Chapter 135

Somewhere on the Grand Line.

"Luo En…"

Guina, wrapped in a black cloak, with two long swords hanging at her left waist, felt a stir within her upon seeing yesterday's and today's latest reports—more than shock, it was deep concern for Luo En.

"This time, I will stand by your side and face danger together with you…"

She silently resolved, and immediately set off toward the North Blue.

…………

East Blue, Loguetown.

Inside a tavern.

"Is that really Luo En?!"

Ace, who had just arrived here and founded the Blackbeard Pirates, stared at Luo En's photo on the newspaper, his face filled with delight.

It had been six years since they parted ways in Windmill Village, and during that time he had only learned fragments from Karp.

Ace gazed at the newspaper in his hand, his voice tinged with respect and nostalgia:

"To be bounty-hunted from the start by the World Government with a 430-million-Berry reward… no wonder it's you!"

He was still unknown, while Luo En had already shaken the seas!

For Ace now, the goal ahead was crystal clear.

That goal was Luo En!

And today, that goal had become even clearer.

Ace closed his eyes, and as if he could see in the darkness.

Ahead on a glowing path stood that black-clad figure, back turned to him.

"Just how strong have you become now?"

Same tavern.

Near Ace, in plain clothes, the White Hunter Smoker sat at the counter, smoking a cigar as he read the newspaper, a glass of Plonk beside him.

"Because of this… they've put a 430-million-Berry bounty on that guy and officially listed him as an enemy of the Navy?!"

A flash of anger passed through Smoker's eyes.

Isn't this forcing him to turn against the Navy?!

What the hell are those bastards at headquarters thinking?!

Smoker did not know this was a direct order from the World Government.

…………

Akainu and Karp departed from Marineford; six warships crossed the Calm Belt, heading toward the North Blue.

To capture him—joined forces by a Marine Headquarters Admiral and the Navy Hero, Vice Admiral Karp!

As soon as this news broke, the Traveler Luo En's fame rose another level.

Whether the Seven Warlords of the Sea or the Four Emperors of the New World, all began to take notice of this man named Luo En.

Nico Luo Bin, the Devil of Ohara, also drew attention from some—such as the Big Mom Pirates, who bore the Crimson Beacon.

"If this Luo En manages to escape from Akainu and Karp, go and invite him onto my ship."

Big Mom said this to her Three Supreme Commanders.

"Whether it's this Luo En or Nico Luo Bin… I want them both!"

Besides Big Mom, the other three Emperors also planned to recruit this rising power.

Of course.

All of it depends on Luo En escaping from Akainu and Karp!

If he survives this ordeal, everyone will acknowledge: a new powerhouse has emerged—beyond the New Generation, rivaling the top-tier Warlords of the Sea!

And this powerhouse… is only 17 years old!

If he now enters the Grand Line—or even the New World—whether he joins one side or allies with one, it will surely throw the newly stabilized situation into chaos again.

At this moment, everyone on the sea held their breath, waiting for the latest news from the North Blue.

………………

At this moment, over a silent, storm-clouded stretch of the North Blue.

The Traveler slowly sailed on.

"Has the captain come out yet?"

Konis stared at the room, worried.

Three days had passed since that astonishing battle ended.

Luo En, covered in wounds, returned to this ship and immediately locked himself in his room—he had not emerged since.

Luo Bin pinched her chin, frowning tightly: "Could he have been injured in that battle?"

"It's not surprising—he fought the legendary sea king, Shiki the Golden Lion."

Bonney, a young woman with pink wavy hair and heart-shaped lipstick, stood beside them, arms crossed, her voice grave.

Recalling the terrifying seven-day aerial battle, she could not suppress a flicker of fear on her face.

"Will Master be alright?"

Xiao Qi worried.

"Sisi."

Sisi, the cloud fox who ate the Animal-Type Bird-Bird Fruit, now enlarged with wings, crouched beside Konis and meowed toward the room.

Konis reached out and stroked its fluffy head, whispering softly: "He'll be fine—he's our captain."

……

Inside Luo En's room.

A black-haired youth, bare from the waist up, sat on the floor with his eyes closed, his expression calm and composed.

His upper body was evenly proportioned and refined, the lines of his musculature perfectly sculpted.

As he circulated the Sun Breathing technique, the muscles across his entire body rhythmically tensed and relaxed in turn.

Under the constant scouring and refinement of his muscles by the vast qi and blood within his body, wisps of white steam rose from his skin.

Luo En's terrifying injuries had already been fully healed by the second day after that battle ended, thanks to a healing technique.

The reason he had not gone out was that he was still absorbing and digesting the tremendous gains from that battle!

Golden Lion Shi Ji truly lived up to his legend as a pirate; even though he had vanished from the seas for over twenty years, his strength was undeniably formidable.

A great swordsman, powerful mastery of all three colors of Haki, and the power of the Float-Float Fruit.

At the start, Luo En had been completely pinned down by him.

Even going all out, he could not suppress Shi Ji's assault, and for a stretch of time he was beaten badly.

But as the battle dragged on, Luo En's physical advantage—vastly superior to Golden Lion Shi Ji's—began to show.

Add to that the Sun Breathing technique, which rapidly restored his stamina, and a healing technique usable once per day.

One side's strength declined as his stamina drained, while the other only grew fiercer with each passing fight.

Once Golden Lion Shi Ji noticed this, he began to harbor the thought of retreating, but Luo En clung to him and would not let go.

In the end, after seven days of bitter fighting, Luo En's swordsmanship broke through to the realm of a great swordsman, and only then was victory secured.

It could be said that Luo En, to a great extent, had worn Golden Lion Shi Ji down through his superior physique and stamina.

It was hard to imagine how, in the original work, Luffy—who only unlocked Gear Third—had actually managed to defeat this fellow.

The protagonist's halo had simply been turned on a bit too overwhelmingly…

"Finally digested it completely."

Luo En slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile in them.

This seven-day life-and-death struggle against Golden Lion Shi Ji had brought Luo En gains and improvements far, far greater than the battle against Aokiji.

First, his swordsmanship had successfully reached the Iron-Cutting realm (Great Completion), and through Golden Lion's slashes, he had comprehended the Breath of All Things, attaining the level of a great swordsman.

Second, his taijutsu had become even more refined; once the lv3 Force Intent was activated, his mastery over the suddenly surging power grew increasingly deft and effortless.

His Conqueror's Haki had broken through to lv4 after slaying Golden Lion.

Golden Lion's two famous swords, Sakura Ten and Kogarashi, had also fallen into his hands.

And beyond all that…

Luo En, sitting on the floor, tapped the floorboard beneath him with a finger.

At once, he felt an indescribable sensation.

It was as if, so long as he wished, he could make this ship float up into the air at once!