Van Augur stood to the side, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
"Captain, are you trying to... recruit Jesus Burgess?"
Roy glanced back at him.
"How?"
Van Augur shook his head.
"Nothing."
"I just feel that guy seems... not very bright."
Lafitte couldn't help but laugh.
" Van Augur, what you're saying..."
Van Augur said seriously,
I'm serious.
"I saw him fighting with someone in the street today while I was asking around at the tavern."
"Just because that person glanced at him, he punched him and sent him flying."
"Can we recruit someone like that?"
Roy smiled slightly.
" Van Augur, what kind of person do you think can be considered 'smart'?"
Van Augur paused, thought for a moment,
At least... they can distinguish between advantages and disadvantages, and know when to do what.
Roy nodded.
"You're right."
" Jesus Burgess is certainly not very smart."
But he has one advantage--
"A thirst for power."
"And, he's loyal enough."
"As long as you can give him strength, he will follow you wholeheartedly."
Van Augur nodded thoughtfully.
Lafitte chimed in from the side,
"The captain is right."
"People who simply pursue power are actually the easiest to get along with."
"As long as you remain stronger than him, he will never betray you."
"That's right."
"Alright, get some rest."
Roy dismissed the two men.
"Tomorrow, let's go see just how strong this 'fighting champion' really is."
"Yes!"
The two left the room.
Roy stood by the window, gazing at the fighting arena in the distance.
A night breeze blew, carrying the salty, damp scent of the sea.
He closed his eyes, Observation Haki quietly unfolded.
In an instant, the entire atmosphere of the Fighting Island appeared in his mind.
The aura of the strong, the aura of the weak, the aura lurking in the shadows...
One of them was particularly powerful and wild.
That aura was filled with violence and wildness, like that of a wild beast.
Jesus Burgess.
A faint smile curved Roy's lips.
He really is a beast.
The next morning.
The sun was shining brightly, and the fighting arena was bustling with noise.
The enormous circular arena, large enough to hold tens of thousands of people, was packed to capacity.
The spectators waved their betting slips and cheered wildly.
" Jesus Burgess! Jesus Burgess! Jesus Burgess!"
" Arms! Kill him!"
"I bet a million on Jesus Burgess! Win!"
Cheers, shouts, and curses mingled together, creating a deafening roar.
Roy and his two companions sat in the VIP section, overlooking the arena below.
Lafitte looked around and couldn't help but sigh.
"It's so lively."
Van Augur stared at the center of the arena, where two athletes were making their final preparations.
Jesus Burgess, shirtless, revealed his granite-like muscles.
With a ferocious grin on his face, he clenched his fists and waved them repeatedly at the audience, drawing cheers from them.
Opposite them was a man with unusually thick arms, who must be " Iron Arms " Arms.
His arms were wrapped in heavy protective gear, which suggested he was indeed skilled in defense.
"Captain, who do you think will win?"
"Lafitte asked."
" Jesus Burgess."
"That Arms has decent defense, but his attack power is lacking."
"He can't last long against a pure power-type fighter like Jesus Burgess."
Before Roy could finish speaking, the match below had already begun.
clang--!!!
With the sound of a gong, the competition officially began!
Arms launched the first attack, pushing off the ground with both legs and charging towards Jesus Burgess like a cannonball!
His unusually thick arms were raised high, whistling through the air, and slammed down hard on Jesus Burgess ' head!
" Iron Arm Heavy Hammer!"
The audience erupted in gasps!
This strike was powerful and heavy, enough to shatter rocks!
However--
Jesus Burgess simply grinned, neither dodging nor avoiding, and threw a punch in return!
boom--!!!
Their fists collided with a loud bang!
A violent shockwave emanated from the two of them and spread outwards wildly!
Arms's expression changed instantly!
He could feel a sharp pain shooting through his arms!
That power was too strong!
Incredibly strong!
Jesus Burgess grinned maliciously.
"Hahaha! Is that all the strength you've got?!"
Jesus Burgess suddenly unleashed his power!
boom--!!!
Arms's body flew backward like a cannonball, slamming hard against the arena wall!
The wall collapsed instantly, sending debris flying everywhere!
Arms was embedded in the rubble, coughing up blood, his arms deformed and unable to be lifted!
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence!
Then--
A deafening cheer erupted!
" Jesus Burgess! Jesus Burgess! Jesus Burgess!"
"That's incredible! He sent the opponent flying with just one punch!"
"I bet right! Hahaha!"
The audience went wild!
Jesus Burgess stood in the center of the field, fists clenched, and roared deafeningly at the audience!
Its appearance was like that of a wild beast!
In the VIP section, Roy's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Interesting."
"Pure physical strength, indeed impressive."
Lafitte and Van Augur exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes.
This Jesus Burgess is indeed strong.
Although it was purely physical strength, that power was enough to crush most opponents.
Let's go.
Roy stood up.
"It's our turn to enter the game."
Lafitte was taken aback.
"Captain, you need to..."
Roy smiled slightly.
"Register for the competition."
"And while I'm at it, let's stretch our muscles."
Registration area for the fighting arena.
Several staff members were busy processing the applicants' information.
"Next!"
A staff member shouted without looking up.
Roy stepped forward,
"Sign up."
The staff member looked up and glanced at him.
She had short, blond hair, a slender figure, and looked quite ordinary, with nothing particularly special about her.
"Name?"
" Gem."
Roy just gave a random name.
The staff member filled out the form, glanced at Roy didn't look particularly strong, frowned, but didn't ask any further questions.
He had seen plenty of people who wanted to become famous overnight through Fighting Tournament.
"Age?"
Twenty-one.
"Profession?"
"Fighter."
The staff quickly filled out the form and handed him a number.
"Here's your number. Please wait in the rest area."
"We'll call you to go on stage later."
Roy took the number plate and turned to leave.
A considerable number of people had already gathered in the rest area.
Some were warming up, some were meditating, and some were talking in hushed tones.
Roy found a corner to sit down, closed his eyes, and pretended to doze off.
Lafitte and Van Augur returned to the VIP section, waiting to see what would happen.
Soon, the first match began.
A burly man stepped onto the ring and waved his fist at the audience, drawing cheers.
Then, the referee began to announce his opponent.
Next, please welcome--
"Fighter, Gem!"
Roy opened his eyes, stood up, and walked towards the ring.
The moment he stepped into the ring, the audience erupted in laughter.
"Hahaha! Who's that kid? He's as skinny as a bamboo pole!"
" Gem? That's such a random name!"
"Are they just here to get themselves killed?"
I doubt he could even take one punch!
The audience, looking at Roy's slender figure, began to mock him.
Even his opponent, the burly man, couldn't help but laugh.
"Kid, are you sure you want to fight me?"
The burly man looked down at him.
"With your small frame, I could send you flying with one punch."
I advise you to admit defeat now, to avoid getting hurt.
Roy looked at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Let's begin."