Ahead in the distance, Salamander sped along. Soon, they would reach the finish line of the Dead End Race.
Gasparde focused solely on accelerating forward, showing no interest in engaging with Hyaku and his companions.
Gradually, Hyaku recognized the problem.
The pirate ship Gasparde rode had been stolen from the Marines and modified. In performance, it was undoubtedly superior to Sexy Foxy.
The unique steam-powered vessel moved at a speed that left ordinary pirate ships far behind. At this rate, catching up would be impossible.
"Um... Mr. Hyaku. Gasparde's pirate ship is too fast. We probably won't be able to catch up to them before the finish line." Foxy said with an embarrassed expression, having also realized this problem.
Hyaku had cleared obstacles for them, only to lose because of their inferior ship. Foxy felt mortified by the shame.
"I'll go with you." Hyaku said immediately, suddenly remembering the red-nosed man's Devil Fruit ability.
"Huh? What do you mean... Wait, wait!"
Before Foxy could finish his question, Hyaku picked him up with one hand.
✣ Rokushiki: Geppō ⭄ Moonwalk! ✣
Without giving Foxy time to prepare, Hyaku leaped upward. His feet rapidly kicked against the air, creating a series of air explosions.
✣ Rokushiki: Kamisori ⭄ Razor! ✣
Whoosh!
Next, Hyaku's right foot exerted tremendous force. His form shot like an arrow toward Gasparde's distant pirate ship.
Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh!
With the combined ultra-high burst speed of Soru and Geppo, Hyaku caught up to Salamander in just a few flashes.
Thud!
He landed on the ship's deck with Foxy, creating a massive disturbance that immediately drew everyone's attention.
"It's you!" Gasparde's eyes narrowed dangerously as he watched Hyaku descend from the sky. His voice was ice-cold.
Behind him stood many pirates and his trusted aide Needless, whose arm remained awkwardly bandaged and in a sling.
Seeing the demon again, Needless felt an instinctive wave of fear.
"It's me." Hyaku answered with a smile, "Foxy."
He patted Foxy's shoulder as a signal.
Having been brought to Gasparde's ship with just the two of them, the Silver Fox was already frightened. When suddenly called out, his body trembled uncontrollably.
Foxy looked at Hyaku, who pointed at the pirate ship beneath their feet.
He immediately understood why this man had brought him along.
Slap!
Foxy crouched down and placed his palms against the hull of Gasparde's ship.
✣ Noro Noro no Mi ⭄ Double Slow Slow Beam! ✣
The Noro Noro no Mi power instantly released from his hands.
Boom!
Under the effect of the Devil Fruit ability, the pirate ship came to an immediate stop.
"A Devil Fruit user?" Gasparde asked suspiciously.
He clearly recognized that Foxy's ability came from a Devil Fruit.
"He's mine. The rest of you, kill that red-nosed guy!" Gasparde ordered his subordinates while staring intently at Hyaku and pointing at Foxy.
A sense of unease made him reluctant to face both enemies at once.
"Yes!"
The pirates acknowledged in unison and immediately surrounded Foxy.
"Mr. Hyaku... save me!" Foxy cried out as he saw the large group of pirates closing in on him.
Hearing his plea, Hyaku surveyed the scene, the corner of his mouth curling into a mischievous smile.
Though he was merely using Foxy, he still needed the Devil Fruit ability to keep the ship stopped. He couldn't let him die.
✣ Haōshoku no Haki: Muryoku-ka ⭄ Supreme King Haki: Incapacitation! ✣
Hum!
In an instant, Hyaku unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
Thud, Thud...
The lower-ranked pirates surrounding Foxy collapsed immediately, unable to withstand the mental shock of the Haki.
Only the stronger Gasparde remained standing, along with Foxy, who hadn't been targeted.
"Haki?!" Gasparde's face turned almost green as he exclaimed in astonishment.
As a former Marines Headquarters general, he had certainly heard of Haki. He just never expected Hyaku would possess it too!
"You..."
✣ Rokushiki: Soru ⭄ Shave! ✣
Just as Gasparde was about to speak, he was interrupted by Hyaku's sudden movement.
As soon as Hyaku spoke, his form vanished from where he stood.
{T/N: Just to make it clear, in case it wasn't before, that when the name of the move appears, the characters are saying them as well. When they aren't, it is made clear, like with the Haki.}
Gasparde, already on high alert, immediately scanned his surroundings. To his disbelief, even with his keen eyesight, he couldn't track Hyaku's movements!
Hyaku's burst of speed was simply too fast for the naked eye to follow.
Whoosh!
The next moment, a sharp sound cut through the air behind Gasparde. The vanished man had suddenly materialized at his back.
Upon reappearing, Hyaku's hands were already firmly gripping the hilt of his katana Ryūka.
As the blade swept horizontally toward Gasparde's waist, a powerful Azure Dragon Sword Intent swirled around the steel.
Pat Pat!
Sensing the sharp sword intent behind him, Gasparde instantly activated his Devil Fruit ability. In a flash, his back transformed into a green, sticky substance.
This was his Devil Fruit, the Ame Ame no Mi (Candy-Candy Fruit)!
It allowed him to turn any part of his body as sticky as gum. When attacked, it would stick to the opponent's weapon, rendering him immune to all damage from swords and bullets!
Slap!
Ryūka slashed into Gasparde's back, but the sharp blade felt as if it had cut into cotton. The force behind the strike was completely neutralized.
Worse still, the gummy body began to stick to the katana, trapping the weapon.
"Hmph! Against my Ame Ame no Mi ability, all attacks are futile." Gasparde said with confident laughter.
"Is that so?" To Gasparde's surprise, Hyaku's smile only grew wider.
✣ Busōshoku no Haki: Matou ⭄ Armament Haki: Imbuement! ✣
Hum!
In an instant, Armament Haki flowed from Hyaku's hands to Ryūka's blade, turning the katana jet black in the blink of an eye.
With renewed grip on the hilt, Hyaku exerted force once more.
Rip!
The Armament Haki nullified Gasparde's gummy defense. With a tearing sound, the blade cut cleanly through, opening a wound in his now-solid back.
✣✣✣
T/N: Favorite, comment and save to your library of best reads in the world, thank you for reading this far!
T/N: Follow me on Pa-treon for advanced chapters: MrBlackWing! ( ◕‿◕ )
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