One Piece: Power-Power Fruit

Chapter 348 Subduing Old Sand and Returning to Gaya

Chapter 348 Subduing Old Sand and Returning to Jaya

Chapter 348: Subduing Old Sand and Returning to Jaya

hiss!

Those who had been watching the battle between Mu Chong and Crocodile from outside the battlefield were all astonished when they saw Crocodile being sent flying by Mu Chong's punch.

The entire battle barely lasted long; from the end of their conversation to Crocodile being blasted away and falling into the sea, it only took a minute or two at most.

"Hiss! How is this possible? This is too exaggerated! How can their strength be so different? One punch? Just one round??"

Outside the battlefield, Daz Bones, whose injuries had been treated by Belinda, was staring at the island in disbelief, completely forgetting the moment Shakrodall fell into the sea.

"Hey! Slater! That guy you said fell into the sea, should I go save him?"

Just then, Dick quietly approached Slard, pointed to the sea on his right, and slowly began to speak.

"Huh? Hahaha! I completely forgot about that guy who fell into the sea! Thank goodness you reminded me, Dick! Let's save him, who knows, he might become our partner in the future!"

Upon hearing Dick's question, Slade's expression faltered for a moment, then, as if instantly realizing something, he turned to look at the spot where Crocodile had entered the sea and said...

"Okay! I'll go right away!"

Dick's lips twitched upon hearing this. Good heavens, if he hadn't reminded him, who knows how much that guy in the sea would have offended?

"Uh! I'm so sorry! I've caused you trouble!"

Daz Bones, who had overheard Slard and Dick's conversation, promptly thanked Dick. As a Devil Fruit user, he was not allowed to go into the sea.

"Hehehe! It's nothing!"

Dick waved to Daz Bones, then turned and jumped into the sea, quickly swimming towards Crocodile's location.

When Dick rescued the unconscious Crocodile and brought him aboard the Freedom, Mu Chong and the others had already returned to the Freedom's deck.

"Tsk tsk tsk! Captain! That punch was too brutal! Look at the state this guy is in! Judging by the look, he's probably broken a few bones!"

Everyone gasped when they saw Crocodile's appearance. Bartolomeo, standing to the side, craned his neck to examine Crocodile lying on the deck and slowly said...

"Hehehe! It's alright, he shouldn't die! Belinda! This guy is yours now!"

At this moment, Mu Chong sat on a bench on the deck, also looking at Crocodile, his eyes flashing with a calm expression, and said slowly.

"Yes! Don't worry, Captain!"

As Belinda spoke, she gestured to her two henchmen to carry Shakrodall into the lounge. After a preliminary examination, Belinda determined that Shakrodall had four broken ribs, requiring him to be taken inside for bone setting.

Splash!

When Crocodile awoke again, it was already evening. The Liberty had returned to its course on the Grand Line and was sailing steadily forward.

While everyone was having dinner, Crocodile called Mu Chong "Captain" for the first time. This title made Mu Chong happy, and he immediately started the banquet. This unexpected banquet lasted until late at night.

Into the night

Mu Chong habitually went to the bow of the Freedom and sat cross-legged, with the white cat Mu Mu, who had reverted to its cat form, lying beside him. The silhouettes of the two, one human and one cat, were a beautiful picture.

The sky was filled with countless stars, and a bright moon hung in the night sky. Looking at the moon, which was about to become a full moon, Mu Chong's lips curled into a slight smile.

Yes! It will get better and better!

Two days later...

Near Jaya Island on the Grand Line, the Liberty, with its sails raised, appeared in the waters. After two days of continuous sailing, Mu Chong and his crew finally returned to this area.

For Mu Chong and his group, the past two days have been peaceful, but for the Navy and the World Government, it has been a period of great trouble.

A day earlier, news that former Shichibukai Crocodile had been rescued at sea by the rising hero Mukō had spread rapidly through newspapers to every corner of the ocean. Most people treated it as mere gossip, but only a small number seemed to sense the deeper meaning it contained.

The monsters of the New World all showed signs of unusual activity, distracting the Navy from their plan to once again encircle and annihilate Mu Chong and his group. This allowed the Freedom to reach the waters around Jaya Island smoothly.

"Alas! We've circled the Grand Line and returned here. Breathing this familiar air feels just like coming home!"

On the deck of the Liberty, Slad, dressed in a white robe, spread his arms wide, embracing the sea breeze blowing in his face, his somewhat dark face filled with an expression of enjoyment.

“Yes! Slade! I was the captain I met in these waters! Back then, Hill, Locas, and I were just small-time pirates wandering around here. I never imagined that things would change so much in such a short time!”

Standing next to Slad, Baku, with his arms crossed, possessed a towering, nearly four-meter-tall frame that exuded a natural sense of oppression.

"Hahaha! As long as you meet the right person, gold will shine wherever it is! Isn't it fate that you met the captain here? Just like after I left Fishman Island, I was always wandering until I met the captain, which ended my life of wandering!"

Just after Baku's voice fell, Dick, a fishman of similar height to Baku, stood beside him and slowly spoke.

"Hahahaha! Meeting is fate! Being together is destiny's arrangement! Our journey has only just begun, don't act like it's over yet. We haven't seen the wonderful world yet, everyone!"

Hearing the conversation, Mu Chong stood on the deck and laughed loudly. Mu Chong didn't really like such a somber atmosphere.

"Hehehehe! How willful you are, Captain! You've interrupted our pleasant conversation!"

Chef Elsa, holding a drink in her hand, sat on a bench on the deck and said with a smile.

"Phew! I think the captain is right! If I hadn't met the captain, I might still be being rejected and expelled from Drum Island! But now, it's completely different. I can do what I want and I have everyone who's like family! Hehehe! It's so great!"

Belinda, also holding a drink, had a look of reminiscence in her beautiful eyes. She turned to look at Mu Chong in front of her and slowly said...

"Yes, that's right!"

As Belinda's voice faded, Didac, sitting on the edge of the boat shoulder to shoulder with Bartolomeo, nodded in agreement.

"Hey hahaha! Hey bro! Let's have a drink! From now on, as long as I'm around, no one can bully you!"

Bartolomeo put his arm around Didac's shoulder, raised his wine glass high, and shouted...

"Tch! Do I need you to protect me? You coward, afraid of even my explosion!"

Didac glanced at Bartolomeo, then shifted his body with a look of utter disgust.

"Hey! What are you talking about? I..."

Stab it!

Just as Bartolomeo was about to continue speaking, a pale blue bolt of lightning suddenly appeared on the deck.

"Captain! Someone is approaching from ahead! And from my Observation Haki, I can sense that the opponent is quite strong!"