Chapter 259

Immediately activated the Invisible Fruit to vanish his form; for safety, he did not choose Moon Step, but instead elementalized and flew toward the opposite ship.

"Hm?"

Sima Di unconsciously glanced over, and the others on deck also turned their heads.

"Huh? I can't detect Sanji's position anymore?" Usopp asked, puzzled.

"I can't find him either—is it because our Kenbunshoku Haki is too weak?" Luffy scratched his head.

"Same here!" Chopper said.

Yes!

Whether by sight or Kenbunshoku Haki, none of them could locate Sanji's figure.

Sima Di switched to spiritual force scanning and could only detect a mass of spiritual-force-infused gas drifting in the air.

Never expected this!

"It's the fusion of the Invisible Fruit and the Gas Fruit that triggered a chemical reaction," Sima Di said aloud: "When Sanji elementalizes, he becomes nothing but gas—so Kenbunshoku Haki can't sense him... Previously, there was still a color to distinguish him, but the Invisible Fruit eliminated that one flaw."

This is an epic enhancement for Sanji, whose primary combat style is close-range fighting!

Look at Usopp,

his face turned grim, because this meant he would forever be outmatched by Sanji.

—Precisely speaking, every sniper would be outmatched by Sanji!

After all, no matter how skilled a sniper is, they must first be able to spot their opponent!

"Hahahaha—This is hilarious!" Luffy laughed.

"Don't look so miserable, Usopp—Sanji is our partner," Robin teased.

"I'm just wondering... will I also have to face enemies like this in the future?" Usopp said bitterly.

This triggered a burst of laughter from everyone!

"What are you laughing at? I'm serious!" Usopp grumbled.

"Usopp, do you think everyone has a Di? Or devil fruit compatibility serum?" Kurokasi cut to the chase.

Usopp suddenly understood!

That's right!

Sanji's glitch is that he's a double-fruit user—and on this entire sea, could any other double-fruit user appear besides the Straw Hat Pirates?

He immediately relaxed, shifting his attention to the merchant ship.

Sanji didn't alert anyone; one by one, figures collapsed, snoring soundly.

It was due to oxygen deprivation in the brain from inhaling too much gas, causing unconsciousness.

Without a sound,

all the enemies were taken down by Sanji.

He revealed his form, standing on the ship's edge, waving at the others.

But...

"Idiot! There are still people below deck!"

"Fatal??? Kyou??

Usopp, quick as lightning, fired a slingshot—Franky's armor-piercing bullet pierced the merchant ship's hull, aiming to blow the man's head off as he charged toward the child!

"Hmph! At the critical moment, it still takes the great me!" Usopp crossed his arms.

So what if you can turn invisible?

You still left a gap!

"Usopp is amazing!" Meri cheered enthusiastically.

"Usopp is the best!" Chopper clapped his hooves.

But...

"Usopp, you're celebrating too early," Kurokasi said suddenly.

Usopp now noticed—the man inside the cabin hadn't been shot in the head; he had drawn a sword and split Usopp's armor-piercing bullet clean in two.

"You've got some skill!"

Usopp was about to deliver a finishing blow,

when the furious Sanji had already stormed into the cabin and clashed with the man.

To avoid hurting the children,

Sanji unleashed a burst of power, kicking them all out of the cabin, smashing through the deck and into the sea, then chasing after them with Moon Step!

—You made me lose face? I'll kick you to death!

Sima Di watched the figure in the air and instantly recognized him as "Jinwei," a retainer of the Kozuki family guarding Toki.

Meanwhile,

Jinwei was also a formidable two-sword style swordsman, skilled in the "Foxfire Style," capable of cutting through flames.

In a direct confrontation, Sanji might have to exert considerable effort.

But...

"Plop—"

"Gurgle—"

Jinwei plunged into the sea, flailed a few times, then sank to the ocean floor.

He was a Fuku Fuku no Mi user, able to transform any object into clothing he imagined.

So drowning in seawater isn't a problem, right?

Sanji was also somewhat surprised,

But he was also a Devil Fruit user, so he couldn't dive into the sea to vent his anger; instead, he scowled, stepped on Moon Walk, and leaped back to the deck.

"Perverted cook, two Devil Fruits still can't save your stupidity." Zoro never missed an opportunity to strike at Sanji.

"I'm in a bad mood now, don't bother me!"

"So what?"

"Bastard! Grasping at shadows!"

"Dugu Nine Swords??????"

The two continued to bicker and play.

Sima Di merely watched Jinwei Sect sink into the sea, showing no intention of offering rescue.

In his youth, Jinwei Sect was a notorious thug!

As for loyalty and protecting the master...

It was merely repaying a debt of gratitude for one's salary.

【Ding! Congratulations on signing in at the famous scene "The 20-Year Savior Prophecy of 'Failing Before Achieving Victory'!" Receive sign-in reward: "Jinwei Sect's Mighty Physique"!】

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"Jinwei Sect's Mighty Physique": As the leader of the Nine Red Scabbards, Jinwei Sect possesses the strongest physique; his Armament Haki can even pierce Kaido's tough skin!;

——————————

Physique and Armament Haki received a slight increase.

An unexpected bonus.

The Straw Hat Pirates had already leaped onto the merchant ship to rescue the imprisoned children.

Among them,

a bald child with a topknot cried and ran toward Robin for a hug, while Robin, completely unguarded, squatted down, ready to comfort the terrified little one.

(▼へ▼メ)

Kin! Emon!!!

You're asking for death!!!

【Get lost!】

Just as Kin'emon was about to embrace Robin, he was suddenly slapped away, crashing hard against the ship's railing, nearly falling into the sea.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned!

Why did Sima Di suddenly fly into a rage?

Because that child wanted to hug Robin?