"The hero you're playing will bring peace to over five million people across dozens of islands in these waters—an achievement your revolution could never accomplish in a lifetime."
"No, this is your revolution!"
"Your revolution alone!"
Gurd looked down at Gabul.
"Now, answer me!"
"I... I..."
Sweat poured down Gabul's face as his mental defenses completely collapsed.
Refuse, and Zebra Island would be destroyed.
Agree, and he would become an accomplice to Pirates.
But as the other had said, in this war-torn world, if sacrificing himself could secure the safety of millions, he was willing to forsake his own principles.
"I will—"
"Gabul, snap out of it!"
Sabo grabbed Gabul by the collar and shouted.
He understood Gurd's meaning.
But doing so would subject Gabul to unbearable torment, forcing him to live in perpetual guilt for aiding Pirates in oppressing the people!
This went entirely against Gabul's convictions. Moreover, there was no guarantee the other party wouldn't go back on their word.
He didn't trust Pirates!
"Sabo, step aside!"
Gabul pushed Sabo away, gasping for breath.
He knew full well he was making a deal with the devil, but he had no choice—this was his homeland!
Even if it meant selling his soul, he would protect his fellow countrymen.
Gabul's eyes were bloodshot.
"Mr. Gurd... can I trust you?"
"That's for you to decide."
Gurd sipped his tea calmly.
After a long silence, Gabul turned to Sabo.
"Sabo... I'm sorry. I'm leaving the Revolutionary Army. I'll write my resignation—please deliver it to Dragon for me later."
"Gabul!"
Sabo's chest heaved violently.
A comrade who had walked the same path was now abandoning the revolution under the threat of Pirates. How could he accept this?
This was all that man's fault!
Sabo drew his pipe and pointed it at Gurd.
If he could defeat this man, there might still be a chance to turn things around.
He couldn't let Gabul fall into their hands!
"Fight me, Earth Calamity!"
"You?"
Gurd's gaze turned icy.
Again and again, this brat got in his way.
Did he have a death wish?
Gurd stood and walked toward the beach, stripping off his coat.
It had been a while since he'd fought—his body felt stiff.
"Kid, you've got three minutes."
"Don't underestimate me!"
Sabo leaped into the air, gripping his pipe with both hands as he swung it down at Gurd's head!
Snap!
Gurd caught the pipe effortlessly.
Decent strength.
But the attack was far too telegraphed.
After fighting Kizaru and Katakuri, Sabo's movements seemed as slow as a turtle's crawl to him.
Gurd glared coldly. "Is this all the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command can do—charge in recklessly while shouting? Hard to imagine someone so impulsive could hold the position of Chief of Staff."
"Shut up! That's none of your concern!"
Sabo hovered midair, trying to pull his weapon free, but his strength vanished into the void. Clearly, the other man's physical power surpassed his own.
"Fine, then I'll use this!"
Using the pipe for leverage with his left hand, Sabo spread the fingers of his right, infused them with Armament Haki, then clenched them into a three-clawed shape before slashing toward Gurd's arm.
"Dragon Claw Fist!"
Without any resistance, Sabo's claw struck Gurd's forearm, his fingers digging in as black lightning crackled outward.
Sabo raised his head, confidence burning in his eyes.
"This is the claw that shatters tyranny!"
"Doesn't look like much to me."
Gurd exerted a slight force, the muscles on his forearm gradually tightening, actually pushing out the embedded claws.
"How is this possible?!"
Sabo's pupils trembled violently.
His claws could easily shatter swords and armor, crushing human bones as effortlessly as breaking eggs.
But what was happening now?!
This man had actually used his muscles to forcibly pry open his grip—just how formidable was this physique?
"Damn it!"
Sabo exerted force again, the Haki wrapped around his claws surging!
"Dragon's Breath!"
"Pfft!"
The Haki pierced through Gurd's forearm!
"Huh?!"
Gurd's gaze flickered with surprise.
That... stung a little.
Internal destruction?
Such a young age, yet he's already mastered internal destruction with Haki. This kid's talent isn't inferior to his two brothers.
However, his Haki is far too weak!
Internal destruction is merely an advanced application technique—it doesn't enhance the intensity of Haki. Attacks of this level still couldn't threaten him.
Had this strike landed on his torso, it might have jolted his internal organs. But his arms were entirely composed of coiled muscles, as tough as intertwined steel bars.
Useless useless useless useless!!!
Gurd grinned, his smile ferocious.
"Brat, you've stepped into my attack range!"
"What?!"
Sensing danger, Sabo immediately released his claws and leaped backward, but darkness suddenly filled his vision as a massive black shadow crashed toward him!
"Rolling Stone Crash!"
"Pfft!"
No time to react!
Blood sprayed from Sabo's mouth as his body spun through the air.
What terrifying explosive power!
Gurd kicked off the ground, launching himself after Sabo midair, clasping his hands together and smashing them into Sabo's abdomen!
"Brute Force War Hammer!"
"BOOM!!!"
The earth trembled!
A glint reflected in the sky—Gurd's arched elbow!
"Super Boulder Elbow Strike!"
"BOOM!!!"
The entire beach erupted violently, sand surging outward in waves!
"Sabo!!!"
Koala rushed toward Sabo in panic, but a stumbling figure appeared before her, blocking her path.
"D-don't disturb Lord Gurd!"
Chikara trembled as she barred Koala's way.
In the distance, Yamato and Speed cheered for Chikara—it was the two of them who had pushed her forward.
That Revolutionary Army girl didn't seem very strong, making her the perfect opponent for Chikara to boost her confidence.
"Go, Chikara!"
"Take her down!"
Chikara nodded vigorously, pulling out a mop from who-knows-where.
"I-I-I'll be your opponent!"
"Move aside, I don't have time for games!"
Koala was frantic.
That devastating strike just now—Sabo must be severely injured. If she didn't hurry to help, Sabo would be killed.
The girl in front of her was frail and didn't look like she could fight at all. Koala couldn't bring herself to strike her.
The next moment, Koala felt a chill run down her spine.
The girl was muttering to herself.
"I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die~~"
"OOOOH!!!"
Chikara's muscles swelled explosively, transforming in an instant from a slender girl into a muscular titan over two meters tall, her facial muscles now sharply defined.
A woman covered in lines.
A transformation?!
Koala's expression changed drastically, immediately assuming the stance of Fish-Man Karate.
Chikara sensed the threat, her eyes suddenly glowing red as she lunged at Koala with a roar, swinging her arms wildly.
"Fish-Man Karate—"
"Ora ora ora ora!!!"
Countless fist shadows interrupted Koala's technique, all landing on her body. Each punch made her eyes roll back.
In the distance, Yamato gasped.
"Speed, Chikara is so strong!"
"Mhm."
Speed nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with a hint of horror.
She never expected Chikara to possess such formidable hidden strength. If Gurd hadn't specifically instructed them to let Chikara get more practice, she would have stepped in herself earlier.
"Gurd's side has reached its conclusion."
As the dust settled, Sabo was already lying in the sandpit, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, with who knows how many bones broken inside.
Gurd was dissatisfied.
That's it?
He hadn't even used his full lethal combo yet!
"Then I'll just cut you down."
Gurd raised his hand to grip the greatsword on his back.
"Slap!"
His wrist was caught.
"Hmm?"
Gurd's eyes shifted to the right.
It was the man with a slipper mark on his face!