The leader of the Sweet Commanders, Earth Calamity, and the Heavenly Yaksha.
The participation of these three major figures has elevated the Central Fighting Tournament to unprecedented levels of attention, drawing factions from all sides to Champion Island.
"Loan Shark King" Du Feld, "Big News" Morgans, "Shipping Magnate" Umit—the Underworld Emperors have all made their appearances.
"Giggle giggle, this is a once-in-a-decade spectacle!"
"Who would've thought we'd witness a showdown between a Sweet Commander and a Calamity, along with a Royal Seven Warlord of the Sea? All these big shots in one place!"
"Munch munch, too bad this tournament's already spread through the underworld. Hardly news worth transporting."
"Stussy, I heard you've been getting rather close to that Earth Calamity lately!"
"A grown man gossiping about a girl's Trigram? How shameful. Stop it already!"
The Underworld Emperors entered the venue together, many of them being sponsors of the tournament and thus the most invested in the matches.
Once inside the viewing room, Du Feld produced a peculiar fruit covered in intricate patterns, his lips curling into a grin.
"A grand event like this naturally deserves a prize worthy of its stature!"
"A Devil Fruit?!"
The others couldn't help but gasp.
Devil Fruits were worth at least a hundred million Berries , and their rarity made them nearly impossible to acquire even with vast wealth.
"Feld, you've really brought out something extraordinary!"
"Hahahaha! Compared to the caliber of participants in this tournament, a mere Devil Fruit as a prize might even seem a bit cheap."
The Underworld Emperors nodded in agreement.
Whether it was Doflamingo, the two Four Emperors' crews, or the other factions, none of them particularly coveted an ordinary Devil Fruit—all three forces already boasted numerous Devil Fruit users.
"Feld."
Morgans chuckled as he asked, "You've heard about what happened on Hachinosu Island, haven't you?"
"Of course."
Feld smirked, well aware of Morgans' implication. In the underworld, who hadn't heard of his reputation as the "Angel Investor"?
"It's certainly a project worth investing in!"
"If you're interested in getting involved, I could help arrange an introduction."
Stussy chimed in, seizing the opportunity to curry favor with Gurd—a no-risk, high-reward deal.
"No rush."
Feld waved his hand with a broad smile. "If Earth Calamity wins the championship, then I'll definitely have to consider it carefully!"
In the underworld, the principle of venture investment was simple: the bigger the reputation, the higher the investment value.
Reputation was the best proof of strength.
If Earth Calamity emerged victorious in this tournament, the Hachinosu Island community under his leadership would skyrocket in value. Not just Feld—everyone present would want a piece of the pie.
But if Earth Calamity lost, the very existence of the Hachinosu Island community would be in question. Without its deterrent power, even the Beasts Pirates would face countless challenges.
After all, Earth Calamity's ambitions were far from modest!
"Let's wait and see!"
The tournament grounds were arranged like terraced fields, ascending layer by layer. Combatants would charge upward from the first level, and only those who reached the summit would qualify to compete for the championship.
Countless warriors had gathered here.
Among them, the most eye-catching figure was undoubtedly the towering presence standing like a small mountain on the first level.
The new-era warrior of Elbaf.
"The Strongest Pirate Mercenary," Hajrudin.
"I will become the King of the Giants!"
Hajrudin swung his fist, smashing it into the ground with tremendous force that instantly shattered the earth. The violent shockwave sent all surrounding warriors flying.
The terrifying power of the Giant Tribe stunned the spectators.
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Gurd watched Hajrudin from afar on another battlefield.
Good, good—he liked this!
"Hey!"
A red-haired swordsman with a spiky afro blocked Gurd's path, barely containing his excitement. "You're the Earth Calamity of the Beasts, right? Never thought I'd run into someone so big here. I'm Rockstar—you must've heard of me!"
"Nope, never heard of you."
Gurd waved dismissively, his expression blank.
"C'mon, don't mess with me."
Rockstar refused to believe it, pointing at himself insistently. "Me! The Rock Star! With a bounty of 94 million Berries ! You have to know me!"
"Seriously, no clue."
"..."
Rockstar collapsed to his knees, his fiery red afro drooping in despair. He looked downright pitiful.
Gurd's brow twitched in irritation.
After a moment's thought, he pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to the spiky-haired kid. Since the guy was trying so hard, he might as well give him a chance.
"If you've got nowhere else to go, come find me at Hachinosu Island in a month. I'll set you up with a job."
"You bastard, don't look down on me!"
Rockstar leapt to his feet in fury, drawing his sword and pointing it at Gurd. "My idol is that Red Hair! I've got no intention of joining the Beasts—I'm here to challenge you!"
"Red Hair?"
Gurd blinked in surprise.
He vaguely recalled something about Red Hair Pirates having a rookie. Could this be the guy?
He looked like a total weakling—the kind you wouldn't even notice in a crowd. Fitting for the Red Hair Pirates' trash-tier aesthetic.
"Take this, Earth Calamity!"
Rockstar lunged, swinging his sword down at Gurd with both hands!
CRACK!
The blade struck Gurd's shoulder—and snapped clean in half. The broken shard spun past Rockstar's face, leaving a bloody gash on his cheek.
"My sword... broke?"
Rockstar gaped at the shattered weapon.
He'd coated it in Armament Haki!
Just how monstrously tough was this guy's body?!
"Seriously, swords can't cut through a body tempered like steel."
Gurd dusted off his shoulder and walked up to Rockstar with a grin. "You're kinda cute, so I won't beat you up. If you ever do join the Red Hair Pirates, pass a message to Red Hair for me."
"What message?"
Rockstar gulped.
Was it a declaration of war?
A threat?
Or maybe... an alliance offer?
Gurd chuckled, wiggling his fingers teasingly. "Just tell him this: Weakling~ weakling, weakling~ weakling."
"..."
Rockstar stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded.
"Alright, I've got things to do."
Gurd turned toward Hajrudin's position, leaning forward as his legs bulged with muscle, veins popping across the surface.
The next instant—
BOOM!!!
With an ear-splitting sonic blast, Gurd vanished.
Rockstar collapsed onto his back, staring blankly at the sky where Gurd had disappeared. For a long moment, he couldn't even speak.
This... is a true monster.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield—
Hajrudin roared, raising his arms triumphantly as unconscious warriors littered the ground around him. His overwhelming power had decimated the entire area.
"WHO ELSE DARES TO CHALLENGE ME?!"
BOOM!
As if in response, a dark figure plummeted from the sky and landed before him with such force that he nearly stumbled.
When the dust settled, a massive figure stood before him.
Hajrudin's pupils contracted sharply.
"Earth Calamity—Gurd!"
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