Starting with Kengan beating up the Pirate King

Chapter 106 Flame Sparrow
"Excuse me, this cherry cake is so delicious, could I have two more?"

The apologetic words, the pleading requests, the innocent, ingratiating smile—all meant to avoid bothering others. If one hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, no one would believe this scene was unfolding between Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors, and her son Katakuri.

Kaido and Guan Yi stood at a distance, and Kaido sighed helplessly, "That old woman has been like this ever since she woke up two days ago. She seems to have turned into a child. I wonder when she will return to normal. What a nuisance!"

Have you tried to provoke her?

"Of course, that ugly appearance was too outrageous, so I hit her with a stick." Kaido's provocation was truly provocative: "But all I got in return was a horribly awful cry, it was completely useless!"

What Kaido didn't say was that that blow almost brought the Big Mom Pirates to war with him, so he didn't try anything more.

Guan Yi nodded. Just like the scene in the anime where she fell into the water, had she lost her memory and turned into a child? She wondered if hitting her head would restore her memory. But seeing the older woman's children surrounding her and showing concern, Guan Yi felt that hitting her head was probably not a very convenient thing to do.

"We can't count on that old woman, but the two of us together are enough!" Kaido laughed loudly again, "Oh ho ho ho... Last time I went to rescue Hanafza, I was really embarrassed. This time it's a good time for revenge. Marineford, the Marine Headquarters, I've been wanting to go and explore for a long time!"

Despite some shortcomings, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are truly loyal to their friends. After learning that Guan Yi's subordinate Alvida had been captured by the Navy and that Guan Yi was being threatened by the World Government, Kaido almost without hesitation offered to storm the Navy Headquarters with Guan Yi.

But Guan Yi shook his head: "No, I came back not to ask for help, but to inform you that the time has come to go to Elbaf and find the fourth Road Poneglyph!"

"Hmm?" Kaido grunted, his expression unpleasant. "Could it be... that you intend to use the execution of your subordinates to hold back the World Government and the Navy, and then take the opportunity to go to Elbaf?"

“Of course not,” Guan Yi said. “We’re splitting up. I’ll go rescue my men and also hold them back, so you can take the opportunity to go to Elbaf. We’ve finally got a chance to go undisturbed, without the navy interfering. It’s just facing the giants. Are you sure you’re okay?”

"What? You alone?!" Kaido exclaimed in astonishment. "Kid, are you sure you're not just throwing your life away?! Don't let the newspapers' hype about you being the 'strongest in the world' cloud your judgment. Even without Garp and Aokiji, you're still facing at least two Marine Admirals and that old man Sengoku!"

"I never said I wanted to start a direct war," Guan Yi said with a smile. "I have a plan."

"Is there a way?" Kaido was puzzled, but thinking of Guan Yi's reliable plans since the alliance was formed, which had gradually forced the Navy and the World Government into such a predicament, he finally just chuckled.

"Alright, I'll listen to you one more time. I'll get the last Road Poneglyph, but you... don't die at Marine Headquarters!"

……

May 11th was one day before the Navy's secret execution of Alvida and others.

In the Calm Belt, a giant naval warship is gradually approaching Marineford. The ship's commander is Vice Admiral Momonga, and at the same time, a special guest is also on board.

She was tall and had a great figure. She had long, jet-black hair, a smooth, slightly wide forehead, and long, delicate, deep blue eyes with a hint of indifference in her almond-shaped eyes.

She had a high, straight nose, a small nose, and soft, wrinkle-free lips. She wore a pair of snake-shaped gold earrings and a cheongsam-style dress that revealed her fair and smooth thighs.

Devastatingly beautiful! She is none other than Boa Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the undisputed most beautiful woman in the world!

The mere act of standing on the deck and gazing at the Naval Headquarters was enough to make the surrounding marines lose their composure, glancing at him again and again, their faces flushed with embarrassment, lost in thought.

The flying squirrel was furious at his subordinates' incompetence, but he had to admit that even he dared not look at the Empress too much and was wary of this capricious woman. Only when Marineford came into view did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

'However, things might get more complicated next. If Flame Tiger Ian really comes... hopefully this woman will lend a hand. Even Flame Tiger shouldn't be immune to her charm.'

As he was thinking this, he suddenly noticed a small bird in the sky flying towards the warship, and he couldn't help but show a strange expression.

Few birds or animals fly into the doldrums.

Not to mention that rare, colossal sea monsters have the ability to prey on birds and beasts, the fact that the sky is completely windless in the Calm Zone would significantly hinder birds' ability to fly.

As he got closer, he could see that it was a crimson bird about the size of a palm, with smooth, glossy feathers and bright, obsidian-like eyes that were lively and spirited, unlike any ordinary bird.

The bird landed directly on Boa Hancock's shoulder, instantly making the world's most beautiful woman even more vibrant and radiant. The sailors who saw this scene felt their hearts race.

"Your pet? I've never seen it before?" The flying squirrel couldn't help but turn its gaze and ask.

"My only pet is Salome (a non-venomous python), which is in the room." The Empress raised her hand, gently teasing the crimson bird with her right fingertip, and tilted her head slightly as she said, "However, even birds and beasts cannot resist my beauty. It is only natural that a bird is attracted to me and lands on my shoulder!"

His tone and attitude were extremely arrogant, yet the marines were captivated by it, their eyes sparkling with love.

"Yes, of course!"

But in the next instant, the Empress suddenly flicked her finger, sending the crimson bird flying far away with a scream!

The marines looked astonished, but she snorted and said, "My shoulder is not a place for a little bird of unknown species like you to rest!"

"That's...that's too much..."

"It's just a little bird..."

"But...so beautiful!" The marines were in an uproar, many more captivated by the Empress. The Empress wasn't surprised, because... "I am the most beautiful woman in the world, and everything I have done will be forgiven by everyone~"

What a wicked woman. The flying squirrel thought to itself, then turned to look at the sky. Seeing that the crimson bird had already taken flight again, it paid no further attention to it.

The Empress swayed as she walked back to the cabin: "Inform me when the warship docks. I need to rest for a while."

'Tch, the World Government is as despicable as ever, summoning us, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, to form the strongest lineup, and using underhanded means to force Ian the Fire Tiger to fight them.'

Just recently, she was informed by Momonga of the Navy's arrangements and that Alvida had been arrested and was to be executed the next day.

Unable to deal with Yan Hu directly, the Empress could only resort to targeting one of Yan Hu's old subordinates, a despicable tactic that she found utterly distasteful.

Will he come? That man… um?!

The moment she stepped into the room and closed the door, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on her face. There on her bed was her pet Salome, cowering and hissing at her as if it had encountered some kind of natural enemy.

And perched quietly atop Salome's head!

The one she just flicked away!
What happened? How did it get in?
Why is Salome afraid?!

The Empress became slightly wary, when suddenly she heard the crimson bird speak in human language: "What a vile woman! How could she flick my lovely little bird like that?"

"...ability user?"

The Vermilion Bird flapped its wings and took flight, leaving a trail of golden sparks in mid-air. It expanded into human form before Boa Hancock, revealing Guan Yi's face.

The Empress was immediately shocked: "You're... Flame Tiger Ian?! What's going on? Aren't you a Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit) user? How can you transform like a Zoan-type?!"

The vermilion bird had just perched on her shoulder, so she was certain she hadn't felt the heat of the flames. Even if a Logia-type Devil Fruit user could alter their form through elemental transformation, they shouldn't be able to do it so realistically and seamlessly.

It's understandable that she doesn't understand.

With a 100% skill bonus and mastery of additional energy-draining techniques, Guan Yi has reached a new level in the development of the Flame-Flame Fruit.

I wonder if there were any ancient people before me.

But at least in this era, no Logia-type Devil Fruit user can compare to him!

Absorbing the temperature of the flames, using a few feather props, and his unique Observation Haki ability, completely mimicking a 'firebird' was not difficult for him.

Her only weakness is that she cannot be carefully perceived by someone with a certain level of Observation Haki. The reason for finding Boa Hancock was precisely to overcome this weakness—no one would be shameless enough to use Observation Haki to carefully perceive the world's most beautiful woman.

Including the birds that perched on her shoulder.

"It's just a few tricks. You were a bit loud just now, could you please cover for me?"

In front of Hancock, Guan Yi opened his arms, and amidst the falling fire feathers, he condensed back into a firebird and flew down to her shoulder.

Why should I help you cover it up?

The Empress was still in shock, saying words of refusal, but when the cabin door was knocked, she reflexively and nervously grabbed Guan Yi in her hand and stuffed her into her arms.

"Your Majesty, I just heard some strange noises in the room. Are you alright?" The flying squirrel's wary voice rang out from outside the door.

The Empress took a deep breath and said coldly, "What could it be? Get out of here! I was just about to go to sleep!"

The flying squirrel paused for a moment, then walked away.

The Empress breathed a sigh of relief, then retracted the Flame Sparrow she had instinctively tucked into her chest. The two stared at each other in silence.

After a long silence, Guan Yicai said, "When I said I would help you cover for me, I meant I would just rest on your shoulder."

Why are you putting me in your arms?

Guan Yi didn't even have time to react.

Yeah, I really didn't have time.

I got fired again.

(End of this chapter)