The Most Talented Pirate Hunter - Chapter 32
“I’m alive.”
In a wooden tub filled with boiling water, Hermes soaked, his entire body once again covered in frost. The cold had penetrated deep into his bones.
His movements were stiff, and his blood flow was sluggish.
His lips were trembling.
The hot water was just what he needed to soothe himself, and it felt incredibly comfortable.
Gradually.
The stiffness in his body began to ease, and Hermes finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He was alive.
If it weren’t for his Armament Haki, he might have actually died.
This time, although he had brushed past death, the awakening of his Armament Haki more than compensated for the danger. Hermes saw it as a win.
If he had to choose again, he would still choose Armament Haki.
Now, he had both Observation and armor haki, the essential abilities of a strong fighter. He had also mastered Iron Body and Finger Gun from the Six Powers, needing only the other techniques and Life Return.
His Mini-Mini Fruit was also developing steadily.
His era was beginning. Once he mastered these abilities and trained them to their utmost limits—perhaps to an unprecedented level—he would be poised to dominate.
Not to mention Haki, but the Six Powers, especially Life Return, seemed like a cheat code to Hermes.
Perfect control over one’s body.
Could it mean cellular regeneration, accelerated metabolism, perpetual motion, absolute defense, limb regeneration, immortality, and so on? The potential was vast.
As long as he dared to imagine and develop, these possibilities might not be dreams but attainable goals.
Especially in this world, the body was everything. Haki, physical techniques, Devil Fruits—they all relied on the body. So Hermes had a clear goal: master the Six Powers and awaken Life Return.
Once he accomplished these, he could truly soar.
For several days.
The capital was unusually quiet, especially with pirates no longer acting as arrogantly as before. They all feared that Kuzan might still be around. If any of their men provoked him, it would mean annihilation.
Even if it wasn’t Kuzan, any vice admiral would be more than they could handle.
Vice admirals might not be the strongest at the top of the pyramid, but they were absolute powerhouses at the middle and lower levels.
Don’t underestimate vice admirals; they are seasoned warriors.
Hermes spent these days healing, getting familiar with his Armament Haki, training his physical abilities, and developing his Devil Fruit powers.
Meanwhile, the situation in the royal palace was becoming more intense.
The eldest prince had allied with the Scythe Pirates, putting pressure on Elizabeth II. The question of who would become the king of Provence Kingdom might be resolved in the next few days.
The Violent Family hadn’t given up on finding Hermes either.
Once he was healed.
Hermes went out, immediately indulging in a hearty meal.
He headed to a nearby tavern, ordering a large amount of food, mostly meat.
“Have you heard? Two days ago, the third prince almost got killed by the eldest prince. He escaped the palace and is now missing!”
“Shh, keep it down!”
“I heard about it too. Looks like the eldest prince will be the new king of Prodence Kingdom!”
“The people of Prodence Kingdom are doomed. The eldest prince is known for being brutal.”
“What a pity! The kingdom will have a tyrant.”
Many pirates and townsfolk were discussing it.
Those with some capital or ability to resist could always move to another kingdom. As long as the atrocities didn’t happen to them, they didn’t care.
The ones who suffered the most were the common people.
They were already living in dire conditions, and with the eldest prince on the throne, things would only get worse.
It was a hopeless situation.
Hermes sat by the window, munching on a leg of meat and listening intently. Today, he sported a slicked-back hairstyle, which suited him well and made him look more mature.
It added to his cold, commanding presence.
An hour later.
Hermes, still gnawing on a large leg of meat, headed toward the Violent Family’s base. He was ready for a fight.
Entering an alley filled with garbage and stray dogs and cats.
The light was dim.
Halfway through, Hermes noticed someone near a pile of foul-smelling trash. The person was badly injured, breathing heavily while leaning against a wall.
Sensing movement, the person warily stared at Hermes.
Hermes continued walking, not intending to intervene. However, as he passed by, he paused and handed the person his half-eaten meat.
In his first few months after crossing over, he had been in a similarly miserable state.
Back then, he hadn’t met any kind-hearted people. Instead, he had been bullied by beggars and thugs. Only Hermes himself knew how tough those days were.
Luckily, he had managed to rise above it.
Having experienced such hardships, Hermes was driven to climb higher and gain more power.
“Thank you!”
Elizabeth II was stunned, looking at the offered meat. Something he would have once scorned was now incredibly precious.
Yes.
He was Elizabeth II. Two days ago, he had been severely injured by his brother’s ambush and was now starving and cold.
Taking the meat and thanking Hermes, Elizabeth II began devouring it.
“Leave your name. I will repay you someday.”
Seeing Hermes about to leave, Elizabeth II swallowed his food, his expression serious.
“Hermes Yermengarde.”
Hermes straightforwardly gave his name. Unlike others who did good deeds without leaving their name, he knew this was the world of One Piece. This guy might rise to prominence and help him someday.
Besides, Hermes could tell this person, though down and out, wasn’t an ordinary person or beggar based on his clothes and bearing.
Leaving his name didn’t cost anything.
“Yermengarde.”
Elizabeth II didn’t initially react. As Hermes walked away, realization struck him. No wonder the name sounded familiar.
Could it be…
“Are you the pirate hunter Hermes Yermengarde who killed Explosive Rabbit?”
It was as if he saw hope.
Elizabeth II, despite his pain, pushed himself up against the wall and called out to Hermes urgently.
If this was indeed Yermengarde, with his help, he could reclaim the throne.
Hermes paused and turned to look calmly at Elizabeth II.
“I am Elizabeth Zhan Luo, the third prince of this country.”
“If you are indeed the pirate hunter who killed Explosive Rabbit, please help me. If I become king, I will surely repay you.”
Elizabeth II wasted no time revealing his identity and making a promise.
Hermes didn’t speak, just sized up Elizabeth II, contemplating the coincidence and whether to help him.
After some thought.
Helping him become king offered more advantages than disadvantages. With some maneuvering, he might even get the other Six Powers from the Navy.
Although he had already looted the palace, this guy might have royal secrets or unexpected treasures.
Plus, he was bored. If he wasn’t fighting, he was on his way to a fight. Helping this guy wouldn’t hurt.
This deal was worth making.
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