What?! The Blood-Eyed Ninja?!

"What should we do?!"

"What should we do?!"

As the Taiseki giant drew ever closer, Usopp was so terrified that tears streamed down his face.

This visual impact is just too much, you bastard!

"It seems our luck isn't so good," Perona sighed.

Although Merry had reached Zoro's side, she hadn't actually arrived here yet, and Xi Yan hadn't come either...

It seems their luck really wasn't very good.

"Hey, is everyone alright?"

"That voice!"

Usopp was stunned for a moment upon hearing Xi Yan's voice, then overjoyed.

"Xi Yan!"

"You've finally arrived!"

As they were talking, Usopp suddenly rushed to Xi Yan's side, hugged his leg, and started crying, leaving Xi Yan feeling quite helpless.

Perona breathed a sigh of relief; finally, some Lihai individuals had come to their aid.

A smile appeared on Galette's face as she asked, "Is it resolved over there?"

"No, it's just that we're temporarily suspending the fighting," Xi Yan said.

Xi Yan didn't say more, which was also to save face for that Old Smoker.

"Wait... wait a minute!"

Violet, realizing what was happening, looked at Xi Yan with a shocked expression and said, "Usopp, who did you just say he was?"

Usopp:!!!

Broken!

He accidentally revealed Xi Yan's identity.

Noticing Usopp's expression, Xi Yan smiled helplessly and said, "It's alright, we can't hide it anymore after today anyway."

The Marine Admiral and Admiral Candidate all knew his identity, so there was no point in hiding it anymore; they could just tell him.

As for resorting to murder to silence them now?

Putting aside how long it would take him to kill those two guys, even if he did, who can guarantee that the other side didn't have a backup plan?

What if my information has already fallen into the hands of the navy by this time?

Therefore, Xi Yan gave up his plan to take action and decided to let things take their course.

"Huh?"

Usopp was taken aback. What did he mean by "it can't be hidden anymore after today"?

Does that mean... starting tomorrow, the Straw Hat Pirates will face relentless pursuit by the World Government?

Upon realizing this, Usopp's face immediately turned green.

Xi Yan ignored Usopp's reaction and instead reached out to pull him off his body.

He then turned to Violet and said, "That's right, I am the Blood-Eyed Ninja people talk about, but I prefer to be called Ōtsutsuki Xi Yan."

After speaking, Xi Yan gave Violet a gentle smile, clearly showing his approachable nature.

"It really is you?!"

Violet swallowed instinctively; the fact that this man was still alive was truly astonishing.

After all, this is Ruthless Person could single-handedly storm into Mary Geoise!

Compared to him, Doflamingo is nothing.

It's safe!

It's safe now!

With such a powerful figure around, the Straw Hat Pirates will definitely be able to defeat the Donquixote Family!

"I never expected that we would have such an important figure hiding here." King Riku also subconsciously swallowed. Although the man in front of him looked like a mild-mannered gentleman, his reputation was indeed terrifying.

Marineford War, taking on Three Admirals, and then stormed into Mary Geoise, escaping unscathed... What a terrifying feat!

"But haven't you already..."

The current Army Commander, Tank, originally wanted to say that Xi Yan was already dead, but he realized that saying it would be disrespectful, so he forcibly swallowed his words.

After all... he couldn't afford the consequences of angering Xi Yan.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with saying this," Xi Yan said with a smile. "In the eyes of the world, I am indeed dead, but in fact, I faked my death to deceive the World Government."

"Suspended animation?"

So shocked by the fact that Xi Yan was still alive, Violet completely forgot about the enormous giant approaching from behind.

Then, she exclaimed in surprise, "You... you actually fooled the World Government by faking your death?"

Is this something a human could do?

That's the World Government, which reigns supreme over everything!

"Given your relationship with Sanji, there's no need to be so polite."

Xi Yan said something first, then explained, "I did indeed fake my death to fool them, naturally to prevent them from causing trouble for our Straw Hat Pirates."

Violet nodded in understanding; given the magnitude of what they had done, their actions were indeed quite reasonable.

Moreover, judging from the results, the other party's methods were quite effective.

King Riku looked at Violet with some confusion. What did he mean by the relationship between his daughter and Sanji?

Sanji?

Is it Black Leg Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates?

What is his relationship with his daughter?

As if noticing her father's gaze, Violet smiled helplessly but offered no explanation.

King Riku:...

The flowerpots were taken away again?

Um?

Again?

King Riku fell into deep thought.

"Don't worry," Tank said earnestly, "We won't tell anyone about this."

This refers, of course, to the fact that Xi Yan is still alive.

"I already said, there's no point in hiding it anymore." Xi Yan turned to look at the colossal figure in the distance and said, "The World Government will find out sooner or later."

Tank:???

What's the meaning?

Are you saying that someone here might tell others about this?

Usopp, looking excited, jumped up from the ground, grabbed Xi Yan's clothes, and said, "What do you mean? Explain yourself!"

"The literal meaning."

Xi Yan shrugged and said, "It might not be long before the World Government sends people to hunt us down, so... you'd better work hard and become stronger as soon as possible, Usopp ~"

"Otherwise, you might die!"

Xi Yan's tone was slightly teasing, but Usopp couldn't laugh at all; he even felt like crying.

What does it mean that the World Government will eventually send people to hunt them down?

What does it mean that if you don't become stronger soon, you'll die?

He doesn't want to die, you bastard!

"Shouldn't we have been mentally prepared for this kind of thing?" Perona seemed relatively calm, after all, knowing that Xi Yan was still alive, she had already guessed that this day would come.

It's just a matter of arriving early or late.

"Yeah, I should have been mentally prepared." Usopp loosened Xi Yan's clothes with a bitter expression and said, "But... being mentally prepared doesn't mean I'm not afraid."

He had indeed long anticipated this day, but when it actually came, he was still afraid.

After all, his strength was not yet great enough to defeat most of his enemies.

"You need to be more confident, Usopp," Xi Yan teased. "After all, you're now the legendary Usopp with a 500 million Beli bounty on your head by Doflamingo. You can't afford to lose face."

Upon hearing this, Usopp opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Five hundred million Beli?

How could he not know how he got those 500 million Beli?

If Doflamingo didn't hate him, why would he have put a bounty of 500 million Beli on him?

But when these words came to his lips, he hesitated to say them, feeling that it would be embarrassing to say them.

After a moment of silence, Usopp said, "Xi Yan, I think I 'Awakening my Observation Haki. Will you help me train from now on?"

Some things can't be avoided, so Usopp chose to accept reality.

If Xi Yan trains him, he'll definitely become stronger, and then... he won't need to fear the World Government anymore.

"Good."

Xi Yan smiled and nodded; he was pleased that Usopp had this determination.

"I know it's not good to interrupt your conversation, but..." Galette, who had come to Xi Yan's side, pointed to the enormous giant in front of them and said, "Aren't you going to deal with this guy?"

She believed that with Xi Yan's strength, he could easily shatter this enormous thing.

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan adjusted his Sunglasses, then crossed his arms and calmly said, "Don't worry, this guy's attacks won't break through."

"Ah?"

Galette was taken aback. Did this mean she wasn't planning to intervene?

Usopp's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Are you planning to make a move?"

"No."

Xi Yan raised his hand, pointed in the distance, and said, "This opponent belongs to Zoro; I won't compete with him for it."

He won't make a move until he's certain Zoro can't catch up.

A partner's enemies are something he should deal with himself.

Usopp was dumbfounded. How was Zoro going to get here from such a distance?

Then, as if he had just thought of something, he quickly rushed to the edge and looked in the distance.

There, he saw two shadows moving in the air.

"That's... Merry!"

Yes, Merry.

In the distant sky, Merry was flying rapidly towards this direction with Zoro, clearly intending for Zoro to come and take down the Rock Giant.

"I see."

Although she couldn't see clearly what was happening over there, since Xi Yan had already said so, Galette chose to believe him.

However, she was quite curious: could the swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates really slice through such a massive giant?

This guy's current size is incomparable to what it used to be.

Violet and King Riku's expressions weren't so good. They had initially thought the Blood-Eyed Ninja would take care of Pica, but instead, he chose to send his comrade instead?

No, is it really possible to make it in time?

"Pica Pica Pica la la~"

Pica, having arrived near the King's Plateau, looked down at King Riku on the Highland and laughed loudly, saying, "King Riku, do you have any last words?"

King Riku paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "Your target is me, isn't it?"

"If you are willing to spare the Dressrosa Citizens, I am willing to die."

Even with the Blood-Eyed Ninja present, it was only a matter of time before they defeated the Donquixote Family.

However... if it could reduce the number of casualties among his people, he was willing to give his own life.

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan glanced at King Riku in surprise. This old King really seemed a bit different...

"Pica Pica Pica la la~"

Upon hearing this, Pica burst into laughter, a truly unrestrained laugh.

He felt that King Riku was exceptionally naive.

Things have already progressed to this point, and they still fantasize that the Donquixote Family will back down?

Are you kidding me!

Today, they will not only kill the Riku Family and the Straw Hat Pirates, but also wipe out all the Dressrosa Citizens.

After all... only in this way can the secrets here be completely buried.

Pica Pica Pica la la~

"Why are you laughing?"

"I'm just laughing at your naiveté," Pica scoffed. "You really are more naive than I imagined."

"Yes, and also cowardly."

"You..."

King Riku gritted his teeth. He knew his idea was a bit naive, but if they could get it, they would be rolling in money!

He sacrificed his life to save the people of Dressrosa —that's a great deal!

"Since you have nothing else to say, I'll see you off."

"This attack of mine can destroy the Old King's Plateau!"

As they spoke, Pica manipulated the Rock Giant to raise its massive arm, clearly preparing to attack.

"Um?"

Just as Pica was about to attack, a look of doubt suddenly appeared in his eyes.

Why do those guys standing up there look completely fearless?

Am I not scary enough?

That shouldn't be the case; his current body and hands are almost as big as the Old King's Plateau.

In this situation, he should have been quite intimidating, so why weren't these guys afraid?

What do they rely on?

That green-haired swordsman?

But that guy was already far behind, and there was no way he could catch up at this time.

Besides... even if he gets here, he can't possibly cut his rocky body open like this.

After all, this time he really went all out.

'Whatever, let them think what they want,' Pica thought to herself. 'Anyway, taking out these guys will solve the problem.'

He didn't necessarily need to figure out what these enemies were thinking; killing them was enough.

As she pondered this, Pica slowly began to move.

At the same time, he looked at King Riku and said, "King Riku, you are not worthy to be king!"

"Because you lack the qualities to be a king."

"Only a man like Doflamingo is worthy to be the King of Dressrosa!"

This guy has absolutely no kingly qualities, so what makes him qualified to rule Dressrosa?

Only a man as powerful as Doflamingo is worthy to rule this country!

Pica Pica Pica la la~

You're wrong!

Violet exclaimed, "My Father King also possesses the qualities of a king!"

It's just that his father's magnanimity was different from Doflamingo's.

"Is that so?" Pica scoffed. "But it's also a fact that your Father King failed to protect Dressrosa."

"What right does someone have to be king if they can't even protect their own country?"

"That's because Dressrosa needs peace!"

"Peace?"

Pica chuckled. Peace is not something that can be obtained by relying on others' charity.

Only with a strong enough fist can a country achieve true peace.

In this vast ocean, words are far less powerful than fists.

After another cold laugh, Pica said, "What a boring idea... Fine, take all your boring ideas with you to hell!"

"With this punch, I will end it all!"