Collision of Flesh [2/3]

"Cover Story: East Blue, Part 2—'You're too weak, Smoker! At this rate, you'll never catch up to me!'"

"At the Loguetown branch's monthly recruit tournament, a fifteen-year-old white-haired boy fell in the third round. He gritted his teeth and pounded the ground in frustration, while Nezumi, who had drawn a bye into the final, strolled past with his hands behind his back, humming smugly."

"Drought... Dugalileo..."

Noah had memorized the face in the newspaper photo while standing beside Momousagi's hospital bed. He recognized Dugalileo at once, his brows lifting in surprise.

The predecessor of Jack the ship-hugger... or perhaps the one before that?

His bounty had apparently climbed to five hundred million Beli, and his name was feared even in the New World. What was a man like that doing on Rhodes Island in the West Blue?

It seemed the Corleone Family really was a partner of the Beasts Pirates, just as Vito had said...

"So you recognized me?"

Dugalileo bared his teeth in a vicious grin. "Didn't expect some lowly West Blue branch Rear Admiral to have such a keen eye. Too bad. Since you dared to disturb my sleep, you'd better just..."

"Die!"

Boom!

The moment he finished speaking, his figure vanished into a blur. An instant later, he appeared above Noah, a murderous look in his eyes as he drove a fist toward Noah's head!

His speed was terrifying, utterly at odds with his massive build.

But Noah reacted immediately. With a low growl, he clenched his right hand into a fist and met the blow head-on without dodging!

Clang!

A dull crash like colliding metal rang down the entire street.

Under the crushing force, cracks spread like a spiderweb beneath Noah's feet with a sharp snap, racing outward as his body was driven dozens of