Chapter Four: Fleeing the Sanctuary, Contemplating the Future

Using the intense flames fueled by a large amount of combustibles, Chu Yang’s fire far exceeded the original scale of the blaze in the storyline. Now, the entire Mary Geoise was engulfed in a raging inferno.

The situation had become so severe that the Celestial Dragons could no longer afford to pursue Tiger. Even Aokiji, who had just arrived, immediately joined the firefighting efforts.

With slaves scattering in all directions and the Sanctuary’s military forces stretched thin, the city was in chaos.

At the highest point of Pangu City, on the rooftop courtyard, a solitary figure quietly watched the city engulfed in flames. As the true master of the Sanctuary, Im felt no shame—on the contrary, a playful smile curled on her lips.

Having obtained the supreme power over the entire world, she rarely encountered anything as interesting in her long life. Especially in the past century, boredom had drained her interest in everything.

Today, however... this was quite an entertaining spectacle.

Like a detached observer, Im watched the unfolding events with keen interest. She paid no mind to how many slaves escaped or how many Beli were lost.

While Im indulged in this magnificent “bonfire,” Chu Yang and Tiger had already fled beyond the Sanctuary’s borders, reaching the edge of the Red Soil Continent.

Chu Yang hadn’t expected this fish-man to keep following him. Helping him was only because the Marines happened to block his escape route; with no other choice, Chu Yang had intervened.

That last strike had nearly drained all of Chu Yang’s chakra. If not for the aid of Wood Release, his recovery would have been impossible, and he likely would have fainted.

Along the way, Tiger kept scrutinizing Chu Yang. The abilities Chu Yang had displayed earlier made Tiger suspect he was a Devil Fruit user.

Though curious about the nature of that power, Tiger was not foolish enough to pry too deeply. Their relationship was not close enough to exchange secrets.

When they reached the cliff’s edge, Chu Yang looked down at the sheer precipice plunging thousands of meters below and the tumultuous waves crashing at its base, swallowing back a nervous gulp.

He did not suffer from acrophobia, but such a terrifying height would make anyone’s legs go weak.

“I think there’s a lift boat...” Chu Yang scanned the area. He remembered there was a special lift boat responsible for ferrying people to and from the Red Soil Continent.

“Those lift boats are heavily guarded by soldiers,” Tiger said at once when he heard Chu Yang mention the lift boat. “But right now, those soldiers are busy fighting the fire in the city. No one is watching—if we can just find the lift boat, we can leave Mary Geoise smoothly.”

“I know where it is!” Tiger declared.

Chu Yang looked at him in surprise—wasn’t this fish-man slave just escaped from prison? How would he know this?

Seeing Chu Yang’s skepticism, Tiger explained, “When I climbed up from below, I saw the lift boats.”

“I see...” Chu Yang nodded, then suddenly exclaimed, “Wait, where did you climb up from?”

Tiger pointed to the abyss beside them.

Now Chu Yang finally understood who this fish-man really was.

The only person known to have ever climbed up to the Sanctuary of Mary Geoise by hand in all these years was the hero who liberated the slaves—Fisher Tiger.

After discovering Tiger’s identity, Chu Yang couldn’t help but look him over thoroughly, suddenly realizing he looked very familiar—especially that bright red skin.

Tiger, feeling uneasy under Chu Yang’s intense gaze, hastily said, “Don’t worry, little brother, I’m not lying to you.”

“I know.” Chu Yang asked curiously, “Did you come up here to set the fire?”

Having been misunderstood once before, Tiger was quick to defend himself, “I didn’t start the fire. I just took advantage of the situation to rescue some slaves…”

But then Tiger sensed something odd and asked in confusion, “Why did you say ‘also’?”

Chu Yang’s expression changed. He quickly changed the subject, “There’s no time for chatter. If we stay any longer, the Marines will catch up. Take me to the lift boat.”

“Oh, right, right.” Tiger snapped back to attention and led Chu Yang along the cliff’s edge.

After some time, they found the lift boat’s access point without trouble.

As Chu Yang had expected, few soldiers guarded the entrance—only four lonely guards, all of whom Tiger knocked out with a single punch each, without any resistance.

Tiger sighed, “The defenses here are so weak, it’s probably the same elsewhere. I hope those innocent civilians can get out of this hell and return safely home.”

Truly a man with a heart for the world...

Chu Yang, who preferred to keep to himself, admired Tiger’s sincerity. There was no trace of mockery in his respect.

Under the cover of night, they took the lift boat away from the Red Soil Continent and back into the embrace of the sea.

Beneath Mary Geoise lay a small town serving as the lift boat’s landing point. Those traveling to and from the Red Soil Continent usually gathered there.

Because there were no guards, Chu Yang and Tiger arrived unnoticed. Walking along the quiet streets, Tiger suddenly asked, “Little brother, are you planning to go home?”

Home?

Where does a traveler have a home?

Chu Yang smiled bitterly, “My home’s gone. I can’t go back.”

Tiger, thinking Chu Yang was a victim of slavers who had lost his family, felt deep sympathy and asked, “Then where do you plan to go next?”

That’s right, where would he go next?

Chu Yang fell into thought.

He needed to find a place to learn some useful skills!

Whether it was Haki or physical combat, Chu Yang had to acquire something quickly. Otherwise, the next time he met another of his own clones, he’d waste the opportunity to learn.

Although freeloading was enjoyable, freeloading from oneself was pointless.

What should he learn?

To Chu Yang, the most valuable skill in the pirate world was undoubtedly Haki.

Haki’s power was undeniable; its enhancement of combat strength was, in some ways, even superior to Devil Fruit abilities.

Moreover, Haki had no obvious drawbacks like Devil Fruits did.

The problem was where to find someone to teach him Haki.

Though many strong Haki users existed in the New World, with Chu Yang’s current abilities—even with Wood Release at his side—he’d most likely be a sitting duck.

Outside the New World, the only place Chu Yang could access was the Amazon Lily Kingdom, where Hancock resided.

However, that place banned men, and without a protagonist’s aura, Chu Yang would perish there—at least for now.

Aside from Haki, the next options were swordsmanship and physical combat.

At present, the only place to learn excellent swordsmanship was the Ichishin Dojo in Frost Moon Village, East Blue, where he could become a senior brother alongside Zoro.

But it was unrealistic for Chu Yang to travel alone from the Grand Line back to East Blue.

As for physical combat, Chu Yang hadn’t found anything appealing except the Navy’s Rokushiki style. Overall, the level of physical combat skills in the pirate world was inferior to that of the ninja world.