"The final winners... are the rookie team from the East Blue—the Straw Hat Crew! Let's welcome this young, energetic team with a round of applause."
"The applause is ringing out! Now, please welcome the winners to the stage to receive their awards!"
As the host finished speaking, thunderous applause immediately erupted throughout the venue. Everyone was cheering for the team that had won the championship in the first major competition held by the Land of Grass after the final battle.
Of course.
Those youthful faces were also deeply admirable. Winning against so many teams from the Four Seas with such superb craftsmanship was no easy feat.
Courage, skill, and perseverance—none of them could be lacking!
This was a truly prestigious victory!
Especially that kid in the straw hat. Though he looked rather carefree, every time he was seriously injured, he still managed to force himself back to his feet.
Even when everyone thought he could no longer stand, he still relied on his tenacious strength to rise again.
Especially that final move...
Gear Fourth Eight Gates!
Scarlet veins burst across his entire body, and his expression became savage. One look was enough to tell that it was an extremely dangerous technique.
There were rumors...
This was not a technique from the sea, but a Forbidden Jutsu from the ninja world, the homeland of the Land of Grass. If used improperly, it could cost one's life, and people of the sea could not easily use it.
Yet this child had still managed to use it through his own strength!
He had used it in this competition!
Although he seemed to have used his own vitality in place of Chakra, making it different from the original Eight Gates, that only made it even more dangerous!
It was clear just how much he