Super Card System - Chapter 501
Chapter 501: Matthew’s Sleep Technique
As Sengoku’s orders reverberated through the Marine Headquarters, an immediate flurry of activity ensued. Scores of Marine soldiers swiftly gathered, arming themselves before boarding the waiting warships at the harbor.
Kizaru, too, received his command. He had been stationed at the entrance of Ian and his companions’ dormitory. Rising abruptly, he walked away without a second glance.
These past few days, he could be said to have had enough of staying here!
He had a fierce fight with Ian before. Not only did he hold a grudge, but Ian held one too. Ian never liked Kizaru because he always found him peculiar. So, Ian preferred to bask in the sun and take naps with Aokiji, deliberately avoiding Kizaru.
Yet, it wasn’t just that. Enel, with his long ears and mischievous air, seemed to look at Kizaru every day with a challenging, provocative gaze.
Ian had once warned Enel that if a fight ever erupted, his adversary would be Kizaru. Both were Logia fruit users, and both possessed ultra-fast speed. Enel was particularly skilled in Observation Haki, making him the perfect match for Kizaru. Since Ian’s words, Enel had always regarded Kizaru as his imaginary opponent. In his eyes, Kizaru’s gaze could never be friendly.
However, Kizaru refrained from retaliation. He knew that laying a finger on Enel would give Ian justifiable cause to create a commotion at the Marine Headquarters.
The current directive from Sengoku was ideal for Kizaru. So, upon receiving the command, he turned and left without a word.
However, what he didn’t know was that Ian, who had been keeping an eye on the movements of the Marine Headquarters, noticed Kizaru leaving the very moment he did.
Enel’s Mentra had always covered the entirety of Marijoa.
“That seemingly creepy old man has boarded a ship and left the harbor!” Enel reported to Ian.
Ian knew that it seemed the situation was unfolding in the best possible way, thanks to Luffy, Zoro, and the others, who had genuinely created this opportunity for him.
“Matthew, proceed as planned!” Ian immediately ordered.
“Yes… Captain…” Matthew responded leisurely.
So Ian walked out of his dormitory and came to the open area outside. Aokiji was lounging on a chair here. When he saw Ian appear, his gaze couldn’t help but sharpen.
He felt a bit puzzled. Kizaru had just left, so why was Ian here?
Although Aokiji was wary, he soon noticed Ian’s somewhat schadenfreude tone. “Ah, Admiral Kizaru has left! How wonderful, he was so annoying!”
While saying this, Ian lay down on another chair next to Aokiji, stretching lazily. “I don’t know why, but the air feels much fresher now!”
Aokiji was speechless. He could tell Ian was sarcastic about Kizaru.
However, he didn’t say anything, just frowned and warned Ian, “Kizaru has left temporarily for a mission, but he’ll be back soon, Ian, don’t get any funny ideas!”
“Oh? Afraid I’ll run away?” Ian chuckled. “Come on, let’s be real. Apart from having Fleet Admiral Sengoku here, take a look at my ship. How could I possibly outrun all these Navy warships? But speaking of which, when are you guys planning to finalize our deal? I know you want to confine me, but you’ve got to give me a definite timeline!”
On top of the Ark Maxim was a temporary mast and sail. A single-mast ship like that certainly couldn’t match up to the Navy’s three-mast ships in terms of speed. When Aokiji considered this, he couldn’t help but relax a bit and said, “Be patient. It shouldn’t take much longer!”
“Alright, I have no other choice, do I?” Ian sighed theatrically. Then he shouted, “Matthew, Matthew! Can you bring us some of your special drinks?”
After shouting, Ian turned to Aokiji, “Admiral Kuzan, care for a drink? It’s on me!”
Aokiji, without suspecting anything, nodded. Ian had been doing this for the past few days, frequently inviting him to drink the beverages Matthew concocted.
Matthew soon appeared at the doorway, carrying a tray with two glasses of pineapple juice. He placed one in front of Ian, who picked it up and started sipping. Then, in his usual manner, Matthew also offered a glass to Aokiji.
Handing it over, Matthew said slowly, “Ad…mi…ral…, this… is… for… you…”
The taste of Matthew’s drinks was exquisite, but his sluggish tone always drove Aokiji to the brink of frustration. He couldn’t fathom where Ian had found such a character to be a crew member.
How could he endure it!?
So, without waiting for Matthew to finish speaking, Aokiji quickly reached out to take the glass.
However, at the moment Aokiji took the glass, Matthew suddenly affectionately “caressed” Aokiji’s hand!
Aokiji shuddered. He thought, “You’re a grown man, what are you trying to do by touching me like this?” But before he could say anything, he suddenly felt an intense drowsiness wash over him.
“No… This is bad!” Aokiji immediately realized his mistake. He hadn’t expected Ian’s seemingly inconspicuous chef to be a Devil Fruit user!
However, even if he had realized it, it was already too late. He couldn’t resist this overwhelming drowsiness. His grip on the glass loosened, and it fell to the ground.
Ian had been watching Aokiji’s movements. Seeing him loosen his grip, Ian immediately reached out and caught the glass, preventing it from shattering on the floor. When Ian looked up after catching the glass, he found Aokiji had already slumped over, his head tilted to the side, fast asleep!
Sometimes, one had to admit that Devil Fruits were truly bewildering black magic. Despite Matthew’s apparent weakness, in a completely defenseless situation, he managed to put even an Admiral to sleep!
In this world, there was no talk of resistance; even someone like Aokiji had to sleep when told to!
Matthew’s Sleep Kill Technique was just that incredible!
Certainly, the reason why Matthew had managed to lower Aokiji’s guard was due to his continuous offerings of beverages these past few days. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy to get close to Aokiji.
Ian gently adjusted Aokiji’s head and let him rest on the lounge chair. He casually pulled down Aokiji’s eye mask. After all, Aokiji often took naps, so his slumber wouldn’t raise any suspicions.
As long as no one attempted to attack Aokiji, he wouldn’t wake up during these ten minutes. After completing all this, Enel and Doruni timely appeared at the doorway.
“Let’s go!” Ian waved his hand. “Oh, and act natural!”
Then the four of them strolled leisurely toward the harbor, as if they were taking a casual walk.
Some Marine soldiers along the way noticed them. When they did, they couldn’t help but stare for a moment. However, Sengoku hadn’t informed the Marines that Ian and his crew were under confinement. The consequences of this lack of communication were showing now. Although the soldiers were puzzled about why no Admiral was accompanying Ian and his crew this time, they assumed it was because Kizaru had hastily left due to a mission. So, they thought that this time, nobody was assigned to accompany Ian and his crew, not that they were deliberately left alone.
These were two entirely different concepts…
To add to the irony, Ian, the master of theatrics, even waved and greeted the soldiers cheerfully. “Hey, how’s it going, everyone!”
How could they look like they were attempting to escape!?
When they arrived at where the Ark Maxim was docked, Ian inquired with the guards stationed there, “How’s everything? Have you been taking good care of my ship? Let me tell you, you’re well aware of the value of my ship. If anything goes missing, you won’t be able to afford the compensation!”
The guarding Marine soldiers were not about to admit any wrongdoing, so one of them immediately replied, “Rest assured, sir, nothing will happen!”
However, Ian shook his head, saying, “No, I need to check for myself. Enel, you guys go up and see if the gold on the ship has been tampered with!”
Enel and the others jumped onto the ship, eager to inspect.
Meanwhile, Ian paid no attention to the somewhat angered expressions of the Marine soldiers. He stood there casually, waiting with his hands behind his back.
“Captain, everything’s fine!” After a while, Doruni poked his head out from the side of the ship and called out.
Ian instantly understood that Doruni and the others had prepared themselves!
However, the Marine soldiers on guard were still indignant, saying, “See, we told you nothing would happen! How dare you doubt us!”
“Good to hear. Well then, thank you for your hard work!” Ian said casually. Suddenly, he made his move. With incredible speed, he swiftly incapacitated the guarding Marines.
Then, his Thousand Cherry Blossoms sword unsheathed, he swung it fiercely, sending a powerful sword energy that cut through the thick cable tying the Ark Maxim. He then leaped onto the ship, shouting, “Activate the Coup de Burst!”
Whoosh! A sharp whistling sound emanated from the ship’s bottom as powerful air currents gushed out, forcing the seawater beneath to spread apart in both directions.
However, this sound immediately alarmed the patrolling Marine soldiers inside the base!
Seeing the Ark Maxim, which was docked at the shore, being activated, they turned pale, realizing something was wrong. So, the patrolling Marine soldiers quickly pulled out a whistle and blew it frantically!
The sharp whistle reverberated throughout the Marine Headquarters. The next moment, the entire Marine Headquarters sprang into action. Numerous Marine soldiers and officers, armed with weapons, rushed out of their dormitories from all directions, charging toward the harbor.
A Marine soldier pulled out a Den Den Mushi, immediately dialing a number, seemingly trying to inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s side.
Simultaneously, a warning alarm blared from the loudspeakers in the Marine Plaza, echoing throughout the entire headquarters like an air raid siren!
All of this occurred in less than half a minute, showcasing how well-trained the Marine soldiers were.
“Intercept the Shichibukai, Black Dragon Ian, immediately!” Sengoku conveyed the order upon receiving the report.
Honestly, he hadn’t anticipated Ian making a move so soon after Kizaru’s departure. Ian’s audacity was truly astonishing, wasn’t it!?
Knowing that perhaps Aokiji alone couldn’t stop Ian and his crew, Sengoku hurriedly rushed out of his office toward the harbor.
However, he was unaware that at this moment, he was the only one capable of intercepting Ian. Aokiji… Aokiji was already asleep…
