NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75: 75
As Nami and Robin listened and came to understand that Vivi would be staying here to train under Rayleigh, they recognized that this was the best opportunity for her.
Though two years might not seem long, it also wasn't a short time. Both Nami and Robin walked over, embracing Vivi tightly. In unison, they said:
"Vivi, we'll be waiting for you to come back!"
"Mm-hmm! And while I'm gone, please take care of Tony for me..." Vivi replied with a sweet, radiant smile.
Her words were undeniably a playful challenge—sweet little Vivi's bold provocation.
"Hmph! Don't get too cocky now, little miss. You're getting bolder and bolder by the day!" Nami teased, a playful smirk on her lips. "Two years is a long time, you know... a lot can change."
Tony, by now, had silently walked up beside them.
"Oh~?"
Tony's sudden, serious tone startled Nami.
Robin and Vivi, standing off to the side, covered their mouths to stifle their mischievous laughter.
"!!!"
Nami quickly realized something was wrong. That voice—wasn't it...?
She turned and saw the familiar figure standing just behind her.
"Tony!!!"
Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she spun around, dashing into the bar to hide her embarrassment.
Her reaction drew peals of laughter from everyone else outside.
But just as the group was basking in their cheerful moment, a massive fleet descended from the sky, casting a shadow over Tony and his crew.
Hovering high above them was a fleet led by none other than the infamous Golden Lion Shiki.
Looking down at the group below, Shiki sneered, his laughter filled with malice.
"Gyahahahaha! Long time no see, Dark King Rayleigh!"
Rayleigh, unfazed by the sudden arrival, responded calmly.
"Shiki, with such a grand entrance, I take it you're here for something important?"
In truth, Rayleigh had known for some time that Shiki had been stationed in the area for over a year.
But as someone who had chosen to live a retired life, he had little interest in Shiki's intentions and had paid it no mind.
Now, however, Shiki's sudden and dramatic approach piqued his curiosity, leaving him to wonder what could have brought the Golden Lion here.
As Tony watched Shiki descend with his fleet, realization dawned on him—he had forgotten an important promise.
"Damn it... How could I forget this?!"
His face twisted in frustration as guilt gnawed at him. Tony knew that only by awakening the Rinnegan and combining it with his unique Kido techniques could he truly heal Shiki's legs. However, he hadn't even activated his Mangekyo Sharingan yet, let alone the Rinnegan. His current abilities weren't sufficient to fully restore Shiki's legs.
The worst part was that Shiki firmly believed Tony could heal him—because Tony had promised him as much when they first struck a deal. Now, it was time to face the consequences of his earlier words.
Shiki's fiery gaze locked onto Tony as he smirked maliciously and cut straight to the point.
"Gyahahaha! Rayleigh, I'm not here for a friendly chat, and I didn't even know you were here."
He then turned to Tony, his smile sharp as a blade.
"I'm here for one reason only—to see your disciple fulfill his promise."
At that moment, Nami burst out of the bar in a flash of lightning, placing herself protectively in front of Tony.
Vivi and Robin joined her, taking battle stances as they stared down Shiki with fierce determination.
Unlike a year ago, when they could only react defensively, all three had gained enough strength to stand their ground.
Shiki didn't seem surprised by their actions. Instead, he smirked and said with mock indignation:
"Oh my, what's this? Could it be that the great Silvers Rayleigh's disciple is planning to break his promise?"
"Is the pupil of the Dark King, first mate of the Pirate King's crew, nothing more than a lying scoundrel?"
Shiki was clearly trying to pressure Tony by tarnishing Rayleigh's name. Lacking the strength to force Tony's hand, Shiki had chosen manipulation as his weapon.
Rayleigh, standing nearby, frowned slightly and turned to Tony. "What exactly did you promise this man?"
Though Rayleigh had retired from his pirate life, his principles remained strong, and he didn't want his disciple's integrity called into question.
Tony rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, Master… I promised to heal his legs in exchange for his help getting to Skypiea."
Rayleigh's brow furrowed. "That deal? And he agreed to it? The man must have lost his mind..."
Then, recalling Tony's bizarre abilities, Rayleigh wondered—could his student actually restore lost limbs?
Tony turned to Nami and the others, patting their shoulders to signal them to stand down. He assured them with a confident smile that he had this under control.
Piecing everything together, Tony now understood why no pirates or Marines had shown up on the Sabaody Archipelago recently. It was all because of Shiki.
Tony smirked, looking up at the Golden Lion. "Mr. Shiki, I must say, you're quite punctual. But I think you've misunderstood something."
Shiki's expression darkened.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I told you I'd heal your legs a year after our deal, but I never guaranteed a full recovery. You've been dealing with this issue for over 20 years. It's not something that can be fixed overnight."
The ground trembled as Shiki's fury erupted. The very islands of the archipelago seemed on the verge of being uprooted by his power.
But Tony remained unfazed, the smirk on his face growing wider. "However..."
Shiki's eyes narrowed. "However, what?"
Seeing the faint glimmer of hope in Shiki's anger, Tony continued. "However, healing is a matter of time. For now, I can restore blood flow to your legs, which will help with their eventual recovery."
Tony stepped forward, his tone resolute. "As Silvers Rayleigh's disciple, I promise you that within three years, your legs will be fully healed."
His voice then turned colder. "But if you don't agree to my terms, we'll have to settle this by force. My crew is more than capable, so don't blame me for outnumbering you."
Shiki's face twisted in rage and frustration, but his interest piqued as he weighed Tony's words.
Meanwhile, Tony activated his Flame-Flame Fruit powers, summoning a blazing inferno. His hand gripped the hilt of Ryujin Jakka, his fiery Zanpakuto. Flames spiraled around him, transforming him into a towering figure of fire—a god of war standing at the heart of the blaze.
At the same time, Nami unleashed her Thunder-Thunder Fruit abilities. She raised her hand to the sky, summoning a massive bolt of lightning. Sparks crackled around her, and her piercing gaze locked onto Shiki.
Vivi and Robin flanked Shiki, moving silently into his blind spots, ready to strike on Tony's command.
The tension in the air was palpable, and the battle seemed inevitable.
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