A Challenge is Issued

Fenrir Island, also known as "Snow Wolf Island," is the second-largest island within John's territory, surpassed only by the pirate island Hachinosu.

Due to its superior geographical location and the numerous trade routes surrounding it, Fenrir Island once showed a subtle trend of rivaling Hachinosu Island, and John had even considered moving his base of operations there.

However, after careful consideration, he ultimately abandoned the idea.

On one hand, Hachinosu Island and its surrounding islands were also quite resource-rich, not inferior to Fenrir Island.

On the other hand, from the overall layout of John's territory, Fenrir Island's location was actually quite peripheral. Moving the base of operations there would almost equate to abandoning control over nearly half of his territory.

Compared to John's various considerations, this resource-rich island was truly perfect in the eyes of the ravenous Beasts Pirates.

Firstly, the island was not too far from the Beasts Pirates' current stronghold, almost in adjacent waters, making it reachable in a single day's travel.

Conversely, Fenrir Island was separated from Charlotte Linlin's territory, the Totland Sea, by Hachinosu Island's main island and its numerous affiliated islets. The excessive distance made it unlikely for her to compete with the Beasts Pirates for it.

As for Shiki, his territory was in the middle section of the New World, a considerable distance from Hachinosu Island.

Furthermore, his subordinate islands were generally kept afloat by his abilities, and he had little interest in islands in good locations. His sole objective this time was Rocks' Treasure to expand the scale of his Grand Fleet.

"I understand, Captain Kaido! I will definitely take these islands this time," Burufatt vowed with conviction.

"What islands? What are you talking about~ Why aren't you waiting for me, little J... I mean, me?"

Oshi's cheerful voice came from outside, and then two small heads, one red and one blue, appeared through the doorway behind the wine barrel.

Burufatt's mood lightened as he looked at the two little ones, only their ahoges peeking out from behind the wine barrel.

"It's you two brats. How's your Haki training coming along?"

"Hmph~ Haki is such a simple thing, of course, I, this genius, have easily mastered it." Oshi crossed her arms, puffing out her proud little nose.

"Oh? Then I'll have to test you later. Don't come crying to me when I beat you, you little genius~"

Burufatt teased with mild interest.

"Ho ho~ You dare challenge me when you know I've already mastered Haki? You bull-headed old man..."

Oshi's ahoge twitched. Having achieved mastery, she was eager to find someone to spar with.

She crossed her arms, like a card player who had summoned their level 12 ace, and provocatively smirked:

"Well~ I don't dislike courageous people like you, but the truth is cruel. I'll show you how reckless it is to challenge a god! Hahahaha!"

"Uh... Huh? What did you eat these past few days, you little brat? Why are you suddenly so arrogant? And my name is Burufatt, not bull-head!"

Burufatt placed his hand directly on Oshi's little head and ruffled it vigorously.

"Hey, masked guy, want to spar with me later too."

Oshi, acting like a delinquent girl, also challenged King.

"Okay." King had no objections; he also wanted to see Oshi's progress over the past few days.

"Uro ro ro ro~ How interesting! I'll have to see how much potential you two brats have. If you fight well, I'll take you out for a spin too!"

Kaido was always highly interested in anything related to combat, and he also wanted to see the effectiveness of Ra's teaching.

"King, Burufatt, don't hold back later!"

If these two brats' strength had reached a level that satisfied him, he wouldn't mind letting them participate in this operation.

"Huh? We can go out to sea and play?"

Hearing Kaido's promise, the two little ones' spirits immediately lifted. After all, they had already explored this small island thoroughly in search of inspiration these past few days and were getting bored.

However, Oshi and Oshi didn't immediately agree. Instead, they both looked towards Ra.

Seeing the longing in their eyes, Ra said calmly, "You can, if you can finish my after-school homework before Captain Kaido departs."

"Ehhhhh~"

Mention of homework made Oshi and Oshi wilt again. Five days had already passed, and they still hadn't made much progress. If this continued, they'd really be in trouble.

"Hmm? What homework?" Burufatt, standing nearby, asked curiously.

"Nothing! You pervert!" Oshi immediately retorted.

"Why are you scolding me for no reason, you impolite brat!"

Having been scolded for no reason, Burufatt found himself in an awkward situation.

"Hmph~ Are you guys done with your meeting? If you are, hurry up and come out! I can't wait to beat you up!"

Thinking about the frustrating days they'd had, Oshi was eager to find someone to vent on. Perhaps after fighting, her thoughts would clear, and then— ding! —she'd have inspiration.

"Uro ro ro~ Let's go. I've said what I needed to say. Now, let me enjoy your fight!"

Kaido concluded the pre-battle meeting and led the way to the training grounds. King gave Oshi a look and followed closely, and the group proceeded to the training grounds.

Yet again, the same open space—

The training ground was no longer empty as it had been before. After being ravaged by Kaido and Ra, and then by Oshi and Oshi, the environment, which seemed to have been reshaped, attracted some curious members of the Beasts Pirates.

Many members had once again begun using it as their regular practice and sparring ground, as it was a rare open area on the island.

"It's Boss Kaido! Why is he here?"

"Lord King and Brother Burufatt are following him."

"And that new executive, they should be called Ra, right?"

"Boss Kaido, why have you come here?" a squad captain asked.

"I'm here to watch the match. All of you, get out of the way and let those two fight!"

Kaido waved his hand, and the pirates on the training ground moved aside, leaving a large open space in the middle.

"Hey, who do you think Boss Kaido is here to watch?" Some people couldn't help but start discussing.

"I don't know, I haven't heard of any captains wanting to fight."

"Could it be Captain Taolong? I heard he's always wanted to challenge for an executive position."

"It's possible, maybe he's going to challenge the newcomer, Ra?"

"That's unlikely. Captain Taolong was taught a lesson by Lord Ra just a few days ago for causing trouble in the mess hall. Lord Ra just glanced at him, and he didn't dare say a word, running away dejectedly."

"Then who exactly are the two people about to fight..."

Amidst the pirates' discussions, Oshi and Burufatt walked to the center of the training ground.

Seeing that it was these two, the surrounding noise instantly quieted down! But it was immediately followed by an even louder uproar.

"Ah, ah?!"

"No, no way! Brother Burufatt and that red-haired kid?! How is that possible?"

"This... this, what's going on?"

"Is this some kind of prank? It can't be?"

"That red-haired kid isn't even ten years old, right? She's not even as tall as Brother Burufatt's thigh!"

"I remember she seems to be Lord Ra's sister, maybe..."

"Are you ready, kid? You can start when you're ready." Burufatt stood in the center of the clearing with his arms crossed, looking down at Oshi.

Oshi made no move to attack. Instead, she stood with her hands hanging loosely, calmly looking at the tall figure opposite her.

"You go first, Bullhead Uncle. After all, you're the challenger!"

"You little brat!"

Burufatt was somewhat speechless at Oshi's arrogant demeanor and prepared to teach the kid a good lesson.

"I hope you don't end up crying for your sister later! Fish-Man Karate—Three Thousand Sheet Tile Straight Punch!" Without further ado, Burufatt's fist, covered in Armament Haki, struck directly at Oshi's face.

"Whoa! Brother Burufatt is serious, he's using Fish-Man Karate right off the bat!"

"And he's covered it with Haki, is he trying to beat that kid to death?"

"No! I quite like that red-haired kid, she helped me win a lot of money."

The surrounding pirates seemed to envision Oshi's small body being sent flying by Burufatt's massive fist. Some who were on good terms with Oshi turned their heads away.

However, the expected sound of impact never came.

Just as Burufatt's punch was about to touch Oshi, Oshi, who had been standing still as if completely unresponsive, suddenly gave a sinister smile. Then, with an incredibly fast sidestep, she dodged the punch.

"Perfect Dodge, achieved! Now for Time-Space Rupture!"

Oshi muttered game terms, though in reality, there was no Time-Space Rupture; her evasion was just that fast.

A flash of red light, and in Burufatt's disbelieving eyes, a fist wrapped in crimson Armament Haki struck his chest!

In an instant, his body, which was incredibly large compared to Oshi's, was sent flying backward like a cannonball.

This scene stunned the surrounding pirates, and some of them looked like their eyeballs were about to pop out!

"Wh-what was that?"

"Brother Burufatt flew away! Brother Burufatt was sent flying by that red-haired kid with one punch?!"

"Is this... is this some kind of illusion-type Devil Fruit ability?"

"What is that red color? Is it an ability? Or Haki?"

"It's over, it's over! I called that kid a shrimp several times, she's definitely going to get revenge on me!"

Even Kaido put down his sake jug upon seeing this, staring at the scene with surprise.

At this moment, his gaze seemed to have found something extremely interesting.

"Cough, cough~ What a powerful punch! And the color of this Haki!"

Burufatt got up from the ground in the distance, clutching his chest and looking at Oshi. "Red-haired kid, no, Oshi! You really are not an ordinary fellow!"

"Didn't I tell you already? I'm a genius, and mere Armament Haki is nothing if I feel like it~" Oshi remained unfazed.

"So, you wanna go again? Mister Bull-Head~"

"Hahahaha! Of course! It's been a while since I met a worthy opponent. Today, I'll show you my true skills!" Burufatt lowered the hand covering his chest and twisted his neck from side to side.

"Speaking of which, you little brat, always going on about 'I, I, I'. Can't you be a bit more ladylike like your sister? It's a shame to waste such a cute face.

And stop calling me Mister Bull-Head!"

"You want me to change how I address you? You'll have to win first. After all, the victor gets to make the rules." Oshi's face was still full of a confident smile.