Chapter Twenty-Three: The Sabaody Archipelago

Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, wielder of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Since the public execution of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard has been hailed as a living legend, the strongest man in the world, and now reigns over the New World like a sovereign, a true emperor of the seas.

Whitebeard's unparalleled reputation and power are due in part to his own formidable strength; even without his terrifying Devil Fruit abilities, few in the entire sea could stand against him. Coupled with the destructive might of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, which is said to hold the power to destroy the world, Whitebeard's bounty has remained unchanged for years, yet even the World Government and the Navy would rather avoid provoking such a fearsome being.

At this very moment, as Chu Yi unleashed a “Shinra Tensei,” raising a tidal wave that wiped out the restless pirates nearby in an instant, Lucci could faintly see the shadow of Whitebeard in Chu Yi’s figure. He inwardly marveled at the might of Chu Yi’s “Shinra Tensei”—its power and grandeur akin to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit itself—a testament to just how highly he regarded it.

However, regardless of how Hancock, Tiger, or Lucci stared at Chu Yi’s back in awe, subdued by the devastating force of his “Shinra Tensei,” Chu Yi himself was well aware of his own limitations.

One wide-scale “Shinra Tensei”—that was his limit.

If not for his pride, Chu Yi might have collapsed on the deck to rest right then and there.

Fortunately, after awakening the Shura Eye, his fruit’s restorative powers allowed him to soon steady himself on his feet. Though drenched in cold sweat, Chu Yi maintained his composure at the bow of the ship, casting a sidelong glance at Tiger, Hancock, and the others, his palms already clammy.

If he used his fruit abilities to transform into Shura, he could unleash a “Shinra Tensei” of such magnitude twice, without ending up so wretched. All in all, his recent training had paid off; in the past, he wouldn’t have been able to muster such a powerful “Shinra Tensei” even if he wanted to.

But with fierce battles looming ahead, it was better to leave the fighting to Tiger.

He had only wanted to show off his progress, but ended up overreaching. The thrill was undeniable, but in the future, he mustn’t seek the spotlight so recklessly.

He silently resolved to rein himself in. Once he caught his breath, Chu Yi turned to Tiger, Hancock, and the others, offering a slight smile.

Hancock was the first to recover, responding with a sweet smile of her own. Tiger and Lucci, on the other hand, remained stunned for a long while, and even after regaining their senses, the way they looked at Chu Yi had completely changed.

Lucci’s gaze, in particular, now bore traces of respect and wariness.

At the same time—

Chu Yi’s dramatic display near the Sabaody Archipelago, the annihilation of several pirate crews with a single “Shinra Tensei,” naturally drew tremendous attention.

As Chu Yi and his companions’ ship approached the Sabaody Archipelago, not a single pirate crew dared provoke them—a testament to the impression his “Shinra Tensei” had made, not just upon his own companions, but also on the petty criminals lurking near Sabaody.

Of course, it wasn’t just riffraff watching Chu Yi’s movements; some of the “big names” on the Sabaody Archipelago had also taken note that someone worth paying attention to was about to arrive.

...

Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13.

In a bar named “Shakky’s Rip-off Bar,” the elegant proprietress Shakky slowly lit a cigarette. Reflecting on the earlier commotion outside the islands, she smiled and said, “Rayleigh, it seems another adorable little one is about to arrive at Sabaody. Who do you suppose they’re coming to trouble?”

“Whoever they’re after, as long as it isn’t us, I’m content.” Pouring himself a glass of rum, the former first mate of the Pirate King’s crew, “Dark King” Rayleigh, lounged casually on the sofa, saying, “But that youngster’s move just now was quite interesting—it brought back memories of the first time I met Newgate. Still, things have been restless on Sabaody lately. For the sake of a few other familiar youngsters, I think I’ll take a little stroll.”

With that, Rayleigh downed his rum in a single gulp, waved at Shakky, and then swiftly made his way across the Sabaody Archipelago to Area 41. There, he greeted a rotund man in a green shirt and scarf, gnawing on a hunk of meat.

“Lucky Roux, you ought to eat less! Just look at yourself. By the way, it’s been ages since I joined a party—tell that brat Shanks to bring out the best wine and meat from your ship! Hahaha!”

...

Sabaody Archipelago, Area 62.

This was the Marines’ station, and from afar, one could see uniformed officers everywhere.

Having received the latest intelligence, the Marine beauty Tashigi, dressed in a red suit and the white coat bearing the word “Justice,” suddenly exclaimed, “Smoker, I’ve found a most interesting fellow—he should be landing any moment now. Should we go meet him?”

“There’s no need.” Smoker, known alongside Lucci as one of the “Navy’s Twin Rising Stars,” and now a Navy Lieutenant Commander, took a heavy drag of his cigar and said gravely, “The important auction this afternoon is about to begin. To ensure the safety of those people, we have to remain at our posts and not let our guard down.”

As he spoke, Smoker couldn’t help but recall that their most unreliable superior was, in fact, their immediate boss.

In an instant, black lines appeared on his forehead. Smoker slowly stood up, sighing deeply, “Forget it, I’ll go look for Vice Admiral Kuzan myself. He’s probably... sleeping somewhere again.”

“I’ll go with you,” Tashigi replied. “Who knows, maybe we’ll run into that little one worth meeting!”

...

Half an hour later.

Having quickly made a name for themselves on Sabaody Archipelago, and with no pirates daring to harass them, Chu Yi and his party soon docked their ship temporarily at Area 51.

Unwilling to leave Lucci alone on the ship, Chu Yi—who had originally intended to relax and enjoy Sabaody—asked Tiger to carry Lucci, while he held Hancock’s hand to take in the sights.

There was much to enjoy on Sabaody Archipelago—bubble cars, bubble balloons—novelties neither Chu Yi nor Hancock had seen before. With some spare beli in his pocket, Chu Yi and Hancock had a wonderful time at the island’s amusement park.

Watching Chu Yi and Hancock descend the Ferris wheel hand in hand, both smiling with contentment, even Tiger, who remained by Lucci’s side, found his mood uplifted.

Yet the pleasant mood lasted only a few minutes.

As they left the park, intending to find something to eat, Tiger suddenly noticed the crowd ahead hastily clearing the main road and prostrating themselves. His face turned ashen as he slapped Chu Yi’s shoulder, his pupils narrowing.

“Trouble’s coming, kid—we need to hide, now!”

But when Chu Yi followed Tiger’s gaze and caught sight of the arrogant figures approaching, he merely smiled and shook his head, refusing Tiger’s suggestion.

“Hide? Is there really any need?”