One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 248 Reunion of old friends

On the New Redford of the Red-Haired Pirates.

The deck was silent. The crew members gathered around the ship's side, gazing in the direction of the Sabaody Archipelago in the distance, their expressions varied.

"We've already crossed the Red Earth, and we were just one last stretch of road away from arriving, yet we still couldn't make it?"

Beckman, a cigarette dangling from his lips, frowned as he stared at the black screen of the live Den Den Mushi in his hand. After a long silence, he slowly exhaled a smoke ring.
"...That guy is really crazy."

Not only did he kill four Celestial Dragons in one go.

It even directly declared its ambitions to the world, officially breaking ties with the World Government...

He shared Shanks' opinion and didn't quite approve of such a reckless approach, but he had to admit that the man's charisma was enough to make even him waver...

Lucky Rue had forgotten to eat the chicken leg in his hand, seemingly still immersed in the shock of what had just happened. It took him a while to come back to his senses, and he asked hesitantly:

"Boss, should we... still go?"

Redhead stood at the bow of the ship, one hand on the hilt of Griffin's knife, a hint of worry in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, he turned around and shook his head slightly: "There's no need. Let's turn back."

From the moment Shano severed the first head, everything was irreversible. The storm of a new generation was destined to sweep across the entire world...

"Yes, boss."

The New Redford immediately changed course and headed toward Mary Geoise.

Redhead remained standing at the bow of the ship, gazing intently into the distance. He suddenly felt inexplicably tired and rubbed his temples.

Things are unpredictable.

The balance that had been maintained for so long was ultimately broken prematurely.

So, in this turbulent new era, where should one stand...?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Navy Headquarters has been withdrawn.

The reinforcements arrived quickly, but their retreat seems to have been even faster.

Kizaru, who had just woken up, stood side by side with Zephyr on the aft deck of the warship, responsible for covering the rear and ensuring the safety of the main force's march.

The slanting rays of the setting sun cast long shadows of the two people, but they never overlapped.

They were once inseparable master and disciple.

The two stood far apart, as if separated by an invisible abyss.

They remained silent for a long time, neither of them wanting to speak first, and it seemed like it had been a long time since they had communicated face-to-face like this.

"Speaking of which, teacher, is it really impossible for you to overcome that blind swordsman named Yixiao?"

In the end, it was Kizaru who spoke first. He stared at the white flag fluttering in the distance and said, as if talking to himself:

"The once mighty and infamous Black Arm, if he had joined the main battle, the outcome today would have been completely different. But he was stopped halfway by an unknown nobody. If this is reported to the authorities, I doubt anyone will believe it."

"That guy is no nobody."

Zefa snorted, "I don't care. I've already retired to the second line, and I can resign anytime without any problem. I don't need to care about the higher-ups' opinions. But you, how come you were knocked unconscious by that kid with one kick?"

"..." Kizaru's pupils shrank instantly.

"I see."

Zefa chuckled softly, "Even you, deep down, harbor resentment towards those guys up there, don't you? You seem to want them to make a fool of themselves as much as possible..."

But they are still young.

The acting was terrible!
"Borsalino, when did you start having this mentality?"

"You can't just say things like that, Professor Zephyr~"

Kizaru glanced at his severed arm, then turned back, his face calm as he said indifferently:
"As a Marine Admiral, I will naturally take responsibility for today's defeat when I return. As for you, Professor Zephyr, you keep saying you're ready to resign at any time. Don't actually leave the Marines and go join the Fallen Ones."

"How can it be?!"

Zephyr was taken aback for a moment, then sneered, "That kid taught the Celestial Dragons a lesson and slapped the faces of the higher-ups. I'd be happy to applaud him, but to make me betray headquarters for that?"

Bullshit!
In his view, the World Government and the Navy Headquarters were clearly distinct; the former was worthless, but the latter…

The latter hasn't done anything to wrong him yet!

Naval Headquarters, Marinevando.

He no longer has a home of his own; this is his last home! The disciples he personally taught are his family!

"...Is this so?"

Remembering a certain matter that was initially agreed upon when he went to the Holy Land for the last meeting, Kizaru turned his head, his expression becoming somewhat complicated.

-----

The entrance to Chambord Park.

Xia Nuo is leading his officers to gather manpower. He will accept anyone who is willing to leave Sabaody and join the Fallen Ones, whether they are naval soldiers or ordinary citizens.

Once we return to our territory, we'll screen them one by one: those willing to stay and live there, those willing to join the combat ranks, and those with ulterior motives...

"Brother Xia Nuo! Hey! Brother Xia Nuo!!!"

An excited voice interrupted his thoughts, and Xia Nuo turned around to look.

Then a little blue-nosed reindeer was running towards him with teary eyes, followed by a polar bear panting heavily.

"Oh?! It's Chopper!"

Xia Nuo laughed heartily, picked up Chopper, and spun him around. "It's been so long!"

"Yes, I've finally mastered my medical skills and am going to sea!"

Chopper was lifted high, grinning foolishly, "Now I'm a really good doctor, even Dr. Henrietta has praised me. I can help you, Brother Shano... uh, I should be able to, right?"

As it said this, it scratched its head, looking somewhat insecure.

On the way here, I happened to see Brother Xia Nuo kicking the Marine Admiral away and then slashing upwards through the sky.

It's been a year since I last saw him, and Brother Xia Nuo has become incredibly powerful... and it seems he has already built a formidable force that shakes the seas.

He must have many very skilled doctors under his command, right?
Do I still need someone like myself who's only half-baked...?

"Of course I can help."

Xia Nuo smiled and rubbed Chopper's blue nose. "You came just in time. Look, Kuina's injuries are more serious. Let's treat her first, and then help me bandage those two big guys."

"Okay! Don't worry, don't worry, leave it to me!"

Chopper's eyes lit up, he slung his little backpack over his shoulder, and chirped his way towards Kuina.

Shano's gaze then turned to the panting Bepo: "Who are you?"

Since the two mascots were together, he naturally recognized each other.

But the questions that need to be asked should still be asked.

Bepo was busy carefully looking around, and only after confirming that it didn't see the orange-haired girl that scared it did it breathe a sigh of relief, touching its chest.

Upon hearing Xia Nuo's shout, he immediately stood up straight and saluted her sharply.
"Reporting, sir! I am Bepo! The navigator of the Heart Pirates! Chopper was drugged and passed out earlier. I was following my captain's orders to bring him to safety. He just woke up and wanted to find his captain, so I brought him here..."

Looking at the stammering polar bear before him, Shano chuckled, "No need to be so nervous, the Heart Pirates... Where's your captain?" "Law..." Bepo was about to answer when his eyes suddenly lit up, "He's here! Sir, the captain's coming this way!"

Oh?
Xia Nuo turned around.

Just then, they saw Luo helping Sanji, who was covered in blood, walk this way, followed by Zoro, who was wrapped in bandages like a mummy, and Ace, whose face was charred and covered in dirt.

Clearly, Luo had just given all of them basic first aid.

"Hey, hey, hey, this is really strange, isn't it, Green Moss Head? You still haven't answered me. How did you manage to get to Sabaody before me all by yourself?"

Sanji limped along, but still couldn't resist teasing Zoro, "Could it be that you got food poisoning from eating your own cooking, and ended up lying in bed for a month, only to wake up in Sabaody Archipelago?"

"How do you know... Bullshit, you deadbrow!"

Zoro was taken aback for a moment, then flew into a rage. "What do you care how I got to Sabaody? Anyway, I became this year's Supernova. As for you, I've never heard of you before. Hey, what's your bounty? Show me your wanted poster!"

"Five hundred million Berries? What happened?!"

"Do you think I'm stupid? That old lady Shakky said that the highest bounty among this year's Supernovas belongs to this freckled guy in the back. He only has a little over 300 million Berries!"

"I said five hundred million, and I mean five hundred million! Don't believe me? Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson so you'll realize how big the gap is between us now!"

"Come on, who is afraid of whom?"

Both of them were wrapped in bandages and had casts on, which made it difficult for them to perform well, so they simply started throwing wild punches and ended up fighting each other.

"Two idiots..."

Luo rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

Having been tormented all the way, he began to feel that he had done a foolish thing by helping to treat these guys out of consideration for Lord Xia Nuo's followers.

"Hey, Traman!"

Ace then wrapped his arms around Law's neck from behind, grinning as he said:
"Why are you walking ahead all by yourself? Don't be so aloof. We almost died together, after all! Speaking of which, your abilities are really convenient. I'm looking for a doctor. How about considering joining my Spade Pirates?"

"Let go, Ace is in charge."

Luo slapped Ace's arm away expressionlessly. "I have no interest in being someone else's lackey."

The result is the next second.

He then saw Bepo on the opposite grass, and the smiling man beside him...

"Lord Shano."

Luo appeared opposite Xia Nuo in the next second, bowed, and spoke with a respectful and sincere tone:
"I am Trafalgar Law, captain of the Heart Pirates. I have long admired your name. Today, I am honored to witness your heroic act of slaying a Celestial Dragon and declaring war on the World Government. It is truly exhilarating."

He raised his head, carefully choosing his words as he asked:

"Would you be willing to take in our Heart Pirates? Although we are not as strong as your officers, my crew and I are willing to follow in your footsteps and contribute to ending this corrupt era."

"Hey!" Ace couldn't help but roar with his sharp teeth, "You bastard! Didn't you just say you didn't want to be someone's lackey?!"

"This is different."

Luo shook his head slightly, "Lord Xia Nuo has done me a great favor, and the reason I entered the Grand Line is to repay this kindness."

Have you been kind to me?

Xia Nuo couldn't recall it for a moment, until Luo explained it a few more times, and then he remembered the newspaper-reading king that he had cut in two back then.

That saves trouble.

Luo is top-notch in both medical skills and combat ability, and his character is also impeccable.

When Xia Nuo first met this guy, he was wondering how to recruit him, but unexpectedly, the other party took the initiative to offer his services.

"Welcome to the Fallen Ones."

Xia Nuo smiled and patted Luo on the shoulder, offering himself up so readily that Luo had no reason to refuse.

His gaze swept over the group of Supernovas behind Law, their faces bruised and swollen. Zoro and Sanji were still fighting each other with plaster casts on, while Ace glared at the back of Law's head with a displeased expression.

"Kuina."

Xia Nuo spoke calmly.

"give it to me."

Guina stepped out expressionlessly; she had long since reached her breaking point.

dong dong!

Five seconds later.

Zoro and Sanji, their ears bright red and three large bumps on their heads, knelt before Shano in a dogeza posture, weeping bitterly.

"I'm sorry, Brother Xia Nuo!"

"It's a rare reunion after a long separation, yet we're bickering and arguing like children, ruining the atmosphere. We have absolutely no sense of propriety!"

"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?"

Ace watched in disbelief, "Why are you two so afraid of her? It can't be that bad, she's just a woman after all..."

Boom! Bang!
Between the two who were kneeling in deep meditation, there was another one: Ace, with blue smoke rising from his head, knelt there sobbing, "I was wrong, I was wrong, okay? I'll never underestimate women again, please stop hitting me..."

This woman is terrifying!
"It's much quieter now."

Xia Nuo nodded slightly.

Since it was our first meeting, we naturally needed to exchange a few polite words and offer some words of comfort and encouragement. But with these idiots, there was no need to be polite at all.

Zoro and Sanji, in particular, are practically like younger brothers. If they hadn't been so young, they would definitely have been among the elders of the Fallen.

"A mediocre adventure team, and a chef adventure team?"

Xia Nuo took the wanted poster from Xiong next to him, frowning deeply. "What kind of lousy names are these? They're just embarrassing me. From today onwards, you're disbanded. You two will be directly incorporated into the Fallen Ones headquarters."

"Oh."

Zoro and Sanji nodded obediently.

"Why don't you put up a fight!"

Ace was dumbfounded, and then couldn't sit still any longer. "What's going on? You just gave in like that? Do you two even deserve to call yourselves captains? Do you think you're doing right by your crew? I'm not disbanding the Spade Pirates, and I'm not joining the Fallen Ones!"

"Eh?"

Now it was Zoro and Sanji's turn to be stunned. Their primary goal in setting sail was to join Shano's crew, and they had thought this freckled man was one of them.

"Surprised?"

Ace turned his head, grinned at Shano, and said with a grin, "Brother Shano, it's been a long time! I remember all the times you beat me up before! But I definitely can't beat you now, but things will gradually change after we enter the new world. When I become stronger, the first dream I want to achieve is to defeat you fair and square!"

“Idiot.” Jack rolled his eyes.

"That's really ambitious," Xiong said with a smile, pushing up his glasses.

"A string of utter nonsense," commented Kuina.

Xia Nuo didn't take it to heart and smiled, saying, "That's certainly ambitious. In that case, I'll wait for you."

He wasn't as close to Ace as Zoro and Sanji were, and he didn't expect the proud and arrogant Ace to join the Fallen Ones on his own initiative.

"Okay, it's a deal!" Ace grinned and laughed heartily.

(End of this chapter)