Chapter 16: Academy Award-Winning Acting

"Swish, swish, swish!!"

In the blink of an eye, the Fifth Division vice-captain swung his sword three times.

These three slashes carried his endless anger, venting his fury, and slashing fiercely at Lin Yan.

However, in Lin Yan's eyes, these three slashes moved like a snail.

Slow.

Too slow!

So slow that he only needed to move one step, and could easily dodge them.

But...

Lin Yan's eyes twinkled, and a mischievous idea came to him.

Two hundred thousand Beli? If you offer, why not take advantage!

Since you all want to spend the money,

if I don't cooperate in your performance,I'd feel guilty.

Lin Yan dodged the first two slashes.

"Bang!!"

The third slash hit him directly,

knocking him away!

"What the...??"

Seeing Lin Yan get hit, the first to stand up was Izou.

He had experienced Lin Yan's speed.

Thinking of that near-light speed, which even Observation Haki couldn't track, how could he be hit by such slow slashes?

It's like the Buddha holding down Sun Wukong, but Sun Wukong pokes him in the eye and steps on his head.

"This....."

Not just Izo, but Marco, Jozu, and Vista were also stunned.

They didn't understand what was going on.

Before they could think more, the surrounding Whitebeard Pirates crew began clapping and cheering.

"Good!!"

"As expected of our vice-captain."

"This strength, well-deserved!"

That's the cost of arrogance among us Whitebeard Pirates."

"Throw him out. Let him see how harsh the world can be."

"Tsk tsk tsk, on the Moby Dick, it doesn't matter if you're a dragon or a phoenix; you just lay down and behave."

Seeing Lin Yan in trouble, the crew was ecstatic. They clenched their fists like they were watching their national soccer team qualify for the World Cup, cheering and celebrating.

"Is this all you've got?"

The vice-captain of the fifth division looked down at him, his usually cold demeanor now tinged with smugness.

"The Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, leaders of the era, the world's top pirate crew! With Whitebeard, the world's strongest man, at the pinnacle, invincible, ruling the seas and unmatched."

"Truly impressive strength!"

Lin Yan feigned distress, clutching his chest, half-kneeling on the ground, blood trickling from his mouth. Despite not winning an Oscar, he acted as if he deserved one, delivering flattery effortlessly.

Hearing Lin Yan's praise, the crew of the Whitebeard Pirates felt elated, like actresses in those special films, filled with joy.

[Incredible, without a doubt]

"Don't think a few sweet words will let you off the hook!"

The vice-captain's smugness was almost visible, but he forced himself to stay serious, coldly saying to Lin Yan.

The battle was on the verge of breaking out, but it was mostly the vice-captain who had the upper hand. In a flurry of blades and swords, with constant strikes, his various skills were showcased impressively.

On the other hand, Lin Yan kept retreating, seemingly on the brink of defeat, almost one step away from death. Yet, he clung on, without falling, retreating, or failing!

"Damn, just one step away."

"Finish off this shameless guy."

"Damn, how is he hanging on?"

"Come on, vice-captain!"

"He's like sticky gum; can't shake him off!"

"Fall down, just fall down already."

"Damn, I want to step in myself."

The vice-captain of the fifth division was anxious because he hadn't defeated Lin Yan, who was on the edge of collapse. The watching crew was even more so, itching to step in themselves. Lin Yan had shown so many weaknesses, yet the vice-captain couldn't take him down.

"Gurarararara!"

Whitebeard, sitting at the center of the Moby Dick, smiled beneath his moustache. At first, he was puzzled, but as time went on, Lin Yan revealed his true intentions. Whitebeard didn't expose him, just gazed sharply at Lin Yan. This kid had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Even Jozu, Vista, and Izou might be fooled by him, not to mention the ever-calm Marco.

After a long fight, a hundred moves passed... Two hundred moves passed... Five hundred moves passed... Finally, at the 904th move, they determined a winner.

"Bang!" The vice-captain of the fifth division finally collapsed, his sweat-soaked clothes clinging to him. He fainted on the ground.

Lin Yan rubbed his hands together, looking cheeky, saying, "Just a fluke, just a fluke. In the end, I narrowly won!"

"In fact, you Whitebeard Pirates don't seem all that great. The world's number one pirate crew might be overrated."

"Next, next!"

The crew frowned.

"What do you mean, 'overrated'? You only defeated a vice-captain, and you're already so cocky? You're flying high, shoulder to shoulder with the sun?"

"Are you even beating them? I'm embarrassed for you!"

Anyone could see that he wore the vice-captain out. He narrowly won, and he's already overstepping his bounds!

They had never seen anyone so shameless in their entire lives!

However, the vice-captain's defeat was undeniable. Their frustration was more intense than before.

"Next, I'll go!!"

"I'll go!!"

"Let me at him!"

"Move aside, he's my opponent!"

Previously, they hesitated over 200,000 Beli, cursing Lin Yan as a profiteering scoundrel. Now, they were all eager to compete with him, willing to bankrupt themselves if needed, all to restore the face of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Life is about fighting for dignity, isn't it?

The Moby Dick was abuzz, the shouts deafening!