In the following days, the Fang Gang indeed ceased their invasion of the Night Wolf Gang's territory, turning their attention instead to another neighboring gang—the Flying Daggers Society. This group had a unique characteristic: its members disliked firearms and long blades, preferring short knives and throwing daggers in combat.
In a conventional world, Badak would have advised the Flying Daggers Society to surrender immediately.
But this was a world with supernatural powers—who could say throwing daggers couldn't rival firearms?
Upon learning this news, Badak couldn't help but pay some attention to their conflict. After all, if the Flying Daggers Society also proved tough, the Fang Gang would be in dire straits.
Repeated setbacks might make them reconsider their role as the Capone Family's pawn.
And if the Capone Family intervened directly, the Night Wolf Gang would prematurely enter Capone Bege's sights.
This directly affected Badak and his crew's next voyage, much to his frustration.
He urgently needed a breakthrough—dripping water could wear through stone, but the timing was unpredictable: it could be the next moment, tomorrow, or far in the future.
After much deliberation, Badak decided to set sail alone to seek his breakthrough, leaving Robin and the others behind to monitor the situation. With his combat prowess, resilience, flight ability, and ample supply of Blood Donation Dandelions, he could navigate the West Blue safely.
"Robin, I've made up my mind. I'll go alone this time. You all should rest and keep an eye on the Fang Gang and Flying Daggers Society's conflict. Contact me via Den Den Mushi if anything happens."
Robin frowned. "What about taking Leo with you? Having company would be safer."
"No need," Badak shook his head in refusal. "Leo should stay to protect you all. Don't argue—my concern isn't the Fang Gang or mafia families, but the World Government's hounds.
They could show up anytime. Perona's ability combined with Leo's creates an extremely powerful first-strike effect. They can protect you well in my absence."
"Alright. So where are you planning to go this time?"Badak's concerns left Robin unable to refute, but she resolved to devote more effort to improving her combat abilities in the future. The feeling of holding her companions back was truly unbearable.
"Rasgarp," Badak handed Robin a newspaper. "A group of pirates recently attacked this place but were subsequently hunted down by a bounty hunter named Daz Bones.
I know this man—he's a Blade Human who ate the Supa Supa no Mi, making his body as hard as steel. If I can wound him with my swordsmanship, I'll break through to the level of a master swordsman."
Badak was thinking of Zoro, who had broken through to the Iron Cutting realm and became a master swordsman during his battle with Daz Bones.
"If this man is a Blade Human, his attacks must be incredibly powerful. Wouldn't that be too dangerous?" Robin finished reading the newspaper quickly and voiced her worries.
"Besides, the newspaper says he's extremely bloodthirsty and leaves no survivors. He doesn't seem like someone easy to deal with."
"That's exactly why I want to fight him. If he were easy to deal with, how could we have a proper battle?" Badak chuckled confidently.
"As for his attack power, there's no need to worry. After transforming into my Great Ape Form, I possess an Indestructible Body.
In terms of defense, I surpass even his steel body. In a fight between us, he wouldn't be able to harm me at all. The only issue is my swordsmanship against him. If we're talking about other abilities, I have several ways to defeat him."
"If you say so, then I'm relieved."
...
Rasgarp. Badak steered his small boat, the Handsome Monkey King, into the harbor and docked it.
This time, he was sailing alone and in a hurry, so he didn't use the larger ship, the White Dragon Horse.
Instead, he used the Somersault Cloud to carry the Handsome Monkey King swiftly to Rasgarp. Just before arriving, he descended to the sea and entered the harbor using sails and oars, drawing no attention.
Nightfall Bar was an ordinary, quiet place, with Badak as the only customer.
At the counter, Badak ordered a glass of juice and casually asked, "Boss, I heard your place was robbed by pirates recently."
The bartender looked gloomy. "You bet! Those pirates were no humans—they were beasts, absolute savages! My liquor! They took all of it! I was just running an honest business here—who did I offend? Those black-hearted scum deserved to die."
Badak took a sip of juice. "Oh, so they were taken out by the Marines that quickly? Doesn't that mean you can get your liquor back, boss?"
"Marines my foot! Get it back? Ha!" The bartender glanced around before lowering his voice. "The Marines never arrive in time.
They just show up afterward, walk around, give us some empty comfort, and promise they'll catch those pirates. Once the fuss dies down, who knows if they even tried? Stolen goods never come back."
"But didn't you say they 'deserved to die'?" Badak pressed further."This wasn't the Navy's doing. After the pirates finished looting and returned to their ship, a bounty hunter appeared.
That guy was really too much—he actually chopped up my liquor along with the pirate ship! Ah, my fine wine! With skills like his, why couldn't he have held back a little?"
The bar owner was still lamenting his lost liquor, grumbling nonstop.
"Where did that bounty hunter go afterward? I'd really like to meet someone that powerful."
"If you're looking for him, you might want to check the nearby inn district. I heard he was staying around that area before."
"Thanks, boss."
Badak downed the last of his juice, left a Belly on the counter, and headed for the door.
"Come again soon!"
That Belly could buy ten glasses of juice—what a generous customer. Ah, my wine...
The owner started mourning his loss again.
As Badak stepped outside, he nearly bumped into a towering, muscular man with short hair, thin eyebrows, and thick lips.
This wasn't just a coincidence—it was fate. The man standing before him was none other than Daz Bones.
"Daz Bones, I know you. I've heard swordsmen can't cut through your body. I'm curious."
"You're a swordsman?" Daz Bones looked down at Badak. "You want to challenge me?"
"Challenge? You could say that. Actually, I want to use you to break through to the next level of swordsmanship—to reach the realm of a sword master."
Badak answered honestly.
"Hmph. Young but bold. Not afraid of death, kid? I show no mercy to any opponent, so don't expect me to go easy on you."
"That's perfect. I need an opponent who won't hold back. So, now or another time?"
"Since you're in such a hurry to die, I'll oblige. Follow me—I know a place where no one will disturb us."
Daz Bones started walking without waiting for a response. Badak immediately followed, his excitement growing.