Chapter 322: I'm Responsible for the Rising Sea Levels, Too
Chapter 322: I'm Responsible for the Rising Sea Levels, Too
Just as Ulqi spotted Big Mom's pirate ship, the opposing pirate ship also noticed Ulqi's vessel, seemingly sharing the same intention as they altered course towards him.
As the distance closed, the two ships confronted each other diagonally, their hulls parallel.
Boom, boom, boom!
Without the need for greetings, both ships simultaneously erupted with sparks as cannons fired in volleys, the shots landing in the sea surrounding the vessels and sending splashes of water high into the air.
Bang!
One of the cannonballs flew towards the deck, only to be punched and detonated by Ulqi, black smoke billowing into the sky.
At the same time, a cannonball fired towards the opposing pirate ship flashed with a brilliant light. That light coiled around the cannonball like a potato being peeled, shaving off its surface before the projectile exploded in mid-air.
As the black smoke from both sides cleared, they could clearly see the figures standing on the side decks of their respective ships.
One of Ulqi's accompanying pirate subordinates exclaimed with widened eyes, "Captain Ulqi, that's..."
At this distance, there was no need for a telescope; the figure on the other ship was clearly visible to the naked eye.
Standing on the opposing vessel was a man whose physique was no less formidable than Ulqi's.
He was a corpulent man with a long nose, his hair tied up in a gourd-like style and secured with a hairpin. He wore a woolen coat, and a scarf obscured the lower half of his face. In his hand, he gripped a greatsword that was nearly as tall as he was.
"I never expected the person we'd encounter to be you."
Ulqi let out a strange laugh. "'Candy Four Emperors,' Snack."
[Emperor] Aside from the Big Mom herself, it was only natural that she had powerful subordinates as well. In this gathering of formidable individuals in the New World, there were certainly those who stood out and gained immense notoriety.
Among the numerous captains of Whitebeard's crew, there were the 'Four Captains': 'Phoenix' Marco, 'Fire Fist' Ace, 'Diamond' Jozu, and 'Flower Sword' Vista.
Under Red Hair, there were the 'Three Guns': Ben Beckman, Jesus Burg, and Lasi Lu.
Kaido had his 'Three Disasters': Flame Disaster, Plague Disaster, and Drought Disaster.
There was also a 'Heavenly Disaster.'
According to inside information that Owl had overheard, Sage had apparently mentioned in private that if he had lost to Kaido and been captured, there was a high possibility that he would have become the 'Fourth Disaster.'
Because if he had lost and didn't want his pirate crew to be annihilated, Sage would have led his entire group to join the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew.
With his strength, it was estimated that he could have become the second-in-command of the Hundred Beasts. In his own words, he was confident that he could have become the second Guardian King of the Land of Wa, and when Kaido eventually died, he would have risen to become one of the Emperors.
Whether this information was gathered during a drunken conversation or casual chat, this was the version that Owl had learned.
Not only the Pirate Emperor but also candidates for the position of [Emperor] like Sage and Teach naturally had notable subordinates worth paying attention to.
On Blackbeard's side, the famous 'Rainy Hyrule' was the most renowned, with the rest being fairly average.
However, Ulqi had heard from Sage that Van Augur and the Tyrant King, Arbaro Pizarro, were quite formidable as well.
Among the Disaster Pirates, Ulqi wasn't the most famous, and he was self-aware enough to know this.
It was Moria and Lily who served as the right-hand men of the Disaster Pirates.
As for Big Mom, the Pirate Emperor, the notable figures to watch out for were this group known as the 'Candy Four Emperors.'
"A bounty of six hundred million berries,"
Ulqi cackled. "Well then, let's give it a shot. Who knows, we might even get to meet an [Emperor]!"
Even though he had joined the Disaster Pirates and was no longer a captain, which meant he couldn't vie for the position of Emperor or Pirate King, that didn't mean he didn't want to test his mettle against these formidable individuals.
Although Sage had made it clear that the [Emperors] were terrifyingly powerful monsters, Ulqi hadn't lost his ambition and drive.
If he didn't even dare to dream, then he might as well give up right now.
The tradition of the Disaster Pirates was to fear no one!
Not even the Emperors!
"The Strange Monk?"
On the opposing ship, Snack also recognized Ulqi.
He was certain to be able to identify Ulqi.
Because when it came to intelligence, Big Mom's pirate crew was unparalleled in the industry. In this place known as the New World, there was nothing that eluded their grasp.
The Disaster Pirates, who had been gaining traction recently, were naturally on their radar, and they were aware of the various high-ranking members of the crew, including Ulqi.
"Hmph, to think that you'd come to this place. Mom wants this place!"
Snack pointed his greatsword forward. "Take them out!"
"Charge!"
Ulqi roared, signaling for the helmsman to steer the ship closer to the opposing vessel.
Boom, boom!
Bang, bang, bang!
The two ships continued to circle each other on the sea's surface, relentlessly firing cannonballs that sent towering splashes of water into the air. Several shots struck the hulls, causing the ships to shake violently.
The cannon positions, masts, and decks took hits, and with each explosion, fires ignited or gaping holes were blasted open.
The distance between the two ships narrowed, like two fish circling each other in the sea. As they drew closer, both sides tacitly stopped using their cannons, and instead, they drew their weapons and brandished their firearms, glaring at one another.
"You dare to challenge us? You've got guts!"
A loud voice rang out from one of the Big Mom Pirates, "This is the territory of the Big Mom Pirates!"
"And what if it is? We are the Disaster Pirates!"
One of Ulqi's defiant subordinates, standing on the bulwark, shouted back, "We're not afraid of you!"
The pirates roaming the high seas were a fearless and unruly bunch. Not only in the New World but even in the first half of the Grand Line, known as Paradise, there were those who dared to dream of taking down an admiral and making a name for themselves.
And the pirates braving the New World were even more exceptional.
For a small pirate crew, it would be normal to fear a Yonko. But these pirates, having joined the Disaster Pirates, had the backing of the mighty Kaido.
How could they possibly fear Big Mom?
If they managed to take down a renowned opponent, they would surely gain fame and possibly even improve their standing within the pirate crew.
And as for the crew of a Yonko, they certainly wouldn't back down.
As the two sides continued to exchange taunts, Ulqi and Snack remained silent, simply staring at each other. Finally, as the ships drew close, almost in unison, they leaped into the air.
Ulqi, holding the rhomboid lead column, cackled maniacally and swung it in an arc, forming the character 'sky'.
"Imbue!"
"Potato Cut!"
Snack swung his greatsword, slicing the air in a circle before bringing it down in a vertical chop.
Boom!
As the lead column and the sword clashed, the two ships below collided as well, their prows ramming into each other's sterns and running parallel.
"Charge!"
"Take them out!"
Brandishing their weapons and firing their guns, the two sides rushed towards each other, clashing in the narrow space where the ships were joined, deck to deck.
Bang!
The two figures in the air also descended with the sound, crashing through the bulwark and sending wood chips flying from the deck.
As soon as Ulqi landed, his arms bulged, veins popping out as he used all his might to deflect the greatsword that had clashed with the lead column, and brought it down with force.
In the instant that Snack's sword was deflected, he stepped back, and as the column swung upwards, he sliced it with his sword, causing it to briefly split into several blades.
It was like slicing a freshly fried potato into thin pieces—quick and precise.
"Fry Cut!"
Ulqi maintained his eerie cackle as he lifted the lead column, which had been knocked down, in a strange motion, and slammed it into the oncoming sword blades.
"Expel Evil and Promote Good!"
Clang!!
A crisp sound rang out, sending a wave of energy in all directions. The two weapons held firm, locked together, vibrating with the force of their clash, neither side giving way.
Snack's brow furrowed, and he shifted his sword horizontally, causing sparks to fly as it scraped along the front end of the lead column. He then pressed his sword against the column and sliced towards Ulqi's head.
"Peel!"
"Impermanence of All Things!"
Ulqi pushed the lead column forward, aiming straight for Snack's head. The latter's pupils contracted, and he twisted his head to the side. Ulqi's fist was already clenched, and he cackled, "I'm not just good at clumsy, heavy attacks!"
After spending a good half a year in the New World, he had, of course, learned the Six Styles.
However, unlike the Magi race, there was no hard requirement to learn all six for humans. They could simply pick the ones that suited them best.
Ulqi had chosen Tekkai and Shave.
"You!"
Snack gritted his teeth. As Ulqi threw a punch, Snack twisted his waist, and the greatsword, which had just deflected the lead column, swung along with his body, tracing a half-circle. The blade turned black as he brought it down in a horizontal slash.
Haki!
Seeing this, Ulqi's cackle grew even more maniacal. His fist, coated in Armament Haki, struck Snack's face with force.
Boom!
"Tekkai, Black Steel!"
At the moment of impact, Ulqi's body tensed, his feet firmly planted. His muscular frame tensed even further, and a layer of blackness seemed to cover his body as he braced himself to withstand Snack's attack.
He couldn't use Busoshoku Haki to 'flow' like the Magi race, but he could still manage to harden it.
In Sage's words, it was better not to learn to 'flow' if one's Haki capacity wasn't sufficient, as it would be a waste of Haki. It was more efficient to use a small amount of Haki for local hardening, avoiding Haki exhaustion and mental fatigue.
The hardened Haki, combined with Tekkai, created an incredibly strong defense!
Clang!!
The horizontal slash landed on Ulqi's waist, emitting a crisp sound.
Ulqi looked down and remarked, "Quite a powerful attack. Even with Busoshoku Haki and Tekkai, I couldn't completely defend against it."
The sword had sliced into his flesh, drawing a thin line of blood.
"However..."
Clang!
In an instant, Ulqi's tensed body relaxed, and he quickly swung his hand, deflecting the sword blade and then pulling it upward. With both hands, he grabbed Snack by the waist and, to the latter's surprise, flipped him over.
"Break Away from Attachments!"
Boom!!
Ulqi slammed Snack, who was upside down, head-first into the deck, creating a huge hole and planting Snack's head into it.
Letting go, Ulqi laughed and said, "Now you can't resist anymore, can you?"
As Snack fell backward, his body trembled, and he kicked his legs, causing Ulqi to stumble back a few steps. Then, Snack pulled himself out of the deck, his bloodied face filled with anger.
Despite the attack, he didn't loosen his grip on his sword.
"Do you think you've won? Don't underestimate me!"
Without even turning his body, Snack thrust his sword forward. The blade, coated in Busoshoku Haki, instantly turned into countless shadows, hacking messily at Ulqi's body.
"Deep-Fried Blast Slash!"
"Iron Mass!"
Swish, swish, swish! As Ulqi retreated, his arms once again emitted Busoshoku Haki, and his body, now stationary, executed Iron Mass. However, the chaotic blades seemed to cover his entire body, and each strike left deep marks, causing his muscular frame to spray blood everywhere.
"Potato Skewer!"
The chaotic blades stopped, and the very center of the sword thrust forward, stabbing at Ulqi's crossed arms.
Bang! The tremendous force shattered Ulqi's Iron Mass, knocking his arms away, and sending him flying backward. He crashed into a mast behind him, breaking it.
Only then did Snack turn his body and land heavily on the deck, his eyes glaring at Ulqi.
"You're just a pirate with a bounty over a hundred million. Don't get too arrogant. I'm one of the 'Four Sweet Generals'!"
"What a terrifying power."
Ulqi stood up from the broken mast, shrugged his shoulders, and laughed strangely at Snack, "In that case, I have no choice but to go all out."
"What are you babbling about, you guy!"
Snack pointed his sword forward and shouted angrily, "Facing me, and you dare say you haven't gone all out yet? Stop spouting nonsense!"
"Damage is sufficient."
Ulqi's body began to steam, emitting a strange aura that twisted the surrounding air.
"Karma!"
With that loud shout, his already tall body actually swelled, surpassing Snack's height by more than half a head.
"Alright, let's continue. Let's have a good fight!"
Ulqi clenched his fists. "If I beat you, I'll be able to meet a 'Yonko', right!"
Boom!
The sky turned gloomy, and a purple lightning bolt tore through the clouds.
"Looks like it's going to rain again."
In the courtyard of the castle, Sage, bare-chested, lay on a lounge chair. He pushed his sunglasses down and glanced at the suddenly gloomy sky, clicking his tongue.
"It was just clear skies a moment ago. The weather in the New World changes so quickly. Even within the range of the island's climate, it can't be avoided."
He had wanted to sunbathe while the weather was good, but before he could enjoy it, the sky turned gloomy.
"It'll probably rain for a few days."
Behind him, Lily's crisp voice sounded, "According to past experience, the longest storm only lasted three days. Twenty minutes ago, when I saw the weather was turning bad, I already notified the island residents to prepare for your storm."
Sage didn't even turn his head, "How many times have I told you, it's not my storm. It's normal for it to rain. Why do you always blame me for it?"
"At this rate, all the disasters in the world will be caused by me one day. If the sea levels rise and flood the world, it'll be my fault too."
Lily, wearing a light blue long skirt with a waist-high butterfly knot that accentuated her slender waist, stood behind the lounge chair.
"If you go around saying that, people will believe you."
"Stop joking."
Sage looked up and saw two towering mountains that blocked his view, unable to see her face.
Just like Lily, who had to look down and still couldn't see her toes.
Their gazes were separated by these towering mountains that they couldn't climb over.
Sage sat up slightly, picked up the jewel-encrusted wine glass from the small table next to the lounge chair, and drank the wine in one gulp. Then, he handed the glass to the side.
Lily took the wine bottle and poured him another glass.
Today, instead of letting her hair fall loosely, she tied it into a wavy ponytail, making her look youthful and lively.
"What's wrong?" Sage asked.
"We have the results."
Lily put down the wine bottle and said,
"After fighting for so long, out of the three hundred subordinates Ulqi brought, fifty-one are still able to move, thirty are heavily wounded, and the rest have minor injuries. Both our ship and the enemy's ship are completely destroyed. Ulqi won."
"Blub, blub, blub."
She waved her hand, and a female pirate respectfully handed her a ringing Den Den Mushi with both hands.
"Someone's calling. It's an unfamiliar signal, and I don't recognize the simulated face. If I'm not mistaken, it should be..."
Lily pursed her lips and said, "Big Mom."
(End of Chapter)
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