"Deal!" Luo Xia agreed without hesitation.
[Armor Dragon Slayer Magic Proficiency: 18%]
In just a few hours, he'd managed to squeeze out another two percentage points of proficiency from Queen. Luo Xia was already satisfied.
Now that Queen's stamina was severely depleted and his attacks had lost much of their power, continuing would be meaningless.
His battle with Jack had taught Luo Xia a valuable lesson—he couldn't go all out. If he hospitalized all his sparring partners, who would be left to train with?
Wool needed to be sheared slowly. A steady trickle was the way to go.
Moreover, if he gave Queen psychological trauma, that coward would genuinely admit defeat and run away given his nature.
So when Queen proposed continuing their battle another day, Luo Xia immediately agreed.
He then 'limped' over to Page One, leaning on him for support as they left.
...
...
That night.
In the dead of night.
"Lord Queen, why are you packing your things?" a puzzled pirate asked.
"Stupid question! Of course I'm running—I mean, returning to Udon. I can't stay in this damn place a moment longer," Queen grumbled.
After returning, he'd carefully reviewed his battle with Luo Xia during the day and realized one thing—that bastard had been toying with him the whole time.
From start to finish, Luo Xia had only slapped him around. The damage was minimal, but the humiliation was extreme.
The number of slaps he'd endured in those few hours exceeded all he'd suffered in his entire life combined. His head was swollen like a pig's.
Arrogant as he was, Queen wasn't stupid. Upon reflection, he realized Luo Xia hadn't used his full strength—at the very least, he hadn't seen those terrifying flame abilities that had defeated Jack in three moves.
Just using physical strength alone, Luo Xia had fought him—an Ancient Zoan user—to a 'standstill.' Without a doubt, Luo Xia was a monster whose true strength might even surpass his own.
The fact that he hadn't been severely injured and knocked unconscious this time at least preserved some dignity as one of the All-Stars. Who knew what might happen in their next fight?
Therefore, sensing danger and something amiss, Queen decisively chose to flee overnight with his ship.
"But Lord Queen, didn't you say you'd fight that kid again another day? Everyone on Oni Island is looking forward to your next battle. They've even started taking bets!" a Plague Faction pirate said timidly.
Queen: "..."
"Lord Queen, the support for you is overwhelming right now. Everyone thinks you'll definitely win next time because that guy had to be helped away by Page One and hasn't shown up since. He must be hiding to recover from his injuries."
"Yeah, yeah! Lord Queen, when you called it quits during the day, that guy agreed faster than anything. He must have known he'd lose if they kept fighting, which is why he agreed so eagerly!"
"Hmm?" Queen's heart stirred. Thinking carefully... that did seem to be the case.
When he'd suggested ending the fight, why would Luo Xia have agreed if he could still continue?
Only someone who was exhausted, couldn't go on, and thought they'd lose would agree to stop so readily.
So that brat had been putting on an act, pretending to be at ease when he was actually at his limit.
Damn it, what a blunder!
If only he'd held out a little longer.
In a battle of stamina, how could he—an Ancient Zoan user—possibly lose?
No!
They had to fight again!
Queen threw down his luggage and changed his mind.
...
...
The next day.
Open shore area outside the Skull Dome, left brain tower of Oni Island.
A massive fighting arena was constructed within a single day.
"Queen!!!"
"QUEEN!!!"
The cheers of the Beasts Pirates roared across the sky.
"Come on baby~"
Amidst the crowd's anticipation, Queen the Plague leaped onto the stage, launching into his signature singing, dancing, and rap, igniting the atmosphere completely.
"My underlings, who is the most popular in the Beasts Pirates?"
"It's Lord Queen~!"
"Who will be the final victor of today's battle?"
"Still Lord Queen~!"
"What will be the fate of that arrogant newcomer Luo Xia?"
"Utter annihilation!"
Queen the Plague and his crew engaged in call-and-response banter, popping open crates of champagne in advance to celebrate.
...
Inside the Skull Dome, at the hot spring resort.
"What are you dawdling here for? Queen is already on stage calling you out," the iron-headed girl Ulti urged impatiently.
"No rush, let them wait," Luo Xia replied leisurely, completely unfazed, soaking in the hot spring and sipping wine as if the clamor outside had nothing to do with him.
"Argh, can't you hear them? They're calling you a coward, saying you're too scared to show up. How can you just take that? Or are you actually afraid?" Before Luo Xia could get worked up, Ulti was already fuming.
Not that Ulti had any particular fondness for Luo Xia—she was just naturally... explosive, unable to tolerate provocation.
Moreover, she couldn't stand the sight of Queen's smug, gloating face.
"Stupid sis, stop stirring the pot. Queen is an Ancient Zoan user with insane recovery, but Big Bro isn't. Queen pushing for a second fight so soon is just taking advantage," Page One grumbled indignantly.
Yesterday, after being hit first by the Explosive Collar, Luo Xia had still fought Queen to a standstill, proving his strength. Even if he didn't accept the challenge today, it wouldn't diminish Page One's admiration for him one bit.
"Pei pei, you've changed," Ulti said, eyes welling up with tears.
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Page One sighed.
"Before, you only had eyes for your sister. I was the one you admired most, but now..."
Mid-sentence, Ulti's demeanor shifted abruptly. Shedding her pitiful act, she lunged forward, tackling her little brother into a headlock.
"Give me back the old Pei pei, you jerk~!"
As the siblings tussled, Luo Xia stretched lazily and rose unhurriedly, letting Black Maria help him dress.
"Keep this pool heated. I'll be back to soak some more later."
...
Outside the Skull Dome, at the sumo ring.
"Lord Queen, that brat must be terrified!"
"Yeah, yeah! Too scared to even show up! What a coward!"
"Seems like Lord Queen's fierce attacks yesterday left him with some serious trauma!"
"If not for Lord Queen's mercy, that arrogant rookie would've been finished yesterday!"
The Plague Faction pirates jeered and taunted without end.
"Muhahaha!"
Basking in his subordinates' flattery, Queen the Plague felt brimming with confidence.
Before he could say anything, the noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.
Every pirate shut their mouths instantly, as quiet as cicadas in winter.
The crowd parted to make way as Luo Xia, dressed in a loose bathrobe and shuffling in slippers, stepped onto the arena one slow step at a time.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's continue yesterday's unfinished fight," Luo Xia said with a smile.
"Muhahaha! You've got guts showing up, kid. Don't expect me to go easy on you today," Queen the Plague grinned, brimming with confidence.