You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will post 10 extra bonus chapters per month in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 300 dollars then I will post 15 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 400 dollars then I will post 20 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. So come and support me.
If it's not my fault, then... it's all Timshen's fault!
"What... happened to them?"
After learning that the straw hat youth was "very" hungry, Sanji came out from the kitchen holding a plate. To his surprise, Zeff had not been able to subdue Luffy.
Even he himself could not endure Zeff's relentless kicking techniques for long.
Since there was no need for a long voyage or much combat, Sanji's main job was still as a chef, with combat being a side job.
So his strength wasn't as exaggerated as it would be later.
When he discovered that Luffy could actually hold his own against Zeff, his amazement was understandable.
"Gomu-Gomu... Pistol!"
At that moment, Luffy shouted, his arm stretching out like rubber for several meters, defying the limits of human anatomy. Then, he swiftly retracted his fist, launching it like a cannonball, and struck Zeff's leg.
Bang!
"Incredible! Is this the legendary Devil Fruit?!"
Sanji's eyes widened in shock. With the Marine's strict control, East Blue had been heavily suppressed, and even Devil Fruits were considered legendary.
Vazat's eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered something.
"The Gum-Gum Fruit, under 20 years old... Could this person be the grandson of that person?"
As East Blue is the hometown of Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp, Vazat, as a manager, naturally paid attention to such matters. According to reliable information, Garp's grandson was indeed a user of the Gum-Gum Fruit.
Moreover, the hat he wore was connected to the New World Yonko, "Red-Haired" Shanks!
"Hello, Vice Admiral Garp."
At this moment, Vazat heard a voice and immediately held his breath, distancing himself.
That was the voice of Soryu (Azure Dragon), and on the other end was "Iron Fist" Garp!
"What position should I take to subdue him? He himself has said he's in such a pitiful state. As a Headquarters Vice Admiral, shouldn't I be saving face?"
"Rumor has it that I'm using my power to bully the weak, and on a larger scale, it could be seen as abuse of authority and oppression."
"Hurry up, you're letting your grandson get into trouble and not doing anything... Right, sea-going restaurant Baratie, you handle it."
Hanging up the phone, Rowen cast a disapproving glance at the two battling each other.
Zeff was experienced in combat, but his techniques were rough, or rather, he had his own way of doing things.
Humans have hands and feet, and they must work together to unleash the body's maximum killing power. Just like boxing, the hands, feet, waist, and spine must coordinate to deliver the most powerful punch.
But as a chef, he had his own principles.
Hands are for cooking, not for fighting!
Thus, all of Zeff's skills were in his legs, which was akin to severing his own arms.
If not for his overwhelming combat experience, he would have long lost against Luffy's chaotic yet instinctively remarkable fighting style.
As he thought this, Zeff seized Luffy's failed rocket punch and, using his prosthetic leg as a pivot, leaped into the air, executing a spinning flying kick.
Meat Strike!
Boom!
Shoulder meat, back meat, chest meat, leg meat, waist meat, belly meat, thigh meat!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The continuous, fierce kicks rained down on Luffy, who was seen dancing around with the attacks, leaving spectators unable to discern Zeff's attack patterns.
Squeak, Squeak, Squeak...
At this moment, Zeff's figure appeared as he withdrew his left leg to replace his right prosthetic leg. The prosthetic leg traced a semicircle in a clockwise direction, creating a loud, irritating squeak on the wood.
Food Processing·Muscle Massage!
"Ha ya!"
The prosthetic leg vanished from view, and with a loud bang, Luffy's whole body was folded into a 0° angle, his eyes going white.
"Humph!"
Zeff had a smug smile on his face as he maintained his sweeping kick stance.
However...
"What a pity!"
Rowen shook his head silently. The opportunity was seized well, and the attack was powerful enough, but... the opponent is a rubber man!
Innate blunt damage reduction -50%!
This series of attacks would be overwhelming for almost anyone in Baratie, but with half the power reduced, it was likely that no one would be unable to withstand it.
Indeed, that was the case!
"Nani?"
Just as Zeff was about to retract his leg, he suddenly felt something wrapped around his foot, making it extremely heavy.
Luffy's left hand had turned into a soft whip, tightly coiled around Zeff's leg, and he grinned: "You're strong, old geezer."
"But I'm not going to lose!!"
"Arrogant!"
Even if he withstood the attack and held onto his leg, so what? Zeff was not limited to just this move. He immediately used his strength to kick off the ground, lifting Luffy with him into the air.
**Chef's Weighty Decision!**
"I won't lose because I'm going to become the King of the Pirates!!!"
"So what! That's the Pirate King, you asshole!!!"
Everyone: "…"
With their exaggerated, long-tailed shouts, the two of them came crashing down from the sky and heavily embedded themselves into the deck.
Rowen felt it was time to leave.
Even though Luffy wasn't even a real pirate at this stage and had Garp, his grandfather, rushing to catch him, even if he became a real bounty pirate, it would still be too early for Marine Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) to intervene.
Relying on high-level combat power to deal with a small pirate would be disadvantageous for the Marines.
Moreover, Rowen had his own mission and didn't have the time to witness Luffy's growth.
Naturally, the most important reason was that staying here would be dangerous for him!
He might end up as the new bait!
With this thought, Rowen patted the dumbfounded Sanji beside him and said, "I forgot to mention earlier, I'm very satisfied with today's cooking. Thank you for the hospitality."
"No... No need to thank me."
Sanji, still stunned, turned around and asked, "Is Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) leaving?"
"I have a mission I need to attend to, so it's not convenient for me to stay long."
Rowen smiled, "I look forward to our next meeting."
With that, accompanied by the flashing thunder in the sky, Rowen vanished in the blink of an eye.
Sanji was startled and then gazed up at the leaden clouds in the sky: "ALL BLUE...?"
The world is so big, I want to see it.
...
This time, the departure was for real.
Rowen crossed the Calm Belt, traversed the Grand Line, crossed the Calm Belt again, and entered the South Blue region.
His whereabouts were easily discovered by those paying attention, and upon learning that Marine Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) had entered South Blue, people outside South Blue, except for the locals, breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, in the "Holy Land" Mary Geoise.
"Father, the scouts in South Blue have reported that Soryu (Azure Dragon) has indeed arrived in South Blue and will not return in the short term."
In the Nibelung Family villa, a spacious study.
Orrick, the most domineering Celestial Dragons patriarch, dressed in the standard Celestial Dragons attire of white with gold trim, sat behind the desk, flipping through books.
Upon hearing Lirisk's words, he looked up, his young, refined, and composed face showing a hint of confusion, slightly furrowing his brows.
"How could this be…"
"Uh... isn't this a good thing?"
Lirisk questioned, "Kizaru is an unambitious guy. The only one under the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) who poses a threat to us is Soryu (Azure Dragon). If he can't return, we have many opportunities."
"Don't just look at the surface, Lirisk."
Orrick shook his head silently and took a sip from his teacup: "Political struggle is just like hunting in the wilderness, full of killing intentions. It's not about how advantageous it is, but how well you understand it."
"Do you think the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) don't know about the events of the last gathering?"
Got it!
Lirisk nodded.
Although the Nibelung Family had been cautious and careful in dealing with the targeting from the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) recently, overall, they were in a period of stable growth.
Being chosen by that great person as the head of the government showed their schemes and the city's intricacies, which should never be underestimated.
"So... should the plan be postponed?"
"No, no need."
"Soldiers come to block, water comes to cover."
Orrick put down his teacup and said, "Only by constantly probing can we show the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) our determination."
"This world was ours originally, Lirisk…"
Orrick's scholarly and elegant face flashed a hint of savagery: "After 800 years of cyclical history, it's time for some change."
Lirisk fell silent.
Yes, it is time for change.
The rise of the pirate era has reduced the government's influence to a historical low. If action is not taken now, how many more seasons will need to pass?
(The End of This Chapter)