Amazon Lily

Three days later, on the sea not far from Amazon Lily.

"Whoosh~"

A giant bear paw-shaped cloud of gas carried Xi Yan and his companions as they flew through the air at an incredible speed.

Any obstacle encountered on the road will be bounced away by this gas; even Sea Kings that rush over to tear it apart will be repelled.

Inside this enormous gas, Luffy and Merry, exhausted and terrified, were fast asleep, clinging to Xi Yan's body.

But Xi Yan, who was being held by the two of them, remained conscious throughout.

He couldn't sleep until he knew exactly where they were going to end up.

"We've been flying for three days and three nights..." Xi Yan frowned and asked, "Where exactly is our destination?"

"And what exactly does this guy Xiong mean?"

At this moment, Xi Yan was filled with doubt.

He didn't know why the other party had photographed them away from the Sabaody Archipelago.

Judging from the current situation, it's clear that Kuma doesn't intend to kill them. After all... if he really wanted to kill them, he could have simply launched them in front of the Marine Admiral; there was no need to make them fly so far.

So, does that mean the other party wanted to save them?

But why is that?

What are their reasons for doing this?

Could it be that someone in the Straw Hat Pirates has some kind of special relationship with this Kuma?

If that's the case... then why did they try to kill them last time at the Thriller Bark?

Xi Yan didn't understand, he really didn't understand.

"Etc..."

Xi Yan suddenly remembered something: before they left the Thriller Bark, it seemed that Kuma had helped Luffy bounce off his injuries.

If they really intended to kill them, there was absolutely no need for them to do so.

In addition, the other party said those strange things several times, as if they wanted to let them off the hook...

There's a problem, there's definitely a problem!!

"I must ask him properly next time we meet."

Just then, Xi Yan noticed the rapidly approaching island and also realized that the bear paw gas was falling rapidly.

"Have we finally arrived at our destination?" Xi Yan exclaimed with delight.

Three days... a full three days!

Luffy and those two are sleeping soundly, while I haven't closed my eyes for three days!!

As for why Xi Yan didn't pop the bubble halfway through?

He needs to know the final destination, whether it's at sea or on an island, so he can roughly assess the situation of his other companions.

"Bang!"

The next moment, the bear paw landed on the ground, blasting a crater shaped like a bear paw.

The moment Xi Yan touched the ground, he grabbed the two guys clinging to him and jumped off.

"Um?"

"What's wrong? Is it dawn yet?"

"Sanji, I want to eat!"

Xi Yan:...

Listening to Luffy and Merry's dazed words, Xi Yan's lips twitched and he said, "Have you forgotten what happened?"

As they were talking, Xi Yan threw Luffy to the ground.

"Bang!"

Luffy, who had just Luffy, immediately perked up.

"Xi Yan!!"

The moment Xi Yan saw Luffy, the scene from three days ago immediately flashed through his mind.

"Zoro and the others... were taken away one after another..."

"Don't worry, he shouldn't be in any danger," Xi Yan reassured him.

As he spoke, Xi Yan pointed to the bear paw on the ground and said, "The force generated at the moment of impact wasn't strong enough to kill anyone."

Xi Yan could sense that the power was very gentle, as if... the bear was doing this on purpose to prevent them from getting hurt.

This only made Xi Yan even more curious. Why would that guy Xiong do such a thing?

At that moment, the image of the bear at its final moments flashed through Xi Yan's mind.

(This is the last time we'll see each other... Goodbye!)

Why would he say something like that?

"Is there no danger to his life?!"

Luffy breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that nothing had happened.

He was genuinely afraid that his companions would die inexplicably; that would truly break him.

"So... was that big guy saving us?" Merry looked up at Xi Yan and asked.

"Based on the current situation, yes."

Why?

"I don't know either," Xi Yan shook his head and said, "Let's ask him next time we meet."

He was also eager to figure out the other party's purpose.

"Is the Big Bear trying to save us...?"

Luffy paused for a moment, then adjusted his hat and said, "So he was a good person after all..."

"Most likely, yes." Xi Yan nodded and said, "Last time in the Thriller Bark, they probably let us go on purpose."

Otherwise, the opponent could have easily sent Zoro and his crew flying into the sea and drowning them!

But the other party didn't do that... so Xi Yan concluded that the other party probably never intended to kill him from the beginning!

"I see... I understand."

He didn't know what the other person's purpose was, but since they were a good person, he would forgive them.

After thinking for a moment, Luffy took out Rayleigh's Vivre Card and examined it in his palm.

Soon, the Vivre Card began to move slowly.

"Look, this Vivre Card really moves!"

"Idiot, of course it will move!" Xi Yan said irritably. "Otherwise, how would we find the ship?"

Luffy didn't seem to care, just chuckling to himself.

With this, they could reunite, and how could he not be happy?

As for Zoro and his group?

While Number One Tree was treating Hatchan, Sanji distributed his Vivre Card.

"Gurgle..."

"Gurgle..."

Two stomach growls sounded, and Merry and Luffy clutched their stomachs at the same time.

I'm hungry...

"Click~"

Just then, the sound of a tree branch snapping underfoot caught the attention of the three.

They instinctively turned around and immediately saw a huge wild boar emerge, glaring at them menacingly.

"Meat!"

The moment Luffy saw the other person, he immediately showed an expression of immense excitement.

This is practically free meat!

Wild boar:???

The wild boar stared at Luffy with a puzzled look on its face. Why wasn't this human afraid of it at all?

The next moment, its expression changed.

Because... three humans not far away were giving him greedy smiles, as if they wanted to devour him!!

This discovery instilled in it an instinctive sense of fear.

But before he could escape, Luffy's fist flew up and killed the boar with a single punch.

"Tsk, what's so special about this?"

"Wild game delivered to our doorstep?" Xi Yan said.

He had originally planned to take out the Sea Kings meat that he had stored in the Sealing Scroll for three days and process it, but then a wild boar came to him by chance. He was really lucky.

"Quick, Xi Yan, let's roast it and eat it!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly.

"Okay, I'll take care of it first."

After saying that, Xi Yan picked up the wild boar and walked to the side, taking out his Kusanagi Sword to begin processing it.

After finishing, I used Water Release Technique: Water Release to rinse it off completely, getting it thoroughly clean.

After returning to the two of them, they cut down some more trees and started a fire to barbecue.

"Merry, give me the seasoning."

"Oh~"

After handing the barbecue seasonings to Xi Yan, Little Merry rested her chin on her hand and sat on the wooden stake with Luffy, quietly waiting for Xi Yan to cook the meat.

Soon, as time went by, the aroma of the meat gradually filled the air.

Ah~

"It smells so good!"

Luffy was drooling.

The next moment, Luffy reached out his hand towards the wild boar meat, intending to take a bite first.

Smack!

Xi Yan slapped Luffy's hand, shoving it aside, and said, "What's the rush? It's not ripe yet."

After saying that, Xi Yan paused for a moment, then pointed at Merry and said, "You can eat raw food without any problems, but Meriko not be able to."

We don't know where they are right now, or what will happen to them. What if they get diarrhea from eating it?

Luffy blinked, glanced at Merry, and then nodded obediently, saying, "Understood..."

That's true, after all, Merry is still too young.

"Alright, let's discuss what to do next." While turning the grill, Xi Yan said, "We've been flying for about three days and three nights; the others should have been around the same time."

"Three days and three nights?"

Merry was taken aback. Had they really flown for this long?

No wonder I feel so hungry...

Luffy replied without hesitation, "Of course, I'll go back to Sabaody Archipelago and reunite with my crew!"

"I think everyone thinks the same way."

With this Vivre Card in their hands, they will reunite sooner or later!!

And Luffy believes that time won't be too far off!

"Alright, I'll go explore the deeper parts of this island later," Xi Yan said. "If there are people on this island, we'll try to get a boat."

"What would you do with a ship?" Merry asked, puzzled. "I could summon the Thousand Sunny."

She has the ability to summon a ship at any time, so why would she need a ship here?

Luffy looked at Xi Yan with some confusion, wondering why he said that.

"Have you forgotten what we Uncle Rayleigh to do?" Xi Yan said irritably. "If Uncle Rayleigh has already finished the coating, wouldn't summoning the ship here be a waste of time?"

"Why?"

Xi Yan:...

Looking at these two guys whose eyes were filled with curiosity, Xi Yan covered his forehead.

"Bubble will explode if it leaves the environment of the Sabaody Archipelago, have you forgotten?" Xi Yan said helplessly.

If the bubbles are placed directly underwater, they will not burst due to changes in humidity.

But this isn't underwater!

"Can't we just do it later?" Luffy said, scratching his head.

"You really have no respect for other people's hard work..."

After shaking his head, Xi Yan said, "The coating can indeed be redone, but do you think we have the time?"

"What if we're spotted by the navy after we arrive at Sabaody Archipelago?"

"Do you think... the Navy will give us another three days to apply the coating?"

"Next time, they might just send three Marine Admiral to gang up on us!"

This time, the Navy deployed two Marine Admiral at once, but still failed to capture them... This is tantamount to another slap in the face for the Navy!!

Next time, the other side will definitely send an even more terrifying force to encircle and annihilate them!

Will Big Bear still come to help when that time comes?

This is an unknown quantity.

"I see..." Luffy scratched his head and said, "Then we really can't bring our ship over here."

Little Merry understood Xi Yan's meaning, so she didn't bring it up again.

"Actually, there's another advantage to not using our ship," Xi Yan said.

"What are the benefits?"

"At least on the way back, we won't be targeted by anyone else," Xi Yan said. "Otherwise, the Navy might send Aokiji to ambush the three of us."

He wasn't afraid of the other naval forces; he could easily toss their ships away Water Release.

But Aokiji is different... This guy can freeze the ocean!

Against someone like Aokiji, his Water Release Technique was practically useless.

"Aokiji..."

Luffy frowned at the thought of that guy who played with ice.

When he first encountered that guy, he almost got killed.

He didn't want to run into that guy again if he could.

"In the end, I'm still too weak..." Little Merry said, covering her face, "I can't be of any help."

"It's okay, take your time."

Xi Yan rubbed the little guy's head and comforted him, "Nobody is born incredibly powerful, right?"

This little guy is only a few years old.

Even counting from when Luffy and his Luffy Going Merry, only a few months have passed.

How powerful could such a little guy possibly be?

"I... I will also work hard to become stronger!"

"Good!"

Xi Yan smiled, then picked up the huge wild boar and placed it on the wooden frame that had been prepared beforehand.

Then, use Kusanagi Sword to cut the wild boar meat open, making it easier to eat.

"Come on, eat!" Xi Yan waved his hand and said, "Whatever you want to do, you have to eat your fill first."

Listening to Xi Yan's words, Luffy, who was thinking about something, Luffy and opened his mouth to bite!

Xi Yan:...

This way of eating is quite unrestrained.

After shaking his head, Xi Yan handed one of the smaller pieces to Merry and said, "Eat it."

"Eat more so you can grow taller!"

Upon hearing this, Merry's eyes immediately lit up.

"I want to grow taller!!"

After making the declaration, Merry began eating quickly.

With the three of them working together, the meat on the wooden rack was disappearing rapidly.

Ah~

"I'm full~"

Lying on the ground, Luffy said with a satisfied expression, "Xi Yan, the meat you grilled is so delicious..."

"Yeah yeah."

Merry, who was also lying on the ground, uttered the same sentiment.

"I'm quite good at wilderness survival too," Xi Yan said with a smile.

Perhaps his cooking skills aren't up to Sanji's level, but at least the food he makes tastes pretty good.

These two guys are eating quite well...

"Um?"

Looking at Luffy's gradually shrinking belly, a question mark popped up above Xi Yan's head.

"No, do you digest food that quickly?"

Most of the wild boar meat went into this guy's mouth; his belly was round and full, and yet... he's already digested it all so quickly?

"Ah?"

Luffy asked, "Is there a problem?"

His digestion speed has always been like this.

Luffy, with his simple mind, didn't see anything wrong with this.

Xi Yan:...

Looking at Luffy's innocent face, Xi Yan fell into deep thought.

Perhaps... this guy's stomach is monstrous too?

After thinking about it carefully, he concluded that Luffy must have mastered some kind of special ability that allows him to quickly absorb the energy from food.

This is a good thing.

"Isn't this great? Hahahaha."

Luffy, who had stood up, laughed and said, "This won't delay our mission."

"Yes, that's true."

After glancing around, Xi Yan said, "You two wait for me in the forest. I'll go deeper in and take a look."

"Why aren't we going together?" Luffy complained.

Xi Yan actually plans to go on an adventure alone?!

"What if there's danger?" Xi Yan said, "You should at least think about Merry."

Who Knows if they were directly transported to the New World by the bear?

If they are currently on the territory of Four Emperors... entering rashly would definitely result in an attack.

He has the Mangekyō Sharingan and can't be killed, but Luffy and Meriko can't.

"Merry ..."

Luffy glanced at Merry, who was still lying on the ground, thought for a moment, and said, "Okay, I understand."

Xi Yan's explanation successfully convinced Luffy.

As someone who cares deeply about his crewmates, Luffy doesn't want anything to happen to Merry.

After all... now he only has these two companions left by his side.

Merry blinked, then got up from the ground and said, "Actually, I..."

"Alright, Merry, you two wait for me here," Xi Yan said.

Little Merry just went through a life-or-death experience; she must have been severely traumatized.

So... let's keep her in a safe place.

He'll come back to pick up the two guys after he's thoroughly investigated the island.

Of course, it would be even better if we could get a boat directly.

Then we can head straight to the Sabaody Archipelago and meet up with our friends!

"Clear!"

Xi Yan nodded, then used his Instant Body Technique to disappear.

After Xi Yan left, Luffy sat down on a rock to rest.

"I hope Luffy Nami can reach Sabaody Archipelago safely..." Merry whispered.

"Don't worry, Nami and the others aren't the type to die easily," Luffy grinned, "They definitely can!"

His companions also possessed the same resilience as cockroaches, and he believed that everyone could safely reach the Sabaody Archipelago!

"That's good." Merry breathed a sigh of relief.

She truly hoped that all her companions would arrive safely at Sabaody Archipelago so they could all go to the New World together!

I wonder how they're doing now?

They have Xi Yan here, but the others don't...

Thinking of this, a hint of worry appeared in Merry's eyes.

Perhaps sensing Merry's mood, Luffy jumped up and said, "Merry, I'll treat you to something good to eat!"

"Oh?"

What is it?

"Merry asked curiously."

Luffy chuckled, ran ahead, picked up several oddly colored mushrooms, and turned to Merry, saying, "Merry, these are Laughing Mushroom!"

"After eating this, you won't be sad anymore!"

After saying that, Luffy took a bite himself and then burst into happy laughter.

Hahahaha!

"My mood... my mood immediately improved!" Luffy said with a loud laugh.

Merry's eyes lit up. Could there really be something this amazing in the world?

Thinking of this, Merry immediately went to Luffy's side, took the Laughing Mushroom from his hand, and took a bite.

Then...

Hahahaha!

"Luffy, I don't think I'm sad anymore, hahahahaha!"

"I told you so, didn't I? Hahahaha!"

The place was immediately filled with the laughter of the two people.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Meanwhile, on the other side...

In the Calm Belt waters near Amazon Lily, a pirate ship flying the Amazon Lily flag is floating on the sea.

Powered by Paddle wheel, the ship steadily made its way towards Amazon Lily.

With two enormous Poison Sea Snake escorting them, no Sea Kings dared to cause trouble.

"This is truly a bumper harvest!"

"Hahaha, that's right!"

"I wonder when the next voyage will be..."

"That depends on what Snake Princess thinks."

"That's true."

Although the Spoils of war of war didn't belong entirely to them, even a small share would be enough for them to live a carefree life for a long time.

Boa Sandersonia glanced in the direction of the Great Gate, then looked at Boa Hancock and said, "Older Sister Lord, we agreed to the Navy's request but we're not going to Navy Headquarters... Is that really okay?"

"So what?"

"If we don't go, will the World Government revoke her title as 'Older Sister Lord '?" Boa Sandersonia asked with a worried expression.

If they lose their title as Shichibukai... they will no longer be able to legally plunder.

"No, they won't take away my title~" Hancock said with a smile, "After all... I'm just too beautiful."

"No matter what you do, you will be forgiven!"

"Profound!"

"Older Sister Lord!!"

My Older Sister Lord is right. No matter what Older Sister Lord does, she will be forgiven!

Because... she's just so beautiful!