[System Prompt: Killed Gekko Moriah, gained 320,000 experience, level increased to 86.]
[System Prompt: Shadow extracted, Gekko Moriah, combat rating S+!]
Cheng Xiaoyu picked up the Black Blade Shusui that had fallen to the ground; it was cold to the touch.
The blade was as black as ink, faintly emitting a cold gleam. After several hundred years, the blade was still incredibly sharp, truly worthy of being the sword of Ryuma, the Sword God.
He weighed it in his hand, then swung it casually, and a fierce black sword aura shot through the air, cutting a distant withered tree in half at the waist.
"Guina, let this Black Blade Shusui be your second sword. Ryuma of the Frost Moon is your ancestor, so this sword should rightfully belong to you."
Cheng Xiaoyu tossed the Black Blade Shusui to Guina.
Guina didn't stand on ceremony, catching it and caressing the blade with adoration. "Since that's the case, I'll accept this sword."
Upgrading, acquiring a Shadow, and even giving Guina a good sword—Cheng Xiaoyu's trip was quite fruitful.
If the Straw Hat had arrived here first, that Zoro would definitely have taken this Black Blade Shusui.
Looking at it this way, not going to Water 7 and Enies Lobby was a gain, after all, there was nothing he wanted there.
Eneru, as the first Helmsman, could be considered to have stumbled into success by accident, inadvertently earning merit.
As usual, Cheng Xiaoyu left a message for the Marine:
"Shichibukai? Pirates not wanted by the World Government? Unable to treat everyone equally, what kind of justice is that?! – Left by Cheng Xiaoyu."
The handwriting was wild and unrestrained, exuding an aura of looking down on the world.
Afterward, Cheng Xiaoyu boarded the Shadow with Moriah's Shadow and the wealth he had accumulated over the years.
At this moment, Perona also woke up.
Seeing the scene of her side's defeat and bodies everywhere, she instantly broke down and cried loudly!
"Moriah-sama, was killed…"
"Absalom, was also killed…"
"How… they're all dead…"
"Wuwuwu… Wah wah wah…" Perona cried with tear-streaked eyes, her voice sharp, like a frightened little beast.
"Perona, I'm here!" Moriah's Shadow waved and called out from the deck of the Shadow, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
Perona suddenly looked up, saw the bodies on the ground, then looked at the lively Moriah's Shadow on the deck, and was so scared her face lost all color, shouting:
"Ghost!"
The formidable user of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit was actually afraid of ghosts…
"Idiot! I'm not a ghost! I'm a Shadow!" Moriah's Shadow was somewhat exasperated.
"Moriah-sama, was actually turned into a Shadow?" Perona stopped crying, her face full of shock.
"Perona, you might have to walk the path ahead alone. I might have to leave for a while…"
Moriah's Shadow's voice was low; he knew he would be following Cheng Xiaoyu from now on.
"Moriah-sama, where are you going? Can I come with you?" Perona looked pitifully at Moriah's Shadow, her eyes full of pleading.
"This… I'm afraid I can't…" Moriah's Shadow stammered, looking at Cheng Xiaoyu, as he couldn't make decisions for Cheng Xiaoyu.
"No, I only have Shadows on my ship. You're too young, I'm not interested."
Cheng Xiaoyu refused decisively; this was his rule and could not be changed.
"Forget it, then you should leave here quickly. If the Marine arrives here and finds that I'm already dead, and the Shichibukai title no longer exists, they won't be polite to you."
Moriah's Shadow advised.
"But… but…" Perona's tears dripped onto the ground, her heart filled with reluctance at the farewell.
Although Moriah was not a good person, he was very caring towards his subordinates!
"Perona… as long as you live… there will be a day when we meet again!"
Moriah's Shadow took a deep look at Perona, waved his hand, and turned to disappear into the ship's cabin.
He didn't want Perona to see him secretly wiping away tears and losing his composure…
Driven by Eneru's electricity, the bottom of the Shadow glowed blue, emitting a "humming" roar, and slowly ascended into the sky.
Thriller Bark became smaller and smaller in their vision, finally disappearing from sight.
"Yo, what a touching farewell, huh? Captain, where are we going next?" Eneru asked, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.
"You bastard, how dare you make fun of me! Be careful, I'll cut off your…!" Moriah said unhappily.
"Hahaha, want to try? Before that, you'll already be an electrocuted roasted bat!" Eneru retorted.
The two were at loggerheads, their heads butting like fighting bulls.
Cheng Xiaoyu stood at the bow, letting the high-altitude sea breeze ruffle his black hair, his eyes deep and cold.
"Go back. There's a town called Spring Queen. I'll buy you some everyday clothes for going out."
This way, his Shadow crew members could also be freer and wouldn't have to stay in his Shadow all the time.
"And while we're at it… go visit the CP9 members."
"Captain, are you really going to make a move on CP9?" Moriah's Shadow asked with some concern, "They are a direct agency of the World Government, and their strength should not be underestimated."
"I know." Cheng Xiaoyu replied indifferently, "But so what?"
Not to mention that at this time, their strongest combat force, Lucci, had already been severely injured by Luffy and couldn't move.
Even if they were all healthy, they wouldn't be his opponents.
His main purpose was just to go and see that adorable older sister named Kalifa!
…
The Shadow rode the wind and waves—no, it should be said, rode the wind and clouds!
It drew a graceful arc in the air, rapidly approaching Spring Queen City.
Cheng Xiaoyu stood at the bow, feeling the cool breeze blowing against his face.
He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: this flying speed was many times faster than sailing on the sea!
And the view was much wider, as if the entire world was within his sight.
This made Cheng Xiaoyu think of Golden Lion Shiki, the formidable figure who, by virtue of his Float-Float Fruit ability, became one of the three legendary pirates.
This town was nestled by mountains and water, with beautiful scenery, full of the breath of spring, forming a stark contrast to the gloomy and terrifying Thriller Bark.
Shiki's ability to achieve such accomplishments had a great deal to do with his air superiority and rapid movement.
After all, being able to act a step ahead in everything, whether plundering wealth or conquering territory, gave him a huge head start.
After escaping from Impel Down, Shiki disappeared for a long time, presumably accumulating strength in the dark, waiting for the opportunity to rise again.
Cheng Xiaoyu estimated that it was almost time.
He even looked forward to meeting Shiki in the air for a hearty battle.
Although Shiki was as famous as Roger and Whitebeard in his youth, he was now just a frail, old, disabled man.
To escape Impel Down, this ruthless man cut off his own legs, replacing them with two famous swords, "Sakuraju" and "Kogarashi," as prosthetics.
Thinking of this, a cold sneer appeared at the corner of Cheng Xiaoyu's mouth.
What was there to fear when facing such an opponent?