One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

After the gunshot rang out, the anticipated scene didn't unfold.

The bullet, aimed at a critical spot, was blocked by Robbie using Iron Body, one of the Navy's Six Powers techniques.

"Iron Body, huh…"

Maude's eyes flickered. He swiftly holstered the flintlock pistol and stepped back to create some distance.

To react with Iron Body in a split second despite being momentarily distracted—this guy's skills weren't to be underestimated.

Maude had no intention of engaging in a prolonged fight; his priority was to get to the pig farm as soon as possible.

Realizing he'd almost fallen for Maude's ploy, Robbie cursed angrily.

"Damn you!"

Without hesitation, he chased after Maude.

Even without the gunshot incident, Robbie had no intention of letting Maude and Sunny escape. He was so fixated on them that he didn't even bother pursuing the pirates who had slipped past him earlier.

Shave.

Robbie stamped on the ground, his figure vanishing in an instant.

The next moment, he reappeared dozens of meters ahead, easily intercepting Maude.

"Did you really think you could run away from me after seeing my strength? And carrying a woman on your back, no less. Should I call you naïve or just plain foolish?"

Maude didn't reply. He drew a second flintlock pistol and fired straight at Robbie.

But Robbie sidestepped effortlessly, dodging the bullet, and sneered, "Pointless."

Maude remained silent.

He knew firearms wouldn't pose a threat to a Navy officer proficient in the Six Powers. Quietly, he put the pistol away.

Moreover, carrying Sunny on his back made it clear that he couldn't outrun someone skilled in the Six Powers.

If that's the case...

Resolving himself, Maude set Sunny down gently.

He didn't explain, and Sunny didn't ask.

In the silent exchange, they understood each other perfectly.

Once freed from Maude's back, Sunny sat quietly on the ground, gripping a flintlock pistol adorned with intricate patterns in her right hand.

During the process of setting Sunny down, Robbie simply watched in silence, making no hostile moves.

He could have launched two Tempest Kick attacks at Maude during the chase earlier.

But he hadn't. Instead, he chose to intercept Maude directly.

As for why—it wasn't something worth boasting about.

A brief silence settled over the scene.

Maude moved to the side, addressing Robbie as he walked.

"You're impressive."

Robbie, aware that Maude was shifting positions to avoid collateral damage to the injured Sunny, didn't mind and even cooperated, moving aside as well.

Maude noticed this and a flicker of intrigue passed through his eyes before he offered a subtle compliment.

"With someone as strong as you, it's hard to imagine another officer in the entire West Blue Navy branch who could compare."

"..."

The flattery was pleasant to hear, but Robbie couldn't help but grow more cautious of Maude.

After their earlier exchange, Robbie suspected that this man was full of tricks.

Maude sighed. "Running into a Navy officer as formidable as you—well, I guess it's just our bad luck."

"Don't think that sweet-talking me will make me show mercy."

Robbie sneered, preparing to strike as they walked.

"No, you misunderstand. I'm just stating the facts."

After walking a bit further, Maude stopped and raised his blade, holding it across his body. He gazed at Robbie with a serious expression.

"I know our fate is sealed today. But before I die, can I at least know your name? So I won't die without even knowing the name of the man who defeated me."

"Oh? Looks like you've come to terms with your fate."

Robbie raised an eyebrow, seeing no harm in answering.

"Harold Robbie. Remember the name of the man who's about to make you his defeated opponent!"

"Harold Robbie, huh…"

Maude's face remained expressionless as he said, "I'll remember it."

Before his voice had fully faded, Maude launched an attack, charging at Robbie with his blade.

The urgency of the situation left him no time to waste. Lingering here would only put more pressure on Sol.

Seeing Maude daring to take the initiative, Robbie's eyes lit up with battle spirit.

After cutting through a swath of insignificant pirates earlier, he had been bored. Now, finally, a worthy opponent had appeared.

As Maude closed in, Robbie unleashed a Tempest Kick slash wave with a swift kick.

Maude didn't slow down. He raised his blade and sliced through the incoming Tempest Kick attack.

But before Maude could reset his stance, Robbie appeared in front of him in an instant, using Shave to close the distance.

The Tempest Kick had been a feint. The true threat was Robbie's signature move: Finger Pistol.

Double Finger Pistol.

With his index and middle fingers pressed together, Robbie thrust at Maude's chest.

Yet Maude remained calm under pressure. Instead of forcing himself to counter mid-strike, he stepped back, creating the space he needed to reset his stance.

In a fluid motion, Maude flipped his wrist, letting the blade fall and arc downward, aiming at Robbie's outstretched arm.

Robbie's eyes narrowed. He wasn't about to sacrifice an arm to land his Finger Pistol.

Immediately, he halted his advance and pulled back his arm.

As their movements countered each other, the gleaming blade passed harmlessly between them.

The exchange didn't stop there.

Maude halted the downward slash, planting his heel firmly to steady himself. He then redirected his blade upward, aiming for Robbie's chin.

"This guy…"

Robbie's expression shifted as he bent backward to avoid the upward strike.

Shhhk—

A fine red line appeared on Robbie's chin as the blade narrowly missed.

Using the momentum of his dodge, Robbie fell backward, kicking at Maude's weapon hand with a sudden, sharp strike.

The kick was so well-timed and precise that it could have crippled Maude's right hand if it landed.

But Maude, as if anticipating this, released the hilt of his blade, letting it fly upward from the residual force of his attack.

At the same time, his palm darkened with Armament Haki, and he grabbed Robby's foot mid-strike.

Maude intended to crush Robbie's foot, but Robbie twisted his waist, using the torque to spin his body. His free leg whipped out, kicking Maude's grip loose.

Using his hands on the ground to push off, Robbie flipped backward into a crouched position, stabilizing himself in a smooth, almost theatrical motion.

When he looked up, the first thing he saw was the barrel of a pistol aimed right at him.

"What—?!"

Robbie's heart skipped a beat.

Maude, gripping the handle of Usopp, had already pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Flames erupted from the muzzle as the bullet shot through the smoke, heading straight for Robbie's face.

Iron Body!

At the last moment, Robbie activated Iron Body, using his forehead to block the bullet.

However, the close range made it impossible to mitigate the bullet's impact entirely.

The force jolted his head back, leaving him momentarily stunned.

In the brief opening, Maude caught the falling blade of Chidori and stepped forward, slashing downward with decisive force.

Though dazed, Robbie's reflexes as a seasoned officer kicked in. He pushed off the ground with both legs, leaping backward like a frog to avoid the strike and simultaneously creating distance.

Maude stared, bewildered by the unexpected maneuver.

"...A frog?"

"..."

Robbie, flushed with embarrassment, glared back at Maude.

This guy...

In just a few months, he's already grown this strong?

After their clash, Robbie realized Maude's strength far exceeded his expectations.

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