The scene shifts back to Water 7.
On the ground of Scrap Island, Rorschach handed the disconnected Den Den Mushi to Hibari and waved his large hand.
Whoosh!
A roaring gust of wind surged forth, transforming into invisible tendrils that swept up the seven glass containers filled with Explosive Ore, lifting them into the air alongside him.
"You two wait here. I'm going to destroy these Explosive Ores."
Rorschach addressed Hibari and Law on the ground before flying toward the distant sea, carrying the seven delicately crafted cylindrical containers.
Originally, these Explosive Ores were meant to be sent to Marine Headquarters for safekeeping.
Explosive Ore, with its immense destructive power, was essentially a strategic-grade resource.
Over the years, the Marines had also collected and excavated a fair amount of it, storing it as research material and strategic stockpile on a secret, undisclosed island.
However, Rorschach now had more pressing matters to attend to.
Leaving the Explosive Ore in Water 7 and waiting for Headquarters to send someone for it wasn't a viable option.
It wasn't until he had flown 7–8 kilometers out to sea that Rorschach finally stopped, glancing at the seven floating glass containers beside him.
"What a shame. If this stuff were used as a weapon, it'd be more effective than any cannonball."
Rorschach was clearly reluctant.
But there was no helping it—Explosive Ore was simply too dangerous.
If it exploded nearby, even he wouldn't be able to protect Hibari and the others.
While Law's Room could potentially teleport away fractured Explosive Ore fragments in an emergency…
Law's reaction speed and Observation Haki were still nowhere near Rorschach's level.
Plus, these ores had come from unknown sources.
There was no telling what kind of tricks might be hidden inside them.
Not mechanical traps—but rather, instability. Rorschach didn't know how stable the ore was inside the glass containers.
If even a small shake could trigger a blast, things could go catastrophically wrong.
So, for all these reasons, Rorschach decided to destroy them.
Whoooosh!
He manipulated the wind to send each of the seven containers flying in different directions, preventing any chain reaction in case of simultaneous detonation.
Once they were all at least 500 meters away from him, he clenched his five fingers.
Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!
A series of crisp glass-shattering sounds rang out from seven different directions.
The cylindrical containers shattered, and the pink liquid inside spilled out, exposing the potato-shaped Explosive Ore to the air.
With Observation Haki, Rorschach sensed the fist-sized rocks quickly turning red-hot—blazing hot.
An intense heat radiated from the small stones.
Then came a simultaneous, thunderous BOOM, erupting dozens of meters above the ocean surface.
The massive shockwaves stirred the sea below, sending out wave after wave.
Rorschach hadn't thrown them into the sea—he didn't want to kill thousands of marine life for no reason.
Watching as seven massive fireballs rose and then vanished, Rorschach, like the wind itself, swiftly returned to Scrap Island.
He moved so fast, even surpassing the speed of sound.
So when he landed in front of Hibari and the others, it took two to three seconds before the distant explosion could be heard in Water 7.
Even from 7–8 kilometers away, the muffled thunder was still audible, causing Iceburg to wipe cold sweat from his forehead in shock.
Before Iceburg and the others could approach to ask questions, Rorschach explained the mission he had received to Hibari and Law.
"My plan is to head alone to Queen Spring City to investigate the matter of the Explosive Ore and recover the stolen weapons."
Hearing that, Hibari immediately shook her head.
"No way, Rorschach-nii, going alone to the Bounty Hunter Guild headquarters is way too dangerous.
Even if you don't take me, you have to bring Law.
His ability can still be a huge help to you, Rorschach-nii.
Plus, Law's a great doctor."
"What are you thinking?" Rorschach gave a wry smile. "The reason I planned to go alone this time is because I'm worried about the safety of Water 7."
"Those three who suddenly showed up just now—you fought them too. They're all troublesome opponents.
Now that I've injured them, they'll definitely hold a grudge.
And with the disappearance of the Explosive Ore, I fear they might return with vengeance in mind.
That's why you, Law, and Penguin all need to stay here and protect Water 7, and guard the warship we're building.
That task is just as important. I don't know how dangerous it'll get, but do you have confidence?"
Upon hearing that, Hibari and Law both straightened up.
They understood what Rorschach meant.
"Don't worry, Rorschach-nii. Leave Water 7 to us. Just take care of yourself out there."
Rorschach nodded and turned to Law. "Law, I'm counting on you. In the next few days, keep your focus sharp—don't let your guard down."
"Yeah. Got it." Law nodded solemnly, fully aware of the situation's gravity.
"Then I'll leave Water 7 to you all. I need to depart immediately—any delay could bring unexpected change."
With that, Rorschach waved his hand and decisively strode away.
After giving Iceburg a few instructions—telling him to treat the next few days as if a tsunami were incoming, placing the entire city on high alert and ensuring the citizens' safety—Rorschach rushed to the Sea Train station in Water 7.
A few minutes later, the Sea Train let out a sharp whistle and pulled out of the station, accelerating along the track laid over the sea, heading toward Queen Spring City—an island positioned to the right and ahead of Enies Lobby.
Inside the second car of the Sea Train—
Rorschach smiled as he looked at the lone figure sitting in the carriage.
"You came?"
"Hmph, you've really got some pull. To think you actually convinced the higher-ups to send CP9 to assist you."
Rob Lucci, with a pure white pigeon perched on his shoulder, sat leaning back in a chair with his arms crossed, expression cold as he stared at Rorschach.
Rorschach walked over and sat in the seat across the aisle to Lucci's right, stretching lazily. "Heh, I thought you'd refuse. Didn't expect this…"
"As long as it's an order from the World Government, Cipher Pol will carry it out unconditionally. We're not like you Navy folks—big and bloated, always paying lip service and disobeying orders."
A mocking smile appeared on Lucci's face.
"Oh-ho? Getting proud of being a lapdog now? You're really something, Lucci."
Rorschach reclined in his seat, resting his right elbow on the armrest, chin supported on his fist, casting a sideways glance at Lucci as he shot back without holding back.
"What did you say?"
Lucci narrowed his eyes, the chill in his gaze locking onto Rorschach.
Rorschach raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips.
"Whoa, scary stuff. You puffing up now, Lucci? What's the matter? I haven't slapped you around in a few days and now you're getting cocky again?"
"You... what... did... you... say?!"
Lucci's face twisted with rage as he stood up.
The white pigeon on his shoulder flapped its wings in alarm and flew away.
"Oh? Not happy, huh?"
Rorschach stood up leisurely. At 2.7 meters tall, he nearly touched the ceiling of the train car, looking down at the furious Rob Lucci.
"It's only been a few days and you've already forgotten the pain from last time?"
"You...!"
A glint of cold fury flashed in Lucci's eyes. His right index finger darted out like lightning, aiming straight at Rorschach's face.
"Shigan!"
Rorschach looked at the finger with some surprise—it was coated in pitch-black Armament Haki.
"So that's why you're acting so bold. You've awakened Armament Haki, huh? Damn, in just a few days? No wonder they call you CP9's once-in-800-years genius. One beating and boom—you're using Haki now.
Scary, truly scary."
Whoosh!
Rorschach's figure vanished from Lucci's front, reappearing in the aisle at his side.
Even in the cramped space of the train car, his speed was completely unhindered.
Missing his strike, Lucci immediately switched tactics. He raised his right leg and kicked out toward Rorschach's chest like a rabbit kicking an eagle.
The speed and power of the kick were so fierce that a sharp whistle of air erupted in the narrow space.
But even at such close range, Rorschach merely blinked out of existence again.
When he reappeared, he was behind Lucci. Smack! He tapped Lucci's head.
"Too slow," Rorschach said lazily, his voice infuriating Lucci even more.
A low beastly growl rumbled from Lucci's throat.
In the next moment, his body swelled and elongated, transforming into a tall, humanoid leopard. His reversed-joint legs pushed off the aisle floor as his massive fist, coated in black Armament Haki, slammed toward Rorschach's face.
"Die!"
"Sorry, that's not happening."
Rorschach casually raised his left hand, fingers spread, and caught Lucci's incoming fist.
As Rorschach clamped down on the fist, Lucci tried to pull back, but the hand didn't budge—it remained firmly gripped in Rorschach's large palm, his smile unwavering.
This bastard…
A flash of humiliation crossed Lucci's eyes. He clenched his left fist and punched toward Rorschach's side.
"Come on, don't be reckless. We're on the Sea Train, still hundreds of miles from our destination. If you break the train, I really don't feel like moonwalking all the way there."
Rorschach shook his head, and his right hand clenched into a fist. A deep blue aura covered his knuckles.
Before Lucci's left punch could connect, Rorschach drove his own fist into Lucci's abdomen.
Boom!
A terrifying force lifted Lucci's entire body off the ground.
If Rorschach weren't still holding his right fist, the impact would've blasted Lucci through the train ceiling and out into the open sea.
Lucci's body curled up, mouth wide open. The tremendous force left his entire body numb, bones creaking, and knees buckling. He dropped to his knees in front of Rorschach.
Rorschach calmly sat back in his seat, chin resting in his hand, watching the humiliated Lucci.
"Come on, get up. If someone sees this, they'll think I'm bullying you.
You're a grown man—don't be so naughty next time.
In life, a little humility goes a long way."
(End of Chapter)
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