One Piece: Chopping Ace Back to Foosha Village at the Start

Wayne sprinted after Robin and, in only a few steps, caught up. The archaeologist had already changed her clothes.

"Hey, thief hand over my money!" he shouted. This woman should be called Cat Burglar, not Nico Robin, he grumbled inwardly.

Robin's brows lifted in mild surprise. In her mind Wayne ought to have been sprawled in an infirmary after the beating she had arranged.

"My, you are sturdier than I thought," she said with a playful smile.

A towering, bald man stepped between them. Bulging muscles strained beneath a monk's robe; his arms gleamed like forged steel.

"Walk away, kid," he rumbled.

"I just want my pouch back," Wayne answered. "She stole it."

"I will repay whatever she took," the monk replied.

"Eighty million Berries," Wayne said without blinking.

"What?!" The giant's eyes bulged. He was sure the youth was joking; who carried that much cash?

Before Wayne could explain, the man's forearms snapped outward like paired blades, and he slashed. Wayne barely raised his own arm in time.

Pain flared. A thin, bloody line marred Wayne's left hand while red droplets slid from the stranger's steel‑gray edges.

Blade Blade Fruit, Wayne realized. Daz Bonez Mr. 1.

Bonez flexed his metallic fingers. "Name yourself, swordsman."

"Duraki D. Wayne," he answered, eyes narrowing. "And if you insist on a duel, make it quick."

The minute Wayne drew Snowchaser, his aura shifted. Mr. 1 grinned; at last, a worthy foe. The two exchanged several ringing blows, sparks skittering across the alley walls.

"Your name!" Bonez barked again, excitement growing.

Wayne exhaled slowly. "Remember it. Duraki D. Wayne. And if you fail to block this stroke, you may die."

Black Armament flooded over Snowchaser's edge.

"One‑Sword Style… Severing Edge!"

Steel met hardened flesh. A single arc carved the air, and Daz Bonez staggered, a deep crimson gash blooming across his abdomen. His eyes widened; he collapsed.

Wayne flicked the blood from his blade, sheathed it, and stepped over the fallen assassin. He faced Robin.

"Now, Miss, my money."

Robin's smile wavered. She reached into her jacket.

"Two‑Wheel Bloom Finger Twist!"

Hands sprouted on Wayne's wrist, wrenching his little finger. He yelped, shaking them off.

"You little…!"

He lunged but Robin darted down a side street. Wayne cornered her moments later.

"Four‑Wheel Bloom Monkey Steal Peach!" she cried, hands sprouting where a man least desired.

Wayne's eyes went wide, but a soft metallic clink sounded.

"So flexible," he said, grin shark‑wide. "You will need more than that against coated Armament."

Haki had already hardened the threatened area like black iron, leaving Robin clutching her stinging palms in disbelief. Wayne advanced menacingly.

A sandstorm roared between them. Razored grains slashed Wayne's jacket, though Iron Body kept his skin intact. The swirling sand condensed into a tall figure with a scarred face, cigar clenched between teeth, golden hook glinting.

"Sir Crocodile," Wayne muttered, muscles tensing. A Warlord annoyingly early.

Crocodile's cold gaze settled first on Robin then on the unconscious Mr. 1 in the street.

"So. You are the new recruit Daz mentioned?" he asked Robin. "And that runt took him down?"

Wayne raised Snowchaser.

"Your underling attacked me."

"Then pay the price," Crocodile said, body dissolving into a towering sand wave.

"Careful!" Robin shouted from the alley mouth. "He is the Sand‑Sand man. Water is his weakness!"

Wayne's jaw tightened. A Logia already? How tiresome.

Still, he smirked. "Thanks for the tip… but I think I will manage."

He stepped forward, blade black as night, ready to demonstrate just how adaptable Armament Haki could be.