Meanwhile.
Outside Mt. Colubo's dense jungle, on the main road of the Goa Kingdom.
Otriluk III and his group of defeated soldiers were scrambling, fleeing in a frantic rush.
This nobleman, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, now lacked any semblance of elegance.
His luxurious robes were torn to shreds by tree branches, his face was smeared with dirt and cold sweat, and his hair was disheveled, making him look like a beggar who had escaped from a garbage mountain.
"Useless!"
As he ran, he angrily roared at the equally disheveled guards behind him.
"All of you are useless!"
"Did the kingdom's salary only feed you good-for-nothings who can't even defeat a commoner?!"
The guards' faces were pale, and they lowered their heads, not daring to retort.
The shadow of death cast by those eight grotesque tentacles still loomed in their hearts.
That White-haired Youth… he wasn't human at all!
He was a demon!
As Otriluk III cursed, he also realized this problem.
He stopped, leaning against a tree, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently with anger and fear.
He knew.
Relying on his own strength, relying on these useless guards, he would never be able to get revenge in this lifetime.
That man's power had already exceeded his understanding!
But, should he just let it go?
The thought of his own humiliating display—being scared witless and begging for mercy in front of his son and those two little brats—sent an uncontrollable surge of humiliation and malice from the depths of his heart!
No!
He absolutely couldn't just let it go!
When had Otriluk III, the most noble aristocrat of the Goa Kingdom, ever suffered such a grave insult!
"Marine…"
A crazy thought flashed in his crimson eyes.
"Yes! The Marine!"
He suddenly straightened up, a sinister smile appearing on his twisted face.
"No matter how strong you are, can you be stronger than the World Government? Can you be stronger than the Marine's warships and cannons?!"
"I will report you! I will use all my connections to report you to the Marine!"
"I'll say that Mt. Colubo hides an extremely dangerous thug with Devil Fruit abilities!"
"I'll make Marineford send warships! To capture you, and those three little rats, all of you! To send you all to the gallows!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, as if he could already see White Night and Ace's three brothers being captured by the Marine, kneeling and begging for mercy before him.
"Hurry!" he roared at a trembling Guard Captain beside him, "Go to the nearest Marine base immediately! Use my name! Say that the Goa Kingdom has discovered a major threat capable of endangering the peace of the East Blue!"
"I want to make sure there's no place for them to hide on this vast ocean!"
...Three small figures hugged each other tightly.
Crying, shouting, and the joy of being reunited after being lost, echoed in the small forest.
White Night leaned against a tree, expressionlessly finishing the last chip.
He accurately tossed the empty bag into a tree hollow nearby, then clapped the crumbs from his hands.
"Hey."
He spoke lazily, interrupting the touching drama of brotherly reunion.
"Have you hugged enough?"
"Keep hugging, and it'll be dark soon."
Ace suddenly lifted his head from his two brothers' shoulders, roughly wiping his face with his sleeve, his red eyes burning with an unprecedented fire.
"Boss!"
He roared at White Night, his voice astonishingly loud.
"Our tuition!"
"We'll take you to get it now!"
Luffy also let go of Sabo, lifting his snotty, tear-stained, foolish face and nodding vigorously.
"Yes! Get the money! We want to get stronger!"
Sabo also stood up straight; he looked at White Night, and though there was still a hint of timidity in his clear blue eyes, there was more of a firm resolve, like one who had been broken and rebuilt.
He also wanted to get stronger!
He never wanted to be the one who could only watch, unable to do anything, again!
White Night pouted.
"Finally remembering the main business."
A moment later.
Deep within the Styx, inside the giant, hollowed-out tree trunk.
Ace and Sabo worked together, grunting and heaving, to drag out a heavy treasure chest.
With a "thump," it was placed before White Night.
"Boss Bai Ye! Look!"
Ace opened the chest as if presenting a treasure, his small face full of pride.
The chest was filled with Berries that the three brothers had painstakingly gathered and "scavenged" from various places over the years.
There were loose coins and stacks of banknotes; though disorganized, the amount was substantial.
This was the starting point of their dreams.
It was their entire savings, which they had agreed to use to buy a ship and sail out to sea in pursuit of freedom.
"It's all here!"
Sabo pointed to the chest, his tone incredibly solemn.
"One million Berries! Not a single one missing!"
Luffy was sprawled on the edge of the chest, drooling, his eyes filled with money symbols.
"So much money!"
White Night merely glanced at it lazily.
He reached out and casually raked through the pile of money, making a rustling sound.
"Tsk."
"You brats actually managed to collect it."
He didn't even bother to count it, just waved his hand.
The entire chest full of Berries vanished into thin air, right before the three brothers' astonished eyes.
"I've received the money."
White Night stretched, his bones cracking with a series of pops.
"So, the deal is done."
Ace, Luffy, and Sabo all held their breath simultaneously, their eyes wide and unblinking, staring at White Night.
Excitement!
Nervousness!
And an extreme anticipation for the unknown!
White Night looked at their expressions, which resembled little puppies waiting for food, and found it amusing.
Slowly, he conjured a translucent system panel in the void that only he could see.
[Beginner Dungeon Library]
Rows of various dungeon options were listed like a menu.
White Night's gaze swept across them.
[Dungeon Name: Zombie Siege]
[Difficulty: Beginner]
[Description: Survive in a city full of walking corpses.]
"No, no." White Night shook his head inwardly, "Too bloody, might leave psychological trauma on kids. And if they get bitten, I'd have to waste my energy purifying them, a losing business."
He looked further down.
[Dungeon Name: Academy City Disciplinary Committee Experience Card]
[Difficulty: Beginner]
[Description: Assist the Disciplinary Committee in maintaining peace and justice in Academy City.]
"This is even more ridiculous." White Night's mouth twitched, "Let these three brats be Disciplinary Committee members? If they don't turn Academy City upside down, I lose."
His finger continued to slide down.
One dungeon after another was mercilessly passed over.
Too simple, no training effect.
Too complex, these three aren't smart enough.
Too dangerous, easy to kill the clients.
Choosing things for kids is just troublesome.
Suddenly.
His finger paused.
His gaze fell on a newly refreshed dungeon with a "NEW" tag.
East Blue, Marine 16th Branch Base.
In a messy office, Marine Captain Rat, with his sneaky, rat-like appearance, was sprawled across a greasy desk, opening a large briefcase.
Inside were neatly stacked piles of brand new Berries!
"Hehehe... Hehehehe..."
Captain Rat let out an extremely unsettling laugh. He extended his thin, dry hand and caressed the banknotes again and again, as if stroking a lover.
He even grabbed a stack, placed it under his nose, and took a deep breath, a morbidly intoxicated expression on his face.
"Ah... This smell!"
"This smell of money! It's so damn fragrant!"
Just then, the Old Butler of the Outluck family stood silently at the office door.
He was dressed in an impeccable tuxedo, completely out of place in the dirty environment. He frowned slightly, covering his nose with a handkerchief, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.
"Captain, sir."
The Old Butler spoke coldly.
"It appears the funds are correct."
"That's right! Of course, they're correct!"
Rat suddenly looked up, his small eyes gleaming with greed. He looked at the Old Butler, his face creased with a smile.
"five million berries! Not a single Berries less! Please give my regards to Mr. Outluck! He truly is a generous big shot! Hehehe!"
The Old Butler completely ignored his enthusiasm, his voice still flat and uninflected, yet carrying an undeniable pressure.
"My master hopes to hear the news he desires within a week."
"Got it, got it! Why the rush!"
Rat impatiently waved his hand. He slammed the money-filled case shut with a "thud," hugged it tightly to his chest, then kicked his chair away and propped his crossed legs on the desk.
He picked his ear with his pinky finger and said carelessly:
"Who do you think I am? I'm a Marine Captain; I catch countless guys like that every day."
The Old Butler finally nodded with satisfaction, but the disdain in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
"Very good."
He turned to leave, dropping a light remark.
"I look forward to your good news, Captain Rat."
Mt. Colubo, cliff at the summit.
Whoosh—
The strong wind howled, swirling fallen leaves everywhere.
"I'm coming—!"
Luffy's characteristic silly laugh pierced the sky. He spread his arms and leaped from the cliff edge without hesitation!
Behind him, a pair of dark red Wings of Wind unfurled with a "swish"!
He shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, gliding towards the dense forest below the mountain!
"This idiot!"
Ace pouted, cursing under his breath, but his body honestly followed him down.
A pair of even more vibrant, fiery red Wings of Wind, burning like flames, unfurled behind him. His gliding posture was much more stable and swift than Luffy's.
Finally, it was Sabo.
Wearing his goggles, he glanced at his two brothers, who had already become two small black dots below, a helpless smile playing on his lips.
Pale green Wings of Wind unfurled, and he, like an elegant bird, pursued them with the most stable posture.
These past few days, the three brothers had practically treated the nearby pirates as mobile ATMs!
They caught them and sent them to the Marine branch, not keeping a single Berries of the money they received, giving it all to White Night in exchange for opportunities to enter the dungeon.
That guy White Night had also become shrewd.
The first time was an opening promotion, one million Berries for a package deal for three.
Now?
Clearly priced, no deception, one million per head!
Want to go in?
Fine, three million heads on the ground!
This directly led to the three brothers' hunting activities becoming even crazier, making the pirates in the nearby waters turn pale at the mention of "Mt. Colubo," preferring to take a detour rather than approach this devilish mountain forest... In the depths of the dense forest at the foot of the mountain, in a clearing.
The atmosphere was tense!
Ace and Sabo faced each other from a distance, their aura rising steadily.
Luffy, meanwhile, was holding a large piece of freshly roasted Sea Kings leg, squatting on a large rock nearby, his mouth full, shouting indistinctly: "Go, Ace! Sabo! Whoever wins! I'll share half my meat with him!"
"Shut up! Keep your tiny bit of meat to yourself!"
Ace growled. He suddenly took a step forward, his right hand clenched into a fist, using the power of his waist!
Boom!
A scorching, violent flame instantly burst from his fist!
That wasn't a Devil Fruit ability!
It was a purer, more concentrated elemental power from his vision!
"Fire Fist!"
Ace roared, punching out!
The scorching pillar of fire, like a roaring angry dragon, tore through the air, carrying an irresistible might, heading straight for Sabo's face!
Facing this violent strike, Sabo's eyes were sharp, yet he showed no trace of panic.
He slammed his hands together in front of him!
"Wind Vortex!"
Pale green wind elemental power rapidly gathered in his palms, forming a rapidly spinning emerald green wind orb!
He pushed forward!
The wind orb surged against the wind, transforming into a swirling tornado, fiercely colliding with Ace's Fire Fist!
Rumble—!
The collision of fire and wind erupted with a violent roar!
Scorching sparks and chaotic air currents spread wildly in all directions, plowing charred furrows in the ground!
Luffy was blown back repeatedly by the shockwave, almost losing the meat in his hand. He quickly shielded it with his body, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Wow! So awesome!"
From amidst the dust and smoke, a figure suddenly shot out!
It was Sabo!
He stepped on the wind, moving like a ghost to Ace's side. A pale green longsword, condensed from wind elements, had appeared in his hand at some point!
"Your fire is too direct, Ace!"
Sabo's voice was incredibly calm, and the wind blade in his hand mercilessly slashed towards Ace's neck!
"Less talk!"
Ace roared, his reaction astonishingly fast!
He suddenly crouched down, narrowly avoiding the wind blade, while his left elbow, wreathed in flames, fiercely thrust backward!
Bang!
Sabo raised his arm to block, and the immense force sent him flying backward. He executed a graceful flip in the air and landed steadily.
The air between them was distorted by the high temperature and high-speed airflow.
Their chests heaved violently, gasping for breath, but the fighting spirit in their eyes burned even more fiercely!
"Again!"
Ace growled, flames rising from his fists!
"Just as I wished!"
Sabo grinned, and fierce winds howled around him, sweeping all the fallen leaves on the ground into the air!
The standoff between the two made the air feel thick!
Luffy watched from the side, his eyes wide, forgetting to chew the meat in his mouth, mumbling indistinctly: "It's coming... It's coming..."
"Warm-up's over, Sabo!"
Ace stomped his foot, cracking the ground in several places. He flashed an arrogant smile.
"Next, let me show you!"
"The knight's fighting style I just acquired!"
Sabo adjusted his goggles, a smile playing on his lips.
"Gladly!"
"And let me show you what true exquisite control over elements is! Your barbaric usage is simply a waste!"
"Too much talk!"
Ace roared, his body instantly leaning forward, like a cannonball shot from its barrel!
He didn't directly attack with his fists. Instead, mid-charge, he suddenly swung his right hand forward!
"Blade of Inverse Flame!"
Chh—!
A several-meter-long blade of pure flame appeared out of thin air!
It carried a scorching aura, sweeping towards Sabo's waist!
This move was precisely the knight's combat technique he had acquired after clearing the dungeon again!
Condensing elemental power into the form of a weapon!
"Good move!"
Sabo advanced instead of retreating. He quickly formed a complex hand seal in front of his chest and muttered:
"Wind Spirit Creation!"
Whoosh!
A small emerald green tornado instantly formed in front of him, precisely blocking the flame blade!
Wind fuels fire!
The flame blade was swept into the tornado, and instead of extinguishing, it turned the entire tornado into a rotating fiery storm!
"Your moves only strengthen my power!" Ace laughed wildly, having already taken the second step, swinging his left hand again!
"Second Slash!"
Another even more solid flame blade!
Sabo's eyes narrowed. Wind generated beneath his feet, and he instantly drifted back more than ten meters, narrowly avoiding this violent strike!
Boom!
The flame blade struck the clearing, directly splitting the ground with a charred deep trench!
"It's not over yet!"
Ace pressed his advantage, leaping high on his third step, clenching his fists, and bringing them together in the air, smashing down fiercely towards Sabo's position!
"Third Slash! Incinerate!"
Two flame blades intersected into a cross, like a giant net of fire, descending directly!
Blocking all of Sabo's escape routes!
"You think you've won just like that?"
Facing this desperate situation, Sabo showed no sign of panic on his face. He even revealed a smirk of a successful scheme.
He suddenly pressed his right hand onto the ground!
"Song of the High Heavens!"
Rumble!
Centered on Sabo, a massive pale green wind pillar shot up into the sky!
The violent updraft forcibly shattered Ace's cross-shaped fire net, and Ace himself was also flung dozens of meters into the sky by this immense force!
"What?!"
Ace was completely unable to gain purchase in the air, his body losing control!
"Ace! Combat isn't just about brute force!"
Sabo's voice came from below. He looked up at Ace in mid-air, as if looking at a trapped beast in a cage.
"In my wind, you're a target!"
He spread his hands, and more wind elements began to gather around him.
"Damn it!"
Ace roared in the air. He suddenly twisted his body, and flames jetted from his feet!
He actually managed to forcibly stabilize himself in the air by using the reactive force of the jetting flames!
"Don't underestimate me, Sabo!"
Ace slammed his fists together, bursting out a dazzling spark!
"The ultimate arcana of the knight!"
"Dawn!"
Chirp—!
A clear phoenix cry echoed across the sky!
A giant firebird, composed of extreme flames, with a wingspan exceeding ten meters, formed behind Ace!
It flapped its burning wings, carrying an aura of incinerating everything, and dived towards Sabo below!
The temperature of the entire forest surged dramatically at this moment!
"Is this your true power, Ace!"
Sabo's eyes burned with unprecedented fighting spirit. He laughed aloud.
"Then let me show you!"
"The power of the Anemo Archon!"
He suddenly raised both hands upwards!
"Ode to the Anemo Archon!"
Howling winds gathered above his head, forming an enormous, continuously spinning, emerald green eye of the storm that pulled at everything around it!
Within the eye of the storm, countless pale green wind blades furiously sliced, forming a domain of absolute destruction!
The next second.
The burning firebird and the emerald green eye of the storm fiercely collided!
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