Chapter 62

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Just over ten minutes ago, Zyhark and Aqua had just arrived on the island.

On the Sea Restaurant "Endless Dream", standing on the deck observing the situation, King faced two enemies meant for him.

The Cat Brothers, armed with sharp claws, the heavy and thin Buchi and Sam.

Upon seeing these two pirates who had appeared on wanted posters, King's breathing abruptly became rapid, and the heartbeat of the Emperor Engine inside him echoed.

He doubted his ability to defeat even ordinary pirates, not to mention officers from the Black Cat Pirate Crew with bounties on their heads!

Indeed, King, with his arms crossed, was in a panic, not knowing how to respond, just stiffening in place.

To his slight relief, the two men stopped moving forward after noticing him.

Buchi and Sam, following Captain Kuro's orders, broke out in a cold sweat and watched the imposing man on the deck with tense expressions.

Destroying ships was easy for them, but the thought of confronting such a man instinctively made the Cat Brothers think of retreating.

Both the indifferent and sinister pupils and the fierce scar on his face exerted an invisible pressure on them.

The sound, louder than the surging waves, signaled the opponent's readiness for battle.

Their sharp battle instincts made the Cat Brothers realize they were already targeted by this fierce beast.

Exchanging glances, they saw worry and panic in each other's eyes:

Rashly attacking would surely result in being torn to shreds instantly, a truly grim fate!

Thus, both sides, fearing the other might suddenly charge, fell into a stalemate of mutual observation.

In this odd silence, time trickled away.

Until the tide rose and fell, crabs on the beach finished their business and went out for food, and seagulls returned from fishing with full bellies, King and the Cat Brothers remained in a cautious standoff...

"Damn it! Let's do this, Sam. If we keep dragging this out, the captain will surely not spare us once the Navy arrives!"

Buchi, hot-tempered, took the lead to break the deadlock. His arms equipped with claws spread wide, and he shouted, dispelling the fear in his heart.

At this time, King, though his face bore an imposing look, was not yet famous across the seas. To the Cat Brothers, who had long been under Captain Kuro's shadow, the more terrifying threat was their captain with murderous intent!

Hearing the other party's intention to attack, King panicked, his heart beating even louder and more rapidly.

'Maybe I should follow Mr. Zyhark's earlier instructions and flee to the sea before they get closer?'

He swallowed, debating whether to run.

The anchor hadn't been dropped; now, he just needed to unfurl the sails to escape with the wind.

Thinking that if pirates boarded, his life would be in danger, King, with no other options, considered fleeing in fear.

Suddenly, recalling an important matter, he abruptly halted his about-to-take step.

These pirates just mentioned the Navy?

From the residents of Fuchsia Village, he knew very well about the intimate cooperative relationship between the Black Cat Pirate Crew and the so-called Navy.

He was unaware of the current rift between Morse and Kuro, naturally assuming that the Navy's presence here was mostly to divide the looted treasure with the pirates.

That meant, if he sailed away now, leaving Zyhark and Aqua behind, they would face a joint encirclement by pirates and the Navy!

This unforeseen complication would overwhelm Zyhark and Aqua!

No!

Absolutely not the time to leave!

Determined, King's indifferent gaze hardened: no matter what, he must delay these two pirates and relay the impending Navy's arrival to Mr. Zyhark!!

Across, after a few seconds of deliberation, Sam hardened his gaze: "Alright! Let's fight him!"

Agreeing, the two nodded firmly and were about to charge at the Sea Restaurant when the man on deck slowly spoke.

"Foolish pirates, pay attention to your surroundings. Are you sure you want to fight me under these circumstances?"

Startled, the Cat Brothers were alarmed.

The voice, as enduring and profound as the unceasing sound, was laden with boundless killing intent.

It seemed that one more step forward would invite a fatally fierce attack!

"Surroundings? Could it be we've fallen into a trap from the start?"

"Damn bastard, giving us hints before fighting, isn't this too arrogant?!"

Despite their words, the Cat Brothers, drenched in sweat, were intimidated by King's demeanor, cautiously surveying their surroundings.

The calm waves washed back and forth over the sand beneath their feet, nearby, several oddly-shaped crabs dug holes, and occasionally, seabirds fluttered overhead.

No matter how they looked, they couldn't find anything amiss.

But it was precisely because they couldn't find the reason that the Cat Brothers felt an even greater sense of urgency.

"This place is likely trapped, staying here is very dangerous. You go ahead and engage that man, I'll figure out these traps, then come to help you!" Slim Sam, with a twirl of his eyes, said to Buchi.

"Sam, you..."

Hearing this, Buchi was moved by his brother's willingness to risk danger.

His eyes reddening, he didn't think twice before charging towards King on the Sea Restaurant!

Watching his brother's departing figure, Sam covered his mouth with one hand, revealing a sly smirk of triumph.

Seeing this, King's heart raced in fear: Why isn't this fat pirate following the script, charging without even a question? What should I do now, is this the end for me?

Should I try to resist? But that's a wanted pirate, looking so formidable, I'd surely be sliced into pieces in an instant!

As the fat pirate drew closer, just a few meters from boarding, King, utterly panicked, closed his eyes, screaming in his heart for help.

Anyone, please, I beg, someone save me!!

Despite his fear, he bravely stood his ground, with no intention of retreating.

Buzz.

As if responding to his silent plea, the distant sea shimmered with the gleam of a cross-shaped black blade.

A massive green slash erupted, cutting the sea in two at incredible speed, heading straight for Buchi in a fierce, raging wind.

Time seemed to pause at that moment, turning the colorful world monochrome.

Whether it was the rafts on the sea, King with his eyes tightly shut in fear, or the Cat Brothers illuminated by the menacing blade light, all were vividly visible!

Boom!!!

The explosive sound shattered the paused time, and the world regained its color.

The violent shockwave spread in all directions from the beach, with dust filling the air and the sound of rushing water endless.

This familiar turmoil filled King with both shock and joy. When he slowly opened his eyes, the sight before him left him dumbfounded.

A deep chasm replaced the beach of the island, with seawater pouring in madly, leaving no trace of the Cat Brothers!

Soon, the turbulent waters filled the chasm.

What happened?

King stared at the now vast ocean, his fierce face full of confusion.

Amidst his bewilderment, a green torchlight glimmered, and a simple-looking boat slowly approached.

"The powerful man with three scars over his left eye, I see, it wasn't that man after all..."

The newcomer, leisurely sitting on the boat with legs crossed, looked at King's domineering and fierce face, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

This man was the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!

Mihawk, having nothing better to do, came from the New World to the East Blue, seeking to spar with his old rival, Red-Haired Shanks. After all, they hadn't seen each other since their earth-shattering duel in the New World.

He had learned from a couple of young pirates rowing boats that there was a powerful man with three scars over his left eye here, thinking it was Shanks, only to find he was mistaken.

(End of Chapter)