In less than a minute of battle, the Kozuki Remnants had lost half their forces. The sheer power displayed left all the spectators in shock.
"He's too strong!"
"Is he really not one of the Beast Pirates' officers?!"
"Damn Kozuki scum—serves them right!"
"Hahaha, what a perfect performance!"
The guests flushed with excitement, unable to hold back their cheers at the spectacle before them. Some even began throwing money as tribute.
Gold and silver scattered across the ground!
At the center of the battlefield, Gurd's eyes burned red as he panted heavily, his muscles steaming like boiling flesh.
The Cliff Sword was devastatingly effective, but it also drained his stamina immensely. A move of that caliber could only be unleashed once in a short span.
Now, the real fight began.
"BOOM—!"
Deprived of Earth Power, the stone pillars crumbled one after another, revealing the surviving warriors once more.
"Bastard!"
The sight of their fallen comrades made the warriors' eyes bulge with fury. None had expected to lose half their brothers before even laying eyes on Kaido's daughter.
"Don't give him time to recover!"
A warrior with long blue hair roared as he charged at Gurd, swinging his katana with all his might. A deep blue slash shot forth.
"Autumn Water Style · Falling Leaf Slash!"
"Flying Slash!"
Gurd's gaze sharpened. He immediately raised his greatsword before him, its door-like width blocking the slash. The sheer impact sent him sliding back several meters.
"A swordsman, huh!"
Gurd stared at the blue-haired swordsman, his lips curling into an excited grin.
Wano Country was renowned for its warriors—it was only natural that their enemies included master swordsmen. And likely more than one.
"CLANG—!"
Blades clashed, sparks flying.
"Now this is fun!"
Gurd laughed, feeling the force behind his opponent's blade. His arm tensed again, pressing his greatsword forward inch by inch.
"It's too heavy!"
The blue-haired swordsman's face flushed red, veins bulging on his neck. Yet no matter how much strength he poured into resisting, he couldn't stop the greatsword's descent!
Their power was on completely different levels!
"GUSH—!"
The blade pressed into his shoulder, blood instantly gushing out!
"Gensuke, I'm coming!"
Just as he was about to be cleaved apart, another warrior arrived in time, thrusting his katana toward Gurd's head!
"CRUNCH—!"
To the warrior's horror, Gurd twisted his head with a savage grin and clamped his teeth around the blade. Even as the edge sliced his mouth bloody, he refused to let go.
His greatsword pressed down harder!
"AAAAAH—!"
As his body was slowly torn apart, the blue-haired swordsman screamed in agony.
"You bastard!"
The rescuing warrior's eyes burned with fury. He tried to yank his blade free, but Gurd's bite held firm. In desperation, he kicked at the pirate's chest.
"THUD—!"
His foot struck what felt like solid steel. Not only did the pirate remain unmoved, but the recoil sent the warrior stumbling back before he collapsed onto his rear.
By now, the blue-haired swordsman was vomiting blood, his strength to resist fading fast. Fear of death filled his eyes.
"Yugoro, save me!"
"Hold on!"
Yugoro bellowed in panic, grabbing a fallen comrade's katana. He scrambled up, gripping the blade with both hands, and stabbed toward the pirate's side!
"SPLURT—!"
Blood sprayed.
Yugoro's eyes widened in terror as he watched the katana sink into the pirate's waist—only to realize the pirate had completely ignored his attack.
He knew exactly what that meant!
He looked at Gensuke, his dear friend's eyes filled with tears of despair. His powerless arms hung limply before his body was torn in half by the massive sword.
A shower of blood drenched him crimson.
"Gensuke!!!"
There was no time to mourn. The colossal blade that had just cleaved his friend now loomed before him.
Death approached!
Yugoro had no time to draw his sword to intercept. Immediately, he coated his arms with Flowing Sakura and crossed them in front of his chest.
When the greatsword struck his arms, he finally understood what his friend had felt.
"CRACK!"
The Flowing Sakura shattered, his arm bones pulverized.
The massive blade's momentum didn't falter as it smashed into his chest, crushing every rib and organ within.
His corpse was sent flying.
"CLANG!"
The greatsword embedded itself in the ground.
Gurd leaned on the massive blade, gritting his teeth as he drew the longsword at his waist. There was no time for treatment—his eyes immediately scanned the surroundings.
More and more samurai were charging toward him.
"COME AT ME!!!"
Fight! Fight!
Gurd roared madly. Every swing of his greatsword claimed a samurai's life, but this reckless fighting style left countless openings exposed!
"THUD!"
His back, waist, legs...
His injuries multiplied visibly.
Eyes glowing red, Gurd attacked even more ferociously. As long as he could kill his enemies, he cared not for his own wounds.
Especially against the strongest samurai!
He knew perfectly well—when facing overwhelming numbers, reducing enemy forces was paramount, particularly eliminating those who posed lethal threats.
Better to kill one than wound ten!
This battle wasn't just about exterminating the Kozuki Remnants—it was his answer to those above!
He would establish his place in the Beasts once and for all!
On the observation deck, Ulti's fan club watched in agony.
"At this rate, Brother Gurd will die!"
"Shouldn't we help?"
"Shut up! Believe in Brother Gurd!"
Before the battle, Gurd had ordered them—no matter what happened, they weren't to interfere. Even if he died.
This was Gurd's fight!
Yet seeing him covered in wounds, bleeding horrifically, how could they remain calm?
Anyone else would have died eight times over from such blood loss. That Gurd still fought was nothing short of a miracle.
Time became meaningless.
"BOOM!"
With a hoarse roar, Gurd bisected a samurai at the waist. His blood-caked eyes scanned fiercely for the next enemy.
But within ten meters—nothing.
The remaining seven or eight samurai cowered dozens of meters away, faces pale, bodies trembling.
"M-Monster!"
The survivors' courage had shattered.
They couldn't comprehend—their enemy was riddled with blades, slashed countless times. Why could he still wield that massive sword? Why wouldn't he fall?
"CLATTER!"
Swords dropped to the ground.
The samurai turned to flee toward the desolate wilderness.
"THUD-THUD-THUD!"
A dozen arrows embedded themselves at their feet.
Then dozens of pirates appeared before them, led by a beautiful girl wielding a longbow.
"Now that's what I call going all out."
Speed surveyed the brutal battlefield, particularly the barely-breathing Gurd at its center. Her scalp prickled with dread.
Originally, she thought Gurd was a very shrewd man who planned everything meticulously, especially with this Hot Spring Inn. Knowing the entire process of the property purchase had truly shocked her for a long time.
She had never imagined that Gurd also had a wild side.
"Capture all the survivors and send them to the Prisoner Quarry!"
"Yes!"
After giving orders to his subordinates, Speed quickly approached Gurd.
The more she looked at the man, the more horrified she felt.
Her slender hand waved in front of Gurd's eyes.
"Still alive?"
"Not dead yet."
Gurd shot the girl an annoyed glare.
Though covered in wounds and seemingly with several blades still lodged in his back, none had struck his vital areas.
Speed was stunned.
"You still have the strength to talk?!"
"..."
Gurd rolled his eyes.
He truly had no energy left. The only reason he could hold on until now, aside from his own formidable physique, was one crucial factor.
He was standing on the earth!
At this moment, Earth Power was continuously surging into his body through his feet, healing his injuries at an extremely slow pace.
If he stood like this for three days and nights, his wounds would fully recover.
Speed cracked her knuckles eagerly.
"Need me to carry you?"
"No, let me stand a little longer!"
Gurd hurriedly stopped her.
Right now, lying down would be best for him.
Increasing contact with the ground would improve his recovery, but with so many people watching, he had to maintain the image of a strong warrior.
Speed: "..."
Oni Island, Banquet Hall.
"Wororororo, well done!"
Kaido laughed heartily, clearly pleased with Gurd's performance.
King and the others also smiled.
It could be said that Gurd had given them a perfect answer.
Risking his life to fight the samurai wasn't just about completing the mission—it also showcased his potential and his willingness to stake his life for the Beasts Pirates, proving his loyalty.
In simple terms:
"Bro, he's one of us!"
Kaido happily gulped down some liquor.
He liked strong warriors!
Though Gurd couldn't yet be called strong, he had the potential to become one!
And more importantly, he was worth nurturing!
"King, pass down the order. Gurd has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the Kozuki Remnants. Promote him to Headliner!"
"Also, Yamato's shop is opening, and I, as her father, haven't given a gift yet. Deliver 10,000 gold to her on my behalf!"
"And one more thing—assign the task of receiving Joker to that kid as well!"
(End of Chapter)