31. The Hegemon of Chu: I Have a Half-Baked Idea!

Looking at the sumptuous barbecue lunch before him, Chu Bawang remarked, "He must have come for our food."

Luffy was immediately displeased. He pointed at the nose of the sea beast, Moo, and cursed, "Anyone who dares to steal my food, even if it were the King of Heaven himself, I’d beat him black and blue!"

"Gum-Gum... Pistol!"

Sanji was equally dissatisfied with the sea beast’s attempt to snatch their meal. "Is Nami-san’s gourmet food something a mere sea beast like you is entitled to covet?"

"Collier!"

The sea cow Moo was truly massive, and its destructive power was not to be underestimated. However, facing the furious duo of Luffy and Sanji, it was destined to be nothing more than a punching bag.

Boom!

Sanji kicked Moo squarely in the jaw, sending its enormous body flying through the air, blocking out the sun. Zoro, awakened from his slumber, saw Moo being sent hurtling hundreds of meters away by Luffy.

"Perfect timing. Let me test this 'Nine Swords of Dugu' technique!"

"Gui Mei to Wu Wang, Wu Wang to Tong Ren, Tong Ren to Da You; Jia to Bing, Bing to Geng, Geng to Gui; the intersection of Zi and Chou, Chen and Si, Wu and Wei; Wind and Thunder as one transformation, Mountain and Marsh as one transformation, Water and Fire as one transformation; Heaven and Earth clashing, Thunder and Lake clashing, Fire and Wind clashing; three added becomes five, five added becomes nine..."

"Sword-Breaking Stance, go!"

Zoro swung his blade, and a faint sound of wind and thunder seemed to accompany the strike. The thick-skinned Moo was suddenly gashed, with large swathes of flesh sliced away.

Moo! Moo-moo!

The sea cow let out a miserable shriek as the waves churned violently. It desperately wanted to escape and flee far away from this group of Straw Hats, who seemed like literal Asuras.

However, the moment its gaze met Chu Bawang’s, its body became unable to move even an inch. Fearful tears welled up in its eyes; its biological instincts told it that this human was thousands of times more dangerous than the swordsman who had just sliced its flesh.

Moo was on the verge of a breakdown. Since when did the East Blue start producing such ruthless monsters? Why was everyone here strong enough to crush it? It was Moo, a sea beast capable of destroying an entire village!

Sanji hoisted the meat onto his shoulder, smiling, "Marimo, nice work! Now we won't need to buy meat for a long time. Sea beast meat is highly nutritious; it will be perfect for a feast for Nami-san!"

Johnny stared at Zoro in awe: "Big Brother is amazing!"

Zoro shook his head slightly, his expression dissatisfied. "It’s not enough. My current understanding of swordsmanship hasn't even reached the entry level. I’m still far from my master’s requirements!"

Chu Bawang nodded slightly and chuckled, "Keep working hard. Once you have mastered the Nine Swords of Dugu, you can begin to learn the 'Celestial Immortal's Flight'."

Zoro bowed respectfully, looking at Chu Bawang with adoration: "I understand, Master. I must become the world's greatest swordsman; I shall not let you down!"

Sanji rubbed his nose instinctively. That green-haired idiot was truly becoming more and more powerful. While he and Luffy could beat up the sea beast, the creature was so thick-skinned that they could barely inflict any real damage—at most, they could only make it feel the pain of a beating.

Yet, Zoro had sliced through its body with a single stroke! If this was only the entry-level Nine Swords of Dugu, wouldn't he be invincible across the entire East Blue once he mastered it?

"If that’s the case, then Bawang’s swordsmanship is truly on par with Dracule Mihawk." Sanji was secretly shocked, casting a glance of envy toward Zoro. That green-haired guy was just too lucky! To be an unofficial disciple of Bawang? It was truly enviable and maddening!

Nami pointed at the motionless sea beast and felt a surge of hatred: "Bawang, how should we deal with this creature?"

As an elite officer of the Arlong Pirates, Nami knew full well that Moo was a lackey of Arlong the Saw. This very beast had destroyed her neighboring village, forcing hundreds of people into displacement.

Chu Bawang’s gaze swept over the sea cow. The latter shuddered violently, as if hit by a bolt of lightning.

Usopp, who had finally recovered from his shock, looked at Chu Bawang with astonishment, his heart racing. "My god! This sea beast looks so terrified by a single look from Chu Bawang that it doesn't even dare to move!"

Chu Bawang walked toward the railing in a few steady strides, wearing a harmless, gentle smile. "Nami, I have a good idea."

"Moo is a loyal lackey of Arlong. Guess what would happen if Moo betrayed him?"

Nami’s eyes lit up. Arlong was bloodthirsty and brutal toward humans, but he was fiercely loyal to his own kind. That was the very reason so many fish-men had willingly followed him back to the East Blue from the Grand Line.

"If he were betrayed by one of his own, he would surely be furious, right?"

"I can already imagine the look of rage on Arlong's face!"

Nami both hated and feared Arlong. She hated him for killing her adoptive mother, Belle-mère, right in front of her, and she feared him because of his terrifying strength. Now, there was an opportunity to strike right at his heart.

"Bawang, what do you plan to do?"

"We just need to make Moo one of our own."

"But this sea beast has a certain level of intelligence. I'm afraid it won't submit so easily."

"Don't worry, I have a clever trick."

As he spoke, a brilliant, dazzling light shone forth. A golden, round bead appeared out of thin air in Chu Bawang’s hand.

Luffy’s eyes widened, and he said happily, "Wow! That's amazing! Bawang, are you doing magic? That little pill looks delicious!"

Thump.

Nami swung her fist, smashing it directly onto Luffy’s head. With a dark face, she scolded, "Luffy, don't interrupt!"

Nami then turned to Chu Bawang with a gentle expression, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Bawang, please, go on."

Chu Bawang glanced helplessly at the giant lump on Luffy’s head. He really wondered how Luffy’s brain was wired. He held up the glowing golden elixir.

ROAR!!!

The golden elixir seemed to possess a spirit of its own; a savage, wild roar echoed from within it! Just hearing the sound made one’s soul tremble.

"Hiss! What on earth is that thing?"

The timid Usopp shivered, cowering on top of Sanji’s head.

Chu Bawang responded with a light smile, "The evolution pill of the Azure Bull Python, the invincible sovereign of the Star Dou Great Forest!"