The lively banquet fell silent.
The crew stared at Kuro, then Gawain, processing the challenge.
"Hey, Kuro, we—!" Buchi began, but Gin quickly silenced him.
A crew member challenging the captain was common in pirate crews, especially for someone like Kuro, a former captain used to control.
The crew's eyes shifted to Gawain.
"Sure," Gawain said with a faint smile, picking up Wado Ichimonji. "Let's do it."
"Hmph," Kuro smirked. "That arrogance of yours is still infuriating. Let's see if you're smiling when you lose."
"Oh, and," Kuro added slyly, "don't cry when you lose~"
Gawain paused, recalling his own taunt, and sighed. "Vindictive guy."
…
The crew cleared a space for Gawain and Kuro.
Food and drinks were moved aside, leaving only the central bonfire burning, mirroring Kuro's blazing resolve.
Heat waves rolled.
They stood facing each other, silent, drawing their weapons, eyes locked solely on their opponent.
A tense, murderous aura filled the air.
Sam, sweating, pulled Buchi back. Zango followed, joining them.
"Zango, Buchi, who wins this?" Sam asked.
"Captain, obviously," Buchi said without hesitation. "Last time, Kuro got crushed, no resistance."
"True," Sam nodded.
Zango, eyeing Kuro, frowned. "I'm not so sure."
"What?!" Sam gaped. "With Captain's strength, how could he lose? Kuro's stronger now, but it's limited, right?"
"From what I heard about Raven Port, Captain suppressed even a Devil Fruit user. That's monstrous."
Zango spun his ring blade, eyeing Kuro with awe. "Gin said Kuro awakened Observation Haki in their fight, boosting his perception. It lets him master Spoon and push its speed higher."
"With that speed and agility, even a monster like Captain could slip."
The Cat Brothers fell silent. They'd rather follow Gawain—who wouldn't want a captain like him over Kuro's volatile, sacrificial leadership?
"Captain, don't lose!" they thought.
Most of the crew shared their sentiment.
Kuro noticed, turning to Gawain. "You've won their hearts, but tonight, I'll win."
His words landed.
Kuro struck first, his steps shattering the stone ground, propelling him into Spoon's high-speed state.
The world distorted—sounds jumbled, his skin stung from air friction.
Losing his senses, Kuro closed his eyes, activating his honed Observation Haki. Everything around him became vivid in his mind.
Gawain's presence was impossible to ignore.
"Gawain!" Kuro called. "I see you!"
"The final barrier holding back Spoon is broken. My speed will reach new heights!"
"Is that so?" Gawain replied calmly, his expression unchanged, though inwardly he debated. How much strength to use to win without crushing him?
Guess I'll test him.
In a flash, Wado Ichimonji thrust forward, clashing with Kuro's claw blades.
Clang!
The piercing clash forced the crew to cover their ears.
Kuro felt a colossal force through his claws, his fingers cracking audibly.
His body was flung back, crashing through a wooden building.
Boom!
The explosive impact stunned the crew, who gawked at Gawain.
"No way," one muttered.
"Was Captain always this strong?" Zango's jaw dropped.
Gawain had stopped Kuro's Spoon before, but effortlessly sending him flying was another level.
Kuro was growing, but Gawain's growth was faster—much faster.
Zango felt a sinking realization. As the gap between them and Gawain widened, their usefulness would dwindle, eventually making them burdens.
Wait…
Is Raven Port Captain's fallback for us?
Even if we can't follow him to the Grand Line, we can live stably in the East Blue without fighting other pirates?
Zango's heart stirred. He turned to the Cat Brothers. "Buchi, Sam."
"Hm?" they looked over.
Zango removed his star-shaped sunglasses, rubbed his eyes, and put them back on.
The firelight hid his expression.
"I just realized," he said firmly. "Raven Port is Captain Gawain's safety net for us ordinary crewmates."
"Even if we can't keep up, we can live securely there."
"No matter this fight's outcome, I'm with Captain Gawain. You?"
The brothers exchanged a glance, grinning. "Obviously!"
"Captain Gawain's different!"
…
Nearby, Gin observed, a slight smile forming. "So, Kuro."
"You've already lost before the fight began."
"No matter the result, this is Mr. Gawain's crew."
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