Chapter 24: Luffy Steps Up
"Good thing he held back..." Sanji thought, finally understanding why Zoro had been so grim.
These kids, who looked completely harmless, were actual monsters.
To shatter three of Zoro's swords with just his bare hands... what kind of power did that take? Sanji subconsciously reached for his pack of cigarettes, and his fingertips were trembling.
Killua strolled back to his friends, his silver hair glinting. He held up his hands. "Did I go too hard?"
Kyle glanced in Zoro's direction, unconcerned. "Their physical conditioning is insane. He'll be healed up in a few days."
Any trace of guilt Killua might have felt instantly vanished. He turned to Gon with a sly smirk. "Your turn, Gon."
They high-fived, swapping places as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Sanji watched Gon approach, took a final, deep drag from his cigarette, and slowly exhaled. He had to win this. This was a battle between crews.
He knew, looking at this new kid, that this was no ordinary child. This was a monster.
"I'm Gon Freecss! I'm Number Three on the Hunter Pirates!" Gon's voice was bright and clear. His eyes were locked on Sanji. "Are you my opponent?"
Sanji didn't back down. He stepped into the center of the deck, his dress shoes tapping a steady rhythm. He lowered his center of gravity, his eyes sharp.
Gon said no more. He clenched his fists and exploded forward like a cheetah.
Sanji's reaction was instantaneous. He dodged the punch and countered with a precise, powerful kick that slammed into Gon's stomach.
POW!
Gon was sent flying, but he hit the railing, used the rebound, and charged right back in.
Sanji's pupils contracted. He timed a Collier Shoot straight at Gon's face. Gon, surprised, barely got his arms up in time to block.
THUD!
He was sent flying again, crashing into the railing.
"That idiot," Killua muttered from the sidelines, shaking his head. "He's dragging this out on purpose."
Kyle chuckled. "Want me to spar with you later?"
Killua's eyes lit up. "You're on!"
Gon stood up, rubbing his arms, his eyes blazing with excitement. "Those are amazing kicks! The angles are crazy! Okay, now I'm going to dodge all of them. Using my Observation Haki."
Sanji didn't know what "Observation Haki" was, but the kid's sheer confidence was infuriating. He's underestimating me.
Fueled by anger, Sanji unleashed his full arsenal of kicks. But it was shocking. At first, he grazed Gon's clothes. But as the fight wore on, Gon's evasions became effortless. No matter how Sanji changed his angle or speed, Gon would dodge at the last possible second, as if he could sense his every move.
Sanji's blood ran cold. This kid... he was learning and adapting mid-fight!
And then, to his utter disbelief, Gon closed his eyes.
How is that possible?!
"He's using this guy as a training dummy for his Observation Haki," Killua muttered, annoyed. "Man, I should've dragged my fight out, too."
Kyle just smiled. "The path of training is long. No need to rush."
The "fight" became a one-sided performance. An hour later, Sanji was gasping, his shirt soaked in sweat, his kicks visibly slowing. Gon, however, was perfectly fine. Not even breathing hard.
Nami and Usopp watched in horror. "What are these guys?" Usopp trembled. "He's dodging with his eyes closed..."
"Is Sanji... at his limit?" Nami whispered.
Sanji was running on pure, delirious willpower. His body was past its limit, his eyes unfocused, but his legs kept moving, driven by the single, desperate thought: Just land one. Hit him one time.
Gon stepped back, watching as Sanji, practically unconscious on his feet, kept throwing kicks. A deep respect bloomed in Gon. He believed Kyle now. These guys... they really could become powerful rivals.
Luffy walked up and gently stopped Sanji's leg. "That's enough, Sanji. You landed the kick."
Hearing his captain, the last bit of energy left Sanji's body. He stopped, and collapsed, out cold.
Nami and Usopp understood and rushed over to carry him off.
Luffy watched them go, then turned to Kyle, his face splitting into a wide, excited grin.
"Our turn."
Kyle cracked his knuckles, a smile playing on his own lips. It was finally his time. He stepped forward. "I'm Kyle, Captain of the Hunter Pirates."
The few reporters still hiding were trembling with anticipation. The captain's fight!
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," he declared, his voice full of absolute confidence. "And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
Kyle smiled. "And I'm the man who will be King of the World."
The onlookers were stunned by this declaration. But Kyle wasn't surprised to see that Luffy didn't even flinch. His dream was about freedom. He didn't care about titles.
Luffy just settled into his stance, his rubbery arms ready.
"Alright! Let's have a real fight!"
The sea breeze swept across the deck, carrying the first notes of a new storm.