Because the axe and hammer in Eli's hands are powerful weapons, he believes that if they strike someone directly, they could kill instantly.
Although Caesar is well-known, he still remains composed in the face of this deadly weapon. Isn't he being too dismissive?
Eli, with a hint of emotion, said, "In that case, I won't hold back. If you get hurt, don't blame me."
With that, Eli swung his hammer, aiming for Caesar's shoulder.
The fact that he used a hammer instead of the axe and struck the shoulder instead of the head showed that he was holding back.
Caesar estimated that the hammer in Eli's hand weighed several dozen catties (around 30–50 kg) and was unbalanced in weight distribution. Being able to wield such a weapon flexibly showed that Eli possessed considerable strength.
Moreover, Eli's swing was so fast that it faintly produced a slashing sound in the air.
Maybe, if he were stronger, he could use an axe to generate a flying slash or even create a shockwave with the hammer...
Caesar took a half-step back, effortlessly avoiding the strike, and said, "Not bad. Try again."
Eli was stunned but quickly recovered. With a slight pull of his arm, he redirected the hammer toward Caesar's chest while simultaneously swinging the axe toward Caesar's neck.
Caesar was slightly surprised by Eli's ability to use two heavy weapons simultaneously.
Ordinarily, wielding power-based weapons creates significant inertia, affecting the user's balance. Yet, Eli controlled both with ease, proving that his strength was impressive.
Though he couldn't compare to the truly powerful pirates, his potential was considerable.
At the moment, he was merely a boatman who had little combat experience.
If he joins my crew, I'll have to train him, Caesar thought.
After all, he had personally trained everyone on his ship. That was why the overall combat ability of the Caesar Pirates was strong.
If Eli joined, given time, he might become a formidable fighter.
Caesar took another half-step back, dodging Eli's attack completely.
As Eli continued attacking, his movements became faster and more unpredictable, fully showcasing his strength.
Yet, Caesar avoided each strike effortlessly.
At this point, their sparring had drawn a crowd. People stood on both sides of the street, whispering.
"Isn't that Eli from our island? He's strong. He's beaten many pirates who tried to skip their debts before, right?"
"Then why can't he even graze the opponent's clothes? That young man fighting him—who is he?"
"He dodges every attack as if he already knows what's coming! He's clearly younger than Eli, so why is the gap so wide?"
"Wait… isn't he the captain of the Caesar Pirates? My god… he really is the man who fought against the Marine Hero Garp! But still, how can there be such a difference? It's like a grown man playing with a three-year-old!"
"And to think those pirates in the tavern were talking about defeating Caesar yesterday… Who could possibly take down a monster like him?"
Hearing the spectators' discussion, Eli clenched his teeth.
He shouted, "Captain Caesar, are you just going to dodge?!"
Caesar had been carefully observing Eli's movements and had roughly gauged his strength.
Eli was around the level of a Marine Commodore—strong, but too reliant on brute force. His fighting style lacked variation.
However, he met Caesar's standards.
Caesar also heard the boatmen and pirates murmuring around him.
If he beat Eli too easily, it would crush his pride.
So, he decided to show him some respect.
"Alright, I'll counterattack a little. Be careful," Caesar warned.
Eli's heart tightened. He immediately crossed his hammer and axe defensively, covering his vital points.
But Caesar didn't launch a fierce attack.
He simply extended his index finger—
—and tapped Eli's hammer.
Since Eli's hammer and axe overlapped in his defensive stance, they were both affected.
The instant Caesar's finger made contact, Eli instinctively tightened his grip, expecting a powerful impact.
Yet, despite his efforts, his arms couldn't withstand the force.
The hammer recoiled, slamming into the axe.
CLANG!
A crisp metallic sound echoed.
Then—
The axe struck Eli's own chest.
Eli was sent flying backward, skidding over ten meters along the ground.
But the truly shocking part was—
A finger-shaped dent had appeared on Eli's solid hammer.
Even the fingerprint marks were visible.
The pirates and boatmen watching were stunned.
"That's a solid metal hammer! But Caesar's finger actually left a mark on it!"
"He overpowered Eli's strength with just his finger?!"
"In his eyes… is a heavy hammer no different from soft clay?"
"If that finger had landed on someone's body…"
Eli, pale from the impact, was covered in scratches from being dragged across the ground.
But he couldn't even focus on his injuries.
He had been defeated in an instant.
His expression darkened. Slowly, he got up and muttered, "I overestimated myself… So this is the strength of the world's top pirates…"
"I thought I was strong because I've beaten some rookie pirates before… But today, I finally understand how vast the sea truly is."
Shaking his head in disappointment, Eli turned away, intending to leave.
Since I couldn't even withstand a single touch from Caesar, how could I possibly join his crew?
Better to leave with dignity than suffer humiliation.
Caesar, however, was dumbfounded.
"Wait, what's happening? Didn't he tell me to fight back? Why is he leaving now?"
"Didn't he want to be a pirate?"
"Is he giving up just because he lost badly?"
[PS: The next major plotline is coming soon—yes, it involves Devil Fruits! Let me know your thoughts in the comments!]
[Chapter 105: Searching for the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia]
"Stop."
Caesar called out.
"Didn't you want to be a pirate? Why are you backing down after a minor setback?"
"Are you a man or not? There are countless strong people on the sea. Losing isn't shameful. You're young—you can still improve."
Eli froze, then turned around in confusion.
"Wait… Are you saying I passed?"
"Of course. What made you think otherwise?" Caesar asked, bewildered.
"I—I thought I wasn't qualified to join your crew since I'm so weak… I thought I'd only slow you down, so…"
Eli's voice choked up as his eyes reddened. The disappointment that had weighed on him moments ago turned into overwhelming joy.
Only someone who had lost something and then regained it could feel this deeply.
Caesar sighed.
"Did you really think everyone in my crew is as strong as me?"
"If that were true, then what would the Marines be doing? They'd have retired and started selling sweet potatoes by now!"
"Even among the entire world, very few people are on my level."
"Strength is important, but so is potential. You have both."
Eli, finally understanding, nodded vigorously.
He had joined the Caesar Pirates.
One of the most feared crews on the sea—
A crew that even Monkey D. Garp couldn't easily suppress!
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