Mohji vs. Cabaji

The grizzly bear licked its bamboo, hugged its cub, and bid the three of them farewell. It vanished into the depths of the jungle, and after handing over that strange fruit, the expression on its bear face couldn't have been more relieved.

This rapid shift in mood reminded Buggy of how the creature had been trying to eat them earlier. It felt as if everyone had tacitly performed a ridiculous farce, leaving one unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Afterward, Buggy and Shuma agreed to meet at noon the next day. He and Mohji left under the cover of night, skirting around the Kumate Tribe's settlement from the foot of the mountain; he had no desire to clash with the Kumate or invite any unnecessary trouble.

The two walked toward the coast.

Buggy asked with a hint of anticipation, "Mohji, do you feel any changes in your body?"

Devil Fruits were categorized into Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan types. Judging by its appearance and patterns, this one should be a Paramecia, though he had no idea what kind of ability it might grant.

"I don't think anything has changed."

Mohji was also at a loss. According to Captain Buggy, eating this Devil Fruit should grant him "devilish" power, yet so far, he felt absolutely no difference in his body.

Buggy muttered in confusion, "Could it be a fake Devil Fruit?"

He couldn't be certain. The world was vast, and all sorts of strange things happened; it was possible this was just a fruit that happened to look similar.

But judging by Mohji's expression earlier, the taste must have been that unique, horrific flavor of a Devil Fruit... Forget it, he could just have him touch seawater later to test if it was real.

Mohji wore a bitter expression. He had endured the humiliation of eating a fruit that tasted like excrement, hoping to use its power to get the upper hand on Cabaji. Yet, it seemed nothing had happened at all. He began to suspect that what he had eaten was just a piece of fruit that had dried out over hundreds of years...

Wait! He couldn't keep thinking about that... He hammered his head twice, quickly cutting off the train of thought. Then, he thought of the culprit, Shuma. If it weren't for helping that kid complete his boring ritual, he never would have eaten the fruit.

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Captain Buggy, do you think that kid Shuma might not show up?"

Buggy looked back at the darkness behind them. "What could stop the ambition of a boy yearning for the vast world? Judging by that terrifyingly simple nature of his, he is exactly that type of person."

"That bastard kid, don't let my efforts from last night go to waste!" Mohji cursed under his breath. Even though the idiot was brainless and always got his name wrong, his cooking was passable, and his combat strength seemed decent. It would be a real shame if he didn't join the crew... Besides, he definitely had to settle the score for being chased by that grizzly bear. If the kid didn't show up, he wouldn't be able to vent this frustration!

The next morning, Buggy led Mohji through the dense forest and returned to the coast where the Big Top was docked.

The main mast of the Big Top had been patched up by the shipwrights and handymen; the cracks were sealed tight with several iron plates, and the mess on the deck had been cleared away.

Cabaji sat on the ship, eyes closed and bandages wrapped around him. His aura seemed different than before—it had become somewhat ethereal, as if he were sensing a brand-new realm.

This subtle change made Buggy, who had just stepped onto the deck, cast a sidelong glance. If he hadn't been paying close attention, he would have completely overlooked the fact that someone was even there.

"Cabaji." Buggy walked up. "You seem to be in a good state."

Cabaji slowly opened his eyes, and the hazy feeling around him vanished. He stood up, his eyes fixed intently on the Great Grade Sword that suddenly gleamed in his hand. "Captain Buggy, I think I have found my sword style."

"Did you have a breakthrough?"

"No... not yet, but I think I finally know the path I am to walk. Come to think of it, I really must thank that bounty hunter. It was only by borrowing the blade he drove into my body that I was able to take a step at this crossroads of swordsmanship—a step I hadn't dared to take for over a decade..."

"Stop bragging, Cyclops. Who do you think you are, a master swordsman?" Mohji chimed in, bluntly deflating Cabaji.

"Want to try me?" A gloomy smile appeared on Cabaji's face. "White-haired freak."

"You bastard, you really do seem a bit different than before." Though Mohji didn't dare to be careless, he wore a look of utter disdain. "Bring it on, I'll even let you have Richie."

Richie, who was sunbathing on the deck, twitched his ears and scooted backward, hiding his bald head.

Cabaji partially unsheathed Sakura Blizzard. The blade reflected a piercing white light under the dazzling sun as he walked toward Mohji step by step.

"What!"

Mohji's pupils constricted, his face turning pale with shock. "He... he disappeared!"

"..."

Buggy, who had retreated to the side to watch, was also startled. Cabaji was clearly still standing there, yet for that split second, he couldn't sense his presence at all. It was as if his form had dissolved into the invisible air, and even his breathing and faint killing intent had vanished.

Yet, the moment his foot struck the deck again, his presence became even more strikingly noticeable.

"Void. Slash."

Cabaji gripped the hilt of Sakura Blizzard tightly with his right hand. His body moved as if traversing between two parallel spaces, his steps growing faster and the strange illusion becoming more intense. In an instant, he drew Sakura Blizzard from its sheath.

Clang!

The aura of Sakura Blizzard vanished instantly. His movement was not fast, and there was no sign of any sophisticated technique in the draw, yet it felt as if the sword were still sheathed.

Mohji's eyes flickered, and the tip of Sakura Blizzard was already pressed against his chest!

A smug smile appeared on Cabaji's face. "This is my sword style: God-Hiding Sword Style! Mohji... I have finally defeated you. I have waited for this day for so long, you white-haired freak!"

Buggy watched the duel with flickering eyes, seemingly realizing something. Cabaji hadn't disappeared; he was constantly suppressing his own presence. It was just that he hadn't reached a point of coordination yet, so every time he "vanished," he reappeared with an even more intense presence, creating that strong illusion.

If one had to describe it, this could be considered an extremely high-level sleight of hand—no, perhaps it had already transcended that level... It seemed that all those years of immersing himself in acrobatics and trickery had allowed him to grasp something profound...

"Your sword style is just like your personality, but do you think this means you've won?" Mohji gripped the blade with his left hand, his right hand curling into a claw as he swiped at Cabaji's chest.

Hearing the whistling sound of the air being pierced like a blade, Cabaji cursed under his breath. He released the Great Grade Sword held by his opponent, hurriedly arched his back, and performed a nimble backflip while standing on his hands on the deck. Simultaneously, he clamped his feet together to grip Sakura Blizzard and yanked it out with force.

He quickly retreated, flipped the sword from his feet into his hand, and looked at the five holes pierced through his scarf near his chest, feeling a chill. "What kind of strange power is that?!"

Mohji spread his two unharmed hands. The sharpness of the Great Grade Sword hadn't even cut his skin, and a sharp, blade-like cold light shimmered between his fingers.

He looked at Cabaji and said, "Forgot to tell you, I ate a Devil Fruit. Just a moment ago, I figured out my ability."

"A Devil Fruit, just like Captain Buggy's!" Cabaji said incredulously. "A bastard like you with white hair and round ears managed to eat a Devil Fruit..."

"Stop looking at me with that condescending expression!" Mohji clapped his hands together, producing a strange metallic sound. "My ability allows me to store the damage I receive and then transfer that damage to myself or my weapon. Although it only lasts for a short time, it's enough..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the cold light between his fingers vanished. His face turned the color of a liver, and he hurriedly rubbed his hands together, blowing on his fingers incessantly. "It hurts, it hurts!"

"..." Cabaji: "It seems you've found a terrifying way to kill... are you trying to... laugh me to death?"

"Of course..." Mohji, thinking the other had backed down, suddenly reacted. While blowing on his hands, he glared at him angrily. "You bastard, you're mocking me, aren't you? You definitely are!"