As soon as the words fell, centered on Shin'ya, wooden spikes identical to "Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Seedling Fern" suddenly erupted from the ground within a one‑mile radius.
Shin'ya's sudden ambush caught the Blackbeard Pirates off guard—they barely had time to react before entangling with Haki.
"Zehahaha~ You're ambushing me?" Blackbeard roared, eyes wide in surprise and anger.
But Shin'ya remained calm, chuckling with a sly grin. "Do you think this is some house game? Do I have to say 'start' before attacking? You must be joking."
Without wasting another word, Shin'ya flickered forward like lightning—closing the distance in an instant.
"Haki Entanglement: Unparalleled Strength!"
Red lightning, coiling like a dragon, enveloped his fist with crackling intensity.
Blackbeard, startled, knew he couldn't tank a Haki‑imbued punch. He leaped back, attempting to dodge—but Shin'ya was too fast. Before he finished, Shin'ya was already upon him.
"Ugh—!" Blackbeard grit his teeth—
Shin'ya changed the strike's direction mid‑air, punching Blackbeard's abdomen with shocking force.
"Thud—Cough, cough."
Though the fist didn't land directly, the explosive impact ripped through the air, slamming Blackbeard's stomach like a hammer. His body convulsed, waves of pain rolling through him, until he doubled over, vomiting.
He clutched his gut, collapsing in agony. "Pain… it hurts so much…" he whimpered.
Just as Shin'ya prepared to deliver the final blow, his Kenbunshoku Haki flared—detecting danger. He dodged sideways—just as two silent bullets whizzed past his head.
Seizing the moment, Shin'ya grabbed Blackbeard as a human shield, landed a blow, and flung him toward Van Augur.
"Shoot accurately, Van Augur! Ahh, it hurts!" Blackbeard groaned.
Van Augur caught him. "Sorry, Captain—I didn't see Shin'ya go human‑shield on us."
Teach, still furious, barked, "All of you, attack!"
"Waving Elbow Strike!" "Unsinkable Ship: Lasso Style!" "Bang bang bang~~" "Dark Water!"
Doc Q yelled, "Quick, let's get out of here!" and spurred his horse away.
Shin'ya planted a foot on the ground—cracking stone beneath. An aura flared. With a clap:
"Wood Release: Multiple Wood Clones!"
Four clones launched toward Burgess, Augur, Lafitte, and Doc Q—shutting them down.
Shin'ya, armor‑hardened with Busoshoku Haki, leapt and kicked Blackbeard—who was still wrapped in Dark Water.
"Brute Force: Sky‑Piercing Kick!"
Blackbeard threw his arms out in frustration. His Devil Fruit power wasn't enough for him to defend—he was overwhelmed.
He fell hard, crying out in pain. Shin'ya taunted: "Is that your strongest? That fruit doesn't grant immunity—being hit just doubles your pain. In a fight, a single hit can leave you writhing like a fool."
Meanwhile, the clones dismantled Burgess and the others. They crumpled, battered and beaten, unable to continue.
Blackbeard recovered and ground out, "Zehahaha~ You're right, Shin'ya… But I'm not done yet! Dark Abode!"
He stomped, sending black ripples radiating outward—shirts, tables, benches lifted into the darkness. His eyes burned.
"Comrades, retreat!" he barked. He grabbed his crew and ran.
Shin'ya summoned a Wood Wall to block the debris and let them flee.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
Robin led Luffy and the others to a modest house, exuding quiet warmth. Through the window, they spied a burly man eating at a table—diamond‑shaped face, chestnut‑like hair.
"That's Mont Blanc Cricket—the Noland descendant," Robin whispered, confirming it with a nod.
Luffy rapped on the door.
Mont Blanc Cricket cracked it open. "Who are you? What do you want?"
Luffy grinned widely. "Uncle, we came to ask about Sky Island! We heard you know how to reach it."
Cricket hesitated—few on Jaya believed such legends. But at Luffy's sincere gaze, his resolve softened.
He sighed. "To reach Sky Island, you need a special bird—the South Bird."
He explained that this bird gets terribly uneasy if it isn't facing south. It would guide them into the sky‑piercing current.
Excited, the Straw Hats rushed into the forest in search of it.
---
In the forest, an hour later
Luffy (quietly): "Is this the South Bird?"
Chopper spoke gently to it, and the bird nodded—revealing it too sought Sky Island.
They hurried back to Cricket's house, where Cricket shared the plan: tomorrow morning, at a spot south of Jaya, a sky‑piercing current would rise—and they must anchor there to be carried to Sky Island.
Satisfied, the group rejoined Shin'ya and headed for the Merry.
Shin'ya kept his secret about Ace—knowing that Luffy would drop everything if he knew.
After dinner and some light‑hearted fun, everyone retired to sleep—hearts filled with excitement for tomorrow.
---
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