I Truly Admire the Blood-Eyed Ninja

"There doesn't seem to be anything usable here," Xi Yan said, stroking his chin.

There are indeed quite a few weapons here, but he's not a true swordsman, and he can't unleash Flying Slash with ordinary Swords, so they're not very useful to him.

As for Wind Release?

That thing can only be used by conducting metal with Chakra, so there's no point in taking such an ordinary Swords.

As for the armor?

Does that thing have its own Armament Haki?

To put it bluntly, wearing this is not as good as wearing your own clothes; at least those look better.

With that in mind, Xi Yan gave up the idea of taking anything from there.

Luffy, still wearing the heavy armor he had been wearing, walked up to the weighing staff and asked them to weigh his armor to see if it met the standards.

Clearly, he didn't really believe Cavendish.

"You're overweight," the staff member said expressionlessly. "The armor you're wearing is three times the weight of everyone else's."

To be honest, he'd never seen anything so outrageous.

"I see..." Luffy said unhappily, "Then forget it."

Cavendish:???

"Didn't I just tell you?!" Cavendish said, opening his shark-like mouth. "Were you even listening to me?"

He specifically explained it to him, okay? But this man didn't listen at all?

this...

'This is the first time someone has been able to ignore my aura.' Cavendish watched Luffy and Xi Yan's retreating figures, thinking, 'Very well, you've successfully caught my attention.'

Thinking of this, Cavendish revealed a smile that resembled that of a domineering CEO.

Unfortunately, this expression didn't work on Xi Yan or Luffy.

"Really, we can't wear it?" Luffy asked again.

He wanted to try again because of how cool the armor looked.

"Of course not," the staff member said expressionlessly.

If everyone wears such heavy armor, how long will the battle last?

Therefore, this matter was not allowed from the very beginning.

"All right..."

Seeing that the other party had said so, Luffy had no choice but to compromise.

Then, he looked at Xi Yan and said, "Why didn't you take anything?"

"It's useless to me," Xi Yan said.

If there were any cool-looking individual pieces of armor here, he wouldn't mind getting one to try out.

Unfortunately, none of them met his standards.

After hearing Xi Yan's words, Luffy pondered the opponent's fighting style for a moment, then nodded understandingly and said, "That's true, you really don't need it."

Just then, a gasp came from outside, sounding like the audience cheering for a certain contestant.

"Wow, this is lively!" Luffy laughed. "Are people cheering for the contestants?"

"More or less."

Cavendish, who was sitting to the side, chuckled and said, "Hey, do you guys know what the audience gets most excited about?"

"What?"

"It's blood."

Cavendish raised his hand and shook the red rose in his hand, saying, "To the audience, gladiators are merely exhibits."

"Only the blood of the defeated can excite them."

"It can be said that the Colosseum reveals the truest nature of humanity."

"All those negative emotions that you usually suppress can be released here."

Cavendish paused here, then continued with a hint of sarcasm, "Nobody wants to watch safe matches with clashing swords and armor; they only want to see bloodshed!"

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this is a breeding ground for evil.

Whether it's the audience or the gladiators.

"That's really awful," Xi Yan said with a sneer.

That makes sense; it's not surprising that something like this would appear in a country ruled by pirates.

I just don't know what Doflamingo's purpose was in doing this.

Could it be for screening subordinates?

Luffy didn't pay much attention to Cavendish's words, since for him, the only purpose of coming here was to steal the Diamond Fruit.

"Should I take off my cape too?" Luffy asked. "I think it looks really cool."

"If you want to wear a cape, then take off your helmet," the staff member said expressionlessly.

"That won't do."

Luffy shook his head and said, "I still need the helmet."

With this, he wouldn't be afraid of people seeing his Straw Hat, so he absolutely had to bring it.

"Then take off the cloak."

"All right..."

Although he was very dissatisfied, he had no choice but to give up the handsome cape in order to participate in the competition.

"Hey, I said... I just saw you take down that big guy in a flash." Cavendish looked at Luffy curiously and said, "Who exactly are you?"

"Ah, I'm Luffy."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Cavendish's expression immediately changed.

The surrounding contestants also showed expressions of shock at this moment.

Luffy?

Is that the great pirate with a bounty of 500 million Beli, Straw Hat Luffy?

If that's the case, then what's the point of them fighting?

Xi Yan stared at Luffy with a shocked expression. This guy just blurted it out like that?

"Are you really Luffy?" Cavendish stood up and asked.

"That's right!"

Luffy raised his head and declared, "I'm going to be the Pirate King!"

Upon hearing this, Cavendish instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his knife, clearly intending to kill.

Just then, several men noticed the names of the contestants behind Luffy.

"You're nothing, Luffy!" a man roared, opening his shark-like claws. "Isn't this supposed to be Lucy?!"

"Damn it, don't pronounce it so weird!"

They almost thought they were about to face a pirate with a bounty of 500 million Beli.

"Ah, right, it's Lucy," Luffy said, scratching his head.

He is now Lucy.

Xi Yan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; it seemed he wouldn't be exposed prematurely.

He then glanced at Luffy with some displeasure. Fortunately, the name on his back saved them from a predicament, otherwise he would have made his move prematurely.

Cavendish, after confirming that the name was not Luffy, put down his sword again.

"You seem to hate Straw Hat," Xi Yan said curiously, looking at Cavendish. "Do you have a grudge against him?"

Upon hearing this, Luffy looked at Cavendish with a puzzled expression. He didn't recall ever having a grudge against this person.

"Of course!" Cavendish said without hesitation, "That guy stole my attention, so I really want to kill him!"

"Ha?"

Both Xi Yan and Luffy stared at Cavendish with utter confusion. What kind of strange reason was that?

What does it mean to have stolen his attention?

What the hell is this guy talking about?

Perhaps realizing they were in cahoots, Cavendish explained, "Three years ago, I made a spectacular debut as Supernovas with a bounty of 200 million Beli, causing a sensation throughout the world!"

"Newspapers are vying to report on me; it's safe to say there's practically no one in the world who doesn't know me."

"In the end, even my Wanted Order were so sought after and collected by women that the Navy couldn't leave Wanted Order on the streets anymore."

"You're quite famous, huh?" Luffy asked in surprise.

Although he didn't understand much, he did realize that the other person was very famous.

Xi Yan looked at Cavendish with some surprise; he really hadn't expected this guy to be Supernovas as well.

"That's right, I'm that famous!" Cavendish said, raising his head. "Otherwise, how do you think I got my title Pirate Noble?"

"Since you're so famous, why do you still say Luffy stole your spotlight?" Xi Yan asked curiously.

"Of course it's because of what that bastard did!"

At this point, Cavendish's composure vanished completely, and he became extremely angry.

"That guy and Whitebeard attracted the attention of the entire world during the Marineford War two years ago!" Cavendish roared. "And his fellow Supernovas were hailed as the worst generation ever!"

"That's why reporters don't even want to look at me anymore... I hate it!"

"So I'm going to wipe out all these troublesome juniors!"

Finally, Cavendish pulled out the Wanted Order that had been scratched up in many places, and the portrait on it was of Luffy.

Xi Yan:...

So that's why you've been doing all this?

He really hadn't expected that reason.

For a moment, Xi Yan didn't know what to say.

Luffy, speechless, said, "You're just taking your anger out on others."

He didn't want to be reported on, but these things are completely beyond his control.

"I don't care!"

Cavendish turned around, glaring fiercely at the Wanted Order he had placed on the stool, and said, "Anyway, to regain the world's attention, I'm going to wipe these guys out!"

He won't let any of those who dare to steal his spotlight get away with it!

After letting out a cold snort, Cavendish put away the Wanted Order, turned to look at Luffy, and said, "You..."

He froze before he could finish speaking, because he realized that Luffy had ignored him again and run off to weigh himself.

Cavendish:...

Damn it, it's happening again!

"Damn Lucy, Lucy! This time I'm going to get the Diamond Fruit!" Cavendish gritted teeth. "That way you'll never dare treat me like this again!"

Damn it, this is the first time he's ever been ignored like this... He's so angry!

No, he absolutely must get the Diamond Fruit and make that brat look at him in a new light!

Looking at Cavendish, who was getting a little angry, Xi Yan found it somewhat amusing.

Why did he feel that Cavendish was like a spoiled child?

Then, as if he had just remembered something, he asked curiously, "By the way, I remember the Blood-Eyed Ninja was also Straw Hat Crew, right? He did quite a few big things, so why don't you hate him?"

If I had to say, what he did was even more outrageous than Luffy's.

"Him...?"

Cavendish's expression gradually became complicated. He said, "What he did was even more outrageous than what the Straw Hat did, but he's dead after all."

"Besides... he also admires him quite a bit."

"Admire?"

Xi Yan was somewhat surprised; this guy actually admired him quite a bit?

"That's right, I admire him from the bottom of my heart!" Cavendish nodded and said, "Because of my unique experiences, I know what kind of people those nobles are, let alone the Celestial Dragons."

"So... I really admire what he did."

As the King, he was all too familiar with the ways of some nobles.

And the Celestial Dragons are among the best!

Therefore, it is indeed admirable that the Blood-Eyed Ninja was able to storm Mary Geoise.

Besides... what can a dead man do?

Therefore, we have to abandon this goal.

"Hey, Cavendish."

Those around Cavendish looked at him cautiously and said, "You can't just say things like that."

To ordinary people like them, the Celestial Dragons are like gods.

If they find out what was said here, wouldn't they be...?

"Ha, a bunch of cowards."

Cavendish a cold laugh, but didn't continue the conversation.

"Alright, see you in the game," Cavendish said.

After saying that, he turned and left gracefully, heading outside.

"Aren't you taking any equipment?" Luffy asked, puzzled.

"This sword is enough for me," Cavendish said without turning his head.

After watching the other person leave, Luffy said, "What a strange guy."

Why would someone like being featured in the news?

That's strange...

Xi Yan chuckled upon hearing this, then leaned closer to Luffy and whispered, "You'd better not let him know your identity, or you'll really get cut up."

He could tell that this man named Cavendish was serious.

If he knew that this was Luffy, he would definitely draw his sword and attack without hesitation.

Luffy:...

"I see."

He didn't want to expose himself to this guy if he could.

After shaking his head, Luffy turned and walked outside, quickly bringing Xi Yan back to the statue of Kyros.

"I still think this guy is really handsome," Luffy said, tilting his head back. "Hey, can we move this?"

"Why move him?" Xi Yan said speechlessly, "You're not planning to put him on the ship, are you?"

"Don't joke around, even if we were to make one, it would be a statue of ourselves."

Why would you use someone else's statue?

Luffy paused for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded and said, "That's true."

"By the way, am I dressed similarly to him right now?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan looked at the statue, then at Luffy, and nodded, saying, "Yes, that's about right."

If he had a sword in his hand, it would look even more like one.

However, Luffy isn't a swordsman, so wielding a sword is useless to him.

"Are you interested in this person?" Rebecca asked with a smile as she walked up behind the two.

"Um?"

Hearing the voice behind him Luffy instinctively turned around and glanced at Rebecca, asking in confusion, "Who are you?"

Xi Yan looked at Rebecca with a surprised expression. Could this girl be a contestant here to participate in this competition?

Seriously?

"My name is Rebecca," Rebecca said, "And I'm also a gladiator in this competition."