Chinjao wasn't exactly what you'd call a good-tempered person. Though he remembered the kindness shown towards his head, he remembered hatred just as clearly.
Back then, Garp had crushed the pointed head he took so much pride in, causing Chinjao years of agony.
Unable to defeat Garp, his hatred naturally extended to Garp's descendants.
As a former pillar of the Happo Navy, Chinjao still possessed keen analytical ability.
During the Summit War, the identities of Luffy and Ace as brothers, as well as that of Garp and Luffy as grandfather and grandson, were made public.
Later, Whitebeard's Quake-Quake Fruit reappeared. The Whitebeard Pirates would never allow that fruit to fall into someone else's hands, especially given that the war was triggered due to Ace.
The most recent news about Luffy was that he had allied with Law on Punk Hazard. Chinjao believed there was a strong chance Luffy would appear here to help his brother.
The Happo Navy and the New Giant Warrior Pirates weren't as obedient to the Beasts Pirates as subordinate crews were, but they were still friendly forces on the same side. Forming a temporary alliance through the Beasts Pirates wasn't a bad idea, though Yamato herself wasn't interested.
"No thanks. Let's rely on our own strength. Just do your best when the time comes. If you're after the fruit, there's no need to hold back."
Just kidding! Her emergency escape was meant precisely to avoid disaster; the Quake-Quake Fruit excuse isn't even very convincing, and if she relies on someone else's help, she'll have even more trouble when she returns.
"You guys go on ahead. I'm going to play around here for a while. See you later."
With that, she ended the impromptu team-up, leading her own people away. Meanwhile, in the shadows, members of the Donquixote Family were recording everything that had happened.
"Giant mercenary Hajrudin, the Happo Navy, and the Beasts Pirates are related. Don't touch them."
What looked like a fair competition was actually rife with underhanded dealings, and the undercurrents had already begun stirring even before the tournament started.
Yamato wasn't in a hurry to head to the Corrida Colosseum. From what she knew, the tournament would last quite a while, which was plenty of time for her to enjoy her vacation.
Even if she was running away, having a vacation while doing so was one of her main goals anyway.
"By the way, is anyone planning to enter the tournament?"
Yamato looked back at the others. Robin was the first to say she had no interest whatsoever, followed by Ulti, who said she didn't want to take part in such a boring brawl.
Hearing Ulti say that, Page One's interest was suddenly piqued.
"Sister Yamato, I'm going to enter."
"What? Pay-tan, you actually like that kind of childish thing? Fine, I'll reluctantly participate too. I'll take care of all the annoying opponents for you."
"Uh… suddenly I don't feel like participating anymore."
A back-and-forth tug-of-war ensued between Ulti and Page One. Given the situation, it was impossible for Page One to get rid of her, so she ultimately became his partner in the arena.
Speed, Mizerka, and Solitaire also decided to enter the tournament. There was no way they could just sit by and watch while their young miss went off to fight.
While Yamato and her group were still settling on their plans, Luffy was busy putting on a disguise. He was planning to participate, but then remembered that he actually had a mission here, revealing his identity recklessly would be a bad idea. So, right in front of Ace, he started sticking a fake mustache onto his face.
After some quick adjustments, the gladiator named Lucy made his debut.
"Luffy, what are you doing?"
"Ace, please call me Lucy now. I'm not Luffy anymore, I'm the gladiator who's come to help you."
"Ace, your brother's really interesting. But Ace's little brother, this isn't some kid's game, so don't drag us down, alright?"
Looking at the childish Luffy, Marco couldn't help but tease him.
"No way! I've been training hard these past two years. I'll definitely be able to help Ace!"
"We'll talk about that later. First, let me take you to see the opponents of this tournament. I just saw quite a few troublesome ones."
Holding down the slightly overexcited Luffy, Ace decided to scout out some of the contestants first. In the two years that had passed, he had become much more mature. Whitebeard's death had changed him greatly, he was no longer as hot-headed as before.
To successfully retrieve the fruit, he needed to be fully prepared.
As they left, a burst of excited panting came from a nearby corner. A green-haired, rooster-headed man's face was flushed red, as though he had just witnessed something incredible.
"Hehehahahaha! Luffy-senpai! It's Luffy-senpai! He's finally shown up again! Oh yeah!"
Bartolomeo, captain of the Barto Club and a die-hard fan of Luffy.
He had become Luffy's fan because he had witnessed Luffy's impressive feat in Loguetown two years ago. That single moment had completely captivated him.
However, unlike in the original timeline, Luffy's news had become scarce afterward, which caused his fame to decline, and Bartolomeo became an even rarer kind of fan.
After all, compared to those who had become famous, the pirate he adored was a no-name rookie. This situation only began to change after the Summit War.
"Luffy-senpai is entering the tournament too? No way, I must prove myself properly! Corrida Colosseum, here I come!"
Bartolomeo rushed toward the Corrida Colosseum with a stride more arrogant than even Doflamingo's, leaving behind a green blur and knocking aside many people along the way.
He was originally a mafia boss from Loguetown, with an eccentric and cruel personality. His 150 million Berry bounty marked him as a Super Rookie, but he also held another notorious title: number one on the "pirate we wish most to disappear" list.
When it came to being despised, Bartolomeo was at the very top.
Not long after, the Corrida Colosseum had already filled with a massive crowd of spectators.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and toys in attendance! Today's grand event will surely go down in history!"
On the arena stage, the host, Gatz, was announcing the proceedings.
This place had once been where gladiators honed their swordsmanship. But ever since Doflamingo took power, it had turned into a stage of pure slaughter and spectacle—a place reeking of blood and violence.
And ironically, it was precisely that violence that drew the most attention.
Everyone claims they don't like violence, but who didn't enjoy watching it? A statement from a contestant at a certain arena.
"For today's grand occasion, His Majesty has brought out his treasure! He has bestowed this rare treasure upon us! It is the Quake-Quake Fruit of Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, the former Emperor of the Sea and the Strongest Man in the World, who died two years ago at the Summit War!
With just a wave of his hand, he could create tsunamis; in his rage, he could destroy islands! The most powerful Paramecia-type ability has now once again turned into a Devil Fruit and is right here!"
Amplifying the sound through Den Den Mushi, Gatz's voice echoed across the entire Corrida Colosseum, and every word he spoke drew thunderous cheers from the crowd.
"Today, under His Majesty's call, the warriors of the New World have gathered in this arena! Along with other challengers who deem themselves strong, they will fight in separate blocks, and those who defeat their opponents will earn the right to challenge for the prize!"
Due to the large number of participants, the rules for this tournament have been changed. There will be a total of eight blocks, and the top two contestants from each block will advance to the finals. The final champion will be decided through a battle among these sixteen people, but before that, we'll begin with the preliminary elimination rounds!"
The host stepped down, and the contestants entered the arena. Within just a few minutes, A Block's match was ready to begin.
"Everyone except yourself is an enemy. Death, being knocked out of the arena, or losing the ability to fight will all be considered a defeat. Let's see which two contestants will remain standing at the end!"
"And as a reminder to all newcomers, the seawater surrounding the arena is filled with fighting fish waiting for anyone who falls in.
Now, A Block's 188-man elimination round officially begins!"
With Gatz's signal, the chaotic melee erupted across the battlefield. The gladiators, armed with crude weapons and armor, attacked the nearest opponents without hesitation.
Within less than a minute of combat, many contestants had already been killed, and some were thrown into the surrounding waters, instantly becoming prey for the waiting fighting fish.
From the nearby stands, Luffy and Ace were watching the battle unfold.
"Ace, they don't look that strong."
"The strong ones haven't made a move yet. Pops' fruit isn't something just anyone can dream of getting their hands on. Those who don't understand their own strength are living examples of that.
See that guy wearing the scarf, Lu…Lucy?"
"I see him. What about him, Ace?"
"That one's a real tough opponent. Katakuri, son of Big Mom, and the strongest Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates.
Aside from him, there are quite a few other tough ones up there, they just haven't made a move yet."
Besides the monsters from all over the New World, Doflamingo had also attracted plenty of weaklings with massive ambitions.
By now, the A Block arena had split into several sections. Hundreds of people were fighting in the center, while the more strategic contestants occupied the outer edges.
"Fish-Man Hack takes down his opponent in a single strike! King Elizabello II's army is being attacked from all sides, it's not looking good for them… wait, the three brothers from the Big Mom Pirates are finally making their move!"
Gatz frantically narrated, his hasty tone making people genuinely worry that he might suffocate from running out of breath.
"Brother Katakuri, aren't you going to take a look?"
"There's no need. None of the opponents in this arena are worth watching. I've already seen the boring future. The troublesome ones are all sitting in the stands. No need to waste time here.
Daifuku, Oven, take care of these people, but don't expose too much."
"Yes, Brother Katakuri."
Daifuku acted first. He rubbed his hands together at his waist, and from his belt emerged a blue genie wielding a long naginata, much like the spirit from Aladdin's lamp. Though it appeared to be an independent being, a thin stream of vapor connected it to Daifuku.
Daifuku was the user of Paramecia-type • Puff-Puff Fruit. His body itself was like a magic lamp, though he couldn't grant wishes, he could summon the genie to fight in his stead.
"Go, Genie Guillotine!"
At Daifuku's command, the genie swung its long blade in a wide arc, instantly clearing out a perfectly clean fan-shaped area in front of it. Every contestant within the attack's range instantly lost their ability to fight.
Seeing his brother already in action, Oven refused to be outdone. His hands began to heat up, his entire body glowing a deep red. He was the user of the Paramecia-type • Heat-Heat Fruit, capable of rapidly raising his body temperature and altering the temperature of any object he touched.
"Heat Beating!"
With a swing of his fist, the air itself grew scorching hot, forming a burning wave that swept forward. After the two brothers' combined attacks, only a handful of contestants remained standing in A Block's arena.
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