Blackbeard

"Lucy, come with me!"

Seeing Luffy still frantically Luffy, Rebecca grabbed him and pulled him into a corner, then quickly ran towards the depths of the corridor.

"Hey!"

"You're not that one!"

"I'm Rebecca," Rebecca said with a smile. "This way, we can shake off those guys."

"Really? Thank you."

A smile appeared on Luffy's face; he could finally shake off those troublesome guys.

Then, Luffy turned his head and glanced behind him, thinking that since Xi Yan said he could find him, he definitely could, so it shouldn't be a problem for him to run away with Rebecca for the time being.

With that thought in mind, Luffy looked away and left with Rebecca.

Just then, a very familiar voice came from ahead.

"Hahaha, you thief!"

"Burgess, if that's the case, Shiryu is the same, isn't he?" Blackbeard said with a loud laugh.

"That's true, but I don't trust Aokiji at all!" Burgess said.

Although that guy is no longer Marine Admiral, he was, after all, a Marine in the past!

Therefore, Burgess was very resistant to the idea of someone like Aokiji joining their Blackbeard Pirates.

Thinking of this, Burgess was about to say something, but before he could open his mouth, he noticed Luffy standing in front of him.

"Um?"

"Hahaha~"

"Wait a minute, Captain, I've run into Straw Hat."

"Um?"

"Um!"

Blackbeard exclaimed in surprise, "Straw Hat?"

"He was there too?!"

He really hadn't expected this guy to try and compete for that Diamond Fruit; wasn't Ace what Ace should be doing?

"Um?"

Rebecca glanced at the Den Den Mushi with a puzzled look. Did this guy know Lucy?

Luffy's face darkened as he stared intently at the Den Den Mushi that Burgess had turned to him.

"You... you're Blackbeard, aren't you!"

He will never forget that voice in his entire life!

"Hahaha, you thief!"

"That's right, it's me." Blackbeard grinned. "It's been a long time, Straw Hat."

"I didn't expect you to participate in this competition too."

"But I'm sorry, this Diamond Fruit belongs to Burgess!"

"Hahaha, you thief!"

After eating this Devil Fruit, Burgess's strength will definitely reach a new level!

So... he was really looking forward to seeing how strong Burgess would be after becoming a diamond man.

"I will absolutely not give this Devil Fruit to you," Luffy said in a deep voice. "I promised Ace this!"

Even if that Blackbeard comes this time, he'll beat him to a pulp and steal the Diamond Fruit for Ace!

"Oh?"

"Promised Ace to steal this Devil Fruit?" Blackbeard keenly caught the detail in Luffy's words and grinned, "So, he himself won't be coming?"

"Thief, hahaha!"

If that's the case, then Burgess can confidently and boldly steal the Diamond Fruit there.

Luffy's expression changed upon hearing this. Had he just spread the most useful information?

"Hahaha~"

"Straw Hat, you've really brought me some great news!" Burgess said with a hearty laugh.

He was already taking a huge risk by coming here to steal this Devil Fruit, and he was prepared to die in battle.

So... Fire Fist Ace isn't coming?

This is truly fantastic news!

"Hahaha, you thief!"

"That's certainly good news," Blackbeard said. "In that case, I won't need to send anyone to support you, Burgess."

He had originally planned to have Van Augur, who was nearby, provide support for Burgess, so that even if they encountered unavoidable circumstances, they could use the Instantaneous Movement Fruit to escape smoothly.

But now it seems unnecessary.

As for the Straw Hat Pirates?

Without the Blood-Eyed Ninja, they were nothing more than cannon fodder.

"Hahaha, you're right, Captain," Burgess grinned maliciously. "I don't need any support."

Without Ace's interference, obtaining the Diamond Fruit will be much easier for him.

After all... with his skill level, he could defeat all the other contestants and become the champion!

As for whether Doflamingo is willing to hand over the Diamond Fruit?

Stop joking. If that guy really dares to mess with me, I'll show him what the authority of Four Emperors Crew is all about.

"No matter what, I will never hand over the Diamond Fruit to you!"

"Then let's give it a try." Burgess put away the Den Den Mushi, stood up, and said, "I'm also looking forward to sparring with you~"

"Hahaha~"

Watching the tall figure gradually disappear into the distance, Luffy's eyes were exceptionally determined.

He was determined to get that Devil Fruit!

"Let's go, Lucy," Rebecca said.

Although we don't know what the grudge is between the two sides, now is not the time to dwell on such things, so we should leave here and hide as soon as possible.

Seeing that Rebecca had said so, Luffy withdrew his gaze and left with Rebecca, running off into the distance.

"Did you recognize those pirates from the other side?" Rebecca asked curiously.

"I guess so," Luffy nodded and said, "I definitely won't let him win!"

This time, he not only wants to get the Diamond Fruit, but also to teach that bastard from the Blackbeard Pirates a lesson!

"I see."

Rebecca nodded thoughtfully; it seemed the feud between the two sides was quite significant.

However, since this matter didn't really concern her, Rebecca didn't intend to pry further.

Then, she planned to talk to Luffy about something else, but before he could even speak, she realized Luffy gone.

"Um?"

Turning to look at Rebecca behind him, he was immediately dumbfounded. She'd actually gone to eat something?

"Auntie," Luffy said, approaching the stall, "Aren't there any samples left?"

So much time has passed, I'm starving!

"You're definitely planning to eat without buying anything, aren't you?" the auntie said, her eyes sharp as she looked at Luffy. "You can't fool me!"

Having lived for decades, she knew all too well what this kind of guy meant.

That's because I'm broke!

"No, it's just that I don't have any money right now," Luffy explained.

Nami didn't give him any pocket money before he left, so if he wanted to buy something, he would have to go to Merry or Xi Yan.

No problem, once Xi Yan finds him, he can pay for him.

"So you're still planning not to buy it!" the auntie said, her eyes widening.

Although this child is quite honest, honesty can't put food on the table!

"You..."

Seeing Luffy standing in front of the stall, unwilling to leave, Rebecca felt extremely embarrassed. What was going on?

Left with no other choice, she ran to Luffy's side and said to the old lady, "I'm sorry, ma'am, he probably didn't bring any money with him this time."

"Lucy, do you want some?"

"Huh?!"

"Are you going to buy it for me to eat?!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly.

This person actually offered to treat him to a meal?!

That's wonderful!

"Rebecca," the woman looked at Rebecca curiously and asked, "Is this your friend?"

As an elderly man who had experienced several major events, he harbored no ill will towards a young girl like Rebecca.

She wouldn't mind selling to someone if they were willing to pay for it.

"Well, I guess so," Rebecca nodded.

After saying that, Rebecca took out the only Beli she had and gave it to the old lady in exchange for enough bento boxes.

"Thank you for your patronage!" the auntie said with a smile.

As she spoke, she picked up the bento box in her hand and placed it in Luffy's hand, indicating that he could take it.

Luffy took it and was about to start eating, but Rebecca stopped him.

"Don't eat here," Rebecca said. "It wouldn't be good if those people blocked our way again."

Luffy agreed, so he followed Rebecca and ran into a place that resembled a prison.

However, Luffy didn't care about the environment. After all, for a strong person like him, it didn't matter where he ate.

"This bento looks so delicious!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes shining as he looked at the bento in his hand. "My mouth is watering!"

"I'm starting!"

Seeing Luffy happily eating, Rebecca smiled, but then became a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Lucy," Rebecca said, "I don't have much money, so this is all I can offer you."

She could tell that a player like Lucy must have a huge appetite, while she could only buy so little, so...

"It's alright," Luffy said with a smile. "Anyway... thank you for treating me to dinner, Rebecca."

Seeing Luffy say that, Rebecca gradually relaxed.

"Where is this place?" Luffy asked curiously. "Why does it look like a prison?"

"This place is indeed known as a prison," Rebecca said, her expression somewhat downcast. "But... this is also our dormitory for Colosseum gladiators."

Clearly, Rebecca was thinking of something bad.

However, she quickly adjusted her mindset, realizing that some things didn't need to be said.

Thinking of this, Rebecca raised her head again and said, "Anyway... the contestants won't be here, so you can stay here until your turn to compete."

"Oh, thank you very much then," Luffy said with a smile.

In this way, he wouldn't have to worry about those guys chasing him down, and he could finally enjoy a proper meal.

"Your match was really exciting!" Rebecca laughed. "I didn't expect you to be so strong."

However, there was a hint of complexity in that smile.

After all... Lucy won the C Area championship, which means they will be opponents in the finals!

In that case... will she still be able to obtain the Diamond Fruit?

No!

You can't have that kind of thinking!

No matter what, I can't give up that Devil Fruit!

"I just want to win," Luffy said without looking up.

"Is it just about wanting to win...?"

What a straightforward guy.

Then, Rebecca looked at Luffy, who was still eating, and asked with a smile, "Is it good?"

"Tasty!"

Luffy, his mouth bulging, said, "This Colosseum bento is really delicious."

Would you like some?

"You must be hungry too."

Although he didn't know when Rebecca had come here to participate in the competition, so much time had passed that it was inevitable she would be hungry.

I'm hungry...

Upon hearing Luffy's words, Rebecca was momentarily dazed, and at that moment, the image of her mother flashed into her mind.

Wasn't it precisely because she was hungry that her mother died unexpectedly?

Thinking of this, Rebecca lowered her head.

"It's okay, I'm not hungry..."

"Um?"

Luffy looked at Rebecca with a puzzled expression and said, "Why are you acting like a samurai?"

Kin'emon pulled something similar back then, could it be that Rebecca is also a samurai from Wano Country?

Thinking of this, Luffy was about to say something more, but before he could open his mouth, a hand suddenly grabbed his neck from behind.

"I've got him!" the man behind her exclaimed excitedly. "Rebecca, hurry and finish him off!"

What do you mean?

Luffy, who had been captured, stared blankly at Rebecca, completely bewildered, not understanding what was happening at all.

Ignoring Luffy's reaction, the man continued to Rebecca, "Isn't this why you brought him here? Hurry up and do it!"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Rebecca's eyes widened in struggle, and her hand slowly reached for her weapon.

"Hey, Rebecca, what are you doing?" Luffy asked, dumbfounded.

Rebecca didn't answer, but slowly walked towards Luffy with a conflicted expression.

"Don't mess around, you're going to spill the bento!" Luffy said.

At this moment, he did not sense Rebecca's murderous intent, so he did not believe that she really wanted to kill him.

"Convenient?"

Rebecca was taken aback. Even at a time like this, this guy was still worried about the lunchbox.

Is it overconfidence in his own abilities, or does he look down on her?

"What are you still standing there for?!" the man said anxiously. "Hurry up and do it!"

"Otherwise, how will you achieve your goal?!"

It could be said that the Diamond Fruit was this girl's only chance, so he didn't mind helping the other side eliminate a competitor.

"Purpose?"

Luffy was taken aback. What was the purpose?

Upon hearing the word "purpose, "Rebecca's eyes immediately hardened.

Yes, if she doesn't acquire the Diamond Fruit, she won't be able to gain powerful strength or defeat Doflamingo.

So... I'm sorry, Lucy!

With that thought in mind, Rebecca charged toward Luffy, thrusting her longsword forward without hesitation!

"Ha!"

Seeing that Rebecca had already made her move, Luffy didn't hesitate any longer. He immediately lowered his head and bit down on the arm that was grabbing him, while also stomping hard on her foot, causing her to immediately release him in pain.

Luffy then dodged Rebecca's stab by sidestepping, successfully avoiding the attack.

The other gladiators were dumbfounded by this scene. How could this guy have survived under such circumstances?

Is this the true measure of the talent among this round of contestants?