Chapter 70: The Strongest Illusion of Six Styles - Iron Body!

As the competition reached its climax, the Pirates grew increasingly frenzied, shouting themselves hoarse with veins bulging from their necks.

"Go, Lord Babanuki!"

"Finish him!"

"Raaaah!!!"

Babanuki roared as he slapped his opponent across the face with tremendous force, sending them flying out of the ring.

"Babanuki, Win!"

"Thirty consecutive victories!"

"Hahahaha!"

Babanuki laughed heartily while raising his arms to showcase his strength to the audience, feeling unprecedentedly exhilarated.

Amidst the wild cheers, Babanuki stepped down from the ring.

Thirty consecutive wins meant he had earned the right to challenge—now he only needed to wait for the final challenge round!

As time passed, more and more Headliners achieved this honor, each becoming the center of attention among the Pirates.

The Headliners savored this moment. Even if they were defeated by the Flying Six later, they considered it worthwhile.

Under normal circumstances, challenging the Flying Six would likely end with them becoming stepping stones and objects of ridicule.

But now, on this grand stage watched by all, they had fully displayed their strength, gaining not just wealth but something even more valuable—honor!

Wealth, status, and fame!

The three great pursuits of Pirates.

All thanks to Lord Gurd's benevolence!

Third floor, stage.

The Flying Six watched the matches below with increasingly grave expressions. This challenge was proving more formidable than they had anticipated.

They might have to face more than one challenger each, and without using their abilities, holding their ground wouldn't be easy.

Gurd glanced at Page One.

"What, scared?"

"Of course not!"

Page One lifted his chin proudly.

After six months of expeditions, he had made a name for himself in the outside world, with a bounty exceeding 100 million Berries .

A small scene like this? He... he wasn't scared at all!

Page One subconsciously touched his face.

Among the Flying Six, he was the youngest—just turning 16 after the Fire Festival—and also the smallest in stature.

Judging by size alone, he did seem like the easiest target. If all the Headliners challenged him, it might indeed be... a minor inconvenience!

Yes, just a minor one!

"Good."

Gurd chuckled.

He wasn't trying to set up Page One—he simply wanted to save time. If the Headliners challenged them one by one, the fights would drag on until morning.

Turning the annual grand banquet into a never-ending duel would ruin the festive mood. He wanted to relax and enjoy himself too.

The slap competition was perfect—fast-paced, highly entertaining, and inclusive for all members of the Beasts Pirates, boosting their morale.

"About time."

Gurd looked down.

With the Headliners joining in, the competition was nearing its end. Fewer Pirates were stepping up to the rings—it was time to call it.

10:00 sharp.

"Boom!!!"

With the strike of the gong, the qualifiers came to a temporary close. Over thirty Headliners had earned the right to challenge.

"Our turn now!"

Gurd leaped down from the stage onto one of the rings. Who's Who and the others followed suit, each choosing a ring.

Ulti stood on the ring closest to Gurd, putting on a frightened act: "Gur-chan, I'm so scared~ What if my pretty face gets hurt, wah~?"

"Ulti, you know me."

Gurd sighed, his lips curling into a smirk.

"I love watching women fight!"

"You damn gorilla!"

Ulti flew into a rage upon hearing this. She leaped straight to Gurd, grabbing him by the neck and shaking him violently. "At a time like this, you should be considerate and say you'll take care of me instead!"

"Take care of you?"

Gurd looked down at Ulti with disdain, then pulled out a thick stack of Berries from his pocket.

Ulti's expression instantly changed. She snatched the money in a flash, stuffing it into her skirt before tenderly smoothing out Gurd's collar.

"Aww~ Gu-chan, I knew you loved me the most!"

"Get back."

Gurd snapped impatiently.

Hmph. Spoiled brat.

At best, you're just my concubine.

"Gu-chan, I'll take my leave now~"

Ulti beamed, skipping back to her own arena.

She made some money—happy!

Though she was strong, her pockets weren't exactly deep. Like this expedition, she only got a few million Berries after the split—too many people in the crew, and everyone needed their share.

Besides, she was a fashionable girl. Expenses couldn't be cut—designer clothes, bags, makeup, everything cost money.

Gu-chan was her true love!

The Flying Six were all in position, but something strange happened—Gurd's arena had no challengers at all.

Ulti and Black Maria split the female Headliners between them, while Sasaki's challengers were few. Even Page One, who seemed the easiest to bully, only had four challengers.

As for Who's Who's arena…

The Headliners lined up around the platform, fists clenched, ready to go, glaring at Who's Who with vicious expressions.

"Sorry, Who's Who-sama!"

"You bastards!"

Who's Who's face darkened, veins bulging in fury.

Damn it, they're all targeting me!

The Headliners grinned savagely.

Soft targets first.

Who's Who was covered in bandages, his face swollen and twisted—clearly injured. Who else would they pick?

They sneaked glances at Gurd, their murderous glints immediately softening, replaced with deep respect.

Many of them had originally planned to challenge Gurd—among the Flying Six, his strength was the most enigmatic, and he had no bounty.

But Gurd-sama had given them the perfect stage to prove themselves. They owed him for that—plus, Gurd-sama was loaded!

"Let me go first!"

Babanuki was the first to step up!

He knew full well that being first wasn't the smartest move, but there were perks—the first one up was definitely the flashiest.

He didn't expect to join the Flying Six.

Getting attention was his goal!

As long as he didn't completely embarrass himself, his mission would be accomplished—he needed to make a good impression on the higher-ups!

Especially in front of that man!

Third floor.

Queen perked up when he saw Babanuki take the stage, grabbing a megaphone and roaring toward the arena.

"Babanuki, take Who's Who down!"

"Yes, Queen-sama!"

Babanuki shouted back.

Meanwhile, the surrounding Pirates began cheering, especially the jailers from the Prisoner Quarry.

"Go, Babanuki-sama!"

"Show the Flying Six what you've got!"

"Don't let them look down on the Prisoner Quarry!"

As the lowest tier of the Beasts, they wanted nothing more than to see the Flying Six brought down—it gave them the delusion that "I could do that too."

"Draw lots!"

Babanuki looked at the first-move slip, a pleased expression appearing on his honest face as he said solemnly, "My apologies, Who's Who-sama."

"Just get on with it!"

Who's Who snorted coldly, keeping his hands in his pockets as he stood in place. In this duel, if he moved even an inch, he would consider himself defeated!

Babanuki extended his palm, bringing it close to Who's Who's right cheek, then pulling it away, before bringing it close again to his right cheek.

He repeated this motion three times.

"Ooooh!!!"

Babanuki roared as he gathered his strength, his entire body's muscles swelling explosively. His already massive arms nearly doubled in size.

Conqueror Haki condensed in his palm!

Who's Who's expression gradually changed, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

This is bad!

"Warden's Judgement - Big Slap!"

"Iron Body!"

"SMACK!!!"

A palm larger than a dinner plate struck Who's Who's left cheek. As his facial skin trembled violently, a molar flew out of his mouth.

The Iron Body was about to break!

(End of Chapter)