From morning to night.
From sunrise to sunset.
They fought.
The battle lasted an entire day.
And as time passed, very few were left alive on Hive Island.
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha."
A tall man, gasping for air, was already kneeling on one knee, looking utterly exhausted.
He glanced at the two figures still cutting down enemies and muttered:
—Are these two little devils monsters? They're terrifying...
Slash!
Arthur stepped forward, cutting down wave after wave of enemies.
Though he was a time traveler, Arthur hadn't inherited a body through time travel—he had been transported into this world from birth. Orphaned, he endured harsh training from childhood and, by chance, discovered two Devil Fruits.
That's how his system was unlocked.
And after today's events, it was clear: even with the system, Arthur's foundation was solid.
Boom!
The other figure was a tall, horned man wielding a spiked club, slaughtering pirates with brutal force.
Compared to Arthur's elegance, he was pure violence.
He grinned and walked toward Arthur with a fierce look in his eyes.
—Oh?
Arthur asked with interest:
—Are you targeting me?
They walked toward each other, step by step.
The pirates between them had either fallen or fled.
No joke.
These two were monsters—utterly terrifying.
No one stood a chance against them.
No one had the qualifications to even try.
—Kid, you're strong!
The man with the club rested it on his shoulder, grinning wildly, his face full of excitement.
Arthur smiled.
—Maybe just a bit stronger than your backup dancers. I call it the "Seven Spirits Banner and Seven Warriors."
—Arrogant!
—Who knows?
—I want to kill you!
—I'd like to try.
They stopped ten meters apart, staring each other down.
Though their heights differed, their auras were equally overwhelming.
For a moment, it was as if roaring dragons and malevolent spirits hovered above them.
The man growled:
—Name's Kaido. What's yours, kid?
Arthur replied:
—Arthur Pendragon.
—Thunderous Bagua!
—Wind King's Hammer!
Boom!
Kaido lunged forward. His club, wrapped in a powerful, dominant aura, swung at Arthur's head with incredible speed.
Arthur didn't dare let his guard down.
Though Kaido was young—perhaps still a teenager—he couldn't be underestimated.
A burst of invisible wind erupted from Arthur, forming a blue iron hammer that crashed down.
The shockwave spread in all directions, knocking out dozens of pirates instantly.
—Those two brats are complete monsters!
—They're only twenty, right?
—Idiot! What are you staring at? The trial isn't over!
—Fool!
As Arthur and Kaido clashed, other battles broke out.
Only thirty to fifty pirates remained.
And only five would be chosen.
To be selected, you had to kill the rest.
Ding!
After a brief collision, Arthur and Kaido resumed their fight instantly.
Invisible sword and spiked club clashed dozens of times in mere seconds.
Crack!
Boom!
Their physical strength was on full display.
Thud!
Under the force of their collision, both were pushed back, leaving four deep scars in the ground.
—Huh...
Exhaling, Arthur thought:
—What insane physical strength. Kaido doesn't rely solely on his Mythical Beast Fruit. His body is terrifying on its own. And his race... it's not ordinary.
—Worororo...
Kaido laughed, thrilled.
—This is exciting! Arthur, a guy like you—want to become my subordinate?
Arthur was stunned by the offer, then shook his head.
—Sorry. I'm not interested in serving anyone.
Kaido, even in his youth, was already a collector of supernovas.
—Too bad. I'll just have to kill you.
—I'd like to see you try.
Boom!
Both Arthur and Kaido were smiling.
But in the next instant—
A terrifying burst of air exploded between them.
Dark purple shockwaves collided, rolling outward in all directions.
Thunder crackled across the battlefield, striking the ground with force.
—Heroic Haki?
—Those two brats...
Everyone was stunned again.
No joke.
That was Conqueror's Haki.
A power said to be possessed by only one in a million.
Could these two really wield it?
No one could believe it.
Even the members of the Rocks Pirates grew more serious.
They began to truly acknowledge Arthur and Kaido's strength.
Don't be mistaken—within the Rocks Pirates, Conqueror's Haki wasn't meaningless.
Those who possessed it had extraordinary talent.
Not having it didn't mean you were weak.
But having it meant you were exceptional.
—Arthur, let's keep fighting!
—Thunderous Bagua!
—Wind King's Hammer!
Kaido roared and charged.
Arthur didn't flinch.
He countered with a whistling light-blue hammer.
And notably, even as he attacked, Arthur kept the Sacred Sword hidden in his hand.
Some things are better left unrevealed—for now.