is so heavy that even Marine Admiral Rayleigh couldn't lift it—so if she can, doesn't that prove her talent in some area surpasses Lei Li's?

"Quack!"

Sima Di suddenly hunched over, blessed himself, and let out several loud grunts.

He then walked toward the deck feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

He happened to run into Marco flying toward him; Marco landed on the ship's railing and looked Sima Di up and down with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

"What was that Conqueror's Haki burst just now?" Marco asked.

So that's what he came about!

Though the vibranium walls could take a hit reasonably well, they couldn't block off aura.

"Just had a little sparring with Rayleigh, nothing serious," Sima Di said casually. "When do we set out?"

Marco took a long, deep look at Sima Di.

Nothing serious?

That was the real question!

The first burst of Conqueror's Haki was still explainable — by the book, nothing unusual.

But the intensity of the two that followed was terrifyingly high; even Whitebeard himself was moved by it, which was why he'd sent Marco to gather intel.

And this is "nothing serious"?

And look around —

Not a single trace of any clash. That meant all three bursts had been brought perfectly under control, without even disturbing the things nearby...

What kind of mastery would that take?

But now, as allies,

Marco didn't feel right probing too deeply, and was even a little relieved — the stronger the ally, the fewer the casualties at Marineford.

"We set out in half an hour. We'll probably reach the designated position half an hour early, leaving you time to carry out the plan," Marco said in a low voice.

Sima Di nodded and gave an OK hand gesture.

"Let's do everything according to plan. When the time comes, the Whitebeard Pirates will still be under your command — just wait for my signal to kick off phase two," Sima Di said easily.

Hearing that, Marco couldn't help feeling a bit worried.

"You think Ace... the World Government and the Marines will really let him be rescued?"

Looks like Marco knows Ace's true identity too.

But Sima Di was brimming with confidence.

"What's there to fear? Whitebeard's back at peak strength, we've got the Straw Hat Pirates helping out, and Rayleigh as our hired muscle — as long as we stick to my plan, taking on the Marines is just a game, right?" Sima Di said dismissively.

When you've got a dragon riding your face, how can you lose?

Wait!

Wasn't that line some kind of jinx?

Marine Headquarters, Marineford — the sun shone bright and high.