Chapter 423: The Treasure Tree Adam and the Forest-Forest Fruit = ?
"Is there a battle up there?"
"From the looks of it, it should be Shanks and your people fighting."
Under the vast white sky, a giant suspension bridge connected the snowy cliffs to the Yang Realm of the Treasure Tree Adam, with no sign of swaying in the cold wind.
Gaban looked at the end of the suspension bridge and said with a light laugh to the puzzled Zoro.
Above, Luffy was squatting on the thick iron chains, curiously looking at the forest below, having sensed a certain powerful presence.
The moment he heard Red-Hair's name, he couldn't be bothered with his previous discovery and hurriedly jumped down from the iron chains.
"Uncle Shan, can you feel the presence up there? Who is Shanks fighting?"
"It's a presence I don't recognize, so I can't identify them."
Gaban explained with a smile.
"I see. Then let's hurry up and go. Hee hee hee, I can't wait to see Shanks."
Luffy quickened his pace and ran forward with excitement.
Watching him run past, Zoro sighed helplessly.
"Then wouldn't it have been better for you to just take the boat up? The booze is all gone, and this place is freezing."
"Who drinks like you in broad daylight?"
Usopp complained speechlessly, then went forward and followed Luffy.
Under the snowy sky, all things had fallen silent.
In the forest below, at the base of the Treasure Tree Adam, a super-giant was nailed to the tree trunk with Seastone shackles and chains, tightly bound and unable to move.
Loki looked up at the suspension bridge in the sky, his eyepatch covering his eyes, but he could still accurately look in the direction of Luffy and the others.
In the Yang Realm, in the arena of Elbaf where a giant sword was stabbed into the ground.
After standing up again, Kid's two eyes, under the stinging pain of his wounds, became even more ferocious. Blood trickled down his right shoulder and dripped from his arm.
Although he was unwilling to admit it, the brief exchange was enough for him to feel the gap in their strength. At this moment, a trace of wavering suddenly arose in the depths of Kid's heart.
It was not the fear of Red-Hair's great strength, but the fear of the price of failure, the price he would have to face.
He, Killer, Heat, and Wire, four gangsters who had come out of the streets, had formed a pirate crew and had gone out to sea together, fought, recruited companions, and had braved countless hurricanes and giant waves to get to where they were.
They had already established an incomparably deep bond. But now, it was to be shattered because of his one failure...
Kid clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to think about these things, but this fear in the depths of his heart was like a nightmare that haunted him.
After the hot-headed impulsive rush had disappeared, the slightly more rational Kid finally began to waver.
Without a doubt, this was the most pressure-filled fight he had faced since he had set out to sea. He no longer had the thought of "at worst, I'll just die".
He couldn't help but look back at his companions behind him. They were also looking at him, their eyes full of worry, and also a hidden trust in him.
At this moment, Kid's gaze became a little dazed. He suddenly realized that, unconsciously, he had already shouldered so many heavy things.
So.
Even if he had to stake his life on it, he absolutely could not fail.
"Urgh, aaah!!!"
Kid gritted his teeth and let out a hoarse roar at the sky. Electric arcs exploded around his body, and the invisible magnetic force even twisted and deformed his mechanical arm.
Bang!!
He slammed his palm on the ground, and a circle of purple annular current vibrated out!
"Electromagnetic Storm!"
With an explosive roar, the large number of weapons in the field vibrated violently under the magnetic pull. The next moment, those cold weapons shot out in a concentrated barrage, forming a metal tornado around Red-Hair.
A dense web of cold weapons was woven into a curtain, completely obscuring the situation inside.
Never mind an ordinary person, even a giant whose body was countless times stronger than an ordinary person's would be easily cut into mincemeat if they were trapped inside.
However.
Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and the others behind him all had relaxed expressions, not in the least bit worried about Red-Hair.
Even Kid himself knew that this level was not enough to trap the other.
While the metal storm was raging, he raised his right hand, and his palm created an electromagnetic pull that drew a large number of metals to fly towards him.
Clang—Clang—Clang!
All sorts of metal weapons were deformed and reassembled in the air, combining in a precise and seamless structure.
Although he was reckless and had a fiery temper, in terms of mechanical construction, Kid was definitely a genius with extremely high talent, his skill by no means inferior to Franky's.
Under his control, those metal parts were pieced together into sharp teeth, sharp claws, and the body of a ferocious beast gradually took shape.
"Jiki: Maryū!!" (Magnetism: Demon Dragon!!)
The scales, composed of blades, glinted with a metallic luster. They were layered on the body of the silver long dragon. The sharp hooks and claws shone with a cold light. The sharp spikes that pierced out from various parts of its body made this punk-style mechanical dragon look even more ferocious and evil.
Kid flipped and jumped onto the head of the mechanical dragon.
"That thing is so cool!"
A golden light shone in Franky's two eyes.
Even the people in the opposite camp, Yasopp and the others, couldn't help but admire it.
"Whoa—not bad. Can he even make something like this?"
"I didn't expect that guy to be this kind of talent."
Suddenly, a terrifying aura erupted from the metal storm. A pressuring impact shook everyone's souls. They saw a flash of crimson light from within.
The next moment.
Zing—!!
A flying slash shot up into the sky, its majestic momentum as if it would cut the sky in two!
Boom!!
The raging electromagnetic storm was torn apart and destroyed. A violent explosion of impact, and a large number of metal fragments were sent flying.
The people outside the field all raised their hands to cover their faces. The howling wind made it difficult for them to open their eyes, and the dissipating Haki made countless people unable to even stand steady.
Only a few could look at the red figure in the field without changing their expression.
Red-Hair's two eyes were as cold as a blade. He held his Western sword, Gryphon, and slowly strode out. The aura on his body was completely different from before.
And on the other side, Kid, riding the demon dragon, raised its head high. The moment Red-Hair appeared, the demon dragon opened its mouth to reveal its sharp fangs and bit down fiercely!
Red-Hair's body bent downwards. His movements were seemingly slow but actually fast. When the mechanical demon dragon was close, his figure instantly disappeared from the spot!
Boom!!
The steel fangs, under the effect of the magnetic force, had a terrifyingly strong bite. They easily tore through the hard ground of the Treasure Tree Adam, sending wood chips flying.
However, Kid's brow furrowed. He could only feel that his attack had missed, but he couldn't capture Red-Hair's figure at all.
Before he could start looking around, the mechanical dragon under his feet trembled. A flash of electric light, and Red-Hair, at an extremely fast speed, streaked from under the mechanical dragon to its tail. The sword in his hand left an afterimage in the space.
Hiss—!!
A piercing, sharp sound of a blade tearing through steel. A red light bloomed from the mechanical dragon's steel body.
Boom!! Boom!! Boom!!
The giant mechanical demon dragon, from head to tail, disintegrated. Metal parts were shattered and exploded. The explosive impact sent Kid's entire person flying.
Red-Hair's movements did not stop. He stepped on a branch that was hanging horizontally in the air, bent his knees and squatted down, turned, and with a mighty push, he dragged his longsword and killed his way back.
"Damn it!"
Kid roared in a low voice. The magnetic demon dragon he had painstakingly created had been unexpectedly so fragile in the other's hands.
Faced with the rapidly approaching Red-Hair, he's eyes hardened. He extended his left arm, and his palm was wrapped in a ferocious mechanical dragon's head.
He had unleashed an all-out electromagnetic storm to buy time for other moves. He naturally had more than just one clumsy mechanical demon dragon.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The dragon's head in his palm transformed into a cannon muzzle. The immense power, with electromagnetic force as its kinetic energy, successively fired several spiral steel spikes!
Swish—!
The hard spikes pierced through the air, carrying a terrifying kinetic energy as they shot at Red-Hair.
Then, an electric arc flashed on the mechanical dragon's head in Kid's hand, and it began to charge and gather power at high speed.
Clang!!
Clang!!
Red-Hair swung his sword and deflected the fired attacks one by one. His eyes were extremely calm. His Observation Haki, which was far superior to his opponent's, had already taken in all of Kid's movements.
After cutting down the spikes, Red-Hair landed on the ground. His feet tapped rapidly, and his figure, like a ghost, closed in on Kid.
"Jiki Myakuhaku: Ryūhō Jūhō!!" (Magnetic Pulse: Dragon Howl Heavy Cannon!!)
A dazzling light bloomed. Kid let out an explosive roar. The mechanical dragon's head in his hand opened its mouth and spewed out a beam of purple energy, piercing straight through space!
Red-Hair's longsword was raised. His eyes turned cold, and Haki coiled around his blade. His figure instantly disappeared from in front of the shooting energy cannon!
Boom!!!
The power of this attack was beyond everyone's imagination. The moment it landed on the ground, the terrifyingly high temperature immediately set the thick branch of the Treasure Tree Adam on fire.
"This is bad!"
"The Treasure Tree Adam is on fire!"
Seeing this, Dorry and the others' faces all turned pale with panic.
And when Red-Hair appeared again, he was already in front of Kid, his Haki-wreathed blade mercilessly chopping down!
With his already exaggerated speed and his unpredictable characteristic, once he got close to an opponent, there was absolutely no possibility of dodging.
"Jiki Hanpatsu!!" (Magnetic Repulsion!!)
Kid hurriedly shot out his hand and aimed at the Gryphon. A powerful magnetic force was explosively released. This was the only last struggle he could make.
Squelch—
The sword tip pierced his flesh. The blade, which was wreathed in Haki on all sides, greatly weakened the effect of the magnetic force, and it fiercely cut down from Kid's shoulder!
A spray of blood flew out. A shocking gash extended over his entire upper body. Kid opened his mouth and exploded with a mouthful of blood.
At the last moment, Kid gritted his teeth and slapped his right palm on the other's shoulder. A strange power was instantly imprinted on Red-Hair's body.
"Jiki Fuyo: Sekiryoku Myaku!!" (Magnetism Grant: Repulsive Pulse!!)
Zing—!
A cold glint flashed. Kid's movement came to an abrupt end. His widened eyes' pupils trembled violently.
Half an arm, with a trail of blood, slowly flew up. When this scene was reflected in his eyes, the terrifying repulsive force had not yet exploded before it dissipated from his hand.
"My right arm has been!!"
"Kid!!"
Killer and the others had ashen faces as they cried out in terror.
The giants behind them also cried out in panic.
"The Treasure Tree Adam is on fire!!"
"Put it out! Quick, call the fire brigade!!"
"What do we do, leaders! Quick, stop them!"
In an instant, the entire field was in a mess. A giant cried out in a panic, but did not directly rush into the duel field.
"This..."
Dorry and Brogy frowned and exchanged a look, their faces troubled. A duel was sacred and inviolable. It was truly difficult for them to intervene.
But now the Treasure Tree Adam was burning right in front of them. If they didn't hurry up and enter the field to stop the fire from spreading, by the time the fire brigade arrived, even the surrounding branches would probably be affected.
Seeing this, Nami looked left and right in a panic, and finally looked at Reiner, who was standing behind and not saying a word. She found that he was just watching quietly, unmoved.
Nami raised an eyebrow and cast an inquiring look.
Reiner glanced away and shrugged, indicating that she didn't need to bother.
He had the ability to stop the fire from spreading and even put it out without affecting the battle. It was just a matter of casually sprinkling some sand.
But he wouldn't.
If the two's battle was interrupted by this, he would also have indirectly saved Kid's crew. Compared to Red-Hair, who he didn't know at all, he was definitely a little more partial to Kid.
The duel was their own decision. Reiner would not interfere. The tree burning was also none of his business.
Anyway, even if it burned until only the trunk was left, he also had the Forest-Forest Fruit's ability to make the Treasure Tree Adam grow branches and leaves again.
Wait a minute.
To make the Treasure Tree Adam grow branches and leaves again...?
Holy shit! A huge business opportunity!
Reiner's two eyes suddenly widened. All other matters were thrown to the back of his mind. His eyes were only filled with greed and desire for the Treasure Tree Adam.
Genius! Fucking genius!
Devil Fruits are simply the best gift heaven has given to mankind!
At the side.
Looking at the suddenly excited Reiner, Nami frowned, her eyes instantly narrowing, her face completely bewildered.
What's wrong with this guy?
"Nami."
"What?"
"We're going to get rich again."
"Eh?!"
Before Nami's puzzled but surprised gaze, Reiner smiled mysteriously, summoned his Frieren undead, and used the branch at his feet to give her a demonstration.
"See? As long as we first do this, and then that..."
"—Hiss! In other words!"
Seeing the small branch that had grown from the ground, Nami's eyes widened, and she sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.
Cut it and it regrows, it regrows and you cut it, cut it and it regrows...
An infinite cycle!!
Nami instantly had a pair of money eyes, and she was immersed in a beautiful fantasy of the future with a dazed expression.
In the chaotic scene, no one had noticed this pair of somewhat strange man and woman.
While the giants were struggling in their hearts, at a critical moment in the fight, Red-Hair suddenly stopped his movements and gave up the battle that he could have ended in less than three moves.
"It seems we can only stop here for today."
"Wait a minute! What do you mean!"
Seeing Red-Hair preparing to sheathe his sword, Kid's expression was angry as he shouted.
However, the seriousness on Red-Hair's face during the battle was gone. He instead looked at the raging fire around him and smiled, not caring.
"Well, you've seen it. This tree's status in Elbaf is not ordinary. Even if we're fighting, we shouldn't cause trouble for others."
"Of course, don't misunderstand. I'm not saying today is the end of it."
Red-Hair sheathed his Gryphon, turned to look at Kid, and said:
"The battle is not over. I'll be waiting for your next challenge. The stakes are the same."
With that, Red-Hair didn't bother with him anymore, but instead waved at Beckman and the others.
"Don't just stand there, hey! Hurry up and come and help put out the fire!"
"You're a fine one to talk, boss."
"Yeah. I wonder who caused the fire."
"Hahaha! Let's go, let's go! Let's go and help!"
(End of chapter)