Kaguya stood behind a tree, quietly observing the scene, a subtle smile unconsciously gracing the corner of his mouth.
Is this reckless brat the man who will stir up the entire world in the future?
Kaguya approached silently, stopping ten meters away.
Luffy was clumsily climbing out of the bushes, a few leaves still clinging to his straw hat.
“Damn it!
Next time, I’ll definitely catch you guys!”
He puffed out his cheeks and shouted at his companions who had run off.
“A Devil Fruit user of the Gum-Gum Fruit?”
Kaguya suddenly spoke.
Luffy spun around, eyes wide as he stared at the stranger.
“Wow!
How did you know that?”
He curiously leaned closer, his nose almost touching Kaguya’s face.
“Who are you?
Are you a pirate?”
Kaguya took a step back, avoiding the overly enthusiastic brat.
He noticed the pure light in Luffy’s eyes, a sincerity he had never seen in anyone else.
“I heard there’s a brat here who wants to become the Pirate King, so I came to take a look.”
Kaguya said, intentionally using a provocative tone.
“That’s right!
I’m the future Pirate King!”
Luffy immediately puffed out his chest, his smile under the straw hat dazzling.
“Do you want to join my Pirate Crew?”
Kaguya snorted softly, and the sandai kitetsu vibrated slightly in its sheath.
He suddenly wanted to test what was special about Luffy, besides his carefree nature.
“Win against me first.”
Before his words finished, Kaguya’s figure had already vanished from his spot.
Before Luffy could react, he felt a strong gust of wind hit him…
Kaguya didn’t use onikiri, nor did he use Six Powers.
He simply attacked Luffy with pure physical prowess and an unrefined fighting technique.
“Too slow!
Your punches are soft.
Put some force into it!” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Luffy was knocked back repeatedly by the sudden attack, but he quickly shouted excitedly and charged forward again.
His rubber body bounced on the grass, his fists raining down on Kaguya, but they were always easily dodged.
“Still too slow!”
Kaguya sidestepped a straight punch and, with a backhand, chopped Luffy on the back of his neck.
Luffy stumbled and fell to the ground, but immediately sprang up like a coiled spring, still wearing that carefree smile on his face.
“Sugoi!
Again!”
Luffy shook his numb arm, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
He took a deep breath, then suddenly stretched his arm back to its limit.
“Gum-Gum…
Rocket!”
A hint of surprise flashed in Kaguya’s eyes.
This seemingly reckless brat was actually learning quickly in battle.
He no longer held back, pushing off with his feet, and like a phantom, he flashed behind Luffy, sweeping a whip kick towards the boy’s waist.
“Bang!”
Luffy was kicked away, breaking several small trees before he stopped.
But when he got up, Kaguya was surprised to find his gaze had become even more focused.
“I saw it!”
Luffy suddenly shouted.
“Your movements!”
He charged again, this time his punches were much more cunning.
Kaguya had to become a little more serious, and the two exchanged blows rapidly in the forest, the sound of their fists and feet startling the birds in the trees.
In the distance, Makino walked out of the tavern with freshly baked bread, and hearing the commotion, she looked suspiciously towards the forest.
She saw a child running over in a panic.
“It’s bad!
Luffy is fighting with a stranger!”
Makino’s expression changed, and she hastily put down the tray and ran towards the forest.
When she arrived, she just saw Kaguya catch Luffy’s full-force punch with one hand, then with a gentle push, he sent Luffy tumbling.
“Stop!”
Makino stood in front of Luffy, staring warily at Kaguya.
“Who are you?
Why are you bullying a child?”
Kaguya dropped his stance and tidied his slightly disheveled clothes.
“I wasn’t bullying him; if you don’t believe me, ask him.”
Luffy got up from the ground, brushed off the grass, and excitedly waved his arms.
“Makino!
This uncle is super amazing!”
Makino was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Kaguya’s young face and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Uncle?”
Kaguya’s mouth twitched, and his hands, casually tucked into his pockets, clenched into fists.
At this moment, he really wanted to punch Luffy again.
Luffy, however, was completely oblivious and continued excitedly.
“He just taught me how to fight!
Even though I couldn’t beat him, I learned so much!”
Makino then noticed that Luffy’s injuries were all shallow, clearly indicating that the other party had held back.
She relaxed her guard slightly, but still remained vigilant.
“Sir, Luffy is still a child…”
“I know.”
Kaguya interrupted her, his gaze passing over Makino’s shoulder to look at Luffy, who was making a funny face.
“I just wanted to see what was so special about the brat that Red Hair would bet an arm on.”
Makino and Luffy’s eyes widened simultaneously.
“You know Shanks?”
Luffy jumped up excitedly, his straw hat almost flying off.
“Where is he now?”
Kaguya didn’t answer, turning and walking deeper into the forest.
“You’ll know when you truly set sail.”
“Wait!”
Luffy tried to chase after him but was held back by Makino.
Kaguya’s figure gradually disappeared into the shadows of the trees, with only his last words drifting back on the wind.
“Remember today’s defeat, brat.
The sea won’t be so gentle to you.”
The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the leaves, and Kaguya walked alone on the small path back to the port.
The sandai kitetsu hung quietly at his waist.
He recalled Luffy’s pure eyes and astonishing growth rate, and couldn’t help but sigh softly.
“Can’t compare to those with cheats…”
…