The Swordsman's Revelry

After reading it, Ryan prepared to head to the royal capital, Alubarna, for a look around. Although there was still no news about the Supreme Skillful Grade Sword, "Yoru," it had become secondary to Ryan.

But Robin had only just fallen asleep, so Ryan could only suppress his urgent desire to leave.

At noon, Ryan gathered everyone and informed them that they would be heading to the royal capital, Alubarna. Nobody had any objections. To them, wherever their captain wanted to go, they would go.

After packing up, they set off at once, no longer displaying the leisurely attitude they had when they first arrived. Everyone could tell that Ryan was somewhat anxious.

The moment a man wearing a bamboo hat, his face hidden, saw Ryan and the others leave Rainbase, he immediately reported the situation.

"They left?" The person asking was Crocodile, who had been beaten into despair by Ryan and Fujitora a few days earlier.

"Boss, Nefertari Robin probably already told the Bloody Swordsman about our plan. Are we still going ahead as planned?" Mr. 1 removed the bamboo hat from his head and asked expressionlessly.

"Hahahaha, of course. The overall trend won't change. No matter how strong he is, can he deal with everyone? Remember, greed is humanity's greatest weakness!" Crocodile continued, "Once that man wakes up, we'll head to the royal capital as well."

The man Crocodile referred to was Pofitas, whom Ryan had nearly killed that day. As it turned out, when Crocodile and Mr. 1 had been preparing to leave Rainbase, they received word that Garp and Aokiji were investigating Ryan's whereabouts. That was why Crocodile had rescued Pofitas.

It had been a coincidence. Crocodile had originally hidden in the shadows, planning to reap the benefits after the two sides fought. But Ryan sent Pofitas flying straight toward their hiding place. Realizing they could no longer remain hidden, Crocodile had rescued Pofitas on the way.

After all, Crocodile had witnessed the entire battle with his own eyes. He knew how powerful Pofitas was, but that only made him even more afraid of Ryan.

What kind of enemy could make you feel despair? One who was not only stronger than you, but also more talented. Unless such an enemy died unexpectedly, you would spend your entire life living in his shadow.

Looking at Pofitas, who was still unconscious, Crocodile clenched his fists. He planned to ask Pofitas about Haki and learn from him.

Meanwhile, Garp, who had dragged Aokiji away in a headlong retreat earlier, was being loudly berated by Sengoku.

"Garp! How many days have you been gone? Why haven't we heard a thing? The royal capital of Alabasta is in complete chaos now. You must deal with those pirates and protect the interests of our allied country."

"All right, I know!" Garp looked at Aokiji, who was sleeping with his eyes closed nearby, and said helplessly, "Kuzan, let's go. The navy's duty is to strike down pirates and protect the people's interests."

Aokiji removed his eye mask and said lazily, "Understood, Vice Admiral Garp!"

If Ryan saw Aokiji like this, he would find him extremely familiar. In the original history, Aokiji had only begun to formally follow his lazy justice after becoming a Marine Admiral. Ryan's words had caused Aokiji to fall into confusion several years earlier.

In truth, there was no such thing as lazy justice. It was merely Aokiji no longer firmly believing in his ideals and choosing to escape from himself. His laziness was also an expression of his avoidance of reality and his inner confusion.

This certainly would not happen to Akainu. However, it was precisely Aokiji's kindness that kept him from becoming a killing tool in the hands of the World Government.

Ryan and the others soon arrived at Alabasta's royal capital, Alubarna.

Looking at the well-preserved buildings, Ryan was immediately struck by the weight of history. It reminded him of his homeland in his previous life. Rapid economic development had destroyed many historical buildings. Back home, the old houses had vanished, replaced everywhere by towering skyscrapers. They had gained economic growth, but lost their distinctive character.

Caressing the towering city wall, Ryan could not help wanting to recite a poem to express his feelings at that moment. Then a burst of commotion shattered the mood.

The feeling left Ryan extremely frustrated.

"Come on, let's go see what's happening up ahead."

Two groups were facing off at the city gate. One of them was clearly made up of pirates from their attire. A man wearing a headscarf and bearing strange markings on his face led a group of well-trained soldiers in a standoff against the pirates.

"The royal capital will never allow you pirates to run wild!" the man declared righteously.

Ryan recognized him. He was Falcon Pell, known as one of Alabasta's guardian gods. He was an ability user of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Falcon, and was also hailed as Alabasta's strongest warrior.

As for the pirates opposite him—well, Ryan did not recognize them.

"We're pirates! We believe in survival of the strongest, so why should we follow any rules? Hahaha!"

"This is hilarious. So what if we killed someone?"

"Kill them all," one pirate said, his eyes filled with malice.

Looking at the still-warm corpse on the ground, Ryan roughly understood what had happened. He stepped forward and said coldly,

"Move."

Everyone turned toward Ryan, wanting to see who was being so arrogant as to speak up at a time like this.

"The Bloody Swordsman, Ryan!"

When the pirate leader saw that it was Ryan, he walked over with a smiling face and said, "Lord Ryan, what brings you here?"

"You're blocking my way!" Ryan said with a dark expression. He looked at Beli and ordered, "Kill them all. Leave no survivors!"

When the pirate leader saw Beli carrying a huge axe and walking toward them, he shuddered and hurriedly retreated. Ryan also stepped back several paces, worried that splattered blood would soil his white robe.

"No!"

"Help! Is there anyone who can save me? I have money!"

Gradually, the cries and pleas faded away, leaving only one blood-soaked corpse after another on the ground.

Fujitora hesitated for a long time, but ultimately said nothing.

After Beli slaughtered them, the people who had been watching at the city gate immediately scattered and hid at a distance, clearing the road Ryan had been walking along.

Ryan looked at Falcon Pell, who was still blocking the way. After hesitating for a moment, Pell stepped aside.

Thus, Ryan and the others entered the royal capital of Alubarna, a city with more than four thousand years of history, in an extremely domineering manner.

After Ryan and the others had gone far, a soldier loudly questioned him, "Lord Pell, why did we let them pass?"

Pell was silent for a moment before sighing. "We can't afford to provoke the Bloody Swordsman. Besides, he didn't harm any of the kingdom's people."

The soldier was left speechless. In this world, weakness itself was a sin. If they possessed enough power to intimidate everyone, those petty criminals would never have dared challenge the kingdom's authority.

The news that the Bloody Swordsman Ryan had entered the city quickly spread. Everyone in the royal capital sighed when they heard it.

"Another lawless man has arrived!"

Some people sneered, while others wore bitter expressions. After all, recent news had said that the Bloody Swordsman Ryan was determined to obtain the Supreme Grade Sword, "Yoru."

Hawkeye, who was drinking alone in a tavern, smiled faintly when he heard the news. "Ryan, as expected, you wouldn't miss this."

Looking at all the people carrying swords throughout the royal capital's streets, Ryan realized that he had still underestimated the swordmasters' attraction to the Supreme Skillful Grade Sword.

"There are so many swordsmen!" Killer shouted nearby, like a country bumpkin who had just entered the city.

Many people on the street were drawn by his voice. One group even revealed cruel expressions, but the moment they saw Ryan's icy gaze, they immediately stopped daring to breathe too loudly.

Everyone fell silent wherever Ryan and the others passed. A man drinking by a window taunted, "Still as arrogant as ever, Bloody Swordsman Ryan!"

Following the voice, Ryan saw two people sizing up his group. He said calmly, "Be careful. Don't die here, or Whitebeard will be heartbroken."

"Whitebeard!"

Those words caused a tremendous stir. Ever since Pirate King Roger had been executed and Golden Lion had been imprisoned in Impel Down, the Whitebeard Pirates had become the strongest pirate crew of the era.

Now, members of the Whitebeard Pirates had actually appeared in Alabasta.

"Aren't they supposed to be in the New World?"

"Idiot! They must have been drawn here by news of the Supreme Skillful Grade Sword and the Ancient Weapons."

"Is he worried about us?" the burly man asked the person beside him.

"No. He's provoking us!"

"I'll go beat him up!"

"It's still too early. Don't rush."

Hearing his companion's words, the burly man said no more. He merely fixed his eyes on Ryan.

Ryan did not care, but someone else could not bear it any longer.

Kid was furious. "What are you two acting so arrogant for? If you've got the guts, come down and fight our captain!"

Ryan looked at the troublemaker and said with a laugh, "Why don't you go fight them?"

"I can't beat them!" Kid said, his face reddening as he fidgeted bashfully.

Everyone burst out laughing. Even the burly man doubled over with laughter.

"Forget it. Now isn't the time!"

After Ryan led the others away, the street immediately returned to its usual liveliness.

Beli asked in surprise, "Who were those two?" After all, in Beli's impression, Ryan was not someone who feared trouble.

"The Whitebeard Pirates' 5th Division Commander, Flower Sword Vista."

"The Whitebeard Pirates' 3rd Division Commander, Diamond Jozu." Robin's eyes were solemn.

Just as Ryan was stirring up a storm in the royal capital, Pofitas finally woke up.

"Am I still alive?" Pofitas asked as he looked at the unfamiliar man before him.

"Of course. Our boss risked his life to save you from the Bloody Swordsman," Mr. 1 said with the same unruffled expression.

Pofitas looked toward Crocodile. "You saved me?"

"I need your help. But for now, recover from your injuries." With that, Crocodile left with Mr. 1.

Watching the two men depart, Pofitas murmured, "Was I unlucky or lucky? The last time, I was severely injured and someone saved me. Now someone has saved me again!"

"Forget it. I'll recover first. After all, a life-saving favor must be repaid."

Crocodile went to the royal palace and met with the king, Nefertari Cobra. The two spoke until late at night before Crocodile finally left the palace.

Looking at the royal capital bathed in Gecko's light, Crocodile murmured softly, "I'll bury my past here. How many people will be buried with it?"

The next day, the Alabasta newspaper published a headline: "A Carnival for Swordsmen!"

The article explained that three days later, the Peak Challenge would be held in Alabasta's royal capital, Alubarna. Only swordsmen could participate, and the final victor would receive the Supreme Skillful Grade Sword "Yoru" and information about the Ancient Weapons. The announcement bore the king's signature, so its authenticity was beyond doubt.

The news immediately caused a tremendous uproar. Countless swordsmen rubbed their fists and eagerly awaited the chance to become that lucky winner.