Looking at the grass hut at the designated place, Lin Yan thought this should be the location that Shakky provided for Zephyr's seclusion. It was hard to imagine a former Navy Admiral falling to this state.
Lin Yan had some impression of Zephyr. His experience was a reminder that when you're no longer useful, they won't hesitate to discard you. Of course, as former close friends, Garp and Sengoku didn't want Zephyr to leave. Unfortunately, even as the highest commander of the Navy, Sengoku had no power to intervene in such matters. After all, the Navy serves Mariejois, the Five Elders, and the Celestial Dragons.
Lin Yan tapped his head and his eyes gleamed. "When I'm strong enough, I should pay a visit to the Five Elders' hall and see what this 'Im' looks like!" But before that, he thought, improving strength should be the priority.
"Who's there?" came a sharp voice in Lin Yan's ear. Then, a woman in a blue dress jumped down from a bubble tree branch, landing in front of him. This woman had long sky-blue wavy hair and wore a light blue outfit. Her long dress flowed gracefully, and she exuded an elegant aura. Her slender legs stood tall, and her cold face showed signs of alertness. She looked at Lin Yan with her beautiful eyes, her brows furrowed, cold as ice.
"Who are you?" she asked, pointing at him with her fair hand.
Lin Yan's gaze was drawn to her appearance. With her artistic features, smooth skin, slender eyebrows, and natural beauty, she could easily score 95 out of 100!
"Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking for someone else's name?" Lin Yan asked.
"This place is off-limits, leave immediately!" Ain said coldly.
"You look pretty, but why are you so rude?" Lin Yan laughed and retorted. "This is Sabaody Archipelago, not your backyard. Off-limits? Did you buy this land?"
"Leave now!" Ain's face grew more displeased.
"What if I don't?" Lin Yan laughed, remaining unmoved.
"Hmph, looks like I'll have to kick you out myself!" Ain said, her face darkening. Then, she started to move. In her hand, a pink flame ignited. She slapped at Lin Yan!
With a "bam," Ain's slap hit Lin Yan. "You brought this on yourself..." Ain said coldly. Indeed, she was a Devil Fruit user. Her fruit was the Return-Return Fruit. If someone is hit by her fruit, they would be de-aged by twelve years each time, and when their age hits zero, they would cease to exist. Seeing Lin Yan hit, Ain showed no emotion.
But the next second, Ain heard a lazy voice.
"I say, young lady, why are you trying to outsmart a tree?"
It was Lin Yan who spoke.
"What?"
Ain looked stunned as she saw Lin Yan sitting on a rock with his legs crossed, giving her an adorable smile. She had just used the power of the Regret Fruit on him, so why wasn't it working?
To her surprise, Ain saw that she was slapping a tree, which had now regressed by twelve years.
What the...
Panic flashed in Ain's beautiful eyes as she struggled to understand what was happening.
Lin Yan chuckled and shook his head. Ever since he learned to use illusions, he became increasingly interested in them. From the very beginning, Ain had fallen for Lin Yan's illusion.
If this were in Naruto, perhaps the enemy would know how to break the illusion. But here, in the world of One Piece, illusions are like a bug or a god-level skill.
Not to mention, this was an illusion cast with a Mangekyo Sharingan. Once caught, Lin Yan could torture his opponent to death if he wanted to. He could even create a "Time Stop" plus "Do as you wish" scenario if he desired.
"Again!" Ain was not convinced, and pink flames ignited in her hands as she slapped toward Lin Yan again.
Unfortunately, the result was the same. In less than ten minutes, the beautiful young girl was defeated by Lin Yan.
"Now, can you calmly talk to me?" Lin Yan asked as he walked over to Ain, looking down at her.
Ain's face was grim. In the illusion, she had already been exhausted by Lin Yan. Who is this guy, and how is he so powerful?
"Who... who are you?" Ain felt a strong sense of powerlessness emanating from Lin Yan.
"Don't ask who I am. Answer my question. Is the former Navy Admiral Black Arm Zephyr nearby?" Lin Yan asked gently.
"Why are you looking for the teacher?" Ain's heart tightened. Zephyr had just resigned from the Navy, and now someone was seeking him out. She had a bad feeling about this.
"Oh? So Zephyr is your teacher! Then take me to him!" Lin Yan said with an enlightened expression.
Ain wanted to resist, but she was already in Lin Yan's grasp and couldn't resist at all.
Soon, under Ain's guidance, Lin Yan found Black Arm Zephyr. He had short purple hair, a strong physique, and despite being almost eighty, he was still energetic.
However, the aura of a former Navy Admiral was not visible on him. At this time, he was caught in a mire of disappointment, looking downcast.
Zephyr noticed the commotion at the door, and when he looked up, he saw Ain, wounded, and an unfamiliar man behind her.
A fierce aura emanated from Zephyr as he locked his eyes on Lin Yan. "Who are you?"