Unlike the stubborn "Ship Reliant" Jack, Queen the Plague was cruel, flamboyant, and loved showing off, yet he was also cowardly and valued his life dearly.
During the duel between BIG MOM and Kaido, he always looked for excuses to leave the scene, and his face twisted into all sorts of exaggerated expressions out of fear of Big Mom.
Against those weaker than himself, he had no qualms about striking hard, executing enemies in creative ways.
But when facing opponents stronger or equal to him, he wasn't foolish enough to charge headfirst—just like now.
From the moment he met Luo Xia until now, Queen had been dismissive in his words, putting on an arrogant front.
But in reality, did he truly not take Luo Xia seriously?
Of course not!
From his subordinates, he had learned the full details of Luo Xia's battle with Jack that day.
Though he hadn't witnessed it firsthand, just hearing the description was enough to unsettle him.
He knew Jack's strength well. Though still young, Jack hadn't become one of the All-Stars through connections—he had earned it through sheer combat prowess, gaining the respect of the entire crew.
Even Queen himself couldn't have subdued Jack quickly in his Ancient Zoan Mammoth form.
Yet Luo Xia had done it—enduring Jack's storm of relentless attacks before crushing him in just a few moves.
That level of strength was undoubtedly beyond calamity level. Even Queen wasn't confident he could defeat Luo Xia, which was why he had orchestrated all this.
If strength wasn't enough, then brains would have to make up for it.
I really am a genius, Queen thought to himself.
"Muhahaha! Kid, arrogance comes with a price. This is the first lesson I'm teaching you—learn it well. Of course, that's assuming you survive," Queen sneered.
"You think this can hold me?" Luo Xia flicked the collar lightly with his finger.
Beep beep beep!
The explosive collar's internal sensors emitted rapid warning sounds.
"Don't mess with it, bro! It'll really explode!" Page One shouted in panic.
"Muhahaha! Seems you still don't grasp the severity of the situation," Queen gloated. "That's a Beasts Pirates special explosive collar. If you try to destroy it or leave the sumo ring, the detonation mechanism will activate. First, razor-sharp blades will slice through your throat, then—boom—your head will be blown to bits!"
"That's right! That's right! This is Queen-sama's Trick Show!"
"Grand Sumo Hell! You can't escape this arena now!"
"Death is the only outcome waiting for you!"
The Plague Faction pirates jeered and cheered in unison.
"From now until Kaido returns, you'll have to stay here—no food, no water, with enemies attacking you nonstop, giving you no chance to rest… You'd better pray Kaido comes back soon. Though even if he does, he might not call it off."
Queen's grin widened. What he enjoyed most was watching others crumble and despair under his "tricks."
Especially the sight of those self-proclaimed strong men groveling before him—it was an addiction he couldn't resist.
But this time, he was destined to be disappointed. From start to finish, no matter how much he threatened or intimidated, Luo Xia's expression never changed.
"Such a pretentious brat. Let's see how long you can keep up the act." Queen's expression darkened as he prepared to have his men line up on the stage.
"I'm genuinely curious—just how powerful is this explosive collar?" Luo Xia muttered to himself, gripping the collar around his neck and suddenly exerting force.
"Huh?" Queen froze, his mouth hanging open.
Beep beep beep!
Beep beep beep beep beep!
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you insane? Trying to get yourself killed?" Queen's eyes widened as he shouted and stumbled backward.
In the next instant, the self-destruct mechanism of the explosive collar activated.
Six sharp blades shot out from the inner lining, slashing at Luo Xia's neck—only to spark against his skin with a shower of embers.
BOOM!
The high-grade explosives embedded in the collar detonated.
KABOOM!
The terrifying explosion shook the entire Skull Hall.
Black smoke and flames erupted instantly, the powerful shockwave sending nearby pirates flying off their feet.
When the dust settled, the sumo ring had been reduced to rubble, leaving behind a massive crater in its place.
"Muhahaha... MUAHAHAHA! I thought he was just an arrogant, cocky brat, but turns out he's a complete idiot—actually seeking his own death." Queen the Plague snapped out of his shock and burst into laughter. This was the first time he'd seen someone willingly trigger their own explosive collar.
"How could this happen... I haven't even become an Executive yet, and now you're gone, big bro?" Page One's face twisted in anguish.
"Little Pei pei, who exactly are you saying died?" A calm voice emerged from the swirling smoke at the blast's epicenter.
"Huh? Am I hallucinating? Why do I hear—" Page One turned in confusion, only to freeze in place.
Every single Beasts Pirate present was equally stunned.
Their eyes bulged wider, as if their eyeballs might pop out.
Their jaws dropped slowly, nearly hitting the floor.
Every face bore expressions of utter shock, horror, and disbelief.
At the center of attention, Luo Xia raised a hand to his neck, rolling it slightly.
The blades inside the explosive collar couldn't pierce his skin, and the flames and heat of the explosion were meaningless to him—a Fire Dragon Slayer Wizard.
However, the shockwave was another matter. Even with his Armored Dragon Body, the point-blank explosion left him slightly dazed.
Of course, if this had happened before he unlocked his Armor Dragon Slayer Power, the aftermath wouldn't have been so mild.
"Huh? HUH?! HUUUH?!"
Queen the Plague's screech shattered the silence.
At this moment, Queen looked as if he'd transformed into Nika—his eyes bulging through his goggles, his tongue practically detaching from his mouth.
This phenomenon spread rapidly through the crowd. Pirates, including Page One, were left with their jaws on the floor.
"N-no way... This has to be a joke! What kind of monster is this guy?!"
"That was a point-blank explosion from the collar! How is he still alive?!"
"He didn't even die?! Just how absurdly tough is this man's body?!"
The hall erupted in shocked exclamations.
"So, even during his fight with Jack that day, he wasn't using his full strength." Black Maria's ample "assets" heaved unevenly.
"Just how hard is this guy's body?" Ulti muttered under her breath.
"So this is the Dragon-Dragon Fruit Mythical Zoan Type Fire Dragon Form... huh?"
King the Conflagration, observing from the shadows, took a deep breath, his gaze beneath the mask turning solemn. He had learned about Luo Xia's 'ability' from Kaido himself.
"Queen, I've taken your moves. Now it's my turn." Luo Xia casually stretched his limbs as he strode toward Queen the Plague.
"W-wait a minute, brat—hold on—HOOOORRRGH!" Queen the Plague's words were abruptly cut short.
Luo Xia suddenly shot forward like lightning, executing a mid-air spinning kick that landed squarely on Queen's massive, bloated belly—his entire lower leg sinking deep into the rolls of fat.
The next instant, with a sharp whoosh, Queen's enormous body was sent flying backward, cutting through the air with a piercing screech.
BOOM!
CRASH!
Buildings collapsed one after another in his wake, and even Oni Island's skeletal walls were shattered, leaving behind a human-shaped imprint.