Beating Kuzan to Tears?

Hearing Kong say that, Zephyr seemed to understand as well.

Indeed, red eyes could not be hidden forever, though he also thought the Sharingan looked beautiful.

If he were an ordinary person, people would definitely be curious. Even those mentally twisted collectors or the Celestial Dragons might set their sights on such eyes. But Mu Chen was now a Marine, so the chances of that were greatly reduced.

Kong continued.

Actually, Zefa, you understand it too. If the red eyes and their special abilities became known to others, the consequences might be different.

Mythical beasts were simply too rare. The Celestial Dragons might very well set their sights on Mu Chen's Blood Sharingan, whether to study it or collect it.

At this point, Kong paused. Sengoku then added, "It is even quite possible that they would make Mu Chen a slave. Of course, not that kind of slave. They would probably have Mu Chen join Cipher Pol."

Hearing this, everyone understood. Cipher Pol ostensibly answered to the World Government—that was, the Celestial Dragons—but as Marines, they all knew that Cipher Pol was, bluntly speaking, merely the Celestial Dragons' slaves!

The Marines might be the Celestial Dragons' dogs, but the Marines could not cease to exist in this world. After all, they were needed to maintain order across the seas. But if Cipher Pol became useless, they could simply be sent to die!

Meanwhile, Ice Time! Kuzan took a deep breath and blew toward Mu Chen. The moisture in the air rapidly condensed, enveloping Mu Chen from all directions. Then, before everyone's eyes, Mu Chen was instantly frozen into a huge ice sculpture!

What?

Everyone had just been saying that Mu Chen was quite strong, but now Kuzan had frozen him into an ice sculpture. The most heartbroken person was Tokikake, who could no longer hold back his tears. "What about my money?"

"Mu Chen, you've really let me down. If I'd known, I wouldn't have opened the betting pool."

"Tokikake, don't cry. It's fine. You can pay it back slowly."

Wu Shu smiled as he comforted Tokikake from the side.

"Wu Shu, you really are hedging your bets on both sides. I've never seen anyone like you. Investments carry risks—you can't put everything in one pool."

"No matter who wins, I won't lose. If Mu Chen wins, I'll even earn more. You don't understand. Besides, your betting pool was a complete failure."

"It's over." Kuzan slowly turned around, intending to leave. Yet even now, he had not sensed anything special about Mu Chen's eyes. Weren't they supposed to make people fall into illusions?

Why hadn't he felt anything?

Or did it simply not work on him?

But since he had won, he did not want to dwell on it too much. He would wait until Mu Chen had grown stronger.

"Looks like Kuzan is going to win."

"Yeah, looks that way. I told you we should have bet on Kuzan. Seems we won't get to see it after all."

Kong was somewhat disappointed. After all, his original goal had been to witness the power of the Sharingan, but Mu Chen had already been frozen into an ice sculpture. There was no chance left.

"Don't be hasty," Zefa said slowly.

At that moment, Mu Chen's huge ice sculpture actually began to melt slowly, with wisps of steam drifting off it.

Not only that, a faint green vapor appeared around Mu Chen's body inside the ice sculpture, leaving everyone puzzled.

"Hm?" Kuzan also sensed that the ice sculpture behind him was changing.

What?

"Quick, look! Why is Mu Chen's ice sculpture melting?"

"Look at Mu Chen inside the ice! Is he glowing green?"

Everyone stared fixedly at the slowly melting ice sculpture, their eyes locked on the Eight Gates.

Third Gate, Gate of Life, open!

Mu Chen had officially opened the third gate of the Eight Gates.

Under the third gate, green energy appeared across Mu Chen's body. His skin turned slightly red, and the veins on his face became even more pronounced.

The crowd was even more confused at the sight. What was going on?

"Interesting. Looks like we underestimated Mu Chen. The secrets he carries are not limited to his blood and eyes," Sengoku teased from the side.

With a loud explosion, the ice surrounding Mu Chen instantly shattered into fragments.

"Kuzan, come on. Let's continue."

Mu Chen provocatively curled a finger at Kuzan. This was his first time opening the third gate of the Eight Gates. He could feel that his strength and speed had increased by more than double compared to the second gate. This was also the final safe stage of the Eight Gates, and he wanted to test just how strong he could become.

"Just as I thought. I knew you wouldn't lose so easily!"

Kuzan laughed when he saw Mu Chen's state.

After fighting this long, Kuzan had not yet had his fill. And Mu Chen now looked even stronger, especially with that green energy radiating around him—it was clearly no simple matter. Not to mention that Mu Chen's entire body had turned somewhat red.

"Then come!"

In an instant, Mu Chen shot forward like a cannonball, moving so fast that he blasted a huge crater into the ground with his foot.

"So fast!"

Even Kuzan was startled by Mu Chen's speed. Moreover, Mu Chen's fist was already coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, and in the next second, it was right in front of Kuzan.

With a tremendous crash, Kuzan flew like an arrow loosed from a bow, smashing a massive crater into a distant wall. Kuzan possessed the Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit, so all physical attacks should have been ineffective. But now, it was obvious that Armament Haki had taken effect, directly sending Kuzan flying!

What?

"No way! Mu Chen is that strong? He actually sent Kuzan flying?"

The many Marines could scarcely believe their eyes. This scene was truly shocking. Hadn't Mu Chen just been frozen into an ice sculpture?

This reversal was completely beyond anyone's expectations.

"I knew it! Mu Chen, you really are the strongest! As expected of my brother!"