In the distance—
Amidst the rubble, Kuro shoved aside a broken plank and stood up, dazed.
Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?
The three philosophical questions flashed through his mind. Then he looked up and saw Gawain wearing an equally confused expression. Kuro's mouth twitched.
"So this strange power... that's your trump card, huh?"
Suppressing the surge of blood in his chest, Kuro wore a face that screamed I've seen through it all.
"Too bad," he sneered. "No amount of power means anything in front of my speed!"
"…"
Gawain was speechless.
He had been worrying about how to explain himself without crushing Kuro's hopes, but now it seemed he'd underestimated the man's talent for self-motivation.
For someone this green, self-deception is a necessary skill.
Still, this brief exchange helped Gawain understand just how massive the boost from his system panel's synchronized stats really was.
It wasn't just a literal doubling of strength—it was a multi-layered amplification. His explosive power had increased at least three to four times. Only with such force could he have sent Kuro flying so easily.
And that was with just 50% of his strength.
If I'd gone full power, he might not even be standing now.
Gawain silently resolved to be more careful with his strength.
—
Meanwhile, Kuro rotated his shoulder, flexed his finger blades, and confirmed his injuries wouldn't hinder his movements. He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet—and vanished.
Instantly.
Only his afterimages remained, flickering across the field like lightning. Even the flames of the central bonfire were distorted by the shockwaves of his movement.
Fwoosh!
The fire danced wildly.
The scene brought back painful memories for the onlookers—wounds, screams, comrades who had once fallen to this exact technique. Instinctively, they stepped back.
Then they noticed something odd.
There were no stray cuts. No shattered crates. No injured crewmates.
"No way!" someone shouted.
"Kuro… he's really mastered his Death Walk!"
"We don't have to fear friendly fire anymore!"
Sham blinked in awe as he watched.
Kuro's form had become completely invisible. The stone floor shattered beneath his feet, yet his silhouette was nowhere to be seen.
"He's even faster than before!" Jango gasped.
Before, they could at least catch a blurred outline. Now, there was nothing—Kuro's speed had crossed a new threshold.
Faster.
Sharper.
Stronger.
The crew exchanged glances, nervous energy building.
Could Captain Gawain really handle this level of speed?
"That last sword strike was powerful," Buchi said cautiously. "But if he can't match Kuro's speed, it might not matter."
His words had barely left his mouth when—
Shffft!
A sudden crack formed on Gawain's leather armor. No blood—but too close for comfort.
The crew's hearts skipped a beat.
"Did… even the captain miss that one?"
"What now?"
"Don't tell me we're going to follow Kuro after all…"
Sham ran a hand through his hair in frustration. If he hadn't experienced the peace of Raven Harbor, he might have accepted this outcome. But now—he couldn't go back.
Buchi and Jango clenched their fists, their eyes glued to Gawain.
Only Gin furrowed his brow, puzzled.
"That can't be right. The captain wasn't this weak when he fought me," he muttered. "Is it because it's Kuro? Does he feel some kind of emotional restraint?"
"Damn it! I swear—I will surpass you, Kuro!"
"I'll become Captain Gawain's most trusted right-hand man!"
As Gin wrestled with his thoughts, Gawain's coat accumulated a few more clean slashes. His face, however, twisted into something that looked like constipation.
Ugh… Not only do I have to hold back my attacks, I also have to keep Seikō Masamune from slicing him up.
Being nice is hard.
Meanwhile, Kuro was losing it—laughing like a maniac as he zipped around the field.
"Aha! I knew it!"
"My speed has transcended even your reaction time, Gawain!"
"Now you can't keep up!"
His triumphant laughter echoed across the field, weighing heavily on the hearts of the onlookers.
Gin clenched his fists.
Captain Gawain… I know you care about your crew, but this is going too far.
If you keep this up, you'll really get hurt!
On the battlefield, the situation had grown surreal.
Kuro kept landing hits—small ones that tore fabric but never pierced skin.
Ten minutes passed.
At last, Gawain decided it was time.
He narrowed his eyes and pointed his sword. "I've found your opening, Kuro."
A flash of silver light tore through the air, perfectly timed.
At the moment of impact, the blade flipped—the cutting edge turning to the blunt back. It slammed into Kuro's chest like a hammer.
BOOM!
Kuro crashed into the ruins again.
He tried to rise, but this time his arms gave out. His body screamed in protest.
Still, he wasn't disheartened.
For the first time, the gap between them didn't feel infinite.
He could almost reach it.
"I will beat you next time, Gawain!"
"I'll be waiting for you on the captain's seat."
Gawain strolled over, feigning exhaustion. He grinned and reached down, pulling Kuro to his feet.
"Looks like I'm still better."
"Hmph."
Kuro scoffed but couldn't hide the smile creeping onto his face.
"Cocky bastard."
—
The battle was over.
A wave of cheers erupted from the crew.
The long-paused banquet resumed. The cat brothers and Jango danced a ridiculous jig around the fire, sending everyone into fits of laughter.
The pirate band struck up a tune, familiar and lively.
The Gawain Pirates, riding high on relief and celebration, sang at the top of their lungs—off-key, offbeat, but full of joy.
🎵
"Yo-ho-ho~ Yo-ho-ho~
Yo-ho-ho~ Yo-ho-ho~
Send Binks' Sake~ to the sea~
Let the wind carry us where we please~"
🎵
Even Kuro couldn't resist the atmosphere.
He downed mugs of beer beside Gawain, grinning like a fool.
Then he paused, staring at Gawain's face.
Wait… why isn't he even sweating?!
That's impossible!
Kuro shook his head.
"No, I must be imagining things. I still have hope."
"As long as I keep improving, I'll beat Gawain and reclaim my captain's seat!"
From the sidelines, Gin watched with cold eyes, a sly grin playing at his lips.
Keep dreaming.
I'll surpass you, Kuro—and become the captain's true right hand.
Meanwhile, Gawain smiled as he observed both Kuro and the system panel glowing in his vision.
Good.
The more you two strive, the higher I climb.
One day, I'll punch the Four Emperors in the face, slap the Seven Warlords silly, and kick the Celestial Dragons into the sea!