Wild sand swept across the arena.
The moment Lafayette announced the start of the third match, a mass of sand suddenly appeared on the high platform before rapidly flying toward the center of the martial arts arena.
Seeing the person who had arrived, Lafayette's eyes immediately flashed with interest, and a strong fighting spirit emerged from his expression.
"Couldn't resist any longer, huh?"
Kaito chuckled as he watched Klocke Dahl step into the arena, looking forward to the battle that was about to begin.
"It's the Boss! The Boss is here!"
"Yeah, I see him!"
Among the spectators, Bentham and Bowness immediately became more alert when they saw Klocke Dahl enter the arena. Their attention was completely focused on the upcoming battle.
I never expected a pirate crew that has only just entered the Grand Line to gather so many talented people.
If I can replace Kaito and take control of this crew, perhaps I might eventually have the opportunity to develop a force comparable to the Four Emperors.
Standing in the arena, Klocke Dahl looked toward the high platform.
His gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Kaito.
As he stared at them, greed and ambition quietly grew within his heart.
There was no denying it.
The brigade-level martial arts competition had allowed Klocke Dahl to gain an even deeper understanding of the War Pirates' strength.
Whether it was giant warriors such as Dorry and Brogy or Devil Fruit users like Robin and Law, the strength and potential they had displayed had surprised him greatly.
And that was precisely what excited him.
Robin's outstanding performance had given Klocke Dahl an even greater ambition.
He wanted to take over the War Pirates.
He wanted to occupy Kaito's position and become the captain himself.
Of course, Klocke Dahl was still aware of his current circumstances.
Although he had recovered some of his strength over the past few days, he knew very well that he still wasn't Kaito's opponent.
So, for now, he planned to obtain one of the Four Heavenly Kings positions first.
That way, he could gain status and authority second only to Kaito within the pirate crew.
At the same time, he could use the opportunity to build up his prestige.
"Captain, I'm ready to fight. Let someone else take over for me."
"I'll do it!"
On the high platform, Lafayette turned toward Kaito and volunteered to enter the arena.
Before Kaito could answer, Law, who had just returned from the previous match, took the initiative to replace Lafayette as the host.
"Lafayette is going to fight?"
"Then I'll wait for the next match."
Smoker, who had already raised himself halfway from his seat, immediately sat back down when he saw Lafayette step forward.
"Brave, are you planning to fight later?"
"I'm going to compete for the final position!"
Seeing Lafayette leave the platform, Sandy couldn't help turning toward Mangu, who was sitting beside him.
Mangu glanced at him and calmly stated his intentions.
"Use everything you've got. I'll give you three chances to attack."
Lafayette jumped down from the high platform and landed opposite Klocke Dahl.
Klocke Dahl calmly smoked his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
If he wanted to take over Kaito's position as captain, then he needed to establish his authority and win people's loyalty through strength.
"Is this the confidence of a Shichibukai?"
Lafayette stared at Klocke Dahl across the arena and chuckled.
"You're certainly extraordinary. In that case, I won't hold back."
He drew the sword concealed within his cane.
The slender blade pointed toward the ground.
Lafayette's smile widened as his eyes filled with fighting spirit.
He had chosen to participate in this battle because he was genuinely interested in fighting a Shichibukai like Klocke Dahl.
On the high platform, Law, who had taken over Lafayette's role as host, quickly announced the beginning of the battle.
"Requiem: Arrowtail Slash!"
The instant Law announced the start, Lafayette immediately charged toward Klocke Dahl.
Just like Brook of the Straw Hat Pirates, Lafayette's swordsmanship was built around a cane sword.
During his charge, the sword in his hand seemed to disappear completely.
Then—
Slash after slash suddenly erupted from his blade.
Invisible and densely packed, the attacks came at an astonishing speed, continuously cutting toward Klocke Dahl.
A large amount of sand immediately erupted from Klocke Dahl's body.
The sand gathered together and formed a massive sand wall, blocking the incoming barrage of slashes.
Chi chi chi chi—!
The sound of countless blades cutting through sand echoed continuously.
Lafayette's cane sword was coated in Armament Haki, making each slash exceptionally sharp.
The relentless attacks tore cracks through the sand wall one after another.
Yet the moment a crack appeared, countless grains of sand immediately flowed into the opening and repaired it.
The sand wall remained standing.
Although you're a swordsman who has mastered Armament Haki, you're still far from being able to break through my sand wall.
Klocke Dahl calmly smoked his cigar behind the wall of sand while using Observation Haki to sense Lafayette's movements.
The strength he had recovered over the past few days had been focused primarily on Haki.
Especially his Observation Haki.
During his battle with Kaito, Klocke Dahl had believed that the main reason he had suffered such a disastrous defeat was because his Observation Haki had declined.
If his Observation Haki had been at its peak, then he could have perceived Kaito's attacks more clearly and used active elementalization to avoid them more effectively.
Although his Observation Haki had still not completely recovered, it was more than enough to perceive Lafayette's attacks.
Sand scattered through the air.
Lafayette continued slashing without pause.
But after realizing that his attacks still couldn't break through the sand wall, his eyes narrowed slightly.
The Shichibukai really is troublesome.
With this level of defense, ordinary attacks aren't going to break through.
Lafayette didn't panic.
Instead, he calmly changed his offensive approach.
"Hypnosis Song Rondo!"
His slashes did not stop.
However, something about them suddenly changed.
The previously invisible attacks were now accompanied by a powerful whistling sound.
The sound traveled through the sand wall and entered Klocke Dahl's ears.
Yet he paid no attention to it.
Are you still refusing to give up?
Or do you really think you can defeat me with swordsmanship alone?
Klocke Dahl continued manipulating the sand.
Every time Lafayette's blade cut through the wall, he immediately filled the opening with more sand.
He waited.
And waited.
But Lafayette still showed no sign of changing his approach.
Klocke Dahl's brows gradually furrowed.
His expression became darker.
He had already fought Lafayette once in the casino.
At that time, Lafayette had used the Paper-Paper Fruit to create a paper wall that was as tough as steel.
Klocke Dahl therefore knew that Lafayette was also a Devil Fruit user.
Originally, he had assumed that his powerful sand defense would force Lafayette to change his method of attack.
But when Lafayette continued attacking without backing down, Klocke Dahl subconsciously interpreted it as the other party looking down on him.
The more he thought about it, the colder his expression became.
Behind the sand wall, Klocke Dahl tightened his grip on his cigar.
The battle had only just begun...
But the atmosphere between the two had already become increasingly tense.
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