The PH-006 Laboratory continued to erupt with explosions.
The entire research facility had been reduced to ruins, swallowed by a sea of flames.
On the broad road leading to the laboratory, the three of them faced one another.
Kaido rested his kanabo back on his shoulder, looking curiously at the young Marine standing before him in a fighting stance.
“So what’s with that pose?”
“Don’t tell me…
you’re actually planning to fight us?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Kaido unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki.
An overwhelming wave of Haki burst from him like a crimson storm, sweeping across everything in It’s path.
Crackle.
Black-and-red lightning danced through the air in front of Arthur’s face as he stared directly into Kaido’s eyes.
An invisible pressure crashed toward him, attempting to shatter his spirit and knock him unconscious.
But if Kaido’s Conqueror’s Haki couldn’t even make Cooper faint…
How could it possibly break Arthur’s will of steel?
No matter how violently the crimson pressure surged, Arthur simply clenched his fists tighter.
He stood rooted in place.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
He wanted to fight.
The excitement boiling inside him urged him to battle the two men with everything he had.
Yet, seeing Kaido’s calm confidence, a trace of fear still crept into his heart.
He had the distinct feeling Kaido could crush him with a single swing.
Arthur laughed.
“You tried to kill my eagle…
and you’re asking me that?”
The next instant, he vanished.
A sonic boom exploded where he had been standing.
Seeing that, Kaido shook his head.
“What a fool.”
“He doesn’t even understand the gap in strength.”
Using Soru (Shave), Arthur instantly appeared before Alber.
He threw a full-powered punch.
Alber merely looked him in the eye.
He didn’t even bother to dodge.
Boom!
Arthur’s monstrous fist landed squarely against Alber’s cheek.
The impact felt as though he had punched an enormous steel wall.
Alber didn’t move an inch.
Arthur’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He hadn’t even managed to scratch him.
“Marine.”
“Are you finished?”
Alber looked down at him calmly as the flame burning on his back flared brighter.
In one swift motion, he grabbed Arthur by the face and hurled him into the distance.
The terrifying physique of a Lunarian made cold sweat break out across Arthur’s scalp.
Arthur landed smoothly on his feet.
He slowly drew the sword at his waist.
From that moment on, he no longer viewed this as an exciting spar.
This was a fight for survival.
Drawing his blade didn’t violate the restraint he had imposed on himself.
That restraint wasn’t about refusing to use a sword.
It was about refusing to lose control and kill innocent people.
The pressure radiating from Kaido and Alber was on an entirely different level from Apollo or Lake.
For the first time in a long while…
Arthur genuinely felt death closing in.
“You’re a swordsman?”
Alber looked at Arthur’s two-handed stance before glancing toward Kaido.
“Kaido-san, leave this one to me.”
“Go ahead.”
Kaido grinned.
I’ve got your back.”
He stepped aside, intending to watch Alber display the strength of the Lunarian race.
At the same time, Kaido quietly studied Arthur.
The smile gradually faded from his face.
Something about Arthur felt strange.
His concentration…
His composure…
The aura surrounding him was unlike anything Kaido had ever seen from another swordsman.
What’s with this brat?
Why does he give off such calm killing intent?
Kaido wasn’t sure whether it was merely his imagination.
Still…
They had plenty of time.
There was no rush.
Unlike his previous battles on Lionheart Island, where he fought to measure his own strength…
Arthur was now fighting with everything he had to stay alive.
His instincts had been right.
The fear he had felt earlier wasn’t an illusion.
The man before him truly possessed both the intent and the ability to kill him instantly.
“You’re not making the first move?”
Alber asked calmly.
“You look pretty young.”
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
Arthur answered coldly.
His unwavering gaze and perfectly disciplined sword stance revealed not a single opening.
“Cooper…”
(Arthur drew his sword…)
Hovering overhead, Cooper immediately turned back after sensing the familiar, icy aura.
“So you’re only one year younger than me.”
Alber smiled.
“What a shame you’re a Marine.”
With a shout, he rushed forward.
His massive blade came crashing down from above.
It was about to split Arthur’s skull open.
Arthur seized the exact instant he had been waiting for.
With explosive force, he swung upward to intercept the descending blade.
“Dragon Rebound!”
His sword moved with astonishing precision—
Fast without becoming reckless.
Heavy without sacrificing speed.
BOOM!
In an instant, Alber’s expression changed.
Before he even realized what had happened, the tremendous force redirected his blade and arm completely off course.
His entire body lost It’s balance.
A violent gust of sword wind erupted between them, breaking the sound barrier from the force of Arthur’s deflection.
I…
lost my balance?
Alber stared in shock.
“Chasing Gleam!”
The instant Alber’s posture collapsed, Arthur unleashed the sword combo he had spent ten years perfecting.
His blade flashed diagonally across Alber’s chest, from the right shoulder down toward the left side of his abdomen.
“RAAAAH!”
Alber roared as the tremendous slash drove him straight into the ground.
BOOM!
The earth around them sank and split apart under the pressure.
“I still can’t cut him…”
Arthur stared at Alber beneath his blade, astonished by the durability of the Lunarian race.
“AAAAAH!”
With another roar, Arthur poured every ounce of strength into his sword.
Still…
The blade couldn’t cut through Alber’s body in the slightest.
The flames on Alber’s back continued burning fiercely.
Arthur had completely overwhelmed him through skill…
But raw durability had rendered the attack ineffective.
Without hesitation, Arthur followed up with a Rankyaku (Tempest Kick), sending Alber skidding away.
Alber immediately regained his footing.
His expression, however, was filled with disbelief.
“What a pity.”
“You can’t wound me.”
“That alone guarantees your defeat.”
Arthur breathed slightly heavier but maintained his two-handed guard.
“That’s enough, Alber.”
Kaido suddenly stepped forward, his expression now completely serious, blocking Alber from charging in again.
“Hm?”
Alber looked confused.
“What’s wrong, Kaido-san?”
“A moment ago…”
Kaido kept his eyes fixed on Arthur.
“If he knew Haki…”
“…you would’ve been cut in half.”
He paused before adding,
“But he doesn’t.”
Kaido immediately reached a conclusion.
This Marine couldn’t be allowed to live.
If someone with talent like this continued to grow, he would become a serious obstacle in the future.
What Kaido didn’t know…
Was that Arthur had no intention of remaining in the Marines for long.
Once he mastered the Six Powers, he planned to resign and leave.
Kaido’s words only made Arthur even more tense.
He silently hoped Dragon would arrive as quickly as possible.
From the beginning of the duel until now…
Less than a minute had passed.
“Marine brat.”
Kaido lowered his kanabo from his shoulder once again.
“How about I offer you a deal?”
Arthur tightened his grip on his sword.
“What deal?”
His eyes remained locked on Kaido and Alber.
The slightest movement—
The slightest twitch—
And he was prepared to react instantly.
He only needed to hold out until Dragon arrived.
“I’ll spare your life…”
Kaido smiled.
“On one condition.”
“Put down your weapon.”
“Come with me.”
“Become a pirate.”
“Don’t waste your talent serving as the Government’s dog.”
Hearing Kaido’s offer, Arthur couldn’t help but think—
If he really joined Kaido’s crew now…
With his talent…
He would almost certainly become one of Kaido’s top Colonel in the future.