Journey to Edd War

The Solar True Flame withdrew completely into his body, and the Golden Crow true form dissipated. Nangong Yan landed on the Cook Pirates' deck with Geppo and said coldly, "I already showed mercy and spared your companions' lives. As compensation, demonstrate all your kicking techniques for me. Any problem with that?"

Although he had a favorable impression of Red-Leg Zeff, Nangong Yan would never go easy when it came time to take what he wanted.

As for recruiting Red-Leg Zeff, that was out of the question unless he threatened him with his companions. But doing so would leave enormous risks behind.

Nangong Yan's current strength was roughly on par with Red-Leg Zeff's. If they fought to the death, Zeff would not be Nangong Yan's match. The ability to fly alone was enough to give Zeff a headache. However, it was also impossible for Nangong Yan to defeat Red-Leg Zeff easily. Without an effortless victory, it would be difficult to truly convince him.

Since he could not bring Red-Leg Zeff into his pirate crew, he might as well settle for the next best thing and learn something useful.

Red-Leg Zeff's kicking techniques were quite impressive. Once Nangong Yan learned them, his overall combat ability would improve further.

Since Nangong Yan had not joined the Marines, he naturally intended to form a pirate crew of his own. It was simply not the right time yet. With his current strength, he could not recruit the crew members he wanted.

In the world of One Piece, fighting alone was not viable. No powerhouse could suppress the entire world by himself!

Even figures as powerful as Roger, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Red Count Red could not suppress the entire world. There were quite a few people whose strength could rival theirs.

The most typical example was Red Count Red. He stood shoulder to shoulder with other legendary pirates by himself, yet once he was surrounded and his stamina ran out, what became of him in the end?

A pirate crew definitely had to be formed. It was only a matter of time!

"No problem. I'll demonstrate my kicking techniques. The rest of you, go prepare food and repair the deck." Zeff was somewhat suspicious of Nangong Yan's intentions, but for his companions' safety, he had no choice but to agree.

Otherwise, Nangong Yan might fly into the air again and set the ship ablaze... In the seas of the New World, having no ship was practically the same as seeking death.

After saying that, Red-Leg Zeff began displaying his kicking techniques. His figure spun and darted about, his legs unbelievably nimble. The sounds of air tearing rang out without end, while countless leg shadows flashed. Compressed air formed air cannons that blasted into the sea, sending spray flying everywhere.

With his arms folded, Nangong Yan activated his Mangekyo Sharingan and stared fixedly at Red-Leg Zeff's movements. Like the most precise high-speed camera, he copied every one of Zeff's actions without missing the slightest detail.

As for the other members of the Cook Pirates, those who cooked went to cook, while those who repaired ships went to repair the ship.

Half an hour later, Red-Leg Zeff had demonstrated every kicking technique he knew, including quite a few immensely powerful moves. One of them was a leg technique descending from above. Using the kinetic force of a high-speed fall and rapid kicks, it created flames through friction with the air.

This was different from Sanji's kicking techniques. Sanji's abilities were inextricably linked to Devil Fruits, whereas the flames created by Zeff's kicking techniques came purely from frictional heat.

Nangong Yan nodded in satisfaction. They were excellent kicking techniques, enough to raise his strength by another notch.

Nangong Yan was greedy. He did not want to be a pure ability user, a pure swordsman, or a pure powerhouse of martial arts and Haki. Greedily, he wanted to master them all!

"Alright, our grudge is settled. I won't bother introducing myself. I'm sure you all know who I am." Nangong Yan deactivated his Sharingan, spread his hands, and smiled helplessly.

"I'm the captain of the Cook Pirates. Everyone calls me Red-Leg Zeff. We only entered the New World not long ago."

"Brother, you're powerful. There's nothing we can do against you, so forget about that one-billion bounty."

"Since meeting is fate, please stay and taste our cooking." Sweat covered Zeff's forehead, and he was breathing somewhat heavily, yet he remained broad-minded.

"Hahaha, even if you hadn't said so, I would have stayed. On this vast sea, without a ship, every step is difficult—even if I can fly!"

Red-Leg Zeff froze briefly, then laughed as well. "Frank enough. Where are you going? I'll take you there."

Without hesitation, Nangong Yan said, "I want to go to the Edd War sea region!"

Nangong Yan calculated the date. This year was 1495 of the Sea Circle Calendar. The Battle of Edd War, which shocked the entire world and established Roger's status as Pirate King, should take place this year.

The Golden Lion Grand Fleet and the Roger Pirates would meet. Golden Lion invited Roger to become his subordinate, but Roger naturally could not agree and refused without hesitation.

As the overlord with the largest territory and greatest power in the New World, Golden Lion naturally could not show weakness. Their opinions clashed, and the two sides went straight to war.

Many heavyweight figures from the Marines gathered in the Edd War sea region, watching the tigers fight from the mountain in hopes of reaping a huge profit after both sides were badly weakened.

Unfortunately for them, a massive wave seen only once in a century suddenly arrived and buried more than half of Golden Lion's grand fleet. Golden Lion suffered devastating losses.

That was not all. Golden Lion, struck by this calamity from the sky, had a ship's rudder fly into his head. This battle nearly extinguished Golden Lion's lofty ambitions, leaving both his body and mind severely wounded!

The Roger Pirates, however, survived after paying only a negligible price. The contrast was simply unbelievable.

A once-in-a-century wave, and such a disaster just happened to strike Golden Lion? If it was not truly fate, Nangong Yan could think of two reasons for it.

First, Roger's Conqueror's Haki might already have reached an unprecedented, unimaginable, supreme level, allowing him to command all things, make all things submit, and actively create a catastrophe seen only once in a century!

Second, Whitebeard, who was both Roger's enemy and friend, might have been pulling strings in secret. Whitebeard at this time was truly at his peak, and his strength was terrifying beyond measure. With his current power combined with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, creating such a disaster was not impossible!

For such a grand event, Nangong Yan had to join in even if countless Marine powerhouses were lurking nearby. He could not possibly miss it.

In a clash between two top-tier forces, he could use the Mangekyo Sharingan to copy some things. Even if he could not copy the fundamental powers of those strong figures, it could still speed up Nangong Yan's cultivation and increase his strength.

Naturally, Red-Leg Zeff had no idea what would happen in the Edd War sea region, and he readily agreed.

Pirates did not have many forms of entertainment aboard ship, especially in pirate crews made up entirely of men. Not every pirate crew was as interesting as Luffy's.

Holding banquets was one of the few forms of entertainment pirates had. The entire pirate ship was soon enveloped in an ocean of merriment.

Beer, ale, sake, wine, red wine, and countless liquors whose names Nangong Yan did not know were all brought out. Beast meat, fish, Sea King meat, vegetables, and fruits were all available, leaving Nangong Yan dazzled.

There was every kind of ingredient imaginable, in astonishing abundance. Opening a restaurant at sea would be no problem at all. Everyone aboard the ship knew how to cook and had their own specialty dishes. Delicacies from all over were prepared, and the aromas of wine, vegetables, meat, and fish intertwined, intoxicating everyone.

The Cook Pirates' banquet standards astonished Nangong Yan. Every dish was a supreme delicacy that made one want to swallow their tongue.

To say nothing else, in terms of hosting banquets, Nangong Yan believed the Cook Pirates were unquestionably the best in the world. Among all pirate crews, their standards were absolutely the highest.

When men drank too much, they forgot even their own names. One cup from you, one cup from me, and before long they were throwing arms around each other's shoulders and calling one another brothers.

Although Nangong Yan drank quite a bit, he had not lost his reason. He understood deeply just how valuable his head was.

After returning to the room Zeff had arranged for him, Nangong Yan entered the Kamui Dimension to rest. In the darkness of night, the pirate ship steadily advanced toward the Edd War sea region.