One Piece: Blue Scale Admiral

Barrett's Devil Pirates crew is only showing signs of becoming the strongest Yonko crew in the New World because of the terrifying presence of Ryder.

Seeing that the powerful Tyrus couldn't even block Ryder's sword, the escaped prisoners who had been itching to break out immediately became obedient, not daring to look at Barrett and Ryder, for fear of ending up like Tyrus.

"Kill everyone on the island and dig up the gold."

With Barrett's command, no one dared to covet the Tremor-Tremor Fruit anymore. Instead, they followed Pizarro, Devon, and the others, heading towards Wald's Ward Pirates and Katakuri's Beast Pirates.

"Your strength has fully recovered?" Barrett asked, looking at Ryder, who now appeared even younger.

Ryder shook his head slightly, looking at Titch in his hand. "Not yet. I need the blood of stronger people. These people are too weak. No amount of quantity can make up for the difference in quality."

"Would my blood be okay?" Barrett raised his arm.

“Of course. However, I owe you a favor, and I won’t lay a hand on you until I repay it.” Ryder’s slightly gloomy gaze lingered for a moment on the bulging veins on Barrett’s arm before moving away.

"Hahaha, Ryder, you really do have principles."

Barrett laughed, then, as if he had thought of something, grabbed Titch from his hand and looked at Ryder.

"By the way, isn't your Observation Haki supposed to allow you to see into other people's minds? Help me see what kind of secret this guy is hiding. I need to find a way to eat a second Devil Fruit."

"How to eat a second Devil Fruit?"

Ryder narrowed his eyes and looked down at Titch, who was in a miserable state in Barrett's hands.

Then he said with a slight change in expression, "Yes, you're right. This guy really does have quite a few secrets."

Chapter 744 Kirin Tailed Beast Jade

While fierce fighting raged on Soft Island, along the coast of Tottoland.

On the vast, raging sea, massive warships, resembling war fortresses, with their sails billowing, are scattered like stars in the sky, cutting through the waves towards their destination under the lead of the dragon-headed warship.

On the Kirin, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive due to the impending war.

Only the three people sitting around on the bow deck seemed quite relaxed, even having the leisure to cross their legs, drink tea, and read newspapers.

Rorschach was engrossed in reading a comic book called "The Legend of the Kirin" when Kizaru, sitting beside him, leaned over to peek.

This manga tells the story of a brave boy who ate the Kirin Fruit and constantly goes on adventures at sea, upholding justice, fighting pirates, and rescuing beautiful and innocent girls.

At that moment, a visually striking double-page spread appeared in the comic book in front of the two of them.

On the double-page spread, drawn from a bottom-up angle, is a small white-haired boy who raises his right hand high, pointing to the sky with one index finger. His full head of silver hair spreads out behind his head, flashing with streaks of electricity.

The boy's mouth was wide open, his face solemn, as he shouted.

His words were written next to it.

[You evil pirates must face justice! Lightning Domain! Unleash!]

Rorschach turned another page. The next page showed an explosion that filled the entire page, and the page after that showed a huge, bottomless crater in the ground.

At the edge of the pit, the white-haired boy who had just killed the evil pirate was embraced tightly by a girl with an apron tied around her waist and tears streaming down her face.

And then...they kissed.

It must be said that the artist who drew this comic is indeed quite skilled.

Take this kissing scene, for example. It seems like a very common and simple picture, but the artist managed to depict the girl's joy at surviving a disaster and the boy's domineering yet passionate feelings.

On their lips that touched, you could even see a stringy texture...

"Ahem! Not bad."

Luo Xia coughed, closed the comic book, and didn't dare to continue flipping through it, afraid that he would see some scenes that were only suitable for him and Yun Que to see in private.

Beside him, Kizaru's mouth was pursed so much that a teapot could hang from it.

"So, this is your true experience, Rorschach? Who is this girl named Celia in the comics? I don't seem to recognize her."

He looked amazed, seemingly still wanting more, and reached out to take the comic book, but Luo Xia dodged him.

"Which eye of yours saw that this is my actual experience? This has nothing to do with me, okay?" Rorschach rolled his eyes, picked up the juice on the small wooden table in front of him, and took a sip.

"Really? I thought this was your autobiography." Kizaru still looked suspicious, clearly not very convinced.

Luo Xia smirked and subtly tossed the comic book he was holding into the arms of Hibari, who was standing on the ship's railing looking out.

The lark, who was gazing intently at the sea, was startled when a comic book suddenly appeared in his arms.

When she saw the cover of the comic book clearly, her face turned red instantly. She turned around a little guiltily, glanced around, and then pretended to be nonchalant as she hugged the comic book to her chest.

That's right, this comic book is Hibari's, and Rorschach has no idea where this girl bought it from.

Comic books and storybooks featuring him as the main character are now all over the world. The originator of this trend is Poplar's own newspaper, which has recently been expanded a hundredfold or even a thousandfold with the addition of Morgans' World News.

These comic books and storybooks cover a wide variety of topics, and some of the stories would make even Rorschach feel embarrassed.

The comic book he just looked at, "The Legend of the Qilin," is an adult comic, and it's the best-selling comic book series featuring him as the main character.

It is said that its author is the same person who drew the sea hero Sora, and his specialty is drawing this kind of story of righteous heroes fighting against evil and saving beautiful girls, which is very popular with readers all over the world.

Kizaru glanced at Hibari, who had slipped into the captain's cabin with a comic book in hand, then looked at the serious-looking Rorschach and said meaningfully, "Rorschach, you don't seem worried at all about the war that's about to break out?"

"Why should I worry?" Rorschach put down his juice, his tone firm and righteous. "Compared to the tiny NEO Navy, we are far superior in numbers and strength. Whether it's high-end combat power, mid-level or low-level troops, or firepower, we have an overwhelming advantage. With 50,000 elite troops at headquarters, taking down a rebel force of less than 20,000 is a piece of cake, a sure thing."

"Is that so?" Kizaru raised an eyebrow.

“Of course,” Luo Xia said confidently.

The two exchanged a glance, then silently looked away.

Rorschach knew there was a hidden meaning in Kizaru's words, and Kizaru knew that Rorschach was talking nonsense. The two were well aware of each other's thoughts.

Because of Huang Mu's presence, it was not appropriate to speak frankly.

Hearing Luo Xia's confident words, Aramaki, who was reading the newspaper, looked up, a smug smile spreading across his face, and chimed in, "Brother Lan Lin is right! Kizaru, that NEO Marines created by that old bastard Zephyr are nothing but a bunch of old, weak, and disabled people. I really don't know what you have to worry about. Apart from Zephyr, the others probably can't even muster the strength of a Vice Admiral. Even Zephyr is an old ghost in his seventies or eighties, with one foot in his grave. When we get to their territory, Zephyr is mine! I'll take care of that Marine traitor for Brother Akainu!"

Aramaki's voice was undisguised, echoing throughout the deck of the Kirin, causing Enel, Smoker, Drake, and others on board to look over.

Rorschach and Kizaru also looked at him.

Aramu instantly became the center of attention, and he really enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, his smile becoming even more arrogant.

"No problem, Zephyr will be yours, Wild Shepherd."

Luo Xia was also smiling, but for some reason, Huang Mu suddenly felt a chill.

Drake and Smoker turned their heads, their eyes filled with pity.

"Pulu pulu, pulu pulu".

Rorschach's Den Den Mushi watch suddenly rang, causing him to change his expression slightly. He reached out and lifted the watch cover, revealing a small silver Den Den Mushi inside.

Upon seeing the silver Den Den Mushi, both Kizaru and Aramaki, who were sitting next to him, were somewhat surprised.

A faint smile appeared on Luo Xia's face as he spoke to the Den Den Mushi on his wrist: "This is Lan Lin."

"It's me, Lan Lin. Where is your navy now?" Nasujuro Sei's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

Unlike ordinary Den Den Mushi, the silver Den Den Mushi in Rorschach's hand did not mimic the appearance of Nasujuro Sei; it only transmitted sound.

"We have entered Tottoland territory and are heading at full speed toward Gingerbread Island, the headquarters of the NEO Navy," Rorschach said truthfully.

"Great Saint Nassou! If you've come to inquire about the battle, please don't worry. We'll soon storm Zephyr's NEO Marine headquarters and wipe out those trashy rebels. I'll personally capture Zephyr and bring him before you..."

Aramaki's confident speech was interrupted by Nasujiro's impatient words before he could finish.

"No need! The operation to encircle and annihilate the NEO Navy is temporarily changed. The three of you will immediately lead the Navy to Soft Island within Totto Land at top speed and retrieve the Tremor-Tremor Fruit that has appeared on the island. Whoever tries to stop you, annihilate them all!"

"Huh? A last-minute change to the battle plan?" Huang Mu was stunned.

"The Tremor-Tremor Fruit? Really? That fruit has actually been reborn? And on Soft Island no less."

Kizaru's expression was somewhat intriguing as he turned to look at Rorschach.

After Rorschach accepted the order and hung up Nasujuro Sei's Den Den Mushi, he slowly said, "Rorschach, was this also within your expectations?"

"What are you saying? I'm shocked too. I didn't expect us to change such an important battle plan at the last minute. And, Whitebeard's Devil Fruit has actually been reborn? No wonder the Five Elders asked us to change the battle plan. If it's for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, then it makes sense. We can't let that kind of weapon, which is comparable to an ancient weapon, fall into the hands of pirates."

Rorschach, feigning surprise, abruptly stood up and waved his hand at Smoker and the others, ordering, "Smoker, Drake, Enel, pass down the order: the battle plan has been changed. We're heading to Soft Rock Island at full speed. Our target is the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. The entire island is infested with pirates. We'll launch a Buster Call-style attack on Soft Rock Island, annihilating every enemy we see, leaving no one alive!"

"Yes!" Smoker and the others finally relaxed, their faces showing excitement. They quickly opened the wide-area Den Den Mushi communication channel on the Kirin and explained the situation to the naval commanders on the surrounding warships.

"Soft Island is directly in front of us. All warships, maintain course, furl sails, start steam engines, and proceed at full speed. Everyone, prepare for battle!"

Hibari, the Navy Headquarters' best navigator at the moment, loudly issued the navigation order.

Suddenly, on the vast sea, warships quickly furled their sails, like a flock of seagulls folding their white wings.

In the engine room, marines were shoveling coal into the burning furnace with all their might, pumping air into the bellows to accelerate the combustion of the coal and generate powerful steam power to propel the warship's outer wheels, allowing the warship to continuously accelerate and follow behind the Kirin, speeding forward.

"Very well! In that case, I should also make some preparations for this battle in advance."

Rorschach grinned, revealing an excited smile.

Kizaru also stood up, scratched his head, and looked at him with a puzzled expression: "What do you want to do? We're still quite a distance from Matsuru Island."

"I know, I just wanted to charge up my railgun in advance."

"A railgun? What's that?"

Rorschach's words puzzled both Kizaru and Aramaki.

But soon, the two of them understood what Luo Xia meant by "energy storage".

Luo Xia casually took off his blue military uniform and white cloak, revealing a muscular body covered with various scars. With a light step, he shot off the Qilin like an arrow, rushing forward at a speed many times faster than the Qilin, and floated above the sea.

Then, his body, which was already so small as to be invisible to everyone else, suddenly swelled up, with countless thick tendons expanding out of his body as if inflated.

In an instant, a colossal, azure-blue Qilin beast, as large as a small mountain, appeared in everyone's sight.

Thick, blood-red thunderclouds continuously emerged from the Qilin beast's body, obscuring most of its form, making it resemble a sea monster emerging from the deep sea.

"Zizzizi..."

A crackling sound of electricity came from afar. Kizaru and Aramaki looked up and saw the colossal Qilin beast, as big as a small mountain, facing a certain spot directly in front of them, its dragon head mouth filled with fangs open.

The chaotic electrical noises were coming from the gaping maw of the Qilin beast.

Countless tiny electric currents flowed through the air within a radius of several thousand meters, or even tens of thousands of meters, causing the hair on the people on the warship below to stand up and their bodies to spasm as if they were being electrocuted.

Within the gaping maw of the colossal Qilin beast, a blinding sphere of light was rapidly gathering strength and gradually expanding.

Lightning emanating terrifying energy waves continuously converged from the giant beast's body, from the drifting crimson thunderclouds, and from the dark clouds hanging in the sky.