On the elevated platform—
Keeping his head lowered, Law pretended to be unconscious just like the other spectators—and even the members of the Heart Pirates. After taking a quiet breath, he finally lifted his head and stood up, locking eyes with Kaito in the arena below.
"What rotten luck… I only came to recruit a chef, and I end up running into someone like this…"
Law sighed inwardly. But when he glanced at the unconscious Bepo and the others beside him, he steadied his emotions and faced reality.
"ROOM!"
Holding Devil May Cry in his left hand, Law flipped his right palm upward. The power of the Op-Op Fruit activated instantly. A white, wind-like spiral formed beneath his raised hand.
That was only the beginning.
As soon as the spiral appeared, it expanded rapidly, swelling into a spherical energy field within seconds.
Before the field even reached the arena—
Bang!
In the blink of an eye, Law vanished from the high platform and reappeared directly in the arena opposite Kaito.
Clap, clap!
Kaito applauded casually, smiling at the young pirate who had teleported before him.
"What an excellent ability. It seems you've developed the Op-Op Fruit quite well."
Hearing his Devil Fruit named so directly, Law's vigilance sharpened instantly. The spiral wind began gathering again in his right hand.
"Captain Kaito… what exactly do you want to discuss with me?" Law asked in a low, steady voice.
He had recognized Kaito immediately.
That was hardly surprising. With the rapid rise of the War Pirates, Kaito had become a major figure in West Blue. Law wasn't the type to ignore outside information—he was well aware of the reputation of both the War Pirates and their captain.
"It's nothing complicated," Kaito replied with an easy smile. "It's rare to encounter someone as outstanding as you. I'd like to recruit you."
Recruit?
Law's heart tightened.
He had no intention of becoming anyone's subordinate.
"I'm sorry," Law answered without hesitation. "I have my own objectives. I don't intend to join any faction."
Kaito's Conqueror's Haki had already swept over Law earlier—without deliberate restraint. Yet Law had resisted it.
His spiritual will was clearly formidable. The effect of Kaito's Conqueror's submission on him was minimal.
Kaito's smile didn't fade at the refusal.
"That's a rather direct answer. Aren't you afraid I might retaliate? Or do you believe your strength gives you the right to refuse me?"
Though he still smiled, his tone gradually grew more serious as he stepped forward.
"I don't underestimate you," Law replied, stepping back slightly. His expression hardened. "But as I said, I still have things I must accomplish. If someone tries to block my path… I won't hesitate to fight to the death."
"I see. Then let me test what your determination is worth."
Still smiling, Kaito continued walking forward. Reaching the edge of the arena, he stepped off.
Boom!!
The ground shattered beneath his landing, cracking even the ring's edge behind him.
The instant his feet touched the ground, he exploded forward with terrifying force. His speed rivaled Law's earlier teleportation—he appeared in front of Law in a flash.
A punch shot out.
Even though Law had braced himself for battle, he still failed to react.
Kaito's fist slammed into his abdomen.
The force detonated.
A visible shockwave burst from Law's back.
"—Ahh!!"
Blood sprayed from Law's mouth. He felt as if his internal organs had been torn apart. Like a cannonball, his body was blasted away by the overwhelming power.
He streaked across the square at high speed, crashing through a high platform along the way. The impact produced a thunderous explosion.
Boom!!
Law flew across the entire plaza and finally slammed into the outer wall of a six- or seven-story building beyond it. A crater formed where he struck, spiderweb cracks spreading across the structure as he embedded deeply into the wall.
Swish!
In the next instant, Kaito leapt again, crossing the square in a single bound. He soared through the air and appeared midair in front of Law's position.
"ROOM—Cut!"
The spherical energy field expanded again, centered on Law, who was still lodged in the wall.
Despite his severe injuries, Law endured the pain and activated his ability the moment Kaito closed in.
Zheng!
Within the energy field, Law drew Devil May Cry and slashed toward Kaito.
The distance between them meant the blade did not physically touch Kaito. No visible slash wave formed.
Yet through Observation Haki, Kaito immediately sensed it.
At the instant Law swung his sword, an invisible, intangible fluctuation shot forward from the blade.
It felt like a slash wave—sharp, cutting, deadly.
"Armament—Coating!"
Rather than dodging, Kaito instantly wrapped his abdomen in Armament Haki.
Hum—
A thin line traced across the hardened surface of his Haki, pressing slightly inward before dissipating harmlessly into scattered air currents.
There was no doubt—
Law's Op-Op Fruit cutting ability could not penetrate Kaito's Armament defense.
Law saw it clearly.
His expression darkened.
"Armament Haki… Not only Conqueror's… he has Armament too—and it's this strong…"
Law had spent time within the Donquixote Pirates; he was well aware of Haki's principles.
But he had not expected Kaito to wield such powerful Armament Haki.
The Op-Op Fruit's greatest advantage—its ability to bypass conventional defenses—had just been nullified.
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