Kuzan had fallen.
Plunging into the sea, the water rippled around him, and he sank without resistance. After the initial shock, a sense of calm washed over him. Through the water, he watched the figure suspended in mid-air, and a glimmer of admiration flickered in his eyes.
"Dream?"
"You win," Kuzan thought.
His defeat came in an instant, the moment Leno unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. The opportunity Kuzan had been waiting for was actually a trap set by Leno. Kuzan wasn't careless—he simply underestimated his opponent. Fighting is a game of strength and wisdom, and Leno had concealed his trump card, Conqueror's Haki, from beginning to end.
In this closely matched contest, Leno had anticipated Kuzan's moves one step ahead, seizing victory brilliantly.
"It's been a long time since I've had such an exhilarating battle!"
Kuzan sank deeper into the sea, his mind clearer than ever. It felt as though he had shed all the burdens he had carried since Ohara. This fight, it was incredibly refreshing.
Above, in the sky, Leno was panting heavily, drenched in sweat but wearing a victorious smile.
"I won!"
His hand, still clutching his sword, trembled. No—every part of his body shook with excitement. He had given his all, expending his strength and wits to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
This feeling was absolutely electrifying.
Victory's sweet taste was something unforgettable, an addiction only those who had fought and won could understand.
Leno straightened up, lifting his gaze toward the sun. With open arms, he let the warm rays bathe him. At that moment, the world seemed to be in his grasp.
"Hahaha..."
He couldn't help but laugh.
Far off, aboard the ship, Luwell leaped with joy and hugged Kuina tightly, nearly bursting with excitement. Who would have thought? Leno had actually defeated Kuzan!
"Boss is amazing, so amazing!!!" Luwell exclaimed.
Kuina, nearly suffocated by Luwell's embrace, was equally thrilled. Her heart, which had been tense throughout the battle, finally eased. Kuro adjusted his glasses and paced back and forth, tugging at his collar as he felt the heat of the moment.
"He won… he really beat Marine Vice Admiral Kuzan!" Kuro muttered, fists clenching and releasing. Usually composed, even he couldn't remain calm after witnessing this. After all, Kuzan was a well-known Vice Admiral, a figure frequently seen in the newspapers, defeated by someone who was virtually unknown. It was like an underdog team toppling a champion—unbelievable.
The reporters on the shore scrambled to capture the moment, eager to set sail and chase the story. Boats that had gathered to watch the fight quickly followed, hoping to get closer to the action.
Luffy clenched his fists, inspired.
"That guy is incredible. I need to train even harder."
Ace watched closely. If he could gain that kind of power, would he finally surpass Roger?
For now, Leno decided it was best to keep a low profile. He had already attracted enough attention, and letting rumors swirl would only make the Hunter's Guild more intriguing.
But then he remembered something. Kuzan hadn't resurfaced. Leno's eyes widened in realization—Devil Fruit users were vulnerable in water.
"Damn it, I hope he hasn't drowned," Leno thought, slapping his forehead. He quickly returned to the boat, dropped his weapon, and dove into the sea to rescue Kuzan.
After a brief struggle, Leno pulled the unconscious Kuzan back on board. Kuro helped expel the seawater from Kuzan's lungs, but he remained unresponsive. It was suggested they find a doctor on the next island, Koto, which was about a day's sail away.
With Kuzan safely aboard, the crew celebrated. Luwell brought out the prepared food and champagne, cheering and dancing in impromptu celebration.
As Leno relaxed, he checked the system's message log. He hadn't paid much attention earlier due to the excitement.
[Ding! You beat your opponent and scanned for talents: Freezing (SS-level), Armament Haki (SS-level), Observation Haki (SS-level), Marine Six Styles (S-level), Life Return (S-level), Intelligence Analysis (S-level), General Talent (Level A), Heart of Justice (Level A), Strength (Level A), Super Sleep (Level B), Riding (Level B), Sense of Music (Level C), Cooking (Level C), Painting (C-level), Fishing (C-level)]
Leno took a deep breath. Kuzan's talent was overwhelming, easily the strongest he had seen. Three SS ranks, three S ranks, and three A grades. Even his lower-level talents were impressive.
"Is there no SSS class?" Leno wondered aloud.
"The system's assessment for SSS level is stringent. Currently, only Garp's Armament Haki qualifies," the system replied. "Not even [Wind's Blessing] or [Freezing] reaches that level."
Leno nodded. The system's standards were high, but that only fueled his desire to keep pushing forward.
[Please host choose a talent as soon as possible!]
Which one should he choose?
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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