The fierce collision within the mountains ceased.
Everyone cautiously approached the area, wanting to know who the victor was.
If it had reached a stalemate where a little assistance was needed, they could help Boss Chin Jao finish off that guy.
This was why when two sides were evenly matched, they disliked fighting on enemy territory—afraid that in the end, some foot soldier might take the credit.
...
"That person actually lasted this long against Leader Chin Jao... Who on earth is he?!"
"At the time, he wasn't wearing a standard Marine uniform, so I didn't realize it right away..."
"That face... Though I couldn't see it clearly, I'm certain! He's the Marine Supernova who's been making waves recently, something Uchiha."
...
"I think I've heard of him, something about a face worth 800 years..."
"Why did he come to Kano Country and pick a fight with Boss Chin Jao?"
"We have an agreement with the Marines—as long as we don't set sail, the Happo Navy won't be attacked by them!"
"Who knows! But Boss Chin Jao must have won. I hope the boss doesn't impulsively kill that guy; we can't afford the Marines' retaliation."
...
"Not necessarily..."
A cool female voice spoke up. She wore a hood, her face hidden in shadow.
"Intercepting the Red Hair Pirates in the West Sea, forcing the Dragon Hunter to retreat on Sabaody..."
"This man, hailed as the Marine King of the Next Generation, has only fought against great pirates with bounties of two billion!!"
"In this battle, he might not lose."
The Happo Navy members who had been speaking earlier glared at her with hostility. "When our boss was dominating the seas, the people you mentioned were still in diapers!"
"If Red Hair hadn't interned on Roger's ship, if that Kari hadn't..."
"Anyway, their bounties are completely inflated—how could they possibly compare to Leader Chin Jao!"
Some of the older members of the Happo Navy had followed Chin Jao through the era of the three great overlords of the sea.
After the Rocks era, Whitebeard, Shiki, and Roger—the three legends—were seen as the most likely to become the Pirate King.
There were also legendary pirates like Charlotte Linlin.
Chin Jao certainly wasn't a legend, but he ranked in the middle tier among the legendary class.
After all, the fact that Garp deliberately trained hard and sought him out a second time, regardless of the reason, solidified his status among pirates.
Following such a boss, these Happo Navy members looked down on the new generation.
Whether pirates or Marines, they were all too weak compared to that era!
...
Robin climbed a steep slope, paused, and turned her head to speak softly. "You make a valid point—bounty doesn't fully represent strength, but..."
She pointed into the distance.
"The outcome is decided..."
...
Several members hurried forward and witnessed a scene that shattered their worldview.
Bzzzt—
In their eyes, their invincible Boss Chin Jao was being dragged by the back of his collar by that young Marine, his body carving a clear trail through the ruins.
Utterly devoid of dignity!
...
"Wh-what kind of joke is this!! Boss Chin Jao, he..."
"How could Boss Chin Jao lose to some brat!!"
More and more people gathered at the edge of the canyon crater, falling into stunned silence at the sight before erupting into waves of astonished exclamations.
Compared to the disbelieving citizens of Kano Country, Robin had somewhat anticipated this outcome. Years of life on the run had taught her to habitually gather local intelligence before arriving anywhere new—especially information about the Marines, the organization relentlessly pursuing her.
Unlike those who merely skimmed through newspapers, Robin remembered one crucial detail: this rising star of the Marines hailed from Kano Country. According to intelligence disclosed after the Sabaody battle, he belonged to a legendary clan—the Snow Clan that inhabited frozen continents, fighting against the Celestial Tribe with their crimson eyes.
Here, "Celestial Tribe" didn't refer to the Celestial Dragons, but to the ancient inhabitants of the Red Line—the Lunarian Tribe...
...
Nico Robin, the sole survivor of the archaeological holy land Ohara, was an exceptional archaeologist. She was also the only known person capable of deciphering the Poneglyphs.
Throughout her years of drifting survival, she carried one unchanging dream: to inherit the will of Ohara's scholars and her mother, decipher the "True History," and uncover the truth of the "Void Century"!
She held a profound interest in any literature related to history.
...
While she knew about the Lunarian Tribe, she knew nothing about the Uchiha clan despite both originating from the West Sea. This clan shrouded in historical mystery ignited Robin's intense curiosity.
She had mobilized the Jasmine Society's resources to investigate, but Kano Country held no records about them. Information about Uchiha Griffin, the clan's last descendant, was scarce—only that he had been recruited into the Marines by Smoker when he set sail at age twelve.
...
Robin felt both wary and fearful of this man. His power bore unsettling resemblance to that man she feared, and his eyes—even seen through newspaper prints—radiated terrifying perceptiveness. For Robin who wished to remain hidden, this was a double threat.
...
Then why hadn't she fled, instead drawing closer to this place?
Because of the ice pillar supporting the collapsed pavilion.
Even while engaged in combat with such a powerful opponent, he had noticed the girl in danger and extended assistance.
...
Though Robin feared Marines, the person most important to her besides her mother had also been a Marine.
Saul...
Was this man like you?
——
——
Griffin scanned the surroundings, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The next moment—
BOOM!!!
Terrifying Conqueror's Haki erupted across the entire area, shaking the very earth.
"Bring pen and paper! Whoever's in charge among the Happo Navy—come forward!"
"Or I'll kill Chin Jao!"
...
That sinister smile... Definitely not like Saul!!
...
...
Ten minutes later, Huo Qiushan, deputy commander of the Happo Navy, stood trembling as he held a document, his pale long eyebrows twitching violently.
"Commodore Griffin... is there really... no room for negotiation..."
The document read:
"Ocean Calendar 1510, November 21st. Marine Headquarters Commodore Uchiha Griffin provided assistance to Happo Navy Commander Chin Jao who suffered from chronic illness.
Not only did he heal Chin Jao's severe psychological trauma, but also restored his sharp conical head.
Commander Chin Jao, overwhelmed with gratitude, voluntarily donates 80% of the Happo Navy's century-accumulated treasures beneath the Jeweled Ice Mountain to Commodore Griffin.
This agreement, established under principles of voluntariness and gratitude, represents the profound bond between the Marines and Kano Country's Happo Navy..."
...
Clang—
A smile played at the corner of Griffin's lips as the tip of his broken spear rested against Chin Jao's forehead.
"I'm quite reasonable—I'll allow you to amend the format."
"How about changing it from a voluntary gift to a will?"
"No, no, no! I won't change it! Not a single word!!"
...
Huo Qiushan understood clearly that the most precious treasure of the Happo Navy wasn't the riches beneath the Jeweled Ice Mountain, but the Eight Impacts Fist Secrets passed down by Chin Jao.
With his conical head restored, Chin Jao could undoubtedly lead the Happo Navy to rise once more.
With strength regained, treasures would surely follow!
Surely... they would, right?
...
Tears welled in Huo Qiushan's aged eyes as he tightly gripped the Happo Navy's official seal and stamped it firmly onto the paper.
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