Chapter 262

Sima Di glanced at Vegapunk.

This undercover vice admiral, who had legitimized Armament Haki, was in a sorry state under the combined assault of Zoro and Brook.

Armament Haki?

Soulfire didn't care about that nonsense—half his body burned with green flames.

Zoro's +10 Wado Ichimonji allowed him to cut through Vegapunk's Advanced Armament Haki despite only having Intermediate Armament Haki himself; the wounded areas could not heal due to the "necrosis" property, and half his body was drenched in blood.

Sima Di quickly used a mental link to tell the two to leave him alive.

"Don't worry, I'll keep him for you," Sima Di said. "How's your Hial Frost Fist coming along?"

"There's a bit of a problem with this Circulating Energy..." Seeing Kuzan prepared to ask humbly.

"Oh, problems are normal—but don't ask me," Sima Di interrupted the spell.

Aye!

Just teasing you.

Even Seeing Kuzan was thrown off...

If you won't teach, then what are you asking for?

"Intelligence indicates that Big Mom's Baron Om and Kaido's Jack are both heading toward Dressrosa."

"Probably because of Caesar..."

"Be careful yourself."

"If there's nothing else, I'm signing off."

"Kachaa—"

Sima Di chuckled and put away the white Den Den Mushi.

I just teased you once!

Why'd you get so flustered and hang up?!

But...

"Both Big Mom and Kaido have sent people? Doflamingo's just thrashing in his death throes," Sima Di said, shaking his head.

If you're scared, just run!

Call for backup...

At least summon one of them—Big Mom or Kaido!

Just Jack and Baron Om...

Might as well count them as bonus.

Glancing at the battle still ongoing,

Sima Di casually pulled out the contract of the Elephant King he had just obtained; in his hand appeared a semi-transparent ancient contract, its surface covered entirely in archaic script.

". ～ Huh? What's this?" Robin leaned over.

Sima Di simply handed it to her outright.

Robin examined it carefully, then said: "This seems to be a contract—between the Kozuki family and a being named Naitamia... Kyo... Kyo... Joy Boy?"

Oh?

Now this is interesting.

Sima Di took back the Elephant King contract Robin handed him and absorbed it directly—it was made of condensed spiritual energy.

The next moment,

Sima Di felt a distant connection to something, deep within the New World.

That must be the Elephant King's location.

But because the distance was too great,

Sima Di could only sense its approximate position, unable to issue remote commands.

Now we have a base.

The Elephant King is a massive creature,

with an entire Mink Tribe "nation" living on its back, and wasn't there also a Red Road Poneglyph on it?

"Thud!"

Zoro "strode in on his sword" and casually tossed the gravely wounded and unconscious Vegapunk onto the deck.

Sima Di frowned slightly.

"Why bring him back? You've dirtied the deck—hand him over to Smoker and his men, then let's leave."

"You didn't make it clear!" Zoro complained.

He hurled Vegapunk outward,

calculated the distance, and slashed out a cut, letting Vegapunk ride the "wind" of the slash toward Smoker's warship.

But...

Zoro forgot that no one on the other side could catch his slash!

As the warship was about to be sunk,

Daz Bones gritted her teeth, shoved Sanji aside, raised her sword to block the slash—willing to sacrifice herself to save her comrades...

"Clang!"

But Sanji intervened, one leg kicking apart Daz Bones' sword to stop her from dying, the other leg smashing Zoro's slash to pieces.

—As for Vegapunk on top, he was kicked flying, crashing through the deck.

"Fatty Greenhair! Be gentle with ladies!" Sanji roared.

"I didn't know they were that weak..." Zoro muttered, lacking conviction.

I almost killed that female Marine who looked just like Kuina just now...

"Enough," Sima Di called out. "We've made enough of a scene. Let's go."

Luffy reluctantly let go of Smoker, waving at him with a smile.

"See you next time, Smoke Uncle."

To anyone who didn't know, it looked like friends saying goodbye.

But Smoker's bruised and swollen face proved their exchange was anything but friendly!

"Damn it! I'll arrest you all with my own hands!" Smoker roared.

"Then you'd better get stronger fast—wake up your Armament Haki at least," Luffy offered kindly.

It was like a blade plunged straight into Smoker's chest.

How infuriating!

Smoker gritted his teeth as he watched Luffy and the others return to the Going Merry, the merchant ship sailing off with Yang Fan—his teeth clenched with rage!

He hated it!

The pirate who once was utterly crushed by him now had turned the tables and crushed him instead...

At that moment,

a Marine rushed over in panic, dragging a Den Den Mushi behind him.

"Vice Admiral Smoker! It's Admiral Seeing Kuzan's call!"

Hearing this, Smoker forced himself up and took the phone.

"This is Smoker," Smoker said bluntly.

He had originally been Seeing Kuzan's subordinate, only assigned to guard Loguetown due to his temperament.

"I'm aware of your situation. Order: detain the Marine undercover Vice Admiral Vergo, and repatriate those children to their original registered residences. Someone will come to relieve you."

How did Seeing Kuzan know?

Smoker glanced at the Marines present, assuming someone had sent a distress signal.

"Understood. I'll handle it."

"Hmm, then..."

"Admiral Seeing Kuzan."

"Hmm?"

"After this, I want to retrain! At least... at least I need to awaken Armament Haki!" Smoker growled through gritted teeth.

"Approved."

"Thank you."

He hung up the phone.