Chapter 52: The Rescuer

[A Passerby Wanting to Hug Luo Feng's Thigh: Ah, well... I really didn't mean any harm.]

[Borsalino: What are you all talking about? Oh, well, looks like a newcomer has appeared.]

At the Sabaody Archipelago Marine Branch, Borsalino, having returned to his normal form, had directly commandeered the branch commander's office.

On the office's oversized balcony, he and Nami were leisurely enjoying their afternoon tea time.

The specialty pastries mentioned by Nami were indeed quite good; later on, once his new ship was built, he would simply transfer the branch cafeteria chef over to his vessel.

[A Passerby Wanting to Hug Luo Feng's Thigh: Does Kizaru-dalao have time to go save someone?]

[Tony Stark: My kind sir, do you mean to say that Mr. Borsalino has the ability to rescue me?]

[A Passerby Wanting to Hug Luo Feng's Thigh: Of course! Kizaru-dalao is the trump card of our group! The undisputed strongest combat power!]

[Tony Stark: Hey! This Mr. Borsalino, interested in making some extra cash? As long as you can get me back to New York alive, one hundred million US dollars will be yours immediately!]

[Borsalino: Hmm, let me think. Alright, anyway, I'm pretty much done with what I was busy with, and going to another world to pass the time doesn't sound too bad.]

[A Passerby Wanting to Hug Luo Feng's Thigh: Come to think of what Kizaru-dalao was busy with just now, @ you didn't even reply.]

[Borsalino: You mean that? A Celestial Dragon was attacked, and I was ordered to clear the scene.]

[A Passerby Wanting to Hug Luo Feng's Thigh: Holy crap! Is it the Sabaody Archipelago? Are the Straw Hat Pirates still alive?]

[Borsalino: As for that, I'm not quite sure. I was called away halfway through the cleanup. When I left, the Straw Hat Pirates were still alive, but why do you care so much about the Straw Hat Pirates?]

Tasting the specialty pastries, Borsalino deliberately asked this question to maintain his persona as a native. Although, for now, this persona didn't seem to be of much use, Borsalino didn't mind keeping it up.

"I'll be leaving for a while later. If Fleet Admiral Sengoku or anyone else comes looking for me, remember to cover for me, little Nami."

Borsalino thought for a moment and decided it was safer to give Nami a heads-up. After all, he only knew that the time flow in the JoJo world was far faster than that of the One Piece world.

Just in case the time flow in Tony Stark's world was similar to or even slower than that of the One Piece world, it wouldn't be a good thing for an Admiral to disappear for too long.

Even if Borsalino hadn't said anything, Nami certainly would have covered for him anyway.

However, considering Nami's feelings, Borsalino specifically mentioned it.

"...I understand. Just remember to be quick."

Nami glanced at Borsalino with a hint of suspicion.

Just as she wanted to say something, she suddenly recalled the strange behavior of Borsalino and Bartholomew Kuma previously.

Having followed by Borsalino's side for several years, only a thick-headed fool like Sentomaru would fail to realize the problems surrounding Borsalino.

Yet since Borsalino chose not to speak, he naturally had his reasons. The only thing she could do was to cover for him properly.

"Love you, little Nami~"

Borsalino smiled, kissed Nami on the cheek, and then vanished into a flash of light right where he stood.

[A Passerby Wanting to Hug Luo Feng's Thigh: Because Luffy is the protagonist... Ahem, but now that Kizaru-dalao is there, I'm definitely siding with the Marines!]

[Tony Stark: Hey, kind sirs, there's still a kidnapped poor soul waiting for rescue here. Can't you chat after you get me out?]

[Borsalino: Don't rush. Send an invitation over first; if you don't pull me in, I won't be able to come over on my own initiative.]

[Tony Stark: Actually, you could have told me this earlier... How is it done again? Oh, I must say, the UI designed by whoever made this chat group is absolute trash...]

[Ding! Tony Stark has issued a designated mission, inviting @Borsalino to enter his world. Do you accept?]

[Accept / Reject]

In the Marvel world, having found the excuse of going to the restroom to evade the terrorists' surveillance, Tony Stark waited anxiously. Who knew how long it would take for someone from that chat group to arrive?

If they caused too much of a commotion and drew all the terrorists over, it would be troublesome.

Right at that moment, Tony Stark's vision blurred, and a 'little giant' nearly three meters tall appeared before him.

Normally, even humans over two meters tall would appear excessively slender, but the 'little giant' before him was quite well-proportioned, and that excessively handsome face made Stark inexplicably annoyed.

"Hey, you just came over like this? Without bringing any weapons or tools?"

Tony Stark nervously sized up Borsalino. This guy looked like he could handle himself, but no matter how well he could fight, he wouldn't withstand a barrage of terrorist assault rifles.

"No need. I rarely use weapons. By the way... why did you pull me into a place like this? This is hardly a suitable spot for chatting..."

Borsalino pinched his nose and spoke in a tone of displeasure.

If it weren't for the fact that they were group members, Borsalino would have kicked anyone else with a single kick and let them experience the taste of a light-speed kick.

"There's no help for it, is there? Once I get back to New York, I'll book the most expensive restaurant as compensation, alright?"

Tony Stark spoke helplessly; reduced to such a plight, there was nothing else he could do.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

Borsalino didn't want to stay in the restroom for even another second, but at that moment, he was stopped by Tony Stark.

"Wait! What are you doing?"

Tony turned pale with fright. If those terrorists discovered them, he still had value as a hostage and would at best get beaten up, but this kind Mr. Borsalino who came to save him would be dead for sure!

"Of course, it's to get out of here..."

Borsalino raised his hand toward the ceiling. Before Tony could figure out what Borsalino was going to do, an endless blaze of light erupted right then and there.

By the time Tony came to his senses, Borsalino had already grabbed him and leaped into mid-air.

Looking down from mid-air, a massive skylight had been blasted directly into the underground base, the terrifying power of that single strike piercing straight through the subterranean facility.

If it were merely that, it would only equal the power of a large-yield bunker-buster bomb, but the truly terrifying part was that whether it was rock strata or sturdy reinforced concrete, everything was directly vaporized in the face of the light that pierced the surface.

"A la... laser weapon? Oh, my god! How did you pull that off?"

Tony stared at Borsalino with glowing eyes, completely unaware that he was currently being carried and suspended in mid-air by Borsalino.

Stepping on the Moon Walk, Borsalino's toes lightly tapped the air from time to time, producing faint sonic booms of compressed air, allowing him to hover steadily in the sky.