Austin: Tekkai!!!

"It's starting, it's starting!!!"

"Who wants to bet how long Austin can last this time?"

"Last time it was one minute, this time... it'll be at least a minute and a half."

"I bet two minutes."

"Want to place another bet, everyone?"

"...Don't make me slap you, Bitam!"

Perhaps it was due to extreme boredom, but on Captain Roger's pirate ship, a group of rough men were enthusiastically gathered, watching a battle about to commence.

Austin, dressed in a shrunken black military uniform he'd somehow acquired, a black gun strapped to his back, stood ready to face the figure opposite him.

His long black hair fluttered in the wind, and though his determined face was still young, it couldn't hide his handsomeness.

His face had a unique beauty, reminiscent of the Uchiha clan.

Standing opposite him was a middle-aged man with blonde hair. Even just standing casually, he put considerable pressure on Austin.

He really is the Dark King Rayleigh. Just his stance tells me how terrifyingly strong this guy is.

Austin understood that no strong fighter in the One Piece World was forged solely through arduous training; that was the way of lesser pirates.

As for him, Austin, His main strategy was sheer stubbornness!

If you're afraid of pain, you shouldn't be a pirate!

Seeing Rayleigh make no move, Austin decided not to wait. To the bewildered gazes of Buggy and Shanks, he flickered and vanished from his spot.

"Huh? He disappeared instantly?"

"When did Austin eat a Devil Fruit?"

They knew about Austin and Uncle Bitam's scam. Naturally, they also knew that the treasure Captain Roger lost in that bet was a Devil Fruit.

And Austin hadn't taken any money when they divided the spoils, only that Devil Fruit.

According to Captain Rayleigh, the fruit's name seemed to be...

The Warp Fruit?

"It wasn't!"

At some point, Captain Roger had appeared behind the two little sprouts, patting their heads with his large hands and laughing, "You've seen it before. Austin was using the Marine Six Styles."

"Huh!!??"

Shanks and Buggy's mouths hung open in disbelief.

They certainly knew about Rokushiki. It was an advanced application of Body Technique, or perhaps a pre-Haki education. But the crucial point was...

This was one of the signature skills of a Marine officer. Austin had learned it at the age of nine?

As expected, when they looked back at the battlefield, Austin had suddenly appeared behind Rayleigh and delivered a kick to his waist.

Shakky-san, don't blame me!

But just as his foot was about to connect, Austin inexplicably retracted his leg and quickly distanced himself from his opponent.

Rayleigh slowly turned around, looking at Austin, whose eyes were filled with gravity. A sly smile appeared on his lips.

"Why did you pull your leg back halfway?"

Austin glared at the grinning Rayleigh, who looked like a strange old man, and pouted, "It's nothing. I just felt like something very bad would happen if I kicked."

In fact, In that split second, he had vaguely seen a vision of his own leg breaking.

Trusting his gut, Austin voluntarily retracted his leg and tried to recapture that feeling.

"Observation Haki being too powerful can sometimes hinder your development, young man!"

Rayleigh said with a smile, and then, almost instantly, appeared in front of Austin.

Nani?!

Austin's Observation Haki screamed a warning!

Observation Haki: Enemy present!

Brain: React quickly!

Body: Yeah, right. You try reacting to this? Hold this poet!

This was one of Austin's flaws. His overly powerful Observation Haki gave him a natural sense of a strong fighter's perspective, or a god's-eye view.

But this still didn't change the fact that he was a kid. His body's reaction couldn't keep up. The disparity between the two was his weakness.

This had nothing to do with talent; it could only be honed through constant combat to develop monstrous combat reactions and instincts.

Only then could he wield more advanced powers, Like Haki.

In other words, fighting more and getting hit more is the best shortcut tutorial for Armament Haki.

And a naturally strong physique can only help Austin shorten this process, but it cannot skip it.

Therefore, when facing Rayleigh's sudden attack, Austin quickly understood that he couldn't dodge it at all. It was better to take the hit and stand at attention.

So, he decisively chose to use this opportunity to temper himself, hardening his heart, And used the beggar-version Armament Haki he had just learned—

"Tekkai!!!"

I don't believe I can't even block a single kick...

"Austin, you're finally awake!"

"Holy crap..."

Austin slowly opened his eyes and looked at the two teenagers standing by his bed. It only took him two and a half seconds to figure out what was going on.

He had been knocked out by Uncle Rayleigh again.

Should I say Rayleigh-san's kick is strong, or is being knocked out the passive effect of this crappy skill?

If I use Tekkai again, I'm a dog, Austin swore inwardly.

"Hey! Austin, are you really okay?"

Seeing Austin get up and out of bed, Buggy and Shanks looked concerned.

After all, they had clearly seen the dark purple Armament Haki on Vice-Captain Rayleigh's foot after Austin fainted. Even Captain Roger was sweating and asked if Rayleigh had gone too hard.

Although Austin is a monster, taking such a direct hit should at least put him out for a few days. They couldn't imagine how Austin managed to endure it.

Furthermore, as Austin's good brothers, the two of them were also worried if something was wrong with his body.

This guy Austin... is really too reckless.

But Austin, the center of the incident, clearly didn't take it to heart. Instead, he stretched his muscles and bones.

"I'm fine. By the way, how long did I sleep? Did I sleep all day?"

Austin acted as if nothing had happened. It was only when he touched his chest that he gasped in pain.

It really hurts!

Seeing his expression, Shanks and Buggy thought his wound had relapsed or something, and quickly supported him.

"Don't force yourself, Austin!"

"Yeah, if you're injured, rest properly, you idiot!"

Austin bared his teeth, unbuttoned his shirt, and looked at his dark chest, his lips twitching slightly.

"Huh? Austin, when did you learn Armament Haki?"

Shanks exclaimed in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Buggy, seeing his reaction, was furious and cursed, "Are you an idiot? This is clearly a bruise!"

"Oh... Hahahahaha, I see!" Shanks realized belatedly and laughed heartily, "So I was mistaken."

"You bastard really makes me angry!"

Buggy couldn't stand this about Shanks, who often missed the point of others' conversations in a silly way and always calmly watched him get angry.

And usually, at this time, Austin would laugh heartily while watching the show. After they finished arguing, he would put his arms around both of their necks and skillfully change the subject.

"Don't be angry, Buggy. Let's go eat."

"Tch... I'll give Austin some face, but it's not because of you, Shanks!"

"Okay... I get it."