Chapter 19: Initiating the Challenge? Vivian vs. Dragon (Part 1)

At this moment, Buggy felt like he wanted to die.

He had come to Loguetown to seek revenge on the Straw Hat kid, but not only was he struck by lightning, now he was also handcuffed with Seastone while his body was split apart.

Half of his body was flying in the wind.

Glancing at the culprit who had handcuffed him, Buggy, whose face was swollen like a pig's head, couldn't help but shed a tear.

This marine kid…

He's a demon!

"Don't think that just because you've handcuffed me with Seastone, I'll submit. Once we get down, I, the great Captain Buggy, will make you kneel and repent."

"Quiet." Vivian frowned and punched Buggy's red nose again.

Splat!

Blood splattered once more.

Buggy covered his nose with his hands, veins bulging on his forehead.

But affected by the Seastone, his hands were powerless, so he could only endure it silently, cursing Vivian countless times in his heart.

Before long, the wind finally stopped.

When Vivian, riding on Buggy's back, landed safely, he realized that everyone who had been blown away by the sudden storm had been swept to the coast.

"Great, that silver-haired smoker didn't follow us. We should be able to escape!"

"Quick, grab two boats and set sail."

The pirates hiding in Loguetown shouted excitedly.

At the same time, Luffy, Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp, who had fallen to the edge of the town, also rushed towards the dock, trying to board the Merry before Smoker could catch up.

"Officer Vivian, what should we do now?"

Dozens of marines who had been blown to this area gathered around Vivian, drawing their swords and asking for instructions.

Hearing this, Vivian instinctively reached into his pocket for a cigarette.

"Uh…"

Soaked by the rain?

Forget it.

"Pirates, of course, need to be captured and imprisoned."

Vivian said, looking at the pirates seizing the boats. "Try to stall them until Captain Smoker arrives."

"Yes!"

"And you, Officer Vivian?" a marine asked.

"Me?"

Vivian looked at the Straw Hat crew at the dock and sneered, "Of course, I'm going to capture Monkey D. Luffy."

…

Capturing Luffy was out of the question. That would never happen unless he could punch Garp or kick down a Yonko. Only then might he consider it.

The reason he said that was to find an opportunity to stay away and avoid getting involved in more "choices."

Before long, his soldiers engaged the pirate lackeys.

Meanwhile, dragging the barely conscious Buggy, Vivian quickly ran towards the dock where the Merry was anchored.

As he ran, he glanced back a few times, seeing that the Buggy Pirates weren't coming to rescue their captain. Vivian planned to find a hidden spot to snipe from a distance, but then…

"Is your name Vivian?" A deep voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Completely unaware of this, Vivian suddenly pulled Buggy and rolled forward a short distance. Then, with his right hand on the hilt, he swiftly drew his sword and slashed forward.

Clang—!

The blade tore through the air, colliding violently with the opponent's hand, producing a piercing sound. Vivian's eyes widened in shock, his face showing extreme surprise.

"Dragon?!"

Yes, the tall man who suddenly appeared behind him and blocked his sword with two fingers was none other than Luffy's father, the current leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon.

At this moment, feeling the immense power between his fingers, Dragon's eyes also flashed with surprise. He then spoke, "Strange, when did the Navy produce such a young swordsman like you?"

And in a place like the Loguetown base in the East Blue…

Dragon couldn't understand.

Earlier, he had clearly seen Vivian using Thunder Breathing to take down several pirates in the alley from a high vantage point.

Because of this, when he saw Vivian suddenly running towards the dock, Dragon, worried that this kid might try to stop Luffy and his crew from setting sail, decided to intervene.

Vivian's right hand, gripping the sword, began to tremble uncontrollably. He glanced at the options that appeared in his vision:

[Option 1: Turn and run. (Reward: One random Devil Fruit from each of the three types)]

[Option 2: Stay and challenge Monkey D. Dragon. (Reward: +1 random skill experience)]

Vivian: ???

Are you kidding me?

I don't even know Haki yet, and you want me to fight a powerhouse like him? Isn't that just asking for a beating?

But…

Since it's a system-given option, it must be correct. {Just worship the last options}

Having verified countless results, Vivian took a few steps back and cut off Buggy's arm with a single slash.

"Ah!"

Buggy, who was already half a body, screamed in fright. But seeing that his severed arm wasn't bleeding, he breathed a sigh of relief.

That's the nature of Devil Fruits.

Seastone only drains the user's strength, preventing them from actively using their abilities, but it doesn't strip them of their powers.

So, even though his handcuffed right wrist was separated from his body, Buggy still felt extremely weak.

"Then, as the most notorious criminal in the world, let me, in the name of the Navy, challenge you." With Buggy's wrist handcuffed to his left hand, Vivian held his sword with both hands and spoke to Dragon.

[You chose Option 2, reward: +1 swordsmanship experience]

"Challenge me?" Hearing Vivian's words, Dragon couldn't help but laugh.

Ordinary marines or pirates, when they encounter him, are usually scared out of their wits. Not trembling in fear is already considered brave, let alone fighting him.

This was the first time he had seen a marine actively challenge him.

Is this what they call a fearless rookie?

He couldn't help but think of Luffy. That kid seemed to have the same fearless personality.

"Hoo~~"

Blood frantically absorbed oxygen, and steam-like gas escaped from Vivian's mouth.

The next second, his figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was already behind Dragon, raising his sword high and slashing towards the back of his neck.