Crunch!
The sound of a chip shattering rang out again.
Blake picked up another one, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed it loudly.
This abrupt sound, so out of place with the atmosphere, made everyone freeze.
The guard captain, who was about to swing his sword, paused.
Sabo, his face a mask of despair, stopped crying.
Ace, consumed by rage, and Luffy, looking lost, both subconsciously turned to look.
Everyone's gaze gathered on the white-haired kid leaning against a tree, happily eating.
Outlook III's brows knitted into a deep knot.
This low-class...
What is he doing?
In front of him, the most esteemed noble of the Goa Kingdom!
While he was handling family business and cleaning up trash!
This low-class trash was... eating snacks and watching the show?!
Insolent!
This was the most insolent, lawless trash he had ever met!
"What are you looking at?"
Blake seemed to notice Outlook III's gaze. He even gave the chip bag a friendly shake.
"Want one?"
"..."
Outlook III's mind buzzed. The noble composure he had so carefully maintained completely shattered. His facial muscles twisted in extreme anger.
"You..."
However, Blake didn't give him a chance to finish. He waved his hand, speaking with a completely unbothered tone.
"Alright, alright. Don't mind me."
"You all continue. Go on."
That posture, that tone, he might as well have said, "Just keep fighting, don't let me interrupt the show."
Continue?!
Veins bulged, one after another, on Outlook III's forehead! This was the greatest humiliation he had ever suffered in his life!
"Get..."
His frigid voice squeezed through his gritted teeth.
"Get this piece of trash who doesn't know his place!"
"And deal with him, too!"
Outlook III's command removed all remaining scruples from the guards. They raised their longswords and charged toward Ace and Luffy, their killing intent blatant. They also charged toward the young man leisurely eating chips.
Ace spread his arms, shielding Sabo and Luffy behind him. He gritted his teeth, ready to fight to the death!
However, just as the guards' blades were about to reach them, Ace's burning eyes caught sight of the white-haired kid chewing chips.
His lazy posture and his indifferent gaze set off a storm in Ace's mind.
This is the guy who could make even Grandpa come back wounded, and Grandpa still paid him willingly!
This man!
Is strong!
A thought flashed through his mind!
In that split second, Ace grabbed Sabo's arm and slung his other arm around Luffy's neck.
He dragged his two brothers, who were still lost in confusion and despair, and shot like a whirlwind straight toward Blake!
"What are you doing?!" the guard captain roared.
"Hey! Kids! Where are you running!" Outlook III also frowned.
However, Ace paid them no mind. Using all his strength, he shoved Sabo and Luffy hard, right behind Blake!
He followed close behind, practically hanging onto Blake's back!
Blake: "..."
His chip-chewing mouth stopped.
He turned his head, looking at Luffy, who was now hugging his thigh, and Sabo, who was standing behind Luffy in a daze.
Then he looked up at Ace, who was clinging to his back with a look of "I've bet it all."
"Hm?"
Blake slowly uttered one word, his eyebrows slightly raised.
"So, what are you all doing?"
"Heh heh!"
Ace squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying. He hugged Blake's waist tightly, his voice filled with an unquestionable, matter-of-fact tone!
"Boss Blake!"
"We're your customers!"
"Didn't you say you were going to teach us how to get strong!"
"We're in big trouble now!"
Ace pointed at the ferocious guards in front of them, then at Sabo, who was behind them, crying so hard he could barely breathe.
His tone was so righteous, so resolute!
"Your customers are in trouble! As the boss, shouldn't you protect us a little!"
However, the guard captain had already rushed in front of them!
"Bastard! Don't think you can run!"
His longsword, carrying a fierce wind, slashed mercilessly at Blake's back!
Sabo's and Luffy's pupils shrank!
"Big Brother Blake!"
Ace's expression also changed drastically. He let out a loud shout.
He hadn't expected the other side to be so fast, or so decisive!
If this sword landed!
Blake would definitely be cut in half!
However, Blake just rolled his eyes. He sighed.
He casually dropped the bag of chips to the ground.
"Honestly."
He muttered lazily.
"This is why kids are such a hassle."
"So much trouble, and so little money."
He didn't even turn around.
He just lifted his right hand.
His index finger. Gently. Tapped forward.
Ting!
A crisp, clear sound of metal clashing rang throughout the forest!
The guard captain's longsword.
His longsword!
It was stopped, dead in its tracks, right in front of Blake's index finger.
The sharp blade and Blake's long, slender finger were separated by less than a centimeter!
It couldn't advance an inch!
The guard captain was speechless.
The expression on his face froze.
He felt as if his sword had struck an immovable mountain! The rebounding force made his wrist ache!
Impossible!
This is absolutely impossible!
He was the captain of the Goa Kingdom's guard!
Battle-hardened!
The sword in his hand could cut through steel!
This weak-looking, white-haired kid!
How is this possible?!
The muscles on the guard captain's face twitched violently.
He gripped his sword with both hands, veins bulging, and pushed forward with all his might.
But the longsword, which was strong enough to split rock, didn't budge an inch before Blake's finger!
"This... This is impossible!"
Cold sweat dripped down the guard captain's forehead. His gaze toward Blake was filled with incredulous terror.
This white-haired young man.
What kind of monster is he?!
"Impossible?"
Blake slowly repeated the word.
He tilted his head.
The playful smile on his face grew wider, but a flash of electricity sparked in his indifferent eyes.
"Since you chose to attack me."
He chuckled softly.
"That means you've already made your..."
Blake's tone suddenly changed, his gaze turning instantly ice-cold.
"Preparations to fight, right?"
As the last word fell, an overwhelming, terrifying aura, like a toppling mountain, exploded from Blake's body!
Boom!
The guard captain felt as if he had been slammed by an invisible mountain peak!
The longsword in his hands cried out, was ripped from his grasp, and went flying!
He himself was sent flying by this invisible force, smashing heavily into a tree trunk behind him with a sickening thud!
Pfft!
He sprayed a mouthful of blood!
Before the guard captain could even scream, he slid limply to the ground, his state unknown.