"White Wolf Monger!" Farrell's roar echoed across the desolate island.
It had been too long.
Farrell couldn't recall the last time he fought with all his strength, no tricks or schemes—just pure combat.
His enemy was a pirate legend, one of the world's greatest swordsmen.
The pressure was suffocating.
"Haha, that's it, kid! Don't disappoint an old man!" Monger taunted.
Farrell stood two meters tall, but Monger's wolf-beast form towered at three meters. Their clash was like a giant battling a dwarf.
Unlike the sleek beastman form of Yamato in the future, Monger's was wilder. Every part of his body—claws, fangs, or blade—became a weapon.
Yet Monger seemed to hold back, suppressing Farrell.
Only Monger knew he couldn't land a killing blow. If the fight dragged on, his stamina would fail.
Suddenly, Monger stumbled.
Farrell saw his chance and thrust his blade without hesitation.
This was his moment.
It also warned Monger his time was running out.
A mistake had been made—time to make it count.
A fierce glint flashed in Monger's eyes. He'd roamed the seas for years without a cheat-like power. His survival came from luck and his willingness to fight.
As an Animal-type Mythical Zoan fruit user, a single stab wouldn't stop him. A good meal, and he'd heal.
What did Farrell have?
Farrell's heavy blade descended, his heart racing faster than ever.
Advance or retreat?
Against another foe, Farrell would charge. His Superhuman Damage Fruit let him destroy anything he touched, with no recovery possible.
One stab could cripple Monger, even with his Animal-type fruit.
But was it worth the risk?
The thought flashed in an instant.
He couldn't gamble.
Farrell retreated.
One strike might wound Monger, but Monger's ferocious counterattack could trap him. Already at a disadvantage, could he hold out?
Habits shape outcomes.
Farrell always let his crew weaken enemies first. When it came to life-or-death, he hesitated to risk his life.
The moment he stepped back, Monger grinned.
The White Wolf bared a savage smile. "It's over, Farrell. Your power's nothing special."
On the Black Pearl, Rocks leaned heavily against the deck, one arm limp. He faced Cassius, who was battered and weaponless.
Rocks had thought he was the toughest in town, stronger than the local police. How could a mere pirate minion challenge him?
Yet Cassius nearly beat him.
"I'm still better!" Rocks laughed. He'd lost an arm, but he'd knocked Cassius's sword away. What could a barehanded Cassius do?
Cassius's face was blank. He knew he'd lost.
He'd had the upper hand at first. Trained by the White Wolf Pirates' veterans, he was skilled. But Rocks, wielding sloppy swordplay, mimicked Cassius's moves bit by bit. At the cost of an arm, he disarmed him.
Was this a genius?
For the first time, Cassius understood Monger's pitying gaze.
It was regret.
He couldn't even beat a random helmsman Monger chose.
*Boom!*
A body crashed onto the Black Pearl's deck.
Cassius trembled, seeing the figure.
The captain had won.
Farrell's retreat sealed his fate. Monger's strength outmatched his, but age sapped his stamina, limiting his full power.
If Farrell had traded blows, his youth might have outlasted Monger. Animal-type fruits needed stamina to heal.
With time, Farrell could've won.
But he didn't hold on.
Though Monger triumphed, Farrell's final strike nearly skinned him. Blood-soaked, Monger had only a tenth of his stamina left.
Luckily, his old injuries had healed. Fighting with them might've changed the outcome.
A system panel appeared.
*[After a not-so-tough fight, you easily crushed Blood Skull Farrell. As a relic of the old era, he lost his dream and drive, destined to fade.]*
*[You've earned Conqueror's Haki qualification.]*
*[Your cell activity has slightly increased.]*
Not tough? Monger's mouth twitched. The system could say what it wanted.
As for Conqueror's Haki, his long-sought prize, he focused. An invisible force erupted, making Rocks and Cassius pale, as if facing a primal beast, nearly fainting.
"It's just a start," Monger muttered. "Mastering Conqueror's Haki takes fighting."
His Armament and Observation Haki were top-tier, so grasping Conqueror's Haki came easily. But it was basic—a blunt tool to clear weak foes.
Advanced use was beyond him. His Haki wasn't strong enough to knock out even rookies like Rocks and Cassius.
"Take it slow," Monger said. He wasn't rushed.
"Captain," Cassius's shaky voice called.
Monger turned. The young pirate's pleading eyes met his.
"I…" Cassius began.
"Cassius, Lily and the others must be heartbroken," Monger said calmly.
He admitted his spirit had waned over five years, leaving Cassius to his old crew's care. But that wasn't an excuse for betrayal.
Monger owed Cassius nothing. Without the White Wolf Pirates, Cassius would've died in his village.
"I made a mistake," Monger said.
In Cassius's fearful gaze, Monger raised his sword.
"Now I'll fix it."
"Cassius, you owe us nothing."
The blade fell, severing ties to the past.
Monger turned to another figure on the ship. "Rocks, nice work!"
"Hmph, obviously," Rocks said, puffing out his chest.
Monger laughed.
It was a new beginning.
(End of this chapter)