Saintess

Saintess

Qian Xunjie's plans had been completely disrupted by Rota, leaving no reason to continue the morning meeting. Rota had thoroughly ruined his mood.

"That's all. Everyone, dismiss!" Qian Xunjie ordered, clutching his forehead.

"Yes, Your Holiness!" The deacons and hall members bowed and took their leave.

Seeing that there was nothing left for him to do, Rota also left the Spirit Hall Sacred Hall. Ghost and Yue Guan likewise bade Qian Xunjie farewell before departing one after the other.

Rota strolled along leisurely when Ghost and Yue Guan suddenly called out from behind him.

"Elder Kizaru! Elder Kizaru!"

The scene made Rota feel as though Ghost and Yue Guan were his little fans, missing him terribly after just a few days apart.

"Ghost and Yue Guan? What has you two so excited?" Rota stopped after they called to him and waited for them to approach.

"Elder Kizaru, there's something we need to tell you. It concerns His Holiness the Pope." Ghost glanced around before speaking to Rota in a low voice.

Rota became somewhat curious. Could it be that Qian Xunjie had been badmouthing him behind his back?

"His Holiness believes that you pose a threat to his rule. If he cannot successfully bring you under his control, he plans to destroy you completely!" Ghost told Rota all about Qian Xunjie's suspicions.

"I see~ Then this old man needn't worry. That fellow Qian Xunjie isn't suited to be the Pope of Spirit Hall anyway~" Rota said blandly.

Ghost and Yue Guan were both shaken. Could Elder Kizaru already know about His Holiness the Pope's scheme?

"What do you mean by that? Please enlighten us, Elder Kizaru." Ghost asked respectfully, truly curious why Elder Kizaru would say such a thing.

Rota scratched his head and said helplessly, "How should this old man explain it to you two? Just know that Qian Xunjie definitely won't remain Pope for long~"

Ghost and Yue Guan thought Elder Kizaru intended to personally remove Qian Xunjie from office. As expected, Elder Kizaru was truly ruthless!

Seeing the admiring looks in Ghost and Yue Guan's eyes, Rota had no idea what he had said. The two of them were always so inexplicably strange.

"Elder Kizaru, whatever decision you make, Yue Guan and I will support you!" Ghost gave Rota a Soul Master's salute, then left with Yue Guan.

Only Rota remained, swaying in the breeze...

"Eh? Why does this old man suddenly not understand what's going on?" Rota revealed his trademark smile helplessly.

Ding, Kizaru imitation rate has increased to 62%!

Ghost and Yue Guan probably thought he was planning to usurp the position, didn't they? But he was not the one destined to become Pope in the future. Rota himself only wanted to coast along, collect his salary, and live freely in Douluo.

As for taking charge of the bigger picture, that did not suit Kizaru's character. Kizaru had not been a Fleet Admiral in One Piece either, so being an elder was just right.

Just as Rota was about to head home and make some tea, a beautiful figure appeared before him. Before Rota could speak, the lovely woman spoke first.

"You must be Elder Kizaru, correct?" Her sweet, pleasant voice was almost too much for Rota's ears to bear.

"This old man is Kizaru~"

"I am Bibi Dong. It is an honor to meet Elder Kizaru!" Bibi Dong said with a smile as she looked at Rota.

Rota was slightly surprised. So this was the renowned Bibi Dong. She still looked somewhat youthful and immature.

"Hello, beautiful lady. May this old man ask if there is anything he can help you with?" Rota responded to Bibi Dong in an equally polite tone.

In front of such a beauty, Rota felt that he ought to restrain himself a little.

"I heard about you from my teacher, Elder Kizaru. You can speak the way you usually do!" Bibi Dong covered her mouth with one hand and smiled faintly.

"Ah, ah, then this old man can relax a little~"

Sure enough, Elder Kizaru was a truly unusual person. Only after meeting him in person could one discover just how different he was. If that was the case, then perhaps he really could...

Bibi Dong glanced at the scattered pedestrians passing by, then extended an invitation to Rota. "Elder Kizaru, would you honor me by having a private word nearby?"

"Of course. This old man cannot disobey an order from the Saintess~"

Since Bibi Dong was Qian Xunjie's student, she had to be the Saintess—the candidate for the next Pope.

Around the time Tang Hao became a Titled Douluo, Qian Xunjie would suffer severe injuries, and Bibi Dong should take his place.

Bibi Dong led Rota into a nearby café and pointed to a seat. "Elder Kizaru, please."

Rota did not stand on ceremony and sat down at once, thanking her. "Then this old man shall accept your kind offer~"

Before long, two steaming cups of coffee were served. Rota took a small sip and asked, "May this old man ask why the Saintess wished to see him?"

Bibi Dong sat with impeccable grace. Hearing Rota's question, she replied softly and unhurriedly, "I heard some of your stories from my teacher, and I was deeply drawn to you~"

Rota nearly sprayed out his coffee. What was she saying? Drawn to him? Had he missed something just now?

Seeing Rota's expression, Bibi Dong parted her lips in a light laugh. "I am terribly sorry for startling you. I mean that I would like to be friends with you—not in that sense!"

Bibi Dong also realized that her earlier words could be misunderstood and hurriedly explained herself to Rota.

Only then did Rota's expression gradually return to normal. That made more sense. How could Bibi Dong say something so ambiguous to him before they had even properly met?

"This old man would naturally be delighted to be friends with the Saintess. With the Saintess helping him, this old man won't have to fear that old fellow Qian Xunjie~" Rota said with narrowed eyes and a smile.

Bibi Dong laughed again at Rota's words. Every word and action of this Elder Kizaru seemed capable of bringing endless amusement.

"Elder Kizaru, even without me backing you up, you don't seem to fear my teacher at all!"

"No, no~ When His Holiness the Pope lectured this old man today, this old man was nearly scared unconscious~"

For some reason, Bibi Dong found Rota's act incredibly amusing.

No one in Spirit Hall dared to liven up the atmosphere like this. Whenever they held discussion meetings, everyone was lectured by Qian Xunjie. Who would dare stir things up like Rota did?

"Elder Kizaru, your arrival at Spirit Hall truly is a great blessing for Spirit Hall!" Bibi Dong said meaningfully, giving Rota a look full of deeper intent.

"Spare this old man. How can he withstand such a beautiful lady throwing flirtatious glances at him~" Rota said with a smile, shaking his head.

"It is getting late, so I shall take my leave first. Elder Kizaru, please rest early as well." Bibi Dong politely bade Rota farewell.

"Saintess, please stop there. There's no need to see this old man off~ It would make this old man look far too punchable~" Rota felt somewhat unable to save face under the strange looks from the surrounding pedestrians.

With a breathtaking beauty beside him—especially one who was the Saintess of Spirit Hall—Rota naturally drew the attention of many passersby.

"Look, isn't that the Saintess?"

"It really is! The Saintess is so beautiful. When will I ever become as beautiful as her?" A young girl held her cheeks and began indulging in endless fantasies.

"Who's that creepy man beside the Saintess?"

"What the hell do you mean, creepy man? Look carefully—that's Elder Kizaru!"

Listening to the surrounding chatter, Rota only wanted to get away from Bibi Dong and go home as quickly as possible!