Chapter 194

"Bang!"

A dull impact echoed across the battlefield as Luffy was sent flying faster than he had charged in. He twisted his body mid-air, forcing himself to land on his feet, but still skidded backward, leaving a long trail before dropping to one knee.

Gritting his teeth, Luffy looked up at the opponent standing before him—a cp0 officer with an odd purple hue to his coat. His expression darkened.

The Cp0, casually cracking his knuckles, smirked. "What's wrong? You came charging in like a hero, but now you want to kill Marine recruits? I can't let that happen."

Luffy slowly stood up, rolling his shoulders as he stared the man down. "Then I'll just have to knock you out of my way first."

"Huh? Hahahaha!"

The cp0 Purple Rat paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Knock me out? You?!" His grin widened. "You're barely standing, Straw Hat. Even if you weren't injured, do you really think you can beat me?"

"I've been fighting you for a while now. You should already understand the difference in our strength."

Luffy clenched his fists. "I said I'd knock you away, and I will!"

With that, he launched himself forward.

Purple Rat's eyes narrowed. "Tch. You really don't know when to quit!"

He rushed forward to meet Luffy head-on. As they closed the distance, both warriors drew back their fists—

"Bang!"

Their punches clashed mid-air, unleashing a powerful shockwave that rippled across the battlefield.

"Ahhh!!"

Koby, standing nearby, was thrown back several meters by the impact. Stunned, he lifted his head, watching the two fighters in awe. His hands trembled.

"M-Mr. Luffy is this strong?!"

A strange feeling crept into Koby's heart—something beyond admiration.

Jealousy.

He had been training with the Marines for some time now, no longer the helpless rookie he once was. His strength had grown. For a while, he had even thought—if he faced the Luffy he had met back then, he might have a chance to win.

That arrogance had slowly chipped away at the respect he once had for Luffy.

But now? Watching this battle unfold, he realized—Luffy was still miles ahead. The gap between them hadn't shrunk. It had grown.

Why?!

Why was it that no matter how hard he trained, he was still so far behind?

If he had Luffy's talent—if that power was his—then combined with his dedication, he could have surpassed him by now.

But what infuriated him most… was his own fear.

When Luffy's attack came earlier, Koby had frozen—paralyzed by sheer terror. That shame burned inside him. He wanted—no, needed Luffy to lose.

Koby clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, "Marines will definitely defeat him… they have to…"

"Oh? And who must be defeated?"

A calm voice spoke beside him.

"They can definitely beat Mr. Luffy!" Koby blurted out, not realizing who he was responding to—until the moment he turned.

His breath caught in his throat.

His entire body went rigid. His legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto the ground.

"K-Kai…?!"

Yes. The man standing before him was none other than Kai.

Kai had been watching from the moment Koby had shouted at Luffy to stop. He had come immediately—but had chosen to observe first.

He wanted to see just how low Koby would sink.

And the result? Exactly as expected.

Some people were simply born weak. No matter how much they tried to change, they would always revert to their nature. And now, it was time to put an end to it.

As Kai stepped forward, his presence was finally noticed by the two fighters.

Luffy's face lit up. "Kai!"

Purple Rat, on the other hand, stiffened—his face drained of color. "D-Demon King Kai…!!"

Fear flickered in his eyes. Pure, unfiltered fear.

The last time he had encountered Kai, he had been completely outmatched—humiliated. Worse, he still hadn't recovered from those injuries.

But what haunted him the most…

Kai had tanked attacks from two Conqueror's Spear strikes without even flinching.

Purple Rat had felt the force behind that technique himself—and had been shaken to his core.

And now, the man who had effortlessly withstood such power was standing before him.

This was bad.

Kai turned his gaze toward Luffy, his lips curling into a small smile. "Luffy, you good to handle this CP0 guy?"

Luffy cracked his knuckles. "No problem. I'll send him flying!"

Kai nodded. "Good. Then he's all yours."

Purple Rat's eyes widened in shock. Wait… what?!

Kai… wasn't going to step in?

At first, Purple Rat had assumed he was as good as dead. But now… there was hope!

If he only had to deal with Straw Hat, then maybe—just maybe—he could still turn this fight around.

A sinister grin spread across his face. His fear turned into murderous intent.

He couldn't be sure if Kai would spare him after this battle, so he had to make his move now. Even if it cost him his life, he had to at least take Luffy down first!

"Straw Hat!!" He roared, charging forward.

And once again, the two fighters clashed.

Kai, meanwhile, didn't even glance their way. He knew Luffy—knew exactly how he fought. Even injured, Luffy wouldn't lose here.

Purple Rat was strong, yes. But not strong enough.

Kai could tell just by looking at him—he was still hurt from their last battle. Even if he had once been as powerful as an admiral, right now, he was barely holding onto the strength of a vice admiral at best.

This fight was already decided.

Shaking off those thoughts, Kai refocused his attention on Koby.

The boy was still sitting on the ground, trembling under his gaze.

Kai's expression was unreadable as he spoke, his voice calm—yet carrying the weight of an executioner's sentence.

"Koby, since we go way back… I'll give you a choice."

"Tell me—how do you want to die?"

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sometimes it says purple rat is marine and sometimes it says cp0 so if he is mentioned any further it will be cp0