In Kid plan, once Sherwin the bounty hunter learned his identity, he should have wanted to take action and capture him.
Even if, out of "past favors," Sherwin didn't make a move, he should at least mock his dreams like everyone else had. That way, Kid would have the perfect excuse to strike.
The reason he wanted to fight Sherwin was simple—similar to when Blackbeard attacked Luffy back then—it was all about making a name for himself.
Even though he had just defeated Simmons, a pirate with a bounty of over twenty million, that still wasn't enough in Kid proud eyes.
His true target was someone like Sherwin, a man strong enough to take down more than a dozen pirate crews in the Grand Line.
As for why he had to go through so much trouble to set up this challenge? Part of it was because he had only recently set sail and still wasn't used to acting like a "real" pirate.
Another reason was that he had just helped those Felynes, and now, all of a sudden, he would have to turn around and fight Sherwin, who was clearly on the same side as those Felynes…
The future Supernova found it hard to save face.
In the end, it all came down to the fact that he still hadn't gotten used to living and acting as a pirate.
But Sherwin response was far from what he expected. Not only did Sherwin show no anger or mockery, he actually spoke with him calmly.
Unwilling to give up, Kid pressed him stiffly, "Aren't you a bounty hunter? I'm a pirate!"
By now, Sherwin had mostly figured out what the other was trying to do. Still, since Kid had stood up to protect his cats, Sherwin felt he owed him for that, even though he hadn't needed the help.
Otherwise… he really was just missing a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit from his collection.
So, Sherwin dug a finger in his ear, blew on it casually, then asked in a bored tone,
"You already know I'm a bounty hunter. But the problem is… do you even have a bounty?"
Kid expression froze once again, and Killer beside him couldn't hold back a strange chuckle, letting out a low "fa-fa-fa" laugh.
"Once I defeat you, I'll have a bounty!" Kid snapped back, embarrassed and angry. He finally found an excuse and raised his mechanical arm at Sherwin.
"Magnetism · Launch!"
A wrench, sucked up from who-knows-where, detached from his mechanical arm and shot out like a cannonball toward Sherwin.
But Sherwin only raised his hand lightly and caught it with ease. He tossed the "spoils" up and down casually, then turned his head toward Seijuro Meow and Link Meow.
"Which of you wants to give it a try? His Devil Fruit power is a hassle for swordsmen. It might be worth experiencing firsthand."
Seijuro Meow eyes flickered with interest, but he quickly shook his head.
"He did stick up for us just now. It wouldn't be proper for me to make a move, meow."
(=\`=)
Link Meow, who hadn't been on the ship earlier, didn't share such concerns. The little lynx raised his head proudly, patted his chest, and declared it was his responsibility.
Then he leapt from the ship, landing right in front of Kid.
(=ΦωΦ=)┫
Link Meow drew his weapon from behind his back, tapped the Master Sword against the Hylian Shield in his other paw, and struck a serious battle stance.
"You've got to be kidding me?! Who would fight with a little runt like you?!"
Although he was surprised that he could clearly understand Link Meow intent, Kid didn't show it—or rather, he had no time to be surprised right now…
Feeling that being looked down on was more important than anything else, Kid ignored Link Meow challenge. Instead, he pointed his mechanical arm at Sherwin and cursed, jumping in fury,
"You bastard, are you really relying on a bunch of little cats to protect you?!"
(ω)
The one truly being underestimated, Link Meow, narrowed his eyes. With a sudden swing of the Master Sword in his paw, a crescent-shaped flying slash burst forth, spinning toward Kid as he shouted at Sherwin.
"What?!"
The unexpected flying slash startled Kid, and he hurriedly raised his mechanical arm to block.
Since Link Meow was only giving a "greeting strike," the power of this Master Sword slash wasn't strong. It only sheared off a few scraps of metal.
(=ΦωΦ=)
Raising his shield-bearing arm, Link Meow curled a claw at Kid, beckoning him forward.
"Don't think just because you're a little cat I won't fight you!" Kid temper had never been good, and with just that small provocation, he no longer cared about whether or not it looked like he was bullying a child.
"Magnetism · Absorb!"
Kid extended his mechanical arm toward Link Meow in a grabbing motion. Instantly, Link Meow felt a force tug at him, pulling him forward a half-step. But he quickly planted himself firmly and steadied his stance.
(=\`ω=)
At first, under the pull of magnetism, Link Meow movements felt heavy and sluggish. But he swiftly adapted to the sensation, as if carrying extra weight.
And when he spread Armament Haki across his whole body, the influence of the Magnet-Magnet Fruit power weakened even further.
Seeing the little leopard cat return to normal in just a moment, Kid furrowed his browless forehead…
"Hm? What going on here?"
Unaware of the existence of Haki, he stubbornly increased his magnetic pull. Yet, Link Meow still remained unmoved… Impossible.
After all, with the small leopard cat size and weight, it should have been inevitable—so it was still dragged toward Kid.
But in midair, Link Meow showed no panic. Instead, he raised the Demon-Slaying Sword in his paw, gathering a bit of energy as Kid drew closer…
(=`ω=)Another Master Sword energy wave slashed out from Link Meow.
Kid paid it no mind, keeping his ability active and once again raising his mechanical arm to shield himself.
This time, however, the sword energy was completely different from before—it pierced straight through the mechanical arm he used for defense.
"Magnetism: Repel!"
Realizing the danger just in time, Kid hastily altered the polarity of his magnetism. Before the sword energy could strike him, he used the repelling force to fling himself away from his mechanical arm. Meanwhile, Link Meow landed steadily back on the ground…
(=ω=)…even tossing Kid a mocking expression.
"Damn it!"
Kid, flung away by his own repelling force, rolled across the ground a few times in a rather sorry state.
When he caught sight of Link Meow mocking expression, he couldn't help recalling his earlier arrogant words. A wave of shame and anger surged in his chest…
"I won't be holding back anymore!" Kid shouted a warning first, then activated his power: "Magnetism: Gunshot!"
The scattered remains of his "mechanical arm," which had fallen apart when the magnetism was released, instantly reformed into countless "bullets" that rained down on Link Meow.
Relying on his agility, Link Meow dodged most of the flying pieces of metal, then seized the right moment and raised the Hylian Shield before him…
(=`ω=)┫
A chunk of metal shot straight at him. The instant it struck the shield, Link Meow forcefully twisted his shield arm outward. The metal instantly rebounded, flying back in Kid direction.
"What the—?!"
Kid was startled and quickly used his power to deflect the metal that had been sent back at him. Still refusing to believe what he was seeing, he launched several more pieces of metal at Link Meow in succession.
And then…
(=ω=)┫(=ω=)┫(=`ω=)┫
"What kind of bizarre Devil Fruit ability is this?!"
After a moment hesitation, Kid continued to uphold the style typical of himself—and, really, of most pirates: when an attack doesn't work, the answer is simple—hit harder and try again!
"Magnetism: Gather!"
Under the pull of magnetism, a massive amount of metal was drawn together, compressed into a gigantic cone.
Kid raised his right hand high, holding the huge cone aloft with his magnetic force, a vicious grin spreading across his face.
Then, with a sharp downward swing of his hand, the colossal cone spun violently as it shot straight toward Link Meow.
"Don't die on me now, little kitty! Magnetism: Spiral Gun!"
Link Meow tightened his grin, planting his feet firmly in a front-and-back stance. His eyes locked unflinchingly onto the incoming cone—there was no hint of retreat.
At the very instant the cone was about to strike, Link Meow executed the textbook motion: shield raised, arm swept outward—the movements smooth and fluid, a single perfect sequence.
(=`ω=)┫
Perfect shield parry!
The massive metal cone was no different from the earlier projectiles—it was once again reflected back by the little leopard cat.
Faced with his own attack flying back at him again, Kid stayed calm and activated his ability, breaking the cone apart into scattered fragments, preparing to draw them back into his arm…
Since ranged attacks weren't working, then it was time to switch to close combat.
Only—just as he dispersed the cone, he suddenly saw a shield, gleaming with a dark, ominous sheen, coming right after it—flying straight at him.
=(==(=ω=(=`ω=)┫
Kid: "!!!"
Shield Bash!
After deflecting the giant cone, Link Meow kicked off with both legs, hiding his body behind it as he charged forward.
Having already experienced enough of the Magnet-Magnet Fruit powers, the little lynx had lost all interest in this red-haired two-leg.
"Damn it! Get away from me!!!"
Even though Kid realized what was happening and strained with all his might to use his ability to divert Link Meow attack, veins bulged on his forehead and neck.
But Link Meow had already accounted for this. Not only did he go all out when he leapt, but he also wrapped every piece of metal on his body with a thick layer of Armament Haki.
With such thorough preparation, Kid magnetic powers were reduced to their weakest effect.
The pitch-black Hylian Shield only shifted slightly off-course, yet still landed exactly where the lynx intended—smashing hard against Kid forehead.
Duang!
A sharp impact rang out. Stars instantly exploded in Kid vision, and his mind went blank. He could no longer even maintain his Devil Fruit powers—metal that had been floating in the air or clinging to his arm suddenly lost all support, clattering noisily to the ground.
Link Meow felt his body suddenly lighten. Taking advantage of the momentum, the little lynx pressed the attack without hesitation, immediately activating Link Time and Felyne Mode. He swung the Hylian Shield in his paws, raining down blow after blow on Kid head.
DuDuDuDuDuangggggg——!!!
Under the effects of Link Time, his shield strikes reached their peak speed, the impacts blending into one long, continuous note.
Kid, still reeling from the very first Shield Bash, had no chance to recover. The relentless barrage left him so battered he couldn't even feel the ringing in his skull anymore—his eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness on the spot.
Never in his wildest thoughts would Kid have imagined that right after knocking out Simmons, he himself would end up sharing the same fate.