"So this is Sabaody? Just like in the anime—bubbles everywhere!"
Badak poked a passing bubble with his finger, finding it surprisingly elastic.
The roots of the Yggdrasil trees secreted a special natural resin. Through respiration, the roots caused the resin to inflate with air, forming bubbles that floated skyward.
These bubbles could only exist within Sabaody's unique climate. Once they drifted beyond the archipelago's atmospheric range, they'd pop instantly.
Bubble cars, bubble Ferris wheels, even houses built directly atop bubbles—bubble culture permeated every corner of Sabaody!
"Shanks, everyone—thanks for the journey. Till we meet again."
"Take care, kid."
"Goodbye, Badak."
"I won't forget you, Badak."
"..."
Shanks' ship had entered through Area 44, docking discreetly near Area 41. He'd likely head to Area 13 to find Dark King Rayleigh.
Part of Badak wanted to follow and learn Haki from Rayleigh, but he dismissed the thought. He'd refused to join the Red Hair Pirates to maintain factional neutrality. If Rayleigh agreed to train him, their master-disciple relationship would automatically align him with Gol D. Roger's legacy—contrary to his goals.
He already owed Shanks a favor. Deeper ties would inevitably drag him into safeguarding the Straw Hat crew. Those troublemakers attracted conflicts with the Marines, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido—just imagining it made his scalp prickle.
Some claimed Rayleigh had "wasted" two years teaching Luffy Haki basics, unlike Katakuri and Kaido, whose battles instantly leveled him up.
This criticism was unfair. Rayleigh laid the foundation—taking Luffy from zero Haki knowledge to proficient mastery. The rapid Haki growth Luffy displayed later stemmed entirely from that groundwork."Island 30 has a shopping center, and Island 35 has lodging. I also need to apply at the World Government office to cross the Red Line into the West Blue."
Recalling the map, Badak adjusted his bundle and headed toward the shopping district. Living on Sabaody without money was impossible, and these animal pelts would help him solve his immediate needs.
...
"Seriously, boss? These are top-quality furs. Only 1 million Belly for five large, intact pelts? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"
"That's already a fair price, young man. Even Fish-man slaves only go for 1 million Belly. These pelts are decent, but your handling method is flawed. Look here, here, and here—the fur is shedding. Go ask around if you don't believe me. No one will offer you a better deal than mine."
"Can't you go any higher?" In truth, this shop had offered the best price so far, but Badak still wanted to haggle.
"It's already the highest, kid. Business is tough these days. We still have to hire designers and craftsmen, and even then, the finished products might not sell..."
"Tell you what, young man—you can pick one item from my store's shoes, hats, or clothing as a freebie. How does that sound?"
"Fine." Badak suddenly missed Nami intensely. If she were here to bargain for him, the shopkeeper would lose so badly he'd take her last name.
Looks like I need a female partner! As he thought this, Badak scanned the store and spotted a familiar blue hat—wasn't this the same one Chopper wore later? That's the one.
By the time Badak left the shopping district, he had transformed his appearance. He now wore a hat identical to Chopper's, sunglasses perched on his nose, and trendy Sabaody-style clothing. In one hand, he carried a bag of money, and in the other, several bags of spare clothes.
"Who are you guys? Trying to rob me?"
While heading toward Island 35, Badak was cornered in a secluded spot by five burly men blocking him against a tree root. They looked vicious, each wielding spiked clubs—clearly villains—and all stood around two meters tall, with the tallest reaching nearly two and a half meters.
"Kehahaha! Kid, you're not from around here, are you? My boys saw you—that huge bundle must've fetched a pretty sum! Tsk tsk tsk, all Sabaody brand names too." The tallest man pointed at Badak's shopping bags. "Boys, get him. Be gentle this time—don't wreck him like last time, or the slave market won't take him."
"Raaah!"
The other four thugs didn't hesitate, roaring as they charged with their clubs.
Badak had already activated his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze the moment they moved, though his sunglasses hid it. Their movements were crystal clear to him, and they didn't seem particularly strong.
The first thug lunged fastest, aiming for Badak's head. Badak sidestepped left, dodging the overhead swing, and punched the man in the ribs. Worried about turning him into paste, he held back to just 30% of his strength—yet the thug still flew backward and collapsed, unmoving.
Badak now had their measure. These guys were all brawn, no real skill.The second attack came, this time aimed at Badak's shoulder. Without dodging or evading, Badak focused on the gaps between the spikes of the spiked club and reached out to catch it mid-swing. Then, with a powerful front kick, he sent another assailant flying.
The remaining two attackers struck simultaneously, sweeping at Badak's legs from both sides. Badak leaped into the air, splitting his legs mid-flight to kick both men in the head, knocking them out cold.
Bang… A gunshot rang out as the two-and-a-half-meter-tall man fired a shot into the air before slowly pointing the barrel at Badak. "Didn't expect you to be this tough. But no matter how good you are, can you beat a gun? Surrender now!"
"Within seven steps—never mind, I'll just act." Badak wasn't sure if he could withstand a bullet in his current state—after all, he hadn't transformed into his Great Ape Form. But he was absolutely certain of one thing: the man's trigger finger wasn't faster than his reflexes. If he timed it right and dodged the moment the gun fired, the bullet would miss. And if he activated his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze at full power, he could even track the bullet's trajectory.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Three consecutive shots rang out, but Badak merely tilted his head left and right, advancing steadily toward the towering man. Sweat poured down the gunman's face, his expression twisted in terror as he desperately tried to fire again. Badak lunged forward, delivering a Superman Punch straight to the man's face. The impact sent him flying ten meters before he collapsed, unconscious.
Badak remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings with his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze to confirm no other ambushers were hiding nearby. Only then did he drag the unconscious men together. None were dead—just severely injured, especially the two-and-a-half-meter-tall man, whose face was now a bloody mess.
"Pathetic. If you're this broke, why even play the villain? How's the protagonist supposed to profit off you?"
After collecting the spoils, Badak found only a handful of Belly. The gun was decent, but he only scavenged twelve bullets—what a waste.
"Now, what to do with you all?"
Stroking his chin, Badak studied the unconscious men, deep in thought.