Scar Wolf Holen

On the third floor of a restaurant near the docks, Luo Ya sat by the window, meticulously wiping down Scorching Cloud while a steaming cup of coffee sat on the table.

"The auction is over. As the buyer of the Treasure Tree Adam, I need to set sail as soon as possible to keep the tail behind me to a minimum," Luo Ya muttered, his eyes fixed on the stone path outside the window.

Soon, a group of men appeared, carrying a massive log; the deep indentations left by their footsteps betrayed its immense weight.

"This is just a small branch? Why does it look so huge? Whatever." Luo Ya took a deep breath, then launched himself through the window, shattering the glass as he burst out.

Crash! The silent street was startled by the sound of breaking glass. Luo Ya soared through the air, raising Scorching Cloud high above his head. Fire Burning City Walls!

A pillar of fire shot into the sky, drawing the gaze of everyone on the island as it descended vertically upon the group.

"Damn it, are you crazy? Protect the Treasure Tree Adam!" shouted the man leading the group, who bore a jagged scar running from his left eye down to his neck.

He turned and kicked the Treasure Tree Adam, sending it flying. The pillar of fire slammed down, and three figures, unable to dodge in time, were reduced to charred remains.

"Still got some moves, huh, Scarface?" Luo Ya sheathed his blade and said with a smile.

"I am Scar-Wolf Horen, with a bounty of ninety million berries! You dare try to snatch my goods? You little brat Luo Ya, do you really think killing a few marines and getting a slightly higher bounty means you're the real deal?"

With that, Horen's body sprouted thick, pitch-black fur, and his face protruded forward. Transforming into his werewolf form, he let out a long howl, "Awoooo!"

"Heh, 'Scarface,' is it? I'm looking to do something big, and I need you to help me build up my courage. Do you think I can pull it off?" Luo Ya laughed.

"Go to hell!" Horen grinned hideously and swung his half-meter-long claws at Luo Ya.

Clang! Horen's pitch-black claws clashed with the glowing red Scorching Cloud, sending wisps of blue smoke into the air.

Luo Ya held Scorching Cloud with one hand. "Heh, I suppose it's no surprise that someone with a ninety-million-berry bounty has mastered Armament Haki." He followed up with a straight kick to Horen's chest.

The blow sent Horen stumbling back two steps. However, that was the resilience of a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user; such a minor injury was nothing more than a tickle.

Horen dropped to all fours and lunged, his claws crossed as he attacked Luo Ya, accompanied by a wave of stench.

Luo Ya retreated two steps, sheathed his sword, and dodged the incoming assault by sidestepping to the left.

Nadeshiko Slash! Positioned to Horen's side, Luo Ya drew his blade and unleashed a massive crescent of flame, though the strike seemed off-target.

It set all the nearby buildings ablaze, and the surroundings were instantly engulfed in a raging inferno.

Horen looked at the fire surrounding them and didn't immediately attack. "Kid, you've got guts. You're trying to use me to stir up a big scene, aren't you?"

"Did you see through me? It doesn't matter. Those who want the Treasure Tree Adam will naturally take the bait. Experts play the long game—do you even understand tactics?" Luo Ya gestured to the crowd fighting behind him; Horen's lackeys were already lying on the ground, waiting to be buried.

"Damn you!" Horen's face tightened, his teeth grinding together, and he charged at Luo Ya with renewed ferocity.

Hiss! The sound of claws tearing through the air rang out. Luo Ya met the black blades with his sword. Clang! Clang!

After parrying two of Horen's heavy, powerful strikes, Luo Ya whispered to himself, Pine Torch! He swung his blade, unleashing several sword beams that formed a fiery tornado, enveloping Horen and instantly filling the air with the scent of charred meat.

"That smell? It's a bit intoxicating, Scarface. Looking at how filthy you are, I didn't expect you to smell so good when roasted," Luo Ya teased.

With a resounding howl, "Awoooo!" Horen broke free from the fiery tornado. His black fur was singed and curled, and in some places, he was bald, revealing the yellowish, blackened flesh beneath.

"Huff, huff... Kid, you've truly angered me." Horen breathed heavily as his charred skin began to heal rapidly. His stature grew even taller, reaching nearly three meters, and his muscles bulged with terrifying pressure.

"It's been a long time since anyone forced me to use this form. I'm going to hack your filthy body apart! Slice it! Mince it!" Horen roared and charged at Luo Ya, his speed on a completely different level than before.

Seeing he couldn't dodge in time, Luo Ya raised his sword to block, but the immense force sent him flying. In mid-air, Horen lunged at him with bloodthirsty eyes, his massive wolf jaws and black claws closing in.

Bang! Luo Ya's black-soled boot slammed heavily into Horen's snout. Although Luo Ya was only a bit over 1.8 meters tall—a shrimp in a world where everyone seemed to be over two meters—he used his long legs to his advantage, reaching just a bit further than Horen's arm span and claws, and kicked him flying backward.

"Scarface, I've got other business to attend to. Do you mind keeping an eye on the Treasure Tree Adam for a while? I'll come back to collect it later." Luo Ya was becoming increasingly excited from the intense battle, but fortunately, he hadn't lost sight of his mission.

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I'm going to tear you to shreds today!" Horen prepared to pounce again.

Luo Ya tilted his chin, gesturing behind Horen.

Seeing the smile on Luo Ya's face, Horen hesitated and turned his head.

The Treasure Tree Adam was already being carried away by a group of men in black suits toward the edge of the battlefield. Seeing the treasure he had spent a fortune on about to slip away, Horen gritted his teeth, his gaze darting between Luo Ya and the tree.

"Scarface, if you don't intervene now, someone else is going to walk away with the Treasure Tree Adam for free," Luo Ya said, his mouth curling into a wide grin.

After sheathing his sword, Luo Ya turned and headed toward the center of the island, not worried in the slightest about a sneak attack.

Horen watched Luo Ya's retreating back, let out a long, sky-piercing howl, "Awoooo!" and turned to slaughter the group in black suits.