Kuro's Challenge

All things considered.

Gawain's combat strength had undergone a complete transformation. Compared to a month ago, it had increased severalfold.

If there was anything lacking, it was Armament Haki.

To be honest, after spending over a month on it without even touching the threshold, Gawain felt rather frustrated.

But he quickly pulled himself together.

Even Luffy, who had started with legendary-grade potential, had only gradually grown under the theoretical and practical guidance of Rayleigh, Hyogoro, and Kaido.

If he had relied solely on his own exploration, he might not have progressed any faster than Gawain.

"This is the hardest part about taking the wild path. You have to figure everything out yourself, unlike those Chosen Ones, who never lack someone to guide them."

"Still, my current growth rate is already very fast."

"I've only been in this world for a little over two months, yet I've already covered a path that most people couldn't finish in years, or even decades."

"If all else fails, I'll figure out Armament Haki once I reach the Grand Line. East Blue is still too small."

Gawain let out a regretful sigh.

Only then did he notice the sticky layer of impurities covering his entire body.

He turned and entered the bathroom, quickly washed the grime off himself, then went to bed.

Before long.

Even breathing sounds filled the room.

A few days later.

Several Pirate Ships loaded with all kinds of supplies sailed into Para Island's harbor.

Jango and his group walked down the gangplank and into the harbor, their faces carrying relaxed smiles completely unlike before.

During this time, they had followed Gawain's orders and cleared out the pirate forces around Raven Port.

The three of them each had Bounties exceeding seven million. In East Blue, where the average Bounty was under five million, that already placed them at a relatively high level.

Now that Gawain's name had spread, with a Bounty as high as eighty-five million, any pirate in their right mind would not dare provoke them lightly.

As for the rest, they most likely could not defeat the three working together. Moreover, Jango possessed hypnosis capable of forcibly unleashing his subordinates' potential, greatly boosting the Pirate Crew's overall combat strength.

Gawain had once tried having Jango hypnotize him, only to helplessly conclude that only those with weak minds or overly simple natures could possibly be hypnotized.

At Jango's level, he could at most hypnotize the Catman Brothers. Still, that was enough for them to throw their weight around in East Blue.

With two enhanced Catman Brothers, they would not face much trouble so long as they did not run into someone like Arlong.

From afar.

Buchi, the fat one among the Catman Brothers, spotted Gawain waiting in the harbor. His eyes immediately lit up, and he hurried over. A smile hung on his lips, but he was so excited that he could barely speak clearly.

"Captain!"

"This time, it felt so strange... Um, it was... it was..."

Buchi scratched his head for a long while before finally thinking of a suitable word.

"The people there seemed like they didn't treat us as pirates. They even specially made fried dried fish for me!"

As he spoke, Buchi took out a package of dried fish sealed in wax paper from his clothes and offered it to Gawain as though presenting a treasure.

Only after Gawain ate a few pieces did he scratch his head with a foolish grin.

"Maybe that was a little rude."

"But this time, it really felt strange. I can't say what was wrong, but I really... I want to protect that place. I want it to keep existing forever!"

Sam also walked over, placing one hand on Buchi's shoulder as he nodded repeatedly at Gawain.

"The children there really like my claws!"

As he spoke, Sam raised his hand.

The sharp claws on his Cat Claws gloves had been removed, leaving behind only pink paw pads.

They no longer looked as dangerous as before, but together with his face, which closely resembled a cat's, he truly had a bit of a catman's charm now.

A faint smile curled Gawain's lips as he said calmly, "As long as you like it."

Gawain's gaze passed over the Catman Brothers. Seeing the relaxed smiles on everyone's faces, he felt much more at ease.

After the previous incident, the Gawain Pirates' reputation in Raven Port had completely turned around. The vast majority of civilians were extremely friendly toward members of the Gawain Pirates.

The treatment the Catman Brothers received now, along with the smiles on everyone's faces, proved exactly that.

This had also been part of Gawain's consideration when he agreed to the deal with Gaza.

Whether it was the Grand Line's Paradise or the New World, both were far too dangerous for these pirates of average strength. If they went, they would likely have no fate other than dying at sea.

Besides, before he gained the title of Shichibukai and established a stable base, he had no need for so many people to act together.

Raven Port's existence had solved the problem of how to settle these subordinates.

Even after Gawain left in the future with Kuro and the others, this arrangement could continue. After all, Gaza's need for military force would not change.

Rather than letting these subordinates roam around plundering and fighting pirates, living hand to mouth, it was better for them to serve Raven Port as mercenaries and secure a long-term meal ticket.

After he left in the future, they would still have a way to survive.

In the distance.

Kuro looked at Gawain, then at the Catman Brothers' reactions, and instantly understood Gawain's intentions.

"Gawain has decided to leave these people here."

"That can't be possible, can it?"

Akin, standing beside Kuro, froze slightly before objecting.

"In a dangerous place like the Grand Line, how can we make the crossing without a massive fleet?!"

"Heh."

Kuro smiled faintly.

"So you still don't understand the Grand Line well enough. Ordinary pirates like these will have a hard time surviving there."

"After one battle, perhaps more than half of them will be dead or wounded. In a place like that, there won't be any chance to erect graves for them."

Whoosh!

Kuro exhaled a ring of smoke, then turned to look at Akin.

"I'm still curious. What exactly did that guy say to make you choose to board his ship?"

"He said I was free and could choose where I wanted to go. He also said that until this ship reached the harbor, the position of combat captain would always be kept for me."

Kuro's hand trembled slightly, and specks of ash fell to the ground.

"That does sound like his style."

"But."

"If I were the captain, would you still be willing to stay here?"

Akin shook his head, then nodded again.

"As long as Mr. Gawain is here, I'll be here."

Kuro smiled helplessly.

"That guy's luck is really absurdly good. Still, I'm definitely going to become captain!"

"..."

Akin paused slightly, then turned to look at Kuro.

He recalled the results of the several sparring matches he had requested with Gawain over the past month. When he looked at Kuro, there was even a trace of pity in his eyes.

That feeling of being crushed from every angle was not something anyone with a weaker mindset could endure.

Akin admitted that Kuro was strong. Back at the harbor, had it not been for luck, he would have died long ago. But the gap between Kuro and Gawain was like a heavenly chasm.

After a long while.

Akin barely managed to force out a sentence.

"Good luck."

"Ah."

With Jango and the others' return.

A huge bonfire was soon raised in the harbor.

An entire circle of roasted meat had been set up around it, releasing waves of fragrant grease that made everyone's mouths water. Neatly stacked bread and fruit sat nearby, while alcohol was piled up like mountains.

The banquet gradually reached its peak.

As everyone drank to their hearts' content, the fleet's musicians began playing folk songs passed down among sailors. Amid laughter, cup after cup of liquor went down their throats.

It was then that Kuro stood up in front of everyone and looked calmly at Gawain.

"I want to see who between you and me is more qualified to sit in that position now."