Klick, upon hearing the pirate's words, slapped his forehead in anger."What kind of demonic ability is this? Could it be a Devil Fruit user?"
The pirate, trembling in fear, clutched his head."S-Sorry… boss…"
As it turned out, while the navy and pirates were engaged in battle, Raion had arrived on the scene. Using his newly learned techniques, he unleashed a torrent of fire, killing many pirates. This dramatic sight had been witnessed by both the pirates and the surviving marines, including Monka. The navy, which had been on the brink of annihilation, owed their survival to Raion's timely intervention.
The marines, having seen Raion's overwhelming strength, gathered in the square, watching him with anticipation, hoping he would make another move. The pirates, meanwhile, clustered around Klick, awaiting their leader's response.
But what was this strange flame?
The truth was that Raion had just used a C-rank ninjutsu he'd recently mastered — Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.
Now, the marines and pirates stood in two opposing groups on the square, as if both sides were waiting for the inevitable showdown between Klick and Raion…
At that moment, the major, still nursing his wounds, turned to the lieutenant who had just returned."What was that fire just now?"
The lieutenant pointed toward Raion. "That kid did it."
"A Devil Fruit user? A flame type?" the major asked with a frown.
"This… I'm not sure, sir," the lieutenant admitted.
After all, this was the East Blue — a sea where powerful fighters were rare, and knowledge about Devil Fruits was limited.
Klick strode forward, glaring at Raion."There's a road to heaven, yet you didn't take it. Now you've barged straight into hell by killing my men. Don't think you're walking away alive."
"Using a slaughtering blade just to kill a chicken, huh?" A thin, sharp-faced man dressed in a red snakeskin robe stepped forward, spinning two T-shaped iron maces in his hands. "Boss, let me deal with this brat."
Klick sneered. "Fine. Show him the taste of pain."
Joseph and Johnny immediately stepped up."Brother, don't bother! We'll handle this guy," Joseph said.
"Yeah, leave him to us!" Johnny added.
"Wait, you two—" Raion began, but before he could finish, they'd already charged ahead.
Raion, who knew the original anime events all too well, recognized this man.Ghost Akin.He was the battle captain of the Krieg Pirates. Despite his lean frame, Akin's personal combat power was formidable — strong enough to defeat even Sanji in the original story.
What Raion wanted to say was, "Don't go — you'll just get beaten." But by the time the words left his mouth, the fight had already started. As expected, Joseph and Johnny were both quickly knocked around like ragdolls.
Akin smirked, stepping on Johnny's chest and aiming one of his iron hammers at Joseph's head."Pathetic weaklings! You dare challenge me at your level?"
Seeing their miserable state, Raion sighed and rubbed his forehead. In less than two minutes, a two-on-one fight had turned into a complete disaster. These two brothers of his were nothing but trouble. As Akin raised his hammer for a finishing blow aimed at Joseph's skull…
A flash of white light split the air. Blood sprayed.
Flying Thunder God Slash — White Blade!
A brilliant arc of light cut through the battlefield, striking Akin's arm and forcing him to drop the hammer before it could land on Joseph.
"What… what the hell?!"Akin looked stunned. Nobody had even seen Raion move — one moment he was standing still, and the next he was right in front of Akin.
This was Raion's latest combination technique — blending the B-rank ninjutsu Flying Thunder God Slash with his self-created White Blade, delivering a blindingly fast strike.
And Raion hadn't even drawn his sword. If he had, Akin's arm would have been severed entirely.
"The speed still isn't what I want," Raion muttered under his breath, dissatisfied with his own attack despite its overwhelming effect.
Everyone else, however, was shocked beyond words.
"How… how did that kid move like that?""Was that… Soru from the Six Powers?""I've heard of it, but I've never seen it before…"
In the East Blue, few people had ever even witnessed such techniques.
Despite the deep gash on his right arm, Akin wasn't done yet. Snarling, he switched his grip to his left hand and lunged at Raion with the remaining hammer.
"You're really stubborn," Raion said calmly.
Channeling chakra into his leg, Raion unleashed a spinning kick that sent Akin flying several meters, hammer and all. Akin crashed to the ground and passed out cold.
No one dared step forward. Klick, however, felt a growing unease in his gut.
This kid could breathe fire, teleport, and had just taken down his strongest battle captain in two moves.
If this continues… I'm next, Klick thought grimly.
Klick opened the armor plating on his right arm, revealing a built-in mini-cannon. He aimed it squarely at Raion."Boy, I don't know where you came from, but you're no ordinary brat."
Raion smirked. "Thanks for the compliment."
"But let's see if you can stop this!" Klick snarled. His cannon flashed three times, firing three shells straight at Raion.
With a flick of his wrist, Raion pulled out three kunai from his inventory. Chakra crackled around the blades as he threw them with lightning precision.
Boom! Boom! Boom!Each kunai struck its target mid-air, detonating the shells before they could land. The explosions bloomed harmlessly above the square.
"He even deflected cannonfire?!""Is this guy… invincible?"
The pirates' expressions shifted from arrogance to fear.
The marines, on the other hand, felt a surge of hope. If Raion could beat Klick, it would mean their survival.
"Come on, boy! We don't know who you are, but defeat Klick!" the major shouted."Yeah! Take him down!" other marines joined in.
It was rare for the navy to cheer for an outsider, but Raion simply thought, Even if they tried, they'd only add to the body count.
Klick's fear deepened. Even his cannon attacks were useless. What the hell is this guy's power? he thought, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Finally, Klick snapped. He turned to his men and roared,"Little ones! Go! Kill him for me!"
"What?!" the pirates froze."Boss… you want us to fight him?"
"Are you defying my orders?!" Klick bellowed, his voice full of fury.
The pirates glanced at each other nervously, their faces pale. Aren't you the one who's supposed to deal with him, boss? Why shove us into the fire?