Chapter 96: The Undamaged Great Sword Saint

The latter half of the Grand Line, the New World.

The giant luxury yacht seized from the Celestial Dragon Elaine Saint was officially named by Captain Seven—the Advancing Giant.

Since entering the New World, violent weather had become increasingly common, forcing the Morning Star Pirates to divide between the Donghai Emperor and the Advancing Giant.

The two ships were crossing more than half of the New World, heading toward the Pirate Paradise, Hive Island.

On the Donghai Emperor, the captain’s cabin.

Seven sat at his desk, rewriting the training manual left behind by Garp; after seizing Hive Island, he himself would intensify his training, and every crew member would face increased drills.

Especially Tenghu Yisheng and Jin Ni.

Seven’s expectation for Tenghu: he must at least master the Heavy-Heavy Fruit’s ability to fly either the Donghai Emperor or the Advancing Giant across the Red Line.

Jin Ni must be able to open a spatial portal from Hive Island to the Sky Island.

Only by reaching this level could they avoid wasting these two top-tier Paramecia Devil Fruits.

Of course, Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and martial arts must not be neglected either.

Cultivation stands still or regresses.

Slow progress is still regression.

As a member of the Morning Star Pirates, you can’t let a deserter who trains two hundred times harder catch up to you, can you?

It’d be utterly humiliating.

As captain, Seven naturally had to oversee the pirate crew’s direction—including but not limited to members’ cultivation, daily life, and future goals.

Just as Seven was sketching and writing, Shiki suddenly drifted into the cabin, looking as if he wanted to speak but held back.

“What’s wrong, Senior Shiki?”

Shiki blurted out: “I’m itchy.”

The instant he heard those words, Seven instantly flashed ten meters away—he believed in having no women in his heart and thus drawing his sword naturally, but his orientation was perfectly normal.

He, Barzab Seven, only liked women—and beautiful ones with good figures.

Shiki’s face flushed red; he clearly understood why the white-haired brat had reacted so violently.

Damn it, my lifelong reputation…

For my severed legs, I’ll endure it.

“Barzab, ever since you helped me remove the rudder, my leg stumps have been intensely itchy—as if they’re about to regrow, but they won’t.”

Had he not seen the hope of regrowing his legs, Shiki would have fought him right then and there over Barzab’s reaction alone.

“Won’t regrow?” Seven rubbed his chin.

Senzu beans from the Dragon Ball world could instantly heal any injury except illnesses, but reportedly had no effect on already-healed wounds.

Or perhaps one Senzu bean wasn’t enough?

Thinking of this, Seven devised a plan.

“Senior Shiki.”

“You know, limb regeneration is beyond belief and drains me immensely. To be blunt, we’re merely partners.”

If Shiki could regenerate his limbs, then Tenghu Yisheng’s self-blinded eyes might also be restored to sight with Senzu beans.

Two complete-body great swordsmen would be a massive boost to the Morning Star Pirates.

Just imagine the scene—

When Seven, Mihawk, Tenghu Yisheng, and Shiki—the four great swordsmen with flight abilities—lined up in formation.

Even the three Marine Admirals could only stare helplessly; only if they called upon Garp and Sengoku could they hope to win.

Shiki fidgeted nervously.

“I don’t have to be just a partner.”

Limb regeneration was nothing short of divine miracle—if Barzab could truly achieve it, joining the Morning Star Pirates meant he’d never die as long as he could still breathe.

Such treatment was more than ten times better than what he’d received when he joined the Rocks Pirates.

Worst case, when Barzab one day met the same fate as Rocks, he could simply split off and go solo—either way, it was a guaranteed win.

Seeing this, Seven smiled faintly.

“Shiki, welcome to the Morning Star Pirates.”

Shiki snorted.

“We’ll see once my legs grow back—if you can’t even manage that, I won’t join you.”

The sole condition for joining the Morning Star Pirates was regrowing his severed legs; otherwise, Shiki would rather die than submit.

Reluctantly, Seven pulled out one Senzu bean.

He’d originally bought seven; two were consumed during the battle with Akainu at Ohara, one had been given to Shiki a few days ago, and now he was using another.

Only three remained—he must quickly list the Nature-type Swamp Fruit and Paramecia-type Boom-Boom Fruit on the trading platform and stockpile more Senzu beans.

Such a scarce strategic resource, if the platform’s rich patrons sweep them all up, there’d be nowhere left to buy them.

Even in the Dragon Ball world, Senzu beans had become increasingly rare over time.

“Open your mouth. Eat it.”

Shiki obediently opened his mouth, swallowed the Senzu bean without even looking, and immediately a surge of powerful life energy flowed toward his severed stumps.

“Ssshh～Ahh!”

Seven had never experienced limb regeneration himself, but from Shiki’s contorted face, it was clearly excruciating.

Roughly second only to childbirth and testicular pain.

Fortunately, the pain lasted only an instant.

When his new legs touched the deck, the tangible, undeniable sensation made Shiki throw his head back and laugh wildly.

“Jehahahaha～”

“Barzab, I never misjudged you.”

Seven spread his hands.

“Senior Shiki, you still won’t even call me captain.”

Upon hearing this, Shiki showed no resistance—he naturally changed his address.

“Captain, I look forward to your guidance.”

With his body whole again, Shiki was in high spirits—not only demanding a feast, but also bringing up his old Flying Pirates crew.

“Captain, I have a few old subordinates who might still be worthy of your eye. After we take Hive Island, I’ll bring them over.”

“No problem,” Seven nodded with a smile.

Hive Island’s reconstruction required massive manpower; if Shiki willingly gathered his old crew, Seven had no reason to refuse.

As for being overthrown?

What nonsense—let alone with Mihawk and Tenghu here, even if it were only Big Mom, the entire Flying Pirates remnant couldn’t stir up the slightest ripple.

While Shiki prepared the feast, Seven found Tenghu Yisheng and handed him a Senzu bean.

“Master Yisheng, try this—maybe it can restore your vision.”

“Restore my vision?” Tenghu’s face lit up.

Once, to avoid seeing the world’s filth, Tenghu Yisheng had blinded himself—and for years he’d felt no regret, until months ago he met Observation Killer…

That sensation of utter darkness was truly helpless and unbearable.

He’d heard Shiki’s screams and sensed his transformation—he never imagined the captain possessed such divine power.

“Thank you, Captain Seven.”

Tenghu reached out, took the Senzu bean without hesitation, and swallowed it immediately.

Almost instantly, a vast surge of life energy rose from his abdomen, rushing to his eye sockets, repairing each shattered eyeball.

The pain and itching of flesh regrowth was unbearable, yet Tenghu remained silent, only two trails of blood tears sliding from his corners.

As if bidding farewell to the past, and welcoming rebirth.

What had been pure blackness suddenly revealed a glimmer of light; Tenghu squinted, clearly unaccustomed.

Moments later, a slightly youthful face came into view—pale, delicate skin, silver hair gently stirred by the sea breeze.

Captain Seven… was surprisingly handsome.

Tenghu bowed slightly in salute.

“Thank you, for giving me the chance to see the changes about to unfold in this world.”

Seven clapped Tenghu on the shoulder, grinning.

“Come on, let’s go to the feast.”