One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 109 Arsonist's Retirement from the Mountain: A Lifetime in Jail

Hyperventilation is a physiological and psychological reaction caused by acute anxiety. During an attack, patients experience rapid heartbeat, palpitations, and sweating. Because they cannot feel their breathing, they breathe faster, leading to the continuous expulsion of carbon dioxide and a low carbon dioxide concentration, causing secondary respiratory alkalosis and other symptoms. Hyperventilation is simply excessive breathing, which can cause respiratory alkalosis, resulting in numbness in the hands and feet, and in severe cases, convulsions in the limbs.

It can also be a symptom following a PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) episode.

"Relax, Robin, just breathe slowly, I'm here." Roman held Robin's hand tightly.

Seemingly sensing the familiar temperature, Robin gradually relaxed, and his breathing began to steady.

She whispered, "Ear...ring."

Roman's heart was already pounding. Her rapid journey had caused her heart to race even faster than Robin's.

If we don't count Pakistan.

The sudden appearance of Roman almost made Bucky's heart jump out of his chest.

But at this point, no one could utter a word of complaint. If their senses were still sharp, they would have noticed that the temperature was dropping lower and lower. Roman could even see the thin ice on the ground.

The only person capable of doing this is Vice Admiral Kuzan.

Seeing Robin's terrified expression, Roman knew that Kuzan was probably still traumatized by Robin.

The fever was likely an overreaction of Robin's body to the threat.

If Kuzan really wanted to capture Robin, they probably wouldn't last until Roman arrived.

However, the constant pressure emanating from behind, resembling a cat playing with a mouse, makes it even more torturous.

"Bucky, I'm giving you a glorious and great mission."

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you want me to do now?"

"Do you know what? For Robin, I'd even be willing to let you die."

"Ahhh, if you care about him so much, shouldn't you sacrifice yourself?"

"Alright, you two run right now."

"I don't want to sacrifice myself... Huh? What did you say?"

"Run! This guy can kill you instantly. You can't buy us any time. Only I can handle him."

……

Watching the two figures gradually disappear, Roman felt temporarily relieved. It seemed he wouldn't be able to say a proper goodbye to Robin.

The cold air blanketed the forest in silver frost, and the moisture in the breath began to condense instantly.

Cold has been a natural enemy of human survival since ancient times. That's why humans use fire to ward off the cold.

He drew his long sword from its sheath and rubbed the tip against the ground, producing sparks similar to those from clashing metal.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

The blade turned black, and Armament Haki controlled the flames. The sword energy, influenced by the flames, began to spread throughout the long sword, dispelling the chill from the user, but still unable to dispel the pain caused by the cold.

However, Roman doesn't dislike this kind of pain. As mentioned before, this pain is a stimulus to her domineering aura, which is very active when she is injured.

Like a parasitic relationship, these energies depend on her body for existence, and it is their turn to help when she is in danger.

Given time, once she learns to control it, she will no longer need to use her injuries to maximize her domineering aura, but will be able to manipulate them freely.

Seeing the fire spread across the blade, dispelling the pain from the chill, Roman knew it was time.

The flames died down.

A powerful blade of energy, mixed with flames, unleashed a flying slash towards the distance. Wherever it passed, the frost melted, and the flames cleansed the forest anew.

The thin ice on the green grass had melted into water, which then came into close contact with the flames and was quickly evaporated into water vapor.

But more sparks began to use fuel to grow stronger, and with the help of dead leaves, they soon turned into raging fires.

The icy chill vanished without a trace, but Roman knew it was child's play for him.

"So you are with Nico Robin after all. I should praise you, you seem to have gotten stronger, but it's not enough, Ice Age."

In an instant, the fire that could have landed him in jail for life was once again covered by a thick layer of ice, and the intense cold forced Roman to use Armament Haki to defend himself.

The icy pain stimulated his entire body again, stirring his domineering nature. Roman felt as if his hands were itching to act.

However, she still greeted the visitor with respect, after all, she had failed in her duty first.

"Mr. Kuzan."

The moonlight shone on the tall man, and combined with the icy aura emanating from his body, it did indeed give him a somewhat aloof and cold air.

"You should be able to give me a detailed explanation, right?" Kuzan's tone was still languid, but his eyes had become serious. Roman knew he was serious. And she needed to take it seriously too.

"Okay, I'll explain it to you in detail."

Roman adopted a very humble attitude, making Kuzan, who was about to throw a tantrum, feel like he had punched a piece of cotton.

He also hoped that Roman would give him a reasonable explanation.

Nicole Robin's identity is too sensitive; the two are not suited to interact.

Moreover, he was also worried that Roman, out of sympathy for Robin, might do something he would deeply regret.

This shows that the two seem to have had very close contact.

This gave Kuzan a real headache.

Judging from daily interactions, Roman is gentle, polite, and mischievous. He has the mature attitude and thinking ability of an adult, but also the innocence and naughtiness of a child.

Although not an innocent child, he still holds onto his principles in this cruel world, something Kuzan admires.

She could have taken a completely different path from Robin and had a bright future.

However, Robin's abilities destined her to be a dangerous element. Even with Saul's pleas and his suspicions about the World Government, Kuzan remained hesitant about letting Robin go.

Many times, he wanted to solve this threat himself, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was both hopeful and afraid. Could a spark like Robin bring benefits to the people, or would it bring a great fire that would devour everyone?

Amidst these thoughts, Kuzan remained caught in a state of indecisiveness and inner conflict.

Roman noticed these thoughts as well.

This is why excessive thinking brings so much suffering.

He could neither be as indifferent to affairs as Borsalino, nor as ruthlessly obedient as Sakazuki, carrying out justice to the very end.

As a soldier, Kuzan may not be entirely qualified, but as a superior, Roman is very satisfied.

His indecisiveness proves his soft heart. As long as she finds the right angle, Roman is confident that she can make him lift the torch high and then let it fall gently.