Chapter 64: Victory
From beginning to end,
The goal of Rosinante and his companions was not to defeat "White Dragon" Barlf Talni.
If it weren't for the fact that the "White Dragon Pirates" were planning to raid Oden Sai under the machinations of CP3, gathering numerous pirate crews to blockade the Don Quixote family who came for business, Doflamingo and others might have just brought some popcorn and watched the show.
The decision to wade into these troubled waters was driven by various reasons: the youthful enthusiasm of many wanting to witness the North Sea's mightiest pirate, the reluctance to part with the cargo on board, the desire to avoid the first maritime trade of the family ending in failure, and Doflamingo's disdain for the CP organization...
But most crucially, Rosinante wanted to stay!
For Rosinante, defeating the Pirate Alliance or taking down Barlf Talni?
Those were unrealistic. The key was to make the other side realize the futility of continuing!
Upon discovering that the Den Den Mushi signals were being jammed and encountering Pick, Rosinante promptly provided the quickest solution to the problem: eliminate the members of CP3, cease the interference of the "Horned Den Den Mushi," and call for Marine reinforcements.
And now, it seemed Pick had succeeded.
"This is a signal I intercepted," the bald Arnok pulled a small black Den Den Mushi from his pocket. These devices were fond of eavesdropping on similar 'communications,' able to intercept various Den Den Mushi signals. They were both rare and expensive.
Even the largest pirate crew in the North Sea could only obtain one through the hands of the bald Arnok, who had amassed several years' worth of Beri.
"Sizzle... Oden Sai... under attack?"
"Yes... White Dragon Pirates... Bull Pirate Crew... sword and gun... hold on... Marines are on their way!"
Although the signal was unclear, it was evident that the nearby Marine base had received the distress call. The North Sea's Marines were not like the East Sea's, which had been relatively peaceful for a while and rife with corruption. Even someone as formidable as Barlf Talni would not dare to underestimate them.
"Furthermore, just a moment ago, Captain's shout nearly knocked out our side."
Patting Arnok, the burly old man gestured towards the entire battlefield. While the defending city had suffered heavy casualties, there were still many people gathering together.
On the pirate side, however, Barlf Talni's "Dragon Roar" from earlier had sent over a thousand people tumbling, leaving only a scattered few still standing.
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This Battle's MVP: Barlf Talni!
Unfortunately, it was for the opposite side.
"This..."
The massive white dragon surveyed its surroundings, its majestic dragon head showing a momentary awkward expression.
"This is my Devil Fruit ability," the bald, burly man explained, arriving at Rosinante's side. Rosinante focused his Kenbunshoku Haki on the "Don Quixote" and felt the presence of five life forms, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
Now the pressure had shifted to Rosinante, so he decided to use words to buy some time.
"The 'Silence Fruit' can suppress anything related to sound. Even Kenbunshoku Haki would be nullified by my Devil Fruit ability."
Surely the other side had guessed as much.
As expected,
A trace of realization flashed in the golden pupils of the massive white dragon, followed by a sense of difficulty.
Having Kenbunshoku Haki versus not having Kenbunshoku Haki was akin to the difference between a normal person and a blind person. Though it wasn't impossible to fight, if the opponent was determined to delay time until the Marines arrived...
Thinking this way, the massive golden pupils swiveled, and Barlf Talni exchanged a glance with the bald old man next to her, hinting for him to launch a surprise attack on Rosinante.
However, given her current size of over twenty meters, practically everyone saw this 'hint.'
"No, it won't work,"
To their surprise, "Bald" Arnok flatly refused.
"I lost a bet with someone,"
"The wager was that I wouldn't raise a hand against a certain man."
His gaze fixed on Rosinante, Arnok's eyes flashed with approval.
Being able to wound Talni was indeed the mark of a hero emerging from the younger generation.
Of course, had Barlf Talni's injuries been more severe, Rosinante would now be facing an enraged Busoshoku Haki user.
Armament Haki experts don't leave room for shortcuts in victory.
"Big... big brother,"
Just as hesitation appeared on Barlf Talni's massive "dragon face," a little girl ran towards Rosinante.
"Help me save my mommy—waaah!"
Snap,
"Oh, it's you,"
Rosinante caught the girl's wrist with a twist, causing her to kneel down. He nodded in recognition at the girl he had encountered twice before in the opera house and the park.
"No wonder the Pirate Alliance arrived so quickly."
It turned out this city had undercover agents from the other side, and they had deduced the information leak from Rosinante's words.
"Le... let me go... sis!"
Clatter,
A bluish poisonous dagger fell from the little girl's hand. The girl Rosinante had met twice before in the opera house and the park cried out and pleaded for help from the enormous white dragon on the other side.
"Hmph,"
However, the eyes of the massive white dragon were filled with indifference and disdain.
"At the very least, you're 'Black Captain's' bloodline, stronger than those useless ones. Seems like you're still useless."
"Cough, Captain."
Compared to Barlf Talni, who was basically an 'exemplary' pirate, Arnok, the bald one, was much more humane. He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Captain, it's time for us to leave."
...
Whoosh~
The massive body rapidly shrank, and the twenty-meter white dragon transformed into a black-haired woman in an extremely unscientific manner. Her white shirt, red belt, and black trousers appeared out of thin air.
Bending down to pick up the Sea-Prism Stone bullet from the ground, Barlf Talni shot a final deep glance at Rosinante across the way.
"Rosinante Nanshindi, I'll be waiting for you in the New World."
"Next time, I hope to have more fun!"
"Sure,"
Rosinante naturally intended to venture to the New World, just not right now.
Pirates in the North Sea could be strong to this extent... Truly, one only realizes what it means to be skilled after facing them firsthand!
After Barlf Talni finished speaking, she turned around and left, her voice echoing across the entire battlefield.
"Small ones, those pesky Marine flies are coming again."
"Load up the cargo and ships on the docks, we're leaving!"
"Your Excellency Rosinante Nanshindi,"
As the captain made her elegant departure, Arnok, the first mate who was more sentimental than a proper pirate, pointed to the little girl in Rosinante's hands.
"Please return our 'navigator' to us."
"Sure,"
Rosinante had no intention of testing the extent of these pirates' 'bonds.' If they didn't care at all or became infuriated, when the Marines arrived, all they might see would be his lifeless body.
Swoosh,
With a casual toss, Rosinante threw the little girl with green hair to the burly old man on the opposite side.
And after receiving the girl and setting her down, the burly old man turned to leave as well.
"Foul man, remember this—"
The girl with green hair turned back, pointing fiercely at Rosinante.
"My name is Barlf Misorelli!"
"The 'navigator' of the White Dragon Pirates. I'll be waiting in the New World..."
"Wait for me, Arnok Uncle!"
As the bald old man and the skipping little girl left together, amidst the devastated battlefield, members of the White Dragon Pirates immediately hoisted their own comrades and set sail, the commercial ships on the docks departing one after another.
What about the other pirate crews...
Who cared? They were just scavengers following behind, picking up scraps like hyenas.
In the docks, aside from the "Don Quixote," all the ships were taken away. Along with the cargo on board, the White Dragon Pirates did not suffer a loss from this raid—although they weren't able to plunder to their heart's content.
"Finally, it's over,"
If the battle had continued, Rosinante would not have had a chance of winning.
The most famous aspect of Zoan-type Devil Fruits is undoubtedly their powerful physical attributes and recovery abilities!
Given enough time, "White Dragon" Barlf Talni could easily conquer an entire nation single-handedly. Making the enemy retreat by relying on Marine reinforcements was already the best outcome.
"We won?"
"The pirates have left,"
As the tide of pirates receded like the ocean, even though nearly half the city lay in ruins, for the remaining people of the "Fairy Tale Land" Odesse:
"Oh oh oh oh oh!"
"We are victorious—"
"Long live Queen Jora! Long live the Queen!"
"And the hero who defeated the dragon, Rosinante Nanshindi!"
"Rosinante Nanshindi! Rosinante Nanshindi! Rosinante Nanshindi! Rosinante Nanshindi!"
The surviving crowds erupted into a deafening roar, raising their arms in triumph, clapping vigorously, or shouting praises to the queen and cheering for the "hero" Rosinante, celebrating their escape from death alongside their loved ones.
The thunderous noise created by thousands of people mixed together, creating a resounding surge that reverberated throughout the entire city, even reaching the mountains in the distance, generating an enduring echo.
"Fufufu, it looks like Rosinante has won."
On the Don Quixote, Doflamingo looked towards the direction of the docks. Whether it was the battle over there or the gamble over here, he realized that his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki was powerless in the face of true strength.
Armament Haki...
He had to work even harder!
---
On the Vixen, Barlf Talni fastened the Sea-Prism Stone bullet to her wrist and turned to her first mate.
"Arnok, teach me 'Armament Haki'!"
"Sure,"
The bald, burly old man agreed readily, like a dutiful father.
Awakening Observation Haki in a life-and-death battle, consuming a potent Devil Fruit, and possessing a natural talent for combat with fists, swords, and even artillery due to her sea-faring skills, Barlf Talni believed she was already strong enough to challenge the Grand Line, or even the New World.
And her goal was undoubtedly the pinnacle of pirates, the "Pirate King"! Yet now it seemed:
"Heh, I can't even defeat a little man. I truly am not powerful enough."
Armament Haki?
Let me see how long it takes to master it—
"Pain~~"
"Miss Vixen, endure a bit."
Meanwhile, the green-haired little girl receiving treatment swore fiercely.
Once I get my hands on you, I'll make sure to XXX and then OOO you, Rosinante!
—
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(End of this chapter)