A Timid Question
x
In an instant, the entire Fighting City seemed to ignite, the atmosphere heating up dramatically and plunging into a frenzy. The crowd's gazes became fervent and eager, their eyes shining like the brightest stars in the night sky. Then, many of them, like beasts catching the scent of prey, swiftly raced towards the city center. After all, any warrior who dared to ring the Champion Bell...
Everyone was momentarily stunned, as if time had frozen. Then, exclamations of surprise erupted like thunder, creating ripples in the air. The crowd stared wide-eyed at the figure slowly emerging ahead, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Indeed, they had already recognized that the figure who was gradually revealing his true form was none other than the most powerful and fearsome being among all the champions of the past century— the Baboon King!
"It's over, this is truly the end!" someone muttered in a trembling voice, their face filled with despair.
"How could we run into him... Good heavens! This poor swordsman is really too unlucky. I heard that the Baboon King has rarely appeared in recent years." The other person was equally terrified, with large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"The strongest champion? The Baboon King?" Moke stared intently at the enormous creature before him, pondering to himself. His usually calm eyes involuntarily lit up, flashing with excitement and curiosity. After all, even his target, Gizas Jesus Burgess, did not possess such a resounding title.
Meanwhile, the Baboon King, taking advantage of its astonishing height, looked down at Moke. Its enormous, bell-like eyes were fixed on the twin swords at Moke's waist, and its brows furrowed instantly, as if filled with vigilance and hostility towards the two weapons.
However, out of caution, the man confirmed with Moke again, "Was it really you who rang the Champion Bell, the symbol of supreme glory?" Moke nodded without changing his expression, indicating his certainty. Just then, the previously calm Baboon King suddenly changed his expression drastically. His eyes widened in anger, and he roared at Moke, "You brat, how dare you come to our Champion Island to cause trouble! You're simply courting death!"
As the Baboon King roared, a clamor of discussion erupted around them. Someone cried out in alarm, "Oh no! The Baboon King is going to be furious!" Others clicked their tongues with schadenfreude, "Tsk tsk tsk... looks like we're in for a spectacular show today!" Even more astute individuals, without a word, dashed towards the arena's ticket booth like arrows, muttering, "Hurry up and buy tickets... they'll be sold out in no time! If we're too late, we won't even have a chance to see the spectacle!"
Faced with the crowd's reaction and the Baboon King's fury, Moke simply smiled calmly, then slowly raised his arm and placed his hand behind his back. Immediately afterward, he extended his right index finger, aimed at the Baboon King not far away, and whispered, "Flying Finger Pistol!" In an instant, an extremely sharp Spear Wave shot out like Inazuma, its speed astonishing, reaching the Baboon King in the blink of an eye.
Upon seeing this, the Baboon King narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a hint of surprise. "It's actually a move from the Six Powers?" However, despite his slight surprise, the Baboon King remained outwardly calm. Just as the Spear Wave was about to hit him, his body trembled extremely slightly. At the same time, an incomparably powerful Shockwave suddenly erupted from his body, slamming into the Spear Wave emitted by Moke with overwhelming force. With a loud "bang," the two forces collided violently in the air, bursting forth with dazzling light. In the end, Moke's Spear Wave was no match for this terrifying Shockwave, instantly crumbling and dissipating into nothingness.
"Hasshoken!" With a low shout from Moke, a dazzling light flashed in his eyes, and at the same time, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"Tsk tsk..." The Baboon King opposite let out a strange laugh, grinning as it said, "You've got some skill, kid. This fist technique is a prize I won ten years ago from a bet with that guy Chinjao."
However, just as it finished speaking, unexpectedly, it suddenly changed its tone! Its previously somewhat ferocious face now seemed to be shrouded in a mysterious veil, becoming even more elusive and unpredictable. At the same time, its tone also underwent a dramatic change, becoming exceptionally meaningful, as if every word contained endless profound implications.
"However, you're quite an interesting little fellow. Look at you, you're just a humble swordsman wielding two swords, yet you've already mastered such advanced martial arts techniques as the Six Powers. That's truly a rare thing! Hehehe... But, in this case, it's a good thing. After all, with such formidable martial arts skills, our upcoming duel can hardly be considered a violation of the rules."
Upon hearing this, Moke, who had been listening intently to the other party's words, was slightly taken aback. A hint of doubt flashed in his bright eyes, and his thoughts raced like Inazuma. The word "bet" spoken by the Baboon King seemed like a spell, deeply attracting all his attention. Almost subconsciously, Moke opened his mouth and blurted out, "A bet?"
Seeing this scene, the Baboon King suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter without warning. The laughter was like a thunderclap from the heavens, deafening and resounding, making one's ears buzz as if countless bees were frantically swirling around them. Moreover, this terrifying laughter even gave one the illusion that the entire space itself was about to be torn in two by its sound!
"Hahahaha... Little brat, don't underestimate me! I'm not just the undisputed champion of the fighting world, but also a renowned and feared gambling king! In any betting game I participate in, there's absolutely no chance of losing. Every single time, I've won decisively. So far, I've never tasted defeat! How about it? Do you have the guts to take on such a game with me?"
Upon hearing this, Moke felt an overwhelming surge of curiosity and a desire to challenge the other party. Without a second thought, he nodded and loudly replied, "Alright! But what are we betting on?"
Just then, the Baboon King's smile faded slightly, his expression turning serious and earnest. He slowly replied, "Actually, I had previously arranged a spectacular bet with an old friend. However, the situation is rather urgent now, as we have very little time left. The agreed-upon time is fast approaching. If you happen to be unlucky today and lose to me, then I'm sorry, but you'll have to go to Champion Island in my place and faithfully and diligently guard it for a whole year. Do you think that's fair?"
Moke was initially visibly stunned, but after only a moment, as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world, he opened his mouth without restraint and burst into a deafening roar of laughter, "I lost? Hahaha... cough cough..." At the same time, the Baboon King also seemed to have been tickled, and couldn't help but burst into laughter as well. However, it quickly realized that it seemed to be laughing a little too wildly, so it hurriedly restrained its laughter and coughed a few times in a mock manner to cover up its lapse in composure.
After a brief pause, Moke stopped laughing and said confidently, "In that case, let's make a bet. If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me." Hearing this, the Baboon King was slightly taken aback, but then a sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he nodded without hesitation, "Alright! If I unfortunately lose, I'll join your pirate crew and be at your command. How about that? Is that a fair and reasonable offer?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Baboon King seemed to realize something important, freezing in place. His gaze then locked onto Moke, and he asked incredulously, "Could it be that you came to Champion Island not for anyone else, but specifically for me?" Facing the Baboon King's questioning and surprised gaze, Moke remained remarkably calm and composed. A faint smile played on his lips as he replied, "I did come here to find someone else. As for meeting you and engaging in this duel, well, that's an unexpected surprise."
"Oh? Just an unexpected surprise?" After hearing Moke's explanation, the Baboon King couldn't help but chuckle, then muttered thoughtfully to himself, "Hehe, interesting, very interesting indeed! I never expected that you would become my unexpected surprise. As long as I can defeat you, from now on, my Champion Island will have a worthy 'Shichibukai' to guard this territory for me! Hahahaha..." As the Baboon King's arrogant and unrestrained laughter echoed throughout the island, a thrilling battle was about to break out.
"Huh?" Moke's eyes widened, staring at the guy in front of him in astonishment, inwardly groaning. It turned out that this seemingly insignificant opponent had seen through his identity from the very beginning, and it was all a premeditated plan. The purpose was to lure him here while he was out gambling with his old friends, and make him guard this crucial Champion Island.
However, Moke was not the kind of person to admit defeat easily. He frowned slightly, a disdainful smile appearing on his lips, and said coldly, "Are you so sure you can defeat me?" Before he finished speaking, an invisible pressure emanated from him.
The Baboon King standing opposite remained unmoved. Arms crossed, it confidently replied, "Under normal circumstances, to be honest, I'm not entirely confident I could defeat you. After all, your strength is indeed formidable. But unfortunately, there are special rules here—only hand-to-hand combat and physical techniques are allowed. This means your swordsmanship is unusable, and even your powerful Logia Devil Fruit ability is useless. You could say your strength has been instantly reduced by more than half... Hehe, if I still can't defeat you under these conditions, then following you might not be so bad!" With that, the Baboon King threw its head back and let out a triumphant laugh.
Upon hearing this, Moke was taken aback at first, but then burst into laughter. "Hahahaha... Since that's the case, then bring it on! Let's have a good test and see who the final winner is!" As the laughter echoed in the air, a thrilling battle was about to begin.