"Hmm?!"
King's brow furrowed sharply as he stared down at the unconscious form of Caesar on the ground.
"Who could have gotten here first, subdued him… and left him behind?"
"A trap?"
"Is the intruder still here? Lying in wait nearby?"
"Hmph… do they not know who I am? Do they dare try ambushing me?"
"I'll show you exactly what happens to anyone who dares snatch what the Beasts Pirates want!"
Countless thoughts raced through King's mind as he quickly assessed the situation.
To his eyes, it seemed some unknown interloper had beaten him to Caesar, then realized they were being pursued—so they left the scientist here, seemingly abandoned, while they themselves hid nearby, waiting for the slightest lapse in focus to strike from the shadows.
King had used such tricks himself back when he roamed the Grand Line.
Catching an opponent off guard was always effective when foes were evenly matched, or when one sought to overcome a stronger enemy.
But to try it on him?
He had absolute confidence: unless an Emperor himself appeared, not even a Marine Admiral could best him!
This fool would learn what it meant to bite off more than they could chew.
With that, King decided to stop overthinking and reached out to seize Caesar.
Whether the enemy lay in ambush or had fled with reinforcements, securing the target first was the only way forward.
Suddenly!
Just as his hand stretched out, everything shifted!
A figure materialized right beside him, driving a sharp fist straight for his face!
What force!
King's heart jolted—even the flames burning along his back flickered.
He had expected an ambush, but never imagined the hidden foe would possess such terrifying strength!
A true master reads an opponent instantly from a single strike.
That blow alone told King this man was no weaker than he—perhaps even stronger.
To think someone of this caliber would resort to stealth! How despicable!
There was no time for further outrage.
Drawing on the great black wings at his back, he glided effortlessly aside.
Though those wings could not carry him into flight, they were extensions of his own body, honed over decades of use—granting him angles of movement and evasion no ordinary human could match.
El was pleasantly surprised by King's reflexes!
For all his pride in raw power, King was also one of the last Lunarians—a race El had never fought before.
This promised to be far more interesting than a quick, clean finish.
He had struck Caesar swiftly only to avoid delays; now that the scientist was secured, he had all the time in the world to enjoy this.
El looked on with keen curiosity, while King felt only rising alarm and dread.
Who is this man? Where did such monstrous strength come from?
He stood firm, but the pressure El exuded was crushing.
This young pirate was unknown, yet his strikes were decisive, his speed blinding, his power almost beyond comprehension.
In the entire Beasts Pirates, only Kaido himself could rival such might.
King had always held his own strength in high regard—but now, facing a stranger who seemed to match his captain, all that pride faded.
He had once thought capturing Caesar a waste of his talents.
Had Kaido known all along he would face an adversary of this level?
King darted and twisted as he weighed his options.
Whoever guarded Caesar was clearly no ordinary foe.
Whether friend or enemy, seizing the scientist now seemed impossible.
A cold, ruthless glint flashed in his eyes—he even considered killing Caesar right then and there.
What the Beasts Pirates cannot claim, no one else shall possess!
It was the purest pirate creed—and one that had served the crew well.
If every member shared that resolve, they would have risen even faster.
But King could only think it; he could not act on it.
This young pirate stood between him and Caesar, and his power was absolute.
King had no confidence he could land a killing blow, or even escape alive.
He had lingered this long, and not fled at once, because his Devil Fruit granted him the rare gift of flight—a power few could match.
But now, he could not even find an opening to transform into his pteranodon form.
Every moment brought him closer to being trapped entirely.
"Who are you?!" King finally shouted, backing away to buy space and time.
El slowed his assault just enough to answer:
"Who am I? Think harder. You made war on the Donquixote Family… and never even bothered to learn who your enemies are?"
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