MM Racing Chapter 222 Investment, Farewell and Death: A Warning
Chapter 222 Investment, Farewell and Death: A Warning
Chapter 222 Investment, Farewell and Death: A Warning
Brook's sudden departure and Usopp's angry runaway left the core members of the Straw Hat crew feeling heavy-hearted.
Meanwhile, Nami and Chopper's fundraising efforts are also facing difficulties.
Nami tries to use her eloquence and charm to find opportunities in some shops and exchanges.
But either they're mistaken for scammers, or the other party gets so scared by the Straw Hat Pirates' name that they immediately close the door.
News of the Adam Tree disappeared without a trace; this legendary wood was simply not something that could be obtained through ordinary channels.
While gathering information and buying food, Sanji gleaned some bits of tidbits of information from restaurant owners and market vendors.
Rumors have it that a small batch of rare wood of unknown origin has been circulating secretly in the underground world of Water City recently, but access requires a special introduction and a huge deposit.
At the same time, he also keenly sensed that there seemed to be some unfamiliar faces operating in the city, not like the navy, but more like—the revolutionary army?
He didn't make a fuss, but simply kept it in his heart.
Zoro—as expected, got lost in the intricate backstreets of the waterways.
After circling the same spot for the third time, he angrily chopped down an innocent road sign, causing a commotion and prompting a tense report from a Navy plainclothes officer.
In the waters surrounding Water 7, Lucci's ships flew like black arrows skimming the surface of the sea.
After breaking through Fujitora's blockade, they barely stopped and headed straight for Water Seven.
Assassin stood still at the bow of the ship, his gaze seemingly piercing through space, firmly fixed on the unique fluctuations of the Yomi no Mi (Fruit of the Underworld) within the Water City.
However, he soon discovered that the fluctuation was moving, and—it seemed to be consciously moving away from the direction of the other members of the Straw Hat crew.
"The target is moving, intending to separate," the ancient voice of the Assassin stated.
Lucci's eyes were icy: "Trying to lure us away by himself? Foolish. But that's fine, let's take care of him first, then settle scores with Ace and Karna!" He didn't mind taking them down one by one.
The ship adjusted its course, no longer heading directly towards the noisy area where Luffy and the others were, but following Brook's movement trajectory, like the most accurate hunting dog, silently sailing towards a relatively remote abandoned shipyard area in Water 7.
As Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked at the preliminary assessment report on the abilities of the Death Angel sent back by Fujitora, as well as the latest information sent by Doberman about the Straw Hat crew's high-profile activities and Lucci's approach to Water 7, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
"We can't hesitate any longer!" Sengoku growled into the Den Den Mushi.
"Isshou! I authorize you to attempt limited contact with the Straw Hat crew, especially Roger's Heroic Spirit, if necessary!"
"Let's clarify the danger posed by Lucci and his Heroic Spirit, and see if we can—temporarily reach some level of understanding—to prioritize dealing with the threat from Lucci and that Angel of Death!"
"Remember, it's about tacit understanding, not an alliance! Maintaining overall stability is the top priority!"
This was an extremely risky step, tantamount to tacitly acknowledging the temporary legitimacy of Roger's existence.
But faced with the rule-based Death Angel, Sengoku had no choice but to make this decision, which was almost like asking a tiger for its skin.
"Understood." Fujitora's calm voice came through. He had already arrived at the outskirts of Water 7 and was closely monitoring the situation.
However, the Straw Hat crew was unaware of the chaos happening outside.
After a busy day, they all returned to Frankie's house, dejected as there had been no progress.
The only good thing is that Zoro didn't get lost, so we don't have to bother looking for him anymore.
Nami kept rubbing her aching calves: "Honestly, I've walked every street and alley, but there's still no way to make money—"
As Crocodile listened to her words, he sneered from the side, a cigar dangling from his lips.
"A bunch of idiots who can't see the bigger picture. They have two trump cards in their hands: Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, and Karna, the Son of the Sun, yet they're worrying about mere money?"
"Just wait, the opportunity will come knocking on your door soon."
His words, tinged with his usual sarcasm, accurately predicted what was about to happen.
Tescatlipoca observed all of this with great interest, as if he were watching a drama about to reach its climax.
Luffy had no time to pay attention to the crocodile's taunts; his mind was filled with thoughts of his missing crewmates.
He rushed to Tescatlipoca, his eyes urgent: "Hey! Uncle God! Do you know where Usopp and Brook are? Tell me quickly!"
Tescatlipoca wore a smile that suggested he knew everything yet was also happy to see the changes.
He stretched out his finger, the tip swirling with a chaotic halo, and gently touched the air.
"There's a certain joy in searching for lost sheep. Okay, I'll tell you."
"The Bone Musician, with a heart full of sacrifice, is sailing towards the abandoned shipyard in the northeast of the city, attempting to lure the hounds away from the flock of sheep."
"And the long-nosed boy, filled with worry and guilt, is following a similar path, lurking in the shadows."
In plain terms, Brook was at an abandoned shipyard to the northeast, trying to lure Lucci away by himself. Usopp, worried, followed him.
"Understood!" Luffy made a decision instantly.
"Zoro, Sanji! Let's go find them! Uncle Roger, you come too!" With the Pirate King backing him up, he felt more at ease.
"Wait, Luffy!" Ace called out to remind him.
"What will happen to the shipyard now that we're all gone?"
Luffy was taken aback, then looked at Ace and Karna: "Ace, Sun, I'm leaving this to you!"
Protect Franky and the shipyard!
Karna nodded calmly: "It is my duty."
Ace pulled down the brim of his hat, flames dancing on his fingertips: "Don't worry, no one can cause trouble here."
Shortly after Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji hurriedly left with Roger's spirit, uninvited guests began to appear outside Franky's house.
They were not from the navy, but rather a group of well-dressed individuals with diverse personalities, whose eyes gleamed with shrewdness or ambition.
The first to arrive was a man who claimed to be a representative from a business association in the New World, with a fawning smile and a box full of pewter pesos.
"Lord Fire Fist, Lord Karna, our guild leader has high hopes for Mr. Straw Hat Luffy's potential."
"This is a small investment, hoping to contribute to the construction of your new ship, and only wishing to make things easier for you in the new world in the future—"
Immediately afterwards, several more groups of people arrived.
Some arms dealers from the underworld saw the potential influence of this team and wanted to invest in it in advance.
There are secret envoys from certain non-World Government member states who hope to leverage Roger's reputation and the strength of his team to increase their prestige.
There were even some forces that originally had business dealings with Doflamingo and were looking for new backers after he was stripped of his title.
They all sensed an opportunity and sent people to curry favor.
Ace and Karna responded to these people with blank expressions.
Ace was in charge of the negotiations, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, while Karna was like a silent sun, simply standing there, the pressure he exuded was enough to deter those with ulterior motives from making any rash moves.
Franky watched the scene unfold before him, fiddling with his tools as he grinned.
"SUPER—!!! See that? That's the title of the Pirate King! Mr. Tom, did you see it?!"
Mayor Iceberg also secretly sent his confidants, providing a batch of high-grade shipbuilding materials that are hard to buy on the market and intelligence that the Treasure Tree Adam may appear on a certain black market soon.
This favor is both an extension of respect for teacher Tom and a cautious statement about future investment.
Crocodile looked at the endless stream of investors, snorted coldly, and whispered to Tescatlipoca.
"See? This is the reality of the world. Power always attracts vultures and gamblers."
Tescatlipoca chuckled: "Introducing yourself, gambler? But you're right, the most interesting flowers bloom in chaotic soil."
"However, the real show seems to have already begun on the other side."
To the northeast of Water City lies a desolate and dilapidated abandoned shipyard.
Brooke slowly sailed away from the shore in a small, stolen sampan.
He looked back towards the city, his empty eye sockets seeming to well up with tears.
"Yohohoho—Goodbye, everyone—I hope my choice will bring you a glimmer of hope."
He tried to steer the ship to wider, more remote waters, to lead death further away.
However, not long after he left the dock, a fast ship exuding an ominous aura appeared like a ghost on the horizon and approached at an astonishing speed!
Standing at the bow of the ship was Rob Lucci, his face icy cold, and the cloaked figure that made his very soul tremble.
"Target found. Guide to the underworld, you are struggling in vain."
The ancient voice of Assassin crossed the sea and entered Brooke's mind directly.
Lucci didn't bother with any more words. He activated Moonwalk and shot towards Brook's small boat like a cannonball!
"Grab him and find out Ace's whereabouts first! Then finish what you need to do."
Just as Lucci was about to land on the sampan, Brook gripped his cane sword in despair.
"Ultimate Move: Barrage of Gunpowder Stars!"
Several specially made bullets, imbued with an aura of dominance, were fired from the shadows of an abandoned crane on the shore, precisely targeting Lucci's footing and vital points!
Although its power was insufficient to seriously injure Lucci, it successfully hindered his movements, forcing him to twist his body forcefully in mid-air.
"Lord Usopp?!" Brook was both surprised and delighted.
Usopp jumped out of the shadows, his face still bearing traces of tears and stubbornness, but his slingshot was already fully drawn.
"Brook! You idiot! What do you mean by 'bear it all alone'? We're partners!"
Although he was angry, he had been secretly keeping an eye on Brooke's movements and, as expected, followed him.
"Hmph, overestimating yourself." Lucci steadied himself, his eyes growing even colder.
He didn't even need the Heroic Spirits to intervene; relying solely on his physical skills and his partially restored Haki, he charged towards Usopp and Brook like a tiger among sheep.
Although Brook was a skilled swordsman and Usopp used a variety of unexpected moves, they were easily defeated by Lucci, whose strength was far inferior to Brook's, in just a few rounds.
Brook was stomped on by Lucci, causing his cane and sword to slip from his hand, while Usopp was pinned down by Kaku's finger gun and unable to move.
"Tell me! Where are Ace and Karna?!" Lucci stomped his foot, and Brook's skeleton creaked painfully.
"Yohohoho—I—I don't know—" B.K. answered with difficulty, he would never betray his partner.
Just as Lucci's murderous intent surged, preparing to cripple Brook first and then interrogate Usopp...
"Rubber rubber, rocket launcher!!"
With a familiar roar, Luffy's figure shot out from the shore like a real rocket, his huge rubber fists slamming down on Lucci!
Zoro and Sanji followed closely behind, unleashing the cold light of their Three-Sword Style and the scorching heat of their Diable Jambe simultaneously, instantly forcing back Kaku and the other CP9 members who tried to come forward to help!
"Mr. Luffy! Mr. Zoro! Mr. Sanji!" Brook and Usopp exclaimed with surprise and joy.
Lucci was forced to retreat, looking at Luffy and his two companions who had suddenly appeared.
Most importantly, the sight of Gol D. Roger standing behind them with his arms crossed made Lucci's face turn extremely grim.
"Straw Hat Boy—Roger—you're all here—perfect timing!"
However, Assassin, who had been standing still at the bow of the ship as if indifferent to the battle before him, moved slightly at this moment.
For the first time, his dark eyes truly turned their gaze to Luffy.
"Child bound by destiny—your very existence is outside the rules—a rubber shell harboring the will to liberate—interesting."
His ancient voice carried a hint of inquiry: "All are abnormal, all are targets that need to be examined. In that case—add them all to the list of those to be executed."
As soon as he finished speaking, a concept of death that was far larger and purer than before descended upon Assassin with a thunderous roar!
It is no longer an instant death targeting an individual, but a widespread and indiscriminate declaration of death!
In an instant, the space within a radius of several hundred meters centered on the abandoned shipyard seemed to have been stripped of its color, leaving only gray and white!
The air froze, sound vanished, and all living beings felt their life force being forcibly extinguished by an irresistible force!
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Brook, and even Roger all felt an immense heaviness in their bodies at that moment, as if they were carrying a tremendous burden.
Their movements became extremely slow, and the flow of energy within their bodies became sluggish.
A terror stemming from their very life instincts, a fear of absolute annihilation, gripped them!
Luffy tried to enter Nikka form, and the drumbeat of liberation pounded wildly inside him, but he seemed to be bound by invisible chains and could not break free for a moment!
This is suppression at the level of rules; death has somehow overridden liberation at this moment.
"Damn it—I can't move—" Zoro gritted his teeth and struggled to raise his three swords.
"This...is this what death feels like?" Sanji knelt on the ground, his shirt soaked with cold sweat.
Usopp and Brook were almost suffocating, watching in despair as the figure in the deep blue cloak slowly raised his hand, as if about to deliver the final death sentence.
As Lucci watched this scene, a cruel yet satisfied smile appeared on his face.
It's over. Everything will end here!
Just as Assassin's hand was about to strike, and the invisible blade of death seemed to be hanging precariously over everyone's necks, a moment of extreme tension.
"Ugh—!!!"
The crimson Command Seal on the back of Brook's hand suddenly erupted with an extreme light that seemed to burn his soul!
Concern for his comrades, determination to sacrifice, resentment in the face of adversity, and anger at the forced deprivation of life.
At this moment, everything was broken!
He thought of the scene many years ago when he watched his companions pass away one by one before his eyes. How merciless death was back then, leaving him alone to wander the world.
Binks' fine wine still lingers in his heart, but now Death has descended once more, slashing at his new companion.
How can I accept this kind of thing—this kind of ending?!
I haven't gone back yet to fulfill my promise to Raab!
"Don't you dare hurt my comrades!!!!"
Brook mustered all his strength and let out his loudest roar since becoming a skeleton!
Buzz—! ! !
As if in response to his call, a deep bell tolled at that moment.
The instant the bell rang, Lucci felt as if his soul had been frozen.
He turned his head with all his might and saw that the bell tower in the center of Water City, without anyone striking it, was ringing a bell that shook the heavens and the earth!
But the bell tolled not as clear and melodious as it used to, but instead was filled with a desolate silence and majesty!
Within the suppressed realm of death, two eerie blue flames slowly ignited.
Death has come again.