I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

In the ruins on the outskirts of the city.

Despite having the gun barrel pointed at him by Sieg, Aokiji didn't seem particularly nervous.

"As a great swordsman capable of cleaving through storms, are you now using firearms?"

"It seems your injuries are indeed extremely serious. Crocodile is right, you were already at your last gasp."

As Aokiji spoke calmly, the ice spikes that had been floating in mid-air beside him shot through the air like sharp arrows.

However, at the same moment, Sieg pulled the trigger.

A scorching heatwave erupted from the gun barrel, distorting the air and turning Sieg's face red.

If this place weren't already in ruins, the flamethrower would have been even more effective.

As Aokiji's ice spikes passed through the flames, they quickly melted away, the sharp edges gradually becoming rounded, and finally completely dissolving into a cloud of water vapor.

Only a few small ice balls pierced through the flames and struck Sieg, only slightly deforming his body before bouncing back with a "poof" and completely melting into the flames.

"Oh, that's why I hate desert environments the most..."

Aokiji stepped aside to avoid the flames of the flamethrower, the firelight reflecting off his face.

He glanced helplessly at the cracked earth and the weathered ruins around him.

Having used "Ice Age" for an extended period and withstood the aftermath of sandstorms, he had actually suffered considerable losses.

Arriving at the battlefield where Higuma and Crocodile were fighting made Aokiji, the user of the Ice-Ice Fruit, even more uncomfortable.

Crocodile previously used "Erosion Cycle" to essentially dry up the area, creating a sandstorm.

The air here is extremely dry, making it very difficult for the blue pheasant to create ice.

For Aokiji, this battlefield is arguably the worst environment he has ever faced.

"My strength was greatly depleted. Fighting in such harsh conditions, it makes perfect sense that I couldn't stop this powerful pirate, Higuma..."

Aokiji glanced sideways at Robin, who was hiding behind Sig, his gaze also becoming somewhat unfocused.

"That child from Ohara has grown so much..."

Robin had heard about Crocodile taking her from the West Blue to Alabasta some time ago, and had been secretly trying to find out Crocodile's background.

Therefore, the naval commander who responded to Kobra's report and rushed to arrest Sig was none other than Kuzan.

Aokiji hadn't expected that Robin would change owners so quickly.

"Ice Saber!"

Aokiji opened his mouth, his breath turning to ice, and a crystal-clear, sharp ice dagger was already in his hand, surrounded by icy aura.

He abandoned his Devil Fruit ability, which he was good at, and instead condensed ice into a military knife, preparing to engage in close combat with Sigurd, using his weakness to counter the strength of this great swordsman.

But as soon as he took a step, Aokiji's expression turned serious.

The sand beneath his feet seemed to collapse downwards, forming a quicksand vortex that completely surrounded him.

His feet were already deeply embedded in the quicksand vortex.

In addition, countless sandstorms rose from all directions, dancing in the wind and forming giant walls of yellow sand that blocked his view.

This sudden turn of events left Sieg momentarily stunned.

"Is it Crocodile's ability?"

Sig glanced instinctively in Crocodile's direction, only to see Crocodile still lying quietly in a pool of blood.

Are there other people?

Sig frowned and pondered for a moment, then activated his Observation Haki and glanced in a distant direction.

But then he saw Fujitora slowly sheathing his cane sword dozens of meters away.

The blind middle-aged man turned his head, closed his eyes, and looked at Sieg, muttering:

"I have witnessed the righteous actions of the bandits and the righteous words of the navy."

"It's a pity that this time, I won't have the chance to witness your sword of justice and sword of mercy, Sig."

As he said this, a faint smile gradually appeared on Fujitora's face.

"Go heal your wounds, Sieg. You've done enough."

Fujitora left those words behind and then remained silent, standing still.

"Was it Fujitora who made the move?"

Sieg appeared calm, but inwardly he felt somewhat bewildered.

what happened?

He didn't seem to have exchanged more than a few words with Fujitora, did he? Why did Fujitora seem so sentimental and even take the initiative to attack?

Although he didn't understand, Sieg didn't delve into it at this critical juncture. He immediately met up with Crocus, who was coming to meet him, and headed towards the port.

Before leaving, Sieg glanced at Crocodile, who was lying unconscious on the ground, and ordered his subordinates to take him with them.

"It's Sig!"

At first, the crowd on both sides looked at Sieg with a hint of fear when they saw him approaching.

But when they saw the hideous and terrifying wounds on Sieg's body, their initial fear was gradually replaced by shock.

Before them stood not some notorious criminal, but the hero who had saved the city.

What started as fear gradually transformed into reverence and emotion.

Later, some people were even laughing and waving at Sieg.

This positive response made Sieg feel somewhat uncomfortable.

........

far away.

Fujitora stood quietly in place, reaching out to gently touch the two scars he had carved himself on his eyelids.

"I used to think that not being able to see was a blessing, because there are just too many filthy and despicable people in the world that are unbearable to look at..."

At this point, a smile gradually appeared on Fujitora's face, and his closed eyes slowly opened, revealing a patch of white.

"A wanted criminal with a 400 million bounty, actually received a cheer from the crowds lining the streets...?"

"What kind of face does this man, who is known as the King of Mountain Bandits, have?"

"This time, I really want to open my eyes and see this pirate king of the sea, Sig."

Chapter 228 A+ Cards

The journey out of the rainy area went even more smoothly than Sieg had anticipated.

The crowd spontaneously made way for him, and looked at him with a sense of reverence, which made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Sig suddenly remembered that long ago, after the great fire in the Kingdom of Goa, the refugees had also seen similar looks.

After playing Li Jing and saving the city, Sieg, who returned to his identity as the bandit king, experienced a subtle sense of loss.

It wasn't until they reached the port area that Sieg was stopped by several people.

The group blocking their way was Cobra and Icarum's party.

“Mr. Sig, I am Cobra, the King of the Kingdom of Alabasta.”

Cobra's face was filled with gratitude at this moment:

"On behalf of the kingdom, I thank you for saving this city."

The king disregarded the status of both parties and, to the astonishment of Icarus and the others, bowed deeply to Sig.

"Alabasta will not forget its heroes."

"We would be grateful if Mr. Sig could make a trip to the capital, Alba, so that we may express our gratitude."

At this point, Cobra lowered his voice and said:

'We in Alabasta will also help cover up Mr. Sig's whereabouts.'

Sieg gave Cobra a deep look and said directly:

"No need for thanks."

"I'm just a bandit sailing the seas... not a hero."

After saying this, a thought popped into Sieg's mind.

There was indeed something in Alabasta's capital that attracted him...

Thinking of this, he did not completely refuse, but accepted the nautical chart of the waters surrounding Alabasta that Kobra took out.

Alabasta is an island nation, and its capital, Albana, is located on the other side of the island, not far from the coastline.

For Sieg, whose whereabouts had already been exposed to the navy, taking the sea route to Albana was actually faster and safer than crossing the desert over land.

Upon arriving at the port, Kro and the others who had stayed behind were already waiting on the deck.

"Destination: Albana, the capital of Alabasta. Depart at top speed."

Sieg immediately said:

"Cloth, it's time to go to work. You can't rest yet."

Sieg patted Kro on the shoulder, and with just one sentence, Kro, who had regained some energy, turned pale again.

However, upon seeing the two horrific wounds on Sig's waist and abdomen, Kro couldn't help but gasp, and the dissatisfaction that had just risen in his heart was quickly suppressed.

The sandstorm that swept across the entire area just now, and the scene of Sieg slicing through the sandstorm with his sword, could be clearly seen even from the port.

Even someone as powerful as Sieg suffered such severe injuries...

Kro suddenly realized that working overtime on the ship wasn't so bad.

At least we don't have to face any terrifyingly powerful enemies.

"So... Robin, what's your response?"

Sig turned around and looked at Robin behind him.