**Treasure Battle: Round 2**
The match began, and the crowd gasped. Spectators at the port, watching monitors, were stunned. Pappag froze, mouth agape, speechless. Keimi, pale, turned to Nami for help.
"Nami-chin, this…!?" Keimi stammered.
"Sorry, but I don't care what happens to Arlong," Nami said, her voice trembling slightly. "Still, I never thought Arlong was weak."
A kick slammed into Arlong's chest, forcing him back with a furious scowl. The match was one-sided. Mr. 2, grinning, overwhelmed them single-handedly, allowing no counterattacks.
"What strength! He's stopping those monster Fishmen alone—no, toying with them! Will Arlong's team lose to this absurd Okama!?" Buggy's commentary roared.
"Don't screw with me!" Arlong spat blood, enraged. The kicks and punches hurt, but his spirit drove him forward. His battle-hardened toughness grew stronger, undeterred by disadvantage. He'd hunted stronger bounties this way.
Yet Mr. 2's strength was beyond reach. His flamboyant, carefree moves outclassed Arlong.
Fighting wasn't just about skill. Grit could win, but Mr. 2 was immune to Arlong's fury and killing intent, dodging with a smile. He was Arlong's natural enemy.
Mr. 2 charged, laughing, his odd but swift run powered by long legs. Before Arlong could counter, a kick struck his cheek.
"Guh…!?" Arlong grunted.
"No joke!" Mr. 2 chirped.
Arlong fell. They weren't idle—Hachi's Kiribachi had longer reach, and they attacked strategically, but Mr. 2 was faster.
Distance was key in combat, maintaining optimal range. Mr. 2 excelled here. His speed wasn't a Devil Fruit power but a skill honed through experience and training. Despite his playful demeanor, he was a top-tier fighter, overpowering Arlong with ease.
No special abilities, just pure human strength. This shredded Arlong's pride. Even Luffy relied on a Devil Fruit. A mere human dominating him was unthinkable, crushing his newfound confidence.
It wasn't about race. Arlong, surprisingly calm, channeled his rage into fuel. His fearsome expression terrified even Hachi, whose voice shook.
"Arlong-san…" Hachi muttered.
"Hachi! Your spear!" Arlong demanded.
"But your injuries—" Hachi hesitated.
"Give it!" Arlong roared.
Hachi tossed the golden spear. Arlong, unstoppable, gripped it in his left hand, Kiribachi in his right, radiating fury. Even Kiri's intimidation paled in comparison.
Arlong was transforming, a true demon of Fishman rage. Hachi felt him pulling away.
"What a festival!" Mr. 2 laughed, unfazed, as Hatterly stood speechless. Mr. 2 assumed a unique stance, arms swaying, one leg raised.
"Emotions can spike strength, but I've endured daily grueling training. Hope that gap doesn't show," Mr. 2 said.
Arlong's brow twitched.
"Years of training versus fleeting passion. Results decide," Mr. 2 added.
Arlong ignored him, roaring and charging. A fierce kick struck his cheek.
"Guoh…!?" Arlong staggered.
"Don't underestimate humans!" Mr. 2 taunted.
Another blow hit his stomach, the impact crippling. Arlong gritted his teeth, but his focus wavered. Mr. 2's onslaught continued.
"Move!" Mr. 2 shouted.
A kick to Arlong's cheek staggered him, followed by an uppercut to his jaw. The relentless, heavy strikes blurred his vision. A kick to his spear arm nearly lifted him off the ground. As he charged, a punch pierced his right cheek.
Every attack Arlong attempted was countered. Mr. 2 read his moves, striking first with unmatched speed and power.
Each blow was devastating, unlike anything from the battle royale. Arlong stumbled, stomping to stay upright.
More rage fueled him. He grew larger in presence, chilling Hachi and Hatterly. Yet Mr. 2 kept smiling.
"I get you. Stronger than most, but too bad—I've trained with more than just paper," Mr. 2 said.
"Lowly species! Don't mock Fishmen!" Arlong roared.
"Fair point! Swan, swan!" Mr. 2 apologized, then spun, kicking Arlong's forehead like a spear, sending him crashing.
He hadn't let his guard down, but his body collapsed. Stunned, he glared up.
"Let me tell you a story," Mr. 2 said.
Arlong rose, thrusting his spear rapidly, aiming for vitals. Mr. 2 dodged effortlessly, still talking.
"Baroque Works' employees don't know Mr. 0—his face, form, or past. But he valued your paper friend, smaller back then," Mr. 2 said.
"Who cares!?" Arlong swung his Kiribachi.
Mr. 2 evaded by a hair. "Paper was just a smiling kid, running errands. I thought so too, at first."
"Shut up!" Arlong snapped.
"Your crewmate, right?"
"Not crew—prey!" Arlong growled.
"Love it! Hunted by your own!" Mr. 2 laughed.
Arlong thrust his spear. Mr. 2 stepped forward, dodging, entering his guard. Their eyes met, the move feeling like an insult.
A punch slammed Arlong's chest, forcing him back, gasping.
"Stop now. You can't win," Mr. 2 said.
"What!?" Arlong snarled.
His body ached, stamina drained. Mr. 2 continued: "Paper was trained by Mr. 0, fighting Officer Agents. After, Paper advised us, training us too."
"So what!?" Arlong shouted.
"You wouldn't get it. Before and after meeting Paper, our strength skyrocketed—"
Mr. 2's demeanor shifted, the air growing heavy. Hachi and Hatterly shivered. Even Arlong's rage faltered.
"If you keep going, I won't hold back. Overconfident fools die fast. There's always someone stronger," Mr. 2 warned.
Arlong gnashed his teeth, defiant. Mr. 2 smiled, reading him.
"Paper's stronger than me now. But even I'm stronger than you," Mr. 2 said.
"Guh…!" Arlong growled.
"If you get that and still fight, I'll say no more."
Mr. 2's smile vanished, his presence immense.
"Come at me," he challenged.
Arlong roared, shaking off fear, and charged. He ignored distractions—Luffy, Kiri—focused only on defeating Mr. 2. But Mr. 2 kicked him effortlessly, following with more strikes.
Arlong flew meters, rolling, but stood instantly. Mr. 2 was already there, punching his jaw. Another kick sent him reeling.
It wasn't a fight—Mr. 2 toyed with him. Arlong was kicked before he could act, his resistance pitiful.
Keimi cried, Pappag froze, and Arlong's crew seethed. Nami was stunned. The feared Arlong was outmatched, the gap like adult versus child.
Arlong spat blood, his teeth shattered, vision fading, exhausted. Yet he stood, dropping his weapons, swinging his fists.
"UOOOO!" Arlong bellowed.
His punch could break bones, but Mr. 2 dodged, countering with a gut punch. Arlong slid back, raising his fist, only to take a swift kick, collapsing to his knees.
Posture was key in fighting. Mr. 2's attacks disrupted Arlong's balance, sapping his strength.
A brutal kick to Arlong's head sent him flying, crashing without recovery. Keimi covered her eyes, Nami holding her.
Arlong, feeling the hot sand, struggled to rise. His tenacity was rare, even among humans. Mr. 2, sweatless, smiled, respecting his spirit.
"Such toughness. Never seen anyone this stubborn," Mr. 2 said.
"Haa… zee… haa…" Arlong panted.
"But I don't fear you."
Mr. 2 spun rapidly, charging Arlong.
"Time to end it! Don't die!" Mr. 2 shouted.
He advanced, no feints. Arlong, vision blurred, couldn't move but refused to yield.
"Memoir of That Summer Day!" Mr. 2's high-speed kick struck Arlong's shoulder, slamming him down.
Arlong braced, hands on the ground, knowing this was it. Mr. 2 landed softly, back turned.
Seizing the moment, Arlong launched, spinning like a torpedo.
"Shark ON Tooth!" A deadly strike aimed at Mr. 2's back.
But Mr. 2 leapt high, grinning down.
"Swan Arabesque!" Rapid kicks pounded Arlong to the ground, knocking him out.
Mr. 2 landed, smiling. The match was utterly one-sided.
Most spectators cheered, but some were speechless. This was Baroque Works' Officer Agent, Mr. 2—yet above him were Mr. 1, his partner, and Mr. 0. Facing this organization was daunting.
Hachi, trembling, gripped his swords, enraged. "Arlong-san…! You bastard!"
"Stop, Tako-suke!" Mr. 2 warned.
"Not Tako-suke—I'm Hachi!" Hachi charged.
"Hatchin!" Keimi screamed.
In seconds, Mr. 2's kick struck Hachi's face. His "Octopus Sword Dance" didn't land, Mr. 2 breaching his guard. Another blow sent Hachi flying.
"Anger makes you weak. Oh, you're Fishmen, not humans! Ha!" Mr. 2 laughed.
Hachi collapsed, immobile. Keimi buried her face in Nami's chest, Pappag frozen. Arlong's crew watched in disbelief.
Hatterly shivered. A man fighting barehanded like this, unknown despite his power, seemed unnatural.
As a journalist, Hatterly craved knowledge, but Mr. 2 only inspired fear.
"Hey, Hattari-chan! Don't just stand there!" Mr. 2 snapped.
"Me!?" Hatterly startled.
"I'm fighting, so grab the chest! We're a team!" Mr. 2 said.
"Right…!" Hatterly stammered.
"Forget it. I'll do it," Mr. 2 said, defeating both foes and carrying the chest himself.
"Match over! They charged like idiots, but Mr. 2 won!" Buggy announced.
The crowd roared, but the Straw Hats were grim. On the players' ship, tension hung heavy. Luffy, arms crossed, stared seriously.
"Bon-chan's strong," Luffy said.
"His ability isn't combat-focused—more for infiltration. So he trained his body relentlessly. Reaching that level's no joke," Kiri said calmly.
Chopper and Silk glanced at him, uneasy.
"Arlong was strong, but he didn't land a hit," Chopper said.
"He's inhuman…" Silk added.
"No surprise. Bon-chan's obsessed with that style. Focusing solely on it makes him a top fighter," Kiri said.
Silk couldn't help asking, "Crocodile's stronger, right…?"
Kiri pondered, finger on chin, eyes closed. Silk didn't notice his deliberate pause.
"A hundred Bon-chans wouldn't last three minutes against Crocodile," Kiri said casually.
His calm tone made it chillingly real. They fell silent.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 - 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!