Several seconds later, Golden Lion acted as if nothing had happened. Very naturally, he took a cigar from his chest, then reached into his pocket with his other hand and pulled out a lighter.
Click. Click. Click.
He pressed it several times, but the lighter seemed determined to oppose him. No matter what, it would not catch. A flame flickered, died, and finally refused to even give him sparks.
The corner of Golden Lion's mouth twitched. He simply put the unlit cigar straight into his mouth.
"What is this guy talking about?"
"Is he joking?"
Ron only shrugged and said calmly, "Congratulations. You won five million berries."
Golden Lion's face turned red. He took a deep breath and forcibly swallowed the rage that had already rushed into his throat. Then he squeezed one sentence through his teeth. "Stop messing around. Get back here and continue. Who surrenders at the very start?"
"People do," Ron said softly. "Me."
Golden Lion could not hold it anymore. He threw the useless lighter to the ground and roared, "Don't push your luck, Ron. You believe I'll kill you?!"
Ron calmly raised his hand toward Rocks. "Judge, I feel that my personal safety has been threatened."
Rocks froze. Looking at Ron's calm face with no trace of disturbance, only one thought remained in his mind.
'You brat are a damn genius. How can you say such bastard words with a straight face?'
"Hey, Rocks." Golden Lion turned to look at Rocks. "This shouldn't count, right?"
Rocks spread his hands, his tone helplessly fair. "The opponent conceded. You are ruled the winner. That follows procedure, Shiki."
Golden Lion's face grew even darker. After a moment of silence, he lifted his head and began to laugh "Jihahaha," but perhaps because he was too angry, he forgot he still had a cigar in his mouth. When he inhaled too hard, the entire cigar went into his mouth.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
After spitting the cigar back out, Golden Lion pointed at Ron. "Good. Very good. Next time there's a game like this, remember to call me."
Silver Axe watched from the side, dumbfounded. How exactly did this guy manage to leave after accomplishing his goal and still anger Shiki like that? Silver Axe had fought Golden Lion for so long without either of them getting much advantage, but this brat came in and won immediately.
He had to admit it. Young man, you had successfully caught his attention.
"Hehehe..." Kaido suddenly had an epiphany. He had learned it. He had really learned it. Following Ron truly taught him so many useful things.
Silver Axe looked at Kaido like he was looking at an idiot. This guy had everything he was thinking written across his face.
"Second match, begin!" Rocks clapped his hands and pulled everyone's attention back to the game.
"First round, Silver Axe wins!"
Smack.
'Don't. Please don't surrender,' Kaido prayed in his heart.
Fortunately, Silver Axe's desire to deal with Golden Lion was too strong. He did not surrender.
"Second round, Silver Axe wins!"
Smack.
Kaido's rage value: +100%.
"Third round, Silver Axe wins!"
Smack.
Kaido's rage value: +1000%.
"Fourth round, Silver Axe wins!"
Smack.
Kaido's rage value: +10000%.
"Fifth round, Kaido wins!"
The moment that announcement fell, Kaido's body trembled slightly.
He slowly raised his head. The angle grew larger and larger, while both hands opened upward in sync, as if he intended to embrace the entire sky.
Silver Axe was speechless. Wasn't it just one round? Did he have to be this excited?
"Finally... finally my turn?"
Then Kaido's head snapped back into place. His hands suddenly clasped together in front of him, and a roar exploded from his chest.
"Eight Gates! Fifth Gate, Gate of Limit, open!"
Silver Axe: "????"
Boom!
After entering the Fifth Gate, Kaido's body erupted with an extremely powerful shock wave. Green energy burst from his surface and swept in every direction.
Rocks's brows tightened. Good grief. Was this a competition or was he dismantling the ship?
Fortunately, Ron reacted quickly. His Nine-Tails chakra instantly spread into a round golden barrier inside the ship's hall, blocking all the shock waves Kaido released.
Kaido's eyes widened in fury as he stared at Silver Axe. His voice carried long-suppressed pleasure. "Copy Shiki and laugh 'Jihahaha.' I'll hit you lighter!"
Silver Axe sneered and closed his eyes. "You want me to copy him? In your next life."
Crackle.
Silver Axe suddenly sensed something wrong and opened his eyes sharply. Kaido's kanabo was already smashing toward his face.
Silver Axe quickly retreated, crossing his arms in front of him as Haki instantly wrapped around them.
Boom!
A heavy impact exploded in the ship's hall.
Silver Axe's body flew sideways like a cannonball.