The streets were alive with tension.
Paula ran breathlessly, carrying the unconscious Miss Valentine on her back. Spotting Mr. 1 and Mr. 5 in the distance as they shopped, she immediately called out to them.
"Miss Doublefinger?" Mr. 1 turned, his expressionless face twitching slightly at the sight of Miss Valentine's pale complexion. "What happened to Miss Valentine?"
Paula bent over, hands on her knees as she gasped for air. "We were attacked! Luckily, we ran into the boss. He's fighting the enemy now—you need to go help him!"
"Help?" Mr. 5 picked his nose, looking utterly unimpressed. "With the boss's strength, what use would we be? By the time we get there, there won't even be scraps left."
"This time is different! The enemy isn't some small fry—the boss has already taken damage!" Paula's voice was urgent, laced with disbelief.
Her words struck like thunder, making Mr. 5's eyes widen. Even Mr. 1's perpetually stoic face twitched slightly.
Their boss was a monster who could go toe-to-toe with a Navy Admiral. How could he possibly be at a disadvantage?
The two instantly grasped the severity of the situation. After a brief discussion, they decided Paula would take Miss Valentine back to the ship while they rushed to the scene.
But before they could take more than a few steps, an earth-shattering explosion rocked the street ahead. A shockwave of debris hurtled toward them, pelting their faces and bodies.
Mr. 5 staggered, slamming into a nearby wall to steady himself. Sweat dripped from his chin. "This fight's way out of our league! What good would we even be?!"
Mr. 1, however, remained silent. His face darkened as he sprinted toward the smoke-filled street, his arms transforming into razor-sharp blades that glinted coldly in the sunlight. His speed was so great it left afterimages in his wake.
Gritting his teeth, Mr. 5 followed.
By the time they arrived, panting and exhausted, they found their boss locked in a tense standoff with a stranger. The air between them crackled with hostility.
Bahr barely spared them a glance as they arrived. His grip tightened on his sword hilt, and he raised it, ready to strike.
"Wait." Blackbeard suddenly raised a hand, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. "This is just a minor misunderstanding. There's no need for pointless conflict."
"You think you can just call a truce whenever you want? Who the hell do you think you are?" Bahr sneered, his blade still hovering mid-air. Every muscle in his body was coiled like a drawn bowstring, ready to unleash at any moment.
This bastard only wanted to stop because he realized Bahr wasn't an easy opponent. If Bahr had been weaker, would he have even bothered?
Blackbeard grinned, his smile brimming with arrogance. Dark mist swirled around him as he spoke. "Just a suggestion. If we fight to the death, who really benefits? It's your call."
Bahr's eyelid twitched.
He wasn't wrong. This whole mess had started because of the clash between Miss Valentine, Paula, Doc Q, and Burgess.
Miss Valentine was unconscious but stable, and Paula had only suffered minor injuries. Meanwhile, Doc Q and Burgess had taken his "Dimensional Slash" and were severely wounded.
Sure, Bahr had broken ribs, but Blackbeard had taken a slash to the chest and his arm was bleeding. By that measure, Blackbeard was the one at a disadvantage!
After a brief internal debate, Bahr swung his sword in a smooth arc before sheathing it in his personal Space. "Fine. Consider this matter settled."
From their brief exchange, it was clear Blackbeard's physical prowess and Haki were formidable, and his Dark-Dark Fruit was vicious. Bahr wasn't confident he could take him down. If they kept fighting, the outcome was uncertain—hardly worth risking his life over pride.
This wasn't cowardice. It was risk assessment. A death match was exhausting and pointless!
Blackbeard exhaled in relief, studying Bahr with a newfound grin. "Fighting brings people together. How about we grab a drink? Could be the start of a beautiful friendship."
"Not interested." Bahr waved him off without looking back.
What a joke. Drinking with a scheming bastard like Blackbeard? He'd probably dig his own grave before the night was over. Did he look like a child to him?
The best way to deal with snakes like him was to stay far, far away.
As Bahr walked off, Blackbeard's eyes gleamed. He raised his voice. "You sure you don't wanna hear my plan? I'm looking for someone with enough—"
"Not a chance." Bahr cut him off with a dismissive wave, striding away with Mr. 1 and Mr. 5 in tow.
Some bullshit plan. Did Blackbeard think he didn't know what he was up to? He could do whatever he wanted—as long as he stayed out of Bahr's way, he couldn't care less.
Blackbeard watched Bahr's retreating figure, his lips curling into a smirk that didn't reach his cold, calculating eyes.
What a shame. The man was strong.
Just then, Van Auger strolled over, his sniper rifle resting casually on his shoulder. His gaze lingered on Blackbeard's profile, his tone laced with confusion. "Captain, you're just letting him walk away?"
Blackbeard slowly narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within. He stroked his unkempt beard, his voice low. "That man's strength and abilities are formidable. Picking a fight with him serves no purpose."
His darkness could devour anything—yet that black sphere of Bahr's had resisted it. And in their brief clash, the sheer mastery of Haki Bahr displayed had unsettled him. A death match would be pointless.
Van Auger nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
Blackbeard crossed his arms, his tone suddenly casual. "What's the status of Doc Q and Burgess?"
"Still breathing." Van Auger's reply was as indifferent as if he were discussing the weather.
"Zehahaha!" Blackbeard threw his head back in laughter, the sound brimming with wild amusement. "Now that's luck. Fate's on their side."
Given Bahr's strength, the fact that those two had survived even a single attack was nothing short of a miracle.
His grin twisted into something darker. "That man's ability—spatial manipulation, was it? Rare. If the opportunity arises... I'll take it for myself."
He didn't fully understand Bahr's power, but anything that could resist his darkness was no ordinary ability. If he'd been more confident in his chances, he wouldn't have hesitated to strike.
....
Meanwhile, Bahr walked briskly, his brow furrowed. "Where are Paula and Miss Valentine?"
"They returned to the ship," Mr. 1 replied calmly.
Suddenly, Bahr stopped dead in his tracks. "Wait—where's Nico Robin? I haven't seen her this whole time."
Mr. 5 scratched his head awkwardly. "Miss All-Sunday went off on her own after we docked. No idea where she went."
Bahr couldn't help but mentally curse. That woman and her lone-wolf tendencies. While he was out here fighting for his life, she couldn't even be bothered to show her face.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
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