Chapter 68: Golden Lion's Departure
Standing at the edge of the ship, Whitebeard glanced down at Luo Han and chuckled softly. Don't think I didn't notice that lecherous grin on your face when you floated Sister Shao aboard.
Your flushed face, your legs stiff and closed together—clearly, you saw something… unspeakable.
Though Whitebeard didn't know the exact marvels of Luo Han's spiritual perception, after recalling his strange Devil Fruit powers, he definitely wasn't about to let Luo Han "lift" him aboard. He was still a virgin, after all!
"Heheh…" Luo Han could only give an awkward laugh.
Sigh… so much for my heroic image. Ruined in a single 'thought'…
"Brother Han, let's go up too!"
"Uh—right!" Luo Han quickly responded, remembering Cole had been right beside him. Can't corrupt the kid too early.
The two of them flew up onto the ship together.
High above the dense forest, two pirate ships—one large, one small—slowly flew forward, drawing closer to the mist-covered mountain range ahead.
Luo Han stood at the bow of the Rocks Pirates' ship, flanked by Whitebeard, Sister Shao, and Cole .
Ignoring Whitebeard's occasional teasing glances, Luo Han maintained a serious face as they approached the mist.
None of the animals want to get near this mountain… To be safe, he coated the ship in a psychokinetic barrier to keep the mist at bay.
Fwoosh. The ship pierced the fog and entered silence. In this soundless, sightless world, a subtle fear crept into everyone's heart.
One by one, everyone fell quiet. Only the soft hum of the ships moving through the air remained.
They passed through the mist and reached the mountain's base. Looking up, they saw a line of clouds running across the middle, stretching endlessly across the peaks like a blade slashed across the sky.
"This is the mountain range you mentioned?" Whitebeard asked.
"That's right. We just fly up and we'll reach the summit," Luo Han replied, then removed the barrier and guided the ships upward.
Soon, they breached the clouds and arrived at the peak.
The view stunned everyone—flat as a blade's edge, the mountain summit looked as if it had been sliced cleanly by an enormous sword.
Luo Han directed the ships onto a sturdy part of the mountaintop, gently lowering them onto the branches of massive trees that acted like waves, cushioning the vessels with surprising strength.
"Luo Han, are you sure Shiki is still here?" Whitebeard used his Observation Haki to scan the surroundings, but sensed nothing.
"No idea. He was here when I left," Luo Han shrugged. Maybe he really did run off out of embarrassment after getting owned…
Brrrrt! A rustling sound echoed nearby. Luo Han turned toward Whitebeard—so did everyone else.
It was the Den Den Mushi Whitebeard used to contact the Rocks base.
"Guhahahaha! Whitebeard, that you?" came the deep, boisterous voice.
Everyone fell silent, instinctively recognizing the voice's authority.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Rocks? What's going on?"
Luo Han also grew curious. Why the sudden call? Did something happen?
"Shiki called me earlier."
"…What do you mean?" Whitebeard asked.
"Hahahaha!! I mean from now on, you and Shiki will each lead a squad—your new mission is to hunt down Roger!"
The entire crew was silent.
So Shiki really left? And now he's leading his own squad to chase Roger? Without Whitebeard's support, does he really think he stands a chance? More likely he'll be the one getting hunted…
"Whatever. Doesn't matter to me," Whitebeard replied indifferently.
Most didn't react. Whitebeard hadn't been interested in traveling with others anyway. In fact, being with Luo Han and the others felt more like family, and he was quite content.
"Just be careful. That bastard Roger isn't so easy to deal with. In any case—get moving!" Rocks barked before the line went dead.
Whitebeard put the Den Den Mushi back in his pocket.
While the others were focused on the call, Luo Han's attention was on something else entirely: That pocket… no matter how much Whitebeard moves or fights, the Den Den Mushi never falls out. It's like Nami's chest—you never know what's hidden in there. Even a two-meter-long pole wouldn't reach the bottom. Terrifying…
"Alright! Everyone off the ship to scout the area. We're having a feast tonight—arararara!" Whitebeard announced, his booming voice full of cheer. Shiki's departure actually seemed to lift his spirits.
He turned to say something to Luo Han, but—
"I'll go tell Tuck and his crew," Luo Han said, flying off before Whitebeard could speak.
He returned to the other ship and told Tuck to start scouting with his men.
Back aboard, Luo Han sat next to Cole on his left. "What were you going to say, Brother Newgate?" he asked curiously. Cole was equally intrigued.
"I don't know what happened between you and Shiki, but now that he's gone, our crew is… a bit underpowered," Whitebeard said bluntly.
Cole nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Luo Han rolled his eyes. You don't even realize he just said we're the reason for that power drop!
"And?" Luo Han asked, waiting for the follow-up.
Whitebeard didn't hold back.
"I've decided that while we're on this island, you and Cole are going to train hard. You need to reach at least rear admiral candidate level—otherwise, you won't survive against Roger's crew."
Luo Han and Cole exchanged a smile. It felt nice to be cared for.
"So? What do you think?" Whitebeard asked.
"No problem!" Luo Han agreed immediately.
Since setting out to sea, it had been nonstop battles, each tougher than the last. If they didn't stop and catch their breath soon, Luo Han feared he'd die in some fight down the line.
Even Luffy had trained for two years before entering the New World. He and Cole , despite having powerful Devil Fruits, only had mid-level Armament Haki.
Time to play it safe and grind some levels.
"Then let's each take a direction and explore the island," Whitebeard said, looking inland.
"Sure. Cole and I can fly. Cole , take Sister Shao with you. What about you, Brother Newgate?" Luo Han asked, a bit awkwardly. No way I'm flying Whitebeard around after what happened earlier. He might get the wrong idea.
"I'll go on foot," Whitebeard said, chuckling awkwardly.
Too late. He already misunderstood, Luo Han sighed internally.
"But wait, can Cole make others fly?" Sister Shao asked, looking at Cole curiously.
Cole glanced at Luo Han, silently asking if it was okay to show off his Devil Fruit power.
Luo Han nodded. There's nothing to hide now. The World Government's clearly after me—not Cole
(END CHAPTER)
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