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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 106: A New Journey
The surroundings suddenly fell silent, with only the sea breeze rustling the clothes.
"What are you talking about?"
Nami paused for a moment, frowning as she looked at the man before her.
"I hope you all will be my companions and join me on an adventure to the Grand Line," Ace said with a cheerful smile.
"Be your companions? To the Grand Line?" Nami stared at Ace and asked, "What are you talking about? We don't plan to go to the Grand Line for now, so why should we become your companions?"
"Because you all are strong."
Ace smiled and continued, "You are an excellent navigator, and Hachi is the Second Swordsman of Fishman Island. If we become companions, we can become great pirates."
"How does he know so much?" Nami lifted her face to look at Hachi, her gaze somewhat reproachful.
"Well, maybe he's just guessing," Hachi turned his head away, scratching his cheek with a long face.
"Forget it, forget it." Nami turned back to Ace and asked, "So you want to become a pirate?"
"Yes, I want to become a pirate, gain the highest fame, prove myself, and make a name for myself," Ace said with a smile. This was his dream, shouted out by the sea alongside Luffy and Sabo.
Nami waved her hand dismissively. "Sorry, but we don't plan to go to the Grand Line for now."
"As a navigator, don't you want to see the Grand Line?" Ace pressed on, then looked at Hachi and asked, "And Hachi, as a swordsman, don't you want to make a name for yourself by challenging the World's Greatest Swordsman? At least you should aim to be the top swordsman of Fishman Island, right?"
"Hawkeye Mihawk? He's too strong; I wouldn't dare challenge him." Hachi rubbed his chin and said, "But being the top swordsman of Fishman Island? Defeating Lord Leopard? Well..."
Hachi's eyes showed some interest.
Nami let out a hum and said, "The dangers of the Grand Line are nothing compared to the East Blue. Hachi and I only plan to find an opportunity to head to the Grand Line in two or three years. You managed to jump on the ship, so it seems your physical condition is decent, but you still don't have what it takes to enter the Grand Line."
"It seems I've been seen through," Ace said, placing his right hand on his hat with a smile. "How about we make a bet?"
"What kind of bet?" Nami asked curiously.
Ace replied, "I'll fight Hachi. If I win, you all become my companions. If you win, I'll leave immediately. How does that sound?"
"You want to fight me? My strength is already hard to match in the East Blue. And don't you know the gap between humans and the Fishmen Tribe?" Hachi looked at Ace and shook his head.
"That's why if I defeat you, it proves I have enough strength to lead you all," Ace said with a grin. "So, what do you say? Let's make a bet."
Nami fell into deep thought upon hearing this.
Her dream was to draw a complete map of the seas and venture into the Grand Line, but with her and Hachi's current strength, it seemed unattainable.
On the ship, there were only a helmsman and a navigator; they were few in number and lacked combat power.
However, Hachi's strength was undeniable; he had few rivals in the East Blue. If Ace could defeat Hachi, it would indeed enhance their capabilities.
With more people on board, they would have the ability to reach the Grand Line.
Even if they had to wait three years, would they encounter more suitable companions by then?
Of course, that was assuming they lost; it wasn't an outcome too hard to accept.
But deep down, Nami didn't believe he could defeat Hachi. The racial advantage was too significant, and Hachi wasn't just any ordinary Fish Soldier. Especially with lighter weapons now, his speed had increased; his current strength was not much weaker than Arlong's.
The possibility of Hachi losing was too low.
Nami looked at Ace and nodded, saying, "I accept this wager, but on the condition that Eight can use a knife."
"Of course, it's quite unreasonable to have a swordsman fight without his own blade," Ace replied with a smile as he stepped onto the deck, standing in front of Eight. "Let's go."
"Then let's see your strength; I hope you can give me a good time."
Eight slowly drew out his long knife with his six tentacle arms, gripping it firmly.
"Six Blades?" Ace was somewhat surprised.
"That's right, I am Octopus Fishman Eight of the Six Sword Style. Please teach me," Eight said earnestly before suddenly launching an attack, stepping forward and slashing down with both knives.
"So fast."
Ace was taken aback as the blade's shadow flashed before him, realizing the speed of the attack.
But in the next moment, he swayed left and right, narrowly avoiding the long knife that grazed his body.
However, in an instant, four cold lights flashed around him as four long knives came slicing in from the sides.
Whoosh.
Ace bent his legs and quickly retreated, dodging all four blades.
"Come again."
Eight lunged forward, instantly closing the distance as he slashed out with his knife once more.
However, Ace moved his feet quickly, retreating to dodge his attacks.
Eight continued to strike, but Ace kept retreating and evading, always managing to avoid his blows.
"Quick reflexes," Nami nodded to herself from a distance.
Seeing Ace only running away, Eight grew frustrated and shouted, "Is that all you can do—run?"
"Run?"
Ace suddenly stopped and smiled. "Then I won't run anymore."
"Six Sword Style—Scabbard Foot Extraordinary Sword."
Eight's tentacles suddenly lifted, twisting slowly. In the next moment, Six Blades slashed toward Ace.
The Six Blades came at him in various ways—some struck straight down, some slashed horizontally at his neck, others aimed at his legs, and some lunged directly at him. Each move was different, sealing off all of Ace's escape routes.
The shadows of the blades filled the air, yet Ace showed no signs of tension. The instant Eight launched his attack, Ace stepped forward and suddenly struck back.
His hands transformed into a series of afterimages as he swiftly countered, accurately hitting Eight's wrist.
Bang, bang, bang...
Six sounds echoed as all of Eight's blades were blocked by Ace.
"Bring it on."
Feeling the impact on his wrist, Eight launched another attack. "Octopus Jar Technique."
Taking a step back, Eight aimed the tips of his Six Blades toward Ace's body.
But at the moment he stepped back, Ace moved forward, his hands striking out once more.
Bang, bang, bang.
Before Eight could complete his move, he was blocked again.
"Octopus Door."
Unable to stab, Octopus fortunately used Ace's force to deflect his arm and then swung with all his might.
Six Blades trapped Ace's form, but Ace stepped forward again, swinging his fists to block Octopus once more.
"You fell for it."
Suddenly, Eight released two of his blades. As the two Octopus arms reached out to grab Ace's hand at that moment, the remaining four blades slashed out again.
"Is that so?"
Ace narrowed his eyes, a smile spreading across his face as he said, "Then let's end this."
With a push from his left foot, Ace shot forward and delivered a powerful kick.
Boom.
Just as Six Blades was about to strike Ace, Eight was kicked away first.
Bang.
Eight flew backward, crashing into the cabin before slowly descending onto the deck.
"Eight." Nami rushed over upon seeing this scene.
"Impressive."
Ba looked at Ace in astonishment, realizing just how immense his power was, and how quickly he moved.
"Your swordsmanship is good, and your speed is impressive, but there is a significant flaw."
Ace gazed at Nonsense.
"A flaw?" Ba raised his head, curious about what the other meant.
Ace smiled and said, "First, your lower body is too weak. This weakness is relative to your arms. Your leg strength should be ten times that of an ordinary person, but compared to your arms, it still falls short. Secondly, your large physique means your legs have to bear greater force, which slows down your mobility. Therefore, as long as I keep dodging, I can defeat you."
"You are not wrong."
Ba recalled the scene from their earlier battle; he simply couldn't keep up with Ace. His leg strength was indeed a fatal flaw.
"However, your advantages are also quite clear."
Ace smiled and continued, "Your race determines your strength, and having six arms allows you to overcome many of the shortcomings of a typical swordsman. A swordsman's optimal attack range is medium to short distance; limited by the length of the sword, they are not adept at close combat. Those who do not use swords will strive to close the distance. But you are different; first, you have six arms that can effectively block your opponent's movements and prevent them from getting close. Secondly, your arms are long and flexible, providing a wide defensive range that makes it difficult for opponents to approach. Additionally, you can use your weapons to parry and manipulate your opponent's movements. Your race proves that you were born to be a swordsman."
Hearing this, Ba couldn't help but smile wryly. "But even when you don't dodge, I still can't defeat you."
"That's because I'm stronger," Ace replied with a grin. "My physical attributes surpass yours, and my reflexes are quicker; I'm on an entirely different level than you, so naturally I can overcome you."
Ace continued with a smile, "Moreover, you have a second flaw—or rather, a goal that you have yet to achieve."
"What is it?" Ba asked, now fully intrigued.
Ace explained, "You cannot multitask in controlling your weapons."
"You possess Six Blades but can only manage two types of attacks at most; beyond that, you cannot control them." Ace spoke slowly.
"However, my Scabbard Foot Extraordinary Sword has six different attack methods," Ba asked, puzzled.
"No, no, it's different from mine," Ace replied. "Your Scabbard Foot Extraordinary Sword uses six different sword techniques, but they are determined before you strike. When you use this move, you have to open your arm, assume the right posture, twist with the Tentacles to change the technique, and then strike with the long knife through muscle contraction. If you miss once, you can't immediately change your arm to use all six techniques again; you can only execute two techniques simultaneously. To use all six, you need to retract your arm and then attack with the second move. This way, your opponent can judge your sword technique based on the sword's position and the direction it points at the moment of striking. Against someone with inferior physical qualities, you can handle it easily. But against someone with rich combat experience and better physical attributes than yours, you'll find yourself at a disadvantage."
"I see."
Ba's eyes lit up as he said, "Lord Leopard can do this too—Eight-Armed, different techniques, freely changing."
"Not only that, if you can multitask effectively, you can better adapt to your opponent's reactions and control the rhythm of your attacks."
Ace smiled and added, "If you train your legs and overcome the drawback of slower mobility, your strength could undergo a tremendous transformation. At that point, I wouldn't stand a chance against you."
"I understand now."
Ba stood up and bowed deeply to Ace. "Thank you for your guidance."
"Don't mention it," Ace said with a smile. "Aren't we companions?"
Upon hearing this, Ba recalled the wager from earlier and scratched his head as he looked at Nami apologetically. "I'm sorry, Nami; I lost."
Nami glanced at Ace and couldn't help but furrow her brow.
He was incredibly strong—defeating Ba barehanded seemed effortless and far superior to Arlong.
Arlong could enter the Grand Line without issue.
But was she truly prepared to join the Grand Line? Could this person be trusted?
"If you're unwilling, then forget it."
Seeing the expression on Nami's face, Ace couldn't help but say, "I won't force you."
"I agree."
Upon hearing this, Nami suddenly nodded.
"You agree?"
Ace was somewhat surprised, but then his face lit up with joy as he asked, "Are you willing to be my companion?"
"Fair is fair."
Nami replied with a smile, "Since I lost, I naturally have to honor the agreement."
His final words convinced Nami.
His strength was formidable, completely surpassing that of Eight, easily subduing both himself and Eight, forcing them to work for him.
However, in winning, he chose to let it go.
More importantly, his strength was so great that it was uncertain if anyone in the East Blue could defeat him; at least Arlong was no match for him.
Arlong had made a name for himself in the Grand Line with his crew and was later invited to join the Sun Pirates.
With his addition, they could establish themselves in the Grand Line.
He could then head to the Grand Line and chart its map.
That was his dream.
Not only did Ace hope for Nami to be his companion, but Nami also held a strong interest in Ace.
"From now on, we are companions," Ace said, his gaze intense as he looked at the two.
Nami turned to Ace, curiosity evident in her eyes. "But we still don't know your name."
"Ace. My name is Ace, Portgas D. Ace," he replied with a smile.
"D?"
The eyes of the other person widened in surprise.
"What’s wrong? Is there something special about that name?" Nami asked, intrigued.
"No, it's just that the letter 'D' is quite unique," the other person answered. "The name of the Pirate King is Gol D. Roger, and he has a 'D' as well. There are rumors that a clan called The D Clan exists in this world, but it's just a rumor."
"Maybe you added the 'D' because you admire One Piece," Nami shot a sideways glance at Ace.
"You're not wrong."
Ace chuckled, but inside he sighed. He felt sorry; that name was fraught with danger, and it wasn't convenient to tell them about it just yet.
Nami shrugged and said, "Alright, let's head out. We need to prepare more if we're going to the Grand Line."
"Sounds good to me."
Ace nodded, adjusting his hat as he gazed out at the distant sea. He spread his arms wide and declared, "Let’s begin our conquest of the Grand Line!"
...
Outside one of the houses in Syrup Village.
"You have to go for at least ten this time."
Nokigao stood in front of Marcel, looking forlorn. "We just got married."
"It's an emergency. Captain Calis fainted a while ago and just woke up. He won't be able to go out to sea anymore, so the trading company asked me to take over as captain."
Marcel kissed Nokigao's forehead and said, "This is a good thing. Otherwise, it would take me at least four or five years to become the captain of a ship."
"Then go ahead."
Nokigao nodded, her concern evident. "Be careful."
"I will."
Marcel hugged Nokigao and added, "If you get bored, you can return to Cocoa West Village. The Merchant Association has opened a new route, and now there are two ships going to Zoumeida Island each week. There's a merchant ship returning on Wednesday."
After the evil dragon Pirate Crew left, the Jumeda Islands and nearby waters were reorganized by the Shining Gold Consortium, making travel there very safe now.
"We'll see then," Nokigao said with a smile.
After embracing his mother, brother, and sister, Marcel shouldered two large bags and headed toward the seaside.
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