Chapter 13

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The forceful punch struck with the impact of colliding against an impenetrable fortress, leaving Luffy utterly unscathed and unshaken.

"Your strength pales in comparison to that of your grandfather's by a thousand leagues!" Xilan mocked, deriding Luffy's current state devoid of Haki mastery, failing to make any impression on him.

Every pore of his body opened, emanating an 'invisible' gas that surged forth like a gale.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xilan's emitted Haki rapidly permeated the surroundings, consuming Luffy, causing him to scream out in agony as blood sprayed into the sky, hurtling through the air like a propelled cannonball.

"Luffy!!!"

Boa Hancock cried out in terror, her worry etched across her face.

To her, a distance of hundreds of meters was no more than a blink of an eye.

She materialized in a blink, her calves explosively propelling her forward, unleashing the full force of her "Big Perfume Femur."

Xilan retaliated with a formidable punch.

Boom! The collision resounded, unleashing a shockwave that rippled outward, agitating the sea into tumultuous waves.

Snow-white limbs and fists clashed in a fierce deadlock, neither side able to advance or retreat.

A momentary stalemate was achieved by this exchange.

However...

"BOOST!!!"

Xilan bellowed, his entire armored form radiating a resplendent brilliance.

A sense of foreboding washed over Boa Hancock, as the power in Xilan's fist surged without warning.

Xilan thrust his fist forward, an immense mountain crashing into Boa Hancock, propelling her body through the air in an instant.

Devoid of any inclination to engage further with Boa Hancock, Xilan turned his attention to the Straw Hat-wearing Luffy, advancing steadily toward him, one step at a time.

Having shown restraint several times already, Boa Hancock had still suffered several falls but without drawing blood.

Observing Luffy, his head bleeding and trembling on the ground, it was evident that he could not withstand the onslaught of the Emission Haki, having sustained severe injuries.

"It appears to be the end."

Xilan seized Luffy by the neck, hoisting him into the air.

"Release Luffy!!!"

Boa Hancock rose tenaciously once more, her beautiful eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.

Xilan didn't even deign to turn his head.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The indomitable Conqueror's Haki surged skyward, sweeping across the fragmented island in an instant.

The entirety of the island quivered ever so slightly.

It was Xilan who once imparted the knowledge of Conqueror's Haki to her, and now, how ironic it was to witness its employment against himself.

This mistress of his... truly disheartening!

"Hancock..."

Xilan finally turned his gaze back, his eyes filled with darkness. "If you persist in such unscrupulousness, I shall cease to regard it as a jest," he uttered sternly.

"Perhaps... I shall employ my [Dragon] form," he added.

The mention of the word "Dragon" seemed to inflict immeasurable damage upon Boa Hancock. Her pupils violently contracted, and her hair stood on end.

Casting a profound glance at Xilan, Boa Hancock retracted her Conqueror's Haki.

The formidable aura of murderous intent also subsided.

At present, this iron-armored state merely represents a "forbidden hand form." If Xilan activates the actual "Dragon" form he'd have to fight with his full strength. Despite Boa Hancock's ability to contend with Admirals in terms of strength, if she were to face Xilan in his Dragon form, she would inevitably face defeat.

A few days ago, the Dragon had defeated Kaido at the G0 base, and the latter was eventually released after paying a hefty sum of tens of billions of berries.

"What... What do you intend to do with Luffy?"

Boa Hancock inquired gently, knowing well that her efforts would be in vain.

"You know me, I do not possess a strong sense of justice. Luffy's fate shall depend on the price Monkey D. Dragon is willing to pay," Xilan declared.

Boom!

Delivering a swift knife-hand strike that rendered Luffy unconscious, Xilan gazed at Boa Hancock with fiery eyes.

With his wild and aggressive stare, he scrutinized the fragile figure that had the power to captivate 99% of men.

A hint of blush flickered in Boa Hancock's eyes. After all these years under Xilan's care, she knew this man all too well.

"Your body is faltering; please exercise restraint. The demise of a Marine Admiral at the hands of a woman would be considered a jest if word spreads," Boa Hancock recollected.

"The last time, it did not work for more than a few minutes. It was about four years ago," she added.

Xilan was already 70 years old at that time.

Xilan's countenance darkened, and he spoke angrily, "That was in the past. Come with me!"

Boarding the boat, Xilan was followed by Boa Hancock, who could only comply helplessly.

Today, Xilan sought to rekindle his lost masculinity.

...

Simultaneously, Ace and Jinbei, who had successfully escaped from Impel Down, returned to the New World.

Upon seeing Ace, who had been absent for a considerable duration, Whitebeard, a man who had spent his entire life at sea, shed tears.

"Ace!"

"Pops!!"

The two embraced each other tightly, fearful of losing one another.

The remaining members of the Whitebeard Pirates observed this touching display of paternal affection and filial piety, their countenances adorned with smiles.

Although he had been coerced into paying hundreds of billions of berries, nothing held greater significance to Whitebeard than his family.

Furthermore, the establishment of the Save the Children Foundation by Whitebeard was intended to be of use during such times.

"Dad, it was the black dragon who launched the attack on Impel Down. There is no need to give the money to Xilan," Ace voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the considerable sum of berries extorted from them.

Xilan: "Damn your mother. You flipped out when you returned home. You deserve to be killed!"

"There seems to be some sort of connection between the two of them. Perhaps it's a superior-subordinate relationship, or a cooperative affiliation. It is even possible that Xilan orchestrated the black dragon's assault on Impel Down," Whitebeard mused slowly, grappling with the enigmatic bond between the two individuals.

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing these words. The esteemed Marine Admiral, in fact, shared ties with the uncrowned king of the underworld?

"As for the funds..."

Whitebeard shook his head and remarked, "In this regard, Xilan may be somewhat of a swindler, but his efficiency in executing tasks is quite remarkable, and he has never failed to deliver."

...

—

(AN: Bruh, MTL had the word Tyrannousaurus, I changed it to 'Dragon' cause his Devil Fruit is literally that, if it's an error I'll just change it in the future.)

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