Chapter 41: The Strike That Breaks the Shackles

After two more days of rest, Sharlo finally stepped out of the room where he had spent the last four days.

"Boss!" "Boss!" The crew greeted him as he descended, and Sharlo nodded with a smile.

The warm sunlight on his face, and the vast blue sky above, filled Sharlo with a sense of comfort and a great mood. Drawing with Zephyr meant he had now entered the ranks of top fighters. Though he was among the weakest, Sharlo believed he would one day reach the peak. After all, he was only twenty years old!

At twenty, he already had two children and a third on the way. Whenever he thought about it, Sharlo couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Other transmigrators might be busy taking down powerful figures or challenging the Four Emperors, but not him. His days were spent training, fighting, and fooling around with his maids, resulting in two children. It was a bit of an embarrassment to the typical transmigrator image.

"Young master! Be careful not to catch a cold!" Martha called, walking over with a robe. Despite her slightly swollen belly, she moved gracefully, aware of the approaching winter chill.

"Thank you," Sharlo said, accepting the robe from Martha, her golden hair shining in the sunlight. He remembered the first time he met her, a brave girl and a fallen princess in the dark hold of a slave ship.

Martha blushed slightly under Sharlo's gaze. Sometimes, Sharlo thought of himself as a scoundrel—well, he was a scoundrel, always getting involved with those around him. Reflecting on his past actions, Sharlo acknowledged his descent into indulgence, far from the disciplined person he once was.

"You shouldn't stay here. The wind is strong. Go back to the cabin," Sharlo gently suggested.

"Yes, young master," Martha replied softly, returning to the cabin with two maids.

Standing alone at the bow, Sharlo contemplated his future. Challenge the World Government? He'd leave that to Roger or Luffy. Become the Pirate King? No, he lacked such ambition. He just wanted a simple, peaceful life, but even that seemed like a luxury in the world of One Piece, especially with him being a wanted man.

He glanced at the newspaper in his hand: Rockefeller Sharlo, bounty 950 million. Second only to the Golden Lion's bounty, he ranked fourth in the Rocks Pirates, surpassing John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and Charlotte Linlin. The Navy certainly thought highly of him.

Sharlo chuckled. Yesterday, he learned about the events of four days ago. A seemingly simple battle had almost escalated into a full-scale war between the Rocks Pirates and the Navy Headquarters. Fortunately, both sides had withdrawn in time, avoiding further chaos.

Reflecting on the past year, Sharlo realized he had been driven by a relentless desire to become stronger, a reaction to being constantly pursued by Zephyr. His life had been a high-pressure cycle of killing pirates, raiding merchant ships, challenging famous New World fighters, and training on deserted islands.

This high-pressure environment had bred a sort of obsession within him. Though he hadn't defeated Zephyr, the draw brought him great comfort, proving his efforts were not in vain.

"Ahh!" Sharlo exhaled, feeling a surge of relief. A powerful shockwave emanated from him as his Conqueror's Haki exploded, the strongest it had ever been. The sea roared, fish and sea kings were stunned, and crew members fainted on the deck, overcome by the Haki. Sharlo controlled its range to avoid disturbing Martha, for which he would have been gravely sorry.

Relishing the moment, Sharlo's Haki soared skyward, scattering clouds and creating a clear circle around him.

"Hyah-ha-ha-ha! So, it's you with such powerful Haki, kid!" A familiar, annoying voice called out.

The Golden Lion, Shiki, floated out from Beehive Island. Even before his figure appeared, his voice carried through the air.

Sharlo, irritated, directed his Haki toward Shiki.

"Hyah-ha-ha-ha! Don't think that drawing with Zephyr gives you the right to challenge me!" Shiki laughed arrogantly, sending a slash toward Sharlo. It was small but formidable—a slash from a true swordsman.

Undeterred, Sharlo drew his newly forged longsword and returned the attack. The two slashes collided with a loud bang.

"Hmm?" Shiki muttered around his cigarette, puzzled by the difference in Sharlo's attack.

"Not bad, kid! But let me show you what a real swordsman can do!" Shiki laughed, drawing his blades, Oto and Kogarashi.

"Slash Wave!" A cross-shaped slash hurtled toward Sharlo.

This time, Sharlo felt something new—an underlying will within the slash.

"Is this the path to becoming a true swordsman?" Ignoring the incoming attack, Sharlo reflected on his relentless training and battles since his transmigration.

"What is my dream? To be the world's king? The greatest swordsman?" No, none of those! My dream is freedom, to sail these seas and protect those I care about!

His eyes brightened, his Conqueror's Haki surged again. "My will is unyielding!"

With newfound determination, Sharlo struck back at Shiki's cross slash, breaking it apart at the last moment.

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Should I make ko- fi page for advance chapter for this novel

Give me your suggestions 😄