Albert put his sword away and shrugged. "I'm done fighting. Right now, I can't take you on. If we continue, the sword I borrowed might get damaged. Your Conqueror's Haki is really overwhelming; I can't use my full power against it."
Dragon chuckled and grinned. "Hahaha… That's fine. We can battle again later. I'm impressed by your strength and your sense of justice. How about joining our Revolutionary Army?"
Albert dismissed the idea with a wave. "No thanks. I want to be an adventurer. The Revolutionary Army is more suited for someone like you."
Suddenly, Dragon disappeared, and his voice resonated from above, "If you change your mind, the Revolutionary Army will always welcome you."
Albert panicked, calling out, "Dragon, that's not fair! Now the World Government will be watching me. Smoker, you have to back me up. I'm just an adventurer!"
Smoker raised his eyebrows, smirking. "I didn't hear anything!"
Albert gave a thumbs-up. "Now that's more like it."
He then approached Tashigi, handing back shigure. "Thanks, this sword is fantastic."
Tashigi accepted it, a bit flustered. "Ah… I'm happy I could help… But wait, you're a wanted criminal. I shouldn't be helping you!"
Albert smiled as he prepared to leave, saying goodbye to Smoker. "Everything's settled. I'm off now."
"Would you like to come over for a bit?" Smoker lit a couple of cigars.
"No thanks. I'm a wanted man now. I don't want to visit your place. I'm leaving," Albert replied.
In an instant, he used the Moonwalk technique to vanish.
"Phew… Tashigi."
"Yes, Colonel Smoker!"
Smoker, with two cigars in his mouth, gazed towards the Grand Line. "Inform headquarters. We're heading to the Grand Line to pursue the Straw Hat crew."
"Yes!"
...
On Albert's ship.
Nami was worried about Albert. The sudden weather change and the fierce battle heightened her unease. She sighed with relief when she saw him return using the Moonwalk.
"Albert, are you okay?" Nami rushed over as soon as he landed.
"I'm fine, just a bit banged up. How did you fare with the wind?" he asked.
"I'm okay, thanks to Bartolomeo. His powers shielded me from the harsh wind."
"Oh?" Albert was surprised, not knowing Bartolomeo had already consumed a Devil Fruit.
"Hehe… No, boss. It's part of my duty as your subordinate," Bartolomeo replied, blushing at Nami's compliment.
"Alright then, I won't be formal about it. Bartolomeo, we're getting ready to set sail. Do you need to gather anything or say goodbye to someone?"
Bartolomeo contemplated for a moment. "I have some subordinates to say goodbye to. Can we leave tomorrow, boss?"
Albert patted Bartolomeo on the shoulder. "Certainly. You're my subordinate, and how could I refuse a reasonable request from you?"
"Wuu… Thank you, boss!" Bartolomeo's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude once more.
...
Three days later.
"Slap slap slap…"
"Ah, boss, hit me harder! I want to feel your love and guidance!"
But don't get the wrong idea. This was just Albert training Bartolomeo in Observation Haki. Unlike Nami, Bartolomeo was receiving the real deal.
"Today's Observation Haki training is done."
"Yes, Albert boss."
Albert glanced at Bartolomeo's battered face. "You've got the Barrier Fruit, right? Why not use it to create armor for yourself?"
"Boss, my Barrier Fruit needs me to overlap my middle and index fingers to activate it."
"Huh? Why overlap those fingers? It should be usable freely. I've never heard of a fruit needing a special gesture," Albert wondered aloud.
"Because it looks cool!" Bartolomeo replied earnestly.
Albert felt a headache creeping in. "You fool, remember this: never use that 'chunibyo' gesture again."
Bartolomeo pouted. "Why not, Albert boss? That gesture is so awesome!"
Albert gave him a tap, leaving no room for dissent. "No more of that nonsense! I said change it, and you will! Understood?"
"Understood, Albert boss." Bartolomeo, sporting a sizable bump on his head, knelt before Albert, looking aggrieved.
Albert looked at the sorrowful Bartolomeo, baffled. "How did I end up with such a 'chunibyo' subordinate?"
"Alright, cut the sulking. Explain your fruit's abilities to me."
"Yes! My Barrier Fruit can do this, and that…"
As Bartolomeo explained, Albert rubbed his temples. "So your fruit only has those abilities?"
"Is there an issue, Albert boss?" Bartolomeo asked, confused.
"There's a significant issue." Albert paused to collect his thoughts. "You mentioned your Barrier Fruit can change shape. Why can't you use the barrier as armor? And if it can change shape, how about a cone? What do you think of that?"
"A cone?" Bartolomeo asked hesitantly.
Albert nodded. "Yes, a cone. You could use a giant cone to push back multiple foes. It's useful for crowd control. Additionally, you could release tiny barriers inside a person's body, eliminating them silently. Or transform the barrier into a cube, trap someone, then shrink it and 'boom,' they're done! The barrier can even reflect attacks back at users of natural-type fruits. And…"
"(°Д°)"
The more Bartolomeo listened to Albert's insights on his fruit's might, the more astonished he became. Was he really the user of the Barrier Fruit, or was it Albert? Clearly, Albert was the master.
Albert provided Bartolomeo with an in-depth analysis of the potential of his fruit. He realized Bartolomeo's Barrier Fruit held limitless possibilities, suitable for a tank role.
"Well, these are just some initial ideas. You can start practicing with these."
'What! just initial ideas?' Bartolomeo was thoroughly impressed by Albert's boundless creativity. "Yes, boss, I promise to work hard and improve every day."
Albert nodded, pleased, as he saw Bartolomeo tear up yet again. His efforts were worth it. Then he noticed Bartolomeo's green cockscomb and felt a playful urge.
"Cough, cough." Albert cleared his throat. "Bartolomeo, how about I give you a code name?"
"A code name?" Bartolomeo asked, puzzled.
Yes, a code name. Albert continued to entice him, "Look, Nami's code name is Cat Burglar, and my code name is… let's see… how about - God of Slaughter!"
'That's right, Albert self-proclaimed his nickname. No matter if authorities recognize it or not, it didn't bother him. As for why he called himself that, it was due to his Haki!'
Bartolomeo was influenced… ahem, enlightened by Albert, his eyes sparkling: "You're right, boss! So what should my name be?"
Albert said seriously, "Based on your image, from now on, you'll be called - Mountain Chicken!"
"Mountain...?" Bartolomeo asked, confused. "Is this code name really acceptable, boss?"
Suppressing laughter, Albert insisted, "Absolutely, Mountain Chicken! As the name suggests, a chicken as mighty as a mountain. Picture this: you run down the street with two swords, slashing through ten blocks! Suddenly, everyone falls silent, terrified of you!"
Bartolomeo… or rather Mountain Chicken, stared at Albert with confusion. "swords? Chasing after people with them? But boss, doesn't a chicken have no hands? Just two wings; how could it hold two swords?"
"Cough, cough." Albert coughed to mask his embarrassment, declaring seriously, "Forget the details! Use both wings to hold the sword - that's merely a metaphor! I get that chickens lack hands, but think about the claws they could use!"
"Oh (⊙o⊙)!" Bartolomeo realized suddenly, his eyes filled with awe as he regarded Albert with admiration. "So Mountain Chicken is such a formidable being! Thank you so much, boss! From now on, I'll be known as Mountain Chicken!"
Albert's mischievous grin widened, more than satisfied with his prank, although Bartolomeo had no clue that this name would stick with him forever. Later, if he ever wished to change it, it would already be too late. Whenever Bartolomeo thought of Albert, he would feel a wave of lingering frustration.