"Very strong?"
Beside Gawain, Gion blinked suspiciously.
"Sir, that slap you just gave him shouldn't have knocked him unconscious, even if he had a bounty of tens of millions."
"She can't even withstand an attack like that, are you sure her abilities... are very strong?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Gion came to Perona's side and put her hand on the back of the little girl's neck.
She was already much taller than Perona, so Perona appeared in Gion's hands like a cat.
Gawain chuckled softly as he watched Gion gently stroke Perona's hair.
He nodded while laughing.
"The strength of her Devil Fruit ability and her personal strength are not the same thing."
Or rather, it was precisely because her Devil Fruit power was so strong that she neglected to improve her own strength.
In addition, this girl rarely appears on the sea and spends most of her time living in the Florian Triangle.
I think this girl has probably never encountered anyone her Devil Fruit ability couldn't handle!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gently rubbed his right index finger and thumb together.
Amidst the flickering lightning, Perona opened her eyes in a daze.
"Huh?"
What's wrong with me?
"How did I faint?"
She mumbled something incoherently, then looked around.
When she saw Gawain, she was completely stunned!
"Wait, who are you? When did you appear?"
Damn it, are you in cahoots with that guy in the purple shirt?
Damn it, how could so many people have infiltrated here? Absalom is really too weak, and you guys are indeed quite strong.
"Oh ho ho, then let me deal with it..."
"Hello!"
Gawain couldn't help but interrupt Perona's arrogant remarks, and he gently pointed behind Perona.
"You idiot, can't you even check on your own situation first?"
Look behind you, and look at your current state. How do you think you're going to deal with me?
"Why?"
Gawain's words caused Perona to turn around in confusion, and her face bumped precisely into the Gion.
Gion blushed slightly, then lifted Perona forward a little, and Perona finally realized it was time to look up!
"Wait, you're... a Navy officer???"
Aaaaaaah!!!
The Navy has reached the Devil's Triangle!!
Run! Wait, it looks like we can't escape now, Lord Moria is getting beaten up right now!
Oh no, this is terrible! I thought I was floating on my own, but it turns out even I've been brought under control.
Add to that the unconscious Absalom, hmm...
"Is only Hogback left?"
At this point, Perona subtly beckoned with her finger.
As she moved, two or three ghostly figures rushed toward Gion's back.
At the same time, Gion frowned slightly.
She spoke to Gawain without turning her head.
"This girl must have already activated her abilities; I sensed a slight malice in her that wasn't exactly evil."
However, Observation Haki cannot detect the direction and manner of an incoming attack.
"Interesting. Although I don't know what that ability is, if used properly, Mr. Issho should be quite troubled, right?"
At this point, Gion chuckled softly, her lips pursed, and then her clothes were quickly soaked with a layer of black.
A moment later.
Although no sound was made, the Negative Hollow controlled by Perona did indeed make a "Duang" sound.
The little ghosts, with mournful faces, lingered bewildered behind Gion, seemingly wondering why they couldn't pass through Gion.
Seeing that her ghosts were unable to achieve their goal, Perona's expression grew even more somber.
"This is... the kind of ability that Lord Moria once used?"
That's strange. Wasn't that an ability only adults could use? I thought this darkening was a special ability of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit.
It actually managed to block the attack of the Negative Hollow, that's amazing!
Looks like I'm really doomed this time...
For a moment, Perona was on the verge of tears, her whole being turning into a salted fish, floating in Gion's hands like a doll.
Gawain, standing nearby, chuckled and narrowed his eyes. Perona, just like her ghost, was indeed extremely pessimistic.
Just imagine, Perona's Devil Fruit isn't the Negative Devil Fruit, it's the Hollow-Hollow Fruit!
To be able to develop the seemingly impressive Hollow-Hollow Fruit into an extremely negative Negative Hollow...
She herself must be incredibly depressed...
Seeing Perona's completely lost confidence, Gion shook Perona's body speechlessly.
"Heh, this girl gives up so easily. It makes me want to see the power of her Devil Fruit."
After all, even the Rumble-Rumble Fruit that you ate, or the Paw-Paw Paw-Paw Fruit that Kuma developed to its fullest potential, and the Press-Press Fruit that can pull down Meteor, weren't specifically rated as very strong by you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gion observed Perona for a moment.
Perona is only fourteen years old now, still looking like a little girl.
Gion knew that her master, like Whitebeard, liked to adopt daughters, so she simply threw Perona at Gawain.
Gawain reached out and grabbed Perona by the neck, whispering to the slightly surprised Perona.
"Say your name, little one."
"Why?"
Perona looked up in confusion.
"Don't you want to just kill me? Hmm, it seems the Navy isn't as bad as Hogback described."
I am Perona, you already know my name.
So, are you still going to kill me next?
At this point, Perona pursed her lips slyly, and then her ghost was once again rejected by Gawain's Armament Haki.
Seeing this, Perona decisively gave up the idea of resisting again. She lowered her limbs and instantly transformed back into a doll.
Seeing Perona's transformation, Gawain could hardly contain his smile; Perona's appearance was simply too amusing.
I was arrested, so I struggled, but my struggles were not absolute.
If it doesn't work after trying it, then let's give up...
If I give up quickly enough, even disappointment won't be able to catch up with me!
Thinking this, Gawain picked up the little girl and brought her in front of him, asking with a smile.
"As far as I know, you were raised by Moria, weren't you?"
So..."
Gawain's smile suddenly turned slightly wicked, and he said with a grin.
"Perona, you don't want to see Moria die in front of you, do you?"
"Hmm..."
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Perona listlessly raised her eyelids.
"How wicked words... Hmm, it seems Hogback has a point."
"The navy isn't as bad as I imagined, but they're definitely not good people either."
At this point, Perona stuck out her tongue and continued to gloat.
"Although Lord Moria has never celebrated my birthday, he often tells me that subordinates are worthless and only dead subordinates are good subordinates."
But I know that he actually cares about me quite a bit.
So, handsome uncle, what can I do to keep Lord Moria alive?
Although I also wish Lord Moria could defeat you, you all look very strong, and Lord Moria probably really can't win.
Although I don't know what I'll have to give, if I can save his life...
Even if I die, in the eyes of the still-living Lord Moria, I'll still be a good subordinate...
As soon as she finished speaking, Perona looked at Gawain, her face turning bright red in an instant, and even her chest trembled.
Living among a group of evil pirates, and surrounded by a lecherous man like Absalom.
Although Perona is young, she understands the games played by adults.
Even if you've never eaten pork, haven't you ever heard a pig squeal?
Seeing the little girl's condition getting worse and worse, Gawain chuckled and patted Perona's head.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not in the navy, and I wouldn't do anything evil to a child."
"Wait, sir, what you're saying sounds like you're implying that the navy only does evil things?"
Gion snorted and returned to Gawain's back, while Gion nudged Gion's waist with Hancock elbow in dissatisfaction.
While grumbling about her nemesis, Hancock gestured towards Perona with her lip.
Gawain already has enough girls around him, why are you sending more women to him?!
Those adopted daughters and such, humph, they're all wolves in sheep's clothing.
As they grow up, they will all, like Uta, look at Gawain with greedy eyes!
Gion curled her lip in disdain at Hancock's displeased gaze.
At her age, she understands men far too well; if a man truly wants something, there's no way to stop him.
It's better to guide than to block, and better to do it gracefully. How could a foolish woman like Hancock possibly understand this kind of tug-of-war?
Meanwhile, Hancock and Gion were exchanging their less-than-friendly words.
Gawain reached out and placed Perona on his shoulder. He was now 2.4 meters tall, and his shoulders were wide enough for Perona to sit on.
At the same time, Gawain smiled and said to Perona.
"From now on, call me 'Master,' little girl. I admire your abilities, but you still have many shortcomings."
You are of little use to me now, but I hope I can draw upon your strength in the future.
See? It's simple, right? It's just that they grew up right beside me.
"If you think you can do it, then Moria will probably live for a long time."
"No problem!"
As soon as Gawain finished speaking, Perona nodded decisively.
As she nodded, her legs swayed, causing the soles of her little leather boots to gently bump against Gawain's chest.
After receiving Perona's reply, Gawain smiled and nodded, then said softly.
"Issou, let me help you. Take Moria under control as quickly as possible."
He was several kilometers away from Yixiao, but Yixiao still heard his voice. So Yixiao casually pushed Moria's legs aside and responded.
"My lord, Moria can't even let me experience the joy of fighting; he can't even get me excited."
However, if I were to deal with him myself, considering that he seems to still have a few trump cards up his sleeve, it would take at least a few minutes for me to bring him under control.
So, as you say, Captain, let's work together.
This is our first time working together, Moria is truly honored, hehe."
As soon as he finished speaking, he smiled and swung his sword horizontally, sending Moria flying dozens of meters backward!
At the same time, a girl's scream suddenly rang out behind Moria, who was flying backward!
In an instant, Perona was perched on Gawain's shoulder, teleporting from the castle to several kilometers away.
This shock even made Perona panic!
Upon hearing Perona's cry, Moria's eyes widened!
"Crew members and subordinates are indeed the most useless things; only shadows and zombies are the best tools!"
There's more than one bastard invading! So, Shadow Assemble...?!
Sizzle!
Boom!
Before Moria could finish speaking while flying backwards, Gawain had already planted a foot on Moria's back.
Moria flew towards Issho in an instant, but before he could get close, Issho manipulated gravity, causing Moria to fly back towards Gawain!
Gawain turned around and kicked once, twice, three times!
Under the control of gravity, Moria was like a baseball tied with a rope, allowing Gawain to play with him endlessly.
Enraged by this treatment, Moria instantly dispersed into shadow bats, trying to scatter in all directions.
But the moment the bats scattered, Gawain smiled and opened his arms.
Endless lightning bolts descended from the sky, instantly engulfing an area spanning several kilometers.
Lightning shrouded in Armament Haki shattered every one of Moria's shadow bats, leaving him alone to struggle against the lightning.
Despite enduring the onslaught of thunder, he finally unleashed his ultimate move: Shadow’s Asgard!
In an instant, countless shadows rushed into his body from all directions.
His body swelled as the shadow entered.
Enveloped in an immense shadow, Moria opened his mouth and let out a sinister laugh.
But he had only chuckled twice when Gawain suddenly rushed in front of him and punched him, causing him to vomit up his entire shadow!
Admittedly, the Shadow’s Asgard technique can significantly enhance Moria's abilities.
However, this tactic also relatively reduces Moria's intelligence and agility.
Because of the many shadows and memories within him, Moria's mind is naturally affected.
In addition, since his body has grown larger, his speed and agility have decreased!
To put it bluntly, facing Moria in this state, Gawain wouldn't even need to intervene; even Ace in his current form could easily defeat him!
It's just that Ace isn't as decisive as Gawain and Issho right now.
In the original manga, Moria's Shadow’s Asgard were easily destroyed by Luffy, who wasn't even in Gear Second yet.
Even after the Summit War, Moria, who had used the Shadow’s Asgard, was punched by Jinbe and spat out his shadows...
Overall, Moria's way of manipulating shadows is indeed quite interesting.
But his development was only slightly interesting.
His so-called ultimate move, the Shadow’s Asgard, wasn't as powerful as he thought.
Looking at Moria lying on the ground, Gawain was truly baffled. How had this guy managed to fight Kaido to a standstill back then?
However, thinking about it, it makes sense; Moria back then wasn't some kind of Doppelman.
At that time, he was lean and muscular, wielding a longsword. He was a super swordsman who used shadows for high-speed movement and as an aid.
When he challenged Kaido back then, he was using a longsword!
Gawain suspected that he must have lost that battle so badly that he completely began to deny his own defeat!
Because he lost his subordinates, he no longer trusted his living subordinates, nor did he want to experience the pain of losing friends and men again.
Because of his method of using shadows to assist the great swordsman in battle, he also lost to Kaido's Raimei Hakke.
Therefore, Moria abandoned his training as a swordsman and instead started using the tactics of Doppelman!
What kind of tactics does the Doppelman use? They collect other people's shadows and use the power carried by those shadows to fight.
In other words, after that failure, he even stopped trusting himself!
He prefers to rely on the strength of others rather than his own!
He was completely and utterly defeated by Kaido brought out his extreme insecurity.
Gawain made a judgment with absolute certainty!
Happy New Year! Hehehe~~~