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Buzz.
In Buggy's eyes filled with immense fear, the heavy sword in Zyhark's hand was coated with a thin layer of black, signifying his use of Armament Haki. With only one strike left in their three-strike deal, Zyhark didn't hold back and utilized the full extent of his current capabilities.
'If Buggy can still withstand this, then there's nothing more I can do.'
'In the end, we're going to have to fight anyway, might as well just take what we want by force.'
Zyhark contemplated in his heart.
Indeed, even if he lost the bet, he had no intention of actually handing over the treasure map as per the deal. After all, what does a bet among pirates have to do with an ordinary sea restaurant owner?
Feeling the pressure from the Armament Haki, Buggy, who already had a lump on his head, swallowed nervously, his gaze becoming even more determined.
This last hit, if he cowered and chose to give up out of fear, wouldn't the previous two strikes have been for nothing?
However, just as Zyhark was gathering strength to deliver the final blow to Buggy, Aqua's voice came from behind.
"Zyhark, Zyhark! It looks so fun, can I try too?"
Aqua rubbed her hands together eagerly, looking at Zyhark with hopeful eyes. As a goddess who had seen all the world's spectacles, she had never encountered someone as incredibly foolish as Buggy, who actually asked to be hit.
Moreover, she had been quite annoyed by Buggy's red nose for a while now!
Zyhark clearly didn't want to involve Aqua, who could easily cause major trouble at any moment. However, catching a glimpse of Buggy's fleeting look of relief, Zyhark suddenly changed his mind.
Perhaps, to deal with a comedic character like Buggy, letting Aqua take a turn might actually work wonders?
"No problem, but remember to use the flat of the blade like I did. This guy can dodge slicing attacks by splitting his body."
After a brief explanation, Zyhark deactivated the Armament Haki covering the blade and handed the heavy sword to Aqua.
"No problem, leave it to me!"
Aqua, gripping the sword, swung it enthusiastically. The sight of the beautiful girl waving a large sword was quite adorable, to say the least.
"Then..."
After testing the sword, Aqua's expression turned serious, her blue dress and flowing blue hair began to stir as if in a breeze.
Buzz.
Aqua unleashed the limit of her divine power, her hands holding the sword glowed brilliantly, and a dazzling, fiery blaze enveloped the sword blade.
The blaze spread along the hilt, covering the entire blade in moments, heating it until it glowed red.
The Fist of the Goddess, one of Aqua's signature moves, has its power amplified by the number of her followers and their devotion.
After accumulating faith from the villagers of Windmill Village and the civilians they had rescued at sea, the power of her move wasn't insignificant—at least, it seemed so.
The divine presence that burst forth was oppressively powerful.
'This, this not very bright-looking dumb woman, why does she seem scarier than Zyhark?'
Buggy watched Aqua, who was approaching him with a blazing sword and a mischievous smile, his sense of relief completely vanishing, replaced by endless panic.
"Stupid red-nosed, to be honest, I've been finding you annoying for a long time!"
To Buggy, Aqua, with her blue hair fluttering and approaching with a sword ablaze, seemed like a dark lord bathing in shadows.
I'm going to die...
This strike will be my end!
In the final second before Aqua's strike, Buggy, driven by his instinct to survive, chose to retreat. His legs split, and his upper body quickly moved back!
Bang!
The sound of metal colliding echoed as Aqua's powerful strike, meant for Buggy, hit the stone floor of Orange Town's square instead.
Crack.
The hard stone cracked slightly...
The power of the Fist of the Goddess indeed depends on the "intensity" of the followers' emotions.
The faith of Windmill Village's residents was mostly based on "sympathy," hardly intense.
Simply put, if someone as devoted as Bartolomeo were to believe in Aqua, his support alone could massively boost the power of the Fist of the Goddess, overwhelming even the entire Windmill Village!
After all that, was this the extent of its power?!
Buggy, who had just managed to avoid the strike, was stunned. He tried to speak but only managed to notice blood dripping from his mouth.
In his rush to avoid being hit, he bit his tongue.
"Damn it! Why dodge? Coward!"
After a moment of shock at Buggy's split-body ability, Aqua pointed her sword at Buggy's red nose, despising him thoroughly.
She hadn't realized the small crack she made on the ground beneath her.
The Buggy Pirate Crew members, who had high hopes for their captain, stood dumbfounded, mouths agape, unable to cheer as confidently as before.
"Wait, Buggy Captain dodged?"
"Don't joke! Captain Buggy is just avoiding unnecessary injuries. Look carefully; his feet are still in place!" A crew member discovered the key point.
"That's right! Captain Buggy's feet are still there; he didn't evade! We won the bet!"
"Indeed, Captain Buggy!"
Amidst this situation, the Buggy Pirates shamelessly boasted their victory.
As Aqua was about to argue, Zyhark stepped forward before her.
"Hey! Where is your resolve as members of the Buggy Pirate Crew?"
He scolded, silencing the crew's feeble cheers.
All eyes turned to him, wary and hostile.
"Open your eyes wide and see clearly, your captain has bravely admitted his defeat, without saying another word."
Noticing Buggy's speechlessness, Zyhark spoke seriously, addressing the crew:
"Failure is not to be feared. Sometimes, escaping out of fear also requires tremendous courage."
"Buggy bet his dignity as a man, preferring to face his true feelings rather than make shameless excuses."
"And you, his most beloved crew, is this how you respond to his courage and responsibility as a man?!"
His impassioned speech left the crew members (including a bewildered Aqua) dumbfounded.
They all turned to look at Buggy.
The figure bathed in bright sunlight, silent and stoic, appeared so steadfast and imposing.
Compared to the upright Captain Buggy, the crew suddenly felt like clowns.
"Captain Buggy, you actually..."
"We're sorry! We shouldn't have so easily trampled on the resolve you showed!"
Moved to tears, the crew members apologized.
In response to Captain Buggy's manly resolve to face defeat, two crew members, wiping away tears, brought out the real Buggy Bomb they had hidden behind them.
Buggy, whose body was now reassembled, tried to protest in a muffled voice, shaking his hands frantically at the two idiots, signaling them not to do something foolish.
"Captain, we understand your true intentions now, more dignified and impressive."
Against their upright Captain Buggy, the crew members felt like clowns once again.
"Captain Buggy, you've truly..."
"We're sorry! We shouldn't have ignored the determination you've shown!"
Tears welled up in the eyes of the crew as they apologized once more.
Acknowledging Captain Buggy's manly resolve to face defeat, two crew members, tears in their eyes, presented the genuine Buggy Bomb they had hidden.
Buggy, his body now fully reassembled, tried to voice his objections in muffled cries, frantically waving his hands at the two fools, signaling them not to continue with their foolish action.
"Captain, we've understood your true wish. Rest assured, this Buggy Bomb is indeed genuine!"
Misinterpreting their captain's gestures, the two fools joyfully advanced the Buggy Bomb towards Zyhark, tears streaming down their faces.
"Buggy, Buggy, Buggy!!"
"Wuu wuu, wuu wuu wuu, wuu wuu wuu wuu!"
'You two big idiots, believe it or not, I'm going to slaughter you right now!' Buggy was so angry that he vomited blood.
(End of Chapter)