"Cavendish? Are you talking about me?"
Vegapunk tilted his head slightly, a curious expression appearing on his face.
Actually, Vegapunk's appearance was only seventy or eighty percent similar to Cavendish's. Although Cavendish's genes were primarily used, this physical body had, after all, undergone other genetic modifications.
Moreover, even twins' appearances will change over time and with different environments. Especially since Vegapunk had also gained the power of Chakra during his growth and development phase, the changes were relatively greater.
Of course, such a change might be seen through at a glance in the Naruto World, but in the One Piece World where face-blindness is rampant, being thought of as the same person was more than normal.
Not to mention that the current Vegapunk had been optimized by Chakra, and in terms of looks alone, he surpassed Cavendish, making it even easier for people to mistake him.
"What? You don't even remember me? Hmm... your appearance... seems a bit off..."
Kozuki Hiyori spoke a few words before sensing something was wrong. Although the general environment of the One Piece World was like this, she was, after all, not one of those purely comedic characters in the Straw Hat Crew. After looking closely, she also saw the differences between Vegapunk and Cavendish.
"Who are you? Cavendish's brother? Are you here to avenge him? Also, let go of Mr. Hogback!"
Although Vegapunk's physical body was even younger than Cavendish's in terms of age, Vegapunk appeared much more mature in temperament. Because of this, Kozuki Hiyori had such a question.
As for Hogback... this guy was currently lying on the ground, drenched in sweat, with a look of fear on his face.
Although he was considered a rare talent in the One Piece World and a master of surgical medicine, to Vegapunk, this level of medical skill was not worth much thought. So, as soon as he entered the door, he was taken down by Vegapunk with a single electromagnetic pulse.
"Truly commendable courage, to actually dare to say such things to me, Little Hiyori!"
A strange smile appeared on Vegapunk's face. The way he looked at Kozuki Hiyori gave her a hair-raising feeling, as if awakening bad memories from a long time ago.
"You bastard, don't call me by such a disgusting and mushy name!"
Drawing the twin blades in her hands, Kozuki Hiyori looked at Vegapunk with a cold gaze, while Vegapunk shrugged, unbothered.
Don't be fooled by Vegapunk saying he's a researcher who isn't good at fighting every day. Just based on the technological modifications he performed using techniques from both the One Piece World and the Naruto World, his hardware combat power probably exceeds that of the so-called Four Emperors!
If he truly fought to the death with monsters like the Four Emperors who have rich experience and strong combat will, the outcome might be uncertain. But against weaker opponents of the next level, it would definitely be a crushing victory, and Kozuki Hiyori was clearly one of the weak.
As for the others around Vegapunk, they had gone to other parts of the island to find trouble for Gekko Moriah and the others. Hogback was considered the weakest on this ghost ship, which was why Hancock felt comfortable separating from Vegapunk.
Of course, in reality, Hancock's worry was a bit excessive. With Vegapunk's current strength, even if he were thrown into Marine Headquarters or the Four Emperors' dens, he wouldn't be in any life-threatening danger; instead, it would be the opponents who would be unlucky.
If combat awareness is lacking, technological inventions make up for it. The various inventions on Vegapunk were enough to make any opponent's scalp tingle.
Seeing Vegapunk's indifferent attitude, for some reason, Kozuki Hiyori couldn't suppress the anger in her heart, and there was even a sense of inexplicable dread and hatred that she couldn't explain herself.
It was as if the guy in front of her had some past grievance with her... How strange, she should be seeing him for the first time, right?
However, Kozuki Hiyori, who had long been tempered on the sea, was not the powerless courtesan from the original story. Since she had decided to act, she naturally suppressed all her emotions and drew the Black Blade Shuusui without hesitation, slashing out instantly!
"Youten: Issen!"
The blade light shot out in an instant, incredibly fast. The powerful flying slash reached Vegapunk's face in the blink of an eye!
But this kind of speed was no different from a slow ox pulling a broken cart to Vegapunk, who had undergone neural modifications. When Kozuki Hiyori's blade light fell, she realized she had only hit an afterimage.
"Miss Hiyori, watch out!"
The second blade at Kozuki Hiyori's waist, ama no habakiri, suddenly spoke and unsheathed itself automatically in an instant, slashing behind Kozuki Hiyori.
With a swish, ama no habakiri once again sliced through Vegapunk's afterimage. Having just turned around upon the warning, Kozuki Hiyori also felt her Observation Haki alarm wildly. Her expression changed, and she retreated rapidly.
However, Kozuki Hiyori did not receive an attack. After she had retreated several steps, she discovered with lingering fear that Vegapunk was still sitting in his chair, seemingly not having moved at all.
Of course, that was impossible. Just looking at the sword mark behind Vegapunk that had split the entire castle in two, one could tell that Vegapunk must have dodged the attack just now.
It was just that his speed was too fast. After dodging the attack, he circled behind Kozuki Hiyori, triggered her alertness, and then returned to his original position. After performing this series of actions, it made people feel as if he hadn't moved at all.
Kozuki Hiyori clearly understood this principle as well. She gritted her teeth, her gaze cold, but she had no intention of admitting defeat.
Compared to the Naruto World where the gap between the strong and the weak is clear and the relationship between combat and psychological factors isn't that great, the strong in the One Piece World often have higher requirements for psychological factors when fighting.
Those with stronger spiritual power and firmer will can often exert 200% of the power of their Haki, swordsmanship, and other abilities. Therefore, even for people with some gap in strength in this world, it's hard to say who will win or lose without actually fighting.
With a serious face, Kozuki Hiyori fully grasped her twin blades this time, assuming a Two-Sword Style stance.
"You really look the part, Little Hiyori! It seems you've grown a lot over the years!"
Hearing this, the doubt in Kozuki Hiyori's eyes deepened. The man in front of her definitely knew her, and even knew many of her experiences!
But why had she never seen him before? With such an outstanding appearance, if she had seen him, she definitely wouldn't have forgotten him so easily! Who on earth was he?
"But whatever... I'll beat you down first before talking about other things! Painful Lash!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Vegapunk extended a finger. In an instant, Kozuki Hiyori's hair stood on end as brilliant lightning and invisible waves filled the entire hall!
"Uwaaaaah hohoho eeehhh!"
Kozuki Hiyori, who wanted to dodge that lightning, suddenly screamed in pain! With just a slight movement, brilliant electric sparks immediately erupted all over her body, and a strange static field instantly paralyzed her from head to toe.
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