Chapter 28

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Gathering his scattered thoughts, Zyhark stretched lazily and walked casually towards Higuma, who looked tense.

"You must realize the gap between us now, Higuma."

"If you don't want to be beaten to death, you might as well surrender. After all, we still have the bond of 800,000 Belly."

These ambiguous words ignited a glimmer of hope in Higuma's eyes.

But before he could speak, Zyhark's next sentence completely dashed that hope.

"Don't worry, after I turn you in for the bounty, I promise to paid you back"

Sending me in, isn't that the same as killing me?!!

With his hopes crushed, Higuma desperately tried to regulate his breathing, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Zyhark as he approached.

His mind raced, considering the best escape plan.

Realizing he couldn't break through Zyhark's defense and despite his reluctance, Higuma bit the bullet and accepted this fact.

If he couldn't win, then fleeing was the only option.

Who in their right mind would stand and fight to the death against you!

When Higuma's peripheral vision swept over Zyhark and noticed Aqua and Luffy in two different directions, his cunning eyes suddenly sparkled.

Hahaha, I have it!

Something to save my life!

Higuma was ecstatic inside, though his face remained fearful and grim. Secretly, he clenched a handful of sea sand in his palm.

His actions and expressions were well concealed, easily deceiving Aqua and Luffy, but how could they fool Zyhark, a master of such tactics?

Zyhark understood but pretended to notice nothing, continuing to step forward.

The distance between the two sly actors gradually closed.

"Go to hell, Zyhark!!"

Seizing the right moment, Higuma suddenly threw the sand in his hand.

The fine grains dispersed like smoke, greatly obstructing Zyhark's vision, forcing him to close his eyes.

Prepared, Zyhark remained calm. With Observation Haki, even without sight, he could precisely lock onto Higuma's presence and intercept any surprise attacks!

However, the moment he activated his Observation Haki, Zyhark frowned, sensing something amiss.

Higuma showed no intention of attacking; instead, he grabbed the scattered long sword and started a frantic run.

"Targeting Luffy? You're really asking for death…"

Indeed, Higuma's target was Luffy, who was watching nearby, completely defenseless!

"Ah?! What?!"

Seeing the fearsome bandit suddenly turn and charge at him, Luffy's expression changed dramatically with fear.

The previous terror of being held captive by this man forced him to instinctively turn and run.

Aqua also immediately noticed Higuma's crazed intention. She attempted to step forward, but a heavy wave of dizziness surged through her.

She hadn't fully adjusted to the world of pirates yet, and the side effects of excessively using water magic were inevitable!

Compared to Aqua's extreme anxiety, Zyhark, whose vision had returned to normal, strangely stayed put, showing no intention to chase.

Calm and collected, he even took the time to brush off the sand that had fallen on him.

Besides his lack of speed being a disadvantage, making it impossible to catch up with Higuma who had moved first, there was another crucial reason:

Just then, his Observation Haki picked up a terrifyingly strong presence! 

Despite the distance, the mere fact that entry-level Observation Haki could perceive it spoke volumes about the extraordinary nature of this presence.

And now, looking across Windmill Village, the only one with such oppressive Haki was the captain of the Red Hair Pirates—Red-Haired Shanks!

'So Shanks, the man destined to become an Emperor of the Sea, possessing the strongest Conqueror's Haki, what choice will you make in this situation?'

Zyhark crossed his arms, looking up at Higuma approaching Luffy with deep, curious eyes as he saw him swing his sword.

…

"Hey, Luffy, weren't you going to be a great man? How can you be crying over a mere bandit?"

Shanks, who had somehow teleported to this spot, ignored Higuma completely and turned to look at the tearful Luffy.

His voice was soft and calm, showing no sign of the pain from his severed arm.

"But, but, Shanks, your arm, your arm..."

Luffy bit his lip, trying not to let the tears fall, but seeing Shanks' empty shoulder, he couldn't hold back his overwhelming grief and cried heartbreakingly.

From that moment on, Luffy's mentality underwent a significant change.

This change would affect his entire pirate career!

From afar, Zyhark watched this familiar scene from the anime.

Though he had guessed it, seeing it in person and feeling the visual impact was incomparable to watching through a screen.

Well, without the Sea King, you really stopped pretending, huh, Shanks...

Zyhark couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Knowing that Shanks was already a famous pirate in the New World, even his recent duel with Mihawk drew Whitebeard's attention at his peak.

In front of such a powerful user of all three types of Haki, the Sea King and Higuma were no different.

Just a bit of Conqueror's Haki from Shanks or a slight application of advanced Armament Haki could have made the Sea King gnaw for days and Higuma chop for a year without being able to sever his arm!

So, it's quite clear why Shanks would lose an arm in the weakest sea, the East Blue.

Just as he later told Whitebeard, it was a bet placed on the new era, on Luffy, who ate the Devil Fruit that carries the will of Joy Boy!

(End of Chapter)