Soul Hunting Operation (Part 1)

Soul Hunting Operation (Part 1)

"Kizaru? Borsalino? You really are a strange one! But if you want to join this Pope's Soul Hunting Operation, we'll have to see whether you have what it takes." Qian Xunjie smiled faintly.

Qian Xunjie had made his meaning perfectly clear: he wanted to test Rota's strength.

Although Rota found it troublesome, there was nothing wrong with it from Qian Xunjie's perspective. Anyone forming a team to take on a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would not want an idiot for a teammate.

"Fine, then this old man shall boldly give it a try~" Rota sighed.

"Don't act so listless. What I want to see is your true strength. Don't end up dragging me down!" Seeing Kizaru standing before him with such a lifeless expression, Qian Xunjie immediately felt his irritation rise.

"So, where does Your Holiness intend for us to spar?"

Qian Xunjie pointed to the open ground outside. "We're only testing your strength. We just need to restrain the power of our Soul Skills."

Naturally, Rota had no objections. It would probably be over soon enough. He then made a gesture of invitation. Seeing this, Qian Xunjie wore a rare smug smile.

In his view, getting Kizaru to show even a little courtesy was no easy matter. A person's character could be seen from their words and conduct. Based on his first impression, Qian Xunjie had not thought the man calling himself Kizaru would understand manners.

Rota followed Qian Xunjie out of the camp and into a relatively spacious clearing, where the two stood facing each other.

"As long as you can last three minutes, I'll consider you qualified to accompany me on the hunt."

Qian Xunjie's arrogant tone constantly revealed his confidence in his own strength. With Soul Power at level 90, along with a top-tier Angel Martial Soul, he had every reason to be confident.

"Yes, yes, yes. This old man will do his best to hold out for three minutes~"

Hearing Rota's reply, Qian Xunjie was deeply displeased. He simply hated Kizaru's lethargic manner and attitude; it made him seem beneath notice.

"I think this spar is a good opportunity to teach you what proper etiquette is!"

Qian Xunjie was truly angered. He was the Pope of Spirit Hall, after all. No one under heaven had ever dared speak to him like this!

In an instant, Qian Xunjie unleashed his Martial Soul. The enormous phantom of a Six-Winged Angel appeared behind him, immediately elevating his bearing by several levels.

"How scary. It's practically a monster~"

Show off all you want. This old Kizaru would still call everything scary before teaching you a lesson.

"Fifth Soul Skill, Angel Light Blade!"

Qian Xunjie had not restrained his power as he had said he would. Right now, he simply wanted to teach Kizaru a lesson.

"Oh dear, oh dear. That speed won't do at all~"

Before Qian Xunjie knew it, Rota had already flashed past and dodged the several light blades he had launched. He was now behind Qian Xunjie, teasing him.

"Isn't it rather dangerous for the dignified Pope to let someone get behind him?"

Hearing that punchable tone and those infuriating words, the veins on Qian Xunjie's forehead bulged.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Angel Sacred Sword!"

In an instant, the massive Six-Winged Angel phantom had somehow condensed a dazzling sword of light in its hand and brought it down upon Rota.

"Kizaru, stop dodging around. I'm testing your actual combat ability, not your ability to run away."

Rota was somewhat helpless. Qian Xunjie had been the one to say they should restrain their power, yet he was also the one breaking the rules now. Though Rota himself was partly to blame, Qian Xunjie was far too quick-tempered.

With no other choice, Rota could only meet Qian Xunjie's demands and fight back.

"Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi!"

Holding the Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi condensed from light, Rota clashed with Qian Xunjie's Angel Sacred Sword.

Feeling the immense force transmitted through the sacred sword, Qian Xunjie was shocked. He had thought Kizaru possessed nothing but speed, yet he had not expected his opponent's strength to be so formidable as well.

"You... haven't used your full strength yet, have you?"

The relaxed expression on Rota's face made Qian Xunjie suspicious. It seemed blocking his Angel Sacred Sword had not taken much effort at all.

"How could Your Holiness suspect this old man so? This old man has already given it his all!"

Left with no choice, Rota put on a slightly more strained expression...

Qian Xunjie did not even know what to say. Kizaru, were you seriously acting like that? In Qian Xunjie's mind, if Rota had hidden his strength, he only needed to admit it. Yet after being questioned, the man had started acting...

Qian Xunjie felt his blood pressure rising. He should just honestly finish the three minutes.

Three minutes quickly passed. During that time, Qian Xunjie launched many fierce attacks, but every one of them was completely blocked by Rota.

As unwilling as Qian Xunjie was to admit it, Kizaru's strength far exceeded his expectations.

"Whew... Kizaru, you're quite strong. You fought this Pope for so long without even activating your Martial Soul. Isn't that looking down on me a little too much?"

If Kizaru was strong, Qian Xunjie had no problem with that. It would only make their operation to hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast more secure.

What Qian Xunjie disliked was still Kizaru's lazy attitude. This operation was to hunt a powerful Soul Beast, not to go camping. Such an attitude would not do.

"Oh my~ Is it over? You were as strong as a monster. This old man is exhausted~"

Ding~ Kizaru imitation progress has reached 45%. Den Den Mushi unlocked.

After the battle ended, the imitation progress rose once more due to his role-playing during this period, and he had also unlocked the long-distance communication tool, the Den Den Mushi. It was quite a convenient item.

"System, how many Den Den Mushi are there in total?"

Host need not worry about running out. The system will automatically produce one for the host every two days.

"So that's how it is. Then this old man can rest easy~"

After unlocking the Den Den Mushi, two tiny items appeared in Borsalino's pocket. They must have been the Den Den Mushi.

However, Rota did not want to take them out in front of Qian Xunjie right now. Otherwise, he would have to explain himself if he was asked about them.

"Kizaru, if you have no objections, how about we begin the Soul Hunting Operation tomorrow?" Qian Xunjie asked as he walked over to Rota.

"You decide that. This old man doesn't mind~"

"Very well. Tomorrow, this Pope's two guards will arrive. Gather at the camp at noon."

"Alright~ Then this old man will be taking his leave for now!"

The Soul Hunting Operation would begin tomorrow. In the original story, Qian Xunjie's ninth Soul Ring had only been a Ten Thousand Year black ring, yet now he wanted to obtain a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. It had to be said that Qian Xunjie had become rather overconfident.

To hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, they could only go to the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. However, it was easy to run into Xiao Wu and the others there.

Rota felt that his relationship with Xiao Wu was fairly good, so he could look after them a little. At the very least, that was the case before Bibi Dong hunted Xiao Wu. There was no need to worry about the future just yet.

Rota had already memorized the route to the core region. With his speed, a round trip would take hardly any time at all.

"Just so happens there's nothing to do right now, so this old man will give them a friendly warning~"

After Rota left, Qian Xunjie's attendant asked, "Your Holiness, is that Kizaru reliable? It feels like there's something wrong with his personality!"

"He should be fine. In fact, it could even be said that he intends to join Spirit Hall."

"Your Holiness, why do you say that?"

Qian Xunjie merely smiled faintly without saying anything. The attendant tactfully withdrew as well. Since His Holiness did not wish to explain, continuing to ask would only earn Qian Xunjie's displeasure.

Besides, he was merely an attendant. How could he meddle in such matters?

Thank you all for the votes, hehe~