Chapter 135: Is It Too Late to Start Practicing Swordplay Now?

Elbaf, Underworld.

Snow-white frost covers the frozen earth that has never melted in ten thousand years; the vast land is now only a solitary stretch of white.

The icy wind howls past; in the snowstorm, two figures dart and shift, each swinging horizontal and vertical cuts.

Clang~ Clang~ Clang~

The sound waves from Mengxiang Yixin and Black Blade Yei's clash ripple like waves on water, spreading across the snowfield, stirring up thousands of snow surges.

Watching the two figures sparring, Loki dropped the hammer handle he was holding onto the ground.

"Is it still too late to start practicing swordplay now?"

Hearing this, Gold Lion froze in shock for several seconds, then burst into laughter, cigar clenched in his teeth.

"Hehehehehe!"

"Loki, the captain once said—"

"The world does not make way for the cowardly, but it offers the brave a chance to choose again."

"The value of action lies in its ability to reshape the meaning of time; age or starting point is never the end—the key is whether one is willing to take the first step."

"Rather than agonizing over not having started in the past,"

"Seize the present—so long as you act, it is never too late."

After half a year together, Gold Lion fully accepted Loki: he truly deserved a place on the ship.

Given time, Loki would be the only crew member whose overall strength could match the captain's.

Mihawk only rivals the captain in swordsmanship.

In terms of the three types of Haki, Mihawk's Conqueror's and Observation Haki fall short of the captain's; only his Armament Haki barely matches.

In terms of stamina—the deciding factor for victory—

Mihawk, Gold Lion… everyone else is utterly inferior to the captain's monstrous endurance; only Loki, with his ancient giant bloodline, comes nearly equal to the captain.

Hearing these words, Loki grinned.

"I'll go find a proper hammer—ordinary hammers keep getting shattered by Bai Mao."

In half a year, Loki has had over a hundred hammers shattered, nearly one per day on average.

He nearly shattered his Dao heart because of it.

In all of Elbaf, no matter which craftsman forged the great hammer, none could withstand Bai Mao's blade for more than half a day before being sliced to pieces.

Loki was especially envious of the divine weapon in Bai Mao's hands—Mengxiang Yixin.

According to Bai Mao's own words: Mengxiang Yixin changes size with its wielder's stature, fitting both three-meter and nine-meter heights.

It was literally the perfect weapon of dreams.

Loki dreamed of owning a divine weapon just like Mengxiang Yixin.

Iron Thunder would have perfectly suited his needs, but Bai Mao claimed it first; since Loki respects Bai Mao, he has no desire to steal what another owns.

Even though Iron Thunder is from Elbaf…

Soon after, the two figures sparring suddenly halted; then, Saint Saint Saiwen pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.

"Moxi Moxi, who's this?"

The Den Den Mushi's face showed urgency, speaking at breakneck speed.

"Saint Saint Saiwen, it's Lei Li—I've got three kids kidnapped by slave traders while sailing. Help me find them."

"They're Boa Hancok, Boa Sandersonia, and Boa Marigold…"

Saint Saint Saiwen interrupted to soothe him.

"Uncle Lei Li, don't panic."

"I'll ask around. As soon as I have news, I'll contact you immediately."

"When were they taken?"

The Den Den Mushi's voice suddenly changed.

"Half a month ago, we left Nine Snake Island; after that, Hancok and the others joined the Nine Snake Pirates, and were attacked and captured during their voyage."

"Thanks for your help, Saint Saint Saiwen."

"It's nothing, Xia Yi."

After hanging up, Saint Saint Saiwen immediately called the Shipping King Umit and the News King Morgens, asking them to help locate the three Boa sisters.

He then obtained the contact details of Drago Peklo from the Shipping King.

Drago Peklo, known as the Funeral Empire Tycoon, is also one of the underworld's kings,

Using funeral services as a cover, he primarily deals in parts trafficking—a damned bastard.

Den Den Mushi: "Hello? Who's this?"

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen."

The Den Den Mushi paused for several seconds, then chuckled nervously.

"I never expected someone of your stature to reach out to a nobody like me."

"My lord Barzab, what do you require?"

Saint Saint Saiwen stated his intent, then added: "Mr. Peklo, after this is done, Barzab owes you a favor."

A favor must be repaid—when I kill you someday, I'll make it quick.

The Den Den Mushi laughed: "Everyone on the sea says Barzab keeps his word. To earn your favor is my honor—I'll reply as soon as possible."

"Thank you."

He didn't call Vizel directly because, compared to owing the Five Elders a favor, Saint Saint Saiwen preferred owing these underworld kings.

His cooperation with Morgens had been very pleasant.

Under Morgens' pen, Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen had already become the King of the World.

Umit was the same.

The shipment of gold produced on Hive Island and the supplies needed on the island have been handled by the Pirate King's fleet for nearly half a year.

This group of underworld figures can still be bound by interests, but the Five Elders and the World Government cannot.

Saint Saint Saiwen believed that as long as the World Government had the chance, it would choose to destroy the Morning Star Pirates, and he would similarly choose to destroy the World Government.

The cooperation between the two sides existed only because there was no opportunity, or rather, no suitable timing to destroy the other.

Moreover, the current cooperation with the Five Elders must maintain the initiative; under no circumstances could they fall into a passive position.

That was why they had not contacted Saint Vokuli.

If nothing unexpected had happened, the Hancock sisters should have been transferred to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and reduced to slaves of the Celestial Dragons.

Mihawk had already sheathed the Black Blade Yoru.

"Saint Saint Saiwen, do we need to go back?"

"Not for now. We've entrusted someone to help search; it makes no difference whether we return now or not."

Saint Saint Saiwen understood that the Morning Star Pirates still lacked talent, lacking all kinds of talent.

Later, he must go to the East Blue to ask Buggy if he is willing to launch Buggy Express early; that way, at least they could gather intelligence.

Also, they must continue to recruit people.

In the future, Shanks' crew members, Yasopp... Saint Saint Saiwen looked down on them, but the rest could absolutely be poached. Everyone was brothers; Shanks certainly wouldn't mind.

Right, Shanks?

Seeing the Little White Hair finally finish, Loki waved his fist and charged over in large strides.

"Little White Hair, take this punch!"

Saint Saint Saiwen raised his iron fist wrapped in dual-colored Haki.

"Ordinary Punch!"

This kind of life had continued for half a year; usually, it mainly involved Saint Saint Saiwen, Mihawk, Golden Lion, and Loki taking turns in sparring battles.

Jabba would occasionally join in when his hands itched.

Big Bear and Jin Ni would only join the sparring lineup after combining their respective abilities, as the others were simply too overpowered.

For everyone, the practical combat experience and progress over these half a year were immense.

Especially for Saint Saint Saiwen.

He had almost learned all the moves recorded in Karp's training manual; only the final move, Wuxian Quan Gu, was not yet mastered proficiently.

After all, it was Karp's ultimate move; spending a bit more time on it was entirely reasonable.

East Blue Sea, Moonlight Islands.

Syrup Village, Dock.

The man draped in a cloak with classical scroll patterns suddenly stopped, turning back to look behind him.

"What's wrong, Shanks?"

The red-haired man with the straw hat on his head shook his head.

"Nothing, Benn Beckman. I just suddenly felt a bit of heart palpitation, as if I were about to lose something."

Having said that, Shanks couldn't help but laugh.

"You say, we two are currently penniless, don't even have a decent ship; I truly can't think of anything else we could lose."

Benn Beckman, with a cigarette in his mouth, hesitated and said.

"Perhaps someone is nagging about us."

"Nagging?" Shanks froze in astonishment.

Before his eyes, an image of a white-haired youth and a red-nosed youth with their arms around each other's shoulders involuntarily floated up.

Since Saint Saint Saiwen and the Captain went to the South Blue, it had been nearly five years since they last met; they certainly wouldn't be nagging.

Three and a half years ago, Shanks rejected Buggy's request to board the ship and travel to the final island, Laugh Tale, to find the Great Treasure; the two parted ways unhappily since then.

Then the truth was about to emerge.

"It is... Buggy, right?"