Chapter 3 Challenge
Chaos emerged from the jungle, gazing at the continuous array of buildings along the coast. Even from a distance, the bustling sounds of people could be heard.
Looking up at the sky, with white clouds enveloping under the sunlight, just above the 10,000 meters, a mysterious island full of gold was there.
"Bang! Bang!"
The sound of gunfire and battle caught Chaos's attention. Outside the town, on an open space, over thirty pirates were engaged in a chaotic brawl, a fight to the death.
Around them, many other pirates cheered and even placed bets on the outcome of the fight.
Chaos, brutality, bloodshed – it was a dramatic show from the start.
In just five or six minutes, the fight concluded. Bodies were being moved, leaving behind bloodstains and bits of flesh on the ground. In such a short time, over a dozen lives had been lost.
The victors were greeted with cheers and money, while the losers faced only death.
These pirates were nothing short of madmen. After all, living on the edge of a blade, never knowing when death would come, had eroded their minds into something abnormal.
Chaos calmly moved past the scene and entered the town. The streets were lined with various taverns, red-light districts, gambling dens, and shops. Pirates with knives at their waists or guns in their hands filled the streets. The air was thick with a sense of debauchery and death's revelry.
To open a shop here, you needed either to carry a firearm or have a powerful backing. Otherwise, survival was impossible.
Drunk pirates were capable of anything.
Some who seemed like feeble individuals were not normal civilians. They might well be retired pirate thugs – all with ruthless hearts.
Of course, there were also real civilians, but most of them were descendants of retired pirates. Outsiders couldn't survive here without getting their hands bloody.
In this place, if your hands weren't stained with blood, you'd be embarrassed to step outside. Whether you've killed or not, whether you've roamed the seas – it's all evident at a glance.
For instance, at this moment, Chaos was being targeted.
"Boss, this guy looks like a newcomer."
"He's all alone."
Five thugs with knives or fiery spears, wearing cruel grins, surrounded Chaos. Clearly, they'd set their sights on him as soon as he entered the town.
"Kid, hand over all the money you've got on you, or you won't be walking away."
The one leading them, a burly man with stubble on his cheeks, seemed to be idly cleaning his fingernails.
With his experience, he was already certain Chaos was an easy target. Normally, a lone wanderer in Mock Town would be armed, but this guy clearly didn't carry any signs of that kind of experience.
It was like a country bumpkin entering a bustling city for the first time.
Could he be an unapproachable character? That scent was perceptible even from a distance.
As for the stubbled ringleader and his companions, why were they daring to rob openly in broad daylight? There must be some kind of backing behind them.
Backed by the Lion King Pirates with a total bounty of 76 million Berries and Captain Lion Japa, who had an individual bounty of 53.3 million Berries. He was even a Devil Fruit user.
In Mock Town, the Lion King Pirates might not be top-tier, but they still had a bit of a reputation. This kind of roadside robbery was only targeted at newcomers or those who were alone. The truly powerful pirate crews would never bother.
"Haha, another naive kid caught in our sights!"
"Finish him off."
"Place your bets, I bet he won't last five seconds."
"I wager ten seconds."
"Isn't that Stubble? A lackey from the Lion King Pirates?"
"Not interesting, let's just pick on the new arrivals."
"Lion Japa managed to get lucky with the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Lion. It's the Zoan-type Devil Fruit that turned him into a lion."
"Let's go, this guy's as good as dead."
In an instant, the crowd of onlookers grew larger. Most of the pirates believed Chaos was as good as dead.
For most of these pirates, whose lives had been spent roaming the seas, the mark of a special aura was clear.
Chaos, however, lacked that aura.
The crowd of onlookers grew larger, and most of the pirates believed that Chaos was doomed.
Pirates who had spent years at sea, tasting blood and facing danger, had a certain aura about them.
Chaos clearly didn't possess that aura.
"It's even more chaotic and crazy than I imagined."
Chaos had anticipated that something like this would happen when he came to Mock Town. The current scene truly embodied the world of pirates, where a life-or-death battle could be sparked with just a glance.
In this place, robbery was as common as drinking water.
And this was exactly what he wanted.
Only by staying in the midst of lunatics for a while could he truly blend in and not stand out.
It was exhilarating!
But Chaos was playing with his heartbeat.
After all, he aimed to become the wealthiest man in the world.
"Kid, do you hear me?"
"Hand over all your money, or we'll kill you."
One of the thugs with a firearm poked Chaos's forehead, adopting a menacing and threatening demeanor.
Around them, many people sneered, assuming that Chaos was frightened.
"Please don't poke me."
Chaos tilted his head back, showing no signs of anger.
After all, in his eyes, these guys were already dead.
He hadn't come to Mock Town to enjoy low-profile fun; he was here to sharpen himself through battles.
Danger was certain, but Chaos wasn't afraid – in fact, he was looking forward to it.
A bit reckless.
"Haha, quite temperamental. Let's poke you some more!"
The thug laughed heartily, perhaps because he had some backing that made him feel unbridled.
It wasn't a matter of intelligence, but rather impatience.
"Snrk~"
The brash laughter abruptly halted, replaced by terror in the thug's bulging eyes. He clutched his throat tightly, blood spattering as he retreated. He gasped for words but could only produce gurgling sounds.
Chaos pressed his index and middle fingers together, both of them soaked in blood as they dripped to the ground.
As for the finger gun technique, Chaos wasn't sure if he had successfully practiced it. However, even in his non-golden form, he could leave fingerprint marks on trees, and if he was golden, perhaps the technique could pierce through objects like rocks.
But he was still unable to shoot finger bullets like the original CP9's or Stussy the Underground Queen, those air bullet-like shots.
The noisy atmosphere briefly fell silent, but it lasted only three seconds before it grew even livelier.
"This guy actually dared to make a move."
"He's a tough one."
"Finally, something interesting to watch."
"Kill them, I bet on you winning."
"Kid, I have faith in you. Kill these guys."
The maniacal laughter, fearing a dull moment, continued unabated.
The scent of blood only further fueled the frenzy of these thuggish pirates.
"Courting death, kill him!"
Stubble's face darkened as he signaled his remaining lackeys. They had already treated Chaos as a dead man.
"Die!"
One thug, brandishing a long knife, lunged fiercely at Chaos.
But Chaos merely sidestepped, rotated his body, and swung his right leg with a swooshing sound. He struck the thug's head, and with a twisted expression and blood splatter, the thug's head was kicked clean off.
The decapitated body tumbled to the ground, blood and flesh from the severed neck spurting incessantly. The atmosphere reached a climax.
"Haha~"
"That's the way, take them all out."
Amidst the raucous cheers from the onlookers, one of the thugs, sweat dripping down his face, fired his gun.
Chaos vanished from his spot, reappearing before the thug in the blink of an eye. With one hand, he gripped the thug's neck, lifting him into the air. With a swift motion, just like squeezing a chicken's neck, Chaos snapped it. The thug twitched a couple of times before going limp.
Squelch, squelch~
The sounds of multiple sharp weapons piercing flesh followed. In a lightning-fast sequence, Chaos swiftly dispatched the remaining thugs. His fingers were stained with blood as he looked at Stubble.
"Kid, you're done for!"
"I'm working for the Grand Pirate Lion King Japa, with a bounty of 53 million Berries. You've killed my men now, but it won't end like this."
Stubble's face darkened as he drew his long knife, sweat forming on his forehead.
He had miscalculated.
This guy had just vanished suddenly, and he hadn't seen it clearly at all.
A hint of mockery curved Chaos's lips. To ordinary people, these guys might be strong, but to him, they were just lackeys.
He was quite interested in this Lion King Pirates. He had already offended them, so he didn't mind finishing the job in one go.
With a bounty of 53 million Berries, they should serve as good whetstones for his skills.
In this era, a bounty of 53 million Berries was no small amount.
He had just heard someone mention an animal-type ability user, a perfect shield.
Swish!
Chaos vanished from his spot, reappearing next to Stubble. He forcefully swung a kick.
Stubble did have some skills. At a crucial moment, he managed to hold his long knife in front of him to block. But Chaos's kick was too powerful. Stubble's face reddened, and he was sent flying after enduring two breaths.
The onlookers quickly retreated, shouting and hollering.
They were more excited than the fighters themselves.
They thirsted for the scent of blood, yearned for scenes of battle, and craved to hear screams and cries!
Cough, cough~
Stubble lay on the ground ten meters away, coughing up blood. He struggled to get up after a single kick, his chest felt like it had been torn apart, and he probably had several broken bones.
Chaos looked at the pitiful and terrified Stubble and quickly lost interest.
Leaving him alive would be perfect for notifying the Lion King Pirates.
This pirate crew would become the first chicken Chaos plucked in Mock Town!
Chaos turned and left, planning to find a tavern to stay in. The days ahead might not be as leisurely.
"You've got the guts to leave a name?"
Chaos halted, then turned to look at Stubble and thought for a moment.
Since he was here for a brawl, he could be a bit arrogant.
After training for three years and five months, he had now acquired the power to defend himself. It was time to make his name resound across the world.
"Golden Emperor Gaia Chaos!"
Leaving behind this title, Chaos departed. The group of watching pirates cursed loudly, then scattered.
As for Stubble, he glared at Chaos's retreating figure with intense hatred, clutching his chest as he left.
"Tropical Grand Hotel!"
A little over ten minutes later, Chaos stood before a grand hotel. Before he even entered, he could hear the noisy sounds coming from inside. Many pirates were drinking there.
"What do you need?"
As Chaos walked in, a burly four-meter-tall attendant approached, wielding a wolf-tooth club and sporting a firearm at his waist. He looked down at Chaos from above.
Who could have guessed that this guy would be an attendant?
Generally, attendants should be those pretty, delicate-looking women. This was more like a beast.
"Speck, you dumbass, I need a crate of rum over here."
At a nearby table, a few pirates reeking of alcohol cursed loudly.
"Idiot, can't you see I'm serving a new customer? Hold your damn horses."
Speck turned back with an even louder voice to curse them, then continued to look at Chaos with impatience. "Kid, are you eating or staying? Hurry up!"
"Staying and eating!"
Chaos's mouth twitched. The hall was a medley of sweat, smoke, alcohol, and food odors, and it was as hot and stuffy as a pigsty!
"The most luxurious room, 100,000 Berries a day."
"The second-most luxurious room, 50,000 Berries a day."
"Single room, 10,000 Berries a day. Follow me to the counter."
Speck, brandishing his wolf-tooth club, briskly turned and headed towards the counter.
At the counter was an old man smoking a pipe, also the owner of this hotel. He looked senile and slightly dazed, but in the past, he had been a pirate. Rumor had it that his bounty had almost reached one billion Berries.
Furthermore, he was acquainted with the other business owners in Mock Town, and that was something many pirates preferred not to mess with.
Bringing Chaos to the counter, Speck began to curse loudly and went to fetch the drinks.
Very rude.
"What kind of room are you looking for?"
The smoking owner didn't even raise his head, simply flipping through the ledger in his hand.
"The most luxurious!"
A lump of gold, roughly the size of a fist, appeared in Chaos's hand. This time, the smoking owner lifted his head.
His originally somewhat clouded eyes suddenly became sharp.
"You can only stay for five days, food isn't included, and any disturbance will result in ten times compensation for damages. If you encounter any trouble, it's best to solve it outside."
The smoking owner tossed the gold onto the counter, then took out something resembling a room card from beneath the counter. He proceeded to explain the rules of the hotel.
Chaos accepted the room card and nodded.
"Siris."
"Siris, where did you disappear to? Take this guest upstairs to the most luxurious room!"
The smoking owner shouted into the hall.
"Boss, you better die before I do. Remember to split your wealth with me when you die, or I'll toss your corpse into the sea."
A loud voice caught Chaos's attention.
A woman, three meters tall, bulky and powerful, with a centipede scar on her face. She wore a peculiar work uniform, and at her waist hung a firearm, while a large axe rested on her back. She walked over without any reservations, impatiently hoping the smoking owner would die sooner.
She wanted to inherit his wealth.
"Damn it, Siris, I'll definitely outlive you."
The smoking owner's eyes blazed with anger.
"Hmph, we'll see who lasts longer."
Siris looked disdainful, then turned to Chaos and waved. "Follow me."
Following behind this bulk, Chaos could still hear mutters and grumbles.
Arriving at the fifth floor, the "most luxurious room" was hyped up, but in reality, it was just an ordinary room with a slightly larger size, an attached bathroom, and a few extra amenities like a sofa.
There was a balcony on the side that offered a view of the sea and the hills.
Charging a hundred thousand Berries a day was quite something, and it didn't even include meals. It was truly a pirate island of extravagance and luxury.
However, Chaos was lacking in nothing except money.
After briefly examining the room, Chaos settled in a bit and then decided to go back downstairs to grab a bite to eat.
There was no room service here, so if he wanted to eat, he had to go downstairs to the hall.
As for Siris, after bringing Chaos to the door, she left. She was quite busy.
The entire hotel had only four people: the smoking owner, the two hefty attendants, Speck and Siris, and the head chef, Bard. It was hard to imagine that this whole hotel was being run by these four.
Without a doubt, all four of them used to be pirates.
It's just unclear why they settled down and retired in Mock Town.
Back in the bustling hall filled with noise and smoke, Chaos was still somewhat uncomfortable, but it was within tolerable limits.
Setting aside everything else, this rowdy atmosphere was quite pleasant. It made it easy to forget about any unhappiness.
"What do you need?"
Speck, still brandishing his wolf-tooth club, continued to curse and shout across the tables at other pirates. If one didn't know better, they would think he was a customer.
Other pirates were also either cursing or laughing like madmen.
Not a single one of them was normal.
"Your signature dish, bring twenty portions first! Also, bring two bottles of the most expensive wine."
"Wait."
Speck, without even glancing at Chaos, shouted towards the kitchen with a loud voice. He then brought two bottles of wine to Chaos and went to other tables.
He wasn't afraid that Chaos wouldn't be able to pay for the food later. After all, by that point, Chaos would only have one fate: being sold as a slave by this establishment.
Simple and straightforward rules, quite effective.
While savoring the wine, Chaos listened to the boasting and conversations of the pirates in the hall.
Recently, the notorious pirate on the Grand Line, and how the Marines were reacting — all kinds of news and trivialities were quite interesting.
The most talked-about news included the Roger Pirates, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Solitary Red, Iron Fist Garp, Sengoku and other big names. There were also many newcomers and rising stars!
Listening to this information, Chaos wasn't bored. The food arrived quickly.
"Is this the place?"
Outside the restaurant at this moment, around thirty pirates stood watching the signboard. At the forefront was a man wearing an open-chested coat, a thick bush of chest hair, scars on his face, thick eyebrows and eyes, and three pistols hanging at his waist. His lion-like, voluminous hair was particularly striking.
The Tropical Grand Hotel wasn't an easy target to mess with!
"Yes, we've investigated that guy. He arrived on the island today and didn't have any companions. Someone saw him entering this restaurant and he hasn't come out since."
A gap-toothed pirate next to him spoke. It was clear he was involved in gathering intelligence.
"Captain Japa, you must avenge me!"
The previous stubbled man was wrapped in bandages and looked sickly pale. He had pulled connections to get support.
Today, that guy must die.
"Go call that kid out. Even though he's just a dog, he's under my protection."
Japa let out a cold snort. He wasn't concerned about the stubbled man being beaten; he was bothered that the dog wasn't being protective of its owner.
In Mock Town, he still had some reputation left. If word got out that his underling had been beaten and he remained indifferent, how would he continue to operate in the future?
How would those underlings still follow him?
When you're out and about, face matters.
But Japa wasn't foolish. He knew that there were many pirate crews and powerful individuals in Mock Town he couldn't afford to offend, so he had sent people to investigate beforehand.
"Yes!"
A pirate rushed into the restaurant and yelled loudly to the chaotic hall, "Who's Golden Emperor Gaia Chaos? Our captain, Lion King Japa, is looking for you."
The pirate swept a triumphant gaze over the now-silent hall, his eyes filled with arrogance and disdain.
"Lion King Japa? The one with a bounty of 53 million?"
"Who's this Golden Emperor? That title is quite arrogant!"
"Never heard of it!"
"Is he really famous?"
The quiet hall burst into liveliness once more, only a few seconds after silence fell.
All the pirates present wore expressions as if they were watching a show.
"Who's Golden Emperor Gaia Chaos? Aren't you scared off by the name of our captain?"
Seeing no response, the pirate's face was full of contempt.
"Whoever he's looking for, deal with it outside and don't disturb my business."
Though the smoking owner addressed the entire hall, his gaze ultimately rested on Chaos.
This guy was the most suspicious.
Chaos calmly finished the food in his mouth, then downed the wine in his cup. He stood up, hands in his pockets, and walked toward the pirate delivering the message.
The messenger pirate sized up Chaos from head to toe. His appearance and clothing were similar to the description of the stubbled man.
This was the guy they were looking for.
"Kid, daring to provoke our Lion King Pirates, be prepared to be crushed by our captain!"
The messenger pirate sneered coldly, as if he could already see Chaos being squeezed to death by Japa.
Chaos didn't even spare him a glance, simply walking past the messenger pirate and stepping out through the entrance. He looked at the thirty-some pirates outside, with many onlookers around them.
"Are you Golden Emperor Gaia Chaos?"
Lion King Japa's eyes turned cold, his cruel smile dripping with malice. "That's quite an arrogant title you've got there. Daring to kill someone under my command, you're asking for death!"
"You're famous?"
Chaos crossed his arms, his contemptuous gaze provoking Japa's anger into a twisted smile.
"Kid, if have the guts follow me!"
After saying that, Japa turned and left.
He was a principled pirate.
Fighting here would be a disadvantage; if even a little something got damaged, those greedy fellows would definitely demand compensation many times over, a loss not worth it.
If it were powerful pirates, they wouldn't care at all. They'd fight wherever they wanted without hesitation.
But those greedy folks didn't dare to make a move.
Chaos surveyed his surroundings, meeting many mocking gazes.
In the midst of this attention, Chaos' figure soared into the air, flying high above the Lion King Pirates and taking the lead.
This caused the whole street to quiet down a bit.
Japa's footsteps faltered, his expression uncertain.
"Flight!"
"Doesn't seem like Navy's Rokushiki Moonwalk."
"It's highly possible it's a Devil Fruit ability."
"Might've misjudged. Japa the Lion King might've kicked the wrong bucket this time."
"This just got more interesting."
"Chase after him."
"This guy called Golden Emperor is quite ostentatious!"
"Let's see if he has the strength to back up the show."
Chaos' move made many people retract their previous disdainful thoughts.
The strong have always been ostentatious!
Otherwise, how would others know if they're powerful?
However, ostentation can easily attract animosity. But Chaos' Devil Fruit ability meant low-key wasn't an option.
When you're out and about, it's for power, wealth, and reputation!
Now, Chaos was beginning to have the strength to match his ostentation. After all, those three-plus years of quiet were meant to lead to this high-profile life, right?
And it was pretty damn cool!
But he had to watch out for being killed.
Descending from the air, Chaos landed three feet above the ground.
He looked handsome and carefree, exuding an inexplicable sense of heroism.
Chaos might not be incredibly handsome, but he was definitely the type that grew on you. He wore a white shirt with a grey jacket over it, black pants below, and polished leather shoes that shone.
His upright hair was neat and tidy, a fringe falling over his forehead. He gave off an aura of sunshine but also a hint of sharpness.
In about two or three minutes, Japa brought over thirty of his subordinates, followed by quite a few pirates who were just watching.
Japa wasn't hesitating either. He took off his jacket, revealing his powerful chest and muscles. With empty hands, he approached Chaos, flexing his neck and producing a series of cracking sounds.
"Let's get this started!"
"Lion King, 100,000 Berries."
"I bet 300,000 Berries on Golden Emperor. Having flight ability is definitely an invincible power."
"I think he's just a dud. I bet Lion King loses."
"Bunch of beggars! I bet 500,000 Berries on Lion King."
"Then I'll bet on Golden Emperor."
The battle hadn't even started, and some of the spectating pirates were already placing bets.
Overall, there were more bets on Japa. After all, quite a few people in Mock Town had heard of the Lion King. Chaos, on the other hand, had no reputation.
If it weren't for leaking his flight ability, even fewer people would've bet on him.
In the arena, Japa's body suddenly expanded. Hair grew all over his body, his frame grew larger and stronger, and with a roar, he transformed into a humanoid lion.
His limbs were powerful, with sharp claws. His tail swayed, kicking up dust and exuding the aura of a fearsome beast. The majestic and intimidating air filled the surroundings!
Right from the start, Japa entered his half-beast form. While he seemed disdainful on the surface, he was already on high alert deep down.
"Kid, I'm going to tear you apart!"
From his elevated position, Japa stared down at Chaos. His fierce and cruel visage cast a shadow over even the sunlight.
Chaos felt a slight pressure.
His guess was right—only someone this strong could challenge him and make him improve. Previous opponents like Venom Fang and Scruffy couldn't fuel his excitement.
"Either you kill me, or I kill you."
Chaos' upright hair fluttered, his arms hanging vertically in a cold, proud manner.
Very arrogant.
"Help you out."
A fierce roar ruptured eardrums. Japa's right claw, thicker than a thigh, like lightning, attacked directly at Chaos' throat, obviously aiming for a one-hit kill.
Chaos had already tensed his whole body in preparation. In an instant, he clenched his right fist and, without dodging or evading, met Japa's attack head-on.
A massive collision resounded, and cracks formed on the ground beneath their feet. Chaos was pushed back two steps, his fist aching.
Japa's monstrous mouth was full of scorn. He hadn't even moved his powerful legs.
Swoosh~
A sonic boom cut through the air as Japa's right foot came sweeping like a horizontal hurricane. Chaos arched his body backward, narrowly avoiding the attack. However, Japa's speed was faster, and he spun around with five fingers forming sharp hooks, aiming straight for Chaos' chest.
Chaos acted swiftly, tilting his body backward in mid-air, evading the attack in a 360° rotation. He then planted his left hand on the ground, feet together, launching himself at Japa's chest like a missile.
The heavy impact was even greater than the previous collision. Japa's robust elbow blocked his chest, but his feet sank deep into the ground as he slid to the side, leaving two furrows.
Chaos flipped back onto his feet and, in the blink of an eye, covered a distance of five meters to appear in front of Japa. He threw a left hook, the sound of breaking air accompanying it.
Japa's eyes gleamed with danger. Chaos' speed caught him off guard. He hadn't expected it to be this fast!
But Japa wasn't a pushover either. After all, he was offering a reward of 53 million Berries, and his Zoan abilities amplified his reaction speed considerably.
In the first moment, Japa bent his body to dodge, simultaneously performing a sweeping leg attack. Although Chaos jumped up and avoided it, Japa was prepared. His fist struck Chaos' crossed arms with great force, generating a gust of wind. Chaos couldn't help but retreat, finding himself at a disadvantage.
"Phew~"
Chaos exhaled a breath. In just those couple of moves, he had learned a lot.
The opponent's combat ability and reaction time were better than his, providing a perfect whetstone.
This unprecedentedly exhilarating combat spirit ignited in Chaos. He was certain that he would grow through this battle.
Vanishing from his original spot, Chaos initiated an attack, intending to engage Japa in a physical brawl!
"Captain, go for it! I've put all my money on you."
"Get rid of that clueless guy. He dares provoke our Lion King Pirates."
Many pirates at the periphery were cheering. Japa the Lion King clearly had the upper hand now, relentlessly suppressing the Golden Emperor. The latter could only defend passively and was retreating with every move.
Many pirates believed that Japa had secured his victory.
"A promising newcomer."
However, there were also pirates with malicious glints in their eyes. For instance, not far away, on a rooftop, there stood a middle-aged man in casual attire. He wore a round cap and had two sickle-like weapons hanging from his waist.
Watching the battle unfolding, which was heavily one-sided, he showed a hint of surprise.
"Harvester Tesix, did you notice as well?"
On top of several other buildings, there were more pirates.
One was dressed in a black suit, puffing on a cigar. He exhaled smoke and glanced at Tesix.
"Blood Thorn Pradanite, with a bounty of 89 million."
Tesix turned to look at this chubby guy. He had identified him immediately.
This guy was ruthless and cunning, a Paramecia-type user of the Thorn Thorn Fruit. It was said that he had killed a Marine Vice Admiral not long ago and was currently being pursued by Vice Admiral Sakazuki. Tesix hadn't expected to encounter him in Mock town.
"Want to bet on who survives?"
Pradanite flicked his cigar ashes leisurely, gesturing toward the battle between Chaos and Japa.
"Haven't you figured it out? I believe Zebra Killer Banks and Camel Teppierre have noticed it too."
Tesix folded his arms, looking at the other two figures on the rooftops.
One was a man wearing a black and white striped coat, and the other wore knee-high boots.
Zebra Killer Banks had a bounty of 81 million Berries and was a Zoan-type user of the Horse-Horse Fruit, Model: Zebra!
Camel Teppierre had a bounty of 79 million Berries and was a Zoan-type user of the Horse-Horse Fruit, Model: Camel!
Who would have thought that what seemed like an ordinary fight would attract these four formidable individuals?
"That kid is actually using Lion King Japa as a sparring partner. Interesting."
Camel Teppierre sat on the rooftop, swinging his legs. He had a cold, cruel expression as he observed the battle between Chaos and Japa.
"Too weak."
Zebra Killer Banks wore an arrogant expression, his eyes filled with disdain.
In his eyes, both Lion King Japa and Chaos were too weak.
"Haha! They say Zebra Killer is arrogant and conceited, and it seems that's true!"
Tesix, the one with the highest bounty among them, looked at Zebra Killer with a playful expression. "I bet you can't beat that guy called the Golden Emperor."
"Hmph, I don't mind killing you right now. I'm sure the Marines would be delighted to receive the head of a 93 million Berries bounty Harvester!"
"This is the world of pirates, where there's no hint of gunpowder, yet the atmosphere is thick with it."
"I'm not joking with you. After this battle ends, you can go and try it yourself. If you can kill the Golden Emperor, I'll give you 50 million Berries," Tesix shrugged, remaining quite composed.
He wasn't provoked by Zebra Killer's words.
"I like this bet. Do you mind if I bet on Zebra Killer's victory as well? Another 50 million," Pradanite blew smoke rings and interjected.
"Zebra Killer, 30 million!" Even Camel Teppierre, with his cold and sparing words, chimed in.
"50 million, I accept!" Zebra Killer glanced at Tesix and then at the ongoing battle with a hint of ruthlessness on his lips.
This was the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest. Chaos had no idea he was being targeted, and all it took were a few casual words. He hadn't even heard of Zebra Killer and the others.
There was no prior grudge between the two sides, but like spectators at a show, these four had just sealed Chaos's fate with their bets.
(Chapter End)