A jealous Perona

"Uncle, I'm going to stomp you flat!"

Luffy roared again, then swung his long legs into the air, coating them with Haki.

"Rubber Eagle Tomahawk!"

"Boom!!"

"Um?"

Seeing Fujitora withstand Luffy's attack again without retreating, Zoro subconsciously frowned and said, "Luffy's fighting style is so strange."

Why does he remind his opponent every time he attacks?

"Is that even a question?" Xi Yan laughed. "It's because of Fujitora's eyes, of course."

Luffy probably only spoke up to warn Luffy because Fujitora's blind, to avoid an unfair victory.

You mean...?

Zoro paused for a moment, then gave a helpless look. Luffy really is...

"I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"

Luffy roared again, then leaped into the air and unleashed his fist without mercy.

"Rubber Jet Pistol!"

"Tap tap tap~"

A flurry of punches flew towards Fujitora, each one incredibly powerful.

However, Fujitora always seemed to handle such attacks with ease, accurately blocking every single one of Luffy's blows.

And so, Luffy would give a warning with every attack, but he could never defeat Fujitora.

"What have you been doing since just now?" Fujitora gritted his teeth and said, "Are you pitying this old man?"

"Are you bothered because your opponent is blind?"

"I am Marine Admiral, everyone calls me a monster!"

"To be pitied by a brat like you... I cannot accept that!"

"If you've tried to provoke me, then you've succeeded!"

"I'll cut your head off right now!"

After saying that, Fujitora increased his strength and pushed Luffy's enormous fist forward little by little.

"Shut up!" Luffy roared, "I can't just punch a blind guy like you without saying a word!"

"Because... I don't dislike older men at all!"

Upon hearing this, Fujitora was completely stunned.

Ignoring the fist that was being pushed back, Fujitora's expression became conflicted.

That brat... that brat!!!

After a moment of silence, Fujitora defeated Luffy with a single move, then threw his head back and burst into laughter.

Hahaha~

"What are you laughing at?!" Luffy roared in annoyance, "I'm going to kick you!"

After saying that, Luffy launched another attack.

"Clang!"

"Kid!" After blocking Luffy's attack, Fujitora said in a deep voice, "This kind of sympathy will only ruin you!"

Unfortunately, Luffy doesn't care about such things; he still shouts before every attack.

"You just love to spout nonsense," Fujitora said. "Although we have different stances, I've never seen anyone so quick to express sympathy and dislike."

"Stop arguing, that kind of thing has nothing to do with me!"

Luffy didn't care about such things at all; what others thought was none of his business.

What he wants to do is be the freest person.

Are you an idiot?!

Sweat began to bead on Fujitora's face as he said, "I've been holding back... and sticking to my principles the whole time!"

"You brat!"

If he weren't a naval officer, he would never have bothered with a man like that.

But this brat keeps saying things like that... Isn't this just making things difficult for him?!

But as a naval officer, there are some things he has to do!

With that thought in mind, Fujitora raised his weapon and engaged Luffy in battle once more.

"It seems I don't need to intervene."

After saying that, Xi Yan plopped down on the ground, intending to leave together after Luffy finished his business.

But as soon as he sat down, he sensed another familiar aura rushing towards him at an extremely fast speed, which made him subconsciously stand up.

"What's wrong?"

"Smoker's here." Xi Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "He really knows how to pick his timing."

It seems I can't stay out of this.

"Then it's my turn this time," Zoro said, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry, Zoro, I really can't let you have this opponent." Xi Yan stared at the smoke gradually spreading from the side and said, "This guy's ability is rather strange; you could easily get seriously injured if you're not careful, so I'll leave him to me."

Smoker's Moku Moku no Mi has been developed to an extremely high degree; if Zoro were to come at him, he might end up with internal injuries.

By then, Zoro wouldn't even have a chance to regret it.

"Well... okay."

Seeing that Xi Yan had said so, Zoro gave up his plan to compete with Xi Yan for the opponent.

But... isn't Smoker's ability just smoke? Why would Xi Yan say his ability is rather strange?

Could it be that the other side has developed some new attack method?

That must be it, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to get that position Admiral Candidate.

"Straw Hat!"

Smoker burst out of the city, his sharp eyes fixed on Luffy, who was Luffy in combat with Fujitora, and said, "Let's see where you can run this time!"

"Old Smoker?"

Luffy was startled. How did this guy suddenly appear?

"Your opponent is me."

Before Smoker could attack Luffy, Xi Yan appeared in front of Smoker with a Instant Body Technique, blocking his path.

It's you again.

Smoker frowned and said, "This is troublesome."

Fighting this guy at this moment is not good news, after all, those citizens are running here, and if the two of them start fighting, Yu Bo might even kill them with his shockwave.

But since we've encountered this situation, we have no choice but to fight.

"Yes, it's me again."

Xi Yan charged forward and stood in front of Smoker, raising his fist to strike.

Upon seeing this, Smoker's eyes narrowed, and he quickly wrapped his Haki around his fist, exchanging a fierce punch with Xi Yan.

"Clang!"

"Boom!"

The shockwave generated by their punches shattered the ground.

"Hello!"

"Is that guy really that Lihai?" Bartolomeo looked at Smoker in shock and said, "He can actually go toe-to-toe with Senior Xi Yan?"

Senior Xi Yan is someone who can go toe-to-toe with the Three Admirals of the Navy, how could this guy actually block Senior Xi Yan's punch?

"He's Admiral Candidate all," Cavendish voice. "His strength shouldn't be much weaker than that of Admiral."

Otherwise, he wouldn't be qualified to sit in that position.

"Not necessarily," Nico Robin said. "If he really had that ability, why wasn't he made this year's Marine Admiral?"

It's worth noting that this year's Marine Admiral were recruited World Military Draft to fill their positions!

If someone inside truly possesses the ability of Admiral, why wasn't he promoted?

Therefore, Nico Robin felt that the other party probably didn't have that kind of ability.

"Not necessarily," Usopp said. "Have you forgotten Luffy's grandfather? His strength was terrifying too, but he was only Vice Admiral."

Upon hearing this, Nico Robin fell silent.

Yes, with Luffy's grandfather as a precedent, there might be a second one.

"So, this guy really is at the Admiral level?" Perona said with a headache, "That's quite a formidable opponent."

"Speaking of which... I wonder if the former Fleet Admiral will also come to join the fun later?"

If another Admiral- level opponent comes along, they'll be in trouble.

"Isn't that perfect?" Zoro grinned. "The three of us can each have one."

At this moment, Zoro showed no fear; on the contrary, he was eager to try.

The former Marshal must have been incredibly powerful!

Perona:...

Does this guy not know what the phrase "former Fleet Admiral" means?

"Hey, Smoker." Xi Yan looked at Smoker in front of him and asked softly, "What exactly do you mean?"

What are you trying to say?

Smoker stared at Xi Yan expressionlessly, wanting to hear what this guy had to say.

"Is that even a question?" Xi Yan said, "You're not really planning to arrest us here, are you? We were cooperating perfectly well before."

"Who would cooperate with you?" Smoker retorted.

"Hey, do you really think I'm stupid?" Xi Yan curled his lip and said, "Don't think I don't know what you two are up to. You just want to abolish the Warlord System, don't you?"

"If that weren't the case, you wouldn't have sent Luffy to fight Doflamingo."

Upon hearing this, Smoker fell silent.

Yes, that's indeed their idea, and in a sense, the Blood-Eyed Ninja isn't wrong.

They... could indeed be considered to have cooperated with the Straw Hat Pirates.

But!

How could they possibly admit to something like this?

Even if they did do that, they would never admit it.

I don't know what you're talking about.

"You're just being stubborn," Xi Yan chuckled. Did he really think he couldn't see through this guy's thoughts?

It's simply that the navy cares about its reputation, which is why they're unwilling to admit it.

But... does the Navy still have any face left?

After everything that's happened, does the Navy still have any shame?

"Fine, if you don't want to admit it, then don't." Xi Yan composed himself and said, "But you should also understand what it means to fight us here, right?"

"Certainly."

Smoker said in a deep voice, "But since Admiral Fujitora has given the order to capture you, I will naturally do my utmost."

He initially thought that Fujitora was just putting on a show, as he had said before, and letting Straw Hat leave.

But when he saw the wreckage of the city flying everywhere, he realized something was wrong; Fujitora was serious.

Since that's the case, he'll have no choice but to come and help.

After all, there's a Blood-Eyed Ninja here; if he didn't come to help, Fujitora might be in danger of dying.

So... he had to make a move, at least to stop this guy.

"Heh, then let's see what happens." Xi Yan sneered. Since they were so heartless, then he wouldn't be so ruthless either.

Just then, a female soldier carrying a long sword suddenly appeared from the side and headed straight for Zoro, who was watching the commotion.

"Um?"

Xi Yan, noticing this, paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "What... is this female soldier trying to do?"

Is she planning to attack Zoro and his crew?

Just this one person?

"Don't underestimate her," Smoker said without the slightest concern. "She's very strong."

He trained with Mr. Garp for two years, and Tashigi also trained with Senior Bogart for two years!

The Tashigi of this time is no longer the Tashigi she once was.

"Really? Well, if she dies, don't cry."

Xi Yan sneered, then wrapped his Haki around his fist and began to fight Smoker.

But as the fight went on, he realized something was wrong; this Smoker didn't seem as tough as he'd described.

The current attack intensity is about the same as before in the city.

So... this guy's just here to make an appearance?

Yes, if you really want to say something, Smoker doesn't want to fight to the death with Xi Yan right now, because that would hurt the civilians who are running over later, and it would also make it easier to sink Dressrosa.

'Ha, what a two-faced bastard.'

Xi Yan smiled helplessly to himself, and then started Friendly Match with Smoker.

"Roronoa Zoro!"

Tashigi, having reached Zoro's vicinity, drew her long sword and stared intently at Zoro, saying, "Hand over this Famous Sword!"

Zoro:???

Zoro stared at Tashigi with a puzzled look on his face. Why was this woman here?

Yes, this guy works for Smoker, so it makes sense that he's here...

No, that's not the point. The point is, how dare this guy come looking for trouble with him all by himself at a time like this?

Can't she see the wreckage in the sky?

"Who is she?"

Perona instinctively sensed something was wrong; as a woman, she told herself directly that this woman was very strange.

There might be a story between her and Zoro that she doesn't know.

And this was exactly the story she wanted to know.

"She's Tashigi, a female swordswoman in the Navy." Zoro thought for a moment and said, "As for her rank... I'd say Commodore."

As he spoke, Zoro glanced at Tashigi's epaulettes; those were indeed something only Commodore was entitled to wear.

"Oh, you know so much about it..." Perona said sourly.

Zoro:???

Zoro looked at Perona with a puzzled expression. Why did this woman suddenly seem like a completely different person?

Did I offend her in some way?

Nico Robin shook her head helplessly at the sight; Zoro's head was exactly the same as Luffy's in some ways.

"How dare you disturb Senior Zoro!"

Bartolomeo strode forward, staring intently at Tashigi, and said, "Who gave you the guts?"

"Who are you?"

Bartolomeo!

I didn't come here to see you.

After saying that, Tashigi ignored Bartolomeo and turned to Zoro, saying, "Roronoa Zoro, come out and fight me."

Bartolomeo:...

Does this jerk look down on him?

Thinking of this, Bartolomeo became somewhat angry. How dare a mere navy officer look down on him?

"I..."

"You stay put."

Perona glanced at Bartolomeo. Was it appropriate for him to be joining in the fun at this time?

He's also a brainless idiot.

"Yes... Perona- senpai."

Although he didn't know why Perona- senpai was suddenly so angry, he obediently stopped to avoid getting beaten up.