In the distance, amidst the ruins, Kuro clawed through the debris, staggering to his feet.
Who am I? Where am I? What happened?
The philosophical questions swirled in his mind. He looked at Gawain, who wore a bewildered expression, and Kuro's lips twitched. "So, this monstrous strength is your hidden trump card?"
Suppressing the churning in his chest, Kuro feigned insight. "Too bad strength means nothing against my speed!"
"…"
Gawain was momentarily speechless.
He'd been worrying about how to explain his strength without crushing Kuro's spirit. Now, he realized he'd underestimated Kuro's resilience.
A good leek knows how to motivate itself!
The clash had shown Gawain the true extent of his doubled stats, perfectly balanced, amplifying his power far beyond a simple doubling. His instant burst of strength was three or four times greater.
That's how he'd sent Kuro flying so effortlessly—with only half his strength!
If he'd gone all out, Kuro wouldn't be standing.
Gawain instinctively reined in his power.
Kuro, rubbing his sore shoulders and testing his fingers, confirmed his injuries wouldn't hinder him. He bounced on his toes and vanished.
In an instant, only flickers of Kuro remained, the bonfire's flames swaying wildly from his speed.
Whoosh!
The fire roared.
The crew, reminded of comrades injured or killed by Kuro's Spoon, instinctively backed away.
But no stray claw marks appeared.
"No way!" Sam exclaimed. "Kuro's mastered Spoon perfectly!"
"We don't have to worry about friendly fire anymore!"
He stared, stunned, as Kuro's steps shattered the stone ground, his form invisible.
"Kuro's faster than ever!" Zango gasped.
Before, Zango could catch a blurry shadow of Kuro's Spoon. Now, nothing.
Kuro's speed had reached a new extreme.
Faster. Stronger.
The crew's gazes shifted to Gawain, tinged with worry.
Could Captain Gawain handle this speed?
His earlier strike was powerful, but without matching speed, it was useless.
"He'll be fine, right? Captain reacted to Kuro's speed before," Buchi said, offering faint reassurance.
Then, a sharp sound cut through the air.
Rip!
A tear appeared on Gawain's leather armor—no blood, likely by luck.
The crew's hearts sank.
"Even Captain can't keep up?"
"What do we do?"
"Are we really following Kuro?" Sam clutched his hair.
Without Raven Port's influence, he might've accepted the old life, but not now.
Buchi and Zango clenched their fists, silently rooting for Gawain.
Only Gin looked skeptical. "This isn't right."
"When Captain crushed me, he was way stronger! Is he holding back because of his bond with Kuro?"
"Damn it!" Gin growled. "I'll surpass you, Kuro, and become Captain's right-hand man!"
As Gin hyped himself up, more cuts appeared on Gawain's clothes. His face twisted, as if constipated.
Suppressing his urge to strike back and keeping Wado Ichimonji from slicing Kuro was torture.
I'm suffering here!
Kuro, charging recklessly, laughed maniacally. "As expected!"
"With my speed in another dimension, even your reflexes can't keep up, Gawain!"
"Hahahaha!"
His triumphant laughter echoed, weighing on the crew.
Gin clenched his fists, shouting internally, Mr. Gawain! There's a limit to being kind to your crew! You'll get hurt!
The scene grew bizarre—Kuro's relentless attacks left marks on Gawain, yet none broke skin.
After ten minutes, Gawain decided it was enough, adopting a knowing look. "I've found your weakness, Kuro!"
In a flash, a silver slash met Kuro's path but flipped at the last second, striking with the flat of the blade.
Boom!
Kuro crashed into the same ruins, struggling to rise, his arms limp.
Pain told him he'd hit his limit, but he felt no despair. This time, the gap with Gawain felt smaller.
Not like before, when hope was invisible.
"Next time, I'll beat you, Gawain!" he vowed.
"I'll be waiting in the captain's seat!" Gawain replied, feigning exhaustion as he pulled Kuro up, grinning smugly. "Looks like I'm a cut above."
"Hmph," Kuro snorted, a faint smile breaking through. "Cocky bastard."
The fight ended.
Cheers erupted.
The paused banquet roared back to life.
The Cat Brothers and Zango danced wildly around the bonfire, sparking laughter.
The crew's musicians struck up familiar sailor tunes.
Relieved, the Gawain Pirates sang with fervor, off-key but heartfelt:
"Yo-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho!"
"Yo-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho!"
"Bring Binks' sake to your side~ Ride the waves with the sea breeze~"
…
Amid the singing, even Kuro joined in, downing ale after ale with Gawain.
Seeing Gawain's smile, Kuro paused. "This guy didn't even break a sweat?"
"No way!"
He shook his head. "I must be seeing things. I've still got a shot!"
"Just a bit more effort, and I'll beat Gawain and reclaim the captain's seat!"
Gin, watching quietly, smirked. "Keep dreaming, Kuro. I'll beat you and become Captain's top man."
Gawain glanced at Kuro's burning resolve and his system panel, his grin unstoppable.
Keep pushing, Kuro. With your effort, I'll reach the peak—punching Emperors and Shichibukai, kicking Marines and Celestial Dragons!
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