Chapter 61

In the South Sea, the Donghai Emperor.

On the open-air deck banquet hall, Jin Ni was lazily leaning back in her chair.

“I just opened a door above the island—Barzab Seven and Mihawk are still sparring. It’s been three days already. When will they ever stop?”

Tenghu smiled: “Actually, I haven’t sparred with anyone in a long time.”

As a swordsman, the greatest fortune is to have two master swordsmen as companions right beside you.

Idle sparring to discuss swordplay is a refined pastime—it improves technique, cultivates the spirit, and strengthens bonds.

Too bad Mihawk got there first this time.

Next time, it’ll be my turn, Yi Sheng.

He didn’t resist the nickname the News Bureau and Marines gave him—he even felt it suited his temperament.

“No, no, no.”

Jin Ni quickly waved her hands: “Master Tenghu, we still need to recruit crewmen in the East Sea. If you go over there, it’ll take ten days, maybe even more.”

Two great swordmasters have already fought for three days. Add a third, and they might fight until the island sinks.

Is this the heart of a true powerhouse?

In truth, Jin Ni was also training.

But unlike Barzab Seven and Mihawk’s duels, Jin Ni had spent these days frantically opening doors—opening one on every material she could see.

Including, but not limited to: the ship’s hull, food, air, the News Report, Big Bear’s body, and more.

Being part of the Morning Star Pirates, a royal-level crew, Jin Ni believed: even if she couldn’t become a top combatant, she mustn’t drag the team down.

She must be useful to her comrades.

Besides, opening doors was genuinely fun—an unprecedented, utterly novel experience.

The one thing that wasn’t satisfying: when Jin Ni accidentally fell through a door into the sea, she instantly lost all strength and couldn’t move a muscle.

If not for the Ohara scholars on board pulling her out, she’d have sunk to the ocean floor.

“Jin Ni-jiě.” Robin’s voice rang out from the crow’s nest atop the mast.

“There’s a ship ahead. A big one.”

Hearing this, Jin Ni instantly opened a door and appeared on the crow’s nest—before them, a Dog-Head warship cut through the waves, charging straight toward them.

“Big Bear, alter course. I’ll go find the captain.”

But the Dog-Head warship acted as if it hadn’t seen them—Kai Pu, standing at the bow, slammed his fist into the sea, launching the entire ship into the air.

“Nani?!” Jin Ni opened another door—when she pushed through, she appeared on a deserted island.

“Captain, trouble! Marines!”

At that moment, Barzab Seven and Mihawk had already stopped fighting—their enhanced Observation Haki covered the entire surrounding sea, so they’d naturally spotted the Dog-Head warship.

They hadn’t returned to the ship immediately because Barzab Seven sensed Kai Pu was heading straight for the island.

“Jin Ni, take Mihawk back to rest.”

Mihawk was covered in blood, a formidable enemy had arrived, and he was nearly exhausted—but as a man, he would never admit defeat.

“I can still fight.”

This was the first time Mihawk had faced such a situation: his swordsmanship was superior to Barzab Seven’s, yet his stamina gave out first, forcing a forced draw.

It was truly frustrating.

How the hell did he develop like this?

Just two years ago—he was completely different, inside and out.

His body was absurdly strong; even without Armament Haki, he could block flying slashes.

Is this what a god-blooded race looks like?

“No.” Barzab Seven waved his hand.

“Kai Pu came here for me. You two set sail first—I’ll catch up soon.”

As Jin Ni helped Mihawk back onto the Donghai Emperor through the opened door, Kai Pu appeared above the island, having leapt from the bow of the Dog-Head warship.

“You brat from Roger’s ship.”

“Fist Bone—Impact!”

Barzab Seven stared blankly at the sky—this guy just opened with his biggest move? Kai Pu, old man, if you push me too far, I’ll steal your granddaughter and make her my wife…

Turn your grandson into my son…

The iron fist, wrapped in crimson-black Haki, drew nearer—Barzab Seven turned into lightning and vanished in an instant, evading the targeted punch.

The already cratered island was split clean into four pieces by the blow, seawater gushing violently into the fissures.

Kai Pu stood atop one of the fragments, his righteous cloak flapping behind him in the wind.

“You brat from Roger’s ship—you’re fast.”

Barzab Seven hovered midair, expression amused.

“Only you, Master Kai Pu. Roger’s been gone over two years, yet you still can’t let go. Such a bond—truly enviable.”

Hearing this, Kai Pu scratched his head awkwardly, his bewildered expression clearly saying: I didn’t, I’m not, don’t slander me.

There are too many people watching.

But his embarrassment was quickly drowned out by laughter.

“Ahahaha! You brat, you belong in Impel Down.”

Years ago, Kai Pu had chased Roger’s crew across the world in a single Dog-Head warship—absolute confidence in his own strength.

No one else would dare be so reckless.

But Barzab Seven believed the recklessness was deliberate—Kai Pu was actually the shrewdest: he trained the greatest deserter ever as a Marine, ensuring no one could stop his grandson Luffy from becoming Pirate King.

It was a joke—but it held truth.

Otherwise, how else to explain taking the deserter as a student?

Barzab Seven didn’t believe Kai Pu failed to see what kind of man the deserter truly was.

This was Kai Pu—a man whose iron fists ruled an entire Age of Exploration, who defeated Rocks and was both rival and friend to Pirate King Roger.

How could he not see whether someone was a traitor or a deserter? Though, perhaps after twenty years, old Kai Pu had gone senile.

But this Kai Pu—

Only faint streaks of gray touched his temples; most of his hair remained black. At fifty-six, he was still at the tail end of his peak.

“Master Kai Pu, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Why fight? Let’s sit and talk.”

Kai Pu grinned wickedly, turning the tables.

“Fine. Come down.”

Barzab Seven returned the same grin, changing the subject.

“How’s your grandson doing lately? Don’t let anyone sway him—if he becomes a pirate, what then?”

“Tsk tsk tsk tsk.”

“I can’t even imagine—when he’s taken to Marineford for execution, how will you choose? Save your grandson? Or uphold justice?”

Kai Pu’s smile vanished—he was seriously considering the question.

Kai Pu knew Barzab Seven was using this to rest; he simply didn’t bother exposing him. After fighting Mihawk for so long, he wouldn’t take such an unfair advantage.

“Then what should I do?”

This question stumped Kai Pu—and Barzab Seven had no answer either.

Take him to Marine Headquarters for indoctrination?

The last child Kai Pu took to Marine Headquarters for indoctrination? Now he’s the leader of the Revolutionary Army, determined to overthrow the World Government.

If Ace were taken to Marineford, who could predict what would happen?

But with Lu Jiu as his mother, Ace wouldn’t necessarily become a pirate—Barzab Seven had specifically warned them not to tell Ace about Roger.

The two stared at each other, silent.

After a long while, Kai Pu suddenly burst into laughter.

“You brat, I almost fell for your trick. Will you come with me willingly, or shall I drag you to Impel Down?”

Barzab Seven lifted Dreamheart.

“How about this, Master Kai Pu.”

“One move decides it. You win, I go with you. I win, we leave.”

“What do you say?”