"Eager to die? Shouting?"
A cruel smile appeared on Krieg's Shoujou-like face:
"Don't think that just because you exchanged a few moves with that guy, you're superior to me!"
"Who do you think I am? I am the overlord of the East Blue, Krieg the leader!"
He was roaring with all his might, while Link merely picked his ear.
"So noisy?"
Even Luffy found this guy a bit too loud. "Can I just punch this guy away?"
"Suit yourself."
Link couldn't be bothered to deal with someone like Krieg.
Insidious, cunning, despicable, shameless, ungrateful—he had perfected all these traits.
And while he appeared strong, he was actually probably inferior even to Buggy and Kuro.
After all, the golden armor he was covered in, and the various weapons he utilized, all indicated his outward strength and inner weakness, and his lack of confidence.
From his words and actions to his plans, his foolishness was evident.
The reason he managed to become the overlord of the East Blue was likely because the people in the Pirate King world were too naive and easily deceived.
However, Link didn't want to dirty his hands, but there were plenty of people who sought their own demise.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a figure shot out from Krieg's dilapidated Black Panther ship.
"Hehehe, interesting fellow, let me see that toy you were holding just now!"
His shoulders, head, and chest were all covered in what looked like hard steel, adorned with large, glittering pearls.
"Brother Link, that guy is 'Iron Wall' Bara, known for his strongest defense, and he's the first mate of the Krieg Pirate Crew!"
His subordinates, Johnny and Joseph, faithfully relayed the opponent's information.
Upon hearing the outsider's title, Bara's smile became even more smug.
"If you satisfy me, I might just let you suffer a little less, less, less..."
Thud!
Before he could finish his sentence, a powerful punch landed squarely on the shield in the center of his chest.
In an instant, fragments of the shattered shield flew, and Bara's lanky figure was sent flying.
It was as if he flew back the same way he came.
Only, as he flew back, his eyes rolled back, and spittle mixed with blood spewed from his mouth.
"Strongest defense? Where do you put Jozu, the Diamond, captain of the third division of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Link effortlessly retracted his fist. "Indeed, the more ignorant one is, the more fearless, and the more foolish they appear."
On the other side, Luffy and Krieg were already fighting, while Sanji and Gin, who had run onto Baratie's deck, were also engaged in a lively battle.
Well, for now, it seemed there was nothing for him to do.
Link walked over to Zoro, who was being frantically treated by Johnny and Joseph.
"How do you feel about this battle?"
Link sat down and pulled out a bottle of wine from his treasure pouch.
"I felt the gap..."
Zoro's face was pale, but he still managed a difficult smile:
"But one day, I will catch up to him!"
"It's good to have that ambition."
Link nodded, then thought for a moment, "Besides strength, when you practice your swordsmanship now, it's best to incorporate some 'intent'."
"Intent?"
"Your master should have taught you about the realm of swordsmanship. Consider Iron Slash as one of your goals."
Link put down the wine and got up to leave, leaving Zoro deep in thought.
The Iron Slash realm was roughly equivalent to Zoro touching the edge of Armament Haki.
With Link's reminder, Zoro might reach that realm even sooner.
As for teaching Haki... Link himself hadn't even grasped it yet, let alone teach others!
There's no rush on this front; he needs to take it one step at a time, grow bigger and stronger!
After Link easily dealt with Bara, on the other side, Sanji also successfully defeated Gin.
Luffy, spurred on by Zoro and Link's fighting spirit, quickly and recklessly charged through Krieg's many weapons, successfully blasting away Krieg's golden armor, along with Krieg himself, using his "Gum-Gum Rocket!"
With that, the Krieg Pirate Crew was declared annihilated.
"Just two people, and they dismantled the overlord of the East Blue..."
Zeff had watched Luffy and Link's performance the entire time. "And they even clashed with the world's strongest swordsman and survived unscathed."
"They have an endless future ahead of them, don't they?"
Zeff looked at Usopp and the others, who had run off to cheer with Luffy and Link, and then at Sanji, who was smoking alone.
The idea that was already in his mind became even more firm.
After their captain, first mate, and combat leader were successively defeated, the Krieg Pirate Crew immediately became leaderless and scattered like birds and beasts.
They were originally a group of losers who had been defeated by the Grand Line, barely held together by Krieg.
Now, they dispersed just as quickly, turning into deserters.
However, the Baratie restaurant was not to be trifled with. Since this Pirate Crew had previously tried to capture their ship, the restaurant's chefs naturally wouldn't let them go. They all grabbed harpoons or other weapons and tied up this group of small fry, along with their three captain-level officers, firmly together. Well, they had to be tied securely, as these were all money!