"A guy who used a barrier ability, something like Barto, I don't remember his name, he had a mouthful of sharp teeth and a nose ring, he looked a bit scary. I only saw him use his ability to block Shanks ' attack, but he couldn't stop it and almost got killed by Shanks!"
Uta took a sip of fruit wine and said casually that she was in a very good mood. She had resolved her differences with Shanks and, with Vic's help, had suppressed the Demon King of Song, who posed a great threat. She no longer had to worry about summoning that otherworldly monster while singing!
"So it was him, Bartolomeo! That's his name. He's Luffy's most loyal subordinate!"
As soon as Uta mentioned barrier abilities, Vic knew who she was referring to. Everyone said barrier abilities possessed invincible defense, but Vic had scoffed at it from the start. Did they really think it was some kind of rule-based ability?
Even if it's a rule-based ability, it's not invincible. There's no such thing as an invincible defense in this world. Besides, Bartolomeo is just a novice Devil Fruit User. Even Shanks could break through that barrier, so he's even less of a threat to Vic!
"Your Sing-Sing Fruit power has only just Awakening, and there's still a lot of room for improvement. Who knows, you might even be able to create a dream world someday! Keep it up!"
Vic gave Uta a word of encouragement, then stood up, pondered for a moment, and walked towards a large man.
" Bullet! When are you going to use the challenge opportunity I gave you? By the way! What were you doing in the Cross Guild ' territory before? Were you going to challenge Hawk-Eye or Crocodile?"
Vic sat down next to Bullet. Bullet wasn't a core member of the Thunder God Pirates yet; he was still somewhat detached, much like the Roger Pirates he had joined over twenty years ago. There were many things Barrett didn't know.
However, the fact that Vic used the Mirror World to bring Bullet back this time still surprised Bullet. The Thunder God Pirates were not as simple as he had seen them!
Moreover, the members of this pirate crew are all excessively strong, even more so than the Roger Pirates he once served. Even an arrogant person like him doesn't dare to act recklessly anymore, and everyone can have an equal conversation!
"It was Fire Fist Ace who invited me, didn't you know? Oh! By the way, the newspapers haven't published this news yet."
The Cross Guild was Fire Fist by the Whitebeard Pirates led by Portgas D. Fist, and I was involved. Now the Whitebeard Pirates and the Cross Guild have merged, and Buggy the Clown has handed over his leadership to Fire Fist. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be the next Four Emperors!
Bullet and Ace fought on Titan Island for almost two years, and the two even developed some friendship. Because Ace wanted to revive the Whitebeard Pirates Whitebeard Pirates ' prestige and make them shine again, becoming Four Emperors' crews once more, he set his sights on the Cross Guild!
Ace would never consider offending Vic's Thunder God Pirates, even though that was Whitebeard's former territory!
Luffy, the newly Four Emperors, doesn't really have any territory. Even if he did, his older brother Ace wouldn't touch it!
The same goes for Shanks; he's Luffy's benefactor, which is also equivalent to Ace's benefactor, so they won't be enemies either!
That leaves the Cross Guild, with whom they have little connection. So even if Buggy possesses Conqueror's Haki and good luck, it's useless. Facing strong opponents like Ace, Marco, Bullet, Jozu, Vista, the Cross Guild are no match. Relying on Hawk-Eye and Crocodile, the two "fathers," is simply not enough to hold them off!
However, these two former Shichibukai formed an alliance to fight against the Navy's pursuit. Now that they have been recruited by the even stronger Whitebeard Pirates, why not? After all, they are both trying to survive!
Thus, the Whitebeard Pirates ' strength instantly surpassed that of the Straw Hat Pirates. As for the other two Yonko crews, that's hard to say!
" Ace really that wild? He became one of the Four Emperors so quietly. These two brothers are indeed exceptionally talented. I just wonder how much more time they have left to develop!"
Seeing that Bullet didn't mention the challenge, Vic didn't bother to say anything more. He just didn't expect Ace to quietly recruit the Cross Guild. Ace has matured!
To be on the safe side, he even called on Bullet to help. At this point, Ace should be searching the world for information on Blackbeard's whereabouts. It's a pity that he can't avenge his Pops Whitebeard and himself with his own hands!
"Come find me whenever you want to try it!"
Vic patted Bullet on the shoulder and got up to leave. He had just thought it was strange that Bullet was on the Cross Guild's territory. Vic had assumed that Bullet wanted to fight Crocodile again to avenge his previous defeat!
After all, the two had a battle that ended in a draw. Bullet was incredibly frustrated during that fight and was probably very resentful. It's normal for him to want to get revenge after becoming stronger. It's just unexpected that he would get involved in such a major event. Vic couldn't help but sigh, there have been quite a few major events during this period!
From the fall of the two Emperors of Wano Country, to the invincible Blackbeard being killed, to the attack on the Holy Land Mary Geoise, to the disappearance of the Lulusia Kingdom, to the arrival of the Five Elders of Egghead, and finally to the remnants of Whitebeard's crew rising to become Emperors!
These events mostly occurred within this timeframe, and Vic was involved in quite a few. Of course, there may be other events that happened, but they just haven't been reported yet!
" Kuina! I saw Zoro on my trip. He's gotten a lot stronger, but he still has some obsessions. I hope you won't see him for a while. He still needs to grow. Don't let him discourage you!"
Vic returned to the side of the aloof swordswoman Kuina. Kuina hadn't been idle during her time outside; she had challenged Dracule Mihawk once again!
This was her third time challenging Hawk-Eye, and this time Kuina emerged victorious. It's unknown whether Kuina's victory over Hawk-Eye was partly due to the entire Cross Guild joining the Whitebeard Pirates.
Kuina has already embarked on her own path of swordsmanship. If we consider her comprehension of the Laws, she should be in the mid-to-late stages of Devil Fruit Awakening!
This level of strength is already incredibly powerful. She could defeat the Five Elders more than ten times. If she didn't have an immortal body, the Five Elders wouldn't stand a chance. She truly fulfilled her vow to Zoro and became the World's Greatest Swordsman!
"I won't go looking for him; I'll wait for him to come and take the world number one spot!"
Kuina glanced at Vic before speaking, her tone calm and composed, yet exuding an unparalleled aura of Haki. She was already the World's Greatest Swordsman, having dethroned Hawk-Eye, who had held the title for decades. Her prestige speaks for itself!
"Yes! The little kid from back then has become the new World's Greatest Swordsman. Are you still comfortable using Wado Ichimonji? Would you like me to forge a Supreme Great Grade Sword that looks just like it?"
Vic recalled the time when he first went to the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village, and the little kid sitting by the training ground—that was the first time they met!
The little boy looked at him curiously. That period must have been the happiest time for Kuina. Feelings are built up over time. When facing Tashigi, who had the same face, Vic didn't have such strong feelings for her, or rather, the nature of his feelings for the two was different!