Don't move

Texas stood in the crater and looked at Randall.

The sun was directly behind Randall, but Texas did not even blink.

"Not bad! You've got some skills!

As a reward for hurting me, I'll make a few extra pieces of art out of you.

Then I'll put them in my room, just for me!"

Randall stood at the edge of the crater, his eyes turning downward as he looked down on Texas.

He raised his thumb, then turned his hand until it pointed down.

"You're the one who's going to die!"

Texas did not get angry. Instead, he smiled and said:

"Really?

That move is powerful, but I imagine it takes a lot out of you!

Otherwise, why didn't you press the attack while I was weakened, instead of standing here wasting time with me?"

Randall did not answer. He merely narrowed his eyes at Texas.

His body was indeed still a little numb.

But the real reason he had not followed up was the invisible air saw blades surrounding Texas.

If he had pressed his advantage just now, he would have been the one getting hurt.

Sneaky old bastard!

Texas did not mind his silence. Still smiling, he continued:

"Besides, I think I've figured out your weakness."

Randall kept his face impassive, but inwardly grew wary.

A weakness?

Did he have one?

Instructor Zephyr hadn't mentioned anything...

Well, whatever.

He'd recovered. Time to get to work!

His figure abruptly vanished. As though teleporting, he appeared five meters in front of Texas, then...

Armament: Iron Fist: Impact Steel!

Boom—

Screee—

A thunderous boom and a piercing grinding noise rang out in succession.

Randall vanished again, appearing at Texas's left, right, and rear in rapid succession.

For a moment, four shock waves hemmed Texas in like a cross, with Texas standing at its center.

Texas was speechless.

Was this guy's stamina free or something?

Could he really throw out moves like that whenever he wanted...?

"Don't push your luck!"

Texas pushed his Armament Haki and Devil Fruit ability into overdrive, breaking free of all four shock waves at once.

With their central target gone, the shock waves lost their balance.

A deafening explosion erupted, sending sand and stones flying.

Seeing Texas escape, Randall refused to let up and prepared to charge him again.

But when he saw what Texas was doing, Randall's expression changed.

Texas had already moved out of the crater, and the five fingers of his right hand had turned into buzzing chainsaws.

He gave Randall a taunting smile, then swung his right hand viciously toward the residents of Town.

Under the people's terrified gazes, five serrated flying slashes drew closer and closer.

Randall cursed inwardly, then burst forward at full speed, barely making it in time.

But he no longer had time to launch a move. In the emergency, he simply chose to take the attacks head-on with his body.

Using Iron Body and Armament Haki together, he escaped without any real injury.

The problem was Texas, who was still nearby, watching for an opening.

Randall had only just neutralized the five serrated slashes when he heard a piercing noise behind him.

A muffled grunt escaped him as searing pain shot through his lower back.

He immediately leaned forward and turned, sweeping a whipping kick behind him.

But not only did he miss Texas, his trousers shredded instantly, and his calf was torn open, dripping blood.

The sneaky old bastard had not only dodged in advance, but also left a cluster of air saw blades where he had stood.

That one had really hurt.

Meanwhile, Texas had already moved to the other side and was using the same trick again.

Randall had no choice but to take the attacks with his body once more.

After several rounds of this, Randall was covered in wounds and blood.

What reassured him was that the residents of Town remained unharmed.

"Tsk! You really are a talent secretly trained by the Navy. Even in this state, you can still fight."

Texas clicked his tongue as he stared at Randall.

Randall said nothing. Since Texas was wasting time, he took the opportunity to recover.

In an instant, white vapor rose from every wound on his body.

The vapor dissipated, and the wounds disappeared with it.

But those were all minor injuries.

The worst injury was still the wound on Randall's stomach.

That was not something Life Return could simply heal.

"It's fine. Recover all you want!

You're only wasting your own stamina!

As long as those pigs are here, you'll never beat me!"

At those words, Randall's expression darkened.

Texas continued using the same tactic.

Randall tried telling the people to run, but every time, Texas managed to herd them back in time.

As this repeated, Randall's wounds grew worse and worse, and he burned through more and more stamina.

After Randall blocked another attack, Texas did not seize the opening to strike. Instead, he flashed into the crowd, then returned to his original spot.

Randall turned and saw a terrified woman clutched by the throat in Texas's hand.

His expression instantly turned utterly grim.

Texas smiled gently and said:

"I'm getting a little tired of that routine. Let's try something new.

From now on, you'll stand right there without moving! No dodging, no defending! And definitely no attacking!

Otherwise..."

Texas tightened his fingers slightly around the woman's throat, and her face immediately contorted in pain.

"No, don't! I don't want to die! Please! I don't want to die! Boohoo... please!"

The woman burst into tears.

But she did not know that her cries would only excite the criminal further...

Randall froze.

Then Texas slowly walked toward Randall, holding the woman by her throat.

When he saw Randall instinctively start to move, he "kindly" reminded him:

"Don't move!

If you startle me and I accidentally squeeze a little too hard...

She'll die!"

Randall gritted his teeth, but ultimately stayed still.

He still could not bring himself to watch her be killed.

But he had no intention of waiting helplessly for death, either.

He was waiting for Texas to come close enough. Then he would have a chance to rescue the woman.

But halfway there, Texas abruptly stopped.

Randall cursed inwardly. This bastard was so fucking cautious!

Texas savored Randall's conflicted expression, delight welling up inside him.

Then he stamped his right foot hard against the ground.

Five chainsaws suddenly emerged from the ground in front of him, seemingly glinting with bloody light.

Their chains spun madly, letting out a piercing roar.

That was not all.

Randall watched as a layer of black spread over the chainsaws.

The bastard was even using Armament Haki!

"This move is called Chainsaw Nightmare. Enjoy!"

The moment he finished speaking, the chainsaws roared and rapidly closed in on Randall.

The shrill noise instantly filled Randall's ears.

They were like sharks opening their blood-soaked maws, ready to tear their prey to shreds with razor-sharp teeth.