"It was just an accident."
To protect his reputation, Rhode felt compelled to explain.
"Then why didn't you throw it away during the fight, but continued to hold it in your other hand! Admit it, you're a pervert!"
"I…"
Rhode was rendered speechless.
After accidentally removing Hina's shoes just moments ago, his golden finger [Knights will not die with bare hands] had actually activated, allowing him to instantly master the use of one of the Navy Six Styles: [Shave].
The so-called [Shave] refers to the technique of stomping the ground at high speed dozens of times in a flash (0.36 seconds), using the explosive reaction force to move at high speed. Because the movement speed is so fast, it appears to the enemy as if the user has simply vanished.
In fact, when he was training, Rhode had also considered replicating this move, but because he had never witnessed it firsthand, he consistently encountered various problems during his attempts. Either he couldn't freely control the direction of movement, or the distance couldn't be accurately managed, or the rhythm was incorrect. Even when he could barely execute the movement, it was unusable in actual combat.
According to Rhode's own assessment, as long as he saw someone using it with his own eyes and experienced it practically, he should be able to learn this trick quickly. After all, his physical capabilities were more than sufficient to master it.
Unexpectedly, his golden finger possessed such a function. By grabbing the shoes of someone who knew how to use [Shave], he could master the technique. So, what about the other techniques?
Could [Moon Walk] and [Tempest Kick] be mastered by holding the user's shoes as well? Perhaps Hina didn't know how to perform those yet, which is why he hadn't mastered those two moves just now. Did [Iron Body] and [Paper Art] require taking off the user's clothes? Then who would he become… and what should he do with [Finger Pistol]? You couldn't exactly sever fingers.
Looking down at his palm, Rhode was speechless.
Why does this feel like it's not a serious golden finger?
"You still won't admit you're a pervert! You're just reliving the moment!"
Colonel Barrow let out a sudden roar.
In his eyes, Rhode's expression seemed to indicate he was reminiscing about the experience just now.
That was clearly his goddess!
"Hey, hey, isn't that right, Rhode?"
Law looked at Rhode with a strange expression.
"After all, he is an 18-year-old boy, so it's normal to have such needs."
Neru also seized the opportunity to tease Rhode and answered the question with mock seriousness.
"If you put it that way, it's pretty much the same. It's determined by physiological development."
Law also wore a faint smile.
"But even if we've decided to become pirates, such behavior is still too tasteless!"
"Really, if you genuinely have this fetish, I can give you my shoes, as long as you buy me a new pair."
Nia also joined in the teasing.
"I said, that's enough from all of you!"
Rhode felt he had no choice but to argue.
Most importantly, he planned to use other methods in the future to try and trigger [Knights will not die with bare hands]. Wouldn't that solidify the rumor that he was a pervert?
Bang bang bang!!!
At that moment, several cannon shots rang out, and several artillery shells rained down on Rhode and his crew.
While the remaining navy personnel jumped off their ship to engage in close combat, Drake, still on board, had already commanded the soldiers on the warship to prepare for bombardment. Taking advantage of the momentary stalemate between Rhode's group and the navy, he decisively ordered the shelling.
Although Colonel Barrow was still on the other side's ship, with his strength, he could survive the bombardment.
Moreover, considering the combat prowess displayed by those few individuals just now, there was no way to defeat them solely relying on the firepower of this warship.
However, as long as they could destroy the opponent's ship, they wouldn't be able to escape. The final victory must belong to the navy!
"ROOM—Slaughterhouse!"
A light blue aura enveloped the entire scene, and Law activated his ability once more.
"Cut!"
With a slight wave of [Kikoku] in his hand, all the incoming shells were cleanly sliced in half.
"What kind of ability is this!?"
Drake, standing on the deck, was momentarily stunned. He hadn't made contact or witnessed a slashing attack, yet Law had simply swung his sword and split all the cannonballs.
Just as Drake was reeling in shock, Neru raised his black gun and aimed it at the opposing warship.
"First, sixteen cannons."
The black gun in his hand barked. The moment he emptied the remaining 7 bullets, Neru had already replaced the magazine, followed by another 9 shots.
Bang bang bang——
The sixteen artillery pieces on the warship exploded almost simultaneously, scattering the soldiers who were loading ammunition next to them.
"Then, the last commanding officer on the ship."
The final bullet in Neru's gun suddenly hurtled towards the center of Drake's eyebrows at the precise moment he was distracted by the explosions on his ship.
A sense of imminent danger surged through Drake. Without any time for conscious thought, he relied on his body's instinct to instantly activate his Devil Fruit ability. His entire body suddenly swelled, and his head transformed into a ferocious dragon's head. The bullet, originally aimed at his forehead, struck his chest, only piercing the skin.
"A user with an Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit!"
Seeing the transformation of the other party, Neru's expression shifted slightly.
"Law, send us all to the shore. I don't want to damage my precious Polaris."
"That's enough for you and Neru."
The light blue aura once again enveloped the entire scene, even extending to cover the warships a little further away.
"Leave that female marine to me. I'm afraid our captain will be reluctant to do it and delay our departure."
"He's not the kind of person who will be gentle with women."
Thinking of Rhode's ruthless kick to the female marine, Law said lightly.
However, considering Rhode's unusual behavior just now, Law also included Nia in his ability, instantly transporting the two marines who had rushed over from the shore back to the port.
"This is my first time fighting the Navy. I hope I can be stronger than that skinny dog from before."
Nia clenched her fists, looking at Lieutenant Commander Hina in front of her with excitement.
"I want to remind you that you defeated a Navy Captain in Glass Town before."
Neru looked at Drake, who had entered his human-beast form before him, his face a little serious, but he still reminded Nia.
"Was there such a person? I forgot."
"You actually assigned an opponent to Hina without authorization. Hina is very angry."
Her gaze swept past the cat-like woman before her and settled on Rhode, who was a little further away. Anger was evident in Hina's eyes.
"In that case, Hina will arrest you first!"
As soon as she finished speaking, her body appeared beside Nia, her swinging arm nearly connecting with Nia's face.
Leaning back to evade Hina's attack, Nia pressed her hands on the ground and propelled herself into the air. She swung her long legs, striking Hina's shoulders hard.
"If you underestimate me, you will suffer. I will not show mercy just because the captain seems to like you."
Hina wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, filtering out the other party's words that had ignited her anger. She calmed her impatience and focused on the cat-like woman before her.
"Hina will not be careless again."