Chapter 427: Kidd Advances! Straw Hats vs. Kidd!

Gao Wen’s eyes lit up.

He naturally knew Zoro had advanced.

But before fighting, he still didn’t know how far Zoro could go.

After all, the Captain System’s rating was one thing; actual combat was another.

On the sea, there were always examples of the weak defeating the strong.

Zoro’s earlier slash was a classic example.

If the Hawk-Eye hadn’t reacted in time, the outcome of this battle would have been rewritten.

Even though the Hawk-Eye had reacted, he was still wounded by Zoro’s slash.

That slash nearly split his chest and abdomen open—extremely dangerous.

But.

What Gao Wen saw more clearly was that the Hawk-Eye… hadn’t used his full strength!

“Even at this point, that Hawk-Eye guy is still holding back!”

“Is this aimed at me?!”

Gao Wen’s lips curled.

He gazed at the Round Table Arena, where the crowd’s cheers had continued nonstop since the end of the Hawk-Eye and Zoro’s battle.

Even from Gao Wen’s position, he could barely hear the hoarse shouts.

And Gao Wen’s gaze never left the slowly retreating Hawk-Eye.

Three years have passed.

From their first meeting in the East Blue, when Gao Wen relied on the Hawk-Eye’s mercy to survive,

to Sabaody Archipelago, where he avenged himself and pulled the Hawk-Eye from the throne of World’s Strongest Swordsman,

to now—their positions had long been reversed.

Once the hunted, the Hawk-Eye had become the hunter; Gao Wen had become an unscalable peak upon the sea.

Naturally, he had confidence against any opponent, for he himself was the very definition of invincibility.

“Then don’t disappoint me.”

Gao Wen turned around.

The Kensei resting on his desk lay silent, no longer restless as it once was, now utterly steady.

“Has that man lost the power to stir your fighting spirit?!”

“What a greedy bastard!”

Hum—!

A low hum came from the desk.

Gao Wen understood.

This was Kensei responding to his will.

Waiting for this Martial Arts Tournament to finally birth the one and only!

The one worthy of matching him.

The warriors gathered here nearly surpassed all of history.

The lone red who stood shoulder to shoulder with Whitebeard and Roger in the Legendary Era, the strongest of the current Four Emperors—Kaido, the prodigy trained by Lei Li and Jia Ba, the chosen child of the Straw Hats carrying fate’s burden, the devil’s heir who completed his transformation and reached peak combat power…

One after another, warriors capable of dominating an era, drawn here by the permanent compass of One Piece, vying for the strongest!

Gao Wen was immensely eager.

He longed to see how these monsters, who could overturn an era, would slaughter each other like poison beetles until only one remained—and what kind of being would emerge.

Whether any truly possessed the strength to fight him!

The more he thought,

the more Gao Wen longed for that moment to arrive.

…

Round Table Arena.

After the second match ended, the audience remained excited for over ten minutes before gradually calming.

Everyone’s blood had been ignited by that battle.

“Unlike Sanji’s overwhelming defeat of Vinsmoke Jigoro, the fight between the Hawk-Eye and Luffy was the real thrill!”

“Exactly!”

“Every strike and parry was wild and tyrannical—even splitting the clouds in the sky!”

Someone looked up at the sky.

The clouds that had slowly gathered had been cleanly sliced open from the center, extending all the way to the horizon.

This was the trophy of that battle.

"To strike and cut down the sky, to split the sea—only these two deserve the title of strong one!"

“I’ve… I’ve…”

One spectator, overcome with excitement, suddenly realized his crotch was soaked.

He had lost control.

Excited to the point of incontinence.

This should have been an utterly shameful scene, yet no one around him cast mocking glances.

Compared to those who had fainted from overexcitement—or even suffered heart attacks and been carried away—the lucky one was already better off.

“Next match!”

“Next match!”

“I’m expecting blood to flow!”

…

Amid waves of shouts,

Zan Gao drew lots publicly to determine the next pair of combatants!

“‘New King’ Xia Luote—Katakuri vs. ‘Captain’ Yu Shengsi—Kidd!”

The crowd erupted again.

Both were renowned warriors.

One was the new powerhouse who had replaced Big Mom and now ruled the sea in recent years.

The other was the highest-bountied figure among the new generation born in the Age of Evil.

The audience naturally awaited the coming battle with great anticipation.

But.

On the contestant bench,

Kidd’s face was grim, his lips—thin as blades—turning pale.

‘New King’ Xia Luote—Katakuri.

He knew the title well, and understood that the man who rose to power atop Big Mom’s shoulders was no opponent he could match.

Having watched the previous two battles, having seen the top monsters clash, Kidd now realized this arena was not yet his stage!

Should he surrender?!

Kidd bit his lip tightly.

In his hesitation,

Luffy’s hand rested on his shoulder and grinned:

“Win, Kidd!”

For some reason, the instant he saw Luffy’s face, Kidd’s fear vanished—what remained was only defiance. He shook off Luffy’s hand:

“Before I become Pirate King, I won’t lose to anyone!”

Saying this, Kidd walked toward the distant arena; his hesitation, doubt, and fear shattered completely.

Yes.

In the New World, how could someone who didn’t believe in himself ever reach the top?

“Hey!”

Luffy’s voice came from behind; Kidd stopped.

“If you win, want to join my crew?!”

Kidd froze, then grinned:

“I’m going to be a captain!”

“The captain’s gotta be me!”

Luffy scratched his nose, grinning like an idiot, yet his tone was unshakably firm.

Kidd blinked, waved his hand, and dropped the subject.

He had already prepared to die in this arena.

He crossed the narrow corridor.

Soon,

Kidd’s vision brightened.

He stepped onto the arena, and the surrounding cheers and shouts instantly swallowed him whole.

Sweat soaked his palms, his heart pounded like a drum, and every part of his body stirred with agitation.

It was battle intent.

The unyielding battle intent that refused to yield even against a formidable foe.

Kid took a deep breath, ready to stake everything, even if only to leave a wound on his opponent.

Just that.

Seconds ticked by, and Kid waited a long time, but no sign of his opponent appeared on the other side of the passage.

Only when spectators at the edge of the battlefield began to grow puzzled did a sudden announcement blast into everyone’s ears:

“We now broadcast an urgent update.”

“Katakuri has decided to withdraw from the match and has already left the Round Table Arena.”

“Therefore, Kid automatically advances to the quarterfinals!”

As the voice ended, the crowd’s cheers froze as if paused—but soon erupted again, even louder.