Either You Kill Me, or I Kill You

"It's the Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit: Lion Form."

"Is this the power of a Devil Fruit?"

"Zoan types can increase all sorts of defense, attack power, and recovery. The situation is still uncertain."

"This Golden Emperor might also be a Devil Fruit user, most likely a Paramecia type."

As Gappa transformed, it immediately caused quite a commotion.

One had to know that the Devil Fruits, the sea's secret treasures, were priceless. Even the most mediocre ones could fetch over a hundred million Belly at auction; not everyone could afford to eat one.

They were a luxurious kind of fruit.

Some people might never even know what a Devil Fruit was in their entire lives.

But what was certain was that anyone who ate a Devil Fruit could immediately possess power beyond that of ordinary people.

It was an important shortcut to gaining power and changing one's destiny.

"Kid, I'm going to tear you apart!"

In the arena, Gappa looked down at Chaos from above. His fierce and cruel face was like a shadow that blocked out the sun.

Chaos felt a slight pressure.

His guess was correct; only such strong opponents could make him improve. Like Poison Fang and the bearded man before, they couldn't even get him excited.

"Either you kill me, or I kill you."

Chaos's spiky hair fluttered, his hands hanging straight down, full of arrogance.

Very arrogant.

"I'll grant your wish."

A ferocious roar that shattered eardrums erupted. Gappa's right claw, thicker than his thigh, struck like lightning, aiming straight for Chaos's throat, clearly intending to kill him with one blow.

Chaos, who had already tensed his entire body and prepared himself, immediately clenched his right fist and met the attack head-on without dodging.

A massive collision echoed, and cracks appeared on the ground beneath their feet. Chaos staggered back two steps, his fist feeling the pain.

Gappa, with a grimace in his huge mouth, didn't even move his strong, sturdy legs.

Whoosh~

A sound of tearing air suddenly struck. Gappa lunged forward, his right foot sweeping like a gale. Chaos leaned back, but Gappa was faster. He spun around, his five fingers hooking like sharp scythes, aiming to slash at Chaos's chest.

Chaos moved with incredible speed, leaning back in mid-air and spinning 360 degrees to dodge. Then, with his left hand on the ground, he brought his feet together and shot towards Gappa's chest like a cannonball.

A dull collision, even more immense than the last, occurred. Gappa blocked with his thick forearm, his feet sinking into the ground as he was pushed back, leaving two tracks.

Chaos flipped and stood up, crossing five meters in the blink of an eye to appear before Gappa, unleashing a left hook that whistled through the air.

Gappa's eyes were filled with a chilling glint. Chaos's speed had exceeded his expectations; he hadn't expected him to be so fast!

But Gappa wasn't made of mud either. He had a bounty of fifty-three million, plus the enhancement from his Zoan-type ability. His reaction speed was definitely fast.

Gappa bent down to dodge at the last moment and simultaneously swept his leg. Although Chaos jumped to avoid it, Gappa was prepared. He clenched his fist and powerfully struck Chaos's crossed arms, which were raised in defense. With a gust of wind, Chaos was forced back, falling into a disadvantage.

"Hoo~"

Chaos exhaled a breath. These few exchanges had taught him a lot.

His opponent's combat skills and reaction speed were superior to his, a perfect whetstone.

This made Chaos's fighting spirit soar to unprecedented heights. He was sure he would grow after this battle.

Using Soru, Chaos vanished from his spot, launching the first attack, intending to engage Gappa in close combat!

"Captain, go! I've bet all my money on you."

"Take down that guy who doesn't know his place, daring to provoke our Lion King Pirates."

Many pirates on the periphery were cheering. Lion King Gappa clearly had the upper hand now, continuously suppressing the Golden Emperor, who could only defend passively and was clearly being pushed back.

Many pirates believed Gappa was destined to win.

"An interesting newcomer."

However, there were also pirates with sharp eyes. For example, on a nearby rooftop, a middle-aged man in casual clothes, wearing a round straw hat and carrying two scythes at his waist.

He watched the battle, which was almost entirely one-sided, with a hint of surprise.

"Reaper Tesys, you see it too?"

On other buildings, quite a few pirates were also standing.

One of them, a fat man in a black suit smoking a cigar, puffed out smoke and tilted his head towards Tesys.

This guy had a bounty of ninety-three million and was a Paramecia-type Scythe Fruit user, a lone wolf!

Pradanite hadn't expected to run into him here.

"Blood Thorn Pradanite, bounty of eighty-nine million."

Tesys turned to look at the fat man, recognizing his identity at a glance.

This fat man was known for his ruthlessness and was a Paramecia-type Thorn Fruit user. He had heard that a while ago, he had killed a Marine Colonel and was being pursued by one of the Marines' three Logia monsters, Rear Admiral Sakazuki. He hadn't expected him to show up in Demon Valley Town.

"How about we bet on who survives!"

Pradanite flicked ash from his cigar, casually pointing at Chaos and Gappa fighting in the arena.

"Don't you already see it? I'm sure Zebra Killer Barnkes and Camel Tepieru see it too."

Reaper Tesys crossed his arms and looked at the other two men on the rooftop.

One was a man in a black and white striped jacket, the other a man wearing boots.

Zebra Killer Barnkes, bounty 81 million, Zoan-type Horse-Horse Fruit: Zebra Form!

Camel Tepieru, bounty 79 million, Zoan-type Horse-Horse Fruit: Camel Form!

Who would have thought such an ordinary fight would attract these four powerhouses.

"It's interesting that the kid is using Lion King Gappa for practice."

Camel Tepieru sat on the rooftop with his legs crossed, his face cold as he commented on the fight between Chaos and Gappa.

"Too weak."

Zebra Killer Barnkes' face was arrogant, his eyes filled with disdain.

In his opinion, both Lion King Gappa and Chaos were too weak.

"Haha! They all say Zebra Killer is arrogant and conceited, and it's true!"

Reaper Tesys, the one with the highest bounty among the four, looked at Zebra Killer with amusement. "If you go down there, you won't be able to beat that guy called Golden Emperor."

"Hmph, I don't mind killing you right now. I'm sure the Marines would be happy to receive the head of Reaper, with a bounty of 93 million!"

This was the pirate world, where hostility filled the air without any warning.

"I'm not toying with you. After this fight is over, you can try. If you can kill Golden Emperor, I'll give you 50 million Belly."

Tesys shrugged, completely calm.

He was not provoked by Zebra Killer's words.

"I like this bet. I don't mind betting on Zebra Killer to win, right? Same amount, 50 million."

Blood Thorn Pradanite blew smoke rings and interjected.

"Zebra Killer, 30 million!"

Even Camel Tepieru spoke up, his face cold and his words sparse.

"50 million, I accept!"

Zebra Killer glanced at Tesys, then looked at the fight unfolding below, a fierce grin appearing on his lips.

This was the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest. Chaos was unaware he was being targeted, let alone that these words were being exchanged, and he hadn't even heard of Zebra Killer and the others.

There was no prior animosity between them, yet the four men watched as if observing a play, determining Chaos's future.