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Carlos and Daifuku stood more than ten meters apart, locked in a silent standoff that filled the auction venue with a suffocating tension. Those present, not being idle spectators, could sense the formidable strength emanating from both men. Garros, the newcomer, was clearly not without merit. The impending battle between these two powerful individuals drew everyone's attention, making the auction seem insignificant in comparison.
Time seemed to crawl by, thickening the atmosphere until suddenly, without warning, Daifuku moved. His hands rubbed violently on the belt around his abdomen, producing a loud crunch. A cloud of smoke erupted from his waist, transforming into a demon wielding a massive sword. Though it only had an upper body, it looked immensely powerful.
"Demon Slayer!" Daifuku commanded, and the djinn surged forward, crossing the distance between them in an instant. It raised its weapon high, bringing it down toward Carlos with a terrifying speed and force that made the very air seem to explode.
"What's this? Such overwhelming power!"
"The Paramecia Transpiration Fruit user's demon is incredibly strong. Many powerful fighters have fallen to this monster!"
"As the third son of the Sea Emperor Charlotte Linlin, his reputation is well-deserved!"
"What a swift attack! That kid won't be able to dodge it!"
"Is this fight going to end in an instant?"
The spectators' exclamations were filled with shock and awe. They couldn't imagine themselves surviving such a fierce and domineering blow. However, the anticipated screams did not come. The demon's attack struck nothing but air.
"Avoided? How is that possible?"
Daifuku froze, about to make another move when he heard a soft sigh.
"Your intentions are too obvious."
The voice was quiet but struck like thunder. Daifuku's pupils shrank as a strong sense of impending death washed over him. Instinctively, he crossed his arms in front of him and fortified his body with Armament Haki.
"It's useless! With Armament Haki's reinforcement, even cannonballs can't harm me..."
In the next instant, a black shadow swept past, causing gusts of wind. A brilliant flash of sword light erupted and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Daifuku's face contorted as an unstoppable force crashed into him.
Blood sprayed everywhere as his wrist was severed and a deep gash, exposing bone, appeared across his abdomen, nearly cutting him in half. Daifuku screamed in agony before his vision went dark, and he collapsed, unconscious.
The entire sequence of events happened in mere moments, leaving everyone in stunned silence. It was only after a while that they began to comprehend what had just occurred. Gazing at Daifuku lying in a pool of his own blood, the spectators swallowed hard, faces marked with deep solemnity.
"No way, is it over already?"
"A 300 million beli bounty, a cadre of the Big Mom Pirates, was defeated instantly with one strike? Is this a joke?"
"Garros? A newcomer with such strength!"
"Why doesn't this guy have a bounty? Are the Marines idiots?"
Ignoring the chatter around him, Vista stood up, staring intently at the booth.
"What a powerful strike, what a domineering sword!"
"What an incredible newcomer..."
In a shadowed corner of the auction booth, a white-haired old man hid behind a curtain, taking a big gulp of wine. Unlike the others, he had observed the entire confrontation.
"It seems that the big guy launched the attack first, but his every move was clearly sensed by the opponent's Observation Haki."
"Dodging at the last moment and launching a counterattack."
The timing of the dodge, the explosive speed, the strength of the slash—everything was executed perfectly. What surprised him most was the Armament Haki wrapped around the blade at the moment of attack. It was hard to believe that a young man in his twenties could wield such power, something that usually required decades of combat and training.
The old man muttered to himself, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"Amazing two-color Haki, impressive swordsmanship."
He had been in the Sabaody Archipelago since the Roger Pirates disbanded, witnessing many young pirates enter the New World. This was the first time he had seen such an exceptional newcomer. His interest piqued, the old man took another big sip of wine.
...
On the booth, Carlos flicked the blood off his sword and slowly sheathed it. His cold gaze swept across the venue. The power of his earlier strike still vivid in everyone's minds, the audience, whether vicious pirates or noble princes, all closed their mouths and lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. The huge auction venue fell into an eerie silence.
Carlos smirked slightly, then began to leave. However, a figure suddenly stepped in front of him.
"You've severely injured a cadre of the Big Mom Pirates. Aren't you afraid of Charlotte Linlin's revenge?"
Carlos glanced at the newcomer, frowning slightly.
"Huh? Do you want to stop me too?"
Vista slowly drew his twin swords and pointed them diagonally.
"At your age, possessing such strength is indeed beyond my imagination. Since we are both swordsmen, why not have a duel?"
He added, "Of course, just dueling is a bit boring. How about adding some stakes? If you lose, leave that Twenty-One Great Grade Sword with me."
Carlos, internally scoffing at the transparent excuse for greed, didn't refuse outright. Instead, he asked, "What if I win?"
Vista laughed heartily.
"If you can defeat me, I will recommend you to my father as a captain of the Whitebeard Pirates!"