Chapter 24
"Oh… oh! Got it! Coming right up!"
Makino blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Kai to completely ignore Garp—and with such a convincingly oblivious expression. Seeing Garp's face freeze instantly, Makino wanted to laugh but held it back. She gave Kai a soft, amused smile, feeling even more curious about this boy. So young and already so cunningly clever! Of course he was likable!
"Hey, hey~! You haven't fought me yet! How can you just start eating? That's too much!"
Luffy, seeing Kai being served, immediately ran over and shouted right in his face!
"Did I ever say I'd fight you?"
Kai looked up at the furious Luffy and gave a gentle smile.
"You… you're so sneaky! You're dodging the fight!"
Luffy paused for a second, then yelled even louder!
A huge sweat drop slid down the back of Kai's head. Luffy really was just like in the original story—always throwing words around carelessly!
BAM!
The moment Luffy spoke, Garp appeared behind him like a shadow. His loving iron fist slammed down on Luffy's head again. Then he roared:
"That's called being smart, not sneaky!"
"Right, Kai, my boy?"
Garp turned to Kai with a grin, eyes full of curiosity. This kid was even more impressive in person than the rumors!
"Of course! Because I'm way too lazy!"
Kai turned back to Garp with a smile. But inwardly, he was shocked—how had Garp appeared behind Luffy so suddenly? Kai hadn't sensed it at all! This was the first time since setting sail that someone had completely slipped past his perception!
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
Garp asked curiously. What did smart have to do with lazy?
"Because only lazy people bother thinking of ways to slack off!"
Kai replied calmly with a faint smile. "Like how I don't want to fight that little guy—so I just pretended not to hear."
As he spoke, Kai glanced at Luffy. The "little guy" he didn't want to fight was obviously him!
"Damn it!"
Even Luffy wasn't dumb enough to miss that Kai had deliberately ignored him. He shouted angrily!
"Hahaha! Good one! As expected of the East Blue's 'Maple Leaf Hunter'—the one who makes pirates run scared!"
Garp laughed heartily after a brief pause. His gaze toward Kai was full of admiration!
"Hey, kid! You know who I am, right? Interested in joining the Marines? With your talent, becoming a Vice Admiral would only be a matter of time!"
Garp asked directly.
"Isn't it Vice Admiral Garp—the legendary Marine who chased the Pirate King all over the world? No thanks! I have zero interest in being a Marine!"
Kai refused without a second thought.
"Why not? You're already catching pirates, aren't you?"
Garp blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected such a flat rejection—especially from someone who clearly knew who he was. With Garp's personal recommendation, Kai's talent would be nurtured heavily. Vice Admiral rank would come sooner or later. Curious, Garp pressed:
"If I can't get you into the Marines, that'd be a real shame!"
"Being a bounty hunter gives me way more freedom than the Marines. Plus, the bounties are much higher—and I don't have to hand anything over!"
Kai smiled faintly, his eyes shining with a longing for absolute freedom—no chains, no rules.
Seeing that look, Garp—who was excellent at reading people—immediately understood: there was no way this kid would ever join the strict, rule-bound Marines!
"Hahaha! Fair enough!"
Garp laughed loudly. Since Kai wasn't interested, Garp wouldn't force him. He just felt a little regret. The Marines had too many rules—even he found them annoying sometimes. Hearing Kai say it straight to his face only made Garp respect him more!
"Damn Maple Leaf Hunter! I'm gonna fight you!"
At that moment, Luffy raised his head again and glared at Kai, shouting angrily!
"Heh heh! Since you're Vice Admiral Garp's grandson, I'll accept your challenge! When and where?"
Seeing Luffy's furious expression, Kai found it amusing. He chuckled lightly and agreed.
"Hahaha! Looks like I misjudged you! Right now—outside!"
Luffy laughed triumphantly when Kai unexpectedly accepted, then immediately declared.
Garp looked at Kai in surprise. He hadn't expected Kai—who had just shown annoyance at being used—to agree so readily. Hearing the meaning behind Kai's words, Garp grinned. This kid…
"Fine! If you win, I'll treat you to drinks!"
Kai smiled at Luffy, then turned and walked outside!
"Hehe! It's a deal! You're gonna lose!"
Luffy grinned happily and hurried after him. Garp watched from behind with a faint smile and followed at a leisurely pace. He really wanted to see just how strong this Maple Leaf Hunter was!
"Hahaha! Let's go watch too! This is a rare match!" "Yeah! Let's see… little Luffy's one of the best around here. No way that kid can beat him!" "Mm!!!"
Seeing Kai, Luffy, and Garp head out, the tavern patrons immediately laughed and followed. The villagers and drinkers didn't believe for a second that Kai could beat Luffy!
"Hehe! I'll go watch too!"
Makino giggled when she saw everyone leave at once. Like a blooming narcissus flower, she smiled and followed outside—deeply curious about this boy who had made such a name for himself in the East Blue at such a young age!
...
"Alright, Luffy! You can make the first move!"
Kai held Wado Ichimonji—still sheathed—and pointed the scabbard at Luffy with a light smile.
"Hey, hey! Why aren't you drawing your sword?"
Luffy shouted loudly when he saw Kai hadn't unsheathed.
"How are we supposed to fight if you don't draw? Aren't you a swordsman?"
"Heh heh! Just try to force me to draw it. I believe I can win without even unsheathing!"
Kai chuckled lightly when Luffy asked. He deliberately provoked him—angry Luffy always exploded with incredible fighting power. It was something Kai had noticed while watching One Piece: every time Luffy got mad, his combat strength skyrocketed!
As he spoke, Kai quietly used the Emotion Fruit to amplify Luffy's anger!
"You bastard! You're looking down on me!"
Sure enough, seeing Kai underestimate him, Luffy exploded in rage. He pulled both arms back and fired them forward!
"Rubber Pistol!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang…
In an instant, Luffy's arms turned into bullets—launching a rapid barrage toward Kai. Countless shadows formed—dozens, even hundreds. Each punch was real; the afterimages were just from sheer speed. Luffy unleashed dozens of punches in a blink!
"Wahaha… little Luffy's so strong…" "Amazing! That many punches…"
The villagers watching from the side laughed loudly, then looked toward Kai—wondering if he could even block Luffy's Rubber Pistol!
Garp watched expressionlessly, completely calm. He could tell at a glance that Kai's strength was far beyond current Luffy. Naturally, he also saw Kai's confidence!
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