“Good thing he wasn’t trying to kill him.”
Sanji finally understood why Marimo had looked so serious.
These three seemingly harmless brats were absolute monsters!
With nothing more than a thrust of his fingernails, Killua had forcibly shattered two of Zoro’s swords.
Just how much strength did someone need to accomplish something like that?
Sanji subconsciously reached for the pack of cigarettes in his pocket, only to find that his fingertips were trembling slightly.
Killua leisurely returned to his companions, his silver hair gleaming coldly beneath the sunlight.
He spread his hands.
“Did I use too much force?”
Kael glanced indifferently in Zoro’s direction and replied calmly, “Their bodies are exceptionally resilient.
Injuries like those will be almost completely healed within a few days.”
Hearing that, the tiny bit of guilt Killua had felt immediately vanished.
He turned toward Gon, a sly smile curling across his lips.
“Gon, you’re up.”
The two high-fived and exchanged places as though they were completing an ordinary relay.
Sanji watched Gon approach and took a deep breath.
He inhaled the remainder of the cigarette between his lips in a single drag, then slowly exhaled a cloud of curling smoke.
No matter what, he had to win this match.
This was a contest between two pirate crews.
Only if he won and his captain won afterward could their crew claim true victory.
Even though their opponents were only children—
No.
They were not ordinary children.
They were a group of terrifyingly powerful monsters.
“My name is Gon Freecss, and I’m currently the number three of the Hunter Pirates.”
Gon’s voice was clear and confident as he stared directly at Sanji.
“Are you going to be my opponent?”
Sanji did not retreat.
He stepped into the center of the deck, his dress shoes striking the wooden planks with a steady rhythm.
He slightly lowered his center of gravity, his gaze becoming as sharp as a hawk’s.
Gon said nothing more.
He clenched his fist and charged forward like a hunting leopard.
Sanji reacted extremely quickly.
Just as Gon’s fist was about to strike his abdomen, Sanji twisted aside and dodged.
At the same time, he delivered a precise kick directly into Gon’s stomach.
Bang!
Gon was sent flying backward.
However, he adjusted his posture in midair, rebounded off the railing, and immediately charged forward again.
Sanji’s pupils contracted slightly.
Finding the perfect opening, he unleashed Collier Shoot, sending a kick straight toward Gon’s face.
Surprise flashed through Gon’s eyes.
Another dull impact rang out.
Gon was sent flying once again and crashed heavily into the railing.
Killua shook his head from the sidelines, sounding somewhat helpless.
“That guy Gon clearly doesn’t want the fight to end too quickly.”
Kael chuckled.
“How about I spar with you afterward?”
Killua’s eyes immediately lit up.
“You said it!”
Gon rose to his feet and rubbed his numb arms.
Rather than becoming discouraged, excitement burned brighter in his eyes.
“So that’s your kicking style?
Your attacks come from such strange angles!”
He assumed another combat stance, his expression filled with anticipation.
“From now on, I’m going to use Observation Haki to dodge every one of your attacks.”
Sanji did not completely understand what “Observation Haki” meant, but Gon’s confidence caused his heart to tighten.
Was this brat actually looking down on his kicking techniques?
Anger ignited within Sanji.
He stopped holding back and unleashed every kicking technique he had mastered over the course of his life.
Yet to his shock, although his first few attacks could still barely brush against Gon’s clothing, the boy’s evasive movements became increasingly relaxed as time passed.
No matter how Sanji changed his angles or increased his speed, Gon always evaded at the final moment with the smallest possible movement.
It was as though he could sense every action Sanji intended to make.
The longer Sanji fought, the more alarmed he became.
This boy was improving at an astonishing speed in the middle of their battle!
Just as Sanji was reeling from that realization, something even more unbelievable happened.
Gon closed his eyes.
Dodging attacks with his eyes closed—
How could anyone possibly do that?
“Gon’s actually using him for Observation Haki training,” Killua remarked with his arms folded, sounding slightly regretful.
“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have ended my fight so quickly.”
Kael smiled gently.
“The road of training is still long.
There’s no need to rush.”
The exchange of attacks and evasions on the deck gradually became a one-sided performance.
An hour later, Sanji’s breathing had become ragged.
Sweat soaked through his shirt, and the speed of his kicks had visibly declined.
Gon, on the other hand, remained calm and composed.
He had not even begun to sweat.
Nami and Usopp watched anxiously from the sidelines.
“What kind of monsters are these guys?” Usopp murmured.
Nami tightly clutched the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with worry.
“Has Sanji reached his limit?”
At that moment, Sanji seemed to have lost all reason.
Even though his legs had grown weak, he continued attacking Gon without pause.
He had only one objective.
Just one kick.
As long as he could land a single kick, that would be enough.
His eyes rolled back until only the whites were visible.
He had already lost consciousness, yet his legs continued kicking.
Gon stood nearby and watched the unconscious Sanji continue swinging his legs.
A trace of respect appeared in his eyes.
He now believed Kael’s words.
Perhaps one day, these people really would grow strong enough to become formidable opponents for them.
Luffy stepped forward and stopped the unconscious Sanji’s movements.
“That’s enough, Sanji.
You already landed a kick.”
As soon as he heard Luffy’s words, Sanji deflated like a punctured balloon.
His body stopped moving, and he collapsed unconscious.
Luffy looked at Sanji, then turned toward Nami and Usopp and nodded.
The two immediately understood what he meant.
They came forward, lifted Sanji, and carried him away.
Luffy watched Sanji being taken aside before turning toward Kael with an excited expression.
“It’s our turn.”
Seeing that he could finally enter the fight, Kael gripped his left hand with his right, then his right hand with his left, loosening his joints as he stepped forward.
“I’m Kael, captain of the Hunter Pirates.”
The reporters hiding nearby and secretly recording the battle immediately became fully alert.
The battle between the two captains had finally arrived.
Their fingers trembled with excitement as they prepared to record every detail.
“I’m Monkey D.
Luffy,” Luffy declared with a confident grin.
“I’m the man who will become the Pirate King!”
Kael smiled upon hearing his bold proclamation.
“I’m the man who will become King of the World.”
Everyone stared at him in disbelief.
Yet Luffy showed not even the slightest embarrassment despite Kael declaring an ambition that sounded even grander than his own.
Luffy’s dream was to become the freest man on the seas.
He did not care about being King of the World.
Kael was not surprised in the slightest that Luffy felt no awkwardness over the difference between their ambitions.
Luffy assumed a fighting stance, his rubber arm already drawn back and ready to strike.
“Then let’s have a real fight!”
The sea breeze swept across the deck, carrying the salty scent of the ocean—and the prelude to a new storm.
(End of Chapter)