Usopp's pupils constricted abruptly, and the mysterious ability's reward flashed in his mind: he was freely shuttling through the deep sea like a fish, and his strong physique could even overturn a warship with his bare hands… This was the ability he had always dreamed of!
With a gulp, he swallowed hard. Although his legs were still trembling, a burning fighting spirit had ignited in his eyes.
This was a chance to change his destiny!
He had to see this act through to the end!
"Hmph, an Admiral…"
Usopp suddenly ripped off his bandana, letting his explosive hair fly wildly in the sea breeze.
He deliberately sized up Aokiji with a condescending gaze, "When this Captain was in the East Blue, I don't know how many guys like you I've sent flying—56 of them."
As he spoke,
He swaggered over to Aokiji's bicycle, sat down on the back seat, and even crossed his legs.
This action almost made Nami yelp in surprise. Zoro and the others were also dumbfounded; there had to be a limit to showing off.
Aokiji raised an eyebrow with interest: "Oh?"
"Do you know why my bounty is only 8 million Berries?"
Usopp mysteriously lowered his voice, tapping his temple with a finger, "Because I've only ever displayed 8 million Berries worth of strength."
He paused deliberately, letting his cape flutter loudly in the sea breeze: "Just like now, my Observation Haki has already covered the entire island. I've seen that group of pirates on the other side of the island who were preparing to escape, but have already been frozen into ice sculptures…"
At this point,
Aokiji's expression finally became serious. He slowly removed his eye mask, his ice-blue eyes looking directly at Usopp: "Interesting… It seems I underestimated you."
Those pirates were indeed frozen by him with a raise of his hand. However, when he acted at that time, he had already scanned the surroundings with Observation Haki and had not found any escaping pirates or anyone spying.
So how did this long-nosed guy know? There was only one possibility: everything he said was true!
This guy's Observation Haki really surpassed his own…
Was the Straw Hat crew really full of hidden talents?
Just then,
Usopp suddenly jumped off the back seat, turned his back to Aokiji, and waved his hand: "Let's go, comrades! Now we're off to Alabasta to eliminate evil and promote good. I'm sure a just Marine Admiral won't stop us."
With that,
He walked towards the Going Merry with extremely calm steps, his back already soaked with cold sweat, but his surface demeanor still maintained the aura of a master boaster.
With every step, a deep footprint was left on the beach. Who knew the sand was so soft?
"Mysterious ability triggered!"
"Reward has been issued: Fishman physique integrating… Integration complete!"
Usopp suppressed the urge to laugh uproariously, screaming wildly in his heart: "I've hit the jackpot! This Captain is no longer the weakest in the team!"
At this moment, Nami was completely stunned. She tugged at Ron's sleeve and asked in a low voice: "Usopp… he… could it be true…?"
"Who knows? Perhaps our sniper has always been hiding his strength?"
Aokiji looked at their receding figures, stroking his chin thoughtfully: "The Straw Hat Pirates… are much more interesting than the intel suggested. However, the matter with Crocodile in Alabasta must also be reported."
But before that…
Then Aokiji took out his Den Den Mushi and dialed a number. A moment later, the Den Den Mushi connected: "Hello! Smoker, send some people to clean up the mess."
"What! Kuzan, you want me to clean up your mess again!"
"Stop talking nonsense. It's free performance, why wouldn't you want it?"
"...You wait!"
...
The Going Merry cut a graceful wake across the azure sea, sunlight glinting off its hull, reflecting a dazzling radiance. However, beneath this calm facade, danger was quietly approaching.
"Ron, the island is ahead." Nami unfolded the weather chart, pointing to the marked island, "According to the ordinary Log Pose, we need to stay here… stay for a year to store magnetism!!!"
"That island is called Little Garden."
Ron stood at the bow, his black trench coat flapping in the sea breeze. His deep gaze pierced through the sea mist, as if he could directly see the conspiracy unfolding on the island.
Baroque Works' Mr.3 and his partner Miss Valentine, among others, had already set up an inescapable trap. Two Giant warriors, being used, were awaiting their arrival.
"No, we're not going to the island." Ron suddenly said, his voice calm but unyielding.
"Huh?" Nami looked up in surprise, "Why… Are we not… not digging for treasure this time?"
Ron gently tapped the ship's railing: "With a fast-charging Log Pose, we only need to stay in the offshore waters for one day." He turned to Nami to explain, "We won't dig this time. We can come back later, because we have something more important to do."
Everyone on deck gathered around. Luffy tilted his head: "What's more important? Also, I want to go to the island, there might be an interesting adventure!"
Ron's gaze swept over each of his companions' faces: "We've been targeted by Marine Headquarters. Aokiji's appearance was a warning."
His voice deepened, "This time it was Aokiji, who adheres to 'Lazy Justice,' so we were lucky. If it were Kizaru or Akainu next time… we wouldn't be as fortunate…"
He didn't finish, but everyone understood the danger. Zoro's three swords unconsciously hummed softly, Sanji frowned in deep thought, the cigarette in his hand burning down to his fingers unnoticed.
"More importantly… our current strength is not enough to directly confront an Admiral."
"Huh? Even Ron can't do it?" Luffy looked up at Ron, his eyes filled with hope.
Ron shook his head: "I can contend with him, but I can't defeat him in a short time. Moreover, I'm not alone. Once I'm tied up, and Marine reinforcements arrive, I won't be able to safely withdraw all of you."
This statement resonated with everyone. It was indeed true!
Ron had the strength to contend with an Admiral, but they were not one person, but a group of people, so once they were surrounded by the arriving Marines, they would definitely not escape.
Ron looked at the distant horizon: "So we need to change our original route. We'll only make a necessary stop at Little Garden, then head directly to Drum Kingdom." A hint of deep meaning flashed in his eyes, "There's a companion we need there."
"A new companion?!" Luffy was the first to jump up, his eyes sparkling under his Straw Hat, "Who is it? Is he big? Is he strong?"
The deck immediately became lively!
Usopp's long nose twitched excitedly: "Could it be a powerful sniper?"
Although Zoro didn't speak, his action of sheathing his swords was noticeably slower, and he was listening with his ears perked.
Sanji elegantly blew a smoke ring: "I hope she's a beautiful lady."
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