Chapter 014
"Harley Shu! Captain of the Harley Pirates! Bounty: 8 million Berries!"
Kai looked at the wanted poster featuring a cocky young man with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Sitting in a hotel room, he spoke softly. In his hand was a katana—Wado Ichimonji, the very sword Kuina had given him as a gift!
"Heh heh! Looks like you're out of luck. You'll be my first target as a bounty hunter!"
Kai chuckled lightly. Until he was truly strong enough, he had no intention of forming or joining a pirate crew, entering the Grand Line, or becoming a Marine. That left only one option: becoming a bounty hunter. It would give him real combat experience while earning some extra money!
His first target was Harley Shu, captain of the Harley Pirates—a swordsman, the perfect opponent to test himself against. For now, Kai didn't want to fight Devil Fruit users. It wasn't fear of death—he just wanted more battle experience first!
"Hahaha! Kid! You want to be a bounty hunter? And you're aiming for Harley Shu with an 8 million Berry bounty? Go home and drink your milk, brat! Hahaha…"
But as soon as Kai finished speaking, a middle-aged man sitting nearby burst into mocking laughter.
"What? That kid's a bounty hunter? And he wants to catch Harley Shu?" "Hahaha… where did this arrogant little punk come from…" "Harley Shu has an 8 million Berry bounty…" "Hahaha… I'm dying here…"
The middle-aged man's laughter triggered the entire tavern. Everyone turned to stare at Kai, erupting in roaring laughter. Some even slapped tables and chairs in amusement!
In his consciousness universe, Kai clearly sensed the wave of mockery and disdain from everyone around him. His expression darkened slightly. Ignoring the jeering drunks, he turned coldly toward the middle-aged man who had started it.
"Haha! What's wrong, kid? Got mad? Don't look at me like that—careful, or I'll chop you in half!"
Seeing Kai's icy glare, the middle-aged man laughed even louder—then suddenly turned furious. With a swift motion, he drew a large cleaver and slammed it down onto Kai's table with a loud bang!
"Ahhh—!" "Murder—!"
The crash made the more timid patrons scream. Some immediately fled the tavern!
Only the bolder ones stayed—and were stunned to see that Kai showed absolutely no fear facing the blade embedded right next to him. There were only two possibilities: either the kid was paralyzed with terror, or he didn't take the man's cleaver seriously at all!
Most believed the first option and waited eagerly for Kai to faint from fright.
"Uncle, don't point that big knife at me—I'm scared."
A cold glint flashed in Kai's eyes as he looked at the man. Then, with a hint of menace, he continued:
"If I get really scared… it might be a small thing if your knife gets broken. But if I accidentally hurt you… that's just your bad luck!"
Silence…
The tavern fell deathly quiet. Everyone's jaws dropped as they stared at Kai, whose expression hadn't changed at all. No one had expected this little boy to remain completely unfazed by a razor-sharp cleaver—and even dare to talk back to a man who clearly wasn't a good guy!
The middle-aged man's face had been mocking when Kai said he was "scared." But as soon as Kai finished speaking, his expression twisted rapidly—finally turning livid!
"You little brat! I was just warning you not to get yourself killed! You don't appreciate it—and now you dare talk back? You looking to die?!"
The man roared, face dark with rage. He swung his cleaver again—this time slamming the flat of the blade toward Kai's other side, splintering another table into pieces!
"Not good… the bounty hunter Peidaku is furious…" "That kid's done for…"
Some patrons who recognized the middle-aged man whispered in alarm!
"I'll give you a lesson too: never underestimate me!"
Kai's eyes narrowed coldly as he stared at Peidaku. A faint anger rose in his voice.
Clang!
With lightning speed, Wado Ichimonji was drawn from its sheath. Sharp sword energy instantly condensed along the blade. In front of everyone's stunned eyes, Kai swung the katana toward Peidaku's cleaver!
Ding~!
A flash of steel. Kai's strike arrived first—clashing against the cleaver with a deafening ring!
"Hmph!"
Peidaku felt a massive force transmit through his weapon into his body. He grunted and staggered back two steps, staring at Kai—who remained calmly seated—with shock and fury!
He hadn't expected the kid to not only withstand his attack but actually push him back—even though he hadn't used full strength. And he had clearly seen sword energy condense along Kai's blade!
"Heavens… did I see that right…" "That was sword energy…" "We were just mocking him… this…"
After a brief stunned silence, the tavern patrons sucked in cold breaths. Shock filled their faces. Who could have imagined that a kid this young could match the infamous local bounty hunter Peidaku? Thinking back to how they had laughed at him earlier, they now felt a wave of unease!
"Hmph! Brat, you're asking for death!"
Humiliated and enraged—being pushed back by a child in front of everyone—Peidaku's jealousy flared. He wanted to kill Kai to erase the shame!
"Then let's see if you have what it takes!"
Kai snorted coldly, rising to his feet. He swung Wado Ichimonji toward Peidaku—ready to test his own strength against a real opponent!
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