Boldly Striking, The Barrier's First Battle!

Seeing Babaya so unperturbed, Granny Yubaba frowned. This did not resemble the usually low-profile strategist Babaya; could he have some hidden ace up his sleeve?

"Bullshit! Yamashita Chuhide's lower back was gutted, with over a dozen wounds, and you're calling that a spar? You traitor! I'm going to slaughter you!"

Bartolomeo snarled, his sharp teeth bared in rage as he drew the Skillful Grade Sword: Yubashiri and aimed it at Babaya.

"Babaya! If Yamashita Chuhide did something to wrong you, speak up, and I can preside over justice for you!"

Granny Yubaba still wanted to figure out why Babaya had killed Yamashita Chuhide, and what exactly was the source of his current confidence.

She did not want to see a talent she had "painstakingly" cultivated just run off like this.

However, if Babaya had truly turned traitor and murdered "family" in cold blood, she would have to eliminate him to uphold the discipline and rules of the Barto Family!

"Granny Yubaba! I know, it must be because Babaya came into contact with the Cursed Blade: Sandai Kitetsu, and was bewitched by the cursed sword, causing him to accidentally strike too hard and kill Yamashita Chuhide!"

Dezaya spoke up immediately. She was torn, caught between Granny Yubaba who raised her, Bartolomeo who grew up with her, and the man she was currently with.

She did not want to see them turn into mortal enemies!

"A cursed blade? I didn't expect you to be so lucky, Babaya. Aside from the Skillful Grade Sword: Yubashiri, you actually possess a Sandai Kitetsu!"

Granny Yubaba squinted at the long sword resting on Babaya's shoulder; it truly radiated an ominous aura, appearing quite extraordinary.

Was this the source of Babaya's confidence?

Could it really be the influence of the cursed blade that changed Babaya's personality and led him to kill Yamashita Chuhide?

Regardless, she was very displeased with the tone Babaya used earlier when demanding the training methods for the two types of Haki and the Skillful Grade Sword: Yubashiri!

Not only was Granny Yubaba displeased, but Bartolomeo was even more so!

"I don't care if it's the cursed blade's influence, he killed Yamashita Chuhide! Since he can't handle the cursed blade, he should hand it over to me!"

Bartolomeo grinned with a dangerous smile. He felt that the Sandai Kitetsu suited his cannibalistic nature better, and he would keep the Skillful Grade Sword: Yubashiri as his personal collection!

"Heh! You want to snatch my Sandai Kitetsu?"

Daddy sneered, pulling Dezaya behind him. He glanced at the arrogant Bartolomeo before fixing his gaze on the short, elderly woman, Granny Yubaba.

In his eyes, his only opponent was Granny Yubaba; as for Bartolomeo, he no longer considered him a threat!

"Babaya! As long as you hand over the Sandai Kitetsu and spend a month in solitary confinement, I can forgive your transgressions and let you continue as the strategist for the Barto Family!"

Beneath her small glasses, a hint of danger flickered in Granny Yubaba's eyes. Her hands, which had been behind her back, dropped down. Her seemingly frail body suddenly erupted with the aura of a powerhouse!

"No, no, no! Granny Yubaba, you still haven't heard me clearly! I am going to sea! And I expect you to hand over the training methods for the two types of Haki, and return the Skillful Grade Sword: Yubashiri to me!"

Daddy said earnestly, his right hand resting diagonally on the Cursed Blade: Sandai Kitetsu, his left hand hanging loosely, though his index and middle fingers were already crossed.

"Screw you! Die, you bastard!"

The Cannibal Bartolomeo was infuriated by Daddy's words. He launched a fierce attack, wielding the Skillful Grade Sword: Yubashiri with both hands, leaping into the air to slash down viciously at the traitor, Babaya!

Barrier: Left Hand Shield!

Basic Technique: Sweeping Thousand Armies!

A small, transparent barrier shield appeared on Daddy's left arm, instantly blocking Bartolomeo's violent downward strike. With his right hand, he swung the Sandai Kitetsu in a horizontal arc, slashing aggressively toward Bartolomeo's waist!

If this strike connected, Bartolomeo, who only understood the most rudimentary Armament Haki coating, would likely be sliced in two by Daddy, cut down at the waist on the spot!

"Babaya! You've gone too far!! You actually have a Devil Fruit ability!!"

Granny Yubaba, the short old woman, had already appeared beside Bartolomeo. Her hands, coated in a grey-black hue, blocked Daddy's lethal strike. Seeing the transparent barrier that had stopped Bartolomeo's blade, she roared in anger!

Babaya had not only hidden the Cursed Blade: Sandai Kitetsu, but he had also concealed his true strength and a Devil Fruit ability—his heart was truly treacherous!

Granny Yubaba's grey-black hands collided with Daddy's Sandai Kitetsu, sparking upon impact and proving to be incredibly hard!

"Granny Yubaba, your Armament Haki has weakened; the color is fading!"

Barrier: Cone Spike!!

A layer of transparent, shoe-shaped barrier spikes appeared on Daddy's right foot. With a single kick, he sent Bartolomeo flying. The force of the blow was so heavy that Bartolomeo coughed up blood as he was launched backward, a gruesome wound appearing on his abdomen!

"So this is your ace in the hole! Die!"

Granny Yubaba hadn't expected Babaya to dare split his focus to deal with Bartolomeo. She lunged, kicking violently at Daddy's supporting left leg, intending to cripple him completely!

"Bang!"

Granny Yubaba felt as if her foot had struck solid steel. The recoil force was so immense that it jarred her own foot, even with her Armament Haki coating, causing her to stumble and leap backward!

She could feel the bones in her foot cracking, and the pain was excruciating!

"Not bad! This is my ace in the hole!"

Barrier: Charging Bull Shoulder Strike!

Daddy swiftly sheathed the Sandai Kitetsu, crossed the index and middle fingers of both hands, and a massive barrier manifested before him. He then charged forward, using the barrier to ram into the old woman at high speed!

He had been able to cross his toes as well, attaching barrier spikes to his right foot and a protective barrier to his left, allowing him to deal heavy blows to both Granny Yubaba and Bartolomeo in two moves!

"I refuse to believe that my Armament Haki cannot break your Devil Fruit ability!"

Granny Yubaba's right fist turned grey-black once more, and she swung it fiercely toward the charging Babaya!

"It's useless, old hag!!"

Daddy carried the resentment and fury of the past two years, violently slamming into the short old woman!

"No!!"

Tears welled up in Dezaya's eyes; her most important family members were slaughtering each other, leaving her at a complete loss for what to do!

"BOOM!"

A small figure was sent flying, crashing into the wall and kicking up a cloud of dust!

This scene terrified the countless gang underlings; the old woman who had beaten Boss Bartolomeo until he was black and blue had actually been sent flying!

"AAHH!! Everyone! Kill him for me!!"

Bartolomeo's sharp teeth were stained with blood, making him look even more hideous and terrifying, like a vengeful demon!

At their boss's command, the hundreds of underlings present raised their weapons, shouting in unison as they charged at the traitor, Big Daddy Babaya!

"Barrier: Siege Engine!!"

Daddy crossed his hands, his index and middle fingers locked together, and a massive barrier shield manifested. Most terrifying of all, sharp, spiked maces protruded from the front of the shield.

Daddy charged toward the hundreds of gang thugs with unstoppable momentum!

In an instant, bodies were sent flying and cries of agony filled the air. Wherever the Barrier Siege Engine passed, flesh and blood splattered, leaving behind a horrific trail of carnage!