How can I become the Pirate King if you don’t work hard?.

Chapter 431 Kid Advances! Straw Hats VS. Gin!

Gao Wen's eyes lit up.

Zoro's advancement to Legendary status was something he was naturally aware of.

But before the fight, we still don't know just how much Zoro is capable of.

After all, the captain's rating system is one thing, and actual combat is another.

There are countless examples of the weak defeating the strong on the high seas.

Zoro's slash just now is a typical example.

If Hawkeye hadn't reacted quickly, the outcome of this battle would have been different.

Even though Hawkeye had taken countermeasures, he was still injured by Zoro's attack.

That cut, which almost ripped open his chest and abdomen, was extremely dangerous.

just.

What Gawain saw even more clearly was that Hawkeye... hadn't used his full strength yet!

"Even at this level, Hawkeye is still holding back!"

"They're after me?!"

Gawain's lips curled into a smile.

Looking out over the Round Table Arena, the cheers inside have continued unabated since the battle between Hawkeye and Zoro ended.

Even from Gawain's position, one could still barely hear the desperate shouts.

Gawain's gaze remained fixed on Hawkeye, who was slowly making his exit.

Three years have passed.

From their initial encounter in the East China Sea, Gawain only survived because Hawkeye showed him mercy.

To avenge our defeat at Sabaody Archipelago and dethrone Hawkeye from his position as the world's greatest swordsman.

Now, their situations have completely reversed.

Hawkeye, once the pursuer, has become the pursuer, while Gawain has become an insurmountable peak on the high seas.

He is naturally confident in facing any opponent, simply because he is synonymous with invincibility.

"Then you mustn't disappoint me."

Gao Wen turned around.

The Kanze Masamune lying on the desk was quiet and still, having long lost its former restlessness and become extremely calm.

"That man can no longer ignite your fighting spirit?!"

"What a greedy fellow!"

Om-!
A low humming sound came from the table.

Gao Wen understood.

This is Kanse Masamune responding to his own will.

We await the one and only champion to emerge from this martial arts tournament!

That rival who could match him.

The number of powerful individuals gathered at this martial arts tournament was almost unprecedented in history.

The legendary Straw Hat, who rivaled Whitebeard and Roger in the era of legend; Kaido, the strongest of the current Four Emperors; trained by Rayleigh and Jabba; bearing the destiny of the era; the chosen one, the Straw Hat; having completed his transformation; the devil's heir whose fighting power has reached its peak...

One after another, powerful figures capable of dominating an era converge here due to the eternal pointers of One Piece, vying to determine the strongest!
Gao Wen was filled with anticipation.

These monsters, capable of overturning an era, gather together and fight like poisonous insects until the very end. What kind of being will they ultimately give birth to?

Does he truly possess the strength to fight himself?

The more I think about it.

Gao Wen became increasingly eager for that moment to arrive.

……

Round table arena.

After the second battle ended, the audience was excited for more than ten minutes before gradually calming down.

The passion in everyone's hearts had been ignited by the battle just now.

"Unlike Sanji's crushing defeat of Vinsmoke Judge, the battle between Hawkeye and Roronoa was truly exhilarating!"

"That's right!"

"Every move was wild and domineering, even tearing apart the clouds in the sky!"

Someone looked up at the sky.

The clouds that were gradually gathering were cut straight in the middle, stretching all the way to the horizon.

These are medals from the battle just now.

"With a single strike, they can cleave the sky and tear apart the sea! These two truly deserve the title of strongmen!"

"I have...I have..."

One audience member was so excited that he realized his crotch was already soaked.

She lost control of her bladder.

I was so excited I lost control of my bladder.

This should have been an extremely shameful scene, but not a single person around them cast a mocking glance.

Compared to those unlucky guys who had just been carried away due to excessive excitement, shock, or even heart attacks, he was considered lucky.

"The next battle!"

"The next battle!"

"I think there will be rivers of blood!"

……

Amidst waves of noise.

Zango drew lots in public to determine which two teams would face off in the next round!

"The New King Charlotte Katakuri VS Captain Eustass Kid!"

Another roar erupted from the scene.

Both of them were once renowned and powerful figures.

One is a new-era powerful force that has recently replaced the older generation in controlling the kingdom and reigning supreme over the sea.

One is the person with the highest bounty among the new generation born in this extremely evil era.

The audience present was naturally filled with anticipation for the upcoming battle.

just.

On the players' seats.

Kidd's expression was extremely solemn, and even his thin, razor-thin lips were somewhat pale.

'The New King' Charlotte Katakuri.

Kidd naturally knew this name, and he was even more aware that this man who rose to power by stepping on the shoulders of an old lady was someone he could not contend with.

Having witnessed the two battles just now, and seen the clash between the top monsters, Kidd had already realized that this was not yet his stage!
Are you going to admit defeat?!
Kidd bit his lip tightly.

When hesitating.

The straw-hatted hand rested on his shoulder, and he grinned:
"You have to win, Kidd!"

For some reason, the moment Kid saw Straw Hat's face, most of his fear vanished, leaving only defiance. He pulled his hand away from Straw Hat's.

"Before becoming the Pirate King, I won't lose to anyone!"

After saying this, Kidd walked towards the distant arena, his hesitation, confusion, and fear completely shattered at that moment.

Yes.

In the new world, how can something that you don't even believe in yourself possibly reach the highest point?
"Hey!"

The sound of a straw hat came from behind, and Kidd stopped in his tracks.

"If you win, how about becoming my partner!?"

Kidd paused, then a grin spread across his face.

"I want to be the captain!"

"Of course I'm the captain!"

Straw Hat picked his nose, looking completely silly, but his tone was excessively firm.

Kidd paused for a moment, then waved his hand, deciding not to dwell on the topic of the straw hat any longer.

He was prepared to die in the arena for this battle!
Walk through the narrow passage.

soon.

Kidd's vision was suddenly bright.

He stepped into the arena, where cheers and shouts from all around him instantly engulfed him.

My palms were sweaty, my heart was pounding like a drum, and my whole body was agitated.

It is the will to fight.

Even when facing a formidable foe, they possess an indomitable fighting spirit.

Kidd took a deep breath, prepared to risk everything, even if it was just to leave a scar on his opponent.

just.

Time ticked by, and Kidd waited for a long time, but his opponent was nowhere to be seen on the other side of the passage.

Even the spectators at the edge of the battlefield were somewhat puzzled when a sudden message was broadcast to everyone:

"Now broadcasting a breaking news report."

"Katakuri has decided to withdraw from the competition at the last minute and has now left the Round Table Arena."

"Therefore, Kidd automatically advances to the quarterfinals!"

The sound faded, and the cheers in the audience seemed to pause for a moment, but quickly erupted again. "What?! We've been waiting for so long, and this is it?!"

"So, the new king of all nations, has he ultimately become a deserter?!"

"Disappointment!"

"Disgusting!"

……

A barrage of insults followed.

Countless spectators threw things into the arena, venting their discontent.

Snapped--!
A wine glass shattered next to Kidd, splashing wine all over him.

Kidd seemed oblivious, only looking up at the sky amidst the insults.

For him, such a victory was nothing but a humiliation.

After counting the breaths.

Coming to his senses, Kidd turned and walked back to the players' bench. Just as he reached the door, he saw Straw Hat standing guard there.

Straw Hat grinned foolishly and said;
"You won, now you're my partner!"

Kidd's breath hitched, a sudden surge of irritation washing over him, and he blurted out:
"Okay!"

"If you can defeat those monsters, how about I become your crew member?!"

After saying that, Kidd walked into the players' room without looking back, but his peripheral vision still kept glancing at the straw hat.

He still remembers.

A few months ago, I landed in the Sabaody Archipelago with my straw hat.

It was there that the Straw Hat crew, always so willful and reckless, attacked the Celestial Dragons and caused a huge disturbance.

Ultimately pursued by the Navy, Kid calmly departed, and the Straw Hats reportedly lost all their companions. They reappeared during the Marineford War.

One thing Kidd had to admit was...

Perhaps I am no match for the straw hat now.

After all, based on the fighting strength that the Straw Hats demonstrated in the Marineford War, they were no weaker than the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Such a person would be well-known even in the New World.

But this is Britannias, the world's greatest martial arts tournament!

Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was pinned to the wall by Katakuri, who had been forfeited in the preliminaries, with a single trident strike, leaving him powerless to resist.

Only monsters at the Emperor level can gain a foothold here and compete for the title of world's number one.

Straw hats... are not included!
"Are you serious?!"

A silly, straw-hat-wearing voice came from behind Kidd. He waved his hand dismissively, annoyed.
"seriously!"

At that moment, Zango announced the two teams facing off in the fourth quarterfinal match!

"'Demon' Gin VS 'Straw Hat Boy' Monkey D. Luffy!"

Another cheer erupted from the surrounding stands.

Kidd suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at the straw hat, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Fate?!

Do not!
There is no such thing!

"Straw hat... don't die!"

"what."

The straw hat clenched its fist and smiled calmly:
"we have a deal!"

"If I win this battle, you will become my ally!"

Kidd remained silent, watching the figure in the straw hat disappear at the end of the players' tunnel.

He stood there stunned for a long time before finally letting out a sneer:
"If I remember correctly, the Demon King Akin is the right-hand man of Knight Gawain, and his combat strength is definitely above that of Black Foot and Roronoa."

"How could he possibly defeat that monster?!"

Kidd shook his head and turned to walk into the players' tunnel.

……

On the player bench.

Kaido's attention remained focused on Katakuri.

"Why did that brat from Lingling's family suddenly withdraw from the competition?!"

"Ever since losing the territory of the Kingdom of Treasures, he led his remaining forces to join the Cross Guild. This time, his move should also be aimed at the Perpetual Pointer."

"Could it be that something's wrong with the Cross Society?!"

"Did the World Government take advantage of the martial arts tournament drawing everyone's attention to make a move against the Cross Guild?!"

"but."

"In any case, this is good news for me!"

"Otherwise, if we really encounter him in the arena, whether to kill him or show mercy would be quite troublesome."

The sound fell to the ground.

Kaido then noticed Gin, who had been silent all along, and got up to walk towards the passageway to the contestants' seating area.

"Is this guy next? That's intriguing!"

Kaido raised his eyes and looked towards the Round Table Colosseum in the distance.

soon.

The two sides are in position.

Straw Hat was doing his warm-up exercises like a fool, while Akin quietly watched the scene.

The two were several hundred meters apart.

Their expressions and auras were completely different, yet they achieved a delicate balance at this moment, and even the audience fell silent for a moment.

“That weird guy…”

"I remember now, it's the Straw Hat, the Straw Hat who attacked Impel Down and caused chaos at Marineford!"

"That guy is a real monster!"

"And his opponent is even more of a heavyweight!"

"Akin, a veteran member of the Knights of the Round Table and one of the core combatants under Knight Gawain, nicknamed 'The Demon'!"

"Born in the East Sea, and having followed Knight Gawain all the way into the New World, his combat strength is definitely no less than that of Blackfoot and Roronoa!"

……

Amidst the cacophony of cheers and roars, the two on the battlefield remained unusually quiet.

a long time.

Seeing that Straw Hat had finished warming up, Akin slowly spoke:

"I've heard the captain mention you."

"The person that Pirate King Roger was always waiting for, Nika, who was reborn in the Great Age of Piracy, is also the person destined to save the world."

"Nika?"

"Save the world?!"

The straw hat tilted its head:
"What it is?!"

Ajin was taken aback:
"Well~"

"In short, they're just a bunch of boring guys who believe in pointless legends!"

"Let's make this clear first, the captain has given orders for this battle: I won't hold back. If you don't go all out..."

Ah Jin looked up, his eyes instantly sharpening, and an invisible aura began to emanate from him:
"will die!"

"I will not lose to anyone."

Straw Hat confidently clenched his fist, and his entire body instantly turned red, with pure white steam rising from it.

Instantly shift to second gear!

By leveraging the elasticity of rubber, blood circulation is accelerated, thereby gaining physical abilities beyond the limits.

Ode——!
A sonic boom cloud suddenly exploded in the air, and the violent sound waves impacted everyone around the arena.

As everyone frantically covered their ears...

Straw Hat's fist was already imprinted on Akin's chest!
when!
A series of metallic clanging sounds erupted in the air!
Only then did everyone come to their senses and couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"So fast!"

"This speed is already comparable to that of Hawkeye and Roronoa, whom we just fought!"

"This guy... is even stronger than he was during the Marineford War!"

……

just.

The attack landed squarely, but the expression on Straw Hat's face became incredibly serious:
"I knew it wouldn't be that simple."

His gaze lowered slightly, and what came into view was a layer of fine bone armor, interwoven on Akin's chest.

Look up.

What met his eyes was Ah Jin's calm, still gaze.

"If that's all there is to it, there's no way we'll leave the Round Table Arena alive."

Ah Jin spoke calmly, as if stating a fact that was obvious.

"Um?!"

Straw Hat felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively retreated nearly a hundred meters. When he looked back, he saw a shocking scene!
"Two Bones - Death Skeleton Knight!"

(End of this chapter)