Chapter 29: Half a Year of Grueling Training

After that, Qingsi trained in the Grell Island Coliseum for a year and a half.
Facing pirates from all over the seas every day, he soon became a well-known figure on Grell Island.
During this period, Chiyue and Yuna also made significant progress.
Chiyue in particular showed astonishing speed in learning combat techniques. In just a year and a half, she mastered the use of Armament Haki and began to awaken Observation Haki.
Inside a secluded villa,
Qingsi rested in a rocking chair. He had purchased the land with his own money and built a familiar courtyard, establishing his roots in the New World. Quietly, he recruited a number of like-minded followers. Every day, he would observe the fights at the coliseum, deliberately making contact with the strongest fighters and recruiting some under his banner.
So far, he had three pirate followers.
Each had their own crew, numbering around forty or fifty people.
They kept in contact with him secretly.
Others had no idea Qingsi commanded pirate forces; they simply saw him as a young man honing his skills on Grell Island, proficient in the Navy’s Six Styles, yet not a marine himself, with formidable mastery of both Observation and Armament Haki.
“Captain Qingsi! Want to go drink and chase girls?”
A man in a colorful suit strode in from outside the courtyard. He had white hair and wore orange-red sunglasses, looking quite the gentleman, though his words betrayed a lecherous nature.
He made himself comfortable, dropping into a seat beside Qingsi and fiddling with his teapot to pour himself a cup.
Qingsi didn’t open his eyes. “No, I need a good rest. Tonight, I might be recruiting a new member.”
“Oh, a new member? Who caught your eye? I wonder if I know them.”
Qingsi smiled faintly. “Do you know that many people, Li Zheng?”
Li Zheng made a sweeping gesture. “Of course, my intelligence network is no worse than Jas’s.”
Qingsi said, “You’d know this one. She’s Doflamingo’s subordinate—Baby 5.”
“Jas says she’s headed toward Grell Island, but her purpose is unclear.”
Shock flashed on Li Zheng’s face. “Baby 5 from Doflamingo’s crew?”
“What, are you scared?” Qingsi opened his eyes and looked at Li Zheng sipping tea.
Li Zheng scoffed, “Don’t underestimate me, Captain. What’s there to be afraid of? Baby’s a real beauty—she’s bound to fall victim to your charms. I just feel sorry for her.”
Qingsi laughed heartily and clapped his shoulder. “If you can win her over, I’ll let you have her. How about that?”
“Really? It’s a deal!” Li Zheng straightened up instantly at Qingsi’s words.

Qingsi nodded. He had no interest in women...
Li Zheng was different. Though he roamed the pleasure districts, he still yearned for a passionate romance, but things rarely went his way.
He had yet to meet that special girl.
Others dreamed of becoming Pirate King, or the world’s greatest swordsman.
Check your underwear.
Only Li Zheng wanted to fall in love and set off fireworks in Holy Land Mariejois, to hold a wedding there.
When he heard Qingsi intended to overthrow the World Government, he immediately agreed to join.
Qingsi gladly accepted him, having kept an eye on Li Zheng from early on—he wanted no pirates with evil intentions.
Pirates on the seas, after all, came in two kinds:
Those who pillaged and murdered, doing every evil under the sun,
And those who only targeted other pirates, living off their loot and chasing treasures.
Li Zheng belonged to the latter.
He was bold, acting on impulse, and his punches and kicks were swift and fierce.
He did not possess a Devil Fruit ability.
Thinking of this, Qingsi suddenly remembered the Flame-Flame Fruit in Doflamingo’s hands.
He sat up and asked, “Li Zheng, would you like a Devil Fruit?”
Li Zheng replied, “Who wouldn’t, except maybe some swordsmen? If I had one, I’d definitely want it—best if it’s a Logia type, stylish and sure to catch girls’ attention.”
Qingsi nodded. “I’ll arrange one for you if the opportunity arises.”
“Go back and get ready. These days, we’ll secretly expand our ranks. Avoid the navy’s eyes. If they spot us, the Three Emperors will put pressure on us as well.”
Li Zheng said, “Got it. Don’t worry, we’ve been in the New World long enough—we’re sly.”
He took out a cigarette, lit it, and walked out.
Qingsi stared at the blueprint on the table, murmuring, “Then let’s start with Doflamingo...”
Night descended.
A long-legged beauty in a purple maid outfit stood at the bow of a ship. Beside her was an ugly man in yellow clothes, iron chains wrapped around him.
“Baby 5, we’ve arrived at Grell Island.”

“My eyes aren’t blind, Buffalo. It’s lively here—I’m sure I’ll be needed.”
Buffalo waved his hands hastily. “Baby 5, our mission this time is to find strong recruits. Don’t go agreeing to strange men’s requests again, or Doflamingo will be angry.”
Baby 5 crossed her arms, lifting her softness high. “That fool will never understand love. The feeling of being needed is so wonderful.”
Suddenly her face turned grim. “But I’ll take the mission seriously, Buffalo.”
Buffalo broke out in a cold sweat, thinking: Why am I always paired with Baby 5 on missions? She’s exhausting.
The ship docked.
Baby 5 leapt ashore with grace, and Buffalo followed, instructing the others, “Stay here and watch the ship. Don’t wander off, understand?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t worry, we’ll keep watch!”
Buffalo nodded, then turned to see Baby 5 had already gone ahead. He hurried after her, taking quick little steps.
If anything happened to Baby 5, Doflamingo would punish him—it was a headache.
Baby 5 shopped for food and clothes, dawdling for ages before finally arriving at the coliseum. When the guards saw her, they immediately arranged a VIP seat in the front row.
On the field was Li Zheng, locked in a brawl with a dark-skinned, muscular man.
Li Zheng’s gaze landed on Baby 5, and he shouted, “Oh! What a beautiful lady! May I... ugh!”
Before he could finish, he took a kick to the face, flying in a straight line and slamming into the iron cage.
“Li Zheng, don’t get distracted during a fight.”
Li Zheng stood up, wiped the blood from his nose, and glared at his opponent. “How dare you make me look bad in front of a lady? You’re finished.”
In the next instant, he vanished from sight, his punch roaring like a dragon. The dark-skinned man blocked with both arms, forced back several steps before steadying himself.
“What’s going on? His speed and strength have both increased. Is it because of that woman? What a fool driven by lust.”
Before he could think further, Li Zheng unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, raining attacks until his opponent was knocked out and lost the ability to fight.
Li Zheng straightened his clothes, bowed to Baby 5, and said, “Beautiful lady, may I have dinner with you?”
Baby 5’s eyes sparkled with hearts. “Of course!”
The man beside them gaped in disbelief. “That was easy???”