Pirate: Immortal, I Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki First

"I believe he'll accept it this time!"

After examining Bullet, everyone let out cries of amazement.

"His physique is incredible!"

"He's so strong. He must have survived thousands of battles."

"Maybe he really will live."

Three days later, Bullet opened his eyes.

The devilish man immediately fixed his gaze on the Marine Rear Admiral standing with his back to him.

"Xia Le!!"

A low growl escaped Bullet's lips, and his eyes turned bloodred.

Almost by reflex, his bandage-wrapped body lunged forward. He reached Xia Le's back in an instant, his left arm trembling as he clenched his fist and swung.

The rush of wind from behind alerted Xia Le at once.

A smile tugged at his lips.

That refusal to admit defeat!

I really do admire it!

"Bullet!"

As he spoke, an unseen force spread through his body, turning every inch of skin and muscle as hard as steel.

Iron Body!

Armament Haki!

Together, they made Xia Le's body unimaginably tough.

Bang!

A dull impact rang out, and a wave of air swept across the entire warship.

Bullet's fist struck Xia Le squarely in the left cheek. To Bullet's shock, Xia Le was completely unharmed.

"But a loser should act like one!"

The cold words came a moment later.

At the same time, a crushing blow struck Bullet's abdomen. He doubled over and spat blood as he flew backward, slammed into the warship's mast, and slid to the deck.

Only then did Xia Le turn around and look at the Devil's Descendant, blood staining the corner of his mouth.

"Douglas Bullet!"

"I admire you. Come work with me!"

Bullet bared his teeth and wiped the blood from his mouth with his left hand. Enduring the pain churning through his abdomen, he glared back.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Roger?"

"You're just a Marine. That's not enough to make me submit!"

Then he gave a cold laugh.

"Now that I'm in your hands, either kill me or send me to Impel Down."

Xia Le didn't get angry. He merely smiled.

"I won't kill you, and I won't send you to Impel Down."

After a brief pause, his smile turned cold.

"Who do you think you are, Bullet?"

"You're just someone I defeated. What gives you the right to talk big in front of me?"

"If you can't accept your defeat, challenge me whenever you like!"

"I'll prove one thing to you."

Xia Le smiled.

"I will make you submit!"

Crocodile, standing nearby, had no words for Xia Le's domineering declaration. But Bullet froze. Some of the anger left his face, and he actually laughed.

"I'm starting to find you interesting!"

He had to admit it: Xia Le's immense strength and his confident, proud, commanding manner suited him strangely well.

For a moment, Bullet remembered challenging Roger years ago.

Roger had been like this young Marine before him: confident, powerful, and full of charisma.

The only difference was that Roger had been a pirate, while this man was a Marine.

Bullet grew much quieter after that.

Rosinante, however, didn't believe the intimidating man had truly settled down. He thought Bullet was looking for another chance to challenge his superior.

He was right.

On the third day after waking, Bullet challenged Xia Le again.

He lost almost instantly and suffered even worse injuries.

When Bullet woke, he quietly nursed his wounds and considered how to challenge Xia Le next time, searching for a better angle of attack.

This time, he stayed quiet for seven days.

He challenged Xia Le again a week later and lost all the same.

Xia Le took the challenges in stride. He welcomed them, having discovered that their contests of pure physical technique were improving his Six Powers.

He also noticed that Bullet grew more dejected after every defeat.

For proud Bullet, who was always striving to be the strongest, each loss was a devastating blow that left a deep mark on him.

With every defeat, Xia Le loomed larger in Bullet's mind. Eventually, he would seem impossible to surpass, and Bullet would submit completely.

It was like training a hawk, or like the approach Whitebeard would one day take with Ace.

Bullet's injuries gradually healed. Once he had fully recovered, he challenged Xia Le again, only for another defeat to deepen his frustration.

Xia Le seemed impossible to beat. In Bullet's mind, he was even beginning to eclipse Roger.

Roger, afflicted with a terminal illness, could no longer bear the crown of the strongest. The Marine before Bullet was still young, about his own age.

Whenever Bullet thought about their ages, an inexpressible sense of defeat washed over him.

We're the same age. How is he this strong?

He's a monster among monsters!!

Those thoughts left Bullet increasingly conflicted and increasingly in awe of Xia Le.

Half a month after Bullet boarded the warship, as it was nearing Marineford, Crocodile approached him.

"So, Bullet, do you still think you can beat him?"

A cigar between his lips, Crocodile asked with a faint smile.

He had watched every one of Bullet's challenges from start to finish. If anything, they had made one thing clearer: Xia Le's strength was almost absolute.

Bullet's lips moved. He glanced at Crocodile, then fell silent.

Some strength looked as though it could never be surpassed.

Both Roger in the past and Xia Le before him had felt like mountains blocking his path.

"I know the main reason you've refused to submit all this time," Crocodile said softly.

"Oh?"

Bullet scoffed.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring. Unbothered by the scoff, he lowered his voice.

"What?"

Bullet was curious now. He was also surprised that Crocodile had submitted to a Marine.

If Crocodile had a reason compelling enough to persuade him, what was wrong with following someone as strong as Roger, yet younger?

"The Celestial Dragons bloodbath."

Crocodile's voice was barely audible.

After speaking, he cast a fleeting glance at the figure standing ahead of them.

Bullet heard him. He froze, then quickly grasped what Crocodile meant.

"He did that?"

Shock surged through him.

He did something even Roger never did!!

"And he did it as a Marine!!"

Bullet murmured the words.

"Doesn't that make it more interesting?"

Crocodile chuckled.

Bullet spun around and stared at the smile on Crocodile's face.

After a long moment, he grinned and made his decision.

"You're right!"

"That is interesting!"

Bullet sprang to his feet, strode up behind Xia Le, and took a deep breath.

"From today on!"

"I'm your man. I'll follow wherever you go!"

"But if the day comes when you can no longer beat me, then!"

Bullet grinned.

"I'll turn the tables and make you my subordinate!"

"Because I admire you too!"

P.S. Thanks to Ji Yuxuan, Watching Over You, Life Is About Zoning Out, and Imaginary Competitor for the monthly tickets!!

A Young Legend

The sea breeze stirred Xia Le's coat.

He slowly turned to face the tall, muscular figure before him, whose head and body were wrapped in white bandages. Then he smiled.

"I'm afraid I won't give you that chance!"

Bullet's gaze sharpened. Then he snapped to attention and saluted. "Sir!"

Xia Le pointed to Crocodile behind him. "Go see him about getting a uniform."