Chapter 68: Crushing the Baroque Workshop (Second Update)

Vivi followed Shu Mingyuan’s gaze and saw, amidst the endless desert, two figures emerging in the distance. As they drew nearer, their faces gradually became clear to her. One wore sunglasses, a trench coat, and sported a wild, explosive hairstyle; the other was a beautiful woman in a hat.

Vivi covered her mouth, her pupils dilating in shock. These were two senior agents from the Baroque Works—after all, they had found her.

Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine locked eyes with Shu Mingyuan and Vivi from afar. Upon seeing the youth in prison garb, they paused, recognizing him vaguely, though his identity eluded them. Moreover, their intelligence had never mentioned another companion at Princess Vivi’s side.

Mr. 5 shifted his gaze from Shu Mingyuan to Princess Vivi, his lips curling in a cold sneer. “Miss Wednesday, though Baroque Works forbids members from investigating each other, since you’ve learned our boss’s secret, we’ve had to be extra careful with you. Did you really think you could deceive us? Princess Nefertari Vivi of Alabasta, infiltrating Baroque Works.”

“So, the boss’s orders are to eliminate you—immediately!”

Vivi’s face turned ghostly pale; she had finally been discovered.

Mr. 5 took in the princess’s expression, his smugness deepening as he turned his attention to the man beside her, who looked utterly indifferent. “On our way here, we found the corpses of those foolish sea otter and vulture. Judging by the grisly scene, it was not the work of our benevolent princess, but yours, wasn’t it? Mysterious sir.”

“In this country, all who dare oppose Baroque Works are dead. I advise you not to meddle.”

Shu Mingyuan lazily dug at his ear with a finger, blew softly, then finally lifted his eyelids and spoke with nonchalance. “Save your sanctimonious act. Since I overheard your conversation, would you let me walk away?”

His face grew cold. “Perhaps you’re mistaken—I do not fear you. On this Grand Line, everyone who has opposed me ended up dead. Today, the same fate awaits you.”

“Arrogant fool! You can go to hell with the princess!” Mr. 5 extracted a sticky glob from his nostril and flicked it at Shu Mingyuan.

“What a revolting skill.”

Shu Mingyuan’s palm grasped at the air, and a ten-meter-long lightning spear appeared. He waved his hand lightly, slicing the black projectile cleanly in two.

“What!”

Mr. 5 was clearly stunned—someone had actually split his custom bomb in half. Focusing further, he realized the youth had vanished from his previous spot.

“Daydreaming in battle can get you killed,” Shu Mingyuan’s amused voice whispered by his ear. Mr. 5 swung a fist behind him, unleashing a violent explosion that roared and sent sand swirling wildly.

“Kid, I’ve eaten the Bomb-Bomb Fruit—I am a bomb man! Any part of my body explodes with power rivaling a bomb. If I hit you, you’re dead!” Mr. 5 laughed heartily, but from within the mist came the man’s voice, freezing his smile instantly.

“Your explosive power is hardly impressive.”

The night wind swept the black smoke away, and under the moonlight, Mr. 5’s fist was gently blocked by the youth’s palm. There wasn’t a trace of injury—no sign of explosion, not even a scratch.

Shu Mingyuan gripped his fist firmly, the sound of bones shattering echoing in the air. He remained as detached as ever, then flung Mr. 5 dozens of meters away.

“Too weak…” Shu Mingyuan shook his head slightly. In Impel Down, his opponents had been notorious pirates with bounties over a hundred million, or savage jailer beasts. He had even fought Rain Shiryu. Now, back on the Grand Line’s frontiers, these adversaries seemed utterly powerless.

Vivi watched, covering her mouth as the battle unfolded. The youth’s strength yet again shattered her imagination. Against powerful Devil Fruit users, he crushed them with effortless ease.

“With this kind of strength, you may as well slit your own throat,” Shu Mingyuan said calmly.

Miss Valentine floated lightly into the air, her weight suddenly reaching ten tons as she plummeted toward the youth below.

Shu Mingyuan’s mouth twitched as he glanced at her. To develop a Devil Fruit like that—either her mind was broken or her intelligence was lacking.

“Didn’t your parents ever tell you to eat more fish if you’re slow-witted?”

The youth sighed, taking a small step back. Miss Valentine’s ten-ton weight crashed down, gouging a deep, bottomless pit in the soft desert sand.

Bang!

Gunshots rang out—six explosive bullets tore through the air, aimed at Shu Mingyuan. He glanced up, then flicked his hand with lightning speed, sending twelve finger shots flying at the source. Six met the bullets head-on, erupting in massive explosions and clouds of smoke.

A scream pierced the smoke—Mr. 5’s body was riddled with six finger shots, blood pouring from him. He realized, with mounting terror, that all his tricks were useless against this man; he dared not even think of resisting.

“So this is Baroque Works’ vaunted strength? With skill like this, forget hunting pirates—just go fishing. You disgrace pirate hunters.”

Shu Mingyuan’s mocking voice echoed from within the smoke. His figure emerged, and he grabbed the limp Mr. 5 by the throat, lifting him single-handedly.

Hearing the youth’s words, Mr. 5 suddenly understood why the boy’s appearance had seemed familiar—he wore prison garb, was young, and unmistakably the figure whose name had been making headlines worldwide: the second man ever to escape from Impel Down—Ghost Hunter Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan!

But wasn’t he near Amazon Lily, close to the Sabaody Archipelago? How could he possibly appear here? If Princess Vivi was protected by such a figure, Baroque Works’ plan to assassinate her would be impossible!

“You… you’re the Ghost Hunter!” Mr. 5 said fearfully.

“Correct, but unfortunately, there’s no prize.” Shu Mingyuan smiled faintly, then crushed Mr. 5’s throat in his grasp.

Miss Valentine emerged from the pit just in time to see Mr. 5’s fate. Her face filled with horror. “You… you actually killed him.”

“Yes, and now it’s your turn.”

Shu Mingyuan released his grip, letting Mr. 5’s lifeless body fall to the desert. A spear of lightning materialized from thin air, piercing Miss Valentine’s heart.