122 A Figure Ahead by 500 Years

Marineford Harbor, a colossal warship stood ready to set sail.

Boarding the vessel, Xuan Ye remained expressionless, silently standing off to the side.

“Chatter, chatter... Where exactly is this research lab? Isn’t it supposed to be at headquarters?” The monkey, clearly displeased, baring his hoarse grin while clutching a banana, grumbled. Old habits die hard.

“Stop your nonsense. Look at Ain and Binz—they don’t yap as much as you do,” Xuan Ye retorted, rolling his eyes at the simpleton, unwilling to argue further.

“Do I talk that much?” The monkey puffed up, turning to glare at Ain and Binz with a threatening look.

During the year Xuan Ye was absent, the monkey had followed Zephyr closely and had long since become acquainted with Ain and Binz.

“Bang!” A sharp slap echoed—suddenly the monkey clutched his head, cursing, “Xuan Ye, you bastard! Why did you hit me?”

“Could you stop threatening people? Do you think you’re some kind of gangster?” Xuan Ye shook his head, amused by the monkey’s arrogant expression and unable to resist giving him a reprimand.

“Am I threatening? Ask Ain—did I threaten her?” The monkey glared fiercely at Xuan Ye, pointing at Ain, who was covering her mouth to stifle a smile.

“Eat your banana!” Xuan Ye shot a sharp look and deliberately ignored the monkey’s complaints.

“Just you wait.” The monkey muttered curses under his breath before flopping onto a deck chair. Indeed, this warship had deck chairs, and this one was specially prepared for the monkey, complete with a sunshade—an old quirk he never seemed able to shake.

Nearby, Zephyr reclined on another chair, smiling as he watched the sulking monkey. Seeing him was like watching a mischievous child—playful and heartwarming.

“I suppose this fool has caused you all quite a bit of trouble,” Xuan Ye remarked, gesturing for Ain and Binz to sit. Casting a sidelong glance at the monkey, he couldn’t hide his disdain.

“No... no, Brother Monkey is great and very capable,” Ain shook her head, her deep blue wavy hair flowing like the beautiful ocean.

“Yes, Ain’s right. Brother Monkey even taught us some cultivation techniques!” Binz, dressed casually, nodded in agreement.

“Really? Capable? If he were, he wouldn’t have been bullied in the first place! And he had to have his master step in to save face,” Xuan Ye scoffed openly. The monkey’s eyebrows shot up, and his golden tail bristled stiffly.

“Chatter... Humph.” The monkey merely snorted in surprise.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from the ship’s bow.

“Sir, the Test Island is approaching,” Ghost Spider reported, saluting Zephyr before glancing resentfully at Xuan Ye.

“That soon?” Xuan Ye was surprised—it hadn’t even been an hour.

“Nonsense, the Test Island is just off Marineford’s coast,” Ghost Spider rolled his eyes.

“Don’t be so harsh! You’re a Vice Admiral now; you command millions,” Xuan Ye said casually, patting Ghost Spider on the shoulder with solemnity.

“Uh...” Almost stumbling, Ghost Spider thought, ‘Command millions? Why don’t you say I rule the entire world?’

“Hmph!” Ghost Spider snorted, sighing, “You really are tough to kill.”

“Haha... Surprised?” Xuan Ye laughed heartily.

“Surprised, you big-headed ghost. Get ready, the Test Island’s here. I’ll be done with my mission soon.” No need to guess—this trip to send someone off was probably another scheme of that scoundrel.

“Thanks!” Xuan Ye smiled as Ghost Spider turned away. Seeing Ghost Spider’s dark, constipated expression inexplicably cheered him up. Was he really that strange?

Soon, the warship docked. The Test Island was a military isle near Marineford, built specifically for experiments.

Disembarking, a naval squad awaited them. Leading them was none other than the current Fleet Admiral of Headquarters: Kizaru, Borsalino.

“Well now! An impressive fellow has arrived!” Kizaru leered from the shore, eyeing Xuan Ye as he stepped off the ship.

“Your face could use some work,” Xuan Ye said flatly, feeling an odd sense of dissonance looking at Kizaru’s sleazy visage. How unloved must one be to grow a face like that?

Raising an eyebrow, Kizaru smirked, “You have a distinctive look yourself. How did that scar not kill you?”

“Why? You want me dead?” Xuan Ye grinned with interest, stepping forward casually. “Think I’d drag you down with me?”

Tension flickered briefly in Kizaru’s eyes before he waved off the topic. “Vegapunk has prepared prosthetics for the teacher. You should all go see them! I’m off for afternoon tea—any interest?”

“No, thanks,” Xuan Ye shrugged, disinterested.

“Suit yourself!” Without a second thought, Kizaru turned and left, his once lecherous face now darkening.

“Old man, that guy was rude. Why didn’t you teach him a lesson?” Behind him, a large man wearing a red bellyband and carrying a massive axe glared at Kizaru.

“Sentomaru, best not to provoke him if you can avoid it,” Kizaru’s expression was grim.

“Is he really that strong?” Sentomaru sneered, unconcerned.

“He’s crazy. If you provoke him, I might not be able to help you. That bastard fights to the death—he’s a real handful.” Kizaru was wary.

“Old man, aren’t you overestimating him?” Sentomaru still doubted, given Kizaru’s top-five ranking among the navy.

“Trust me. Believe it or not, Akainu’s probably not doing well right now,” Kizaru warned.

Indeed, as Kizaru predicted, Akainu was struggling. To repay billions, all his leave over the past three years had been canceled. Exhausted, he was now out at sea hunting pirates.

Meanwhile, watching Kizaru depart, Xuan Ye sneered.

In his previous life, many speculated about this man’s identity on forums. But now, as long as he kept his distance, Xuan Ye rarely bothered to confront him.

This was because the man’s power was difficult to deal with—and besides, Xuan Ye already had enough on his plate. He had no desire to stir up more trouble unless absolutely necessary.

“Master, why is that man here?” Xuan Ye asked, turning to Zephyr.

“To protect Vegapunk and this Test Island,” Zephyr answered, casually strolling toward the island. “This is just one of the navy’s experimental bases.”

“Hmm! I heard Vegapunk is a scientist with intelligence 500 years ahead of humanity?” Xuan Ye’s eyes narrowed, a trace of unease creeping in.

“I’m not sure, but he’s incredibly smart. At least in science, no one comes close,” Zephyr shook his head, speaking his honest thoughts.

“Chatter... I’m definitely smarter,” the monkey scoffed nearby, rudely raising a middle finger, leaving Xuan Ye momentarily stunned.

“I think Master is the smartest,” Ain said, clutching her dress and smiling brightly.

“Heh...” Zephyr laughed heartily.

...................................