One Piece: Gawain The Knight Of The Sun

"You're still the same—arrogantly acting like everything's under your control," Kuro said, a faint smile on his lips. "Facing a 5,000-man fleet led by Admiral Krieg, and you feel nothing?"

Gawain replied calmly, "I only worry I'll kill too fast for my blade to be blooded."

"Blade?" Kuro's gaze dropped to Wado Ichimonji in Gawain's hand, envy flickering in his eyes.

Though no swordsman, he could tell the katana far surpassed Gawain's old knight's sword.

For a skilled swordsman, a worthy blade didn't just add strength—it multiplied it exponentially.

"Lucky guy," Kuro muttered.

Gawain shrugged. "Plans have changed. We must protect this port. If you can still move, take the crew and help the civilians evacuate."

"Secure this deal, and we'll never worry about supplies in the East Blue."

"Got it!" Kuro started to move but swayed, nearly collapsing.

Gawain caught him, smirking. "There's a limit to tough talk. Leave evacuation to the others."

"Don't die on me."

"I'm counting on your strategies, 'Hundred Plans' Kuro."

"Hmph." Kuro snorted but didn't resist as crewmen helped him limp away.

The rest, under Gawain's orders, joined the port guards to evacuate civilians and aid in rescue efforts.

The situation stabilized quickly.

Only the fleet on the horizon loomed like a mountain over everyone's hearts.

…

At that moment, the port's bombardment eased. A kilometer out, Krieg held a Den Den Mushi, listening impassively to reports from Raven Port.

"Even Gin fell? Maybe I expected too much," he said. "Those who fall here don't deserve to follow me to the Grand Line."

"But he served his purpose, crippling the port's defenses."

"Now, I'll clear the rest—Kuro or Knight Gawain!"

Krieg's lips curled into a smile.

His crew fitted him with high-strength alloy armor, piece by piece.

As it locked into place, an unshakable confidence surged within him.

Clank! Clank!

His fingers tapped the armor, ringing crisply.

Krieg's gaze fixed on the horizon as his ship surged forward, outpacing the fleet.

The port drew closer.

Grabbing his massive spear, Krieg crouched, then leaped from the deck, landing heavily in the port.

Boom!

The ground cracked, dust billowing.

Gawain turned to see a towering figure emerge as the dust cleared.

An ornate spear, golden armor encasing his body, and a defiant face—Krieg matched Gawain's memory perfectly.

Yet his aura and presence were far stronger than the Krieg who'd later suffer defeat in the Grand Line.

Haki, a manifestation of will, amplified by confidence, granted unimaginable power.

Krieg radiated invincibility, especially seeing his opponent was a youthful figure.

"You're Knight Gawain?"

"I am," Gawain replied.

"Two choices," Krieg said, eyes commanding. "Submit or die."

"Or," Gawain said, a playful smirk forming.

Krieg was strong, but not enough to stir Gawain's fighting spirit.

In the East Blue, only Smoker, the Loguetown Marine with the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, could challenge him.

Yet Wado Ichimonji hummed with excitement for the coming battle, its eagerness palpable.

"Bloodthirsty thing," Gawain murmured.

Krieg, done talking, decided to end this quickly and brutally.

"Then die!"

His spear swept forward, its over-one-ton weight stirring gusts that blew Gawain's golden hair before it neared.

As Gawain reached for his blade, Krieg switched tactics. His left hand, hidden under his cloak, flung an M.H.5 poison gas bomb.

Boom!

Purple smoke exploded, spreading with the wind.

Krieg, masked against the gas, grinned savagely. "Weapons exist to defeat the strongest with minimal cost. Why fight fair when you can win easily?"

"M.H.5 gas kills with a whiff, even an 8-million-Berry pirate can't withstand it!"

"Knight Gawain, die with your regrets!"

"You—!"

A chilling sensation shot from Krieg's feet to his scalp. A blinding silver light cut through the purple haze.

In a panic, Krieg raised his arm to block as a silver slash tore through the smoke, sending him and his spear flying dozens of meters into a wall.

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