Chapter 299: Comrades in Misery

"Is this... also the answer to the battle you foresaw in advance?"

Watching what could barely be called a "battle," Jansev felt as if he'd taken a blow to his spirit. He asked the question with a notably strained voice.

He had meticulously planned, devised intricate and powerful traps, and even leveraged significant territorial advantages, yet he still couldn't handle the terrifying opponent.

However, this same opponent was utterly defeated in less than a second by a stranger who had suddenly appeared.

This stark contrast was something Jansev found very hard to accept.

"Hmm?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow as he looked at the suddenly inquisitive Jansev.

"You and I possess the same type of Paramecia fruit."

"The Thorn-Thorn Fruit can actually be quite useful."

For some reason, Jansev suddenly felt a surge of terrifying malice.

He couldn't help but take a few steps back.

When facing Charlotte Oven, he had the courage to fight and even hoped to reclaim his "champion prize."

But now.

That prize, the Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit symbolizing the championship of the culinary competition, was quietly sitting in the hands of this unexpected stranger.

No matter what, Jansev couldn't muster the will to fight. The only thought in his mind was to "run for it!"

'It's like he can see through everything about me!'

Shaking his head, Adrian no longer paid attention to this tongue-tied champion chef.

If it weren't for the resemblance between this man's abilities and appearance to a certain vehicle killer, Adrian wouldn't have even bothered teasing him. {Who?}

"Rumi, isolate a room in the Fortress, like last time."

Adrian raised his arm, tossing the wooden box into the air.

"And place this Devil Fruit with my previous collection."

"Oh, sure thing!"

A gentle ripple spread through the air, and Rumi, using her fruit ability, took both the unconscious Charlotte Oven and the Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit into the fortress.

Adrian wasn't planning to deal with Charlotte Oven, the Minister of Browned Foods of Totto Land, just yet.

As a Heat-Heat Fruit user, Oven was a valuable test subject.

It was time for the Shanks-brand Devil Fruit maker to make an appearance!

Remember, Shanks still owed him a fruit from last time. I wonder if he'll rack up more debt this time.

Oh, and there's also the Puff Fruit up there!

Hmm?

Is that a Thorn-Thorn Fruit here too?

Adrian's gaze slowly shifted to Jansev.

"This man..."

"I'm Jansev Jangst, sir! Male by nature, fond of women, no bad habits, no evil deeds!"

Jansev stood with legs together, back straight, and answered loudly and respectfully.

"You are a great man, sir. All of us here will never forget your generosity today!"

Too clever, hard to deal with...

Adrian's fingers twitched.

Forget it, the Thorn-Thorn Fruit really isn't that useful.

Adrian's figure flickered and disappeared from the chaotic passageway under everyone's gaze.

Once this terrifying man was gone, Jansev immediately slumped, sweat pouring from his forehead, gasping for breath.

'I was this close to dying! No way am I dying for nothing!!'

After catching his breath, Jansev remembered the other group in the passage—the host and judges of the Sinoxia Gourmet Contest.

He walked slowly toward the survivors, a fake smile spreading across his once pale face.

"Well, everyone, as you saw, the championship prize that was rightfully mine was taken by that generous gentleman."

"I wonder... will the competition provide a replacement prize?"

...

Above the passageway, on the final stage of the culinary competition, the battle between Shanks and Charlotte Daifuku was still ongoing.

Their intense fight filled the air with clashing sounds, drawing attention.

The spectators who had scattered in fear were now witnessing the intervention of a mysterious straw-hatted youth, who had stopped the villain trying to disrupt the competition and seize the champion and prize.

Their initial panic was gradually replaced by curiosity and excitement.

Over time, the crowd settled into a mood of eager spectatorship.

After all, culinary competitions and duels can indeed blend seamlessly!

Of course, for safety, the spectators still maintained a safe distance.

Meanwhile, soldiers of the Kingdom of Sinoxia, having received orders to quell the chaos, were rapidly approaching the scene.

Adrian's figure appeared silently in a corner of the final stage.

Watching Shanks and Charlotte Daifuku still fighting non-stop, he yawned in boredom.

The fight between two men held no beauty or interest for him.

If it were two women fighting…

Adrian thought he could sit in a corner with snacks and watch all day and night!

'I love watching women fight the most!'

Ahem.

"Shanks, if you keep fighting like this, I'm just going to leave."

---

A faint but unmistakably familiar voice suddenly reached Shanks' ears.

Engaged in an intense battle with Charlotte Daifuku, Shanks couldn't help but lose a bit of focus.

Charlotte Daifuku, ever perceptive, noticed this slight lapse immediately.

Seizing the opportunity, he swung his massive naginata with his right hand, delivering a heavy blow forcing Shanks to stagger back several steps.

Caught off guard by the sudden impact of such tremendous force, Shanks felt a surge of blood rush to his face, his cheeks flushing red.

Yet, instead of feeling nervous, his heart was filled with joy!

If this fight continued, would he be able to escape Adrian's clutches?

He could fight for three days and nights!

No!

He could hold out for ten days and nights!

However, the next words he heard made Shanks' expression change dramatically, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"I will bring your bones back to Burefu Village and tell the villagers of your accidental death."

Charlotte Daifuku, unaware of anything unusual, assumed the straw-hatted kid before him was merely fatigued from the prolonged battle, leading to his distraction.

"Then die, Straw Hat!"

Rotating his naginata and plunging it into the ground, Charlotte Daifuku extended his hand again, rubbing his abdomen frantically.

A piercing screech echoed.

Thick, pale blue smoke surged from Charlotte Daifuku's golden belt, quickly forming into a smoky demon.

The smoky demon grasped the naginata from the floor, a bloodthirsty, savage smile spreading across its menacing face as it swung the long blade, slashing at its "old friend."

Shanks, seething with rage, directed all his accumulated anger at the smoky demon.

I couldn't do anything to the White Ghost!

But I can handle you, Blue Demon!

Gripping his famed sword "Kogarashi," Shanks' eyes narrowed sharply as an invisible, powerful aura erupted from him, entering a berserk state.

Charlotte Daifuku's pupils shrank to pinpoints.

Conqueror's Haki?!

This Straw Hat kid possessed the same power as Mom and Brother Katakuri!

Unforgivable!!

Charlotte Daifuku commanded the smoky demon to unleash his strongest attack.

The massive naginata sliced through the air with a dazzling blade light, carrying a terrifying momentum as it slashed towards Shanks.

"Devil's Slice!!"

Shanks' eyes flashed red, and with a sudden burst of speed, he dodged the formidable strike.

Boom!!

The already ruined arena was split in half by the terrifying power of Devil's Slice, the enormous slash extending to several buildings behind the stage, slicing them in two with a smooth cut.

Taking advantage of the smoky demon's attack, Shanks quickly swung "Kogarashi," unleashing several crescent-shaped white sword energies that slashed towards Charlotte Daifuku from a distance.

Clang! Clang!

Charlotte Daifuku covered his fists with Armament Haki, and punched the incoming flying slashes. The sharp, blade-like slashes rained down, causing the already shattered arena floor to explode with fragments and smoke.

Shanks dashed towards Charlotte Daifuku like a swift leopard, closing the distance in a blink.

Your switching between fruit and sword techniques is your fatal flaw!

Shanks' eyes glowed red, clearly reading Charlotte Daifuku's movements.

Through their earlier combat, Shanks had memorized his opponent's fighting style and habits.

Charlotte Daifuku's next move was as clear as a beacon in the night.

Armament Haki instantly covered the blade of "Kogarashi" in dense black. Shanks swung his sword, creating a sharp white arc in the air, avoiding Daifuku's punch and slicing a large chunk of flesh from his rib.

Blood sprayed out!

Charlotte Daifuku clutched his side with his right hand, beads of sweat forming on his forehead from the unbearable pain.

"I won't lose to a kid like you!"

Charlotte Daifuku raised his left hand, teeth clenched, also covering it with Armament Haki, and aimed a heavy punch at Shanks, intending to crush him.

Using his small stature to his advantage, Shanks bent his knees and accelerated, slipping under Daifuku's raised arm!

The next moment.

Shanks swiftly turned, delivering another powerful slash!

The massive sword strike hit Daifuku's back, opening a huge wound and sending his large, muscular body crashing forward.

And his landing spot was right where Adrian was standing!

Severely injured, Charlotte Daifuku crashed onto the broken arena.

Before he could recover from the rapid sequence of events, he noticed a figure standing in front of him.

Supporting himself with his arms, he struggled to look up, his pupils reflecting a clear image.

"White Gho—"

Dream Ghost: Sleep Curse.

Moments later, the deeply unconscious Minister of Beans followed in his brother's footsteps, becoming a captive experiment subject.

"Pretty quick, huh?"

Shanks swaggered over, clearly exhilarated from defeating the formidable Charlotte Daifuku, whose fruit abilities and sword skills were not weak.

"Hope your luck stays as good as it is now."

Adrian patted Shanks on the shoulder with a smile.

"Otherwise, you'll owe me three Devil Fruits."