A group of Marine s stood anxiously along the railing of the warship's deck.
Their faces were filled with dread and unease as they stared toward the distant sea.
It was easy to see—
far out across the endless waters, several kilometers away,
in the depths of the ocean below,
a massive Sea King loomed.
Its enormous shadow surged toward the warship at frightening speed—
as if it had gone completely mad!
Splash—!
The once-calm sea was now rippling and roaring,
waves rising in grand, rolling layers.
The swells spread outward in concentric rings,
and the spray that burst skyward shimmered like falling silver, accompanied by the soothing music of flowing water.
The Sea King was moving so fast that the surface of the sea looked as if it had been cleaved apart, leaving behind a terrifying, jagged scar across the water.
Even from several kilometers away,
the ship's observers could see it clearly—
that colossal creature lurking beneath the waves was at least ten meters long!
A true Sea King!
In the East Blue, such a size would make it an undisputed overlord of the sea.
But here, on the Grand Line…
that size was merely average.
If this Sea King passed directly under the warship,
it could inflict irreversible damage—
perhaps even shatter the entire vessel on the spot!
"Sea King?"
On deck, Kai naturally heard the Marine s' panicked shouts.
He raised a brow and turned his gaze away from his attribute panel.
Then, with a curious glint in his eyes,
He stepped forward to the wooden railing and stood beside the Marine s.
"Mr. Kai."
His arrival immediately drew every Marine's attention.
Each of them looked at him with deep respect.
In recent days, Kai had completely earned their admiration—
not because of Vice Admiral Garp's infKaice,
but through his own actions, talent, and terrifying strength.
Every Marine who saw him couldn't help but feel genuine awe.
"This is the so-called Sea King?"
Kai nodded slightly to the Marine s,
then shifted his gaze forward to the creature surging closer beneath the waves.
The Sea King was cutting through the ocean so fast that the sea itself seemed to split open,
sending fountains of seawater spiraling skyward.
From a distance, only an immense black shadow could be seen—
dark as ink.
Before long,
Lieutenant Commander Bogard arrived on deck.
And right behind him—
came Garp.
At the sight of Garp,
the panic-stricken Marine s finally let out a collective breath of relief,
their tension melting away like snow under the sun.
It was clear—
in the hearts of these Marine s,
Garp's presence carried immense weight.
He was their symbol of safety.
To them, as long as Vice Admiral Garp was here,
no problem was insurmountable.
A mere Sea King?
If Garp took action,
it would be over in moments!
"Vice Admiral Garp, thank goodness you're here!"
"That Sea King is about to ram straight into us! Even if we order the helmsman to turn now, it's already too late!"
The Marine s shouted in alarm.
"Sea King, huh?"
Garp followed their gaze—
and saw a Sea King shaped like a horse.
It had the head of a stallion, but a monstrous body over ten meters long.
Its fangs jutted outward menacingly, radiating savage intent.
Expressionless, Garp was about to strike and end the creature before it could damage the ship—
but then—
"Old man, let me handle it."
"Perfect chance…"
"…to see how much stronger I've gotten."
Before Garp could move, Kai spoke up.
"Hmm?"
Garp turned toward him, clearly surprised.
"You're serious? You want to take on a Sea King yourself? These creatures aren't like pirates. They're born rulers of the sea—raw, natural power incarnate."
"Every Sea King possesses terrifying destructive potential."
"The larger they are, the deadlier they become."
"Compared to them, humans are fragile. Even the strongest fighters can't easily slay one."
"Even pirates with bounties over twelve million would flee at the sight of a Sea King."
"So… you're sure about this?"
Around them,
hundreds of Marine s stared at Kai in shock.
None of them had expected him to volunteer for such madness!
Even Bogard frowned.
After a moment of hesitation, he warned,
"Sea Kings feel no fear. Once they see you as prey, they'll fight until one of you dies."
"Battling a Sea King is completely different from fighting pirates."
"It's extremely dangerous. One misstep, and you'll be buried in the sea forever."
"Mr. Kai, I advise you not to act recklessly."
But Kai didn't waver.
"I've decided. I'll deal with it myself."
"…Very well."
Seeing the resolve in his eyes, Garp stopped trying to dissuade him.
"If things go wrong, I'll step in and pull you out."
Then, under the watchful eyes of Garp, Bogard, and the hundreds of Marine s—
Kai slowly raised his right hand…
gripped the collar of his shirt—
Rip—!
With one swift motion, he tore the entire upper half of his clothing to shreds.
The fabric fluttered down like scattered petals.
Beneath it—
a body of solid, chiseled muscle,
every line bursting with latent power,
like dormant volcanoes ready to erupt.
Tattooed across his back,
a ghostly visage twisted and roared,
faintly visible with his Ghost Back,
emanating an overwhelming, violent aura.
Then—
With both feet pressing against the deck,
Kai launched himself forward—
and leapt into the sea!
Boom!
A heavy splash erupted,
sending seawater spraying high into the air.
Drops clung to his hair as he raised his head,
eyes gleaming with fierce anticipation as he stared toward the incoming Sea King.
"Want me to throw you a sword?" Garp called from the deck.
"Might make it easier to pierce its hide."
"No need."
Kai refused without hesitation.
A sword?
Unnecessary.
A real man fights with his fists!
Barehanded against a Sea King—
That's the way it should be!
"Come!"
"This'll be my first time fighting a Sea King head-on."
"Let's see for myself…"
"if they're truly as mighty as the legends say."
Kai clenched his fists, muscles tightening like steel cables.
Power surged through his body in waves—
He was going to fight the Sea King barehanded!
No weapons.
Just his own two fists.
Every Marine on deck stared, wide-eyed, at the sight—
their shock written all over their faces.
Good grief…
he was really going to brawl with a Sea King using only his hands?!
Brutal.
Absolutely brutal.
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