Clone

Just as Lin was about to get hurt again, a hand suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking the enormous fist.

The newcomer wore a gentleman's suit and hat, and carried an iron pipe in one hand. It was Sabo and his companions, who had come to rescue them.

"As a gentleman, I can't stand by and watch two grown men bully a little girl!"

After blocking the attack, Sabo's Dragon Claw contracted and seized his opponent. He then threw the man over his shoulder and slammed him into the iron railing nearby.

"Who are you?"

Seeing his companion knocked to the ground in a single move by the newcomer, the other man, who was carrying a sword, tightened his grip on it, his expression grave.

"Don't ask. I'm just someone passing by who can't stand the sight of people like you!"

Sabo smiled slightly. His body vanished from where he stood, and when he reappeared, he was right in front of the swordsman.

"Dragon Claw Fist!"

Sabo gave his opponent no chance to react. He reached out, Haki coiling around his hand, and struck for the man's heart.

With a squelch, Sabo's hand pierced the man's body and tore out his heart.

"S-so strong!"

That was all the man managed to say before his heart left his body. His eyes went blank, and he collapsed to the ground.

Seeing his companion taken out in a single move, the man Sabo had thrown had no desire to stick around. He scrambled to his feet and turned to flee, but the moment he did, a pitch-black metal pipe struck him on the head, knocking him unconscious.

"Hey, Sabo, did you have to run off so fast? Aren't you supposed to protect the target?"

After the man fainted, a golden-haired woman appeared and waved the metal pipe in her hand, looking exasperated as she spoke to Sabo.

It was Koala, who had come here with Sabo to rescue them. Behind her stood the target of their mission, an ordinary-looking old man, as well as Matthew, who had accompanied them on the rescue.

"Who are you?"

At that moment, Lin finally recovered from her shock at seeing Sabo appear out of nowhere and dispatch the two men who had been fighting her for so long. Looking tense, she asked who they were.

"Don't be nervous. We're with the Revolutionary Army. We were just passing by and saw two grown men bullying a little girl. We couldn't stand by, so we stepped in to help."

"Sabo! Haven't I told you not to reveal our identity so casually?"

"Okay, okay, I know! By the way, little girl, have you seen The Undying, Chen Qiang?"

Sabo gave Koala a perfunctory reply, then seemed to remember something and turned to ask Lin.

"What are you going to do? Why are you looking for Chen Qiang?"

Lin had relaxed a little after the two revealed their identities and helped her deal with her opponents. But when she heard them ask about Chen Qiang, she raised her sword again and watched them warily.

"Don't worry, Lin. They're not enemies!"

"Riiip!"

Just as Lin tensed up, ready to attack at any moment, Chen Qiang's voice suddenly rang out. At the same time, the sound of fabric tearing came from somewhere.

Everyone looked toward the sound, but Chen Qiang was nowhere to be seen. Only Matthew stood there, searching his clothes in a panic.

After all, the sound had come from him. How could that not terrify him?

"What are you looking at? I'm over here!"

Seeing everyone crowd around Matthew, trying to find the source of Chen Qiang's voice, the voice spoke up again, sounding irritated.

Since they were much closer this time, everyone finally spotted where the speaker was.

A Chen Qiang, wrapped in black cloth and no bigger than a finger, was standing on Matthew's head, greeting the others.

"The Undying, Chen Qiang? You're so tiny! You look nothing like you did in the videos!"

Seeing Chen Qiang appear like this, Sabo stared in shock and poked his tiny body with a finger.

"This is just a clone. My real body is busy feeding—Hey, don't pull on my clothes! Sabo, why are you and your brothers all such goofballs? Can't you act serious for once?"

Just as Chen Qiang was about to explain, Sabo grabbed him and tried to pull off the black cloth to examine him. With no other choice, Chen Qiang kicked his hand away, then leaped from it onto Lin's shoulder, where she had just arrived.

"Huh? You know who I am? You even know that Luffy and I are brothers. You're impressive!"

Sabo didn't seem bothered that Chen Qiang had jumped out of his hand, though he did look a little disappointed. But then he heard Chen Qiang call him by name and mention his relationship with Luffy and the others, and stared at him in even greater shock.

"I'm glad you think I'm impressive, but shouldn't we talk about the important stuff first? This clone can't last much longer!"

"You saved Ace and Luffy, so you're their benefactor—and mine too. Tell me what you need. If it's something I can do, I'll help!"

Sabo's expression grew much more serious when he spoke about business.

"I want you to help Lin find the people from her hometown who are being held here, rescue them, and take them somewhere safe."

After gathering his thoughts, Chen Qiang, perched on Lin's shoulder, explained what he needed their help with.

"No problem. Rescuing slaves is something the Revolutionary Army already does. We just didn't have many people with us this time, so we couldn't launch a large-scale operation. Since you're asking for help, I'll go rescue some more people."

Sabo agreed without hesitation.

"Lin, you heard him. Just go with Sabo later. He'll help you rescue everyone from your hometown!"

Seeing that Sabo had agreed to help, Chen Qiang nodded in satisfaction and spoke to Lin.

"What about you?"

Lin had clearly picked up on the implication in Chen Qiang's words, and quickly asked him.

"Me? Of course I'm going to do what I want to do. I told you before we came that I'd completely destroy this filthy place. I never break my word!"

Chen Qiang smiled at Lin.

"But..."

"Enough. I know what you're worried about. With my abilities and strength, no one in this world can kill me unless I let them."

Chen Qiang cut Lin off, sounding utterly confident.

"All right, the mental energy sustaining this clone is almost gone. From here on, stick with Sabo and the others. They'll help you get everyone out!"

After giving his final instructions, Chen Qiang's clone collapsed onto Lin's shoulder, its eyes blank. It quickly transformed into a finger and detached from her shoulder, seeming to fly back to where his real body was.

But just as it lifted off, Lin caught it and slipped it into her pocket.