The battle on the deck of the ship raged on as the rest of Yu Zhong's crew took on Gorrik's men with fervor and skill. Each of them was putting their abilities to use, working in perfect harmony. The fight was proving to be an excellent test for the crew, each of them showcasing their growth since their time in Skypiea.
But amidst the chaos, all eyes were on the confrontation between Yu Zhong and Gorrik. The two powerful figures stood at the center of the deck, their swords drawn and their focus entirely on one another.
Gorrik's expression was cold, his eyes calculating. "You think you can defeat me, boy? I've hunted down entire crews stronger than yours. What makes you think you'll survive this?"
Yu Zhong tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes steady. "I've never been one to back down from a fight, and you're not the first to underestimate me. You'll find that I'm not like the others."
With a grunt, Gorrik lunged forward, swinging his large, curved sword in a horizontal arc aimed directly at Yu Zhong's torso. The force of the strike created a gust of wind as it sliced through the air. But Yu Zhong was ready.
In a flash, Yu Zhong sidestepped, his movements precise and fluid, narrowly avoiding the blade. He pivoted and countered, his own sword flashing through the air toward Gorrik's exposed side. But Gorrik was no amateur. He twisted his body just in time, deflecting the blow with his sword and stepping back to regain his stance.
"Not bad," Gorrik sneered, his eyes narrowing. "But I'm just getting started."
Yu Zhong's eyes glinted with determination. He wasn't just relying on his sword skills—he was fully aware of the power that surged within him, the strength he had gained through his training and his journey. He wasn't the same child who had stepped foot on Skypiea. He was becoming something more, something greater.
With a roar, Yu Zhong advanced, closing the distance between them with swift, powerful steps. Gorrik tried to swing again, but Yu Zhong ducked under the arc of the sword, rolling to the side and coming up with a swift strike that grazed the pirate hunter's shoulder.
"Enough of this!" Gorrik shouted, his eyes blazing with anger. "I'll end this now!"
He raised his sword above his head, preparing to strike with all his might. But Yu Zhong had already anticipated this. He knew the attack was coming, and he used it to his advantage.
As Gorrik swung downward, Yu Zhong quickly closed the gap, his body moving like a blur. In a split second, he sidestepped the attack and delivered a powerful slash to Gorrik's side. The blade cut deep, and the pirate hunter staggered back, a look of surprise and pain flashing across his face.
"You're not the first to underestimate me," Yu Zhong repeated, his voice low and fierce.
Gorrik growled in frustration, clutching his side where blood began to seep from the wound. "You're stronger than I thought," he admitted, his voice tinged with both grudging respect and simmering anger. "But you still won't stop me."
With a snarl, he swung his sword once more, aiming for Yu Zhong's head in a killing blow. But this time, Yu Zhong was prepared. His eyes narrowed, his body instinctively reacting to the rhythm of the battle. He blocked the strike with his own blade, the clash of metal ringing out across the deck.
Yu Zhong's expression softened just for a moment, and with a swift movement, he twisted his sword out of Gorrik's grip, disarming him in an instant. Before Gorrik could react, Yu Zhong's blade was at his throat.
"It's over," Yu Zhong said, his voice unwavering.
Gorrik's eyes burned with fury, but he couldn't deny the truth. He was defeated.
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The Aftermath of the Battle
The pirate hunter, once a terrifying figure on the seas, now knelt before Yu Zhong, defeated and humiliated. His crew, seeing their leader fall, began to hesitate, their morale shattered. It wasn't just that Gorrik was strong—it was that they had underestimated Yu Zhong and his crew.
The rest of Yu Zhong's crew finished dispatching the remaining pirates with relative ease, their skill and teamwork proving more than a match for the ragtag group of bandits. The fight had been a true test, but one they passed with flying colors.
Kadita stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of the fight. "You're strong, Captain. We make a great team."
Lancelot, wiping sweat from his brow, grinned. "That was a good fight. But don't get too cocky, Gorrik. We still have a long way to go."
Akai cracked his knuckles, looking down at the defeated pirate. "These guys were nothing. The Grand Line won't be as easy, but we'll handle it."
Clint remained silent, watching the horizon, his rifle resting at his side. His gaze was far away, as if already looking ahead to the challenges that lay beyond.
Johnson, adjusting his mechanical arm, chuckled. "We might need to keep an eye on the ship. If more pirates like this come along, we'll have to be ready."
Eudora, ever the optimist, smiled brightly. "We did it! This was a great warm-up for what's coming."
Yu Zhong looked down at Gorrik, his sword still poised at the pirate's throat. "You can leave now. But if I ever see you or your crew again, you won't be so lucky."
Gorrik, realizing the defeat was absolute, lowered his gaze. His pride had been shattered, but his life had been spared. "You'll regret this, kid. You'll see."
He stood up slowly, glancing at his remaining crew, and with one final scowl, he retreated, vanishing over the side of the ship with his men.
Yu Zhong sheathed his sword, looking at his crew with a sense of satisfaction. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice resolute. "The Grand Line won't be easy, but we're ready."
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A New Course
With the pirate hunter and his crew defeated, Yu Zhong turned his attention back to the map and the course ahead. The first island they would pass was still a few days away, and the crew knew that there would be more pirates, more challenges, and more tests waiting for them.
But as they sailed onward, they did so with a renewed sense of confidence. They had faced their first true battle together, and they had come out on top. Their unity and strength as a crew had been proven, and now they were more determined than ever to reach the Grand Line.
Kadita stood at the bow of the ship, her trident resting at her side as she looked out at the vast ocean ahead. "I can feel it, Captain," she said, her voice calm but filled with excitement. "The adventure we've been waiting for—it's out there. We just have to keep going."
Yu Zhong joined her, his eyes scanning the horizon. "We will. And when we reach the Grand Line, we'll show the world who we are."
The wind picked up, the sails billowing as the crew sailed onward, heading toward the adventure that awaited them. The world was vast, and the dangers were many, but they were ready.
Together, they would conquer the Grand Line.
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End of Chapter 10
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In Chapter 10, the crew faces their first true battle with the infamous pirate hunter, Gorrik. Yu Zhong's leadership and the crew's teamwork are tested in their victory. With their first major challenge behind them, they set their sights on the Grand Line, knowing that the journey ahead will be filled with far greater dangers. Their resolve grows stronger as they continue their voyage, bound by a shared dream and an unbreakable bond.
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