"What? Have you agreed to my terms?" Yun Lie held the Den Den Mushi in his palm, patiently awaiting a reply.
"Young man, don't be so quick to anger. How about this old woman and you calm down and talk?"
A kind and amiable voice leisurely emanated from the Den Den Mushi, a voice that seemed to carry the gentle weight of time.
"Are you Vice Admiral Tsuru?" Although he had already guessed her identity, Yun Lie cautiously asked for confirmation.
Within the vast system of the Marine, most people were only familiar with Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Marine Hero Garp, yet few knew that a legendary female general stood above them.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, as the Marine Chief of Staff, possessed unfathomable strategy and strength; even if the Fleet Admiral and Marine Hero joined forces, they would still be suppressed in her presence.
"Oh? Since you know this old woman's identity, then this old woman won't beat around the bush. Let's be direct: the Marine cannot give you a Logia Devil Fruit, and you don't need to probe. At most, we can give you a Paramecia Devil Fruit and the identity of a Shichibukai."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone was gentle, like a kind old grandmother cordially conversing with a junior, the warmth in her words making it difficult to refuse.
It must be said that as the Marine's Grand Staff Officer, Vice Admiral Tsuru perfectly grasped the art of interpersonal communication, able to control the rhythm of a conversation in just a few words.
Yun Lie pondered for a long time, then weighed the pros and cons before speaking: "I can accept the Shichibukai identity, but I also need to add a cultivation manual for the Naval Six Styles."
The Naval Six Styles were a set of exquisite physical techniques that transcended human limits, and furthermore, a complete method of cultivation.
If one cultivated the Six Styles to a certain level, they could even comprehend the mysterious Seventh Style—Life Return.
"That's too much. At most, three styles." Vice Admiral Tsuru responded decisively, her tone gentle yet revealing an unquestionable resolve.
"Alright, fine. I want Soru, Geppo, and Kami-e." Yun Lie outwardly compromised with a helpless expression, but in reality, he had already achieved his desired outcome. This was the maximum benefit he could secure; asking for more would be ungrateful.
"Understood." Vice Admiral Tsuru did not hesitate in the slightest, readily agreeing to Yun Lie's terms.
Subsequently, both parties quickly finalized the time and place for the transaction: a port in Alabasta, agreeing to exchange the person for the items.
"Oh, and young man, you must be careful. Because you killed Buggy the Clown previously, you angered the Red Hair Pirates. For a while, Garp has been fending off Red-Haired Shanks for you, but just yesterday, Red-Haired Shanks suddenly disappeared. His target is very likely you, so you must be careful."
As Yun Lie was about to hang up the phone, Vice Admiral Tsuru added.
"I understand. Please thank Vice Admiral Garp for me; I won't forget this favor." Yun Lie said solemnly before hanging up the phone.
The moment he put down the Den Den Mushi, his expression instantly turned grave.
The Four Emperors Red-Haired Shanks—he was an existence at the pinnacle of the pirate world. With his current strength, confronting him would undoubtedly be like throwing an egg against a rock or a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
However, Yun Lie did not regret it. From the moment he decided to kill Buggy the Clown, he had already prepared himself for the worst possible outcome.
....
For the next three days, Yun Lie fully immersed himself in cultivation.
Igaram also kept his promise, promptly delivering the cultivation methods for the Three Types of Haki and two Devil Fruits.
Previously, when dealing with Crocodile, Yun Lie could only roughly use Armament Haki to nullify his sand naturalization, unable to even achieve the most basic Armament Haki hardening.
Now, he could skillfully use Armament Haki to harden his arm. Although his Haki reserves were limited, at least he had a clear direction for cultivation.
As for Observation Haki, although not yet fully awakened, he had faintly touched its threshold.
It is worth mentioning that Nami displayed astonishing talent in Observation Haki.
In just two days, she was the first to awaken Observation Haki, and the catalyst for her awakening was truly amusing.
That day, Nami, a few other companions, and Princess Vivi went shopping together.
On the bustling street, the crowd was bustling, and Nami, without noticing, had her wallet stolen by a thief. In the crowded throng, finding the thief's whereabouts was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
In her extreme anxiety, the cultivation method for Observation Haki suddenly flashed through Nami's mind. With a try-it-and-see attitude, she concentrated and miraculously succeeded in awakening Observation Haki, successfully catching the thief.
This unexpected incident, conversely, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Nami.
Time flew by, and soon it was the agreed-upon day for the transaction.
Nanohana Port, the most important port city in Alabasta, was bustling with activity at this moment.
A massive Marine warship slowly docked by the shore. Marine soldiers, neatly lined up on board, disembarked in an orderly fashion, assembling on the shore with trained precision.
At the very front of the formation, a pink-haired female Marine, smoking a cigarette, was particularly eye-catching.
Yun Lie recognized her identity at a glance—Marine Headquarters Captain Hina, the user of the Cage-Cage Fruit.
"You are the new Shichibukai, Yun Lie?"
Hina's eyes were filled with vigilance and disdain, and her tone was icy, showing no pleasantness towards Yun Lie.
She didn't know Yun Lie; she only knew that he was the new Shichibukai. She had received orders from Headquarters to specifically escort Crocodile.
In Hina's perception, the Shichibukai were merely a group of lawbreakers recognized by Marine Headquarters. Even with their legal status, it couldn't change her deep-seated aversion to them.
"What do you mean, Captain Hina? I don't recall ever offending you." Yun Lie was bewildered by Hina's sudden hostility and couldn't help but ask.
"Hina doesn't have a good impression of you pirates who become Shichibukai." Hina proudly lifted her head, her tone full of displeasure.
"Pirate? When did I become a pirate? Do you have proof?" Yun Lie couldn't help but laugh, his eyes playfully questioning back.
Upon hearing this, Hina's brows furrowed tightly.
Just then, a female Marine soldier quickly walked up to her and whispered something in her ear.
After listening to her subordinate's report, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Hina's face: "Hmph! Hina didn't clarify. Hina apologizes to you."
Although her tone was still stiff, she still apologized to Yun Lie for her misunderstanding.
Yun Lie nodded slightly, saying nothing more.