I have intel!

"Qi Wave!"

A colossal pillar of energy spanned the space between earth and sky.

Its two ends connected Randall and Texas.

Texas's Earth Fruit abilities were not suited to defense.

So this time, he chose to defend by attacking.

That spinal chainsaw was his most powerful weapon.

With a thought, a blue spectral chainsaw enveloped the spine.

Then he slashed down hard at the pillar of energy.

With a ripping screech, the two attacks clashed briefly before Randall's Qi Wave was cut in half.

Texas stood like a reef, splitting the torrent surging toward him.

Behind him, a cluster of buildings was instantly swallowed by the Qi Wave.

Randall pursed his lips and lowered his hands.

He still had not fully developed this move. The energy was not concentrated enough.

Otherwise, it should have exploded on contact rather than being sliced apart.

Texas regained some of his earlier composure.

He smiled and said:

"Now, round two!"

Seeing Texas recover from his disadvantage, the watching residents actually felt relief and joy.

But that was not enough to reassure them.

They wanted to see a more certain victory.

So, after hesitating for a long time, someone in the crowd finally decided to step forward.

"Sir! Please wait! I have some very important intel!

It's about that Marine's weakness!"

A man reeking of alcohol shouted from the crowd.

Texas gave an intrigued smile.

First, he glanced at Randall with a mocking look, then said:

"Oh? What weakness?"

But upon hearing that voice, Randall's expression changed.

He had heard this man's voice only a short while ago.

That had also been the first time since coming to this world that he had felt the urge to kill.

Almost reflexively, murderous intent rose from him at the sound of that voice, soaring into the sky.

Texas had not taken the man all that seriously at first.

But Randall's reaction made him realize that this man might truly know something.

A few thoughts flashed through his mind, and Texas immediately made his choice.

He stamped both feet against the ground and shot toward Randall like an armor-piercing shell.

The dangerous aura emanating from the spinal saw blade made every hair on Randall's body stand on end.

Even knowing Texas was trying to keep him occupied, he had no choice but to refocus and concentrate on defending himself.

Texas spoke as he attacked:

"You there, spit it out!

I might spare your life!"

That was exactly what the man had wanted to hear.

Delighted, he hurriedly said:

"Sir, that Marine has a little girl with him!

That little girl must be very important to him!"

Texas's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked:

"Then where is that girl now?"

Randall's eyes instantly turned red.

"You're asking to die!"

His chilling voice squeezed out through clenched teeth.

The man immediately began shaking like a leaf.

Randall moved to abandon Texas and smash the man into a bloody pulp.

But Texas had already anticipated his intentions and closed in to keep him tied down.

"Tell me!" Texas shouted.

The man was on the verge of tears.

He wanted to know where his daughter was too.

"I-I don't know either! But she must be somewhere on this island..."

Texas was speechless. He already knew she was on the island...

Still, this information was indeed important.

Life really is full of surprises.

Texas said, "Tsk, what a shame. Now I have another weakness of yours to exploit."

Randall gritted his teeth and kept attacking.

He utterly despised that bastard for being willing to sell out even his own daughter!

But now Texas was the one who wanted to leave.

"Metal Storm!"

Countless saw blades shot out, surrounding Randall like a dense swarm of bees.

Texas seized the opportunity to break away, picking a direction at random and shooting off.

At the same time, two small chainsaws extended from his forehead.

The spinning chainsaws acted like antennas, doubling the range of his Observation Haki.

The island had never been particularly large.

Now his Observation Haki could cover a third of it.

Behind him, the Metal Storm trapped Randall for only a second before Randall brutally burst through it.

Once free, Randall saw that Texas was already a hundred meters away. With no time to deal with that bastard, he hurried after him.

He was truly desperate now.

The Qi he had left with Christa could handle ordinary people.

But against a monster whom even Randall himself had to take seriously, it was no better than nothing.

I absolutely cannot let that sicko get near Christa!

At that thought, Randall accelerated even further.

Although no one was watching the townspeople anymore, they remained where they were, with no intention of leaving.

Their fate now depended on who ultimately won.

Randall chased Texas at astonishing speed.

Armament: Iron Fist: Impact Steel!

Randall attacked as he pursued.

But Texas was far too nimble.

Instead, the air saw blade traps he left along the way kept Randall from catching up.

Before long, the corners of Texas's mouth lifted.

A little girl had appeared within the range of his Observation Haki.

And that little girl was giving off Randall's aura.

He immediately changed direction and accelerated again.

When Randall realized which way Texas was heading, his expression changed drastically.

That was where he had moored his boat.

He clenched his teeth, his aura surged higher once more, and he kicked furiously with Geppo, his speed soaring in an instant.

A small boat lay moored along one stretch of the island's shore.

A little girl sat obediently on a nearby reef.

Her young face was full of worry, and she occasionally looked up to scan her surroundings.

Several times, she stood up, only to sit back down in the end.

Then she suddenly heard a sound coming from the distance.

She immediately looked over and saw two dark figures approaching from far away.

One chased the other.

When she saw the figure in front, her body suddenly trembled.

Tears were already welling in her eyes.

But she did not cry. Instead, she shakily climbed into the little boat, trying to hide herself.

In the distance, Texas had already spotted that tiny figure, and delight filled his heart.

"Stop right there!"

But before he could charge forward, a furious shout suddenly rang out behind him.

Then an immense force descended from above, slamming into his back.

It was an overwhelming, monstrous force he could not resist. He did not hold out for even half a second before his entire body was smashed downward.

Boom—

A deafening crash rang out.

The ground erupted as though struck by artillery, sending dust billowing high into the sky.