One Piece: Legend of the Star Sea

"Is he immortal? He looked like he was on the verge of collapse just moments ago."

"Maybe that was part of his plan—to make us think he was finished. So cunning."

"Yeah. Good thing we didn't attack. Looks like Captain Morgan fell for it."

The surrounding Marines were terrified after seeing Alex catch Morgan's massive axe with his feet and fling him away effortlessly.

Yet, the way they spoke about Morgan—gleefully noting he had been tricked—revealed just how fed up they were with their arrogant, tyrannical superior.

"You were practically dying just now! How are you suddenly full of energy again? Were you faking it? Trying to trick me on purpose?"

Nami, snapping out of her shock, casually wiped the tear from the corner of her eye. She looked at Alex, now tossing Morgan aside like it was nothing, and couldn't help but eye him suspiciously. He was a completely different person from before.

Noticing the bleeding on his back had stopped, Nami felt slightly relieved. While wiping her tears, she also snuck in a little smile—but no one noticed.

Like hell I'd fake dying just to get your sympathy!

Alex shook his hands out and loosened his joints. He was just as confused. Somehow, not only had his stamina returned, but the pain in his back had also diminished significantly.

Even stranger, he felt… stronger.

A few minutes ago, there was no way he could've caught Morgan's full-force axe swing with just his legs.

Yet somehow, he had done exactly that.

Was this the power of a Devil Fruit?

Lightning flashed through Alex's mind. I was at my absolute limit, near death... but the moment I heard Nami say she was worried about me, I felt something surge through me. Like electricity. Suddenly I was nearly fully healed.

Near death... then instant recovery… and stronger than before.

Alex rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Nami, who had been about to speak, stayed quiet so she wouldn't disturb him.

The Marines stood still. Without orders from Morgan, none dared attack. Instead, they simply kept Alex and Nami surrounded.

Nami, who'd been secretly watching Alex, suddenly heard him mutter under his breath:

"Power boost after nearly dying... Am I like a Saiyan or something?"

"Saiyan? Is that where you're from? I've never heard of a Saiyan Village in the East Blue. I thought you were local?"

Nami looked at him curiously.

Alex was instantly flustered.

Oh, come on. If I really were a Saiyan, I'd blow Morgan away just by breathing. No need for all this effort.

He looked at Nami, noticing the tear streaks still faintly visible on her soft, porcelain-like face. Thinking about how she had cried out of concern for him, he lost any desire to joke around.

The Marines overheard Nami's question and looked at Alex with wide eyes.

A village called Saiyan? What kind of terrifying place is that to produce a freak like him? Better ask around before accepting any new assignments—if there's a Saiyan Village nearby, I'm not going!

Alex was just about to explain what a Saiyan was, when a furious voice cut through the tension.

"You two really have time for chit-chat?! Today is the most humiliating day of my life!"

Morgan stomped toward them. Though Alex had flung him like a ragdoll earlier, Morgan hadn't actually been seriously injured—just battered and bleeding. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Alex with murderous intent.

"Everyone, follow my lead! Execute these criminals who dared to defy my absolute authority!" he roared.

At his command, the surrounding Marines surged forward. Morgan himself raised his massive axe arm and charged straight at Alex.

Chaos erupted.

With the Marines swarming them, Alex no longer had time to banter. Left punch, right kick—he threw enemies aside like rag dolls.

Still, with the interference from the surrounding Marines, Alex—fighting barehanded—struggled to keep up against Morgan.

"Your movements are fast, but you lack power. You're destined to lose to me," Morgan sneered as he blocked Alex's punch with his axe. Then he slammed his left fist toward Alex's chest.

Alex quickly crossed his arms in front of himself to block the hit.

"You okay?!"

Nami, dodging through the chaos, cried out as she saw Alex stumble back a few steps.

"I'm great. That soft punch of his? Barely scratched an itch," Alex grinned.

But inside, he was screaming.

Damn it! Why can Luffy KO this guy in three hits, while I'm going all out and he's still standing?!

Alex understood—even though he'd grown stronger, he still wasn't on Luffy's level. He remembered fighting Alvida before—Luffy had easily outclassed her in raw strength.

What Alex didn't know was that Morgan was thinking the same thing.

What the hell is this guy made of? I keep hitting him, and he just won't go down. He's like an indestructible cockroach!

If I had my usual weapons, I'd beat him into a pulp by now! Morgan cursed silently.

Alex dodged Morgan's latest swing but couldn't counter. Several Marines charged at him with raised swords, and he had to evade. If he tried to hold his ground, he'd be diced into mincemeat.

Even though he felt stronger since his near-death recovery, fighting Morgan and dozens of Marines at once while also protecting Nami was no easy task.

It wasn't that Morgan's power had increased—it was the circumstances. Alex couldn't fight with full concentration while ensuring Nami's safety. If he were alone, he could've taken control of the battle by now.

Morgan was now giving it his all. Having suffered a brutal punch earlier, he no longer underestimated Alex. Leading the Marines, Morgan fought fiercely. With Nami as a liability, Alex couldn't go all in. As a result, they were now evenly matched.

"Stay away from me!"

Nami suddenly shouted, pulling out her collapsible staff from her leg holster. With a swift swing, she knocked down a Marine charging at her.

Alex's eyes lit up when he saw her staff. He suddenly had an idea.

He faked a kick to force Morgan back, then called out, "Give me your weapon!"

"Huh?"

Nami blinked in confusion, then tossed her staff over. "You know how to use a staff too? Wow, you're full of surprises."

The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.

Wait… if I gave him my weapon, doesn't that leave me defenseless?! Why did I just blindly listen to him?!

Barely dodging another attack, she scowled and shouted, "Idiot! Give me my weapon back! Are you trying to get me killed?!"

Geez, woman, your mood swings faster than a tide! Alex muttered.

He quickly disassembled the staff into three short sticks. One of them was about 30 centimeters long—he tossed that piece back to Nami.

"Use this for now."

Nami caught the tiny stick and nearly turned to stone. Her face darkened as she yelled, "You moron! What the hell am I supposed to do with a stick this short?!"

If there weren't Marines actively trying to slice her up, she'd probably have launched a full-on beatdown.

"Aren't you a master of staff fighting? Just… improvise," Alex said as he swept several Marines off their feet. While they flailed on the ground, he yanked off their boots and pulled out the shoelaces.

"Improvise?!"

Nami stared at her tiny stick, then at the Marines swinging meter-long swords. Her snow-white face turned black as coal, making her look downright terrifying.

"Don't worry! I'll protect you—I just need a little more time," Alex reassured her. He dodged a flurry of attacks, picked up a Marine sword, and started stabbing holes into the two remaining sticks.

At first, Nami softened a bit at his promise. But then she saw him jabbing her staff with a blade.

Is he destroying my weapon?!

She opened her mouth to yell—but four or five Marines were already rushing toward her with drawn swords.

Instinctively, she raised her short stick to block.

Then she remembered—her "weapon" was only a third its normal length. How could it block anything?

I'm dead. I'm really gonna die.

As the blades closed in, Nami looked toward Alex, heart full of despair.

You big idiot… you're really going to get me killed. What will my people do without me?

At that moment, a blur shot past her. Someone grabbed her by the waist and spun her out of danger.

In the blur of movement, she saw the Marines who had been attacking her suddenly go flying—struck by what looked like a crooked staff. Screams filled the air.

-------------------------

To Access 40+ Advance chapters head over to Patreon:

patreon .com / Samorash

~~Do leave a comment!