After being severely injured by Takumi, Wapol quickly recovered thanks to the treatment from his Doctors 20. But the humiliation he'd suffered was something he'd never experienced before. It left a deep, festering hatred in him—a burning desire to flay Takumi and Law alive.
Thus, Wapol issued a nationwide order to capture Takumi and Law. He decreed that anyone harboring them would be considered accomplices and executed without mercy.
As Wapol saw Takumi standing there, casually holding two large jugs of liquor, he sneered. "You little brat, barely out of your teens, and already a drunkard. Too bad for you, you picked the wrong person to cross. Mark my words—today will be your last. Bring out the hostages!"
Takumi raised an eyebrow. Hostages? Who could they be?
Two of Wapol's guards emerged from behind him, dragging a terrified mother and her young daughter. The woman clutched her crying child tightly, her tear-streaked face pleading with Takumi. "Please, don't hurt us. Just do as King Wapol says, or he'll kill us."
Takumi remained silent, his gaze cool and detached. He didn't know these people.
Wapol, smirking, added, "If you don't want them to get hurt, you'd better stand still and not move a muscle."
The woman's voice trembled as she continued, "I know it's a lot to ask... You don't owe us anything, but if you don't listen to him, my daughter and I... we'll die because of you. And even if you survive, you'll have our deaths on your conscience. We were captured because of you... Don't you feel any responsibility to save us?"
Responsibility? Takumi let out a dry laugh.
He didn't see himself as a villain, but he certainly wasn't a hero either. Whether he saved someone or not depended entirely on his mood. This kind of moral blackmail was nothing but a joke to him.
Wapol's laughter echoed through the street. "Ha ha ha! You're dead meat, kid! Let's see you try to escape now. Men, attack! Whoever kills this brat first gets a hefty reward!"
"Yes, sir!" the guards shouted in unison, raising their guns and taking aim at Takumi.
Meanwhile, on the adjacent street, Law had been trailing after Kureha, persistently asking her to teach him medical skills. But Kureha's response had always been the same: "Get lost, kid. I've got nothing to say to you."
As they walked, they both noticed the commotion surrounding Takumi. Law started toward the scene but then stopped after just a few steps.
Kureha, with a knowing smirk, asked, "What's the matter? Your friend's in trouble. You're not going to help him?"
Law chuckled, "This is nothing for Takumi. He'll handle it."
"Seems you think quite highly of him," Kureha observed.
"Of course," Law replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "You seem to have some free time, so how about we make a bet?"
Kureha raised an eyebrow, amused. "You think you can trick me that easily, kid? Who do you think you're dealing with?"
Law smiled, undeterred. "What's the matter? Afraid to take the bet?"
"Ha! You can't bait me with such obvious tactics," Kureha scoffed.
Law went on, "Here's the deal. We bet on how long it'll take Takumi to deal with those guys. If you win, I won't bother you about teaching me anymore. But if I win, you'll have to guide me in medicine. How about it?"
Kureha laughed heartily. "You've got guts, kid. Fine, but if I win, you'll never come near me again. I'll bet that your friend can take them down in three minutes."
Law grinned. "Are you sure?"
Kureha noticed the confident glint in Law's eyes, then took another swig of her drink. "You seem awfully certain... Fine, three minutes might be too generous. I'll say one minute."
"Are you sure?" Law repeated.
Kureha saw the seriousness in his expression and decided to go all in. "Fine. One minute it is. I bet that kid can clear them out in sixty seconds."
"Deal," Law said, his grin widening. "I'll bet he can do it in ten seconds."
"Ten seconds?" Kureha's eyes widened in surprise. "You really think he can take them all out in just ten seconds?"
Law shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but if you're going to bet, why not go big? Who knows, maybe he'll pull it off."
Kureha shook her head in disbelief. "You're crazy, kid."
Law replied nonchalantly, "If I lose, it's no big deal. I'll just keep following Takumi around. I've already been trailing him for two months—what's a little longer?"
Takumi had been listening to their entire conversation, thanks to his Observation Haki. He had no desire to have Law continue tagging along.
So, as the guards raised their weapons to fire, Takumi let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh. With a single glance, everyone—including the sobbing mother and daughter—collapsed into unconsciousness.
That's the power of Conqueror's Haki.
Law blinked in surprise, cold sweat forming on his brow. "What the heck did Takumi just do?"
Kureha was equally shocked. "No way... You've got to be kidding me!"
Law cleared his throat awkwardly. "So... I guess that means I win?"
Kureha felt thoroughly outmaneuvered. "You little brats... You planned this, didn't you?"
"We didn't..." Law replied, still somewhat in disbelief himself. "I had no idea he could do that... Though I knew he was strong."
Kureha took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Fine, fine. A bet's a bet. I'll teach you, but don't think it'll be easy. I'm tough, and if you can't handle it, you can leave anytime."
Law's face lit up with excitement. "Don't worry, I'm tougher than I look. I can take whatever you throw at me."
As for Takumi, the moment he incapacitated Wapol and his men, the system's voice rang in his mind.
[Ding Ding! You've helped Law apprentice under the Witch Doctor Kureha. Sign-in progress: +10%.]
[Ding Ding! Drum Island sign-in task complete. Congratulations, host, you've unlocked the expert-level skill 'Yin Healing Wound Destruction' and upgraded your Armament Haki by one level. Current Armament Haki level: Lv6.]
A surge of powerful energy coursed through Takumi's body. It felt as if an invisible armor had enveloped him, significantly reducing the chilling effects of the harsh environment around him.
******
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