Alabasta, port.
Astrix was patching up the stolen pirate ship, hoping it would hold together during the Knock-Up Stream and not fall apart on the way to Sky Island.
Otherwise, there was a high chance Mihawk would be smashed to death.
At the thought of Mihawk falling from such a height, Astrix quickly shook his head to clear away the absurd image.
Their destination was Sky Island—the White Sea ten thousand meters above the ground. Aside from flying, the Knock-Up Stream was the main way to get there.
It was a journey full of danger and excitement, with only two possible outcomes: everyone survives, or everyone dies.
Last time, Astrix and Buggy had nearly pissed themselves.
This time, at least he had the Rumble-Rumble Fruit as a safety net.
"A guy like Mihawk probably wouldn't be scared, right?" Astrix muttered.
Bang, bang, bang—
The sound of fighting in the distance snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Huh? Something interesting."
With the speed granted by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Astrix had the confidence to come and go freely. As long as that Marine slacker wasn't around, he was the fastest around.
Besides, his luck couldn't be that bad—running into Kizaru at every port he stopped at.
Putting down his tools, Astrix turned into a bolt of lightning and instantly moved toward the source of the noise, observing from a hidden position.
A group of men in white suits and capes were restraining someone with Seastone handcuffs.
Astrix's interest was immediately piqued.
CP agents—lackeys of the World Government?
And who was the man being captured?
However, the leading agent suddenly turned his head toward Astrix's hiding place.
"Kill that one."
"Observation Haki?"
Astrix didn't retreat. Instead, he casually pulled a blue-glowing plasma sword from the air and prepared to fight.
Their willingness to silence a mere spectator only made things more interesting.
As for what to do if he couldn't win?
Then he'd run.
With the speed of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, leaving was always an option.
The World Government had dispatched ten CP agents to capture this person. Astrix didn't recognize him—but that didn't matter.
Anyone opposing the World Government was worth helping.
"Fist Bone Impact!"
Though he shouted the name, what Astrix actually unleashed was a Lightning Dragon—aimed to catch them off guard.
A massive lightning dragon roared forward, charging toward the CP agents.
"Iron Body!"
Several voices responded at once.
If you want to go offline quickly, go practice Iron Body. One of the biggest misconceptions in the One Piece world is that Iron Body is invincible—it causes more harm than good.
Too many people mistake damage reduction for damage immunity.
Under the Lightning Dragon's assault, several weaker CP agents collapsed instantly.
Even so, it was clear that the CP organization had real skill—they weren't wiped out like the Masira Pirate Crew.
"Finger Pistol!"
"Shave!"
The remaining agents attacked simultaneously, shredding Astrix's body into fragments—only for him to instantly reform.
The CP leader narrowed his eyes.
"Stand down. He's a Logia user."
Black Armament Haki coated his fists.
Before he could attack, a red-black aura suddenly burst from Astrix's body, tearing through the sky.
Conqueror's Haki.
Unlike Armament and Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki is the manifestation of kingly spirit. It cannot be trained—only strengthened through one's will.
Astrix had awakened it at the age of eight.
Now, he could control it precisely, knocking out weaker enemies instantly.
One by one, the CP agents collapsed.
Only the leader remained, pale and sweating.
"You… you…"
The intimidation worked perfectly.
After all, no one would expects someone with mid-level Conqueror's Haki to lack mastery of the other two forms.
Armament and Observation could be trained—but Astrix's physical talent had once been lacking.
Conqueror's Haki, however, was a matter of spirit.
Lightning cracked across the sky. Red-black energy split the horizon.
Holding his crackling plasma sword, Astrix looked overwhelmingly imposing.
But only he knew the truth—
He wasn't confident he could win.
The opponent had Observation Haki—making him hard to hit.
He had Armament Haki—making him hard to damage.
Unless Astrix could use advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion, this would be difficult.
So he stalled.
Waiting.
Mihawk, where are you? I can't keep this up much longer.
"A man like you is quite strange."
Mihawk's voice arrived before he did.
Seeing him, the CP leader clenched his teeth.
"Dracule Mihawk, are you really going to oppose the World Government?"
Mihawk ignored him, his gaze fixed on Astrix.
"I'm becoming more and more curious about you."
As everyone knows, curiosity is the beginning of interest.
Once someone begins to intrigue you, the outcome is often inevitable.
Astrix shrugged, dispersing his Haki and abilities.
"When you're out at sea, you've got to have a few tricks."
With no noble background, average talent, and no support, Astrix had survived alone until meeting Roger.
That life had been forged in hardship.
The CP leader, ignored, grew furious and suddenly fired at the restrained man.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, Mihawk stepped in, blocking every bullet with the Black Blade Yoru.
With a single casual slash, he sent the CP leader flying dozens of meters, leaving him unable to stand.
Meanwhile, Astrix moved swiftly, finishing off the remaining agents.
A strike to the head. One to the heart. One to the legs.
No survivors.
Mihawk sheathed Yoru and glanced at the restrained man.
"Your friend?"
Astrix shook his head.
"I don't know him."
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's take him to the ship."
In terms of caution, Astrix was extremely thorough.
The silent man cooperated and followed them aboard.
"Mihawk, the supplies?"
"In the storage room."
"Then let's move."
Astrix raised the anchor, started the ship, and steered them away from Alabasta toward Jaya.
Only after reaching open sea did he check the loot taken from the CP agents.
Then he turned to the man.
"Oi, why was the World Government after you?"
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