Chapter 168: Challenger Barrett (Combined Two-in-One)

Retrieving the famous blade Autumn Water and subsequently reclaiming Inazuma was the goal Saint Saint Saiwen had set two years ago.

Now is the time to execute it.

According to the intelligence Vergo sent back, the nobles and daimyos of Wano Country have been physically purged by Kaido, leaving only Black炭 Orochi.

He is perfectly suitable to be sacrificed to the famous blade Autumn Water.

After all, Autumn Water is one of only two black blades on the seas, and primarily, it is the national treasure of Wano Country.

The symbolic significance is too great.

With Autumn Water in hand, beheading Black炭 Orochi will drastically reduce the difficulty of Saint Saint Saiwen's upcoming tasks.

He would also occupy the moral high ground.

Moreover, if action is not taken now, Momonosuke will be sent twenty years into the future by Kouzuki Toki; Saint Saint Saiwen has no reason to miss the ten thousand points bounty on Hammer Girl.

Momonosuke must die!

First kill Momonosuke, then kill the escape soldier.

If someone could achieve these two feats in the Pirate World, I believe the vast majority of the audience would sincerely exclaim:

I shall call you the strongest in the world.

Currently, Autumn Water happens to be in Moria's hands.

This shut-in Gecko Moria also appeared at Loguetown four years ago and challenged Kaido during Saint Saint Saiwen's seclusion on Skypiea, only to be defeated.

All his comrades were killed by Kaido.

Before leaving Wano Country, Moria transformed into a tomb raider, stealing the corpse of Shimotsuki Ryuma and the famous blade Autumn Water; now he is holed up as a shut-in on Thriller Bark.

Saint Saint Saiwen never considered recruiting Moria.

Moria holds a grudge against Kaido,

while Kaido is Saint Saint Saiwen's carefully selected specialist laborer for expanding territory, and also Yamato's cheap old man.

Upon reclaiming Inazuma, Vergo will advise Kaido to occupy Dressrosa.

After a few years, Saint Saint Saiwen will make a heroic entrance, rescue the suffering people of Dressrosa, seize the moral high ground, and gradually consume the entire New World.

The plan is堪称 perfect.

While Saint Saint Saiwen was deep in thought, the Donghai Dihuang ship steadily anchored near a small island.

Barrett could not wait to jump off the ship.

"Little Bai Mao, make your move."

Saint Saint Saiwen stepped on the void leisurely, walking step by step onto the island.

It has been a full ten years since Barrett first challenged Luo Jie and eventually joined the Luo Jie Pirates as a challenger.

The fifteen-year-old Barrett of that year has shed his immaturity.

Now, not only is his body burly and he has mastered the three types of Haki, but his strength, speed, technique, and physical durability are all extremely formidable.

But how to put it.

Saint Saint Saiwen is also not the nine-year-old little cook of the Luo Jie Pirates from ten years ago.

In these ten years, especially the last four, Saint Saint Saiwen's progress has been far greater than Barrett's, approaching progress of two completely different concepts.

In a sense, Saint Saint Saiwen and Barrett's experiences are extremely similar.

Barrett was abandoned by his mother since childhood.

Saint Saint Saiwen drifted to Housha Town.

The name Douglas Barrett is not Barrett's real name; even Barrett himself does not know his true name.

When Barrett was eight, he served as a child soldier under the army commander Douglas Gray, with the main task of leading the charge and stepping on landmines on the battlefield.

All child soldiers were called Bullet, and everyone was numbered; Barrett was Number 9.

Because the unit commander's surname was Douglas,

Barrett was called: the ninth bullet of the Douglas unit. This is the origin of the name Douglas Barrett.

Saint Saint Saiwen's name is even simpler.

The day he was picked up by the old village head was July 7th, so he was named Saint Saint Saiwen.

Their experiences, if in another world, might be considered suffering, but in the Pirate World, they are the norm; those who survive are already extremely lucky.

This is the fundamental reason why Saint Saint Saiwen is determined to overthrow the World Government.

This world is f***ing screwed up.

The difference between Saint Saint Saiwen and Barrett lies in this: Luo Jie was the only person to defeat Barrett, and Barrett admired Luo Jie greatly.

Barrett's efforts all along have been to show Luo Jie his strongest self.

But Luo Jie is no longer here.

Whereas Saint Saint Saiwen often badmouths Captain Luo Jie, badmouthing him while he was alive and continuing to badmouth him after he passed.

Additionally,

Having been betrayed three times in the past, Barrett no longer trusts anyone, believing that as long as he becomes the strongest, he will not need to rely on anyone.

Saint Saint Saiwen, however, is willing to trust his comrades.

As for why Barrett wants to challenge Saint Saint Saiwen.

This is because after seeing Saint Saint Saiwen, who inherited Luo Jie's will, Barrett attempted to prove to Luo Jie through this: I have truly become stronger.

Everyone believes Saint Saint Saiwen inherited Luo Jie's will, and Saint Saint Saiwen is happy to mess with Captain Luo Jie, dumping some strange and bizarre things on the captain's name.

"Little Bai Mao!"

"Let me see your strongest move."

Before Saint Saint Saiwen could respond.

Iron Thunder, not wanting to miss the fun, immediately leaped high, transforming from Lightning Squirrel into the Giant Hammer form, and landed steadily beside Saint Saint Saiwen.

"Stop fooling around, Tie Lei."

If he assumed the Thunder God form and unleashed a full-power Godfall strike with Tie Lei in hand, Barrett would leave not even a shred of residue behind, just like Marineford.

Godfall is Saint Saint Saiwen's strongest attack at present.

The cultivation experience of the No-Thought One Sword has not fully merged yet; currently, only 50% is fused. Only when the day comes that it is entirely fused will it truly be called the No-Thought One Sword.

Barrett was just about to activate his Combine Fruit ability, fusing all the buildings and metals on the island to transform into a super-giant monster.

Yet he saw eight thick red-black lightning bolts, as massive as dragons and pythons, rising from around Saint Saint Saiwen.

In an instant, they locked down everything surrounding Barrett.

Barrett awkwardly discovered: he was actually unable to use his Combine Fruit ability.

When an expert makes a move, one immediately knows their capability.

With just this single exchange, Barrett understood: Little Bai Mao's Conqueror's Haki has already surpassed Luo Jie at his peak state.

Barrett felt no discouragement; instead, he became so excited that he directly activated his Devil Form, then swung his iron fists and roared as he charged forward.

He had finally found his goal for the rest of his life.

For the rest of his life, he must defeat Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, thereby proving to Luo Jie: I have truly become stronger.

The iron fist, carrying an unstoppable momentum, was about to smash down on Saint Saint Saiwen, yet it could not advance even a fraction further; confusion filled Barrett's eyes.

What is going on?!

As the saying goes, it is slow to speak but fast to act.

Saint Saint Saiwen saw only that he stepped back half a pace and raised his arm; the iron fist was instantly covered in Armament Haki Flowing Cherry Blossom, liquid thunder, Xiong Xiong flames, and wrapped in red-black lightning.

A punch with all buffs stacked and enhanced by the innate godly strength passive landed precisely on Barrett's chest.

Boom~

Waa~

Barrett was like a bullet fired from a gun, shot straight hundreds of meters away, spitting several mouthfuls of fresh blood in mid-air.

After colliding with and toppling several hills in succession, his entire body was completely embedded into Shanfeng.

Thus, Saint Saint Saiwen made a preliminary judgment on Barrett's strength: weaker than Akainu, and should be able to go toe-to-toe with Mihawk and Master Tenghu.

What about losing to Luffy in Gear Fourth?

Even the legendary pirate Golden Lion could lose to Luffy in Gear Third in a movie; for Barrett to lose to Luffy in Gear Fourth is already quite good.

Let alone Golden Lion and Barrett losing.

Even if Captain Luo Jie or Rocks went to a movie, they would still lose to Luffy.

In a movie, even if Imu went, it would be useless.

Before long, Barrett shattered Shanfeng and charged forward wildly again.

Yet he was knocked flying by another punch from Saint Saint Saiwen.

On the Donghai Dihuang, Buggy stood with both feet on the deck, his body suspended in mid-air except for his feet, watching Saint Saint Saiwen beat up Barrett with stars in his eyes.

Barrett was indeed no match for Saint Saint Saiwen; he was suppressed by Saint Saint Saiwen in every aspect.

Buggy blinked his eyes and suddenly realized he too should train his Haki seriously; he couldn't possibly lose to that coward Shanks in the future, could he?

He could lose to anyone, but not to Shanks.

The battle did not last long; when Barrett realized Little Bai Mao hadn't even drawn his sword, he was completely speechless.

Why?!

It has only been seven years since he left Luo Jie's pirate crew; why has Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen changed so much?

Could it be because he simply doesn't know techniques like Conqueror's Haki Seal Fruit Ability, Conqueror's Haki Defense, and Conqueror's Haki Coating?

Barrett climbed up from the ground, walked in front of Saint Saint Saiwen, remained silent for a while, and then spoke.

"I want to join your pirate crew until the day I defeat you."

"In return, I will fight for you."

Saint Saint Saiwen the little bear shrugged: "You aren't even willing to call me Captain right now."

Will Barrett defeat Saint Saint Saiwen?

Perhaps he will.

In dreams, anything is possible.

Barrett did not show any resistance; as long as he was given a chance to challenge Saint Saint Saiwen, even calling him Red-Nosed Captain would be no problem.

"Captain Saint Saint Saiwen."

Saint Saint Saiwen smiled slightly.

"Welcome to the Morning Star Pirate Crew."

"Let's go, back to the ship for a banquet."

Thus, the Morning Star Pirate Crew gained another high-end combatant who is taller than Saint Saint Saiwen in his normal state.

Saint Saint Saiwen even had a feeling that when seizing Inazuma, he might not even need to lift a finger; relying solely on the current crew configuration of the Morning Star Pirate Crew.

Fighting the Beasts Pirate Crew would be no problem at all; it would be a complete crushing push-through.

Hearing about the banquet, Barrett's eyes lit up; he wouldn't comment on Little Bai Mao in other aspects, but at least his cooking skills are first-rate.

In the future, he could eat his fill on the ship, eating and taking, while also making the Captain his sparring partner.

It felt like he had found the feeling of being on Luo Jie's ship again.

This was just like when Golden Lion joined the Morning Star Pirate Crew; most people would only think Golden Lion had fallen on hard times, joining a junior's pirate crew.

After the Battle of Marineford, the world would only say: Oh my goodness, Golden Lion has such good taste.

Hearing the Red-Nosed one recount Saint Saint Saiwen's brave breach of the Buster Call in Impel Down, Barrett only felt it was somewhat fake.

When exchanging hostages at the ancient city in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, he still felt it was somewhat unreal,

Only after learning from the newspaper that the Marine Headquarters at Marineford had been annihilated in a single strike by Saint Saint Saiwen, and after truly exchanging blows with Saint Saint Saiwen himself.

Barrett finally recognized the gap, while simultaneously solidifying his resolve to challenge Saint Saint Saiwen.

Challenging once a day isn't excessive, is it?

The former ruins of Marineford.

On the deck of a medium-sized pirate ship, Shanks and Benn Beckman stood frozen, staring at the massive whirlpool filled with thunderstorms.

If not for the many onlookers nearby, Shanks would have seriously suspected they had come to the wrong place.

Beckman lit a cigarette.

"We arrived too late."

"The news report is true.

Your comrade... is indeed formidable.

Annihilating the entire Marineford in a single strike and leaving behind a lingering thunderstorm; such a ferocious feat lives up to the name of a 5.2 billion bounty."

Shanks, however, felt a bit of a headache.

Where is Buggy?

Why is there no news about Buggy?

Was he successfully rescued by Saint Saint Saiwen, or did Buggy's demise cause Saint Saint Saiwen to become so enraged that he even wiped out the Marine Headquarters at Marineford?

The latter possibility is likely higher.

Otherwise, given Saint Saint Saiwen's polite personality, he would never have done something so ruthless.

After this battle, there is no possibility of reconciliation between Saint Saint Saiwen and the Marines; they will become mortal enemies who fight to the death until one side is completely defeated.

Unless... Saint Saint Saiwen becomes a Celestial Dragon.

Shanks's eyebrows knitted together into a single rope.

Someone like a Celestial Dragon is trash; Saint Saint Saiwen would definitely disdain becoming a Celestial Dragon.

The fated person Captain Luo Jie spoke of has not yet appeared, yet Saint Saint Saiwen has already turned the seas upside down, and Buggy is completely without a trace.

And he can't help in any way.

Sensing the concern in Shanks's heart, Beckman offered a reminder.

"Mr. Rayleigh might know something."

As the second-in-command of the Red Hair Pirates, Beckman knew something of Shanks's experiences and was aware that Rayleigh was living in seclusion on Sabaody Archipelago.

Sabaody Archipelago is close enough to Marineford; Rayleigh must have received the news, and may have even personally participated in the operation to rescue Buggy.

Hearing this, Shanks's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly took out a Den Den Mushi to make a call.

"Uncle Rayleigh, it's me, Shanks."

"How is Buggy?"

The Den Den Mushi opened its mouth with a chuckle.

"Rest assured, Buggy is fine."

"That kid was lucky; he was imprisoned in the sixth level of Impel Down, protected by Barrett, and then taken away by Saint Saint Saiwen and the Five Elders in a hostage exchange."

"He should be back on Hive Island by now."

Shanks immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as Buggy is fine, that's good."

After all, they were brothers who grew up together; if anything truly happened to Buggy, Shanks would be very sad.

"What about you, Uncle Rayleigh?"

The Den Den Mushi sighed.

"Don't mention it."

"We are being chased by a Dog Head warship."

"Your Aunt Xia Qi and I are preparing to lay low for a while; once the Marines find and move to a new headquarters, we will return to Sabaody Archipelago to live in seclusion."

"Shanks, let's talk another time."

"That guy Koby has arrived."

Beep beep beep beep beep beep~

Looking at the hung-up Den Den Mushi, Shanks felt an itching in his heart, really wanting to ask about the detailed process of the Battle of Marineford.

From Uncle Rayleigh laying low and the Marine Hero Koby currently giving chase, it is not hard to see—

Rayleigh participated in the operation to rescue Buggy, but why does Uncle Rayleigh avoid talking about it?

Borrowing a phrase Saint Saint Saiwen once used to describe Captain Luo Jie: Riddle men are truly annoying.

Could there be some secret hidden within this?

The newspaper only announced that Marineford was annihilated in a single strike by Saint Saint Saiwen and the new bounties for the Morning Star Pirates, but did not mention a single word about Marine casualties.

Beckman blew a smoke ring, clearly realizing the key issue within.

"I'm afraid the World Government intervened."

"If not, that bird Morgan would not have let such huge news go unreported."

"Mr. Rayleigh might have some reservations, which is why he did not mention the specific process of the Battle of Marineford."

Shanks pondered for a moment.

"Hostage exchange... involving Celestial Dragons?"

Beckman, however, shook his head.

"I'm afraid it is not simply involving Celestial Dragons, but a more severe situation has arisen, forcing the World Government to order a gag order."

"Mr. Lei Li, Morgans, your brother... and everyone who participated in the Battle of Marineford."

"Some were ordered directly to keep silent, such as the Fleet Admiral, Morgans, and others."

"Others were silenced through deals."

Shanks understood; Saint Saint Saiwen and the World Government must have struck certain deals afterward to keep the secrets of the Battle of Marineford from leaking.

This was something Saint Saint Saiwen would do: as long as there was profit to be gained, the outward show would inevitably be handled properly.

Only Uncle Lei Li was somewhat pitiful, currently being pursued by the Marine hero Garp.

"Where do we go next?"

Hearing the question, Shanks looked at the various pirate ships on the horizon, an inexplicable smile of excitement and longing appearing on his face.

"First, seize a large ship, then continue searching for companions."