"Pfft!"
Who's Who spat out blood, his head uncontrollably tilting to the right as his brain buzzed from the force of the massive slap.
Iron Body had shattered!
"Ooooh!"
"Babanuki! Babanuki!"
Seeing the high-ranking executive get slapped bloody by a mere Headliner, the Pirates erupted into frenzied cheers.
The underdog rising up—what a thrill!
"Hahaha!"
Babanuki flexed his right arm, his biceps twitching as he showed off his muscles, his sidelong glance drifting toward the nearby arena.
Lord Gurd was watching him!
Ooooh! Power surged through him!
Half a year ago, Lord Gurd had left an indelible mark on his psyche. Since then, he had been observing the man closely.
After six months of scrutiny, he was stunned to realize—he had never seen anyone in his life more despicable, shameless, cunning, or wicked than Lord Gurd.
A true Pirate role model!
And that body of his—solid as bedrock, every muscle perfectly sculpted. It was mesmerizing!
"Clang!"
Babanuki snorted smoke from his nostrils, his face now coated in Conqueror Haki.
Dark and gleaming!
Lord Gurd, bear witness to me!
"Bring it on, Who's Who-sama!"
"..."
Who's Who clutched his cheek, staring at Babanuki in shock. Why did this big oaf look so excited?
Did he actually want to get beaten up?
Just now, his breathing had been unstable, making his Iron Body a bit fragile—but did this fool really think a mere Headliner could defeat him?
"Clang!"
His palm surged with Armament Haki Infusion.
Who's Who's eyes turned icy as he swung with full force.
"Iron Body Palm Cannon!"
"Boom!"
Though it was just a slap, the moment it struck Babanuki's left cheek, a dull explosion-like impact resounded.
Babanuki staggered back several steps, his eyes rolling white.
Kiiimochi~~~
Meanwhile, in the adjacent arena.
Gurd withdrew his gaze, staring at the empty challenger's seat.
He really wanted someone to fight him.
This powerful body of his was made for the arena. Without challengers, how could the crowd cheer for him?
Damn it, come at him already.
Heh.
How lonely it is... to be invincible.
Third floor, grand stage.
"Muhahaha! That Babanuki's putting on quite the show!"
Queen watched as Babanuki and Who's Who exchanged slaps, already several rounds in, and grinned ear to ear.
That was his top subordinate!
Komurasaki nestled against Queen, her heart filled with disgust as she watched the violent spectacle below. But when her eyes landed on the solitary Gurd, her fingers unconsciously clenched.
Denjiro had been killed by Gurd!
Grief welled up in Komurasaki's chest. She wanted to avenge Denjiro, but she was just a weak, powerless woman—not only incapable of revenge, but reduced to being a plaything for the enemy.
If not for the decisive battle five years from now, and her longing for her brother, she might not even have the will to live.
It was all that man's fault!
Her eyes reddened, her delicate face the very picture of pitiable sorrow. "Queen-sama... I'd love to see you enter the fray too."
"Me?"
Queen blinked in surprise.
Komurasaki puffed her cheeks, coquettishly pleading. "I want to see you standing tall and mighty in the arena. You'd look so dashing, wouldn't you? Please?"
"Well..."
Queen hesitated.
It wasn't like he was the one challenging the Flying Six. What was the point of him stepping in?
There was no benefit even if he won!
"Queen-sama!"
Komurasaki's cheeks flushed pink as her delicate fingers traced Queen's chin. Shyly, she leaned in to whisper by his ear, "If you indulge this one's selfish request... when you return victorious, I'll... give you a... kiss."
"Bzzzzzzz~~~!"
Queen's brain instantly overheated like a boiling kettle, steam practically whistling from his ears.
A K-K-KISS?!
His eyes glowing red, Queen glared down at the arena below with murderous intensity.
"Komurasaki, who do you want me to beat up?"
"Well..."
Resting a finger against her crimson lips, Komurasaki appeared deep in thought before suddenly brightening and pointing toward Gurd's platform.
"Lord Gurd doesn't have an opponent. Why not challenge him?"
"Gurd."
Queen's face immediately fell.
Of all people, why him?
That was someone even he couldn't afford to offend!
He'd been trying to curry favor with Gurd!
"Does this mean... you're afraid, my lord?"
Komurasaki tilted her head in confusion, concern coloring her voice. "Then let's forget it. I'd hate to see you get hurt."
"Afraid?!"
Seeing Komurasaki's worried expression, Queen felt blood rush to his head.
His lower brain had taken full control.
"I'm an All-Star! How could I possibly fear some lowly Flying Six member? Watch closely, Komurasaki, and witness Lord Queen's easy victory!"
Hmph! No real man would disappoint the woman he loved!
So what if it's Gurd?
He'd take him down!
Queen scrambled down to the plaza, panting as he climbed onto Gurd's platform, leaving the latter blinking in confusion.
"Lord Queen? What are you—"
"Muhahaha! Gurd, you looked bored up here, so I came to play! The rules don't say All-Stars can't participate, right?"
Queen sneaked a glance toward the third floor, then straightened his posture at the thought of Komurasaki's promise, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"Sorry brother, but a beauty asked for this favor. Don't worry—I'll go easy on you!"
"..."
Gurd chuckled wordlessly before nodding.
Tch. Truly the Beasts Pirates' most devoted lover!
And as for Komurasaki...
Gurd shot her a sidelong glance.
A chicken will always be a chicken. Did she still think she was that untouchable Courtesan favored by the Shogun?
He'd have to properly discipline her later.
Ah, he had it!
"Hot Iron Rod" would make an excellent theme.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The drumbeats drew the pirates' attention, and when they spotted Queen on Gurd's platform, excitement rippled through the crowd.
"Lord Queen's entering the ring!"
"Is Lord Queen challenging Lord Gurd?!"
"Quick, get over there!"
Pirates abandoned other platforms en masse, hearts pounding as they swarmed toward Gurd's arena. Headliners fighting Flying Six members couldn't compare to a Flying Six versus All-Star match—especially when it involved Queen!
"Queen! Queen! Queen!"
No prompting needed—the pirates roared his name.
"Muhahaha!"
Queen triumphantly raised his arms.
Behold—this was what it meant to rank #1 on the Beasts Pirates' popularity charts!
Greatness needed no explanation.
Holding up three fingers to Gurd, Queen declared:
"Listen, Gurd—as an All-Star, this might seem unfair. Tell you what: I'll let you land three free hits first!"
"Really?"
Gurd's eyes narrowed.
Was this his lucky day?
"Of course! I am an All-Star, after all!"
Queen's grin turned positively devious.
Letting Gurd have the first three moves would not only demonstrate his grace as an All-Star but also give Gurd an easier way to save face.
A win-win!
After three rounds, he would strike with thunderous force to defeat Gurd, showcasing his overwhelming power.
"Come on, old Gur—"
SMACK!!!
A solid slap landed squarely on his face!
"Ugh—ooh—oww—"
Queen's feet left the ground as his head slowly turned to the right, mouth gaping wide, his thick cheeks seemingly detaching from his skull as they wobbled violently.
SPLURT!
Blood sprayed from his mouth like a fountain.
So—damn—painful!!!
THUD!
Queen plopped onto the ground, clutching his swollen left cheek as he stared at Gurd in terror.
This brat—his strength is insane!
Gurd flexed his wrist, his grin growing wild.
"Alright, warm-up's over!"
What?!
Queen's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull.
That slap… was just a warm-up?!
"Ahaha, my bad, my bad!"
Gurd flashed a toothy grin.
"That slap must've been weak, huh? After all, I only used 20% of my strength. I doubt it satisfied you, Lord Queen. My apologies."
"T-twenty percent?!"
Queen's tongue twisted in shock.
Gurd rolled his shoulders, eyes gleaming ominously.
"Two more slaps to go!"
"Don't worry, Lord Queen—I'll go all out to make sure you have a blast!"
(End of Chapter)