Vice Admiral Jason; An Unexpected Incident

It could be said that the journey was refreshing and intoxicating from start to finish. The exquisite sensation directly tugged at his neural network, and an unparalleled pleasure surged over him like waves, one after another, leaving his eyes slightly glazed.

Only when the refreshing sensation entered his pineal gland did he come back to his senses from that pleasure.

But in the next moment, he suddenly felt his vision flash. His soul seemed to be nourished by sweet rain, and his mind was immensely satisfied, undergoing an ultimate sublimation as it leaped from one level to another.

How should he put it? At that moment, he felt as though his mind had entered another space. Everything he touched was transmitted straight to the depths of his soul.

The Sword Intent he had comprehended before—Erosion, Thunderclap, Non-Contention, Vertical and Horizontal, Cold River—seemed no longer to be untouchable manifestations of heaven and earth. Instead, they had turned into tangible objects.

They were like a pack of little puppies, frolicking around him.

Next came a tremendous increase in his mental power. He could clearly feel that the Long River of his mental strength had expanded by nearly double.

Such an exaggerated increase left him overjoyed.

Did this not mean that the number of Sword Intent attacks he could launch had increased from five to ten?

This also meant that his current combat strength was enough to fight an Admiral head-on. If he unleashed his full power without regard for the consequences, he could even leave a peak Admiral behind.

Back then, his three Sword Intents had fought Aokiji in his fully unleashed Awakened state to a draw. If he had possessed twice as many at the time, Aokiji would probably have received a one-way ticket to hell and reincarnated on the spot.

What terrifying combat strength was this? Across the seas, one could count on one hand the beings who stood at the peak of the Admirals, like Aokiji.

Only now could he truly be considered one of the few people standing at the pinnacle of the pirate world—powerful enough to leap off the chessboard and genuinely participate as a player in this three-way struggle for supremacy over the world.

Ding! Intermediate Meditation (Activatable!)

After Dongze received the prompt, he could not help licking his slightly dry lips.

Basic Meditation had already brought him such generous returns. What about Intermediate Meditation?

At this point, he no longer complained that the proficiency of Basic Meditation was impossible to raise. With such generous rewards, even if he could only gain ten points a day, he would probably still call it worthwhile.

He summoned the invisible hand of consciousness and gently tapped the little plus sign after Intermediate Meditation.

Ding!

Intermediate Meditation: 1000/100000

Dongze swallowed lightly. His pupils contracted twice. A skill with one hundred thousand points—a third-level skill.

If proficiency levels were used as the standard, then if one thousand points could double his mental strength, what would a level-three skill worth one hundred thousand points...

Suddenly, excitement surged from the depths of Dongze's heart. It was impossible to suppress, and he could no longer contain the surging pleasure of a floodgate bursting open.

His normally unruffled face broke into an uncontrollable smile.

If he maxed out this skill and things truly turned out as he expected, with his mental power reaching that level, he was confident he could make Old Whitebeard call him "Dad."

At the thought of Sword Intent soaring and firing wildly in every direction, he almost picked up Robin and made her immediately call him "Dad."

"Dongze?"

Robin, who had noticed Dongze's gaze, could not help shivering all over.

It was far too strange. At that moment, Dongze's expression was like that of a gambler walking along the roadside and finding a black card that could be overdrawn without limit.

Dongze was already extremely powerful. She could not understand what had happened just now to make him lose his composure so badly.

It had even caused him to make such an expression.

"Call me Dad!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Dongze froze. He felt immensely embarrassed, so he immediately changed his words. "Ahem!"

"Teach—teach me Haki~~!"

Looking at Dongze's solemn expression, a trace of suspicion flashed through Robin's eyes. Just now, she seemed to have heard Dongze tell her to call him... Dad!

What kind of ploy was this?

Sensing Robin's gaze, Dongze once again said solemnly, "I thought of a new technique, but your Haki cultivation is currently insufficient. I need to teach you how to raise your Haki quickly!"

A flash of understanding crossed Robin's eyes. "Is it like Enel, getting beaten up? If so, I'd rather not learn it!"

At the thought of Enel's perpetually bruised and battered face, Robin felt a chill run through her. If she also ended up looking like that every day, she feared she would remain trapped in that shadow for the rest of her life.

Seeing Dongze's eyes return to their calm state, Robin took two steps back. She knew that once Dongze made up his mind, she absolutely could not escape his evil clutches.

Thus, as if possessed, she blurted out, "Daddy!" in a coquettish voice.

When Enel heard this from a distance, he was startled and had no idea what was going on. He merely felt a numbness spread through his body, gooseflesh shooting up along his thighs. He slapped himself hard, turning himself into elemental form, before he could stop the tingling numbness from climbing from his heels to the back of his head.

Well, damn. She's ruthless.

Hearing that coquettish cry, Dongze also felt a stir in his heart. It was perfectly normal for a vigorous young man to react to something like this. What was more, Robin was wearing an especially cool summer outfit, and Dongze had barely avoided being numbed by it as well.

"Kehehe~~"

"Miss Robin, is something wrong with your brain? How could you make such a disgusting sound? It makes my whole body uncomfortable. Look, I've even got goosebumps!"

Robin's pretty face flushed. She raised her right hand and covered her mouth. She had not expected herself to say something like that either. It could be said that the words had left even her dumbfounded.

Now that she thought back on it, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

"Little Ai! Let's train some more! I think your Haki is improving too slowly. What are you going to do when we reach the New World and run into those incredible big shots?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a slash carrying Erosion Sword Intent sent him flying several miles away. Dongze flashed after him.

"Are you out of your fucking mind? Why did you hit me with that thing?!"

"Fuck~~"

"Stop it~~~"

However, perhaps it was only an illusion, but when Robin looked at Dongze, she found him looking rather disheveled.

She did not know what she had thought of, but Robin's pretty face suddenly flushed as well, becoming as red as dripping blood. Then she fled back into the cabin.

Chapter Sixty-Six: Vice Admiral Jason, An Unexpected Incident

Standing on the deck, Robin looked at the bubbles rising all around them, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Is this the Sabaody Archipelago?"

"Yeah! I heard that the world's largest mangrove, the Yarukiman Mangrove, grows here. The land beneath our feet is on its roots!"

"There are seventy-nine islands in total!"

"That many?"

"Islands 1 through 29 conceal the darkness of the world. There are human-trafficking shops, human auctions, and the Lawless Zone. That will probably be our second stop!"

Robin asked in confusion, "Second stop?"

Logically speaking, should he not first say where their first stop would be before discussing their later plans?

Dongze lowered his head slightly and narrowed his eyes. "Islands 60 through 69 are Marine bases. Garp called me earlier and said I still need to show my face there, which counts as acknowledging my appointment. That will be our first stop!"

"The Shichibukai? Am I going too?"

"Up to you! From now on, you and Enel will both be considered my subordinates. As long as this title is not stripped from me, the Government will not casually move against us. Of course, rights and duties go both ways. We have things we must do as well, and we cannot be too arrogant. We cannot openly oppose the World Government."

"What about the Poneglyphs?"

"Only openly. Behind the scenes, we can do whatever we need to do. But even if you learn the truth, you cannot announce it publicly!"

"It can work like that? Wouldn't that just be deceiving yourselves?"

"Both sides are simply getting what they need."

"Don't assume that the Void Century is so important. It is merely an attitude adopted by the World Government. As far as I know, there are two people on this island who know about that Void Century."

"Who?"

"The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger's former crew member and first mate, Pluton—Silvers Rayleigh. And that information broker, Shakky."

"Shakky currently runs a bar! Technically, bars should be on Islands 70 through 79, but hers is on Island 13!"

Robin froze. Dongze had just told her that Islands 1 through 29 were the Lawless Zone, where the darkness of the world was concealed.

Yet that person's bar had actually been opened in such a place.

"It's called Shakky's Rip-off Bar! A single glass of whiskey can cost ten million Beli!"

Hearing Dongze, Robin's lips twitched. All right. A bar like that could only be opened in such a place!

If it were opened in a normal area, it would probably be reported.

"Of course, there's also Rayleigh. But he has now disguised himself as a coating craftsman. You can find him in the shipyards and boat docks on Islands 50 through 59!"

"As for the rest, Islands 30 through 39 are Soap Bubble Park, Islands 40 through 49 are the sightseeing district and specialty shops, and Islands 70 through 79 are the hotel district. You can take a look around with Enel later!"

"Who goes there?"

"This is the Marine branch on Sabaody! No loitering!"

"Wait! Haili, that guy looks like the newly appointed Shichibukai."

"Swordmaster Dongze!"

The soldier who had spoken up to stop them initially turned pale when he saw Dongze's true appearance, his legs going weak. In their impression, none of the Shichibukai were good people. Even the least dangerous among them, the Empress, was not someone to trifle with. Those who remained on the seas all possessed fearsome reputations.

"Is Jason here?"

Dongze did not bother arguing with the gatekeeper soldiers and directly stated his purpose. This was the person Garp had told him about earlier.

"He is!"

"Vice Admiral Jason is currently holding criminals in the branch. Once the ship heading to Impel Down arrives this afternoon, the pirates will be sent to Impel Down!"

Hearing that the man happened to be in the branch, Dongze stopped beating around the bush and said bluntly, "Tell him to come out and see me!"

A trace of difficulty appeared on the Marines' faces. The Vice Admiral could be considered the strongest combatant in their branch and represented the dignity of the Marines. Being summoned around at someone else's whim made them feel humiliated as well.

"This..."

"Forget it. Inform him and let him decide for himself!"

"Yes!"

"Lord Dongze, Vice Admiral Jason asks you to come inside!"

Hearing the Marine's reply, Dongze's gaze darkened. Within the range covered by his Observation Haki, he had already seen through everything.

That Vice Admiral Jason had stationed troops all around his office. Nearly half the forces in the branch had gathered there.

It seemed he wanted to give Dongze a show of force. Dongze was somewhat curious, though. Was this man an idiot? Did he really think those cannon fodder would be useful? Could enough ants really bite an elephant to death?

"You two wait here for a moment. I'll be right back!"

Since Jason refused to appreciate kindness, Dongze did not mind letting the Vice Admiral learn why the flowers were red. Perhaps the things he had done on the Grand Line had been too secretive. Coupled with his young age, even this Vice Admiral had mistaken him for a pushover.

Jason actually wanted to step on him to climb higher. What a pity—Dongze did not play that game.

Dongze then walked slowly into the branch, following a Marine's directions to a square.

Marines surrounded it on all sides, armed to the teeth and wearing solemn expressions.

Vice Admiral Jason also walked out of his office and onto the balcony, looking down from above.

"Hello, newly appointed Shichibukai! I'm Vice Admiral Jason, the commanding officer of the Marine branch on the Sabaody Archipelago!"

When Jason saw Dongze's immature face, a hint of disdain flashed through his eyes. At that age, with no reputation on the seas, he was merely a pirate hunter from the East Blue who had become a Shichibukai thanks to Aokiji's recommendation.

When he received Garp's call, he had wondered whether this fellow named Dongze had gotten in through the back door. Otherwise, how could he possibly have become one of the Shichibukai?

Driven by vanity, he planned to teach this newcomer a good lesson today and let him know the difference between heaven and earth. He was only a Shichibukai; before Vice Admiral Jason, he was nothing.

This would give Jason impressive bragging rights in the future. He had not taken some half-grown brat seriously at all.

"I'm Dongze!"

"Oh? Young man! What do you think of our branch's elite troops? I heard there are only two people on your ship!"

Dongze frowned at his words. It seemed there would be no peaceful resolution today!

Dongze's tone changed. If others respected me, I would respect them in return. Since he was acting this way, Dongze would not be polite either. "A bunch of chickens and dogs!"

"Impudent! How dare a mere Pirate Hunter mock the elite Marines of our branch!"

"Don't think that just because Vice Admiral Garp is backing you, I won't do anything to you!"

"I'm only stating the truth!"

"Kid, let me tell you this: when we were fighting on the seas, you were probably still playing house somewhere! Take back what you said just now and kneel to apologize! Otherwise, I'll have you carried out of here today!"