King's Strength

Akuta was leaning against a large tree, his eyes fixed on a transport team at the foot of the mountain.

More than a day has passed since the last time they took down that fat and thin duo, and during this time, Akuta was surprised to find...

The Beasts Pirates' transport convoy has become significantly easier to defeat!

Akuta ambushed several transport convoys, significantly reducing the strength and resistance of their guards.

Having grown up in modern civilization, Akuta could tell at a glance that there was something wrong with this transport team!

Normally, after such a sneak attack, the Beast Pirates would either reduce the size of their transport fleet or increase its guard.

How could the strength of the guards be reduced while increasing the number of transport teams?

I wouldn't believe it if you told me there wasn't the Ghost Akuta inside!

Of course, what truly convinced Akuta that there was a problem was the transport team itself.

Because after Akuta robbed the transport convoy, he was surprised to find that although the convoy looked quite large, there was nothing inside at all!

A huge team was escorting very little supplies.

Many of the boxes were empty!

Isn't it obvious that this transport team was just going through the motions?

Let's turn our attention back to the present.

Akuta looked at the transport team below and immediately noticed three problems.

First, this transport team was much smaller than the ones he had previously robbed, carrying only a dozen or so pirates.

But the trucks were very full, and their ruts left deep marks on the muddy ground.

Secondly, unlike the previous transport teams, the pirates in those teams showed obvious signs of panic.

But everyone in the group looked very relaxed, seemingly unconcerned about the risk of being robbed.

Third, and most importantly.

That means the transport team's route is clearly wrong!

Akuta watched as he walked halfway, but then turned back and went through it all again.

It's obvious there's something fishy going on!

Akuta muttered to himself, scratching his chin.

"Setting up the trap so obviously, isn't that just blatantly trying to lure me into ambushing them?"

If a normal person saw this, their choice would definitely be to avoid the conflict and not jump into the pit.

But!

"Retreating because there's an ambush is a sign of a weak mindset!"

"To be a strong person means to brave the enemy's ambush!"

Akuta leaped down from the tree, his shadow silently creeping beneath his feet, creeping along the ground in the direction of the transport team.

The dozen or so pirates in the transport team continued walking forward, laughing and joking.

"Lord Jin, will this trick really work? That madman isn't stupid. Seeing how few people we have, even a fool would know something's wrong, right?"

"Who cares about him? If Lord Jin says it's okay, then it's okay. Besides, it's best if he doesn't come; we can get credit for nothing."

"That's true... Hmm? What was that sound?"

Before the pirate at the front could finish speaking, the ground beneath his feet suddenly went black.

He instinctively lowered his head.

Several shadowy spikes erupted from the ground simultaneously, piercing the chests of the four pirates with pinpoint accuracy.

"Enemy attack!"

The other pirates reacted instantly and drew their weapons.

The Shadow Assassin withdrew, and the corpse collapsed to the ground.

Akuta slowly emerged from behind a tree, tilting his head to look at the remaining six or seven people.

"Seriously? Is this all the skill you've got?"

He sighed, his voice filled with disappointment.

Before the words were even finished, the cargo truck behind the pirates suddenly exploded.

A tall figure emerged from the fragments of the wooden crate.

The pterosaur spread its wings, and orange-red flames ignited behind it.

Akuta's pupils contracted; the person who appeared was none other than himself.

He is one of the three main figures of the Beasts Pirates.

Flame, Ash.

Jinfei hovered in mid-air, looking down at Akuta.

"Finally caught you, you bastard!"

Jin's murderous voice was forced out from his throat, each word dripping with rage.

"So it's you who's caused trouble on my turf time and time again?"

Akuta stared at the suddenly appearing Jin, his expression first showing surprise, then he grinned.

"Oh! It's you, Jhin!"

Instead of backing down, he took a step forward and assumed a fighting stance.

"I've been waiting for you for ages! Your Beasts Pirates are so inefficient!"

Jin's gaze sharpened.

"Wait for me? Hmph, still being stubborn even when you're about to die."

Before he could finish speaking, Jin's figure had already vanished from the spot.

Akuta's pupils contracted slightly, and his body instinctively retreated rapidly.

The next instant, Jin appeared where he had just stood, and a leg whip wrapped in Armament Haki swept across.

Boom!

The kick blasted a deep crater into the ground, sending dust and gravel flying everywhere.

Akuta barely managed to avoid a direct confrontation, but the shockwave sent him staggering back several steps, his back snapping against a small tree.

"Cough!"

He grunted, and before he could adjust his posture, Jhin's second attack arrived.

Jhin's fighting style is oppressive; every strike is precise and ruthless, with almost no superfluous movements.

Akuta used its shadow to create several shields in front of it, but Jin sliced them all through as easily as cutting tofu.

"I've already seen through your abilities."

Jin spoke coldly, continuing his pursuit while verbally attacking Akuta.

"A mere Shadow-Shadow Fruit, nothing special."

Akuta was kicked in the chest and sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto a rock.

"That's all?"

Akuta rose from the shattered rocks.

In just one exchange, he was almost seriously injured by Jin.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his smile widening, his tone laced with clear provocation.

"That kick of yours didn't hurt at all, it felt great!"

Jin's eyes instantly darkened.

"Court death."

The two clashed again, their Shadow Assassins and Wing Blades clashing, shattering the entire mountain path.

After several rounds, Akuta silently assessed the situation.

No, we're no match for them in a direct confrontation.

Jhin's speed, strength, and use of domineering aura are all superior to mine.

In particular, this guy has a predator-like focus in battle, making it impossible for Akuta to hide his many subtle movements.

"Hahahaha!"

Even when suppressed, Akuta's smile never disappeared.

After being swept away by Jhin once again, he rolled several times on the ground, then suddenly gave Jhin a thumbs up.

"Great master, I admit I can't beat you right now."

Jin did not stop, and continued to approach.

"Can you still escape?"

Akuta's smile turned sinister.

"Escape? Who said I was going to escape?"

He spread his arms wide, and his shadow suddenly spread out beneath his feet, turning the entire ground pure black.

"What is this!" Jin stopped in his tracks and looked warily at his feet.

"Goodbye, Shadow Mage!"

Although Jhin arrived at the Akuta's side immediately and pierced his body, it was still too late.

At Akuta's call, the Shadow Mage he had prepared switched places with him.

"Shadow-Shadow Fruit... the ability to swap abilities?"

Jin muttered to himself.

He looked around, but Akuta was nowhere to be seen.

Jin stood still, his face ashen.

He hadn't expected that even his personal intervention would allow the attacker, Akuta, to escape.

"Akuta!!!"