Chapter 335: Encounter with Akainu
Listening to Golden Lion's words, Dimi didn't take them in at all and lowered his head.
"I still want to join the Dragon Flame Pirates," Dimi said softly.
"You… if you go now, the Dragon Flame Pirates won't train you either. You might as well follow me first and grow stronger. Then go join the Dragon Flame Pirates—only then will they value you. You might even manage to become an officer."
Golden Lion said irritably.
"Is that really true?" Dimi raised his head, his pitch-black eyes looking at him.
"Of course. Would I, the great and famous Golden Lion, lie to a brat like you?"
"Then… how long will it take for me to become strong?"
"That depends on how hard you work."
Seeing that the kid was tempted, a trace of a smile appeared on Golden Lion's face.
Cloud-Cloud Fruit, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user.
Daring to sail alone, able to condense clouds that can store items—both brave and resourceful. With his guidance, the boy could definitely inherit his mantle.
"Hmph, Dragon Flame Pirates… are they really that strong?"
Golden Lion sneered inwardly.
Naturally, he wouldn't let Dimi go join the Dragon Flame Pirates after gaining strength. He believed that once Dimi became powerful, he would abandon that idea. After all, growing strong wasn't something that happened in a day or two.
"Then I'll follow you to get stronger, and then… join the Dragon Flame Pirates."
"Hahaha, come with me!"
Golden Lion burst into laughter, then his body floated up.
…
Sabaody Archipelago.
When they first arrived, the Dragon Flame Pirates only had the Azure Dragon ship. Now, dozens of pirate ships followed behind them, including Capone Bege's Silver Dragon Pirates.
This time, the Dragon Flame Pirates recruited over a thousand people—ten pirate crews of a hundred each.
Although they were all fodder, their numbers had surged.
This was only the beginning. The next wave of pirate frenzy would be even greater.
"After we go back this time, it looks like we need to suggest to the captain that we set up some stations—makes it easier to recruit pirate crews."
On the Azure Dragon, Camon muttered.
"Then my wife and I can finally get some proper rest. The scenery of the Grand Line is really beautiful—we can actually take time to enjoy it."
A smile curled up at the corner of Buck's mouth.
"Tch. You barely have any strength and you're already slacking off. At this rate, you can't even beat Enel anymore."
Wyper mocked from the side.
"The way you say it—like you can beat him?"
Buck raised an eyebrow and sneered.
"Uh…"
Wyper's face stiffened.
He… really couldn't beat Enel.
Enel was getting stronger and stronger, and he trained harder than them. Combined with his powerful physique and explosive abilities, he was practically inhuman.
"If us old members of the Dragon Flame Pirates don't start working harder, we'll probably be surpassed by the new recruits sooner or later."
"Improving strength isn't that simple. It takes time. Balancing work and rest is the real way."
"Heh, lazy is just lazy."
The two bickered back and forth.
At this moment, several warships appeared ahead of them.
"The Marines are here!" Camon spoke up.
Everyone looked over.
On the sea, one large and four small warships were sailing toward them side by side.
At the bow of the lead warship stood a tall and imposing figure, watching them. The cloak of justice on his back fluttered slowly.
A pair of tiger-like eyes carried cold authority as they stared at the Azure Dragon.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki (there is no 'quasi-admiral' rank, only admiral candidates, so he is still addressed as vice admiral), the ship ahead belongs to the Dragon Flame Pirates."
An aide stepped forward and reported to Akainu.
"Is Summoner Ze among them?" A glint flashed in Akainu's eyes as he asked calmly.