Chapter 276: Baltigo - Place Your Bets

"Huh? What's going on? Is the leader about to fight that guy?"

"Looks like it. This is a rare sight—I haven't seen the leader take action before."

Some Revolutionary soldiers who hadn't caught on to the situation yet curiously joined the crowd that had already moved far back, watching the unfolding events.

Those who knew what was happening couldn't help but admire Takumi's courage.

"This kid really doesn't know his limits, but to accept the punishment on behalf of his crewmate... That's pretty commendable."

"Heh, seems like he's a good captain. Let's hope the leader goes easy on him."

"Hey, Takumi! You'd better hang in there!"

"Even though you're bound to get hurt, I still want to say: good luck!"

Some even began cheering for Takumi.

"Tch, what a bunch of ignorant fools," Enel scoffed. "I know Takumi's strength better than anyone. If he wants to, nobody can touch him—not even Dragon. Even if there were three Dragons, they wouldn't be his match."

Everyone else: "..."

Kaku sighed. "Can you stop provoking everyone here?"

Enel shrugged dismissively. "I, the God of Lightning, am merely stating the facts."

Suddenly, Enel's lips curved into a mischievous grin. He looked around at the Revolutionary soldiers, taunting, "If you have so much faith in your leader, why not place a bet?"

"A bet on what?" someone asked.

Enel's grin widened. "On money, of course. Who's in?"

"You don't even have much money. What would you bet with? If you put that golden staff of yours on the line, I'll bet against you," someone said, causing the crowd to erupt in excitement.

Enel's eye twitched. After a moment of silence, he decided to go all in, fully confident in Takumi. "Fine! Let's bet!"

"Are you out of your mind?" Kaku muttered, exasperated. "That's the weapon you use to channel lightning, and you're willing to bet it?"

"What do you know..." Enel smirked. "Takumi isn't going to lose. We may as well make some cash before we leave this dump, don't you think?"

Kaku, though confident in Takumi's abilities, couldn't ignore the fact that Dragon was no ordinary opponent. Even if it was just one move, if Dragon got serious, the outcome was uncertain.

Too many unpredictable factors...

"Fine, I'll bet," said one of the Revolutionary soldiers. "Let's bet on whether Takumi will get hurt taking our leader's attack."

"Deal," Enel grinned. "Now, put your money where your mouth is."

"Sabo, you be the bookmaker. Everyone, put your money in. I refuse to believe Takumi won't get hurt unless the leader holds back!"

"What? Me, the bookmaker?" Sabo looked at the comrade who suggested it, slightly annoyed. "I wanted to bet too."

Koala giggled, covering her mouth. "Do you even have any money to bet with?"

Sabo: "..."

"Fine," Sabo said reluctantly. "I'll be the bookmaker. Hand me your money."

And so, all the Revolutionary soldiers placed their bets on Dragon.

Enel was the only one who bet on Takumi.

But the value of his golden staff alone was almost enough to match all the money placed on Dragon.

"Long-nose, aren't you betting?" Enel eyed Kaku with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Kaku shrugged. "All the money we have is held by our captain. I'm broke."

"Tch, you're so poor," Enel sneered.

Kaku retorted, "You're not much better. You even bet your own weapon—if you lose, you'll be crying about it."

"Hmph, don't jinx it," Enel shot back. "Takumi won't lose."

Koala pulled out her small coin pouch, hesitating for a moment before turning to Sabo. "Sabo, who do you want to bet on?"

"Dragon is strong," Sabo said, glancing at both Dragon and Takumi. "Even though I haven't seen Takumi fight, the fact that he dared to kill a Celestial Dragon and isn't afraid of being hunted by the World Government shows he's powerful. It's a tough call... Are you helping me bet, Koala?"

"Yeah, I still have some money."

"Then bet on Takumi."

"Are you really betting on him, or is it for another reason?"

"Haha, what are you talking about?" Sabo laughed. "I genuinely think Takumi has a chance."

"Alright then," Koala smiled, handing her money pouch to Sabo.

Back to Takumi and Dragon.

Despite the distance, both of them could hear Enel and the Revolutionary soldiers making their bets.

"Looks like your crewmate has a lot of faith in you," Dragon said with an amused smile.

"Let's get started," Takumi said, unfazed. "Don't hold back."

"Very well. Let's see what you're capable of."

With that, Dragon spread his arms, and a swirling wind began to build around him.

Takumi calmly took the Stabilizing Wind Pearl out from his system space, holding it in his palm while staring at Dragon intently.

Dragon narrowed his eyes slightly.

The winds surrounding him gathered and formed a tornado over ten meters high, which he then directed straight at Takumi.

The onlookers held their breath, focusing intently on the two.

Some even guessed that Takumi would use some kind of defense to protect himself.

However, instead of defending, Takumi remained perfectly still, waiting for the storm to reach him.

As the tornado got closer, its size and power visibly weakened.

Dragon's eyes flashed with surprise, and when the tornado completely dissipated just two meters from Takumi, his expression turned serious.

He could tell Takumi hadn't done anything—he had just stood there, doing nothing at all...

How on earth did this kid negate my wind?

After a moment of silence, Dragon raised his hand, ready to try again.

But Takumi gestured for him to stop. "I've already taken one of your attacks. We're even now."

Dragon: "..."

While not everyone around them had Observation Haki to listen in on their conversation, they all saw Dragon's attack vanish before reaching Takumi. Each one of them was utterly astonished.

"What just happened? Why did the leader's tornado disappear?"

"Did Takumi do something? We were all watching, and I didn't see any movement from him..."

"Could it be that the leader canceled his own attack?"

"Impossible," Sabo said, staring at Takumi. "The closer the tornado got to him, the weaker it became, like there was some special factor draining its strength. If Dragon had canceled it himself, it wouldn't have weakened gradually like that."

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