Chapter 36 — Join the Evolution of Layer Stacking
Sengoku!
That damned old man!
Peach Rabbit gripped the hilt of the Famous Blade Konpira so tightly that her knuckles turned white from the pressure.
At last, she understood.
At last, she realized the true meaning behind Sengoku's so-called "necessary sacrifice" before she departed!
What negotiation?!
What Shichibukai invitation?!
That old bastard was planning from the start—
To send her here…
To "serve" this perverted monster!
Using her body in exchange for "stability" in the New World!
Ridiculous!
Insane!!
"Marine Justice must never be defiled by someone like him!"
Peach Rabbit could no longer endure the humiliation.
She turned sharply, gripping her sword, forcing herself to leave this filthy place.
She would rather return and face military punishment than remain here for even a single second!
But—
Just as she turned around—
A black shadow appeared before her as if teleporting, silently blocking her path.
It was Akira.
Still shirtless, wearing nothing but loose shorts.
His three-meter-tall body stood like a tower of steel, completely sealing the villa's exit.
Peach Rabbit's steps froze instantly.
Her phoenix-like eyes lifted coldly, burning with fury.
"Move."
Akira lazily scratched his ear.
His deep gaze swept over the tense Vice Admiral from top to bottom, paired with a playful smile.
"What I want to do?"
He chuckled softly.
"You've been standing guard out here for a whole day and night."
"Listening to my 'training' for free."
He pointed casually toward the bedroom.
"And now, you barge in and interrupt my morning training."
"Then you want to leave without saying a word."
"You think…"
"That's acceptable?"
"You!!"
Peach Rabbit trembled with rage.
"You shameless bastard!!"
"The Marines will never cooperate with someone like you!"
"Not cooperate?"
Akira laughed.
His gaze swept over her figure again, brazen and unrestrained.
"Then why did the Marines send you?"
"To observe the results of my training?"
"Enough."
His smile slowly faded.
A terrifying, Emperor-class pressure spread through the air.
"You people want to recruit me."
"To make me a Shichibukai, isn't that right?"
Peach Rabbit's breath caught.
Her shock was indescribable.
How… how did he know?!
That information was classified at the highest level of the Marines!
"Working with me comes with many benefits."
Akira acted as though her shock was irrelevant.
He looked at her like she was merchandise to be evaluated.
"At the very least…"
"You'll see your power level rise quickly."
"!!!"
Power level rise quickly—
Those words were the final spark that detonated the barrel of gunpowder inside her chest!
Rapid growth.
Combined with "training."
Combined with Sengoku's phrase "necessary sacrifice."
Combined with those three absurd women lying in the bedroom—
"YOU BASTARD!!!"
Peach Rabbit's rationality snapped cleanly in half!
She could no longer tolerate this humiliation that mixed "justice" with depravity!
Clang!!
The Famous Blade Konpira was drawn in one explosive motion!
"You want to drag me…"
Her beautiful face flushed with fury.
"Into that ridiculous training of yours?!"
"Oh?"
Akira raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, continuing to provoke her further.
"What's wrong?"
"You want to try it too?"
"The sensation of rising in power quickly…"
Akira grinned, baring bright, sharp teeth.
"It's addictive."
"YOU'RE DEAD!!"
Peach Rabbit erupted completely!
She channeled all of her Haki into Konpira.
"Flying Peach!!!"
A razor-sharp slash tore through the air, aimed straight at Akira's neck!
She wanted to kill the man who insulted her and the honor of the Marines!
But—
Ding.
A clear sound rang out, like metal tapping diamond.
The slash—
A slash that should have never failed—
Stopped.
Suspended in midair.
At some point, Akira had already raised his hand.
He used only two fingers.
Casually.
Right in front of Peach Rabbit's stunned eyes—
He pinched the blade of Konpira between them!
"…"
Peach Rabbit froze.
Her mind went blank.
"He… he…"
"With only two fingers…"
"He stopped my slash…?!"
"Tsk."
Akira clicked his tongue, dissatisfied.
He glanced at the scratch on the villa wall.
"Fighting inside the house?"
"If you break the furniture, are you going to pay for it?"
He released the blade from his fingers.
"If you want to fight, we're doing it outside."
"…"
Peach Rabbit sheathed her sword stiffly.
Her hand trembled uncontrollably around the hilt.
Shock had drowned out her anger.
"So strong…"
But she didn't back down.
She had to test for herself the power of this Emperor-class monster.
She had to land at least one hit on this shameless man!
"Fine."
She snorted coldly and walked outside first.
…
Outside the villa.
In a shattered district where mansions once stood proudly, now nothing but rubble remained.
Akira stood relaxed in the open ruins, shirtless, barefoot, wind brushing through his black hair.
Peach Rabbit faced him, gripping her sword with both hands, entering the stance of a top-tier swordsman.
Her gaze was deadly serious.
"You're fighting me like that?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"No weapon?"
"You look down on me?"
"I won't hold back!"
"Haaah—"
Akira yawned widely.
"If you want to fight, then fight. You talk too much."
He pointed lazily at her.
"But I'll set one condition."
"If you lose…"
His lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"You'll stay here."
"To accompany my 'training.'"
"You!!"
Peach Rabbit trembled all over again, overwhelmed with rage!
Even now, he was thinking such indecent nonsense!
"Of course," Akira added one more irresistible hook.
"In return…"
"I might consider your Shichibukai invitation."
"And here in Dressrosa…"
"I could provide the Marines with certain… conveniences."
"…!"
Peach Rabbit stiffened.
She understood.
This was the real purpose.
He wasn't insulting her.
He was—
Negotiating.
Using a duel to determine the entire outcome of the Shichibukai deal.
"You filthy bastard!!"
Peach Rabbit exploded with fury!
She channeled every bit of her strength, Haki, and pride into a single slash!
"Justice…"
"WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU!!!"
Boom!!!
Peach Rabbit vanished.
Her speed peaked instantly as she thrust directly toward Akira's heart!
The full power of a Vice Admiral— unleashed!
But—
Akira didn't even bother to look at the sword.
He stayed barehanded.
He ignored the blade's tip entirely.
And threw a single straight punch—
Aimed directly at Konpira.
BOOOOM!!!
Fist met blade.
There was no contest.
Peach Rabbit felt the most terrifying force she had ever known—
Surge up through her sword!
Crack!!
Her prized Busoshoku Haki shattered like paper!
BANG!!!
Konpira screeched under the overwhelming pressure!
Peach Rabbit was blown away as if struck by a freight train!
Gah—!!
Blood burst from her lips!
She shot through the air like a fired cannonball—
RUMBLE!!!
Slamming into the rubble a hundred meters away, buried under dust!
"Hah… ah…"
She vomited a second mouthful of blood.
Barely managing to prop herself up with her cracked sword.
"H-how… how is this possible…?!"
Her eyes trembled in disbelief.
"So strong!!"
"That punch…"
"It completely surpasses Admiral level!!!"
Just as she tried to stand—
Whoosh.
A shadow flickered before her like a specter.
"?!"
Peach Rabbit's pupils shrank.
Before she could react—
A massive, iron-like hand—
Clamped around her slender neck!
She was lifted off the ground!
"Kh—!"
Her legs kicked weakly.
Her breath vanished in an instant.
Her eyes widened, filled only with fear.
"I…"
"I can't even…"
"Withstand a single hit…?!"
Peach Rabbit fell into utter despair.
"Akira's strength…"
"It's far beyond what the intelligence reports claimed…"
"Sengoku…"
"You damned old man…"
"You sent me to die…!!"
Akira held her effortlessly by the neck.
He glanced at Konpira, fallen and cracked on the ground.
Then snorted mockingly.
"In this era…"
"You're still using a pathetic sword like that."
He leaned close to her ear.
His voice low, sinful, irresistible.
"Come, Peach Rabbit."
"Join me in the evolution of layer stacking."
Akira's whisper was laced with wicked temptation.
"Soon."
"You won't be using a Famous Blade anymore."
"I might even give you one of the Supreme Grade Blades."
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