Boom—
Merlin punched through the air. The atmosphere exploded at his fist, sending a column of shockwave rippling outward.
Truly, a punch like a cannonball.
Merlin held the pose, assessing the state of his right arm. Although the skin was still cracked and bleeding, the internal muscles no longer snapped outright like before. However, under a full-force burst, the bones inside still suffered some fractures.
A smile appeared on Merlin's lips. This specialty doesn't just increase explosive power; it also enhances the toughness of the muscles along with it.
Moreover, even without using his full explosive power, Merlin's offensive capabilities had still improved significantly.
He closed his eyes, quietly sensing the airflow permeating his entire body. This was Armament Haki. He had awakened it a few days ago but hadn't announced it.
He... was hiding his strength.
[Armament Haki]: This potential power within your body has been developed through arduous training. You have fully awakened this power capable of enhancing your defense and offense. You can wield the offense and defense within this power as you wish.
Offense and defense.
To cut or not to cut.
How to wield this power depended entirely on one's will. Merlin finally understood why a Sword Master was called a Sword Master.
Armament Haki could be said to be an extension of one's will. By guiding this wondrous power born from the body with one's will and attaching it to the blade, one could achieve the state of cutting everything or cutting nothing.
Merlin gained some enlightenment regarding the next direction of his swordsmanship training: fusing his will and Haki into his blade.
Having thought it through, black flames rose on Merlin's right arm, absorbing the injury calamity.
Clenching his fist, Merlin sensed an invisible layer of power emerging and lingering on his arm. Armament Haki application: Imbuement.
"That monster got stronger again."
On one side of the deck, Lao G muttered softly while looking at Merlin's back. He moved his arms, looking like he had just finished exercising as well.
He had just sensed the Armament Haki lingering on Merlin. Although it hadn't manifested as Hardening, Lao G definitely felt the fluctuation of that aura.
Just like himself, using the Earth Grudge Fist (Jion-ken) to utilize Armament Haki imbuement.
"Awakening Armament Haki in just a month. Monster... no, with a body that strong, it's only natural he'd comprehend and awaken it quickly."
"Looks like I'll have to report to the Young Master when we get back."
At this moment, Merlin suddenly turned around and looked at Lao G with a faint smile. "What are you muttering about over there?"
Lao G's expression didn't change. He rolled his eyes and made a "G" gesture with both hands. "This old man is praising you. You've gotten stronger again, G!!!"
Merlin chuckled. "Who knew a guy like you could praise people? I reckon you're up to no good. You old geezer are full of bad water; you must have been bad-mouthing me in your heart just now."
Lao G's face turned red. He glared at Merlin, gritting his teeth. "Damn brat, watch your mouth."
Merlin smiled, too lazy to argue with him. It didn't matter what bad intentions he had; as long as Merlin was stronger, whatever bad thoughts he had... he'd have to hold them in.
"You're just realizing how poisonous his mouth is?"
At this time, Rosinante spoke expressionlessly, looking at Merlin with a very sullen gaze. His disguise had already been broken.
Merlin looked at him with a light laugh. "Is that how you speak to your great benefactor? Where are your manners?"
Rosinante's eye twitched. He ground his teeth, but in the end, couldn't hold back and roared with a shark face: "I have no father or mother, are you going to manage me?"
Merlin looked at him askance and snorted: "I'm not your parent or your big brother, I'm too lazy to manage you."
Rosinante's chest heaved with anger, his face dark as he sulked.
But at the same time, being able to speak unscrupulously... he had to admit, it felt a little good.
And he had already started fantasizing about how he would "bully" Law when he got back.
Law would probably be very happy that he could speak, right?
Not long after, at 5:00 PM.
An island appeared in the distance.
Directly ahead, there was a bustling port city.
In the center of the city, on high ground, a magnificent European-style spired castle stood there.
They had arrived at the Kingdom of Cassandra.
At this time, Gladius walked over and said to Merlin: "This mission involves an arms deal. We will trade with them later at a seaside village on the other side of the island."
"But this group of rebels doesn't have a good reputation. There might be a double-cross (black-eating-black) situation. Be careful then."
"If there's any strange movement, just kill them all directly."
The few people present nodded. Merlin looked at Monet, who had walked over from the side, and asked: "Will you go down later?"
Monet: "Mmh, I'll go. Participating in combat can improve actual combat experience."
Seeing this, Merlin didn't say anything more.
Not long after, the ship passed the port, turned a corner, and docked at a pier in a seaside village on the right.
There were quite a few fishermen on the pier. They were curious about this ship that wasn't flying a Jolly Roger, but soon, someone recognized the Donquixote Pirates' flag on the ship.
Instantly, the fishermen on the pier scattered like birds and beasts.
Seeing this, everyone on the ship had calm expressions; evidently, they were used to it.
However, Merlin keenly sensed a flash of imperceptible disgust in Rosinante's eyes opposite him.
The corners of his mouth raised slightly. A clumsy husky mixed in a pack of wolves.
If his own strength wasn't strong enough, he would be finished sooner or later.
Soon, large wooden crates, two meters long and wide and one and a half meters high, filled with arms, were carried out from the cabin.
They were stacked on the open space on the pier via the gangway.
Merlin watched Buffalo do this coolie work alone, with no intention of helping.
After all, this wasn't his job.
Leaning against the railing, Merlin glanced at Gladius, who was carefully observing the movement in the village beside him: "Are we going back directly after the trade?"
Gladius raised his eyebrows slightly, suddenly remembering what Merlin had said to him in Black Pearl Town when they first met: "You're going to do that thing?"
Merlin nodded calmly, "Will you wait for me? It won't take long; I can finish the business by tomorrow morning at the latest."
Gladius gave Merlin a deep look, then nodded. "The port of this country doesn't reject pirates. We'll wait for you there until 9 AM tomorrow."
"Let's make it clear in advance, we won't help you do that kind of thankless task."
The corners of his mouth raised slightly, and Merlin smiled: "This is my business, it doesn't have a single Berry's relationship with your Donquixote Family."
"What are you going to do?" Seeing the two speaking in riddles, Rosinante's eyes flashed, and he asked curiously: "Do you need my help?"
"None of your business." Merlin glanced at him, "Besides, the relationship between you and me hasn't reached the point of helping each other like this."
Not long after, a group of twenty people dressed roughly walked out of the village, led by a middle-aged man over two meters tall.
Seeing this group, Gladius whispered: "Let's go! We're going down."
Everyone moved, and soon the two groups met at the pier.
Gladius spoke calmly, "Nashi. The arms we're responsible for are here. Where are the funds you prepared?"
The leader, Nashi, tilted his head to signal, and a young man walked out from the crowd, carrying a suitcase in his hand.
At this time, Nashi spoke warily, "Although your family's reputation is guaranteed, we want to inspect the goods first."
Gladius signaled Buffalo sideways, and the latter used a crowbar to pry open the top lids of the crates.
After five crates were opened, inside were new types of firearms wrapped in oil paper and cutlasses, all neatly stacked.
Nashi called people up to take out the weapons for inspection one by one and test fire them.
Bang bang gunshots appeared one after another at the pier.
Not long after, when the inspection was finished, a flash of excitement passed through Nashi's eyes, but he suppressed it forcefully and smiled at Gladius: "I was also introduced to cooperate with your Donquixote Family. Logically speaking, for the first cooperation, shouldn't you give us a discount?"
"How about giving us a 10% discount on this batch of arms?"
Saying this, he gently caressed the rifle in his hand, speaking with a faint smile.
Gladius's eyes were calm, staring straight at him. The two looked at each other.
After ten breaths, Nashi smiled helplessly: "Alright, alright, alright. It's my fault. Your weapons are of superior quality, let's trade at the price we agreed upon."
Saying this, he signaled his subordinate to hand over the suitcase. Gladius reached out to take it, then opened the suitcase catches. Inside were stacks of neatly arranged Berries.
The full amount was 110 million Berries. Although some were stained with blood, the Berries were quickly counted, and the amount was sufficient.
Closing the suitcase, a smile appeared on Gladius's face, "Pleasant cooperation!"
"Hope we have other collaborations in the future."
Voice falling, he then said to Merlin and the others: "Let's go!"
Then the group began to board the ship.
But just as they stepped onto the gangway, the sound of firearms being cocked came from behind, followed by Nashi's roar: "Kill them!"
At this moment, a sneer appeared on the corner of Merlin's mouth. He turned his body, the ground beneath his feet instantly denting with a pair of footprints. In less than a breath, Merlin crossed the distance of barely a dozen meters.
At this moment, looking at Nashi aiming his gun in front of him, Clang! Night Earl at his waist unsheathed. A dark red blade light suddenly appeared before Nashi's eyes.
In an instant, a line of blood appeared on his neck.
At the same time, black flames spewed out from his body surface, enveloping this group of rebels in a breath.
"Calamity: Electric Paralysis."
A burst of suppressed screams appeared, followed by the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground one after another.
Immediately after, as the black flames dissipated, all these people here lost their resistance.
Merlin turned his head at this time and grinned at Gladius: "Did you often encounter this kind of double-cross situation before?"
Gladius, who had just turned around and assumed a defensive posture, had twitching eyelids. However, at this time, Merlin chuckled: "Since the matter here is over, I'll go ahead first."
Saying this, Merlin looked at Monet: "Sorry, didn't hold back for a moment."
Monet shook her head gently: "It's okay."
Merlin smiled: "Then let's go!"