Chapter 36: Daz Bonez

In the following days, as expected, the Fangs Gang didn't continue their invasion of the Night Wolves Gang's territory. Instead, they turned their attention to another neighboring gang, the Flying Daggers Society. The Flying Daggers Society was quite unique. Unlike most gangs that favored firearms or long weapons like swords and spears, they exclusively used short knives and throwing daggers in combat.

If this were the normal world, Bardock would have advised the Flying Daggers Society to surrender quickly. However, in this world of extraordinary powers, who's to say that daggers couldn't defeat guns?

When Bardock learned of this, he kept an eye on their confrontation. After all, if the Flying Daggers Society turned out to be tough as well, the Fangs Gang would find themselves in trouble. If they faced defeat repeatedly, could they still serve as Capone's lackeys? If the Capone family stepped in directly, the Night Wolves Gang would inevitably attract Capone Bege's attention.

This directly affected Bardock and his crew's next sea voyage, leaving him somewhat frustrated. He desperately needed a breakthrough. Persistence might break the bottleneck, but that breakthrough could come at any moment—or it might be tomorrow—or who knows when.

After much thought, Bardock decided to go out to sea alone to seek this breakthrough. Robin and the others would stay behind to observe the situation. Bardock was strong, durable, and could fly. Plus, with a plentiful supply of blood-thistle dandelions on him, he was quite safe in the West Sea.

"Robin, I've made up my mind. I'll sail out alone this time. You all continue to rest and keep an eye on the Fangs Gang and Flying Daggers Society. Let me know via Den Den Mushi if anything comes up."

Robin frowned and said, "Why don't you take Leo with you? It's better to have someone with you."

"No need," Bardock shook his head and declined. "Leo will stay behind to protect you. It's not the Fangs Gang or the mafia I'm worried about; it's the dogs of the World Government. They could show up at any time. Perona's abilities, combined with Leo's, create a very deadly first strike. While I'm away, they'll be more than capable of protecting you."

"Alright. But where are you headed?"

Although she couldn't argue with Bardock's reasoning, Robin resolved to devote more time to improving her combat skills. The feeling of holding her companions back was unbearable.

"Lasgapp," Bardock handed her a newspaper. "A pirate crew recently attacked there, but they were soon hunted down by a bounty hunter named Daz Bonez. I know of him—he's a Blade Man who consumed the Paramecia-type Dice-Dice Fruit. His entire body is as hard as steel. If I can wound him with my swordsmanship, then I'll have broken through to become a master swordsman."

Bardock was reminded of Zoro, who had broken through to the level of cutting iron and becoming a swordsman after his fight with Daz Bonez.

"Since he's a Blade Man, his attacks must be quite powerful. Are you sure this won't be too dangerous?"

Robin quickly finished reading the newspaper and expressed her concern. "Besides, the article says he's a ruthless killer, leaving no survivors. He doesn't sound like someone easy to deal with."

"That's exactly what I want. If he were easy to deal with, how would we even end up fighting?"

Bardock chuckled, full of confidence. "As for his powerful attacks, don't worry. When I transform into my Monkey King form, I also possess a body harder than diamond. My defense surpasses his steel body. When we fight, he'll have no way to hurt me. My problem is that I can't use swordsmanship to wound him yet, but I have several other ways to defeat him if I wanted to."

"Since you say so, I won't worry."

...

In Lasgapp, Bardock docked his small ship, the Monkey King, at the port.

Since he was traveling alone and in a hurry, Bardock didn't use the larger White Dragon Horse ship. Instead, he flew quickly to Lasgapp using his Flying Nimbus, carrying the Monkey King ship with him. As he neared the island, he descended to the sea and sailed into the port using the wind and his oars, without drawing any attention.

At the Nightshade Tavern, a rather ordinary and quiet bar, Bardock was the only customer.

At the bar, Bardock ordered a juice and casually asked, "I heard you guys were recently looted by pirates?"

The bartender's face darkened. "Isn't that right? Those pirates were nothing but beasts, monsters. They took all my liquor! I mean, I'm just running a simple business, who did I offend? Those heartless bastards, they deserved to die."

Bardock took a sip of his juice and said, "Oh? So the navy destroyed them so quickly? In that case, your liquor should be returned, right?"

"Pfft, the navy? Return? My ass," the bartender glanced around before lowering his voice. "The navy never arrives in time. They just show up afterward to console us and promise to catch the pirates. Once the heat dies down, who knows if they actually chase them? The stolen goods never come back."

"But didn't you say 'they deserved to die'?"

Bardock continued digging for information.

"That wasn't the navy. After the pirates finished looting and returned to their ship, a bounty hunter appeared. That guy was over the top. He even sliced my liquor along with their ship. My precious liquor! I mean, he's so strong, couldn't he have been more careful?"

The bartender continued to rant, heartbroken over his lost stock.

"Where did the bounty hunter go afterward? I'd love to meet someone that powerful."

"If you're looking for him, try the inns nearby. I heard he was staying in that area."

"Thanks, boss."

Bardock finished his juice, left some Beli, and headed for the door.

"Come again!"

The Beli left was enough to pay for ten juices—a generous tip. But the bartender continued to mourn his lost liquor.

As Bardock stepped outside, he was met by a tall, muscular man with short hair, thin eyebrows, and thick lips. This wasn't coincidence—this was fate. The man in front of him was none other than Daz Bonez.

"Daz Bonez, I know you. I heard that swordsmen can't cut through your body. I'm curious."

"You're a swordsman?" Daz Bonez looked down at Bardock. "You want to challenge me?"

"Challenge? You could call it that. In fact, I want to use you to break through in my swordsmanship and reach the level of a master swordsman."

Bardock replied honestly.

"Hmph, you're young but bold. Aren't you afraid of dying, kid? I treat all enemies the same—don't expect me to go easy on you."

"That's perfect. I need an opponent who won't hold back. So, what do you say? Now or later?"

"Since you're in such a hurry to die, I'll grant your wish. Follow me—I know a place where we won't be disturbed."

Daz Bonez walked ahead, and Bardock eagerly followed, his excitement growing.