Chapter 31: The Power of Science

While the Jeet Family mobilized, a fierce battle was unfolding on a small path between the Upper City and the Processing Zone.

"Where's the aura you had earlier?"

Clang, clang, clang, clang!!!

The wrist-thick, alloy-made metal baton reflected sunlight, making it dazzling and hard to track. Swinging horizontally and striking vertically, blocking from the left and right, it was like a metal storm that forced Rosinante and Vergo to retreat continuously.

Although it was just a ball baton, in the hands of "Joe," it exhibited tremendous power and speed, truly showcasing the essence of the "One-Sword Style" that leaned heavily toward thrusts. No wonder he managed to kill a famous swordsman while being a slave himself.

"Give you a few more years, and maybe you could threaten me—"

With a flip of his ball baton, "Joe" parried the weapons of Rosinante and Vergo, stabbing and kicking with astonishing speed. The clear sound of bones cracking filled the air as the two boys were sent flying.

"But now, your only fate is failure!"

After the intense battle, Rosinante and Vergo were forced to retreat with injuries, while "Batter" Joe remained composed.

In a battle, there are three main factors: strength, bravery, and skills.

In terms of physical fitness, Rosinante and Vergo naturally couldn't compare to Joe. After all, they had just started developing, while Joe was already a renowned Jeet Family member.

As for skills, Rosinante had only learned a bit of swordsmanship from Shigeharu for a little over ten days, and Vergo had only learned a few moves from Diamente. The difference between them and Joe was evident.

If it weren't for their strong determination, their willingness to risk their lives, and the advantage of outnumbering Joe, they probably would have been defeated long ago.

The only outcome of failure is death.

"Huff... Huff..."

Facing Joe's every attack required their full effort to block. Under such immense pressure, Vergo was already exhausted, panting like a bull, and sweat dripped down from his dampened vest.

No, the gap is too big.

Their opponent's attacks were swift and fierce, and his defense was impenetrable. Even when Vergo tried to exchange injuries, he couldn't find an opportunity.

Should they rely on that so-called "secret weapon"?

When Vergo's gaze shifted, Rosinante, who was also covered in injuries, understood his intention from his eyes.

"Very well, I'll show you my true power."

?

Hearing Rosinante's confident declaration, "Batter" Joe was taken aback, and his expression immediately became solemn. He took a step back, gripping the ball baton wrapped with several layers of white cloth with both hands, positioning it level with his shoulders.

In this world, monsters abound. Racial talents, combat skills, mysterious weapons, even Devil Fruit abilities—any of these things can turn the tide of a battle. Being cautious is the key to survival!

"According to the 'rules,' I should introduce myself first."

Facing Joe, who was now in a defensive stance, Rosinante sheathed his dagger back into his waist.

"My name is Rosinante Nandi, and I have eaten the 'Silent Fruit,' which grants me the power of silence."

?!

Indeed, he is a Devil Fruit user!

In fact, when Joe fell into the ambush, he already sensed something unusual: the movements of both Vergo, who jumped down from above, and Rosinante, who charged from the ground, were completely silent.

Joe managed to evade Vergo and Rosinante's ambush only because his strength far surpassed theirs. If it were someone of equal strength attacking him suddenly, the outcome might have been different.

He had speculated before, and now the opponent had revealed his ability.

"The Silent Fruit allows me to effortlessly eliminate all sounds in any area—"

As he spoke, Rosinante reached for a palm-sized, cylindrical "metal stick" attached to his belt.

The appearance of this metal stick resembled a tiny flashlight with numerous round holes on it?

"Do you think my ability lacks any offensive power?"

Right in front of Joe, Rosinante, with his other hand, took out a lighter and ignited the fuse on the cylindrical "metal stick."

????

Is it a bomb?!

This time, "Batter" Joe's composure wavered.

Is he insane? The fuse is so short... does he intend to die together with me?

Seeing Joe's face change and his steps already beginning to retreat, Rosinante smiled as he tossed the uniquely-shaped "bomb" forward.

"Witness the application of my ability—"

The fuse ignited the shoddy explosive rock stuffed inside the metal stick, generating energy several times that of regular explosives. However, as the metal stick wasn't completely sealed, the violently expanding gas escaped through the holes. As a result, this "bomb" wouldn't explode into shrapnel, forming high-speed metal projectiles. Instead, it caused harm to humans in a different way:

Bang!!!

The explosion occurred between Rosinante and Joe, and the intense shockwave made the ground and nearby buildings tremble.

In Joe's eyes, the entire world suddenly seemed to "shake" and turned blood-red! Warm liquid flowed down by his cheek, and when he reached to wipe it, his fingers were stained with fresh red blood.

"Grr... Grr... Fei Si..."

As his mouth moved, "Batter" Joe, who had previously exuded an invincible aura, swayed and knelt on the ground.

It was simple; the explosion's sound wave, measuring up to 170 decibels, instantly pierced through Joe's eardrums, making his heart rate soar to over 200, causing dizziness, weakness in his limbs—

These reactions were based on Joe's strong physique. If an ordinary person were exposed to this, they would have fainted!

"Sonic Grenade... or should I say, Sound Blast Grenade."

Even though this special bomb was closer to Rosinante, it was shielded by his silence ability, and he remained unharmed. On the other hand, Joe was now severely disabled, his head buzzing with confusion, unable to think clearly.

"This is a non-lethal bomb that uses extremely loud noise to stun or even knock out opponents, leaving them defenseless. Unfortunately, you can't hear anything anymore."

The principle of the Sonic Grenade was straightforward; it relied on the explosion releasing a massive sound wave that damaged the hearing. When magnesium powder was mixed into the explosive, it became the renowned "Flash Grenade."

In his complete state, "Batter" Joe was beyond the combined efforts of Rosinante and Vergo.

But now, facing a man whose mind was buzzing with confusion, unsure of his surroundings and actions, the battle's outcome had already been decided.

"Sorry,"

Taking out his dagger, Rosinante applied force to his feet. The sturdy bricks on the path cracked, and he flew out with a fierce gust of wind, like a hawk soaring through the sky, a fierce tiger pouncing on a sheep!

"Flying Lynx!!"

Squelch—

The sound of the blade piercing flesh resounded. The half-kneeling "Batter" Joe was pushed back and crashed into the nearby wall, his entire body colliding forcefully.

"I..."

Lowering his head to see the dagger embedded in his chest and looking into the determined gaze of the blond boy, Joe tried to force a smile. He seemed to want to say something.

But the heart that had been pierced was gradually ceasing to beat, and the light in his pupils was fading away.

"It's over."

Standing up, letting the dagger pin Joe against the wall, Rosinante turned his head to the astonished Vergo.

"Why are you still standing there? Let's go!"

***

"Is that... some kind of weapon?"

As Rosinante and Vergo disappeared into a nearby sewer alongside the street, on top of a building not far from the "battlefield," a man in a black suit and sunglasses observed everything that had just happened.

He was "8674," a B-level employee of the Jelma 66 Security Company.

"A single attack rendered the Jeet Family's executive, 'Batter' Joe, unable to fight back. Even in the Grand Line, it would be considered a useful weapon."

Based on the judgment of the sunglasses-wearing man "8674," the strength of that "Batter" Joe was roughly equivalent to a pirate with a bounty of 10 million Berries. So, as long as the cost of producing the bomb was below 5 million Berries, it would be a successful weapon.

"It's necessary to report this to the Supreme Commander."

Resembling a governor, "8674" made up his mind, unwavering in his loyalty to Jelma 66, as he was designed to be.

Glancing at the direction of the Upper City, the suited man crawled backward on the rooftop, easily jumping down from a three-story building, and casually left from the other side as if nothing had happened.

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=> The day of studying in Hogwarts.

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(End of this chapter)