Chapter 88

Luo Xing smiled faintly, shifted his foot, and flashed to Zoro's side.

Zoro's eyes were vacant, tears streaming down his face.

His first utter and total defeat dealt him a massive blow.

Luo Xing extended his right hand toward Zoro on the ground and said with a smile:

"Be my subordinate, kid!"

"I can make you possess the world's strongest power!"

83. Luo Xing's identity exposed, Zoro consumes a Dragon-Level Monster Cell! (Please subscribe)

Be my son.

Perhaps Whitebeard's line would have a more effective impact on winning hearts.

Unfortunately, Luo Xing did not have Whitebeard's age, nor did he like being a father as much as Whitebeard did.

Zoro, lying on the ground, stared blankly at Luo Xing, who had appeared beside him somehow, then looked again at the sword at Luo Xing's waist.

"You are also a swordsman?"

"No, I am merely a scientist with little strength."

"Then how will you make me possess the world's strongest power?"

Zoro wore a puzzled expression.

If Luo Xing was not a swordsman, how could he teach him swordsmanship and make him the strongest?

"A scientist, of course, makes people stronger through inventions."

"Inventions? Are they drugs that enhance the human physique, or things like Devil Fruits that grant abilities?"

"They can enhance your physique and strength, and may also grant you special abilities; it all depends on your own fortune."

Zoro was shocked.

Does such a miraculous thing still exist in this world?

It seems he truly is, as Hawk Eyes said, a frog at the bottom of a well.

Zoro hesitated little, struggled to his feet, and said:

"As long as I can become stronger, I am willing to become your subordinate."

A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Luo Xing's mouth. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a strangely shaped purple lump of flesh, saying:

"Eat this, and you will become stronger."

Just as Zoro was about to reach out to take it, a voice filled with great surprise came from nearby:

"This is... a Monster Cell?! So you are that mysterious Imperial Son-in-Law of the Beasts, the one known as the Fifth Sea Emperor, Luo Xing!"

Aside from Yamato, the only one present who could instantly recognize a Monster Cell was Hawk Eyes, who had seen one once at Red Hair's place.

Hawk Eyes stared tightly at Luo Xing with his sharp eyes, his entire body's muscles becoming excited.

"No wonder I felt just now that the sword at your waist was extraordinary; I suppose that is the Hell Blade Enma, capable of devouring Haki!"

"I never expected such a mysterious figure as you would appear in the East Blue!"

Hawk Eyes' words made Zoro, Alvida, Nami, and even the Sword God Johnny and the Sword Saint Joseph all wear expressions of disbelief.

This man was actually that Imperial Son-in-Law of the Beasts, the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing, who had the highest discussion rate on the seas recently!

Alvida was directly scared into wetting herself, her whole body shaking like a sieve.

Nami's heart pounded wildly, she swallowed hard, stared blankly at Luo Xing, and even forgot the escape plan she had long prepared.

This man is the legendary Fifth Emperor Luo Xing; Arlong in front of him is not even worth a fart!

As for Zoro, after a moment of astonishment, he became even more relieved.

Becoming a subordinate of the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing, whose fame surpasses even Hawk Eyes', is not shameful.

On the contrary, it might even be an honor.

After all, a proper Fifth Emperor inviting you to become his subordinate means you have been recognized by the Fifth Emperor.

A trace of helplessness appeared on Luo Xing's face; he still wanted to maintain his mysterious aura.

Mihawk, why are your eyes so sharp?

Luo Xing looked at Hawk Eyes, shrugged, and said:

"Since you have recognized me, what do you plan to do? Capture me for the World Government to claim the reward?"

The bounty for capturing Luo Xing alive is as high as five billion Berries; very few people would not be tempted.

Hawk Eyes had no such intention at all; his tone carried a hint of excitement as he said:

"Although I am a Warlord, the World Government has not issued a mandatory order; I have no obligation to do things for them."

"There is only one thing I want to do now, which is to say again the words I said before."

Hawk Eyes took a deep breath and spoke word by word:

"I, Dracule Mihawk, in the name of the world's strongest swordsman, issue a challenge to you, Fifth Emperor Luo Xing!"

Luo Xing's expression became even more helpless.

I really am just a weak scientist.

If you want to fight and kill, why not go find my cheap father-in-law Kaido?

The Three Calamities would do too; they are enough to exhaust you, Hawk Eyes.

Luo Xing sighed, looked at Hawk Eyes, and said very seriously:

"I am a person who does not like fighting; I only like tinkering with inventions."

"But if fighting is unavoidable, then it must involve bloodshed."

"That is to say, you will die here today, Hawk Eyes."

His serious and calm voice made endless chill rise from the bottom of people's hearts.

To not strike is one thing, but once he strikes, he must take the enemy's life—such is the majesty of the Fifth Sea Emperor?!

Even Mihawk, this world-class swordsman, could not help but feel a chill run down his spine.

He finally understood why Shanks and Benn Beckman, on the day he left, were so wary of Luo Xing, even calling the Luoxing Society a more terrifying existence than Kaido of the Beasts.

In Mihawk's view now,

this statement was truly no lie!

"My lord Luo Xing, it is I who defeated Mihawk; it must be me! This is my lifelong dream! It is the vow I made! It is my promise to Kuina!"

Zoro, heavily wounded, actually knelt down and shouted with all his might:

"I beg you!"

Luo Xing helped Zoro up and said to Mihawk:

"It seems I will not be the one to kill you. How about satisfying a young man's ambition?"

Mihawk remained silent for a long time.

This counted as a tacit agreement.

Luo Xing then smiled at Zoro: "Eat this Monster Cell. If you wish to defeat Mihawk, you still have a long road ahead."

Zoro was deeply grateful.

Taking the Monster Cell and about to eat it, he suddenly remembered something and said:

"My lord Luo Xing, I once read in a newspaper that the Monster Cells you invented are divided into low and high grades. I want to eat a high-grade Monster Cell."

Luo Xing said: "This is a high-grade Monster Cell, the Oni grade, which is higher than the Tiger grade."

Although Zoro's strength is weak now, having tempered his body since childhood and undergoing high-intensity training every day, his physical constitution far surpasses Enel's.

Therefore,

according to Luo Xing's estimation, Zoro should barely be able to withstand the side effects of the Oni-grade Monster Cell.

Yet Zoro's ambition did not stop there: "Is there anything above the Oni grade?"

Luo Xing hesitated, which was rare for him.

Of course, there is something above the Oni grade: the Dragon-grade Monster Cell!

But the Dragon-grade Monster Cell requires not only a powerful constitution but also sufficient strength to support it.

Even within the Beasts Pirates, where powerful figures gather, only the Three Calamities can withstand the side effects of the Dragon-grade Monster Cell.

And if one cannot endure it, the only outcome is death.

Zoro's current strength is far from enough.

Luo Xing held Zoro in high regard and did not want to lose such a subordinate with limitless potential.

Thus, he hesitated about whether to tell Zoro the truth.

However, hesitation itself was also an answer.