One Piece: Gawain The Knight Of The Sun

"But afterward, I'll need to kill everyone here to be safe."

Kuro's killing intent surged, so intense that even his crew instinctively backed away.

Soon, the warship and pirate ship closed to within a hundred meters. A point-blank cannon exchange was thwarted as both captains deflected the shots with their blades.

Boom!

The ships collided with a deafening crash.

Pirates versus pirates.

Blades against blades.

The fiercest melee erupted instantly.

Gawain's pirates dominated early in the close-quarters fight, their skills and experience far superior.

Within seconds, over a dozen bodies littered Kuro's deck.

Without the Nyaban Brothers, Kuro's crew would've been overwhelmed in moments.

"What's with these guys?"

"Ordinary pirates with this level of swordsmanship?"

"They're like they came from a dojo!"

Sam parried a blade with his claws, but more pirates rushed in, their swords clashing relentlessly.

He and Buchi barely held off Gawain's crew, struggling under the pressure.

…

Amid the battlefield chaos, the two captains stood still, their gazes locked, each radiating absolute confidence.

"When did the East Blue produce someone like you?" Kuro slowly removed the sheaths from his claw blades, their silver edges glinting.

"The East Blue has birthed many. Some claimed the title of King in the New World; others are hailed by the Marines as world-saving heroes."

Gawain said calmly, "Join my crew."

"Hah," Kuro sneered. "A few years ago, I might've considered taking you under my wing. But I'm done with this pirate game. All I can do is send you to hell."

"That's a shame."

Their words fell, and both struck simultaneously.

Whoosh!

Two sonic booms overlapped as black and white figures charged.

Claw blades met knight's sword, sparking in the air, followed by a relentless barrage of metallic clashes.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

…

Sparks flew, but the fighters were a blur.

Both excelled in speed.

Kuro's Silent Step was so fast he was nearly invisible, his ten claw blades dominating in such a fight.

Gawain's Godspeed surpassed human limits in reflexes and strikes, backed by a formidable physique—a true stat monster.

As their clash intensified, their weapons notched, but their eyes burned brighter.

Kuro's claws struck relentlessly, yet Gawain's sword was like a viper, exploiting every tiny opening with a piercing thrust…

Shing!

A silver flash, blood sprayed—Kuro was wounded.

Though only a shallow cut on his shoulder, his eyes trembled.

"I'm being outmatched!"

"In my best area—speed—I'm being outmatched!"

"Interesting! Truly interesting!"

Kuro's dormant fighting spirit ignited, the pain fueling his frenzy.

His speed surged.

Where others could once glimpse his afterimage, now even that vanished, leaving only claw marks across the ship.

"It's Silent Step!"

"The captain's using Silent Step!"

"We're doomed!"

A Black Cat Pirate screamed in terror, only to have his chest ripped open by claw marks, blood spraying as he collapsed.

The surviving Black Cat Pirates lost all will to fight, retreating—some jumping into the sea—to escape Kuro's indiscriminate attacks.

Silent Step was beyond human control!

"Sam, go!"

"The captain's unleashed that! This is his domain—no one survives!"

"We stay, and even we'll—"

Buchi's words were cut off by claw marks on his shoulder.

Though his tough hide kept the wounds shallow, his fear of the technique was fully awakened.

"Quick!"

"That Knight Gawain is finished! No one's survived the captain's move!"

"Even Grand Line pirates with bounties over 20 million were crippled by it!"

Buchi clutched his wound, diving into the hold. Sam knocked back attackers and followed.

On the deck, pirates fell, some losing limbs or heads.

In seconds, only Gawain remained standing.

Kuro, in Silent Step, was like Wano's mythical Kamaitachi, reaping lives with invisible speed and razor claws.

"Once this move starts, even I can barely control the direction. What I hit is up to chance!" Kuro's voice echoed from all sides.

"Today was supposed to be Morgan's death—my perfect plan."

"Kill him, and I'd shed my pirate identity for a quiet, peaceful life."

"But killing you will do just as well!"

"Blame your bad luck!"

"Is that so?" Gawain's expression remained calm.

His eyes darted, locking onto Kuro's erratic, high-speed movements.

Godspeed not only enhanced his body's speed but also sharpened his reflexes to superhuman levels.

What was invisible to others was clear as day to him!

"Your ability is even better than I imagined!"

Gawain praised, "I want you as my right hand, Kuro!"

"Don't joke!" Kuro's furious shout echoed, finding the man's arrogance absurd in the face of death.

"Fool!"

At blinding speed, Kuro's eyes barely caught the last figure on the deck.

Who else but Gawain?

After several tries, he maneuvered Gawain into his path, claws outstretched, charging…

He could almost see Gawain's death—chest torn open, guts spilling—when…

Clang!

A piercing clash rang out, halting Kuro's rush. It felt like a cannonball struck his chest, his organs lurching.

The world came into focus as he exited Silent Step, finding Gawain's sword hilt pressed against his chest.

Kuro ignored the pain, staring in shock. "You can see me?!"

"Yes, I can."

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