The Difference Between Ordinary People and Monsters

"They're from the Former Giant Warrior Pirate Crew." Xi Yan said. "From what they're saying, they've been guarding this gate to save Dorry and Brogy, the two leaders of the Giant Clan."

"The Navy made a deal with them—guard the gate for a hundred years, and they'd release those two giants from the Underwater Great Prison."

"But that's a lie!!" Usopp snapped, stepping forward. "Brogy and Dorry are on Little Garden, not in some Underwater Great Prison!"

Back on Little Garden, if it hadn't been for those two Great Elbaf Warriors, they'd never have escaped that terrifying monster's jaws.

Damn Navy, tricking proud giant warriors like that—unforgivable!

"What's their deal?" Sanji lit a cigarette, glancing at the two giants. "Looks like they think you're their boss?"

He'd seen it clearly—these two giants had stopped the Rocket Man.

Otherwise, bringing it to a halt wouldn't have been easy.

"Hmm, I used Illusion to make them see me as those two." Xi Yan shrugged. "Lucky coincidence, I guess."

He'd originally planned to use Illusion to turn these giants into combat assets, but now it seemed he didn't even need it.

Just telling them the truth would turn them into allies.

"A Ninja can do something like that?!"

Zoro stared at Xi Yan in shock. Now he understood how the guy had opened both Main Gates.

Control them with Illusion, and they'd open the Great Gate willingly!!

Good thing this guy was one of their Partners—otherwise, he'd be a nightmare to fight.

"That's so cool!" Chopper said excitedly.

So this was the power of a Ninja? Amazing!

"It's nothing special for me." Xi Yan said.

But before he could say another word, Sanji lunged at him, grabbed his shoulders, and said, "Bro, if you ever hit the bathhouse, take..."

"Duang~"

Nami punched Sanji square on the head, Hammered Down on the spot.

"You idiot, what the hell are you thinking?!" Nami snapped.

"Tch, typical Color Cook." Zoro sneered.

Sanji lay on the ground, speechless. As a man who dreamed of the Transparent Fruit, he really wanted to be best friends with Xi Yan.

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" Nami tilted her head, smiling sweetly at Xi Yan.

"Relax, I'm nothing like him."

Xi Yan immediately drew a line, acting like he didn't even know the guy.

Nami nodded approvingly, then kicked Sanji again for good measure.

The Franky Family and Barry, who'd followed them down, watched in exasperation. Seriously, with everything going on, they're still messing around?

"Xi Yan, please release your Illusion." Usopp said seriously. "I'll tell them the truth."

Two proud giant warriors, tricked by the Navy into guarding a gate for a hundred years—what a disgrace!

"Alright."

Since Usopp insisted, Xi Yan didn't waste words and immediately dispelled the Illusion.

The next moment, Oimo and Kasi shuddered, then realized Dorry and Brogy, who'd been right in front of them, were gone.

"Strange, where did the two bosses go?!" Kasi asked, confused.

"Oimo is curious too."

"Hey, hello there." Usopp shouted loudly.

"And who are you?" Oimo looked at Usopp, puzzled why this human was greeting him.

Kasi, meanwhile, noticed Xi Yan. Frowning, he said, "Was it you messing with us just now?"

In his memory, before seeing the two bosses, the last thing he'd seen was this oddly dressed human.

"He'll explain everything to you." Xi Yan pointed at Usopp.

Then, ignoring the giants, he turned to his Partners. "I'll head inside and stir up some trouble, draw as many people after me as I can."

"Where's Robin?" Sanji scrambled to his feet.

"If I'm right, she's in the central building." Xi Yan pointed at the Judgement Hall. "Even if she's not there, I can still get some intel."

He paused, then added, "I'll go ahead and see if I can sneak Robin out."

As a Ninja, avoid direct combat unless necessary.

Infiltration and intelligence gathering were a Ninja's forte. If he could use Transformation Technique to steal Nico Robin away, everything else would fall into place.

"Got it. We'll head that way." Sanji nodded.

"Everyone, get on Sodom and Gomorrah now!" Zanbai roared.

Running on foot was too slow, and they might get blocked halfway. Better to use the King Bulls to move—that's why Sodom and Gomorrah were here!

Xi Yan saw everyone start moving, and with an Instant Body Technique, vanished from where he stood.

"Quite the commotion, isn't it."

Standing atop a building on the Inner Island, Xi Yan silently watched Luffy battling the Marines below.

He had to admit, that one move from Luffy had drawn at least a third of the enemy forces to surround him.

A bounty of 100 million Beli—that was a title worth respecting.

"Let me stir up a little trouble for you all." Xi Yan chuckled softly, clapping his hands together. "Shadow Clone Technique!"

"Bam!"

Over a dozen shadow clones appeared around Xi Yan, encircling him tightly.

"Go. Draw as many as you can."

"Original, can we kill them?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Xi Yan grinned. "There's no such thing as going easy on enemies!"

The clones snickered, then shot off in every direction. Moments later, they were causing all kinds of chaos.

"Boom!!"

"Enemy!"

"Damn it, weren't we told it was just Straw Hat? Who's this guy punching entire buildings to pieces?!"

"No idea. Never seen his Wanted Order."

"Bastard, who the hell are you?!"

"Who am I?" One of Xi Yan's clones sneered. "I'm your nightmare!"

"Boom!!"

"Agh!!"

Facing the clones' attacks, the Marines could do nothing but futilely fire their Flintlocks, getting wiped out wave after wave.

Against monsters like this, ordinary men were utterly insignificant.

Xi Yan glanced over calmly, then looked away. With these clones drawing the island's attention, Zoro and the others would have a much easier time.

Then, his gaze settled on the Judgement Hall not far away.

"Let's see if Robin's in there."

"Whoosh~"

The Instant Body Technique activated, and Xi Yan vanished from sight.