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On the dusty street, Captain Jack stared blankly at Goku, who stood blocking his path like a tiny bean sprout. His face twisted into a ferocious, jagged grin intended to scare children into tears. "Little brat, didn't the grown-ups tell you to hide when you see us?"
Goku tilted his head, his black hair swaying as he asked with genuine curiosity, "Hide? Why should I hide?"
The captain was stunned for a second before bursting into a raucous laugh. "Hahahahaha! Did you hear that? He actually asked why he should hide! Hahahaha!"
While the captain roared with laughter, the pirates behind him didn't join in. Instead, they shivered. They knew their boss well enough to realize that this particular brand of laughter meant he was becoming dangerous. Sure enough, as the laughter died down, Jack's expression turned sinister. His eyes gleamed with cold murderous intent.
"If you don't hide when you see us, it means we haven't killed enough people yet," Jack growled, drawing his massive greatsword. "It means they aren't afraid enough. Since that's the case, my lads, let's bathe this place in blood! Show them why they should run!"
"Oh oh oh! Kill them all!" the subordinates roared, drawing their own weapons. Their eyes glowed with a savage, man-eating red light as they prepared to turn the street into a river of blood.
The residents hiding in the nearby houses trembled uncontrollably. Those caught in the alleys who hadn't escaped yet finally snapped under the pressure, fleeing in a panicked frenzy.
Goku didn't flinch. He reached behind his back and pulled out his Power Pole, twirling it with expert precision before pointing the tip directly at Captain Jack. He furrowed his brows and shouted sternly, "You really are bad guys! I'm going to defeat you all!"
"Defeat us?" Jack and his crew exchanged glances before laughing so hard they could barely stand straight.
"Hahahahaha! This little brat thinks he's going to beat us?"
"I can't take it! I'm going to die laughing!" one pirate wheezed. "He looks so serious! Maybe if he hits me, I'll feel a little tickle? Hahahaha!"
Captain Jack laughed until a snot bubble appeared, which he casually wiped away as his face hardened into a mask of cruelty. "Little brat, since you're so eager to die, I'll take your head myself!" He had already decided to cleave the boy in half right down the middle—a perfect way to spread the renown of the Killer Bee Pirates.
Goku said nothing more. He lowered his center of gravity and tensed his muscles, his vigilance reaching its peak. This big guy looks so tough, Goku thought. He must be really powerful!
Suddenly, a calm, authoritative voice rang out from behind him. "Trash is trash, only capable of bullying children. I think the Killer Bee Pirates should just change their name to the Trash Pirates."
A young Marine in a crisp uniform strode forward, shielding Goku behind him. He stared down the dozens of fierce pirates with an expressionless gaze. Without turning around, he spoke to Goku. "Little friend, defeating bad guys and upholding justice is a Marine's duty. You should find a place to hide quietly."
Goku blinked, looking utterly bewildered. Huh? What's a Marine? His world was still small; he had never heard of the World Government or its military sea force.
While Goku was confused, the Killer Bee Pirates were anything but. They immediately shifted into a defensive stance, their cockiness replaced by wary tension. "A Marine? How is there a Marine here?"
"Boss! There weren't any warships in the harbor, and there isn't even a Marine base on this island!"
"Quiet!" Jack barked, silencing his subordinates. He scanned the area carefully, his eyes darting from roof to roof. When he saw no other soldiers, he relaxed and gave the young Marine a scornful smile. "If I'm not mistaken, you're the only one here, right?"
He knew the Marines' tactics. If a fleet were present, they would have been surrounded by now. The fact that only one man stood before them suggested a solo operation.
The young Marine crossed his arms. "What if I am the only one? It's more than enough to deal with the likes of you."
The undisguised contempt in his voice ignited the pirates' wrath. "Hmph! Big talk! Do you think you're one of the Three Admirals?"
"Even if an Admiral were here, our Boss wouldn't lose!" a subordinate cried. "Kill him! Mince him into paste and show the Navy our power!"
Jack's smile grew more audacious. He leveled his greatsword at the soldier. "Did you hear that, Marine? Today is the day you die!"
"Heh, a bunch of ignorant fools," the Marine mocked.
"Lads, watch how I kill this man!" Jack roared, lunging forward and swinging his massive blade in a vertical arc.
To Jack's horror, the strike hit nothing but air. What?! His pupils contracted as he caught a glimpse of the Marine appearing beside him with impossible speed. A warning bell rang in his heart, but it was already too late.
"Is that all you've got?" the Marine asked. He delivered a devastating flying kick with the force of a falling boulder. The impact sent Captain Jack hurtling backward, crashing through the front of a nearby house with a sickening thud.
As the other pirates charged in a blind fury, the Marine became a blur of motion. He flashed into their midst, his fists and feet moving like a chef slicing melons and dicing vegetables. One by one, the pirates were knocked back, groaning as they hit the pavement.
A moment later, the entire crew lay unconscious on the ground. The Marine withdrew his fists and stood tall, a small, satisfied smirk playing on his lips when he thought no one was looking. I'm so cool! That kid must be looking at me with eyes full of admiration right now!
But his fantasy of being a legendary hero was cruelly shattered by a menacing voice. "Damn Marine! Kneel down right now, or I'll kill this man!"
The Marine spun around to see Captain Jack emerging from an alley, his face flushed crimson with rage. He hadn't been knocked out after all. Jack held the middle-aged fruit vendor as a hostage, his sword pressed tightly against the man's throat. The civilian was pale, his eyes wide with terror.
Damn it! the Marine thought, his eyelid twitching with vexation. That kick should have ended it!
"Uncle!" Goku shouted, staring intently at the hostage. He glared at Jack. "Let go of Uncle quickly! Or I won't be polite!"
Goku had been so impressed by the Marine's skill that he hadn't noticed Jack circling around to grab the kind vendor. The vendor, meanwhile, felt the cold steel against his neck and smiled bitterly. He had stayed behind because he wanted to help Goku, but his lack of strength had only made him a burden.
Jack ignored Goku entirely, focusing all his malice on the Marine. "Marine, don't move! Kneel! Or his blood is on your hands!"
The Marine's expression turned grim. He frantically calculated the distance. It's too far! I can't subdue him before he cuts the man's throat! Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. Damn it! Is this really how it ends?
"Didn't you hear me? Kneel!" Jack roared, retreating step by step to put more distance between himself and the soldier. In his arrogance, he briefly moved his sword away from the hostage's neck to point it threateningly at the Marine.
That was his final mistake.
"Extend! Power Pole!" Goku's childish voice cut through the tension.
Whoosh!
A red shadow flashed through the air like a bolt of lightning. The pole struck Jack's hand with a resounding crack, sending the greatsword flying into the air.
"What?!" Jack gasped, staring at his empty hand in shock.
Now! The Marine's eyes flashed as he prepared to spring forward, but a small figure was already faster.
"Yah ha!" Goku leaped into the air. With the full weight of his Turtle Hermit training behind him, he delivered a flying kick directly into Captain Jack's face.
The impact was devastating. Jack's head visibly deformed under the force of the blow, and white foam spewed from his mouth. The two-meter-tall brute was sent flying through the air, crashing through several houses until he was buried deep under a pile of rubble. He didn't move again.
"Huh? Have I become this strong?" Goku landed lightly, looking at his small hands in surprise. It was the first time he had used his full strength since training with Master Roshi and Krillin.
The young Marine stood frozen, his jaw dropped. He stared at the destruction in disbelief. How could a kid who isn't even a meter tall have that much power? Is he a child of the Giant Race?
Suddenly, a deep, boisterous laugh erupted from a nearby storefront. A burly man with a thick grey beard and a white Marine cape stepped out, his hands on his hips.
"Hahahahaha! That was incredible, little guy! Well done!" The man laughed heartily as he looked at Goku.
The young Marine's eyes widened. Standing before them was the legendary Hero of the Marines—Monkey D. Garp!