Chapter 43: Xiang Keluo's Challenge

All things considered.

Gao Wen's combat power could be said to have undergone a complete transformation; compared to a month ago, it had directly surged several times over.

If there was anything imperfect, it was Armament Haki.

To be honest, having spent over a month without even touching the threshold, Gao Wen also felt a sense of frustration in his heart.

However, he quickly came to his senses.

Even Luffy, who started with Legendary potential, only gradually grew under the theoretical and practical guidance of Lei Li, Bing Wulang, and Kaido.

If he relied solely on his own exploration, he might not have progressed faster than Gao Wen.

"This is the greatest difficulty of the self-taught path; everything must be done by oneself, unlike those chosen ones who never lack guidance on the road ahead."

"However, my current growth speed is already very fast."

"In this world for just over two months, I have already walked a path that most people cannot finish in years, or even decades."

"If it really doesn't work out, I'll figure out Armament Haki when I reach the Grand Line; the East Blue is still too small."

Gao Wen sighed with considerable regret.

Only then did he realize his whole body was covered in sticky impurities.

He turned and walked into the bathroom, simply rinsed off the dirt from his body, and then went to bed to rest.

Not long after.

The room was filled with the sound of even breathing.

A few days later.

Several pirate ships, fully loaded with various supplies, sailed into the port of Para Island.

Zango and the others walked down the gangplank into the port, their faces bearing a relaxed smile completely different from before.

During this time, they had followed Gao Wen's orders to clear out pirate forces near Raven Port.

The bounties on these three were all above seven million; in the East Blue, where the average bounty was less than five million, this was already considered a high level.

Gao Wen's name had now spread, with a bounty of eighty-five million; any pirate with a normal brain would not dare to provoke him lightly.

As for the rest, they likely could not defeat the three working together; moreover, Zango possessed a technique to forcibly unleash his subordinates' potential through hypnosis, which could greatly boost the pirate crew's overall combat power.

Gao Wen had once tried to have Zango hypnotize him, only to helplessly conclude that only those with an unsteady mind or who were overly simple could be hypnotized.

With Zango's level, he could at most hypnotize the Cat Brothers, but making a name for himself in the East Blue was not difficult.

The two enhanced Cat Brothers, as long as they did not encounter a player like Arlong, would basically have no major problems.

From a distance.

Butch, the fat one of the Cat Brothers, spotted Gao Wen waiting at the port; his eyes instantly lit up, and he walked quickly to Gao Wen's front, a smile on his lips, yet so excited he could not speak clearly:

"Captain!"

"This time, it feels so strange... um, it's just... it's just..."

Butch scratched his head and ears, and only after a long while thought of a suitable adjective:

"The people there don't seem to treat us as pirates; they even specially made dried fish for me!"

Saying this, Butch took out a package of dried fish sealed in wax paper from his chest and handed it to Gao Wen as if presenting a treasure.

Seeing Gao Wen eat a few pieces, he then touched his head with a foolish smile on his face.

"It seems a bit rude."

"But this time, it really feels so strange; I can't say what's wrong, but really... I want to protect that place; I want it to exist forever!"

Sam also walked over, placing one hand on Butch's shoulder and nodding repeatedly at Gao Wen:

"The children there really like my claws!"

As he spoke, Sam raised his hand.

It could be seen that the sharp claws on the cat-paw gloves had been removed, leaving only pink paw pads.

Not as dangerous as before, but combined with his face that highly resembled a cat's, it truly gave him a bit of the Cat Person's temperament.

A faint smile curled Gao Wen's lips as he said calmly:

"As long as you like it."

Saying this, Gao Wen's gaze passed over the Cat Brothers; seeing the relaxed smiles on everyone's faces, he felt much relieved.

After the incident last time, the reputation of Gao Wen's pirate crew in Raven Port had completely turned around; the vast majority of commoners were extremely friendly toward the people of Gao Wen's pirate crew.

Now, the treatment of the Cat Brothers and the smiles on these people's faces further proved this point.

His decision to agree to the deal with Jasha back then also considered this aspect.

Whether it was the Grand Line's Paradise or the New World, they were too dangerous for these pirates of average strength; going there would likely only lead to a path of perishing in the sea.

Moreover, before he had obtained the title of Warlord and established a stable base, he did not need so many people to act together.

And the existence of Raven Port helped him solve the problem of how to settle these subordinates.

Even in the future, after Gao Wen leaves to lead Xiang Keluo and others, this deal can still continue, after all, Jasha's need for military force will not change.

Rather than letting these subordinates plunder everywhere and fight pirates, living a life of feast or famine, it is better to serve Raven Port in the form of mercenaries now and get a long-term meal ticket.

After he leaves in the future, these people will also have a way to survive.

In the distance.

Xiang Keluo looked at Gao Wen, then at the reaction of the Cat Brothers, and instantly understood Gao Wen's plan:

"Gao Wen has already decided to leave these people here."

"That's impossible, right?"

Jin, standing beside Xiang Keluo, was slightly stunned and refuted:

"A dangerous place like the Grand Line; without a massive fleet, how can one cross it?!"

"Heh."

Keluo smiled faintly:

"So you still don't understand the Grand Line enough; out there, ordinary pirates like these would find it hard to survive."

"After just one battle, perhaps more than half would be dead or wounded; in a place like that, there's no chance to erect tombstones for them."

Whoosh!

Keluo exhaled a ring of smoke, then turned to look at Ah Jin:

"I'm still somewhat curious—what exactly did that fellow say to you, that made you choose to board his ship?"

"He said I am free, that I can choose wherever I wish to go, and he also said that until this ship reaches port, the position of Combat Captain will always be reserved for me."

Keluo's hand trembled slightly, scattering specks of ash onto the ground:

"That does sound like that fellow's style."

"However."

"If I were the captain, would you still be willing to stay here?"

Ah Jin shook his head, then immediately nodded:

"As long as Mr. Gao Wen is here, I will be here."

Keluo smiled helplessly:

"That fellow's luck is truly excessively good; nevertheless, I am determined to become this captain!"

"..."

Ah Jin was slightly stunned, then immediately turned to look at Keluo.

Recalling the results of the several sparring sessions he had with Gao Wen this month, the look in Ah Jin's eyes as he gazed at Keluo even carried a hint of pity.

That feeling of being crushed from every angle—anyone with a slightly weaker mindset wouldn't have been able to endure it.

Ah Jin admitted that Keluo was very strong; even back in the port, if not for luck, he would have died long ago, yet the gap between him and Gao Wen was like an uncrossable chasm.

For a long moment.

Ah Jin barely managed to squeeze out a sentence:

"Good luck."

"Ah."

With the return of Zan Gao and the others,

a huge bonfire was quickly erected in the port.

Surrounding it was a full circle of roasted meat, emitting waves of oily aromas that whetted the appetite; nearby were neatly stacked breads and fruits, while alcoholic drinks were piled up like mountains.

A banquet gradually surged toward its climax.

Amidst everyone's hearty drinking, the fleet's musicians began playing folk songs circulated among the sailors, and amidst laughter, cup after cup of alcohol slid down throats.

It was also at this time that Keluo stood up before everyone, looking faintly at Gao Wen:

"I want to try it out—to see who, between the current me and you, is more qualified to occupy that position."

(End of Chapter)