Chapter 44: Plundering the Pano Kingdom

The Rocks Pirates sailed southward, distributing their fleet among other commanders to lead separate teams in plundering various kingdoms. This strategy allowed them to efficiently and quickly amass more treasures.

Li Yuan led nine ships toward the Pano Kingdom.

This kingdom, not part of the World Government, had been forced to withdraw from their alliance due to its inability to pay the heavenly gold, thus losing the protection of the Navy and the World Government.

As one of the weaker commanders, it was natural that Li Yuan was not sent to plunder a World Government ally, which was the territory of Rocks, John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe. 

Even within the Rocks Pirates, there was a hierarchy of intimacy and distance. Not only Li Yuan but also Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin were assigned to plunder non-World Government nations.

While this arrangement made them uncomfortable, they accepted it helplessly, knowing they could not defy Rocks.

"Senior Brother, we are approaching the Pano Kingdom!" Kano exclaimed excitedly, eager to showcase his newfound powers after ingesting the Cut-Cut Fruit.

"It seems the Pano Kingdom intends to resist us," Li Yuan remarked, glancing toward the kingdom. He could see many soldiers lined up, guarding the palace.

At the forefront of the over thirty thousand soldiers stood General Pami, a mid-level commander and the strongest general of the Pano Kingdom. He led all the soldiers to confront the impending pirate attack.

"Soldiers! The ruthless pirates are about to attack! Behind you are the many citizens of our kingdom, including your family and friends. We must not allow the pirates to enter our homeland!"

"Protect the kingdom, defend our homes, drive out the pirates!" General Pami raised his sword high, shouting passionately.

"Protect the kingdom, defend our homes, drive out the pirates!" 

"Protect the kingdom, defend our homes, drive out the pirates!" 

"Protect the kingdom, defend our homes, drive out the pirates!" 

The rallying cry resonated among the thirty thousand soldiers, who were the kingdom's defenders and residents. As soldiers, they could not retreat even in death, for behind them were their loved ones and their homes!

"What a touching scene, but unfortunately, your strength is too weak. In the New World, the weak have no rights!" Li Yuan said coldly, showing no sympathy for their plight.

He adhered to the principle of survival of the fittest, feeling no compassion for the sacrifices made in the name of protecting loved ones.

"Buzz!!!!"

As the soldiers of the Pano Kingdom prepared to resist Li Yuan's pirate fleet, a domineering and sharp blood-red Conqueror's Haki surged into the sky.

In an instant, the war clouds that had gathered above were forcefully dispersed, revealing the sun that had been obscured.

However, under the sunlight, the scene in the Pano Kingdom was not peaceful. Instead, the thirty thousand soldiers who had vowed to protect their homeland were collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

"Conqueror's Haki, how is that possible!!!" 

General Pami thrust his sword into the ground, forcing himself to remain standing, but he saw that none of the thirty thousand soldiers behind him could stand.

Even his deputy, a former Navy Captain, was kneeling, fueling his rage—a mix of anger at his own powerlessness and at the pirates' overwhelming strength.

"There's nothing impossible. In the New World, there isn't even a Navy Admiral among you. How dare you resist the Rocks Pirates?" Li Yuan jumped down from the fleet, using Moon Step to glide to the front of General Pami, holding the Wind-Cutting Sword and gazing coldly at him.

"Even if I die, I will not let the pirates into the Pano Kingdom!" 

After Li Yuan withdrew his Conqueror's Haki, General Pami firmly pointed his sword at him.

"Then I shall fulfill your wish and let you die fighting to protect your kingdom."

"Infinite: Half-Moon Slash!"

In an instant, Li Yuan dashed in front of Pami, the Wind-Cutting Sword resembling a crescent moon as he executed the slash with cold indifference.

"Clang!!!!"

Realizing Li Yuan's attack, General Pami immediately raised his sword to block in front of his chest.

"Boom!!!!"

Though Pami managed to block Li Yuan's strike, the tremendous force sent his sword crashing into his chest, propelling him over a hundred meters away.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Yuan pressed on, aiming another strike before Pami could land.

Seeing he couldn't defend in time, Pami gritted his teeth, covering his body with Armament Haki, and thrusting his sword toward Li Yuan's chest.

"Crack!!!"

Li Yuan's Wind-Cutting Sword broke through Pami's Armament Haki defense, slicing through his muscles and severing his ribs.

"Clang!!!!"

However, when Pami's sword struck Li Yuan's chest, it felt like stabbing a piece of solid diamond; the sword could not pierce Li Yuan's Armament Haki defense.

"Boom!!!"

Pami was once again sent flying by Li Yuan's strike, crashing into the city wall.

"It seems the effects of Haki Tempering are showing."

Li Yuan looked at the tear in his shirt and the white marks on his muscles. His Armament Haki, combined with his tempered skin, was now capable of defending against typical mid-level Admiral attacks—ordinary mid-level Admiral attacks couldn't break through his defense.

"Your battlefield killing sword is impressive; let me experience it further."

After clashing with Pami twice, Li Yuan recognized that Pami was also a swordsman. Though merely a regular swordsman, he was a good opponent for Li Yuan to hone his skills against.

"Die!!!"

Despite his injuries, Pami stood up and charged at Li Yuan, his sword growing more ferocious as he abandoned all defense to focus entirely on offense.

He knew he could not defeat the young monster before him, but regardless, he wanted to make the opponent pay a price!

He had devoted his life to this kingdom; protecting it was his lifelong wish. He would not hesitate to sacrifice his life for it.

"Come at me!!"

Seeing Pami charging, Li Yuan was excited and met him head-on, engaging in combat.

Even though Li Yuan had the power to kill, he didn't immediately strike; instead, he wanted to observe Pami's swordsmanship.

"Clang clang clang!!!!"

"Clang clang clang!!!!"

With each clash, the battlefield erupted with the sound of swords striking, creating a cacophony of steel as Li Yuan and Pami exchanged blows, leaving cracks and fissures all around them.

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