Island of the End, Mist Forest Entrance
The air itself seemed to ignite.
A suffocating killing intent froze even the rustling leaves.
On one side, the fully armed, money-and-tech-reeking "New World Gold Rush Squad."
On the other, bare-chested, in training pants, casually holding a wooden sword, Blake, the "Ghost Sword."
A collective gulp rippled through the audience.
"This… is way too one-sided, right?"
"On one side: robot, tank, and poison snake…"
"On the other: a gym coach with a stick?"
But at the commentary booth, Rehn ripped off his bowtie, stomped a foot on the table, and roared:
"DON'T BLINK!!!"
"This isn't just a fight, it's a clash of philosophies!"
"One side believes in MONEY CAN BUY ANYTHING!"
"The other, follows Lord Renzo's 'minimal efficiency' doctrine!"
"BETTING CLOSED!! LET'S SEE-"
"WHICH IS HARDER, MONEY OR THE BLADE?!"
.....
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
First to strike, Zack.
Jetpack roaring,
Hovering midair, Dual Laser Annihilators fully charged, two massive crimson beams blasted forward.
"DIE!! This one shot costs FIVE MILLION BERRIES!!"
At the same time, Balger charged like a runaway tank, Haki-coated, "CRUSHING BULL RUSH!!"
From the shadows, Garon vanished, poison scent spreading, like a deadly hook aimed for Blake's back.
A perfect pincer attack.
"IT'S OVER!"
But at the center, Blake's eyes showed only one thing: Disdain.
"Too noisy."
"Too much movement. Wasteful."
He remembered, Renzo lazily swinging a branch.
"If it were Lord Renzo…"
At the last instant, Blake moved.
Not a dodge, just a slight shift.
HUM!
The lasers grazed past his face, exploding behind him.
Balger's charge met with a gentle lift of the wooden sword.
"An ounce… move a thousand pounds."
TAP.
A precise strike, right on the weakest joint.
Balger's balance collapsed instantly.
His massive body veered sideways, Straight into Garon.
CRASH!!
"WHAT THE HELL, YOU IDIOT!!"
They tumbled together.
The crowd exploded.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
....
Meanwhile, Sunny Ship
The Straw Hats watched via projection.
Luffy's eyes bulged.
"WOAH!! That stick guy is awesome!!"
"Why did the big guy fly without force?!"
"It's leverage."
Zoro stared intensely.
"His swordsmanship changed."
"Before, sharp, aggressive."
"Now… it's quiet."
"Quiet?" Usopp blinked.
"It means," said Sanji, "He removed every unnecessary movement."
"Perfect efficiency."
"Yohohoho! Spine-chilling swordsmanship!" laughed Brook.
Meanwhile, Nami was calculating profit potential.
"Commander salary… 50 million a year…"
"If we recruit him…"
"Stop dreaming," Zoro cut in.
"Watch, they're getting serious."
.....
Zack roared: "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT LASER COST?!"
Armor transformed, six cannons deployed.
"FULL BARRAGE, MONEY STORM!!"
Hundreds of homing missiles launched.
Balger activated, "Muscle Overdrive!!"
Ground shattered, debris filled the sky.
Garon shouted, "Poison Mist: Death Serpent!!"
The battlefield became hell.
"No way he survives this!"
Blake closed his eyes, his breathing slowed.
"Too noisy…"
"For Lord Renzo's nap…"
"Be quiet."
HUM!
Black haki coated the wooden sword, and red-black lightning crackled.
"Conqueror's Haki, Infusion,Ghost Sword Style."
Eyes opened. No killing intent. Only stillness.
He swung, slow, yet faster than perception.
"Silent… Void Cut."
SHHHHHHHH!!!
A silent black crescent slash, because it cut through sound itself.
Missiles, split midair.
Poison serpent, severed.
Debris, reduced to dust.
The slash continued, through Zackhrough Balger, and through Garon.
CRACK.
Zack's armor, destroyed.
Balger, deep chest wound.
Garon, sent flying, bleeding.
One strike to victory.
Blake lowered his sword.
The wooden blade, shattered.
"…Still prefer Blake Fang."
Silence
The entire arena froze.
"…Was that… Conqueror's Haki?"
"INFUSION?!"
Then, ROOOOOOAR!!!
"GHOST SWORD!!!"
"THAT SLASH WAS ART!!"
Even Kizaru adjusted his glasses.
"Scary swordsmanship…"
He glanced at Renzo.
"You've raised quite the monster."
Renzo didn't open his eyes.
"Barely passing."
"Didn't waste energy."
...
Luffy shouted excitedly, "I WANNA FIGHT HIM!!"
Zoro gripped his sword.
"That silence…"
"That's what I've been chasing."
"Blake…"
....
The trio stood again.
"Not over…"
Zack grinned madly.
He pulled out a remote.
"Time for the REAL weapon."
BOOOOOOM!!!
A supply ship exploded, revealing, a 50-meter war mech.
"Cost me TWO BILLION BERRIES!!"
Balger drank a red drug, turning into a monstrous giant.
Garon filled the field with deadly poison.
Blake dropped the broken wooden handle.
Slowly, he drew his true blade: Blake Fang.
His eyes sharpened.
"…Overtime it is."