Night fell over the Grand Line, the moonlight cold and clear—
yet it couldn't cool the blazing excitement on the deck of the Oro Jackson.
Bonfires crackled, their warm glow lighting up every face. After surviving such a brutal battle, no one felt tired. If anything, everyone was even more fired up.
Miller Pine was hugging a barrel of rum and belting out some completely off-key sea shanty.
Spencer had abandoned all noble restraint and was arguing heatedly with Brumarin about which cannon shot during the battle had the most "elegant trajectory."
Rayleigh leaned against the mast with a drink in hand, quietly smiling at the chaos.
"Kuhahaha! This is what being a pirate is all about!" Roger roared after chugging his drink.
"Getting chased by the Marines, then leaving them in the dust—feels amazing!"
The Oro Jackson itself felt like magic—its wide deck and solid hull made everyone feel safe, free, and limitless.
Kyle sat on a stack of crates, sipping orange juice, watching it all.
He'd burned through most of his stamina during their escape, but wrapped in this atmosphere, even exhaustion faded away.
"Hey, Kyle."
Gaban strode over, shirtless, his bronze skin gleaming in the firelight. His twin axes rested on his shoulders, eyes burning with excitement.
"Drinking and singing is boring. With a deck this big… how about we stretch our muscles?"
Every voice went silent.
A showdown between two core members of the crew?
This was prime entertainment.
"Ohhh, here we go!" Nozdon bounced with excitement.
"Gaban is crazy strong!" Punklo muttered nervously.
Roger jumped up on a barrel. "Do it! Let me see how much you've both grown!"
Too hot to handle, Gaban-san!
Kyle set down his drink and picked up his naginata.
"You asked for it, you lunatic."
The crew formed a ring around them.
Bets were placed.
Shouts filled the air.
Gaban crossed his axes, calm and ready.
Kyle planted the tip of his blade on the deck, waves of invisible vibration spreading outward.
Devil Fruit plus Observation Haki. I see everything.
Gaban moved first—zigzagging unpredictably.
Kyle fired a shockwave punch.
Gaban split it cleanly in half with his axe.
"Too slow!"
A black flash came down at Kyle's head.
Kyle slid back with a blast from his feet.
"Mirage Light!"
Three Kyles appeared.
Gaban ignored two and struck the real one.
Kyle countered with a rainbow slash.
The clash lit the deck in sparks and color.
Cheers exploded.
But Gaban pressed harder—axes whirling like a storm.
Kyle was forced on the defensive.
Then—
"Echo Reversal!"
Sound itself turned against Gaban's senses.
Kyle launched a lightning spear.
Gaban bit down, forcing himself through the confusion—and shoulder-checked straight into it.
Kyle went flying.
Gaban was burned.
They both stood, breathing hard.
Gaban laughed and offered a hand.
Kyle took it, grimacing.
Roger wrapped an arm around both of them.
"Both monsters. Drink up!"
The party roared back to life—louder than ever.
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