Friends

Meanwhile, Xi Yan, who had followed Lola and the others into the camp, saw the so-called shadow that made people stronger.

"This is... the shadow you were talking about?"

Looking at the shadow held in Ai Ke's hand, Xi Yan asked in surprise, "This thing can make people stronger?"

Can this violent struggle really be used to become stronger?

"Yes," Ai Ke laughed, "As long as you insert this into your body, you will gain immense power."

"That's right, this is the method we figured out through testing."

How did you manage to catch so many shadows?

"Of course, it's risking our lives to capture zombies!"

"That's right, we also discovered that salt can purify zombies!" Ai Ke grinned, "Aren't we amazing!"

"Hmm... impressive..."

He really didn't expect these guys to dare to catch zombies; they're really bold.

But... salt can actually purify zombies?

Is it because salt comes from the sea?

That's an interesting discovery.

After thinking for a moment, Xi Yan asked, "Will using this thing cause injury?"

Although he, as a Shadow Clone, didn't care about danger, it wasn't appropriate for this Shadow Clone to disappear now in order to obtain more information.

Therefore, he must figure this out, lest he disappear after the shadow is inserted, otherwise he won't be able to get any further information.

"Don't worry about that, Ninja Bro," Ai Ke explained. "We've tested it many times. As long as we control the number of shadows, it won't be too much of a burden."

"With your abilities, you must be able to carry many shadows."

They were now placing all their hopes on the man in front of them, so they held nothing back.

They're even willing to give up all their shadows if the other party wants!

"There's no need for that. I just need to understand it," Xi Yan said. "After all, I'm just an avatar."

The clone's damage tolerance is incomparable to that of the main body. Even if you want to become stronger using this method, you still have to wait for the main body.

All he needs to do now is figure out what's going on, and then tell Luffy and the others about it.

"A clone?"

Lola looked at Xi Yan in shock and said, "What do you mean? You're not your original form now?"

"Yes, I'm just a clone; my real body has gone to rescue my companions."

After speaking, Xi Yan raised his hand and activated the Shadow Clone Technique, summoning another Shadow Clone.

"Let's try it with this clone."

"A clone!!"

"Wow, it really is a clone!!"

"So this is what Ninja? So cool!!!"

"Ninja, could you demonstrate your Fire Release for us?"

"And... and Water Release!"

"Shut up!" Xi Yan roared, opening his shark-like mouth. "Is this the time for you to show off your Ninjutsu?!"

He was truly exasperated by these guys; how could everyone in the One Piece world be like this?

The crowd, instead of being angry after being yelled at, scratched their heads sheepishly and said, "Then please give us a performance after you defeat Moria."

"Okay, okay."

Honestly, they all act like little kids.

If Luffy into them, they'd probably be playing together right away.

"Wow... she really is a formidable Ninja," Lola said, swallowing hard.

This ability to create clones is completely different from her brother's. Cracker's clones are Biscuit Soldiers created using the power of Devil Fruit, but Xi Yan's clones appear out of thin air.

Is this what Ninja is like?

That's really cool!

"Ninja Bro, hurry up and try out this ability!" Ai Ke said excitedly.

"Alright, let's go." Xi Yan pointed to the newly appeared clone and said, "Use this one."

Even if this Shadow Clone explodes, one clone will remain here.

Ai Ke glanced at the aloof-faced clone, thought for a moment, then walked over, lifted the shadow, and said, "Then I'll begin."

"Stop talking nonsense and get on here!"

"Profound!"

"Puff!"

With great force, Ai Ke stabbed the shadow in his hand directly into the clone's body.

The next moment, something miraculous happened: the shadow began to be absorbed by the clone, gradually drilling into his body.

This scene startled Xi Yan.

"They crawled inside?!"

Watching the shadow slowly enter the Shadow Clone's body, Xi Yan asked in surprise, "Is this how you use it?"

Can I just put it in and use it?

This looks like the Sharinggan.

"Yes, you can just insert the shadow directly into your body," Ai Ke laughed. "That way you can get a powerful boost!"

As the shadow entered the body, the clone's body trembled slightly.

"How do you feel?"

"Uh..." The clone looked at its own body, then at Ai Ke, and said, "Why don't I feel anything?"

Wasn't it supposed to enhance strength? Where did the enhancement go?

"It's probably because you're too strong," Lola said. "That's why you didn't feel anything from just a shadow."

"Oh, by the way, how much is the bounty?"

"Four hundred million."

"Huh?!!"

The others stared at Xi Yan in shock. Was this person also a big shot? A four hundred million bounty?!

"Four hundred million?" Lola was also somewhat surprised, knowing that very few people in the Grand Line could reach that level.

Only after going to the New World will there be more players of this caliber.

But if he has achieved so much here, he will be even more terrifying in the New World, and it's even possible that he will be qualified to challenge the Four Emperors.

"Let's talk about that later, let's talk about the shadow first," the clone said. "I can't feel anything right now, are you sure this thing will work on me?"

"Of course it's useful!" Ai Ke said confidently. "Even if the improvement of a single shadow isn't significant, it will still have some other effects."

After saying that, Ai Ke thought for a moment, then took out a Flintlock and asked, "How good are you with a gun?"

Looking at the outdated and old Flintlock in the other person's hand, the clone frowned and said, "Never used one."

Can such an outdated device really hit a person?

"Then let's give it a try."

Ai Ke casually tossed the Flintlock over, laughing, "You'll have a different experience."

Without further ado, the clone took the weapon.

The moment he grasped the weapon, a familiar feeling welled up inside him, as if he were not a greenhorn but a seasoned veteran who had handled guns for years.

Instinctively, the clone raised his hand and fired a shot without even looking.

"Bump!"

A gunshot rang out, and a bullet pierced through a fallen leaf, instantly blowing the caterpillar on it in the head!

"Wow!!"

"That's so accurate!!"

The Baoya ran over, picked up the leaf, held it above his head, and exclaimed, "Look! I hit the caterpillar on the leaf perfectly!"

Looking at the leaves in the other person's hand, Xi Yan asked in surprise, "Is this... the effect of shadows?"

"Yes," Lola nodded. "The type of person the shadow's owner is determines the combat techniques that will appear in your mind after you obtain the shadow."

"Just like now, even if you've never handled Flintlock before, you'll possess such accurate shooting skills."

Xi Yan nodded. Now he understood the function of the shadow; it was truly... exceptionally magical.

The power of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit is far more advanced than the Nara Clan's Shadow Manipulation Technique.

"What if it's the shadow of a powerful being?" Xi Yan asked, "Can it still be used freely?"

"Having the shadow of a powerful figure is certainly better," Lola said. "But it needs to be used with caution, because the influence of a powerful figure's shadow is immense, and ordinary people simply cannot withstand it."

"However, Moria's favorite thing is the shadow of the strong, because it can create powerful zombies."

"Of course, he also likes the corpses of the strong."

Lola revealed all the information she knew without reservation, even information that they had obtained at the cost of their lives.

"The corpse of a strongman strengthens the shadow of another..." Xi Yan stroked his chin and said, "No wonder this guy is so dedicated to researching zombies; it's practically like resurrecting a powerful being."

"Yes, but the shadow's attributes and the corpse's are not the same person, so it may not be able to unleash its true power."

"Yes, that makes sense," Xi Yan nodded.

I wonder what the upper limit of Moria's ability to withstand shadows is. If he can withstand a large number of powerful shadows... wouldn't he be able to wield incredibly powerful strength?

That is indeed a problem.

"Shall we continue?" Ai Ke asked.

As he spoke, he brought over another shadow, looking at Xi Yan with expectant eyes.

"No need, keep the shadows." Xi Yan waved his hand and said, "Using these as clones is too wasteful."

The clone's resilience is far inferior to the main body, and it's also prone to exploding while being placed into the shadow, so there's no need to continue.

He came here mainly to learn about the characteristics of shadow abilities.

"Huh?"

"Is that not necessary?"

The group exchanged bewildered glances. A mere shadow was all it took?

"Ninja Bro, please don't stand on ceremony with us," Ai Ke said. "These shadows are all yours."

He thought the other party was a little embarrassed because these shadows were hard to come by.

"I'm not just being polite; I really don't need a clone."

"This..."

"All right."

The group exchanged glances and then sighed silently.

"Is there any other information you want to tell me?" Xi Yan asked. "Like who their officers are, or something like that."

"Of course, except for that guy who can turn invisible."

There's no need to talk about the Devil Fruit User; besides his invisibility ability, the only interesting thing he has is his Hand Cannon.

"Besides that invisible guy, it's that doctor," the Baoya said. "That doctor has no fighting ability; he's just an ordinary person who relies entirely on the other zombies to get things done."

"As for that ghost-wielding ability user..."

"Sorry, we have never seen what the other party's true form looks like."

"Hmm, it's nothing."

Xi Yan could understand; a ghost-wielding ability user's physical body might be quite fragile, so it was normal for them not to show themselves.

'But... a woman who's afraid of cockroaches... is she probably just a little kid?'

To him, the child didn't seem to pose any threat.

"Are there no other cadres besides these three?"

"No more," Lola shook her head. "But we don't know if there are any powerful zombies."

"Okay, I understand." Xi Yan nodded and said, "Thank you for the information. In exchange, I will help you retrieve the Shadow."

After Xi Yan finished speaking, he nodded to his clone, indicating that it could disappear.

Without wasting words, the clone immediately dispelled its Shadow Clone and disappeared from the spot, thus transmitting the memories of this place to the main body.

Then, Xi Yan planned to leave.

Where are you going?

"Go back and find Luffy and the others," Xi Yan said. "Tell them about what happened here."

"Please take us with you," Lola said earnestly.

"I've already said, I can't be of much help given your current situation."

"But it's better than just waiting around..." Lola clenched her fists and said, "I know my strength is far inferior to yours, but if I don't give it my all this time, I don't know if I'll have another chance."

What if all we're missing is her strength?

So Luo Na decided to give it her all!

Xi Yan paused for a moment, then said seriously, "Even if it might lead to death?"

"So what?" Lola said. "As a pirate, why would I be afraid of death?"

"That's right, Ninja Bro, please take us with you!"

"That's right, even if we die in battle, we will have no regrets!"

"We don't want to wait any longer, please take us with you."

Seeing Luo Na's serious expression and the stubborn looks in the others' eyes, Xi Yan suddenly smiled.

They could have simply used the intelligence as a bargaining chip and waited patiently for the Shadow to return, but instead, they chose to join the fight.

These creatures, which looked somewhat malnourished, became rather adorable in Xi Yan's eyes.

"You guys... I'm actually starting to like you guys."

"Hey!"

"Do you want to marry me?!"

"No, that's not true!"

After shouting, Xi Yan took a deep breath and then smiled, "From now on, we're friends."

"Huh?!"

"The Ninja Bro is actually willing to consider us friends?"

"Our strength is so weak, how could we possibly gain recognition..."

"Making friends has absolutely nothing to do with strength," Xi Yan said, shaking his head.

"Okay, we're friends!"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Everyone laughed; gaining the approval of a powerful figure was something to be happy about.

Keep in mind that the other person is a big shot with a bounty of 400 million Beli!

"But..."

Hearing Xi Yan's "but," everyone's expressions tensed up.

"Don't be nervous," Xi Yan said with a smile. "What I want to say is that we can't all leave this time."

"Why?"

"We need to leave some people to guard these shadows; we might need them later," Xi Yan said.

Lola glanced at the shadows, then nodded and said, "That's true."

These shadows might just be the key to victory or defeat, so they must be carefully preserved.

"Right? So let's pick some of the stronger ones to come with me." Xi Yan said, "Lola, I'm leaving this to you."

"Strong..."

Lola was taken aback, clearly not expecting the other person to say that, but after thinking about it carefully, she understood what they meant.

It's certainly right to leave people to guard these shadows, but it's not necessary to leave most of them behind.

Xi Yan said this clearly to reduce casualties on their side, since... most of the people here are in poor health, and it's already a miracle they're alive; they're simply unable to fight.

This person is truly... gentle.

I wonder which young girl will end up with a guy like that.

With that thought in mind, Lola nodded and said, "I understand."

"You heard what Xi Yan said, right? I will choose some people to come with me, and the rest of you will stay here to guard the Shadow."

"How can this be? We can fight too!"

"That's right, Ninja Bro, we..."

"You bunch of idiots, didn't I tell you? The shadow is very important," Xi Yan said seriously. "We might need it later, so we can't afford to lose it."

"Is... like this?"

"That's right!"

"Yes, Ninja Bro, we will protect these shadows!!"

Everyone looked excited, as if they had received some kind of sacred mission.

"Hmm, very good." Xi Yan smiled. "Remember, you must hide it well, understand?"

"Knew!"

"Um."

After fooling these guys, Xi Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If he had really led this bunch of bean sprouts to challenge Moria, he didn't know how many people would have died.

One of the old men was trembling even while standing, let alone fighting.

If they really started fighting, wouldn't one shout from that zombie send him packing?

'It's a pity they weren't injured when they became like this, otherwise I could have used Medical Ninjutsu to treat them...'

In cases of malnutrition, using Medical Ninjutsu could actually kill them, since such Ninjutsu comes at the cost of sacrificing life force for therapeutic effects.

Soon, Lola selected about twenty people from this group, all of whom were quite skilled.

Among them were Ai Ke and Baoya.

"Alright, we can go now," Lola said.

"Hehe, Ninja Bro, we'll be fighting side by side from now on," Baoya chuckled.

"You brat." Xi Yan shook his head helplessly, then looked at the group of twenty-odd people, each of whom had a gleam in their eyes.

That light is called hope.

"Everyone, please don't die!"

"Profound!!"