Chapter 6: One Sword

At this time, Monka had not yet suffered his crushing defeat at the hands of Bokkuro; his chin was still flesh, his arm had not been replaced with a giant axe prosthetic, yet his entire aura was far more formidable than in later years.

Because now his mindset, will, and beliefs were at their peak in this lifetime, the power born of conviction was even greater.

Monka gazed far into the distance.

On the island, flames shot into the sky; a marine scout hurried to Monka’s side, saluted, and began his report:

“A pirate ship has been found in a bay on the island—the flag confirms it is Gao Wen’s crew.”

“But strangely, the ship is split cleanly in half; the cut is perfectly smooth, not natural, but clearly man-made.”

Monka blinked slightly, raised his telescope, and stared toward the distant bay.

As the scout reported, a pirate ship, severed in two, lay stranded on the shore.

Monka had seen such wounds before.

It was several years ago.

When Garp returned to the East Blue to purge surrounding pirates.

The silent man who always followed Garp, named Bogart.

At the time, everyone assumed he was merely Garp’s attendant.

Until he slashed a pirate ship in two with a single sword strike—the fierce sword qi nearly cleaved the sea itself—everyone fell silent.

How could a man who had stood by Garp’s side for decades truly be an unknown?

The cut Bogart left then was nearly identical to the one before him now.

Thus, with just one glance, Monka knew the attacker was undoubtedly a master swordsman.

“Did Knight Gao Wen do this?”

“No—a swordsman capable of such a clean cut would be a notable figure even on the Grand Line.”

“I know Gao Wen’s strength—he could never achieve this. So did he encounter another pirate crew?”

Monka frowned slightly, growing wary of the mysterious attacker; a warrior who could cleave a ship with one sword strike could not be unknown in the East Blue.

Even in his memory, only a few officers from Marine Headquarters could accomplish such a feat.

“But judging by the scene, the attacker must have clashed with Gao Wen’s crew. Hah—unlucky fellow.”

Thinking this, Monka’s confidence surged.

In his mind, Gao Wen had never been his match.

Now, having been ambushed by a mysterious powerhouse, no verification was needed—he was certain the pirate crew had suffered heavy losses; the ship itself was proof.

The warship fired another volley of cannonballs; crimson meteors rained down, igniting the entire island in flames, yet no movement stirred beyond the fire.

Seeing half the ship’s ammunition spent, Monka ordered the cannon fire halted.

He decided to take Gao Wen’s head himself.

Looking at the marines behind him, fists clenched and eager, Monka grinned savagely:

“Brothers, tonight is when we earn our glory!”

“For justice!”

Monka’s firm voice ignited the marines’ emotions; some trembled with excitement.

This was not their first clash with Gao Wen’s crew—each prior battle had driven the pirates into panicked flight, with only a few minor injuries on their side.

Now Gao Wen was on this island—a living merit, a walking fifty-million-Beli reward!

“It’s not just the Marines who want Gao Wen—the royal family of the Goia Kingdom has raised their underworld bounty to fifty million!”

“Take him, and it’s all ours—especially since we’re carrying out justice!”

“Absolute justice!”

The belief in justice erased the marines’ last hesitation; their swords and wax-sealed ammunition granted them unprecedented confidence, turning them into cold-blooded executioners.

They already saw themselves crowned in glory.

“Kill!”

Monka roared, leaping from the warship first, sprinting toward the cave; the marines, eyes blazing with fanaticism, followed close behind.

Their steps were swift; Monka led the charge, covering nearly a kilometer in mere minutes.

Soon.

Gao Wen, sword in hand, emerged with dozens of pirates into Monka’s line of sight.

He regarded the fanatical marines with cold indifference.

He saw in their eyes the same fanaticism and greed as those who had died at his former self’s hands.

The battle between marines and pirates erupted in an instant.

Gunfire erupted across the island; within seconds, bodies lay strewn on the ground.

Even those on Gao Wen’s ship who had been paralyzed by fear now forgot fear under adrenaline’s surge.

They grabbed their blades and guns and clashed with their enemies.

Bloody and grotesque.

For the Marines, this battle was for fame, for profit, for advancement; for the pirates, it was pure survival.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Amid the rapid gunfire,

Gao Wen slashed through several bullets flying toward him, then lifted his gaze to Monka, who stood motionless in the distance, and smiled faintly:

“You’re not a marine—you’re my peer.”

“Smart-mouthed brat!”

Monka sneered, staring at Gao Wen, with no interest in further words.

He stomped the ground hard enough to shatter it, launching himself like an arrow straight at Gao Wen.

Simultaneously, his battle-axe swept sideways with terrifying force—this blow could crush rock as easily as clay!

He had once crushed Gao Wen repeatedly with brute strength; he saw no reason this time would differ.

The sea certainly had those who could transform in a month—Devil Fruits, cybernetic enhancements, Haki awakening—all could boost combat power in an instant.

But Gao Wen clearly was not among them!

The next instant…

Boom!

The violent force shattered the rocks beneath them; Monka’s brow furrowed slightly:

“Missed?”

“No—you’re too slow…”

Gao Wen’s mocking voice echoed beside Monka’s ear; his back instantly soaked in cold sweat.

Unbidden, the stranded ship on the beach reappeared in Monka’s mind.

The next instant—

A bone-chilling killing intent struck from behind Monka, freezing the air around him; unspeakable terror rose within him.

A guess he had dismissed returned to his mind, making his pupils dilate in shock:

“That ship… you cut it in half? Impossible!”

“Only fools say ‘impossible.’ The strong find solutions—that is the unbridgeable gap between you and me.”

Gao Wen looked at Monka with disinterest; the man who had once crushed his former self now failed to stir even a spark of battle lust in him.

He said calmly:

“One sword to kill you—and sever the karmic thread of the past.”

“I—!”

Before Monka could finish speaking, a chill passed over his neck; when he turned, Gao Wen was already gone.

After a dizzying spin, a headless body appeared before his eyes…

Is that me?

The last thought flashed through Monka’s mind, then darkness swallowed him.

(End of Chapter)