10 Chapter 10: The Adventure Begins

Cirian Island.

An island situated on the edge of the West Blue, ruled by a relatively unknown, small-scale underworld organization.

In the West Blue, there are countless islands like Cirian, maybe not exactly ten thousand, but certainly around eight thousand. The true rulers of the West Blue's underworld are the many powerful criminal organizations.

A regular-looking sailing ship is docked in the port, and people are disembarking one by one.

Compared to the imposing figure of Dawson, Adrian, with his average height, blends into the crowd.

Yamanbako chose Cirian Island as a temporary stop to take a short break and restock supplies.

The cries of vendors on the dock are incessant, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Dear guest, you won't find a cheaper place than my home here!"

"Everyone's prices are the same, and to be honest, the quality is just okay, but my place has the freshest fish!"

"..." 'Really, how honest'

"Hello, sir. May I ask if you need a free sightseeing service?"

Adrian paused, intrigued by the unfamiliar man in a gray short-sleeved shirt who suddenly appeared before him.

The man in the gray shirt spoke enthusiastically, using animated gestures. Both his words and actions were quite captivating.

"If only it were really free, but alas..." Adrian suddenly reached out, grabbing an arm that was quietly reaching into his pocket. In the process, he pulled out a small guy with sharp features and monkey-like cheeks.

Adrian pushed the small guy, who winced in pain, towards the man in the gray shirt, then pointed at Dawson.

"Why did you come looking for me? That tall guy over there seems much easier to deceive."

The man in the gray shirt glances at Dawson and involuntarily shrinks his neck. With such a large stature, one blow could easily flatten him!

"I warn you, little—"

The man in the gray coat was about to speak harshly, intending to declare his identity, when the small guy beside him suddenly grabbed the hem of his coat. The former glanced at his comrade's wrist, which now bore five dark bruises from being grabbed, and couldn't help his pupils from contracting.

"What's the matter?" Adrian strokes his chin, amused.

"Sir, I must kindly warn you," the man in the gray coat changes his tone to a sincere and humble one, "there is a very frightening gang on this island. Please be extremely careful when you explore later... Allow me to take my leave first!"

Adrian chuckled as he watched the duo run off in a cloud of smoke.

"The West Blue is really something else. Even on these remote island docks, there are guys trying to steal and extort."

"If I let you guys get away like this, it won't do. I was just about to look for local big shots here and get some information about the surrounding sea area..."

Adrian followed the duo at a leisurely pace.

Docks, sheds, and streets...

The man in the gray shirt and the short guy ran non-stop until they finally stopped in a narrow and dark alley.

"I said we shouldn't go, but you insisted!" The short guy complained loudly while flexing his wrist, "That man and the tall, scary monster came down from same ship—I saw it with my own eyes!"

"It's my fault; I didn't know he'd be so strong!" the man in the gray shirt apologized. "Despite being so small... well, I'll treat you later—"

"I apologize for being so small!"

"Who is it?"

"Who's there!?"

The two immediately shouted in fear.

"So you've forgotten about me already?"

In an annoyed tone, Adrian stepped into the alley from the entrance. One thing he hated the most was when others talked about his height. These two gang scums dared to mock him behind his back!

"Sorry! My bad!" (x2)

Seeing Adrian, the two gang members quickly dropped to their knees and apologized, synchronized like they rehearsed it.

"It's hard for me to deal with you guys like this..."

Adrian frowned; He had only planned to teach them a lesson, but they were surprisingly cooperative.

Not bothering to argue with such small fry, Adrian asked in a cold voice, "Do either of you have a sea map of the nearby area?"

"We do! We do!" The short guy nodded eagerly.

"The detailed sea chart is at our home. If you need it, I can take you there right away!" said the man in the gray shirt.

"Is it really in your house?" Adrian raised an eyebrow. "It's not some kind of mafia headquarters, is it?"

"How could it be?!" X2

Both of them shook their heads vigorously, wiping sweat from their foreheads.

"You guys are so guilty, even ghosts know something's up..."

Adrian felt extremely speechless.

"Adrian, why do you want sea charts for the nearby areas?"

Suddenly, the light dimmed, and a huge figure, like a giant rock, blocked the narrow alley's entrance.

"Of course, it's to leave, Dawson," Adrian said without looking back. "Are you planning to serve the World Government for your entire life?"

"No wonder I felt something was off..." Dawson fell silent for a moment, then strode over decisively. "In that case, I must stop you!"

"Ah! He's coming towards us!"

"The giant monster is coming!!"

The two of them screamed in extreme terror.

"Adrian, I don't want to fight with you right now!" Dawson roared in a low, booming voice, his towering figure almost completely overshadowing Adrian. "Come back to the ship with me! Execute the mission!"

"I can only regretfully inform you that it's impossible," Adrian replied calmly. "Sorry, but I won't work for the World Government. I've never wanted to, and that hasn't changed."

"Adrian!!"

Dawson roared in anger, clenched his fists, and charged forward.

"Shigan: Fist Cannon!"

Dawson, with a fist like a cannonball, with unparalleled momentum, rushed towards Adrian, ready to completely knock him away.

"I've changed in the last three days"

Just before being struck, Adrian seemed like a piece of paper about to be hit. He smoothly shifted several meters backward along the whistling fist wind, skillfully evading Dawson's punch.

[Six Forms: Paper Drawing]!

"What's more, I'm not the same person I was three days ago!"

[Six Forms: Iron Body, Iron Fist]!

Adriana's fair fist suddenly revealed a hint of red. Under the influence of the 'Iron Body', the originally soft skin became as hard as steel, meeting Dawson's punch.

The moment the two fists collided, it was as if a cannonball had exploded. The intense shockwave spread in all directions, causing cracks to appear out of nowhere on the narrow and cramped alley walls, raising a large amount of dust and smoke.

Crack... drip... drip...

With the crisp sound of bones cracking, drops of blood fell to the ground.

Although Dawson, with a taller stature and a stronger imposing physique, he lost in this clash of fists. His massive fist even received a noticeable dent, and blood flowed down the cracked skin.

On the other hand, Adrian only had slightly dirty clothes.

"This can't be possible!"

"How can this man be so strong?!"

The two onlookers were in a state of stupefaction, struggling to find words.

"The current you is by no means my match. Do you want to continue, Dawson?" Adrian calmly asked, patting his clothes.

"If Dawson isn't your match, what if I join in?"

"It's the same," Adrian turned around, "Instructor Yamanbako."

However, in that instant of turning around, a chilling blade suddenly flashed from the shadows.