"No no no, Kurokas, as a doctor, your duty isn't to fight. Leave the professional stuff to the professionals," Rayleigh said, extending his arm to block Kurokas, who was red-eyed and ready to throw himself into battle.
"Hehe, Uncle, leave the fighting to us!" Buggy grinned confidently.
"Mm-hmm, as long as we can cure the captain's illness, we'll handle everything else," Shanks said seriously, gripping his sword tightly.
"Pirates? Wonder what kind of strength they have," Kaito Raien murmured, his eyes quietly scanning the distance.
"Everyone, quick and decisive!"
The good mood shattered. Roger, slightly angry, instantly drew his sword and pointed it forward.
"Understood, Captain!"
At the moment Roger lowered his weapon, his crew immediately took battle stances.
Simultaneously, Kaito Raien waved his hand, and a tall wooden wall formed in front of Labu, tightly enclosing him. Cannonballs rained down from the sky but were all blocked outside.
Feeling the impact from the wood technique, Kaito Raien boredly curled his lips. This impact was far weaker than the force Karp could throw with his bare hands.
The Jackson ship quickly approached the pirate ship nearby. Standing at the bow of the enemy ship was a muscular man with golden hair, a rough face marked by a deep scar, looking fierce and not someone to mess with.
"A bounty of 30 million Beli — Mocha Pirate Crew Captain, Fierce Wolf Moira!"
Kurokas frowned tightly, gripping his weapon hard, his face dark. The Mocha Pirate Crew's notorious reputation was well known in the East Blue seas.
Don't underestimate the 30 million Beli bounty. In this era, bounties weren't as exaggerated as the hundreds of millions two decades later; this amount was equivalent to a 100 million Beli bounty in later times.
But it still wasn't enough. Roger had already fought in the Valley of the Gods and reached the pinnacle of strength in this world. A mere small pirate crew was beneath his notice.
"Wood Style: Insertion Technique!"
Kaito Raien lightly raised his arm. Countless sharp wooden spikes shot out rapidly, piercing through the pirates at the front of the Mocha Crew. The huge impact sent them flying backward, pinned straight into the deck, blood spraying everywhere, staining the deck deep red amid screams.
Just one encounter, and the Mocha Crew was terrified of this kid's terrifying power — a strength no human could wield.
"Devil Fruit user?!"
[+10 Two-dimensional points from Fierce Wolf Moira]
[+1 Two-dimensional points from each Mocha Pirate Crew member]
[+5 Two-dimensional points from Buggy]
[+3 Two-dimensional points from Shanks]
Fierce Wolf Moira's heart jolted. His gaze on Kaito Raien became very serious, then shifted toward the approaching Jackson ship. He met Roger's domineering and imposing stare, and an inexplicable fear spread deep in his soul.
Escape! Run now!
If you don't, you'll die!
Moira's first instinct was to change course and flee. If even a kid of about ten years old was this strong, how terrifying must the main crew aboard be?
"Change course! Escape immediately!"
Before Moira finished, Roger on the Jackson ship drew his sword and slashed out a terrifying sword energy attack.
"Divine Departure!"
"Pfft~ Ah~"
The sword energy swept across, killing Moira instantly before he could dodge. What about the super strong toughness of an animal-type Devil Fruit user?
Divine Departure!
Kaito Raien turned his head toward Roger with longing, thinking about whether he could learn such a powerful technique someday. He imagined wielding his Fang Tian Hua Ji and using Divine Dodge—it was thrilling just to think about it.
Kurokas watched the Mocha Crew, who had been ruling this sea region, get effortlessly wiped out by Roger's crew, a smile of relief spreading on his face. After all, with the Mocha Crew destroyed, Labu was no longer a threat, and Kurokas could safely follow Roger's crew into the Grand Line to find the Rumba Pirate Crew.
"Kaito Raien, you're way too strong!"
After the battle, Buggy ran over grinning, looking Kaito Raien up and down, his hands gripping Kaito Raien's arms and inspecting him closely. Buggy still had a strong hunger for power.
In these dangerous seas, treasure hunting required strong protection, or else you'd only be making a bride's dress for others.
"So, Buggy, want me to find you a Devil Fruit too?" Kaito Raien smiled faintly.
"No! I don't want to become a land duck," Buggy shook his head firmly. Compared to rapid power growth, endless treasure was Buggy's top priority.
"Really? Some things are destined in dreams, Buggy," Kaito Raien said, unsure if his arrival would change Buggy's fate regarding eating a Devil Fruit.
"Huh?! ?_?" Buggy scratched his head, confused by Kaito Raien's strange words.
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad. Kaito Raien, I didn't expect you'd develop the Devil Fruit power to this level," Roger walked over, laughing, and patted Kaito Raien's thin shoulder hard, almost crushing it.
"Hehe, just developed a little bit," Kaito Raien smiled awkwardly, wishing the system would pull some Wood Style enhancement cards this time so his strength would skyrocket.
With the Mocha Crew eliminated, Kurokas began preparations for departure, first tending to Labu's injuries and giving some final instructions...
Time passed quickly. Two days later, the Jackson ship resumed its journey — after all, Roger's health wouldn't last much longer.