After sailing from Water 7 for more than half a month, CP0's ship finally arrived at the front end of the New World.
"Hey, we're going to say goodbye soon. Don't you have any parting words?"
On the boat, the masked CP0 seemed to have gotten used to the usually playful and smiling Dylan.
"Don't be so serious. Even if you are a spy, you can be more lively," Dylan patted CP0 on the shoulder.
CP0 neither dodged nor responded to him.
Seeing CP0's attitude, Dylan said "chi", picked up two small boxes, and said to Tom: "Let's go, Tom. We're home."
Inside the boxes were the two Devil Fruits he picked from Mariejois.
The boring voyage that lasted for more than half a month made even a strong man like Tom feel a little tired.
After hearing Dylan's words, Tom stood up unsteadily and walked to Dylan: "Finally...have we finally arrived at our destination?"
After the two got off the boat, CP0 stood on the bow and stared at Dylan's back.
Ten days ago, after a swift investigation, the identity of the teenager named Trafalgar Law was confirmed.
The World Government took action quickly and even directly mobilized Fleet Admiral Sengoku to go to the neighboring town to recruit the boy.
After learning about Rosinante's past, Sengoku took Law's little hand and returned to Marineford.
As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku also personally called Dylan, although he only said "thank you". But its weight was self-evident.
When Dylan walked into the gate of the G5 base, the originally chaotic and dirty base had become very tidy. Although it was still under construction, it had basically begun to take shape.
"You're back."
At the entrance of the base, Shiryu bit his cigar and looked at Dylan and Tom behind him.
After being transferred from Impel Down to the G5 branch, Shiryu's military rank also changed to Marine Commodore, under Dylan's command.
As for Tom's identity, Dylan communicated with Sengoku on the way, but Sengoku said that Tom would need to make a certain degree of contribution to the Marines before he could be awarded the title.
Dylan had no objection to this. After all, neither he nor Tom depended on the Marine's salary.
"Nothing happened, right?" Dylan looked at the unusually quiet G5 base, Observation Haki opened.
After taking a look around, he found that there was nothing missing about the people, but they seemed to be no longer as arrogant and wild as before.
It looks like they were beaten. After all, Shiryu is not a good-tempered person.
It was very restrained of him to resist killing them.
Dylan stepped in, and Shiryu took the initiative to walk half a step behind with Tom.
After giving Tom a sideways glance, Shiryu looked away.
"Just trash fish."
"Adams Dylan! I'm going to complain to the headquarters!" Before entering the hall, an arrogant voice sounded from inside, and then an ugly-looking Marine walked forward angrily.
"Who did you bring back? It's an insult to Marine's justice, it's too much!" Commodore Yarisugi glanced at Shiryu behind Dylan, with a look of fear in his eyes.
But when he saw that Shiryu didn't beat him as hard as usual, he immediately became arrogant again: "It's too much! This guy has been abusing G5 Marine officers and soldiers every day in less than a month. This is still—"
Boom!
Covered in high-intensity Armament Haki, Dylan's fist struck the Commodore directly over his head and into his stomach.
"Uh-huh!"
Like a fired cannonball, the Commodore flew directly from the spot and was heavily embedded in the far wall.
"Deduct the relevant expenses from this bastard's salary as maintenance," Dylan turned to the marine next to him and said.
"Yes!" The marine straightened his body and glanced over his shoulder. You, too, will have this day.
Dylan then dialed Aokiji's number.
"Ah, what's wrong? I've only been quiet for a few days."
"G5 Branch Unit 06 Commodore Yarisugi went too far and is suspected of human trafficking, smuggling, and misappropriation of Marine assets. Should I execute him on the spot, or should the headquarters take over and escort him back for investigation?"
"·······"
"Is it true?"
"Maybe."
"Ah... it's not good to execute on the spot. You can report it directly to the inspection department, and someone will take over."
"You guy, can you be a little patient with your lovely subordinates?"
Kachak!?
Awesome, Kuzan! Hanging up on other people's phone calls? (T/N: How the tables have turned)
Dylan shook his head and stuffed the Den Den Mushi into his arms.
After the soldier lifted the Commodore and imprisoned him, Dylan walked to the office and sat down.
"Shiryu, your Raiu hasn't been refined into a black sword yet, has it?"
Shiryu turned the cigar in his mouth and took out Raiu: "Ah... This is not something ordinary people can do. As far as I know, only Hawkeye's Yoru has been refined into a permanent black sword. No, it seems that your sword is too."
Dylan smiled: "In fact, there is also a sword, that sword..."
Dylan thought for a moment, where is Shusui now? The Devil's Triangle?
Wano's national treasure...
But it's still early, there are still eight years until Straw Hat goes to sea, so there is no rush.
Just leave it in Moria's hands for now.
"In addition to Haki, swordsmanship is also a very important part. Of course, if you are simply pursuing strength, I have better choices here."
Shiryu raised his eyebrows: "What is it?"
Dylan picked up a box he had just brought off the CP0 ship and placed it on the table.
"Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Asura."
Mythical Zoan!?
Shiryu took a breath.
He had worked for Impel Down for many years, and of course he knew how rare the Mythical Zoan is.
Dylan looked at him with a half-smile. In terms of rarity, the Mythical Zoan was indeed rarer than Logia.
But that doesn't mean it's necessarily more powerful than Logia.
Power is a very broad concept, encompassing various comprehensive factors.
Taijutsu, Haki, Devil Fruits, talents, experience, even racial specialties, weapons, and equipment can all affect a person's strength.
Compared to the Mythical Zoan, Dylan believes that Logia's abilities are purer and more intuitive.
"This fruit is very suitable for you in some aspects because the legendary Ashura is also very warlike and irritable. How far you can develop it depends on your own creativity and...'its approval'."
"Approval?"
Dylan didn't explain much.
After all, the awakening of a Devil Fruit requires certain conditions, especially the Mythical Zoan. It seems that each Mythical Zoan has a certain kind of "will" stored in it. If you want to awaken and gain real power, you need to obtain the "will" in the fruit's approval.
Seeing that Dylan didn't answer him, Shiryu stopped asking any more questions and stood in front of the table, staring at the Ashura fruit and thinking.
Dylan didn't urge him and just started drinking tea on his own.
Ten minutes later, Shiryu seemed to have made up his mind: "If I accept it, what price will I have to pay?"
"There is no extra price. You are my sword. Of course, the sharper the better." Dylan pushed the box containing the Ashura fruit forward:
"It tastes a bit bad. I hope you're not picky about food."
Shiryu stared at Dylan, and after a long time, he said with a smile: "I really don't know how powerful you are, or... in your heart, even if I refine Raiu into a 'Black Sword', even if I develop this Mythical Zoan to the ultimate level, will it still be no match for you?"
Dylan laughed but did not deny Shiryu's statement: "Let's talk about that day, Shiryu. The war will not be too far away, and there is not much time left for you. You are thirsty for blood and fighting. There is no need to worry about this. In the near future, there will be endless battles waiting for you. You should not be afraid of not having an opponent. I am afraid that you are too weak."
"Is that so..." A smile appeared on Shiryu's face: "Then I'm not holding back. I will repay the kindness of this fruit with the blood of my enemies."
After speaking, Shiryu picked up the fruit and took a bite without any hesitation.
....
A month and a half later.
Sabaody Archipelago.
Dylan walked on Island 12.
Dylan paused as he passed a bar.
"Shakky's Rip-Off Bar?"
Dylan stopped and looked at the sign. Isn't this the bar owned by Rayleigh's old friend?
"Dark King" Rayleigh, who must be working as a coater in his fifties now.
Dylan glanced at it and turned away.
"Hey~ Brother Marine, are you looking for someone?" Ahead on the road, Rayleigh was holding clothes in one hand and a wine bottle in the other, looking at Dylan.
"Passing by."
Dylan glanced at Rayleigh. This guy had not come forward in either the Summit War or the Wano incident. He only guided Straw Hat's training for two years in the middle.
To say it was guidance...is better to say it was prenatal education.
Far worse than Mr. Kaido. He taught Luffy Conqueror's infusion in just a short time and also guided him to awaken his Devil Fruit.
What about you, Rayleigh? You taught him for two years, two whole years! As a result, Luffy went out and learned Observation Haki from Katakuri, Armament Haki from Hyogoro, and Conqueror's Haki infusion from Mr. Kaido.
You claim Luffy as your disciple. I think you want to take credit for nothing.
Rayleigh couldn't help but feel strange when he saw the Marine in front of him not paying much attention to him. He just stared at him with a strange and teasing look.
"Why don't you come in for a drink, brother?"
"Don't drink anymore, you poor guy. It's not profitable to make coatings. You go to the black market every day to sell yourself. If you can get any good wine, please me."
Looking at Dylan walking away, Rayleigh was stunned, and then remembered what Shanks said when he came back from East Blue two years ago.
"Mr. Rayleigh, I met a very interesting kid in East Blue, you know? He said the same thing as the captain, and I put all my hopes on him."
"Really? That's really good."
"But..." The excitement on Shanks' face disappeared, replaced by a solemn look: "In East Blue, I also met a very...special Marine."
"Special Marine?" Rayleigh looked at Shanks strangely. This guy, in a sense, was also one of the transmitters of the 'fire'. He always had strong confidence and unparalleled optimism.
Why do you show such an expression?
"A very special Marine, Mr. Rayleigh." Shanks recalled the moment when Dylan's Conqueror's Haki broke out in Loguetown.
"His power makes me suffocated. Even if I hadn't lost my left arm, I probably wouldn't be able to defeat him."
"oh?"
After hearing Shanks' words, Rayleigh also put down the bottle of wine in his hand.
At that time, Shanks was almost on par with the older generation of strong players in terms of personal strength alone. And a Marine who can make him feel depressed...
Among the active Marines, only Garp and Sengoku should have this kind of strength for the time being.
"And...he's very young, seems to be a few years younger than me. Mr. Rayleigh..."
After a moment of silence, Rayleigh smiled slightly: "Shanks, that's what the sea is like, isn't it? If you want to chase your dreams, crossing one mountain after another is an essential experience.
Since you are optimistic about the boy from East Blue, then choose to believe in him.
After all...what the sea lacks most is miracles, isn't it?"
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