Chapter 7

Shengtingdao, port.

Saint Saint Saiwen was patching up the stolen pirate ship, just hoping it could hold together in the updraft without breaking apart before reaching the Sky Island.

Otherwise, Misan might get crushed to death.

The image of Mihawk falling from high above made Saint Saint Saiwen shake his head violently to banish the thought.

Their destination: the Sky Island—

Located ten thousand meters above sea level, the White Sea could only be reached by flight or by riding the updrafts.

This was a journey full of thrills and danger, typically ending in one of two outcomes: all arrived safely, or all died.

Last time, Saint Saint Saiwen and Baki nearly pissed themselves.

This time, at least the Gura Gura no Mi had their backs.

Saint Saint Saiwen muttered to himself: "Someone like Misan probably wouldn't get scared."

Boom boom boom~

Distant fighting sounds pulled Saint Saint Saiwen's wandering thoughts back to reality: "Huh? Something's happening."

The Gura Gura no Mi's speed gave Saint Saint Saiwen the confidence to come and go as he pleased—as long as that Navy slacker wasn't around, Saint Saint Saiwen was the fastest thing alive.

Besides, it couldn't be that bad luck—just docking at any random port and running into Hyougoro.

He set down his tools and turned into a bolt of lightning, instantly flashing to the source of the noise to sneakily observe.

Watching the group in white suits and white capes using Seastone handcuffs to restrain a man, Saint Saint Saiwen's interest spiked.

World Government's lapdogs, CP?

Who was the captured guy?

But the CP leader suddenly turned his head, as if sensing something, toward Saint Saint Saiwen's position.

"Kill that guy."

"Haki?" Saint Saint Saiwen didn't flee—he casually tore a glowing blue plasma sword from the air and braced for battle.

The fact that the CP organization had immediately ordered a kill-on-sight against a bystander made him even more intrigued.

What if he couldn't win?

If he couldn't win, he could at least run.

With the Gura Gura no Mi's speed, Saint Saint Saiwen could leave whenever he wanted—come and go as he pleased.

The World Government had sent ten CP members to capture this ability user, though Saint Saint Saiwen didn't recall the name.

But it didn't matter—anyone fighting the World Government got his support.

Worst case, he'd just run if things turned bad.

"Wuxian Quan Gu: Impact."

Saint Saint Saiwen shouted "Wuxian Quan Gu: Impact," but swung the plasma sword instead—his real move was the Thunder Dragon, aiming for surprise.

A lightning dragon, dozens of meters long, roared toward the CP members.

"Tekkai." Several voices shouted in unison.

Want to escape fast? Train Tekkai. The greatest lie in the pirate world: Tekkai is invincible—it's done a lot of harm.

Too many people mistake Tekkai's damage reduction for complete immunity.

One strike of Thunder Dragon sent several weak CP members straight into unconsciousness.

From this, it was clear the World Government's lapdog CP organization did have some skill—they hadn't been wiped out like the Black Gorilla Pirates.

"Shigan."

"Soru."

The remaining CP members launched simultaneous attacks, turning Saint Saint Saiwen's body into a dice—and then it instantly restored itself.

The CP leader squinted: "Fall back. He's a Logia Devil Fruit user."

As he spoke, black Armament Haki coated his fists.

Before the CP leader could strike,

A crimson-black aura erupted from Saint Saint Saiwen, instantly tearing through the sky—the Conqueror's Haki he had awakened at age eight.

Unlike Armament Haki and Observation Haki,

Conqueror's Haki was the manifestation of a king's potential, unattainable through training; it strengthened only as the user's own spirit grew.

Now, Saint Saint Saiwen could consciously control his Conqueror's Haki, precisely knocking out common soldiers—perfect for clearing the field.

All CP agents collapsed like they'd fallen asleep.

Only the CP leader turned pale, sweat pouring down his forehead: "Y-you… y-you…"

The shockwave of Conqueror's Haki had succeeded brilliantly.

After all, who could imagine a man with intermediate Conqueror's Haki couldn't use Armament or Observation Haki?

The other two Haki types required training and had physical and talent requirements.

Before gaining innate strength and a bottomless stomach, Saint Saint Saiwen's physique and talent had been pretty weak.

But Conqueror's Haki was the expression of spirit.

Saint Saint Saiwen had been raised under the red flag, grown up in spring winds; in this life, he was a transmigrator with a cheat system, making the awakening of Conqueror's Haki ridiculously easy.

Lightning cracked across the sky, crimson-black Haki tore the heavens, Saint Saint Saiwen held a glowing blue, sizzling plasma sword—his presence was overwhelming.

But only Saint Saint Saiwen knew:

He wasn't sure he could beat the CP leader before him, who had both Armament and Observation Haki,

The man had Observation Haki—he couldn't land a hit.

The man had Armament Haki—it was nearly impossible to break through.

Unless Saint Saint Saiwen mastered the higher application of Conqueror's Haki—Conqueror's Coating.

The standoff is to wait for someone—such a commotion, Misan, why aren't you here yet!

I can't keep up this act much longer.

"You're a strange fellow indeed," Mihawk said, his voice arriving before he did, black blade Yoru slung across his back.

Upon recognizing the man, the CP leader, furious, demanded: "Dracule Mihawk, are you truly going to oppose the World Government?"

Mihawk ignored the question, his gaze fixed on Saint Saint Saiwen: "I'm growing more curious about you."

As everyone knows, curiosity is the beginning of downfall.

When you begin to feel curious about someone, and your desire to explore them follows, there is, without exception, only one outcome: downfall.

Saint Saint Saiwen lowered his Conqueror's Haki and Devil Fruit ability, spreading his hands: "Out here, you've got to know something."

Having crossed into the Pirate World with no noble birth, average physical talent, and as an orphan, Saint Saint Saiwen survived alone until the day he met Roger.

He had already endured a trial of blood and tears.

Watching the two men ignore him, the CP leader's eyes bulged with rage; he suddenly drew a pistol and fired at the man chained beside him with Seastone cuffs.

Bang~ Bang~ Bang~

In a flash, Mihawk drew Yoru and blocked every bullet, then delivered a single ordinary strike, sending the CP leader flying dozens of meters before he collapsed, motionless.

Saint Saint Saiwen, wielding a plasma sword, moved among the CP agents, delivering finishing blows: one slash to the head, one to the chest, one to the sole of the foot.

The goal: leave not a single survivor.

Mihawk sheathed Yoru and glanced at the man bound in Seastone cuffs: "Your friend?"

Saint Saint Saiwen shook his head: "I don't know him."

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's take him aboard first."

In terms of caution, Saint Saint Saiwen was unmatched along the Grand Line.

The mysterious man, who had remained silent throughout, showed excellent judgment and obediently followed the two aboard.

"Misan, food and water?"

"Stored in the hold."

"Then let's depart." Saint Saint Saiwen expertly retracted the anchor, activated the vessel, and sailed away from Saint Ting Island's harbor toward Gaya Island.

Only after entering the deep sea did Saint Saint Saiwen examine the loot seized from the CP agents.

"Oi, why did the World Government capture you?"