Joining Forces

But Luffy really was a man born with a hero's luck. Somehow, one inexplicable punch had brought the point on Chinjao's head back out.

"What the hell? You can just squeeze that thing back out?" Li Ziming had completely given up trying to understand how people's bodies worked in this world. Still, seeing Chinjao like this, he understood how Luffy had won him over. Chinjao was no pushover, and with the Happo Navy behind him, their side had just grown much stronger. Luffy had gained an ally almost without trying. "Straw Hat Luffy!" The moment Cavendish saw Luffy leave the arena, he thrust his sword at him.

"What do you think you're doing, Cavendish? How dare you attack him!" Romeo angrily stepped in front of Cavendish.

"Get out of my way! If you try to stop me, I'll cut you down too!" Cavendish looked as though he bore Luffy a blood feud.

"Did something happen between us?" Luffy could be oblivious, but even he wasn't about to strike back without asking why someone had suddenly tried to stab him. The man seemed to hold quite a grudge.

Li Ziming shook his head helplessly at the ridiculous scene and walked up to Cavendish.

"Mr. Cavendish, could we have a little chat?" Li Ziming said quietly. "I can make the whole world pay attention to you again."

"Hm?" Sure enough, Cavendish cared more about reclaiming the spotlight than he did about his grudge against Luffy. He put his sword away at once.

"Ming?" Luffy was still completely lost.

"It's nothing. I'm just making some arrangements ahead of time." Li Ziming shook his head. "Oh, Romeo, I'm leaving Luffy with you. Look after him for me."

"Look after Mr. Luffy?" Romeo looked as though he had ascended to heaven. "M-me? Can I really?"