His Face Filled with Shock and Confusion

But the next second, he seemed to be frozen in place, completely Fudō. His fingers were less than ten centimeters from Moke's head, yet this short distance seemed like an insurmountable chasm.

Colonel Wild Dog was horrified to discover that he was completely unable to move an inch! His eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at his body, trying to struggle but finding that his entire body was tightly bound by a powerful force.

He looked down and was immediately stunned into silence—suddenly, a large amount of soil surged up from the ground, and as if it were alive, it quickly wrapped around his body, tightly enveloping him, making it impossible for him to break free.

At this moment, Colonel Wild Dog's face was filled with shock and confusion. He had no idea what was going on, why he was suddenly trapped in the mud, and why he had lost his ability to move.

Just as he was in shock, the Sandai Kitetsu in Moke's hand drew a beautiful arc in the air, slashing straight towards Colonel Wild Dog's neck like an Inazuma!

"Not good!" Colonel Wild Dog's face turned deathly pale instantly. He cried out inwardly, because he knew very well that with the sharpness of the Sandai Kitetsu, this strike could easily sever his head.

However, he had already lost the ability to move and was completely unable to dodge this fatal blow. He could only watch helplessly as the Sandai Kitetsu closer and closer to him, his heart filled with despair and fear.

"Tekkai!" In this critical moment, Colonel Wild Dog had no choice but to passively defend. He gritted his teeth, used all his strength, and tensed his muscles instantly, trying to use the hardness of Tekkai to withstand Sandai Kitetsu's attack.

"Brush..."

The Sandai Kitetsu slashed across Wild Dog's neck with Inazuma, its speed astonishing. Although Wild Dog's Tekkai was incredibly hard, it proved surprisingly fragile under this blow. A thin wound first appeared on his neck, as if touched by a gentle breeze, but the wound rapidly widened in an instant, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

Colonel Wild Dog stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief. He stared intently at Moke, muttering, "No... no... impossible..." He couldn't understand how this guy, who clearly possessed Logia ability similar to the Glint-Glint Fruit, capable of turning his body into light, could also control the earth.

However, just as he was in shock, he suddenly noticed a change in Moke's skin. His once radiant skin had become dull and lifeless, even tinged with a yellowish tint. Colonel Wild Dog's heart tightened, realizing that something was wrong, but it was too late.

At the same time, Moke's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smug smile. Just now, when he took the hit from Colonel Wild Dog's Tempest Kick and was forced back four or five meters by the powerful impact, he took the opportunity to touch the ground with his hand. In that instant, his body switched from the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit to the power of the Mud-Mud Fruit.

All of this happened so quickly that Colonel Wild Dog had no time to react. Moke cleverly took advantage of this and successfully delivered a fatal blow to Colonel Wild Dog.

Furthermore, Moke secretly exclaimed, "Tekkai really is the strongest 'illusion'!" Colonel Wild Dog had always been confident in his Tekkai defensive capabilities, but he never expected that it would become his fatal weakness.

This guy is incredibly powerful! His Ghost Aura erupted like a volcano, gathering into a powerful force, and then, with a full-force slash, it directly broke through the opponent's defenses. The power of this strike was simply earth-shattering; the enemy struck was instantly killed, beyond any hope of survival.

However, at the very moment this breathtaking scene unfolded, in a dark corner, someone was quietly observing everything. This person, camera in hand, swiftly pressed the shutter, professionally adjusting the shooting angle to ensure they could capture the Haki moment when Moke sheathed his sword. The photo shows Moke 'Moke sword-sheathing motion as fluid as flowing water, revealing a disdain for all heroes!

Meanwhile, after dealing with the enemy, Moke began searching for Bartolomeo. His gaze swept around, but Bartolomeo had vanished without a trace. Moke was momentarily stunned, inwardly marveling, "That guy really is an important character; he's got some nerve!"

However, now that Bartolomeo had escaped, Moke felt there was no need for him to stay in Loguetown any longer. He looked up at the sun in the sky, then pointed his finger at it. As he did so, his body began to emit a dazzling light; he had activated the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit once again.

Finally, Moke transformed into a dazzling beam of light, shooting straight towards the direction of Reverse Mountain like Inazuma. His speed was as fast as Inazuma, and he disappeared into the sky in the blink of an eye, leaving only a long trail of light, as if it were the last trace he left in this world.

Then, he sped away like Inazuma, rushing towards the Grand Line at breakneck speed. In the blink of an eye, he arrived at the first island as swiftly as a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

On the Grand Line, there are many different routes to choose from. However, no matter which route you choose, the first island on each route hides a mysterious underground force that specializes in selling all kinds of information. These underground forces possess the Eternal Pose to all the islands, but the price is quite high.

As soon as Moke set foot on the island, he headed straight for the tavern without hesitation. He knew that this was the best place to obtain the Eternal Pose of Chef Island.

As soon as I entered the tavern, a waiter immediately greeted me with a smile and asked warmly, "Sir, what would you like to order?"

Without mincing words, Moke answered directly, "I want an Eternal Pose from Chef Island." Before he finished speaking, an enticing aroma suddenly wafted over, causing his nose to twitch involuntarily. The scent whetted his appetite, making his mouth water.

So he quickly added, "Oh, and by the way, bring me another table of your most famous dishes."

The waiter smiled and replied, "Alright, sir. Please find a seat and wait a moment while I prepare your meal."

"Tsk tsk..."

Moke casually glanced around, then randomly picked an empty table and plopped down. However, the instant he sat down, he suddenly felt countless gazes shooting at him like arrows.

He looked closely and found that the group of people were all staring at him, some with obvious ill intentions in their eyes. Not only that, some of them were also chuckling, as if mocking him, a naive newcomer.

"Another arrogant newcomer has arrived..."

"I bet he's still dreaming of becoming the One Piece!"

"Aren't all newcomers like this? So naive..."

These sarcastic remarks pierced Moke's ears like knives, but he remained completely unmoved. He merely raised an eyebrow slightly, then swept his gaze across everyone present with disdain.

It's important to understand that the so-called "veterans" here are basically useless people who have lost their courage and fighting spirit. They only put on airs in front of newcomers to cover up their inner emptiness and anxiety.

Just then, a burly man with a fierce face suddenly stood up and walked straight toward Moke. His steps were heavy and powerful, each step seemingly causing the ground to tremble.

After walking up to Moke, the burly man looked down at him and said in a gruff voice, "Kid, the Eternal Pose on a specific island isn't cheap. Judging by your appearance, you must have some money. Pay for our table too, and leave me some to spend, how about that?"

Although his tone sounded like a question, it was actually an unquestionable command, as if he had absolute power and no one could disobey his will. Moke sat there, slightly raising his head, his gaze fixed intently on the newcomer.

Seeing his confident demeanor, Moke couldn't help but smile. This smile contained both contempt for the newcomer and mockery of his self-righteous attitude.

"A piece of trash who only dares to hole up on the first small island at the entrance to the Grand Line dares to laugh at those who have dreams?" Moke's voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet tavern. His words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the heart of the newcomer.

"Although most of those guys aren't good people, they're still much better than trash like you," Moke continued, his tone growing colder, as if the temperature in the entire tavern had dropped with his words.

"Silence..." As soon as Moke finished speaking, the tavern fell into a deathly silence. The people who had been making a ruckus seemed to have been frozen in place, and even their breathing became cautious.

Whether they were newcomers or those who had originally intended to watch the show, their expressions froze on their faces, as if their souls had been suddenly ripped out. Moke's words were like a resounding slap across their faces, leaving them utterly ashamed.

Especially the burly man, whose face was flushed red, his eyes wide like copper bells, staring intently at Moke, his gaze filled with uncontrollable rage.

However, just as he was about to erupt, his gaze met Moke's, and in that instant, he seemed to be frozen in place by a powerful force, unable to move.

At this moment, Moke's pupils had turned deep purple, like two bottomless vortexes, exuding a chilling aura. At the same time, a dense Ghost Aura surged from his body, like a black whirlwind, rapidly sweeping outwards.

The Ghost Aura came on fiercely, and the burly man was the first to be affected. He had just opened his mouth as if to say something when suddenly his face turned ashen, and his body swayed violently as if struck by a heavy hammer. The words he was about to say were forcibly swallowed back by an invisible hand.

"Hiss..." Everyone present couldn't help but gasp. They felt an extremely cold aura sweep past them like a cold wind, causing them to shiver involuntarily.

What's even more shocking is that this seemingly insignificant young man has undergone a complete transformation in his aura. The pressure emanating from him is like a heavy mountain, making it almost impossible for everyone to breathe.

The group inwardly groaned. They were seasoned veterans of the martial world, having seen it all before. Yet, faced with the enigmatic Moke, they felt an unprecedented sense of fear and helplessness.

Moke's face was ashen as he coldly said, "Leave all your valuables behind and get out of here immediately. Otherwise, today is your death day, and you will pay for your rudeness with your lives!"

His voice was cold and merciless, like a judgment from hell, sending chills down everyone's spines. The crowd's faces instantly turned extremely ugly; they looked at each other, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

They had only intended to tease the newcomer and maybe squeeze some money out of him. However, to their utter surprise, things took a completely unexpected turn. Not only did they fail to gain anything, but they were also robbed soundly by the newcomer.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned and speechless, momentarily at a loss. These pirates, though ruthless and merciless, were ultimately a group driven by greed. Faced with such a massive loss, how could they possibly let it go so easily?

Just then, a pirate sitting near the window suddenly stood up. Without saying a word, he punched the window, which shattered with a loud crash. Immediately afterward, he leaped out of the window like a nimble monkey.

However, the pirate's joy didn't last long. Just when he thought he had successfully escaped, the others in the tavern were surprised to find that Moke's right index finger was steadily pointing at him. Even more shockingly, a large amount of light element was gathered on Moke's index finger, and these light elements were burning fiercely like flames.

Before the pirate could react, Moke flicked his index finger, and a dazzling beam of light shot out like Inazuma. This beam was extremely fast, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, instantly piercing through the pirate's back and striking him directly in the heart.

The pirate didn't even have time to scream before he plummeted to the ground like a kite with a broken string. But the beam of light didn't stop there; it continued forward with astonishing power, finally slamming into a large tree a hundred meters away.

With a deafening roar, the large tree snapped in two as if hit by a cannonball. The immense impact shook the surrounding ground, sending dust flying.

Because the tavern's windows were very large, most of the people inside could see this breathtaking scene clearly. For a moment, the entire tavern fell into a deathly silence; no one dared to make a sound, as if time itself had frozen.

Some people swallowed hard, as if something was choking them; others gasped, their sounds jarring in the quiet tavern. When everyone came to their senses, their gazes towards Moke underwent a dramatic change. Their previous disdain and resentment vanished without a trace, replaced by deep awe.

Without hesitation, they respectfully placed all their money on Moke's table, their movements swift and careful, lest they displease Moke.

However, amidst this tense atmosphere, a distinctive laugh suddenly rang out from a corner of the tavern. The laugh was like the hooting of an owl or the roar of a demon, sending chills down everyone's spine.

Although Moke's expression remained unchanged, his heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, pounding rapidly as if it were about to burst out of his chest.

In the world of One Piece, many characters possess unique laughs, sometimes so distinctive that their identities can be discerned solely from their voices. The laugh that reached Moke's ears was all too familiar—it was undoubtedly the laugh of Blackbeard, one of the future Four Emperors!

Moke's pupils contracted sharply. He never expected that he would encounter such a powerful opponent so soon after entering the Grand Line. With his current strength, he was simply no match for him.

"Call..."

Moke took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if that could calm his mind a little. He composed himself and slowly turned his head, casting his gaze toward the corner from which the laughter was coming.

Sure enough, he saw a burly man who had been facing away from him but had now turned around and was staring at him. The man's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation, as if he had developed some interest in Moke.

Beside the burly man sat a haggard-looking, sickly-looking man. Moke recognized him at a glance— Poison Q! One of the original Admiral of the Blackbeard Pirates, known for his bizarre abilities and insidious methods.

Moke couldn't help but think of the other members of the Blackbeard Pirates. Lafitte, the guy born in the West Blue, was originally a policeman in the West Blue, but for various reasons, he fell into becoming a pirate. His nicknames, "Demon Sheriff" and "Demon Police Officer," were terrifying to all. Moreover, Lafitte was also the navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates, and in the future, he was expected to become the captain of the fifth ship of the Blackbeard Pirates.

However, a question arose in Moke's mind. How could the Blackbeard Pirates suddenly appear at the entrance to the Grand Line? This is the crossroads of the Four Seas! Do they have some special purpose?

Furthermore, with only Doc Q by his side, it seems that now is the crucial moment for Blackbeard to head to the West Blue Blackbeard and successfully recruit Lafitte. However, what exactly is the purpose of this mysterious figure's trip to the West Blue? Is he really only going there to win over Lafitte? Is Lafitte alone really worth Blackbeard going to such lengths?

By this time, the people in the tavern had scattered like frightened birds, leaving very few behind. Blackbeard slowly stood up from his seat and walked straight toward Moke. As he walked, he carefully examined Moke, as if he were examining a rare treasure.

"You're absolutely right," Blackbeard suddenly said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "What right do these guys, who can so easily abandon their dreams, have to humiliate those who harbor dreams?"

Moke didn't respond immediately to Blackbeard's words, but instead frowned silently, as if he was thinking about something.

"Hahahaha..." Blackbeard laughed heartily upon seeing this, then immediately said, "How about joining my pirate crew?" His gaze was fixed on Moke, clearly impressed by Moke's performance just now. Not only was his astonishing aura capable of instantly intimidating others, but more importantly, Moke also possessed a powerful Devil Fruit ability.

Immediately, his gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, landed firmly on the Sandai Kitetsu in Moke's hand. The sword gleamed coldly in the dim light, exuding a captivating aura. He secretly pondered that anyone who could possess such a treasured sword must also be an exceptional swordsman. If he could recruit such a person to his cause, it would undoubtedly greatly benefit his endeavors.

Moke seemed to notice his gaze, paused for a moment, then his lips curled into a slightly chuunibyou-esque smile, and he declared loudly, "That won't do... My dream is to become the One Piece King!" His voice echoed in the tavern, drawing the attention of those around him.

Blackbeard was taken aback at first, clearly surprised by Moke's answer. But he quickly recovered and burst into a hearty laugh, "Zehahahaha..." The laughter sounded particularly abrupt in the tavern, but it also revealed his appreciation for Moke.

After laughing, Blackbeard stared at Moke, his scrutiny growing more pronounced. He seemed to be reassessing the young man before him, while Moke met his gaze without flinching, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere between them.

Finally, Blackbeard smiled faintly and said meaningfully, "I look forward to our next meeting." With that, he turned and strode out of the tavern, his steps steady and powerful.

Seeing this, Poison Q quickly followed. After the two left the tavern, Poison Q couldn't help but look back, then lowered his voice and said to Blackbeard, "This kid is still a bit green, but with his potential, he'll become a formidable opponent sooner or later. Perhaps..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Blackbeard rudely interrupted him. Blackbeard roared disdainfully, "There are countless people like him on the high seas! Am I supposed to kill them all? How could I possibly kill them all?" He then whirled around, glaring fiercely, before declaring with overwhelming Haki, "Besides, even if he were to one day stand against me, I would not hesitate to personally rip his head off... Zhehahahaha..."

These words struck Moke like a hammer blow. At this moment, in Blackbeard's eyes, Moke wasn't even a worthy opponent. Or rather, in Blackbeard's view, whether Moke could ever reach a level where he could stand against him was still an unknown!