Xia Chen hadn't expected Bellamy to help them.
However, Xia Chen only thought about this briefly and didn't pay much attention to it. What he wanted to know more about now was what happened between the time he collapsed and Luffy and the others arrived.
Why did the Golden Lion's body disappear into thin air? Did he not die?
No, impossible!
The idea flashed through Xia Chen's mind for only a moment before he rejected it. He was certain that the Golden Lion was already on its last legs.
So now we're back to square one: what exactly happened during that period?
Xia Chen suddenly felt that things were getting interesting, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"That's interesting!"
It's best not to let him know who took the Golden Lion. Anyone who dares to covet his spoils is courting death!
Just as Xia Chen's thoughts were churning, Luffy suddenly shouted:
" Xia Chen, was it you who defeated the Golden Lion?"
"No!" Xia Chen shook his head and continued, "I may be considered the one who directly caused the Golden Lion's death, but I didn't defeat him!"
???
Everyone was stunned by Xia Chen's words.
You've killed someone, and you still don't consider that a victory?
Looking into their eyes, Xia Chen knew what they were thinking, and helplessly recounted the story.
--
"So, even if you don't fight him, he'll die after he pulls the rudder off his head?"
"Yes! That's right! It's just that my battle with you accelerated the process!" Xia Chen nodded in reply.
"But to be honest, the Golden Lion's strength after his release is simply too great. I am no match for him at this stage!"
"You're already very strong, able to fight against a powerhouse of this level for ten minutes!" Robin retorted from the side.
Compared to Luffy and his crew, Robin has a broader perspective and naturally knows the vastness of the world.
Based on Xia Chen's current strength, she estimated that there were very few people who could defeat him.
Thinking of this, Robin couldn't help but glance at Xia Chen.
"This young brother is really strong!"
"Hey, uncle, you've been here for so long, haven't you ever thought about going up to the sky to take a look?" Xia Chen said to Cricket.
After Xia Chen and the others mentioned wanting to go to the Sky Island, Cricket thought about it for a moment and then decided to help them by modifying their Going Merry to make it capable of flying.
"Idiot! What nonsense are you talking about? Someone could die at that height!"
Cricket said as he helped reinforce the Going Merry.
Since Xia Chen hadn't caused the Going Merry any damage along the way, the Going Merry was now in much better condition than it was at this point in the original story.
No repairs are needed; simple reinforcement will suffice.
Xia Chen was lying there watching them work, while Luffy and the others went to find South Bird.
Although he's perfectly fine now, he's still mentally exhausted! He needs a rest!
After some time, they saw that Cricket had almost finished.
Xia Chen shouted directly at them, "Hey, uncles, Masira, Masira! Bring your brothers over here, I'll treat you to dinosaur meat!"
"Oh!"
After a period of time~
Xia Chen had just finished grilling the dinosaur meat when Luffy and his crew returned.
"Hey, Xia Chen, that's so unfair! We've been working so hard catching birds, and you guys are secretly eating dinosaur meat?"
"Hmm?" Xia Chen looked at him in confusion, then looked at Cricket and the others.
Did we eat it secretly? Wasn't this eating openly and honestly?
"Hey, right!" Luffy, who was so clueless, immediately chimed in after Xia Chen said that, and then happily ran over, picked up the meat, and put it in his mouth.
After taking a bite of meat Cricket reminded them, "It's already 1 a. m. If you want to sleep, go get some rest. I estimate the Knock Up Stream will appear around noon tomorrow, but I don't know the exact time! So we have to set off first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Hahaha... I'm so excited about going to Sky Island tomorrow that I can't sleep!" Luffy said happily.
Seeing Luffy like this, Chopper and Usopp could only say one thing.
They couldn't sleep either, but they couldn't sleep because they were afraid!
In the end, everyone decided to take a nap. No one knew what would happen tomorrow, and getting a good night's sleep was the most important thing!
However, Xia Chen did not go. He remained lying outside, gazing at the stars, his thoughts drifting towards the heavens.
" Sky Island? I'm kind of looking forward to it..."
Dawn breaks, the sun rises!
The sun was already shining on Jaya Island at 6 a. m.
"Hey everyone, let's go!"
Luffy stood on the newly built chicken head on the Going Merry and addressed the crowd.
"Can this really fly?" Nami asked, looking at the brand-new Merry with a doubt.
"Indeed! Why a chicken head instead of a pigeon head? After all, pigeons can fly better than chickens, right?" Zoro walked over and nodded.
Is that the problem?!
Nami was speechless. What kind of thinking do these people have?
After tidying up, everyone boarded the ship one by one. At the same time, two other ships appeared beside Merry.
Cricket shouted at the Masira, "Listen up, members of the Saruyama Alliance! You must send them to heaven, understand?"
"Oh!"
The people on both the Masira and Masira ships responded simultaneously.
"Goodbye, Uncle! I will definitely prove to you the existence of the City of Gold!" Luffy waved goodbye to Cricket.
"Tch, brat, don't be so quick to boast!"
Hehehe...
As Cricket watched them go, the three ships slowly sailed away.
"Make sure you get there safely, you rascals!"
--
"Oh ho~ This bird is so interesting, it really keeps pointing at the bow of the ship!" Luffy's trio and Xia Chen, a total of four people, all surrounded South Bird.
"You know what, it's really quite interesting!" Xia Chen looked at the bird with great interest, then went over and used his hand to turn its head to the side, but it quickly bounced back on its own.
"Hehehe!"
Then the group went over and pried open its head, followed by a collective burst of laughter.
At this moment, South Bird and felt extremely displeased with the people in front of her.
You're abusing animals, huh? I'll report you to the animal protection association!
A few hours later~
A huge, thick dark cloud appeared before them. The Masira looked at the cloud and said, "Look, that's the Cumuloregalis Cloud. Its appearance means the location of the ocean current eruption is not far from us!"
At this moment, the Masira also said to his subordinates, "Send out the deep-sea explorers! Immediately dive into the sea to find the location of the ocean currents!"
Then he began to demonstrate his unique skill, pulling out a microphone and belting out a song.
A dozen seconds later, one person was the first to pop their head out.
"Report: A large ocean current appeared at 12:00!"
"A large marine creature, possibly Sea Kings, has been detected at the nine o'clock position!"
"There's a whirlpool at the 10 o'clock position, moving in the opposite direction to the ocean current!"
"That's it! Head towards ten o'clock!" the Masira shouted. Then all three ships turned around at the same time.
Before long, a huge vortex appeared before them...