"Unfortunately, I'm old. If I were twenty years younger, I would definitely go out to sea with you. You came too late," Shaki said with some regret.
She was truly curious about how exciting Kevin's future path would be.
However, she had been in seclusion for almost thirty years.
After thirty years, much of her strength had deteriorated, and she felt willing but powerless to go out to sea; she no longer had that desire.
"Even if you don't go out to sea with me, you can still be part of my ship," Kevin didn't give up.
"Alright, then I'll be an unofficial member of your ship. I can't help with other matters, but I can assist you with intelligence," Shaki extended her hand and clapped with Kevin.
This sealed the deal.
"Recruited Shaki as an unofficial member of the Pirate Crew: Combat Power +30256."
Kevin smiled, thinking to himself, "Recruiting members who meet one condition also provides a bonus, but it's only a fifty percent bonus. If I could get Shaki on the ship, the combat power increase should be over sixty thousand."
But Kevin didn't want to use malicious means to force Shaki, who had shown him kindness.
He wasn't greedy.
It was enough.
Rayleigh, who was drinking, suddenly looked at Kevin with surprise.
"How do I feel like you've gotten stronger?" Rayleigh was utterly astonished.
It wasn't an illusion.
It was real, and he had gotten significantly stronger.
At this moment, Kevin's total combat power had reached over one hundred ninety thousand, just a few hundred short of breaking two hundred thousand.
"Because Shaki agreed to join my Pirate Crew, I'm happy," Kevin said casually, making a joke.
Rayleigh, of course, didn't believe him.
But his heart was churning.
Suddenly, he wasn't very worried about Kevin's future.
Instead, he was expectant.
"Kevin, why did you only invite Shaki and not me? Am I not worthy?" Rayleigh feigned anger.
"My ship cannot carry the Dark King."
Rayleigh couldn't help but laugh, "Hahaha, don't be modest. Your future will be no less exciting than our journey."
Just then,
"Boom!" A roar, the sound of battle, came from the Sabaody Archipelago in the distance.
Rayleigh closed his eyes and remained silent for a few seconds, then his expression suddenly changed, filled with anger: "These Marines, they actually did such a thing."
Kevin was a little slower.
"Shaki, Rayleigh, I'll take my leave." After bidding farewell, Kevin instantly vanished, transforming into an afterimage, rushing out at high speed.
He charged towards the battle zone.
"Rayleigh, help me close the door. I can't stand idly by for a captain I just recognized." Shaki stepped onto the ground, moving quickly, but she couldn't keep up with Kevin's pace.
"I'm old, truly old." Shaki was a bit disheartened.
...
...
Sabaody Archipelago, Island 45.
Hundreds of Marines surrounded the bustling street.
Many people on the street stared angrily at the group of Marines.
They actually made us strip for inspection.
It was mandatory.
"Are you sure you want to go against the Marines? As long as you take off your clothes and don't have the 'Dragon's Hoof' brand on your body, the Marines naturally won't make things difficult for you." Onigumo stared at Hancock.
It was her.
She had injured many Marines.
"A bunch of running dogs, either get lost or die." Hancock said coldly.
"Then don't blame me."
Onigumo slowly drew his sword.
"Be careful of the things in their hands; they value them highly, so they must be dangerous. First, snatch the things from their hands, then capture them."
"Yes!"
More than a dozen elite officers used Soru, instantly appearing beside Hancock and her companions.
They reached out, intending to snatch the numerous bags from their hands.
"Get lost."
Hancock suddenly erupted with even greater power, kicking away all the officers, who all turned to stone and fell far away, becoming shattered rocks.
"Stronger than before? It really is something important."
Onigumo became even more convinced of this.
He stomped the ground, his blade carving a cut into the ground, and a sharp edge slashed towards Hancock.
"You all step back."
Hancock gritted her teeth.
She pushed her sisters away.
"It's over." The Marines revealed confident smiles. With Vice Admiral Onigumo personally taking action, there was no possibility of failure.
The enemy would be captured immediately.
Hancock's combat power displayed just now, in the eyes of the Marines, was good, but it couldn't compare to Vice Admiral Onigumo. She didn't even know Haki, so she couldn't block him.
"Since you've attacked the Marines, I don't necessarily need to spare your lives." Onigumo showed no mercy.
"Clang!"
A large sword blocked Onigumo's blade.
"Since you've attacked Hancock, I don't necessarily need to spare your life."
A force of ten thousand pounds slammed into Onigumo's chest. He watched in horror as the blade in his hand shattered, his chest split open, and he spat blood as he flew backward.
Along the street.
Until beyond the street, above the mangroves, a giant tree collapsed.
Him?
"He's Kevin?!"
"How did he appear on Sabaody Archipelago? Quickly notify Headquarters."
Marines and civilians alike stared dumbfounded at Kevin, who stood in front of Hancock and her companions.
"To actually come to Sabaody Archipelago, you're really bold." Onigumo rushed out of the rubble.
"Is it just boldness?"
A cold voice came from above Onigumo.
He looked up.
He watched in horror as, from above, Kevin descended from the sky, swinging his blade down.
"King of Hell's Road Exploration!"
King of Hell's Road Exploration: upon seeing the King of Hell, one's life and death are unpredictable.
A conical, massive shockwave of sword energy descended from the sky.
"Harden!"
Onigumo hardened his entire body, and with Life Return controlling his hair like spider arms, he fully resisted this blow.
"Boom!"
Island 42 shook violently.
A bottomless pit swallowed everything.
Kevin, like a falling meteor, smashed into the deep pit. A violent roar came from deep within, and cracks spread to the surface.
The opening of the cave collapsed.
A figure rushed out.
His blade was covered in blood.
"Could it be?" The Marines' faces turned ashen, and they stared expectantly at the collapsing cave entrance, hoping Onigumo could rush out.
There was no miracle.
"This time, I've spared your lives, and I no longer owe the Marines anything," Kevin said, looking at the terrified Marines.
He wasn't paying them back for himself.
The Marines owed Kevin.
They had received the money but had done nothing.
He was paying them back for Gyon.
"Hancock, let's go."
"Yes."
Hancock and her two sisters joyfully followed Kevin's steps.
No one dared to stop them.