Shikamaru's 'troublesome declaration' about Zoro's lineage was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a huge wave among the Straw Hat.
"Shimotsuki!" Zoro's voice was hoarse with disbelief, and the veins on his hand, gripping his sword hilt, bulged.
His gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on Shikamaru: "Explain yourself! What Shimotsuki family bloodline?"
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper (peeking out from his backpack) all looked at Zoro in shock, then at Shikamaru.
Vivi was also temporarily distracted from the shock of 'Pluton,' her face full of bewilderment.
Sanji's cigarette almost fell out of his mouth.
Even Ace put away his smile, his expression turning serious. He did know some things about Wano Country, but Zoro's lineage being revealed so clearly still surprised him.
"Zoro... you..."
Luffy, uncharacteristically, showed a confused expression, looking at his companion, then at Shikamaru.
"Hey, Sanji, what's wrong with Green Algae Head?"
"Idiot! Didn't you hear? This guy said Green Algae Head is from some Shimotsuki family!"
Sanji retorted irritably, his eyes warily fixed on Shikamaru, "Hey, mysterious kimono man, you'd better have proof for what you're saying!
Green Algae Head's lineage isn't something to joke about casually!"
"Proof?"
Shikamaru still had that lazy demeanor, as if he were commenting on the pleasant weather.
He raised his hand and pointed to the wado ichimonji at Zoro's waist, "That sword, wado ichimonji, is one of the best pieces of evidence.
It comes from Wano Country, forged by Shimotsuki Kozaburo, one of the most outstanding swordsmiths of the Shimotsuki family.
This sword will only recognize the bloodline of the Shimotsuki family, or those with unwavering will who have earned its recognition."
Zoro gripped the hilt of his wado ichimonji tightly, his knuckles turning white.
The dojo of his childhood, that figure he could never surpass, and... that promise made on a rainy night, instantly flooded his mind.
"I know many things, Roronoa Zoro."
Shikamaru's eyes were calm and unruffled, yet they held a profound depth that seemed to pierce through time.
"Including Shimotsuki Kozaburo leaving Wano Country and establishing the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue.
Including his granddaughter, Shimotsuki Kuina, her talent, her early death, and... the green-haired boy to whom she entrusted her dream."
This was also Shikamaru's biggest regret; he couldn't save Kuina after he transmigrated. During the time Kuina died, he and Bing Sanlang were in North Blue trying to get the Ope-Ope no Mi.
Every word from Shikamaru was like a knife, piercing precisely into Zoro's heart.
His breathing became heavy, and the shock in his eyes gradually replaced by a burning flame, mixed with pain and an intense desire for confirmation.
"Who... exactly are you?" Zoro's voice was low and dangerous, as if he would draw his swords the next moment.
"Shimotsuki Shikamaru.
Someone with some connection to the Shimotsuki family, who feels a responsibility to slightly look after a lost junior like you... a troublesome person."
Shikamaru sighed, as if taking on this 'responsibility' greatly bothered him.
"For the specifics, it's not too late to discuss after we deal with the 'big trouble' here.
Right now, we have something more urgent..."
Before Shikamaru could finish his sentence, his usually lazy and languid eyes suddenly narrowed, and his gaze, sharp as an eagle's, instantly shot towards the Rain Banquet Casino deep within the city!
His incredibly strong Observation Haki, capable of glimpsing the near future, had detected an extremely cold, bloodthirsty, and greedy biological presence moving, its target—none other than the port where they were located!
"Tsk, trouble comes fast."
Shikamaru frowned, but his tone held no surprise.
"It seems our conversation will have to be temporarily suspended.
Ace, that 'venomous snake' you're tracking is in the tavern over there."
Shikamaru casually pointed in a direction.
"Goodbye, everyone!"
Ace dashed in the direction Shikamaru pointed.
Crocodile's 'hyenas' seem to have smelled meat and can't wait to come out and bite people."
Almost at the same moment Shikamaru's words fell, the atmosphere at the port suddenly changed!
Boom—!
With a loud bang, the outer wall of a building near the port suddenly exploded, and from the swirling dust, a huge, fat, dark-skinned figure burst out like a cannonball!
She wielded a massive four-bladed axe, and a cruel, bloodthirsty smile was on her face. It was none other than Baroque Works' senior agent, Mr.1's partner—Miss Merry Christmas!
The Mole-Mole Fruit user!
"Target acquired! Straw Hat and his crew! And Whitebeard's Second Division Commander! Shuhahaha! What a great haul!" Her sharp laughter was incredibly piercing.
Immediately following her, another figure glided out of the dust like a ghost.
He was Mr.1, Daz Bones, the Dice-Dice Fruit user, whose limbs could transform into blades!
Daz Bones was extremely tall, like a moving mountain, with prominent, well-defined muscles that seemed forged from steel.
His head was bald, without a single strand of hair, like a monk, giving him a simple and capable appearance.
However, what was most striking was the sword scar on his right cheek.
This scar extended from below his hairline all the way to his cheekbone, as if a sharp blade had savagely cut across it, leaving a deep mark.
This scar did not make him look hideous; instead, it added a sense of weathered resilience and coldness to him.
His eyebrows were very thin and almost connected, forming a fine line, giving an impression of sharpness and focus.
His lips, on the other hand, were unusually thick and slightly upturned, revealing a subtle confidence and stubbornness.
He was dressed in a martial monk-style outfit, with snake patterns on both sides of the chest, and the character "one" (ichi, meaning one) tattooed on his chest.
"Targets confirmed. Nico Robin's reported location is accurate.
Straw Hat Luffy, Fire Fist Ace, and... the unidentified blue-haired man. Threat level: High.
Priority: Eliminate."
Bones's cold voice was like metal grinding.
Their appearance instantly ignited the flames of war!
"Baroque Works!" Vivi exclaimed, her face pale.
"They're here! Perfect!"
Luffy instantly entered battle mode, his Rubber Rubber arms already clenched into fists, battle intent boiling!
Zoro gripped his sword hilt tightly, his hand trembling slightly, as if trying to suppress the turbulent emotions within him.
Questions about his lineage surged like giant waves in his heart, but he knew now was not the time to ponder them.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, then suddenly drew his three swords, their blades flashing in an instant.
His eyes became focused and sharp again, just as they were when he faced his strongest opponents.
He temporarily suppressed all his questions and anger deep within, transforming them into the power to cut down the enemies before him.
Daz Bones snorted, his voice revealing disdain and contempt for his enemies: "Hmph, small fry!"
Sanji's movements were as graceful as a dancing performer. His feet pushed off slightly, as if wind-borne, and he instantly shot forward like an arrow from a bowstring.
His figure was as swift as a phantom, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived in front of Nami and Vivi.
He stood firmly, his posture as upright as a pine tree, like a valiant knight, exuding a reassuring aura.
His hands hung naturally at his sides, slightly clenched into fists, revealing confidence and determination.
His voice was low and powerful, as if containing endless strength: "Ladies, please retreat with peace of mind! These dirty hyenas, let this knight clean them up for you!"
His words conveyed a sense of steadfastness and decisiveness, leaving no doubt about his ability and resolve.
Though Usopp's legs were weak with fear, he still shakily raised his slingshot: "Cho... Chopper! Get ready! A powerful enemy has appeared!"
"Leave it to me! Usopp!" Chopper immediately swallowed a Rumble Ball, preparing to transform.
Ace dashed away, confident that Luffy could handle it, a confident smile on his face, but his eyes beneath his hat brim burned with fire: "Teach, don't run."
Just then, in the tavern, another anomaly occurred!
Teach felt Ace's aura rushing towards him.
"Zehahahaha!"
"Ace, perfect timing."
A colder, stickier, seemingly abyssal dark aura, like a tangible tide, spread from the shadows in another direction of the port!
"Dark Water!"
Teach unleashed his technique.
That darkness seemed to devour light, even suppressing the scorching heat of the midday desert.
A tall, burly man in a white shirt, missing a few teeth, and with a falsely jovial smile on his face, slowly walked out.
"Zehahahahaha!! What a lively gathering! Captain Ace, long time no see! You've saved me a lot of trouble!"
Marshall D. Teach!
Blackbeard!
His appearance made Ace's pupils instantly contract to pinpricks!
Towering rage and icy killing intent erupted from Ace like a volcanic explosion!
"Tea—ch—!!!" Ace's roar was like thunder, resounding through the port!
The air around him violently twisted due to the high temperature, and the ground beneath his feet instantly charred black.
The enemy who killed Thatch was right before him!
The situation instantly became extremely complex and dangerous!
On the other side.
Baroque Works' two senior agents (Mr.1 and Miss Merry Christmas), along with many Baroque members, surrounded Luffy and his crew.
The Straw Hat were instantly under immense pressure!
"Oh no! How did so many guys show up all at once!"
Usopp was scared out of his wits.
"Ace-bro's enemy... that Blackbeard..."
Nami looked at the distant firelight and black mist, also feeling immense pressure.
"Luffy..." Vivi looked at Luffy worriedly.
Luffy's eyes, however, were exceptionally firm. He glanced at Mr.1 and Miss Merry Christmas, then his gaze swept over Shikamaru, who had an expression of 'big trouble.'
He grinned, revealing his signature white teeth: "Who cares who they are! Guys who dare to block our way, just punch them all away!"
"Rubber Rubber—"
Luffy's body instantly twisted like a pretzel, like a giant spring!
"JET Gatling!!!"
A massive Rubber Rubber fist, with a sound of tearing air, slammed violently towards Miss Merry Christmas, who was closest to him!
The battle, in Luffy's most direct manner, instantly erupted!
Zoro unhesitatingly met Daz Bones, who radiated icy killing intent.
...
Ace, moreover, transformed into a flaming meteor, roaring as he charged straight at Blackbeard Teach: "Come back with me and face Father's judgment! Teach!!!"
The chaotic port battle was about to break out!
And in the eye of this storm, Shimotsuki Shikamaru, looking at the instant melee, helplessly rubbed his brow and sighed deeply:
"Sigh... I knew it would turn out like this.
Ace, that guy, is too impulsive.
That Blackbeard bastard... truly... super troublesome!"
Though he complained, his eyes became exceptionally calm and sharp.
"Silent Realm!"
An invisible, absolute force of 'Silence,' like ripples, quietly spread out with him at the center.
He needed to secure a few key points on this chaotic battlefield: Luffy couldn't be killed by Crocodile's people; Zoro facing Mr.1 was a tough fight, and there could be no interference.
Most importantly, he had to find a way to make Ace calm down a bit. Blackbeard's current strength and the Dark-Dark Fruit were too restrictive for Ace...
"Silent Realm · Expansion."
With Shikamaru's silent whisper, he could perceive the movements of everyone in the port area.
The fierce shouts of battle, explosions, the clash of weapons... within that range, Shikamaru could control it all!
Shimotsuki Shikamaru, this troublesome master of Silence, finally had to act, intervening in this storm in his unique way!
