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Chapter 25: Neptune Challenges! The True Monster Genius
As the victory banquet officially began,
Ryugu Palace was brightly lit from top to bottom. To welcome the Rocks Pirates, Fish-Man Island had risked World Government disapproval
And prepared an exceptionally lavish feast.
The cadres—including Rocks himself—were quite satisfied with Fish-Man Island's cooperation and had no intention of causing trouble here.
After all, the total wealth of Fish-Man Island was negligible.
Once they seized the Heavenly Tribute destined for the Celestial Dragons—a fortune accumulated through a full year of hardship by an entire kingdom—
Even for the Rocks Pirates,
It would be an astronomical amount of treasure.
Neptune sat at the same table with Whitebeard and Lotte, toasting and chatting merrily.
"Hohohoho! Newgate, your strength has grown even more impressive! Your current bounty has reached 1.5 billion berries!"
"Even among the cadres, you're in the top three!"
Neptune raised his sake cup toward Whitebeard with a laugh.
In the current era, when bounties across the New World hadn't yet inflated to extreme levels,
A 1.5 billion berry bounty was astonishing from any perspective.
Whitebeard shook his head upon hearing this.
"It's nothing special. Lotte here debuted with a 500 million bounty. Catching up to me is only a matter of time if nothing unexpected happens."
"His talent might even surpass our captain's!"
This wasn't an exaggeration.
Whitebeard Newgate had never seen anyone improve so dramatically in such a short time.
When Lotte first joined the ship, his strength was only slightly above ordinary members.
Yet in just a few months, he had far surpassed everyone else.
Even Kaido—who could once exchange a few blows with Lotte—
Probably couldn't withstand a single move from him now.
As soon as the words left his mouth,
Shock once again appeared on Neptune's face.
After all, Rocks was currently the most renowned hegemon of these seas—an existence unprecedented even in all pirate history.
The Rocks Pirates themselves were undoubtedly a miracle!
Yet Newgate claimed Lotte's talent surpassed even Rocks'?
Neptune sucked in a cold breath inwardly.
This child was terrifying beyond belief!
Lotte, sitting nearby with a smile, spoke up.
"Don't let the captain hear you say that."
"My current strength is nothing special. To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with powerhouses like you all will probably still take a year or two."
"Sigh... working hard (cheating) is too difficult."
Neptune was left dumbfounded by Lotte's words.
He turned to Lotte and instinctively swallowed.
"Lotte... how old are you right now?"
"Seventeen."
Lotte answered calmly.
This sent another massive wave crashing through Neptune's heart.
Seventeen—at human age, wasn't that still not even an adult?!
If he wasn't mistaken... Lotte would reach cadre-level strength in his twenties?
Neptune subconsciously clenched his fist.
Then, regaining his composure, he looked at Lotte with eyes gradually firming.
"Lotte, I wish to fight you."
"I want to see for myself the true strength of a youth praised so highly by Newgate!"
As the words fell,
The lively banquet instantly quieted by several degrees.
The other cadres of the Rocks Pirates also shifted their gazes over.
Rocks watched the scene without intervening—in fact, a playful, vicious grin spread across his face.
Honestly, he too wanted to know
Just how far Lotte's strength had progressed.
Whitebeard wore an "as expected" expression.
He looked at Lotte and smiled calmly.
"Don't underestimate Neptune—his strength is quite impressive."
"In all of Fish-Man Island right now, his Fish-Man Karate is undoubtedly number one. I've crossed blades with him before."
Lotte narrowed his eyes slightly at Neptune.
"Alright then—let's do it."
He had no intention of looking down on Neptune.
Even in his old age, when his strength had greatly declined, Neptune could still tangle with Zoro and the others for a considerable time.
His strength was probably on par with an Elite Vice Admiral.
And precisely because of that,
Lotte accepted Neptune's challenge.
He needed to display sufficient strength to secure an even higher position.
Hearing Lotte agree,
Neptune excitedly clenched his fist.
To spar with a monstrous human genius like Lotte was truly his good fortune!
Neptune led everyone to a training ground.
He stood in the center, drew the bronze trident from his back, and a powerful pressure gradually emanated from his body.
Though far from the effect of Conqueror's Haki,
It still proved his considerable strength.
"Lotte, what comes next will be my full-power attack!"
"You must be careful!"
Hearing this,
Lotte simply narrowed his eyes calmly.
His hands shaped two extremely sharp wooden swords. Gripping them, he looked toward Neptune.
"Come—let me witness the power of Fish-Man Karate."
A slight smile curled on his lips.
As the words fell,
Bang!
With a heavy tremor in the ground, Neptune exploded forward with explosive force.
In an instant, he reached Lotte and swung his trident without hesitation.
But before it could connect!
Whoosh!
Lotte's figure vanished from its spot in a flash.
Neptune's eyes widened instinctively.
If he wasn't mistaken, that was Soru from Rokushiki!
But wasn't Lotte a pirate?!
How had he mastered a Marine Headquarters body technique?!
While Neptune was still reeling in shock,
Whitebeard, standing not far from the battlefield, laughed and sighed.
"There's nothing impossible for this kid. He even learned Rokushiki right in the middle of fighting the Marines."
"That's why I say—his talent is truly terrifying."
Neptune's heart shook violently.
He had never imagined someone could comprehend a technique mid-battle.
Was this what a true top-tier genius of these seas looked like?
Around them,
Including Golden Lion and the other cadres,
Everyone watched this fight with great interest.
After all, Lotte was someone the captain held in high regard—they naturally wanted to see what he was truly made of.
Golden Lion burst into laughter at the sight.
"Jie hahaha! Lotte's Soru has gotten even faster! Looks like his physical strength has improved quite a bit again!"
"He's truly a genuine monster genius!"
The surrounding cadres nodded in agreement.
But when Kaido saw this scene,
He couldn't help but clench his fist even tighter.
Charlotte Linlin noticed this
And glanced toward Kaido with interest.
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