Ye Chen sneered. "What? Is that so strange? You might have been strong enough to rival Hawk-Eye back then, but don't forget: you're no longer a real pirate."
"What did you say? I'm not a pirate? What kind of nonsense is that? I could cut you down right now."
Jack flew into a rage. Clearly, being a pirate still meant a great deal to him.
Ye Chen rolled his eyes. "Pirates should be free on the seas, adventuring and fighting to their hearts' content. But you're sitting here running some damned casino. You're just like Buggy. That Baki doesn't seem to have much ambition either."
At the counter, Buggy suddenly sneezed as he counted his money. "Who's talking behind my back? Bastard, do you have a death wish?"
"Bastard! I'm going to kill you."
Jack's eyes turned red and blazed with fury. Ye Chen had thoroughly provoked him.
They clashed again. At first, Ye Chen could use his uncanny Lightness Skill to keep Jack off balance. Jack struggled to adjust, but once he did, the tide turned.
Ye Chen circled behind him again. Without even looking back, Jack slashed behind himself.
It looked like a wild swing, but Jack was using his Observation Haki to strike.
Clang!
The impact rang out. Ye Chen's wrist jolted, and Oto nearly flew from his hand.
Jack turned slowly and gave him a proud, cold smile. "From now on, you won't land another sword strike on me."
When they had first exchanged blows, Jack had struggled to adapt. His reactions were quick, but Ye Chen's Lightness Skill and movements were not only fast, they were unpredictable.
He darted left and right, up and down, leaving Jack unable to settle on a response or guard against the next attack.
In a straight contest of speed,