"You know about my Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability, and you still think a move like that can defeat me? Don't you think that's laughable?"
"Hmph, that was just an appetizer. Now the real fight begins! Clone Jutsu: Crow Style!"
In the next instant, Renji Kai's body suddenly burst into dozens of black crows!
His use of the Fire Dragon Jutsu earlier was merely to test whether the ninjutsu from the Naruto world could break through Devil Fruit powers in the One Piece world. It turned out it couldn't. So Renji Kai had to exploit the Barrier-Barrier Fruit's weakness instead!
Seeing Renji suddenly turn into a flock of crows, Bartolomeo was taken aback.
The crows flanked him from all directions, bypassing his Absolute Barrier and charging in. This completely nullified his perfect defense.
Realizing the situation, Bartolomeo had no choice but to dispel his barrier.
But just as he did, the crows regrouped behind him.
"You're finished! Monster Strength Strike!"
Renji Kai grunted coldly and slammed his fist directly into Bartolomeo's back.
"Boom!"
The impact hurled Bartolomeo across the tavern, slamming him into the bar counter with a thunderous crash, splintering it into pieces.
The Monster Strength Strike was a taijutsu technique created by Hashirama Senju and later mastered by Itachi Uchiha. It involved precisely controlling chakra, concentrating it in one part of the body, then releasing it to inflict massive physical damage.
Just now, Itachi's chakra inside Renji had gathered in his fist before unleashing the blow. Still, Renji had held back slightly at the last second. At such close range, he could have caused serious injury, even to someone with a steel-like body.
His goal was to recruit Bartolomeo. Hurting him severely would benefit no one.
After Bartolomeo was knocked down, the nearby gang members were stunned. They exchanged glances, then all turned and fled.
"Hmph, your little followers all ran away. Doesn't look like you're doing too well as a boss! And seriously, what's the point of running this tiny town? If you're up for it, I'll take you to the New World. With your unique Devil Fruit power, I know you'd shine there!"
Renji Kai made his offer again.
Unlike Crocodile, Bartolomeo was brash and hot-blooded. While both were proud, Crocodile was cunning and strategic. Bartolomeo, however, would go all out in a fight if provoked.
Renji's strategy was to shatter his confidence through overwhelming force, then offer him a hand.
Sure enough, after Bartolomeo stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes, a hint of hesitation flashed across his face.
Like Crocodile, he saw himself as someone destined for greatness, and wasn't thrilled about playing second fiddle.
"Kid, letting you in was us doing you a favor. Between the two of us, our fame and power eclipse yours by a long shot!"
Seeing Bartolomeo hesitate, Crocodile couldn't help but throw in a jab.
Bartolomeo shot him a glance and replied calmly,
"If the captain hadn't stepped in, you'd still be trapped in my barrier ball, crying and begging for mercy."
"You looking to die?"
Crocodile was ready to attack again at the insult.
"Enough! Stop fighting. From now on, we're all on the same side. Get some rest. We've got some tough opponents to face tomorrow."
Renji Kai quickly stepped in.
In truth, the moment Bartolomeo had called him "captain," Renji knew he had given in. He just didn't want to admit it directly, so he expressed it indirectly.
At the same time, the system popped up a notification:
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating the enemy. You have received 30,000 reputation points."
Not a huge reward, but better than nothing.
Now that Bartolomeo had agreed to join the crew, there was no reason for more fighting. After all, the seas outside wouldn't stay calm for long.
Renji estimated the Marines would arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest.
"Since the Navy's on their way, maybe we should leave tonight? I've got a few inconspicuous ships we could use to escape," Bartolomeo suggested.
"Run if you want. I wouldn't mind killing a couple more Marine officers," Crocodile sneered.
"No need to run. In fact, I've been thinking of visiting Marineford myself, see what those old bastards are really made of," Renji Kai said nonchalantly.
"What?! You really plan to go to Marineford? With just the four of us? That's a suicide mission. Maybe we should wait a bit longer?"
Douglas Bullet finally chimed in. He had just escaped Impel Down, and he knew a trip to Marineford would likely mean facing the Navy's full force. Survival wasn't guaranteed.
"It's not that I want to go. It's that they'll be begging us to."
"Damn, you're even cockier than I am… I like it!"
Renji's confident declaration struck a chord with Bartolomeo. He had always admired the strong. Rather than being afraid, the idea of going to Marineford actually excited him a little.