Sword Technique · Blueberry!

The short blade called Startled Dragon was a reward Zero had obtained from an item lottery ticket after completing a side quest. It was one of the Great Grade Blades!

Although he had not obtained a Supreme Grade Blade like a Black Blade, Zero was quite satisfied. After all, his strength did not entirely depend on the quality of his weapon, and having a suitable weapon was far more convenient than fighting bare-handed.

Thanks to the experience points from his previous quest rewards, his attributes had now become—

Character: Zero

Title: Enemy of Ten Thousand

Level: LV.5 (600/1600)

Strength: 160

Stamina: 160

Agility: 160

Skills: Conqueror's Haki lv3 mastered, Armament Haki lv2, Observation Haki lv2, Hand-to-Hand Combat lv4, Swordsmanship lv5

His attributes had doubled again from before, and his combat strength had clearly risen to another level. If he fought Hawk-Eye Mihawk again, he could at least hold out a little longer, though he would still lose in the end...

At the same time, while Zero was fighting Hachi, he had received a new quest: win the battle against him. The reward was 600 experience points and 60,000 Beli.

Obviously, by this stage, the rewards provided by side quests were no longer much. It was no longer like at the beginning, when completing an average side quest was enough to level up.

Perhaps only challenge quests like dueling Hawk-Eye Mihawk were worth looking forward to. The experience from ordinary quests was better than nothing!

"How can one sword beat my six? Let me show you the power of the Six-Sword Style!"

Hachi taunted Zero as his six arms swung rapidly, forming a swath of black afterimages. It was not hard to imagine that this attack could tear an ordinary person to pieces!

Yet in the face of Hachi's fierce assault, Zero merely raised his blade to chest height, aimed its tip forward, and slashed straight out!

Bzz!

A streak of blue sword light abruptly appeared, carrying an unstoppable force as it slashed directly toward Hachi, who was still charging at Zero with his blades swinging!

Slash!

The sword light flew past, cutting through the wall behind Hachi before continuing into the forest beyond.

Hachi stopped as well. His savage expression turned to confusion, then his eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground!

Only when he fell did blood violently burst from his wound, staining the ground red.

Congratulations on completing the side quest—win the battle against Fish-Man officer Hachi. Received 600 experience points and 60,000 Beli.

As the quest completion notification sounded in his mind, Zero softly spoke the name of the move, then slowly sheathed his short blade at the back of his waist. Before long, he could not help adding, "So these are the fish-men Tiger saved? A little weak..."

"My brethren! And you, brat! What exactly did you say?"

Arlong seemed to have heard Zero's words. His expression suddenly turned furious, as though a name Zero had mentioned had touched a raw nerve!

He seemed to recall the sight of Fisher Tiger dying before his eyes. If not for humans, perhaps his big brother Tiger would not have died!

"Humans have no right to speak big brother Tiger's name! You are the ones who killed him! Die!"

With that, he sprang to his feet and lunged at Zero the instant Zero sheathed his sword. Sharp gleams flashed across his teeth as he sought to bite the target before him to pieces!

At the same time, the Fish-Man Karate user, who had been watching from the side, rushed behind Zero and swung his palm at him!

"Brother Zero, dodge!"

"Kid, don't you dare die!"

"..."

Everyone cried out in alarm.

Not far away, Nami was also overwhelmed with worry, gripping the long staff in her hand tightly. She had no doubt that if anything happened to Zero, she would be the first to rush out!

Yet Zero made no response to Arlong's approaching attack. Instead, he casually told him, "Arlong, I'm not your opponent. There, your opponent is here!"

"?"

Just as confusion arose in Arlong's mind, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from the sky above him, seeming to draw closer and closer!

He heard it clearly. It was the voice of that Devil Fruit user who had sunk into the sea earlier.

"Gum-Gum... Bell!"

"Neck Meat!"

Luffy's stretched head slammed directly into Arlong's back, forcibly halting his attack. At the same time, Sanji's kick struck the Fish-Man Karate user in the face, knocking him to the ground!

It was not over yet. The two launched a series of attacks, until Arlong and the Fish-Man Karate user were kicked into the wall from opposite directions. Only then did they stand together beside Zero.

"Zero, switch!"

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Luffy greeted him with a wide grin. Sanji had initially looked serious, but then seemed unable to hold back and punched Luffy on the head.

Thud!

"Sanji, why did you hit me?"

"It's all because you were messing around! Who gets themselves into that kind of state?"

"Wasn't it fun? Hahahaha!"

"Luffy!"

Seeing Sanji's soaked clothes, Zero knew that while he had been holding Arlong and the others back, Sanji had jumped into the sea and rescued Luffy. He was relieved and left the battlefield to the two of them.

Although Zero also wanted to end the battle quickly, future adventures would not be so simple. Experiencing more battles was essential to Luffy and the others' growth.

Besides, if he affected the outcome and caused major changes to the later plot, it would not be worth it. He understood that much.

"I'll leave it to you two. If you can't beat them, call me over. I'll finish it!"

With that, Zero waved and walked back to Nami's side, leaving Sanji and Luffy to continue fighting.

"Zero, are you alright?"

Nami's concerned voice reached his ears, and Zero shook his head.

"It's nothing. Compared to fighting Mihawk, that was child's play."

"Mihawk?"

"Uh, I'll tell you after this is over. Those two are still fighting."

"Mm!"

Nami nodded and continued watching Luffy and Sanji with Zero.

"Zzzzzz..."

Only Roronoa Zoro, behind the two of them, was still sleeping soundly. Even that huge commotion had not woken him.

After a while, Sanji's battle with the Fish-Man Karate user ended first. Seeing the relaxed look on his face, it seemed he had defeated him without expending much effort.

When he saw Nami standing so "intimately" beside Zero, he immediately grew jealous. He ran to Nami's other side to take credit, and the hearts in his eyes left even Nami speechless.

Not long after Sanji's battle ended, Usopp returned as well. Although he was bruised and swollen, he brought good news: he had defeated a Fish-Man officer!

And now, only Luffy and Arlong remained on the field. They were engaged in their final showdown!