Chapter 31: Decisive Clashes and Unyielding Resolve

“Golden Light Spell!”

Seizing the chaos while Long Yi tangled with the pirate squad leader, Long Er cast his Golden Light Spell, instantly binding the pirate’s left leg.

The pirate instantly felt his body tighten, glancing back at Long Er in surprise.

“Five Elements Fist—Fire!”

Long Yi didn’t waste the chance, landing a well-aimed blow right into the pirate’s chest.

In a flash, Long Yi’s fist punched clean through, leaving a gaping hole in the pirate’s chest.

“Urgh…”

The squad leader never imagined he’d fall today, and worst of all, at the hands of the same kids he looked down on.

“Let go of me!”

Right then, Krell rushed over. Picking them both up—a kid in each hand—he hurried them off the battlefield.

“You two, I turn my back for a second and look what you do!”

“Hehe, Krell, big bro.”

Long Er grinned ingratiatingly, quick to butter up Krell. He knew exactly how to win him over.

“Forget it. I’ll deal with you both later when we get back.”

Krell looked grim, but he knew now wasn’t the time for a scolding. At least no real trouble had happened. He’d just have to wait for a better moment. Still on high alert, he quickly led them off the battlefield.

“Wave Slash!”

Meanwhile, a sudden twist unfolded on the battlefield.

In one corner, a fierce clash raged. On one side stood the great swordmaster, Golden Lion Shiki; on the other, Fred, the vice captain of the Giant Pirates.

Both Golden Lion and Fred showcased astonishing strength. Golden Lion swung his dual blades with the force of a raging storm—relentless and wild.

Fred, a giant, wielded his massive iron hammer with earth-shaking power. Every blow thundered like the whole sky trembled.

Though Fred’s raw strength was terrifying, Golden Lion’s masterful technique let him spot and seize every opening.

The fight was reaching its boiling point.

But Vice Captain Fred was starting to lose ground to Golden Lion Shiki’s relentless assault. His huge body was covered head to toe with wounds, blood soaking his whole form. In the sunlight, Fred’s savage, blood-drenched face cut a terrifying figure.

After all, Shiki was at his peak right now—every swing of his blade crackled with Conqueror’s Haki.

People sometimes forget—Shiki once nearly killed Roger. If it hadn’t been for that freak storm, no one knows who would really be Pirate King today.

“Gehahaha!”

“Two-Sword Style—Lion Thousand Cuts Valley!”

Shiki saw Fred’s stamina flagging, his dodges growing sluggish. Seizing the perfect moment, Shiki moved in for the kill.

For top fighters, a single opening could decide the battle in a heartbeat.

This move was faster and stronger than any before, so fierce it seemed to rip the very sky.

Hovering midair, Golden Lion held both swords, wild and fearless. A surge of Armament Haki pulsed out, not just coating his blades but enveloping his entire body and the air around him in inky darkness.

Two golden sword auras burst from his blades, crossing paths in the air, roaring like rampaging lions.

The sword energy swept forward with unstoppable might, the pure killing intent that only a true swordmaster could unleash.

Fred panicked, rushing to block the onslaught, but his body just couldn’t take the ferocity of the attack.

He swung his iron hammer desperately, but the sword aura shattered the weapon, pierced clean through him, and the great giant collapsed, life draining away.

With death closing in, he looked once toward Captain Jorlul, maybe wishing he’d done more. But it was too late for regret.

He could already guess how the story of their pirate crew would end.

His pain-filled eyes finally shut.

In his last moments, Fred wondered—if only Dorry and Brogy were here.

Maybe it wouldn’t have turned out like this. But those two captains were still missing without a trace.

…

“Quack quack quack quack!”

“You’re not bad yourself, Karl.”

“Anyone ever tell you your laugh sounds just like a duck?”

“Only villains spit that much garbage.”

Karl mocked Angelo, baiting him while looking for an opening.

“Karl, you’ve really pissed me off now.”

Sure enough, Angelo bristled at Karl’s jab, face flushing with anger.

He lashed out in fury, but all that did was give Karl the perfect shot.

“Thunder Fist!”

Karl leapt high to Angelo’s left, used Moonwalk to shift in midair, then drove a fist at Angelo’s left side.

“Shit!”

Angelo spotted the problem too late. No way was he repositioning in time.

“Boom!”

With a deafening crash, Angelo was blasted hundreds of meters away, smashing into the ground and leaving a massive crater. The shockwave sent pirates flying dozens of meters.

“Whoa!”

Angelo struggled upright, coughing up blood. But Karl wasn’t done yet.

Karl shot forward like lightning, fist wrapped in Armament Haki, slamming a brutal punch toward Angelo’s head. Angelo desperately swung up his right arm.

“Bang!”

It did no good—the blow was just too strong. Angelo’s entire right arm shattered, exploding into a mist of blood.

“Ah…!”

Karl gave him no chance to catch his breath—he followed with a second punch.

Angelo clutched his mangled right arm, but in the next instant, his head burst apart like a snowball.

Just like that, the fight was over.

“Angelo… Fred…”

“It’s my fault you both died.”

Jorlul spoke in grief.

“Everyone, pull back!”

Jorlul was still fighting fiercely against Rocks, but he caught sight of Fred and Angelo’s deaths out of the corner of his eye.

Most of his pirates had already been killed or wounded.

He realized his own arrogance had led to this. If only he’d listened to Fred, none of this would have happened. Now his retreat order was just an attempt to save whoever he could—he himself had no way out against someone as strong as Rocks.

“Retreat! Quick, retreat!”

But Jorlul’s order came far too late.

With Golden Lion leading the charge, nearly all the Giant Pirates had been wiped out.

Now only Herman, Eloy, and Bakura were left alive, but it wouldn’t be long before their end too.

“What are you two doing here?”

Karl had finished up his fight, but didn’t plan on interfering with anyone else.

As far as he saw it, victory was pretty much assured for their side.

Still, he watched the battlefield closely. You never know when something could go wrong. That’s when he noticed Long Yi and Long Er lingering at the fringes.

Karl quickly walked over to Krell.

“Master Karl, I’m sorry—I let them out of my sight.”

Krell lowered his head in shame. Failing to keep track of Long Yi and Long Er felt like breaking a promise to Karl.

Given his abilities, there’s no way they should’ve snuck off. Clearly, he’d been too distracted by the fighting.

“Don’t worry—it all worked out, didn’t it?”

Karl shrugged it off. As long as Long Yi and Long Er weren’t seriously hurt, letting them try their hands was no big deal.

But next time, he’d make sure not to lose sight of them. Dragonfolk blood was rare—these two were bound to become valuable allies, and he wouldn’t risk that.

“Understood, Master Karl.”

Krell answered respectfully, meanwhile shooting a fierce glare at Long Yi and Long Er.

“We’ll behave next time, promise!”

The two boys were quick to admit their mistake.

But since nothing serious went wrong, Karl let it go and shifted his focus back to the center of the battlefield.

He knew Rocks was far from showing his full power.

But why was Rocks dragging the fight out? Was there something else he was after?