Ridiculous

"Hahaha..." At this moment, Colonel Wild Dog seemed to have heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. His laughter was like a booming bell, deafening and resounding through the sky. He laughed so hard that tears were about to stream down his face. In stark contrast, Bartolomeo's face suddenly darkened, his brows furrowed tightly, and his eyes revealed a solemn expression.

The Wild Dog's laughter was so grating and arrogant that it pierced Bartolomeo's heartstrings, giving him an unprecedented sense of humiliation. Worse still, the laughter also brought him a nameless panic and unease, as if some great danger was approaching.

Just as everyone was astonished, Colonel Wild Dog suddenly roared, "Shave!" In an instant, he vanished from his spot like a ghost. In the blink of an eye, when he reappeared, he was already silently standing in front of Bartolomeo like a phantom.

The two were so close, almost touching. At that moment, Colonel Wild Dog could easily strike Bartolomeo's handsome face with a mere flick of his arm. This sudden turn of events caused everyone present to gasp in shock.

Moke, who was observing the fierce battle from the shadows, was shocked by the intense fighting scene before him. Even his pupils seemed to contract slightly involuntarily, as if he had been startled.

When discussing the navy, the fearsome "Six Powers" is an unavoidable and popular topic. It's no exaggeration to say that among the vast majority of naval officers, aside from those renowned for their superb swordsmanship, almost everyone can perform a few moves of the "Six Powers." Moreover, even some admirable swordsmen are adept at using the "Six Powers."

However, it must be acknowledged that any naval officer who can master the "Six Powers" is undoubtedly among the strongest. After all, mastering the "Six Powers" is no easy feat; it requires Doriki of up to 500. Don't underestimate these mere 500 Doriki! Take the Doriki Value used to measure naval combat strength, for example. It's not just a simple number; it's a crucial standard for verifying a person's strength. In this Wind Rises world, full of challenges and opportunities, only those with truly formidable power can stand firm and become the focus of everyone's attention.

In this world, the most ordinary naval soldiers typically have a Doriki Value of only 10, but anyone exceeding 500 can be considered a superhuman! Just look at the members of CP9; several of them only possess around 500 or 600 Doriki. Admittedly, such values might not be considered rare or top-tier. However, within the first half of the Grand Line, they are certainly considered accomplished and possess considerable strength. Especially in the East Blue, known as the Weakest Sea, those with such a level of Doriki can undoubtedly be called strong, and this strength is an overwhelming, crushing kind of strength...

"Ah..." Bartolomeo was terrified. His face was contorted with shock, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. Instinctively, he began to retreat, trying to create distance to avoid the impending attack. Unfortunately, at this moment, how could he possibly be a match for a naval captain who had already mastered the Six Powers techniques?

In a flash, the man known as Wild Dog launched a flying kick, aiming straight for Bartolomeo's abdomen. With the immense force of the kick, Bartolomeo was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, utterly defenseless. The ruthless Colonel Wild Dog clearly wasn't finished; after sending Bartolomeo flying, he moved with lightning speed, relentlessly pursuing him and giving his opponent no chance to catch his breath.

"Shave..." With a roar, a figure shot out like Inazuma, followed by a powerful flying kick. The foot seemed to contain the force of a thousand pounds, instantly sending the enemy flying several meters away.

"Shave..." Before anyone could react, the same move was used again. This kick was faster and more powerful than before, sweeping over like Zhou Yu Gale. Those hit were sent flying straight away as if struck by a cannonball.

And so, the simple yet direct and effective moves were repeated over and over, and none of the henchmen led by Bartolomeo were able to withstand even a single blow. Each attack was like a devastating blow, easily breaking through their fragile defenses.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" At this moment, the once imposing Bartolomeo had completely lost his former arrogance. He stared in horror at everything that was happening before him, his body trembling uncontrollably. Just moments before, he himself had been blasted seven or eight meters away by this terrifying force, crashing heavily to the ground.

However, the facts were staring them in the eye. In no time, nearly a hundred henchmen were lying sprawled on the ground. Among them, some had suffered broken legs from severe blows, their faces ashen, large beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads, emitting groans of excruciating pain that seemed to pierce the soul; others had broken arms, crimson blood gushing out like a fountain, instantly staining their once pristine white clothes a shocking red; still others had several broken ribs, each slight breath causing excruciating pain, making their breathing extremely difficult, like the gasping air from a broken bellows.

Clearly, this ruthless and fearsome Colonel Wild Dog had no intention of showing any mercy. His attacks were like a Zhou Yu, each strike deadly, leaving his opponent no chance to breathe.

Finally, after a fierce and bloody battle, Colonel Wild Dog successfully eliminated all the easily defeated henchmen. The battlefield was now a mess, littered with the cries of the wounded and broken limbs. However, all of this seemed to be nothing more than a trivial game to Colonel Wild Dog.

He clapped his hands without changing his expression, as if he had just completed something utterly ordinary. Then, he strode forward with steady, powerful steps, carrying an irresistible sense of authority. One step, two steps... he walked slowly and deliberately toward Bartolomeo.

At the same time, Colonel Wild Dog's lips curled into a slightly curved, cold smile. This smile was chilling and full of mockery, as if he were laughing at Bartolomeo's impending tragic fate.

Bartolomeo, seeing this, turned pale with fright and hurriedly struggled to his feet. Despite the sharp pain coursing through his body, his survival instinct made him disregard everything else. He could only grit his teeth and drag his injured body backward step by step. At the same time, his eyes widened in astonishment, his mouth agape, unable to utter a complete syllable. He could only mutter incredulously, "How... how could this be? You couldn't even beat that guy Xiping before!" These words struck the air like a heavy hammer, instantly making the surrounding atmosphere tense.

Upon hearing this, Colonel Wild Dog, who was moving rapidly forward, suddenly stopped as if a pause button had been pressed. Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and the whole world became eerily quiet. He stood there Fudō, like a statue, or as if he had been subjected to a mysterious and powerful immobilization spell, unable to move even a finger.

He narrowed his long, sharp eyes slightly, and his once unremarkable gaze now shot out like icy glints, locking onto the other person. His eyes were cold and ruthless, seemingly able to pierce the soul, sending chills down one's spine. At this moment, an extremely cold light flashed deep within his eyes, as if a single glance could instantly freeze a person into an ice sculpture.

"Xiping?" Colonel Wild Dog finally spoke slowly, the two words seeming to be squeezed out from between his tightly clenched teeth. His voice was low and hoarse, with a barely perceptible hint of surprise and doubt. However, this emotion was only fleeting, disappearing quickly and replaced by a chilling indifference and authority. In the next second, as if suddenly recalling something crucial, the corners of Wild Dog mouth involuntarily turned up slightly, forming an elusive yet profound smile.

Immediately afterward, a burst of unrestrained, maniacal laughter erupted, shattering the surrounding tranquility. The laughter echoed like rolling thunder, deafening and utterly grating, arrogant and domineering. "Hahahaha..." Colonel Wild Dog laughed wildly, slapping his thighs forcefully, his whole body trembling slightly from the laughter, even leaning forward and backward, seemingly overjoyed. "I say, who gave such a nobody, such a lowly lackey, such audacity to dare attack me, the Colonel? Oh, it's because you've befriended that guy Xiping!" At this point, Colonel Wild Dog's smile deepened, his laughter becoming even more rampant, as if everything unfolding before him was nothing more than an absurd farce.

Looking back now, everything from the past is clear. The man Xiping's origins actually came from the chaotic Loguetown. And looking at this group of arrogant and ignorant thugs, they are no different from Xiping. They are all scum of the earth, idling around all day, finding pleasure in causing trouble. So it's not surprising that some people know about Xiping.

However, only Colonel Wild Dog knew the truth: Xiping was far more than just an ordinary street thug. In fact, Xiping had long been a key pawn in his game, or more accurately, a "white glove" he had cultivated. On the surface, the two seemed to have no obvious or direct connection, but a deeper investigation revealed a complex and intricate web of relationships between them.

To this day, the thrilling and intense battle with Xiping remains vivid in my memory. Although I ultimately suffered a defeat, it was all a magnificent drama orchestrated and meticulously planned by Colonel Wild Dog. As for why he willingly chose to concede, the strategies and calculations behind it were unfathomable and had a far-reaching impact.

Back then, Xiping had just completed a groundbreaking deal that shocked the world. If he were to be captured by force now, it would surely cause a huge uproar and bring him countless troubles and disasters. Not to mention that the so-called duel was not a proper fair contest at all; it was merely a sudden encounter triggered by a chance meeting on the vast and boundless sea.

It's important to understand that the environment we were in at that time was incredibly complex and unpredictable, filled with unknowns and uncertainties at every moment. Under such harsh and complex conditions, attempting to capture Xiping easily was undoubtedly wishful thinking. Since we knew the chances of success were extremely slim, it was wiser to assess the situation, be flexible, and simply let him go, rather than pursuing him in vain and suffering. This way, we avoided unnecessary risks and losses and could find a better opportunity to make further plans later. It must be said, Colonel Wild Dog's move was truly brilliant!

This would both mislead others into believing he lacked strength, greatly lowering their guard, and create an excellent opportunity for him—to eliminate Xiping discreetly when the time was right. He would then seize all the treasures Xiping had plundered, using this ill-gotten wealth to cultivate relationships with various parties. The slight loss of prestige would be negligible compared to the enormous profits to be gained! Otherwise, how could he have so easily secured his position as the top leader of the East Blue?

Once he secured this prestigious position, he could easily acquire even greater wealth. The funds available for bribing officials would only increase, and his own rise in status would naturally accelerate. Such a wonderful thing, wouldn't it be delightful! It's just a pity that, despite all his calculations, he hadn't anticipated creating the false impression of weakness and vulnerability in those lowly individuals. Alas... it's truly utterly frustrating!

Although he is no match for Smoker in terms of strength, he was, after all, a fellow naval cadet in the same class as Smoker. On the Grand Line, teeming with powerful individuals and fraught with peril, his current abilities are indeed not outstanding. However, this is not the Grand Line, but the relatively calm and weak East Blue! Now that Smoker is gone, who here can be his match? The answer is clearly no; there isn't even anyone who can exchange a single blow with him.

Looking at this mob of rabble before him, he saw them as easy prey to wipe out. Just then, Bartolomeo, who had been in a state of shock, finally snapped out of it. His eyes burned with a raging fury, revealing boundless madness; his once handsome face was now contorted with extreme rage. He knew perfectly well that if he didn't want to sit and wait for death, his only chance of survival was to fight to the death. Even if he couldn't escape death, he wanted to at least die with some dignity! With that thought, Bartolomeo didn't hesitate any longer and charged straight at Colonel Wild Dog.

Unfortunately, to Colonel Wild Dog, Bartolomeo's actions were no different from a slow-moving tortoise. With a slight dodge, Colonel Wild Dog easily avoided the opponent's aggressive attack. Due to excessive force and an inability to retract his momentum, Bartolomeo simply rushed past Colonel Wild Dog, narrowly missing him. In a flash, Colonel Wild Dog raised his leg and delivered a powerful kick to Bartolomeo's rear end. With a tremendous impact, Bartolomeo was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.

Colonel Wild Dog's lips curled into a cold, disdainful smile. At the same time, his sharp, hawk-like gaze swept rapidly around the area. To him, Bartolomeo was no different from those insignificant henchmen; he could easily defeat him with a single move. This seemingly cat -Rat game was actually a way to intimidate everyone in Loguetown, from the local thugs to the foreign pirates who sought to wreak havoc on the land. He wanted them to understand that even though Smoker was gone, as long as Colonel Wild Dog was there, Loguetown would not tolerate anyone acting recklessly...

However, at that moment, Colonel Wild Dog was completely unaware that Bartolomeo had been blasted directly towards his men. These men were nothing more than ordinary, unremarkable naval soldiers. Caught off guard, they had no time to react and were struck squarely by Bartolomeo, who hurtled towards them like a cannonball. In an instant, a series of crashing sounds rang out, and the once orderly group descended into chaos, men and horses stumbling and falling.

Amidst the chaos, a box clutched tightly in the hands of one of the naval soldiers slipped from his grasp. The lid opened, and a strange fruit, somewhat resembling an apple, rolled down to Bartolomeo's side. Seeing this, Moke, standing nearby, widened his eyes in astonishment, involuntarily exclaiming, "Holy crap!" His eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he had discovered a priceless treasure.

Colonel Wild Dog had been watching everything unfold with a smug expression, but when he saw Bartolomeo swiftly grab the Devil Fruit, his face changed drastically! His eyes widened, and he inwardly groaned. He probably hadn't even anticipated such an absurd scene. That Devil Fruit was a treasure he had painstakingly obtained through scheming and sheer luck! He had originally planned to use this rare Devil Fruit to curry favor with the powerful and build connections.

Bartolomeo was initially taken aback, seemingly unsure of what to do in this sudden turn of events. However, just a moment later, he reached out without hesitation and grabbed the Devil Fruit tightly in his hand. Without even having time to think, he moved with Inazuma speed and stuffed the Devil Fruit into his mouth.

Just then, Colonel Wild Dog roared, "How dare you..." Before he could finish speaking, he vanished from his spot like a gust of wind. Unfortunately, despite his incredible speed, there was still a certain distance between him and Bartolomeo. Perhaps in the original story, it was precisely because he was a tiny, crucial step too late that Bartolomeo was able to successfully swallow the Devil Fruit. And it was precisely because of this Devil Fruit Bartolomeo achieved a stunning reversal, not only escaping danger but also potentially inflicting a heavy blow on Colonel Wild Dog.

However, at this very moment, the situation had undergone a dramatic transformation. This was all because of a man whose speed was unparalleled – this man was Moke! More importantly, Moke had been preparing for this for some time. In fact, he had already Fudō absorbed a massive amount of solar energy and stored it within his body for any eventuality.

In that instant, everyone saw a blur before their eyes as Moke's once upright body suddenly swayed, like Inazuma streaking across the night sky, transforming in the blink of an eye into a dazzling, mesmerizing golden beam of light. This beam of light, with the speed of lightning, appeared beside Bartolomeo like a ghost before he could even swallow the Devil Fruit.

Everything happened so suddenly that those present barely had time to react. Moke swiftly and decisively snatched the priceless and extremely rare Devil Fruit from Bartolomeo's tightly clenched hand, as easily as taking something from a baby.

"You... who exactly are you?" Wild Dog was taken aback upon seeing this. He quickly stopped his forward momentum, his feet firmly planted on the ground, staring at Moke in astonishment. When he saw the ability Moke displayed, an indescribable fear and apprehension welled up within him. With just a glance, Colonel Wild Dog recognized that Moke possessed a Logia ability, and one remarkably similar to the Glint-Glint Devil Fruit Ability of Marine Headquarters Admiral Kizaru. Faced with such a formidable enemy, how could Colonel Wild Dog not feel fear and dare not underestimate him?