clatter...
"Everyone, your Captain Luo Chen is back!"
The moment Luo Chen stepped onto the deck of the Isel, he shouted loudly, like a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) proclaiming his return to his companions.
"Huh?! That voice... it's Luo Chen..."
"Hehehe, Captain Luo Chen is finally back, that's wonderful..."
Hearing Luo Chen's call from outside the door, everyone was overjoyed, stood up, and looked excitedly towards the door.
"Well, that guy's finally back, but what's with that idiotic oath? Has he become this stupid after being away from us for just a few days?"
Catherine nodded, then, upon hearing the second half of the sentence, rubbed her forehead and said with a headache.
"Hahaha, he truly lives up to his reputation as the man I admire; even his return is so extraordinary..."
Phil laughed heartily, and then Catherine led everyone toward the deck to greet him.
"Captain, you're finally back! We've been waiting for you for so long..."
After they came out, George was the first to complain to him.
"Haha, I'm so sorry, after all, I couldn't control this, but I certainly had a great time..."
Upon hearing this, Luo Chen scratched his head and replied with a smile.
"Seriously, you're having so much fun there. We've already seen you in the live footage from the island. That war was indeed extremely intense and terrifying..."
Captain, we were quite surprised that you were able to handle it so smoothly there, originally...
Bang...
"Ouch... Captain, why did you hit me?"
Before George could finish speaking, Luo Chen swung him up and hit him on the head, instantly raising a large bump. George clutched his head in pain and looked at Luo Chen with a very aggrieved expression.
"Hmph, why should I hit you? To teach you a lesson. Your captain isn't some nobody who can be easily defeated. Besides, I, your captain, have shone brightly on the battlefield. How could I possibly be so easily injured? Remember, don't speak ill of me behind my back, understand?"
Luo Chen withdrew his fist, breathed on it to warm it, and looked at him with displeasure.
"..."
Seeing this, Catherine and Luris covered their mouths and chuckled, while Singh Mbumma and the others glanced outside, not intending to get involved.
"Really, it's obviously..."
"Ha~ What were you whispering about again? Haven't you learned your lesson yet, always gossiping?"
Seeing George pouting and muttering softly, Luo Chen raised his fist again in a threatening gesture.
"No, no, I was thinking about your heroic figure on the battlefield, Captain. Those dashing images are deeply etched in my heart, and I admire you immensely!"
Knowing that Luo Chen was dissatisfied, George immediately flattered and fawned over him.
"Alright, alright... let's stop with these disgusting things. Now that we're all here, it's time to set off. Is everyone ready?"
Luo Chen raised his hand to stop him from speaking, and after scanning everyone with his gaze, he asked them.
"Oh!!!"
The others, seemingly already prepared to set sail, echoed in response.
"Alright, let's go!"
"Oh!!"
Thus, Luo Chen issued the departure order, and after the group responded, they each went to their respective posts to carry out their respective operations.
Splash...
Luo Chen stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the distant sea. The ship below slowly began to move, and the Luo Chen Pirates, which had been docked for several days, finally set sail again towards the prepared Fish-Man Island.
Wow...
After the canvas on the Isel was retrieved, the coated ship, operated by the crew, submerged into the sea.
As the Isel slowly descended, the dreamlike scenery outside gradually unfolded before everyone's eyes. Almost everyone was completely immersed in this stunning view, while Phil ignored the scenery outside and walked towards Luo Chen.
"Captain Luo Chen..."
"Huh?! It's you, Phil. What brings you here? Did you come to see me for something?"
Hearing someone calling him from behind, Luo Chen turned around and saw Phil walking towards him with steady steps. Luo Chen couldn't help but call out.
"Uh, Captain, you haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?"
Phil walked over and stood beside him, nodded to Luo Chen, and then gave him a hint.
"Oh, you mean the duel? I haven't forgotten. You want to challenge me now?"
"No, I just wanted to remind you, Captain, that the duel can wait until the next island. But what I'm most interested in right now is whether your strength has improved since the Paramount War. Would you like to show me now?"
Phil certainly wouldn't challenge him here without thinking. He came here simply to see Luo Chen's current strength and satisfy his curiosity.
"Oh?! You want to experience my strength right here?" Luo Chen looked at him in surprise before speaking.
"Hehe... If it's alright, please enlighten me..." Phil said with a pursed mouth and a smile.
"Alright then, since you want to know my strength, then I'll show you..."
Buzz...
After saying that, Luo Chen's eyes narrowed, and a powerful aura erupted from his body, pressing down directly on Phil.
boom...
Click click...
Phil was overwhelmed by Luo Chen's unexpected aura. His shoulders trembled, his legs became unsteady, and the floor beneath his feet creaked and slowly cracked.
Wow...
As Luo Chen unleashed all his power, the fish near the boat were instantly startled, then shuddered violently and scattered in all directions as if they had encountered a natural enemy.
"Huh?! What's going on? This overwhelming aura, could it be you, Captain, who unleashed it?"
On the deck behind, Catherine, George Luo Chen wasn't deliberately pressing down on, was also instantly struck by the immense and terrifying aura. Some of them couldn't stand up and turned their gazes to Luo Chen and Phil at the bow of the ship, asking questions.
"Oh dear, this aura is truly terrifying, but it can't scare me. Disperse..."
boom...
After saying that, Phil also unleashed a strong wave of energy, his imposing aura annihilating the oppressive aura pressing down on him, and he looked at Luo Chen with full fighting spirit.
"Hahaha, very good, as expected of a crew member I approve of. You can't be overwhelmed even like this, but... let's stop here for now. If this continues, the Isel won't be able to hold on..."
Seeing this, Luo Chen also withdrew his outward aura and laughed heartily.
"Well, that's enough for now. I have a general idea of your current strength, Captain. Although I'm still a ways off from your level, I won't give up..."
Phil's imposing aura vanished completely, and he nodded in agreement with Luo Chen's words.
"Phew... So it really was those two who did it. That's terrifying. I never imagined the captain was so well-hidden, and that guy too. Luckily they were both hidden, otherwise the Isel wouldn't know if it could have withstood the attack."
Lulith a sigh of relief, as if she had escaped a disaster.
"Uh-huh!!"
The others nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, in a dark corner deep in the ocean, several bright beams of light flashed before disappearing again.
Then three huge shadows appeared where the Isel had passed, and the people on board exchanged words.
"Hey, that was... you all felt it too, right?!"
"Ugh, that terrifying aura made me feel like I was facing Lord Hody on drugs; it was as if my breath was being choked!"
"Should we inform Lord Hody? I sense their appearance could pose a threat to our plans!"
"No, let's wait and see. If they can get past that person, then we can inform Hody!"
"That makes sense, then let's secretly follow them and see..."
"Good!!"
Then, they commanded the Colossal Beast beneath them to follow in the footsteps of the Isel.