As Luffy and the others successfully brought Nami aboard, somewhere in the East Blue on a new ship, Buggy the Clown stared at the wanted posters of Luffy and his crew, a cold smile spreading across his face.
"That damn rubber boy, already worth thirty million… but it doesn't matter. I finally know where you are, and now I can settle the score properly," Buggy sneered.
"Hehe, I've been searching for so long, and finally, I've found the first man who hit me. I won't marry anyone else," said the woman beside Buggy, wearing a black hat and dressed in black. She had a stunning figure, and her skin was so smooth it seemed to shine. She was Alvida, who had eaten the Slip-Slip Fruit after being sent flying by Luffy. Since then, her body had become so slippery that no attack could touch her. After meeting Buggy, the two joined forces to take down Luffy.
"Great news, Captain! We've finally got info on the Straw Hat crew. Judging by their course, they're headed for the Grand Line, and their next stop is Loguetown—the place where the Pirate King, Roger, was executed!" said Beast Tamer Mohji, chuckling as his lion, Richie, nodded in agreement.
"Not just Straw Hat, but also that guy. Now I can finally get revenge for that slash!" Cabaji said coldly, staring at Zoro's picture.
"Alright, everyone, set the course for Loguetown!" Buggy ordered.
"Yes, Captain! The Buggy Pirates are finally going to redeem themselves!"
"Straw Hat kid, just wait for us! This time, we'll make you kneel and beg for mercy!"
"Onward to Loguetown!"
All the pirates roared with excitement, changing their course toward Loguetown.
…
Ding! You have performed Draw Slash, gaining 100100 experience points!*
Ding! You have performed Raging Dragon Slash, gaining 100100 experience points!*
Ding! You have activated Armament Haki, gaining 100100 experience points!*
…
Ding! Draw Slash has leveled up to Lv4!
Ding! Raging Dragon Slash has leveled up to Lv2!
Ding! You have acquired a new skill: Phantom Sword Dance Lv1!
Ding! Armament Haki has leveled up to Lv4!
On the Golden Merry, after leaving Cocoyasi Village, Moonlight trained relentlessly on the lookout post, finally making some progress.
Moonlight checked his current attributes in his mind.
[Moonlight]
Basic Swordsmanship [System Gift, No Rank]
Triple Slash [System Gift, No Rank]
Draw Slash Lv5 1/1,000,000,000
Raging Dragon Slash Lv2 1/1,000,000
Phantom Sword Dance Lv1 1/100,000
Observation Haki Lv4 1/100,000,000
Armament Haki Lv4 1/100,000,000
Conqueror's Haki Lv2 50,000/1,000,000
His basic swordsmanship and Triple Slash were automatically maxed out. As he grew stronger, their power would increase accordingly. After consistent practice, Draw Slash had finally reached Lv5, a level where his swordsmanship had fused with his spirit. He didn't even need to draw his sword; his sheer aura could induce mental illusions in his opponents, and his sword aura was so sharp that nothing could withstand his strikes. This was the realm of Mihawk.
Now, if he faced Mihawk again, Moonlight was confident he could fight him on equal terms.
Both Observation Haki and Armament Haki had reached new heights, especially Armament Haki, which was no longer just external armor but had evolved to harmonize internally and externally, allowing strikes that could damage an opponent's body from within.
Conqueror's Haki was harder to train due to environmental constraints, but once they reached the New World, where stronger enemies awaited, it would become much easier.
At Lv2, Raging Dragon Slash could allow him to temporarily stand on water.
The newly acquired skill, Phantom Sword Dance, concentrated all his sword aura into a single point, rapidly slashing forward. The more slashes overlapped, the more powerful the attack became.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, dark clouds rolled in, fierce winds howled, and the sea swelled violently. Huge waves rose, crashing relentlessly against the ship.
"Not good, the wind direction has changed, and big waves are coming! Usopp, change course to the west!" Nami shouted from the deck, scanning the turbulent sea.
"Yes!" Usopp responded quickly, adjusting the ship's direction.
"Luffy, keep an eye on the sea! Zoro, watch our surroundings! Sanji, stay on standby! Moonlight, lower the sails!" Nami gave her orders.
"Got it."
"Yes, Nami-swan!"
Zoro nodded, and Sanji replied enthusiastically. But Moonlight remained silent. He stood up, staring at the enormous ten-meter-high wave approaching. Without a word, he leapt forward like an arrow, rushing straight toward it!
"Hey, Moonlight, what are you doing?!" Nami called out, alarmed. She saw Moonlight charging directly at the massive wave and was stunned.
"What's going on?" Zoro instinctively gripped his sword, thinking an enemy had appeared.
"Are we under attack?" Sanji tensed up.
"Huh?" Usopp looked over, confused.
"Moonlight, what are you up to?" Luffy asked curiously as he watched Moonlight leap into action.
Without answering, Moonlight moved at blinding speed, using his Raging Dragon Slash. In an instant, the sea was filled with his afterimages, and the deafening roar of his strikes echoed as he reached the towering wall of water.
Standing on the surface of the ocean, Moonlight activated his Phantom Sword Dance.
"Slash! Slash! Slash!"
Moonlight's rapid slashes created illusions that surrounded him, with sword aura overlapping into a concentrated point. The waves crashed with thunderous force, towering ten meters high, but Moonlight didn't hesitate.
He unleashed a burst of sword energy condensed from dozens of slashes, sending it crashing into the wave!
"Slash!"
The ten-meter-high wave split cleanly in two under the onslaught of his attack, creating a clear path through the sea.
"Hiss!" Luffy and the others gasped in shock.
"He… his swordsmanship has improved again!"
"This guy even split the sea wall!"
"Moonlight, you're amazing!"