chapter 24

"It seems your relationship isn't particularly amicable," Drake said.

In his hybrid human-animal form, Drake unsheathed the long sword and one-handed axe from his waist, gripping them tightly. His piercing gaze focused on Nailu, whose red hair mirrored his own.

"You, someone so skilled with guns, dared to come so close to me!"

Before he even finished speaking, Drake launched himself forward.

Despite his enormous size in his transformed state, Drake moved with blinding speed, appearing before Nailu in an instant. Both his sword and axe swung downward in a simultaneous, devastating strike.

Clang!

Nailu raised his black gun, blocking the attack with the weapon's reinforced buttstock. A flicker of surprise crossed Drake's face, but Nailu only smiled.

"I'm great with guns, sure," Nailu said, leaning back slightly. "But that doesn't mean I'm useless in close combat."

With a powerful kick, Nailu struck Drake in the chest, forcing the larger man back just enough. As he retreated, Nailu deftly replaced the magazine in his gun mid-air. Before Drake could recover, Nailu aimed and fired.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Drake's eyes widened in shock. As he attempted to dodge, the first bullet ripped through his chest, tearing his beast-like hide. The second bullet followed the same trajectory, piercing deeper into his muscles. Before he could react, the third bullet struck the same wound and detonated inside him.

Pfft!

Drake fell to his knees, reverting to his human form as he coughed up blood.

"Armor-piercing rounds, penetrating rounds, and explosive shells," Nailu said, his voice calm and steady. "You shouldn't be able to move now."

Taking a deep breath, Nailu stepped back, still holding his weapon at the ready.

"Observation Haki..." Drake muttered, frustration lacing his voice.

"That's right," Nailu replied, his tone nonchalant. "I can see everything—your movements, your hesitation. All of it. You never stood a chance."

Drake gritted his teeth. This wasn't just a physical defeat; it was a calculated dismantling of his every move.

"Why haven't warriors like you made a name for yourselves on the seas yet?" Drake asked, his voice bitter.

"Probably because we just turned eighteen," Nailu said with a faint chuckle.

Hearing this, Drake's frustration only deepened.

Nailu sat cross-legged a few meters away, his gun still pointed at Drake, ready to fire if necessary.

"Relax," Nailu said. "You're my audience now. Just sit back and enjoy the show."

---

Clang!

Rhodes' blade met Bastiu's massive saw blade, sparks flying as their weapons collided. With a flash of movement, Rhodes disappeared, reappearing ten meters away before dashing in again for another strike.

Too fast!

Colonel Barrow, watching from the sidelines with his spear in hand, scanned the battlefield desperately, but he couldn't keep up with Rhodes' rapid movements.

"Damn it! This kid moves like lightning," Barrow muttered.

Rhodes weaved around Bastiu, delivering a flurry of slashes that forced the larger man onto the defensive. Though Bastiu managed to block the attacks, it was clear Rhodes was in control of the fight.

"Shaving," Bastiu realized, noticing the precise, calculated distance of each of Rhodes' movements.

Bastiu's eyes narrowed as a faint red glow enveloped his saw blade—Armament Haki.

When their weapons collided again, Bastiu's Haki-enhanced saw blade sliced through Rhodes' sword.

"This is it," Bastiu thought. Without a weapon, the swordsman was as good as finished. He charged forward, raising his saw blade for a decisive blow.

But Rhodes smirked. "What a pity," he muttered.

Just as the saw blade was about to strike, Rhodes sidestepped effortlessly, letting the massive weapon crash into the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Rhodes grabbed the blade with his left hand, holding it in place.

"I'm not just a swordsman," Rhodes said, his voice low and steady.

With a burst of speed, Rhodes closed the distance between them, his right fist glowing with power.

Bang!

Rhodes' punch shattered Bastiu's horned mask, sending him flying through a series of buildings. The major general landed in the ruins of the Don Quixote family's stronghold.

Standing amidst the wreckage, Rhodes held Bastiu's saw blade triumphantly. "I'll keep this as a trophy," he declared.

"Major General Bastiu!" Barrow gasped in horror.

If Bastiu, a vice admiral, could be defeated so easily, what hope did he have?

---

On the other side of the battlefield, Nia let out a cheer of victory. She stood over her opponent, the tenacious pink-haired marine Hina, who had finally been knocked unconscious.

Though Hina had fought fiercely, Nia's black barriers enhanced her strikes, allowing her to overpower the marine in the end.

"It's a complete victory!" Nia shouted, grinning.

With the battles won, Rhodes and his crew stood victorious, the remnants of their enemies scattered across the battlefield.