One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 41
Chaos erupted on Saintess Island.
When the Buster Call fleet was spotted, the ships were already within fifty miles of Saintess Island. At that distance, they would arrive in less than half an hour.
“Hurry! Hurry!”
“We need to evacuate immediately!”
“How did we get discovered? And why now? Our last supply trip was a month ago, and no one has left the island recently!”
“No unfamiliar ships approached either…”
“Could it be Saintess…”
“What nonsense! How could the Saintess not notice if she was being followed?!”
“It seems attacking the Celestial Dragons directly was too impulsive after all…”
“Bastard! Are you blaming the Saintess?!”
Various shouts mingled as the notified members of the revolutionary army quickly moved to the docked ships, amidst many panic-stricken and clueless children running alongside.
Over the years, Sapphire had not only rescued many slaves but also adopted many children.
Some were in their teens, others as young as two or three, all of them wandering orphans in situations similar to what she and Gerard once faced. Sapphire provided these orphans with the home she and Gerard had longed for, teaching them to read and basic training.
Her body transformed into a snow-like lightness, and white snow wings sprouted between her arms. As she floated in the air, she ‘looked’ at the moving group, ensuring no one was left behind.
Some of the happenings below caused her to frown slightly. Disaster reveals true character; some revolutionary army members grabbed several children and sped up their pace, maintaining order. But others only cared about their own escape, even pushing or cursing at children who got in their way!
She knew that the slaves captured by the slave ships varied, some being ferocious pirates before being captured. They had different motives for following her, with some even hoping to make her the ‘captain of a powerful pirate crew.’ They often complained about her only attacking slave ships, not to mention her bold attack on the Celestial Dragons.
She had considered purging the group but ultimately did not act. The formation of the revolutionary army was indeed her own idea, not pushed by others. She hoped to guide everyone this way, but now it seemed there wasn’t enough time, or perhaps…
“I guess I just don’t have that kind of ability.”
With her assistance in the air, the revolutionary army quickly transferred to the docked ships amidst the chaos.
There were actually not many people, including children, barely over three hundred. Calling them a revolutionary army was more like a motley crew without Sapphire’s involvement. One large captured slave ship could fit them all, making the Buster Call feel like using a cannon to kill mosquitoes.
“Hurry! Hurry! Turn the rudder! Set sail!”
“It’s too late! We’re not going to make it!”
Ten steel behemoths appeared on the horizon, their cannons aimed at them!
…
“We’re not going to make it!” On the other side, the disheveled Mia stood with Figo at the bow of the ship, her face solemn. “What now? We’re still a hundred miles from Witch Island, but the Buster Call fleet is probably almost there!”
The weather in the New World changed suddenly and unpredictably. It was Figo’s first time leaving the Calm Belt, and he experienced this bizarre phenomenon firsthand. The sudden storm had no warning, catching even him off guard. Even stranger was the fact that there were winds and rain, but no rain clouds in the sky, making it impossible to cut through with his sword. The delay had cost them two hours of travel time.
Navigation Skill: 11212
Level 4: Navigation Expert!
Figo’s navigation skill was actually quite high, one of the few skills above level four. After all, most pirates at sea knew some navigation skills. It was like physical fitness; everyone had it, and the drop rate was high.
But this number was still virtual. There was no sudden influx of navigation knowledge into Figo’s mind. Like receiving swordsmanship benefits, Figo would rapidly improve when practicing, and navigation skills probably required a lot of practice to convert into actual benefits.
Perhaps… he needed to read some navigation books? Figo made a mental note. The inexplicable weather changes were truly a hindrance!
Now he could only…
“I’ll go ahead.” Figo said.
Mia was stunned, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll give you a boost. Be careful, Figo.”
She crossed her hands in front of her chest, and a giant hand grew from the deck behind her, palm up—Flower Giant Wheel!
Seeing this, Figo jumped onto the hand. The giant hand sank slightly, then, with greater speed and immense force, launched Figo like a cannonball!
Having become a vice admiral, Mia’s devil fruit was deeply developed. This throw had immense power, sending Figo over a thousand meters instantly. Figo used Moonwalk, stepping through the air several times, leveraging the force to fly another three to five kilometers before descending.
Thinking he would have to swim the remaining distance, Mia was shocked by what she saw next.
Figo, landing on the water, flowed his golden Armament Haki through his feet and started running across the sea at high speed without sinking!
“How is this possible?”
Many strong users of flowing Armament Haki existed, but no one had ever heard of someone running on the sea with it!
It wasn’t just the flowing Armament Haki; Figo also used two techniques simultaneously—Life Return to lighten his body and Fish-Man Karate to strike the water for propulsion!
As a traveler, he had long wondered if he could develop a technique like the one in Naruto to walk on water, making it convenient and avoiding swimming.
The result was… no.
Standing still wasn’t possible. He had to run at the fastest speed and it was extremely draining, only suitable for short-distance quick travel.
But it was several times faster than swimming!
…
Outside Saintess Island.
The ship carrying the entire revolutionary army had turned and sailed out, but the ten giant ships were even closer, pulling them into the range of their cannons.
“We’re not going to make it! We’re not going to make it!”
“How did they find us?”
“This scale… is it the legendary Buster Call? Damn marines!”
“What do we do, Saintess!”
“Let’s fight them!”
“Up ahead! What’s that?”
Sapphire tilted her head, showing a bit of surprise and confusion. Using her Observation Haki, she quickly found the small, panic-stricken blond boy, Jibeck, and walked over to comfort him. She took a pendant from her bosom and hung it around his neck.
“It looks like you’re going to be someone important, Jibeck. Keep it safe.”
“Saint… Saintess?”
“Is that… a person? How is that possible! Someone is running on the sea?!” Finally, someone saw what was coming towards them.
This discovery made them momentarily forget the approaching ships on the side. Naturally, Doug, CP0, and others on the ships saw Figo too.
The silver-haired CP0 furrowed his brows slightly, but his action of raising the golden Den Den Mushi did not stop.
“All units, target the enemy ship!”
The officers with sharp eyesight hesitated slightly upon hearing the order. They saw the blind witch, the revolutionary army, and many young children on the ship. When they set out, they were not told about this…
But after a brief pause, they executed the order. The cannons of the ships aimed at the opposing large ship.
The shouting on the ship paused for a moment. Most of the revolutionary army members turned pale, feeling the shadow of death looming. A few roared to boost their courage, ready to fight!
Sapphire walked to the front, looking at the warships’ cannons. Half-drawing her sword, cold air rose from the blade.
Running on the sea, Figo’s right leg suddenly swelled, doubling in thickness, preparing to kick.
The silver-haired CP0 opened his mouth.
Boom!!
Suddenly, a fist from the side interrupted him! CP0 spun and fell into the water, the golden Den Den Mushi thrown up, caught by a large hand!
“Don’t fire!” Doug brought the Den Den Mushi to his mouth, shouting, “I will take full responsibility for the consequences! Blind Witch, this is Vice Admiral Doug of Marine Headquarters! You have no escape! Surrender immediately, and I promise on my life that all the children on your ship will be safely taken care of. Not one innocent life will be harmed!”
“Vice Admiral Doug?!” The fleet was in an uproar.
The revolutionary army was stunned.
Vice Admiral Doug laughed heartily, then heavily smashed the golden Den Den Mushi on the ground, “As a teacher, I can’t let my student bear everything! What leaving a legacy in the navy’s history? I… have no need for it anymore! Hahahaha!”
At this moment, he was spirited, as if he had returned to his prime forty years ago!
“Sigh, I guessed you would choose to do this, teacher.” A figure flashed beside him, and Figo said helplessly, “Be confident. This way, you might become a negative example in the navy’s history. Why suffer with me?”
Is that so? The heroic pose lasted less than three seconds.
The old man’s face crumpled, almost in tears.
“…You brat!”
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