Landing on Sabaody

Golden Lion and Whitebeard spoke only briefly, exchanging just a few words. Before leaving, Golden Lion glanced at Ye Chen. "Since you want to leave, I won't force you to stay. Ghost, I'm looking forward to what you'll do in the future."

With that, he let out a booming laugh, leaped back onto the door panel, and summoned a fierce wind across the deck. In the blink of an eye, Golden Lion vanished into the distant clouds.

"Pops, what should we do with this Ghost?" Marco pointed at Ye Chen and shrugged helplessly. Golden Lion had left without a care, but he had dumped these two people onto Whitebeard's ship.

"Ghost, what's your name?" Whitebeard beckoned to Ye Chen. Gathering his courage, Ye Chen stepped forward a few paces. "My name is Ye Chen."

"Let me ask you this. Were you the one who released Golden Lion from Impel Down?" Even Whitebeard found the matter highly suspicious. How could a six-year-old Ghost possibly release Golden Lion from Impel Down?

Seeing that Whitebeard's expression was gentle and that he was not interrogating him, Ye Chen relaxed somewhat. His tone was kind, and that curved white mustache made him seem especially approachable.

Ye Chen did not hide anything and recounted everything that had happened before. When he heard that Ye Chen had come from Ohara, Whitebeard let out a long sigh. Though the Marines had done their utmost to cover up the Ohara incident, it could never escape Whitebeard's notice. He commanded more than forty pirate ships, and any news could reach his ears at once.

"But you released someone truly dangerous," Whitebeard said gravely, looking at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen's answer surprised Whitebeard. "But I wanted to live. I don't regret what I did!"

Ye Chen's reply was firm and resounding, startling everyone present. It was clear that no matter what consequences releasing Golden Lion might bring, Ye Chen did not regret his decision.

Besides, even if Ye Chen had not released Golden Lion, Golden Lion would still have escaped from Impel Down.

"Marco, escort him out of the New World. This isn't a place he should stay." Whitebeard turned and instructed Marco. Marco never questioned Pops's orders. With a lazy smile, he nodded to Whitebeard. "Don't worry, Pops. I'll get both of them safely to Sabaody."

"This is for you."

To show his gratitude to Whitebeard, Ye Chen took out the most valuable thing he had—the copy of The Plum in the Golden Vase that he had kept tucked against his chest.

"What is this?"

Whitebeard accepted it and took only one look before roaring in anger. "You damned Ghost, get out of my sight at once!"

Ye Chen was a man who repaid kindness and vengeance in kind. He truly had nothing else valuable on him, and Golden Lion's two swords obviously could not be given to Whitebeard. He had not expected Whitebeard to fail to recognize the book's value, so Ye Chen carefully put it away. Whitebeard nearly exploded with rage. This damned Ghost was only six years old, yet he carried such indecent material on him.

When Marco transformed into a blue phoenix, Ye Chen was no longer all that surprised. He had already seen too many things in this world that had shocked him.

Aokiji's freezing ability, CP9's Rankyaku, enormous giants as big as mountains, Magellan with the Venom-Venom Fruit, Golden Lion with the Float-Float Fruit... Ye Chen's nerves had gradually grown accustomed to it all. There were simply too many strange and bizarre things in this world. Since he had come here, he could only force himself to adapt as quickly as possible.

In less than a few days, Marco brought Ye Chen and Olvia to Sabaody. After landing there, Marco patted Ye Chen on the head and repeatedly warned him, "I can only take you this far. Remember, this place isn't very safe. Don't cause trouble, and especially don't provoke the Dragon People."

Marco did not explain much further because he had to hurry back. Ye Chen thanked him repeatedly, but Marco waved with a smile. "No need to thank me. You're descendants of Ohara, and Pops hopes you can both live well."

"Ohara!"

The moment Ye Chen heard that name, Robin's image immediately surfaced in his mind. He clenched his teeth and nodded, a trace of resolve flashing across his face. "We'll definitely live well."

Not only would he live, but Ye Chen would never forgive the Marines for what they had done.

Marco smiled, but inwardly he was astonished. A six-year-old Ghost possessed a determination and will that amazed him. Marco was also looking forward to Ye Chen's future. Without lingering any longer, he spread his wings, transformed into a blue phoenix again, and flew into the sky. In the blink of an eye, aside from a streak of blue flame, Marco had vanished from sight.

Because he was so small, Ye Chen did not wear his two swords at his waist. If he did, they would drag on the ground. Instead, he carried both on his back, making him look rather strange. Fortunately, with Oto and Kogarashi sheathed, outsiders could hardly tell that the two swords were unusual.

With Olvia in tow, Ye Chen decided to find somewhere to eat first. The island was huge, filled with towering trees that reached into the clouds. Ye Chen estimated that even ten or more versions of himself would not be able to wrap their arms around a single trunk. They were truly enormous. Still, the island's surroundings were pleasant. The air was fresh, the branches lush with leaves, and the ground was covered in green grass, soft and smooth beneath their feet like a Persian carpet.

"Huh?" Before they had walked far, Ye Chen saw many people flying through the air on bubbles. The bubbles came in all kinds of shapes, and some even resembled bicycles. Towns gradually appeared along the roadside, selling everything imaginable. Quite a few fierce-looking pirates also swaggered through the streets in groups of three or five.

The observant Ye Chen noticed that every tree had a number marked on it. He had no idea why. Was it to keep people from getting lost?

Although the island's environment was nice, it was far from peaceful. Fights broke out by the roadside at the slightest provocation, most involving pirates with knife scars on their faces.

"Boss, that chick looks pretty good. Heh heh... She's got such a great figure, and that white hair too. If you don't mind, us brothers want to have some fun with her. What do you think, Boss?"

Even if Ye Chen did not go looking for trouble, some trouble was impossible to avoid. Olvia's flowing white hair, graceful figure, and cool, stunning beauty made it difficult for her not to draw attention wherever she went.

Amid a burst of unrestrained, lewd laughter, four burly pirates surrounded them. They paid no attention to Ye Chen and strode straight toward Olvia.

One pirate with a scar across his forehead rubbed his hands excitedly as he grinned obscenely, drool nearly spilling from his mouth.

"Where are you headed, sweetheart?" As he approached, Scarface spoke and brazenly reached out to grab Olvia.

Olvia hurriedly backed up two steps in fright. Just as Scarface was about to pursue her, Ye Chen flashed to his side and stuck out his right leg. Caught off guard, Scarface crashed down with a thud, landing face-first on the ground.

Ye Chen knitted his brows, bent down sharply, and shot his right fist like lightning toward Scarface's temple. With a bang, Ye Chen's fist struck solidly like an iron hammer. Scarface let out a muffled groan, his head buzzing as though it were about to split apart. He howled in pain and struggled to get up, but he could not muster even the slightest strength.