91. Shiki Is Numb! Mice Can Use Emission?

When Spike let out a piercing scream, Tom sprang up from the hole he was digging as if he'd been given a command.

"Meow?"

Without hesitation, Tom swiftly pulled out some chicken legs and milk from behind him, transforming them into a lightning-fast projectile shooting up into the sky!

His sole motivation? To witness Spike's plight firsthand!

This seemed to hold a magical, irresistible allure for Tom.

In the blink of an eye, Tom reached the tallest tree on the island.

Silently, he pulled out binoculars from behind and observed Spike's pitiful state as he was chased, indulging in food and drink.

This whole scenario could only be described in two words - "Too Bad!"

However, unlike before, Tom didn't laugh as boldly this time.

It appears there were several prior instances, so Tom noticed a pattern.

It was fine to laugh at Spike, but not in his presence!

Tom was covering his mouth with both hands, his cheeks flushed, and white mist emanating from his body.

Even his head would occasionally be blown away by bursts of hot air, only to return after somersaulting in the air.

If one were beside Tom at that moment, they could still clearly hear the whistle of the train.

Just as Tom was about to restrain himself, a light bulb suddenly illuminated above his head.

With an idea in mind, Tom swiftly retrieved a baseball bat and a paper bag from behind him without hesitation.

Tom cautiously loosened his grip, holding the baseball bat and aiming it towards the top of his head, patiently waiting for the moment his head was lifted again.

Tom closed his eyes and swung it towards the sky!

There was a bang, and a red light burst forth from Tom's head.

Right after, Tom quickly drew three circles on the paper bag with his nails, perfectly revealing eyes and a large bag glowing red.

But then—

Tom, covering his entire head, let out a cry even more pitiful than Spike's.

Clearly, Tom's plan didn't work out as intended, instead, it ended up exposing him directly!

"What's that silly cat up to now?"

Spike, while running, narrowed his eyes and glanced at Tom from the corner of his eye, showing a puzzled expression.

But Spike didn't dwell on Tom too much.

After all, he was like a mud Buddha crossing the river at that moment—no time to spare for Tom's antics!

As Spike snapped back to attention and refocused his gaze ahead-

Bang

With a tremendous noise accompanying it,

A large, human-shaped hole suddenly appeared in the stone wall!

Shiki's eyes widened as he watched Spike pierce through the wall and continue running.

Immediately, several thicker stone walls rose in front of Spike, attempting to intercept him.

However, what Shiki never anticipated was the series of roaring sounds that followed.

The rising stone wall proved as flimsy as paper before Spike, crumbling one after another!

But what stunned Shiki the most was that with each wall Spike pierced through, his body darkened!

"Armament Haki? That dog can use Armament Haki?!"

Shiki could no longer contain his agitation; even his breath quickened!

Animals capable of learning Armament Haki—such intelligence and talent!

It's certainly beyond anything the SIQ medicine he developed could achieve!

"What a remarkable creature! I'm becoming increasingly intrigued by your potential for research!"

"Shihahahaha ~"

Before the laughter subsided, Shiki was airborne, racing towards Spike!

Simultaneously, he continued erecting high walls one after another in front of Spike using his abilities!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With each shattered wall, Spike grew increasingly confident in his own strength, yet a hint of anger stirred within him.

Just as Spike was about to collide with the next towering barrier,

He stretched out his hands and forcefully lifted the massive wall, hundreds of meters high!

Immediately afterward, Spike shook his head vigorously and hurled the high wall towards Shiki!

"Shihahahaha..."

"Useless little fellow, come back obediently with me!"

As he spoke, Shiki casually raised his arm, sending the giant wall flying away!

Spike blinked innocently, his face showing confusion, clearly not comprehending how Shiki accomplished such a feat!

However, this small setback didn't deter Spike; instead, it fueled his determination!

As he lifted and tossed away the high walls, Shiki's covetous gaze grew more intense!

Observing his attacks having no effect on Shiki , Spike felt a chill run down his spine!

Just as Spike pondered his next move, a mouse dressed in yellow and black stripes suddenly appeared before him.

"Muscles, please save me quickly! This fellow wants to take me back to make soup!"

Spike quickly hid behind Muscles, complaining to him about the Shiki's misdeeds!

Shiki: ???

Observing the skeptical Shiki floating in the air, Muscles glanced at Spike and then remarked, "Did you spot that fellow, Tom?"

Spike nodded, casually gesturing in a direction, and resumed accusing Shiki of wrongdoing.

Upon seeing Muscles, Shiki immediately sensed a faint but unmistakable threat.

Though it was a fleeting feeling, his intuition warned him that the little mouse before him was not to be trifled with!

However, just as Shiki prepared to strike, Muscles spoke up angrily.

"I see!"

Then, to the astonishment of both Shiki and Spike, Muscles transformed into a bolt of lightning and darted towards Spike's pointed direction.

With a bewildered expression, Spike remained alone, caught in the breeze.

Blinking in confusion, Spike shared a glance with Shiki before resuming his escape journey!

However, Shiki's focus was now entirely on Muscles, and he made no move to pursue Spike further.

Instead, he redirected his attention towards Muscles, setting his sights on the mouse's body.

In the Shiki's , Spike was already a spent arrow, incapable of causing much trouble!

Adding Spike's reaction towards the little mouse just now, Shiki concluded that the mouse must be the most powerful among the group of animals!

Following the saying "capture the king first," Shiki decided to go after the most formidable opponent first!

Once you seize the strongest one, there's no need to fret over the potential chaos caused by the others!

Observing that Shiki had ceased chasing him and had instead redirected his focus towards Muscles, Spike breathed a sigh of relief.

Spike's face suddenly twisted into an evil grin, while silently mourning for Shiki.

"You said it's not wise to provoke anyone, yet you went after that fellow."

Spike paused, withdrew a piece of chicken leg from behind, shook his head, and muttered.

The image of Shiki being beaten and screaming flashed through his mind.

"Poor~ Poor~"

Sensing someone pursuing him, Muscles frowned slightly, but paid it no mind.

Muscles was more concerned about Tom in front of him than Shiki behind him!

At that moment, Tom had removed the bag and was gently caressing the large bump atop his head while standing in front of a mirror.

However, when Tom caught sight of Muscles' reflection in the mirror, his body split and swiftly reorganized.

Hearing this, he hastily ducked into a bush, quickly dug a large hole, and thoughtfully covered himself with soil.

Even so, Tom, lying in the pit, remained in disarray, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Just as Tom prepared to dig deeper, the ground beneath him shook violently!

Then, the earth seemed to stir to life, levitating in the air and coalescing into the form of a lion's head.

And, inexplicably, Tom found himself lifted into the air as well.

"Meow?"

Tom froze, blinking in confusion, his mind swirling with bold question marks.

However, upon seeing Muscles, Tom found himself at a loss for words.

Tom shook with sweat, collapsing to the ground and lightly patting his chest, seemingly grateful for his escape.

Yet, Tom's relief was short-lived, as the lion's head beneath him suddenly lunged towards Muscles?!

Witnessing this scene, Tom was overcome with terror, choosing to leap from the air without a second thought.

Upon seeing Tom for the first time, Muscles clenched his fists tightly.

And aimed at Tom, prepared to send him flying!

Observing the cat and mouse before him, Shiki couldn't take them seriously at all.

A trace of dissatisfaction suddenly welled up in the Shiki's heart, without a moment's hesitation.

Instantly, he commanded the lion head suspended in the air, launching a fierce surprise attack on Muscles and Tom!

Rumble—

With a sweep of the Shiki's massive arm, the entire island trembled!

Muscles frowned, his expression growing increasingly dark.

It was evident that Muscles detested interference and was determined to teach Tom a lesson!

Observing Muscles' chilling gaze, he glared at Shiki viciously, and spoke icily:

"You old fart, what's your game..."

As Muscles' voice trailed off, Shiki sneered and posed two questions.

"What do you think I'm up to?"

Muscles and Shiki locked eyes, the tension between them palpable.

Tom, suspended in the air, witnessed Shiki stepping up to defend him and hurriedly reached out to shake the lion's hand in gratitude.

Before long, he found a hiding spot to watch the drama unfold.

Not long after Tom departed, the battle between Muscles and Shiki commenced in earnest!

Dozens of lion heads, condensed from the sand, were continuously pulverized under the barrage of Muscles' punches!

Shiki furrowed his brow slightly, then unleashed a flurry of slashes with the two swords tied to his legs at Muscles!

In the next moment, an unbelievable sight unfolded before their eyes!

Muscles closed his eyes, and his body involuntarily began to glow red and black.

Instantly, he clenched his fists tightly, repelling those formidable sword qi and sending them flying!

"Armament Haki, Ryou?"

"Are you kidding me? This mouse can use Armament Haki Ryou?!"

Shiki stared wide-eyed, incredulous, at the mouse before him!

It wasn't just ordinary Armament Haki Ryou!

From the aura emanating from Muscles' body, Shiki could discern it clearly.

The mouse before him had mastered Armament Haki Ryou to its ultimate level!

"A mouse that's mastered Ultimate Ryou?"

"What madness is this world coming to? It's utterly preposterous!"

Before Shiki could even process this, Muscles vanished in a flash, reappearing behind Shiki in an instant.

Shiki's pupils contracted tightly, sensing a grim future through his foresight!

Without a moment's hesitation, he swiftly shifted his body to the right, evading Muscles' attack!

Recalling the vision of the future he had just glimpsed, Shiki couldn't help but gasp!

In that future, he was pummeled by Muscles until he coughed up blood, teetering on the brink of death!

Under Muscles' devastating blow, the entire island shattered into countless pieces!

"What a monstrous strength!"

Shiki couldn't help but marvel, yet he didn't abandon the idea of apprehending Muscles. Instead, his eyes burned even brighter!

Since the death of Roger, he hadn't encountered such a formidable opponent in a long time!

"If I can capture you for research, I could easily overthrow the World Government!"

"Shihahahaha..."

Muscles frowned slightly, noticing a peculiar sensation as he launched the attack.

It was an unsettling feeling, as if his entire body was crawling with ants!

Before Muscles could fully shake off this odd sensation,

Shiki slashed out two sword slashes, slicing through the waterfall in the distance!

To Muscles' astonishment, the severed waterfall didn't plummet to the ground but remained suspended in the air!

In Muscles' bewildered gaze, the severed waterfall coalesced into a massive water sphere!

Muscles snorted, channeling power into his fists, and lunged straight at the water sphere!

Plop~

With a crisp sound, under Muscles' formidable attack, the water sphere burst instantly, filling the air!

At that moment, the corners of Shiki's mouth curled into a slight smirk as he sneered, utilizing his ability to reassemble the burst water sphere.

Entrapping Muscles within the watery balloon!

Muscles regarded Shiki with disdain, as if he were dealing with a fool.

With a casual swipe of his fist, he shattered the water sphere!

Yet, in less than a second, the water sphere coalesced once more.

Only then did Muscles realize something was amiss—Shiki intended to drown him!

Helplessly, Muscles pushed against the water, then retrieved a set of diving equipment from behind and donned it before swimming swiftly towards the surface.

Observing this, Shiki froze momentarily, then directed the water sphere to keep pace with Muscles.

Tom and Spike blinked in confusion, their minds swirling with bold question marks.

What game was Muscles playing?

At the same time.

Al, who was in Angel Village, had plundered the entire village at that moment.

Just as he was preparing to return to Apayardo to reunite with Nami and the others and set sail once more, a sudden system beep froze him in place.

[Obtain a Crew Ability Experience Card]

Upon seeing this message, Al couldn't help but recall the image of rubbing the island with his hands in Arabasta.

Without a moment's hesitation, Al immediately chose to use the Crew Ability Experience Card, fervently praying in his heart that he would draw the power he desired!

In doing so, he could harness the ability of the Droopy to manipulate space and extract the fruit he desired!

Accompanied by a flash of white light, a wolf's howl suddenly echoed in Al's ears, accompanied by the unmistakably familiar voice of Big Big Wolf.

"I'll be back for sure!"

Along with the sound, the system prompt windows popped up one after another.

[Acquire the crew ability - Big Big Wolf!]

"What the... Big Big Wolf?"

Al couldn't help but swear. This was the ruthless man who made missiles with his bare hands!

Though it wasn't exactly what he hoped for, having the ability of the Big Big Wolf, was still impressive!

As one of the strongest scientists in Green Green Grassland, Big Big Wolf has invented too many things!

Just as Al was contemplating how to transform the Black Pearl into a UFO, another system prompt sounded in his mind.

[Received 9999 EP from Shiki]

[Received 9999 EP from Shiki]

[Received....]

Looking at the EP reminder for the phantom in the system, Al couldn't help but frown, then hurriedly dashed out of a villager's house.

Gazing at the several islands suspended in the air, the corners of Al's mouth curved slightly as he silently retrieved a pan from behind.

"It seems I won't need to search for you anymore!"

"The second fruit I've been longing for in my heart!"

----------

Read chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari