Sorry, I Don't Have Smaller Underwear Than This

"Huh?"

Before Austin could react, Buggy jumped up, his mouth agape in an exaggerated expression.

"Shanks, what are you thinking? There's a limit to how much you can push yourself. There's no way you're a match for Austin!?"

Although his words were a bit hurtful, Shanks had to admit that the gap between his current strength and Austin's was indeed too large.

Both were 13 years old, yet Austin was already touching the threshold of Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

As for himself, even with all his might, he could only vaguely sense Haki, unable to even apply it practically.

However, sometimes, becoming stronger meant daring to challenge.

"So that's how it is..."

Austin smiled knowingly. Shanks was treating him like an experience point pack.

But it was true, the fastest way to grow stronger was to fight against an opponent one level above yourself.

It wasn't like farming weaklings, yielding no rewards, nor was it like aiming too high due to an insurmountable gap.

"Since you have this resolve, then bring it on."

Austin looked at Shanks, who was considerably shorter than him, and a mischievous idea sparked in his mind. He felt like playing a prank.

He recalled their duel from a few years ago.

That is, the legendary...

"Sorry, I don't have anything smaller than this."

But after searching high and low, Austin only had a spear and a long sword on him. He couldn't find a small dagger anywhere.

"Hmm..."

After much thought, Austin, fully utilizing his combat wisdom, found a suitable substitute for a small dagger on the clothesline at the stern of the ship.

A pair of underpants.

"Austin!"

Shanks took a step forward, gripping his sword with both hands, his voice filled with youthful vigor. He truly lived up to being one of the future Four Emperors, possessing the natural courage to draw his sword against stronger opponents.

"Accept my challenge!"

Austin ignored his passionate declaration and leisurely walked over to the clothesline, taking down a freshly washed pair of his own underwear.

Under the bewildered gazes of Buggy and Shanks, After shaking it out, he twisted it into a rope-like shape, and then...

"Zing--"

Black Armament Haki attached itself to it! (Armament Haki: If I knew it would be infused like this, I'd rather it rot inside my body...)

"Sorry, I don't have any smaller underpants than these."

Shanks had been filled with excitement, immersed in the battle about to unfold, constantly pondering how to find Austin's weaknesses in his mind.

But when he saw Austin harden a pair of underpants with Armament Haki and prepare to fight him with it, he had to admit he couldn't hold back any longer.

"You... you bastard!"

"There's a limit to how much you can look down on someone!!!"

Last time it was a small knife, and now he'd switched to underpants. He wasn't even trying to hide it anymore!

As a companion he had lived and fought with for five years, Shanks knew Austin's strength.

Whether it was marksmanship, Body Technique, swordsmanship, or Haki... Austin was proficient in all combat-related skills, and his mastery was exceptionally high.

Whenever facing a different enemy, he could instantly employ the most suitable combat method.

Even bare-handed, Shanks had witnessed Austin infuse his fists with Armament Haki and break through enemy lines with his monstrous strength. He had even sought advice from the ship's Body Technique masters quite a few times.

But now, when it came to fighting him, Austin casually found a pair of underpants and hardened them?

Shanks felt like he'd been hit by ten thousand critical blows.

Was this Austin's twisted sense of humor, or did he genuinely believe that underpants were the most suitable weapon to deal with him?

What a joke!

To deal with me, even if you don't use your proud marksmanship or monstrous strength, at least use the long sword at your waist, you damn fool!!!

Shanks tightened his grip on his long sword, as if to salvage his pride. He unleashed the swordsmanship he inherited from Roger, his sharp gaze completely unlike that of a mere child.

After all, he was praised by Roger as the "King of the Next Generation." Even if he wasn't as monstrous as Austin, he was still a top-tier talent among his peers. His long sword faintly emanated a sword aura.

It was the harbinger of becoming a Swordsman.

"A decent move."

Austin didn't even move his feet, nor did he activate Future Sight. He simply watched the charging Shanks with his combat instincts.

This casual demeanor even gave Shanks an illusion.

Can hit!

There's a chance of victory!

Even you, Austin, aren't completely invincible!!!

Ding--!

A clang of metal striking metal echoed throughout the area. Under Buggy's watchful gaze, Shanks' fierce, full-power slash had landed squarely on Austin's...

uh, underwear.

A look of stunned disbelief suddenly appeared on Shanks' usually confident face.

When did he block it?

This scene caught even Buggy, who was watching from the sidelines, completely off guard.

Shanks' mouth hung slightly agape as he looked up at Austin with a grim expression. All he could see was a mischievous grin on Austin's lips and eyes that seemed to be enjoying the show.

"Close one, I almost didn't react in time," Austin said with a wicked grin, his playful nature surfacing.

Shanks' eyelids twitched several times.

"Shanks, you really can't do it, can you? You're no match at all," Buggy shouted from the side, his intentions unclear – was he trying to urge Shanks to give up, or was he fanning the flames?

As expected, Shanks grew even more agitated.

Veins bulged on his forehead, and a dark Haki even began to faintly appear on his blade. He turned and swung at Austin again.

Ding--!

Another clash of metal. Austin blocked it once more with his underwear.

Then, a barrage of similar sounds erupted. Austin retreated as he fought, methodically using his "Supreme Underwear."

With Armament Haki infused, it could also be considered a "Black Blade,"

one that had even clashed with a Four Emperor.

While Austin was somewhat distracted, Shanks on the other side was truly on the verge of breaking down.

He couldn't even cut through a pair of underwear. Was his Armament Haki fake?

He unleashed every sword technique he had learned, his blade a whirlwind of dense shadows.

His newly honed slashes seemed like a joke in front of the constantly moving underwear, unable to breach its defense at all.

His blade even developed nicks, but the underwear remained as pristine as ever, seemingly durable enough to last an eternity.

Gradually, anger gave way to helplessness. Although Shanks had broken through his own limits in his agitated state, he was still powerless against Austin's figure.

Until Austin's stomach rumbled.

Grumble...

"Sorry, let's call it a day here," Austin said.

Shanks hadn't even processed the words when he suddenly found Austin gone. A gust of wind blew past the back of his head.

Could it be...

No...

"I don't want to be knocked out by underwear..."

Shanks resisted with all his might, but it was futile. A black stick shot directly towards the back of his head, making a crisp collision sound.

Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, Austin's black stick had already landed.

Under Buggy's astonished gaze, Shanks was once again lulled to sleep by Austin.

A large red bump swelled on his head. Buggy winced just looking at it.

Poor Shanks, his strength had indeed improved in dire straits, but the price...

was a lifetime of embarrassing stories.