Although Rin was young, he carried himself with an air of experience far beyond his years.
Yet compared to another teenager, who appeared to be around the same age as Rin, no one expected him to be just as powerful. It was rare enough for someone like Rin to exist—most thought it impossible for a second one to appear in the same place.
Almost immediately, a burly man charged at the unknown teenager, believing him to be an easy target.
"Me!"
The teenager roared, his voice filled with raw aggression. He clenched his fists, and what happened next made Rin's eyes widen in shock.
From his wrists down, the boy's fists turned completely black—a deep, metallic sheen coating his skin. The unmistakable color of Busoshoku Haki.
With a single, devastating punch, he struck his attacker square in the face.
A sickening crack echoed through the arena as the man was launched into the air. His teeth shattered, flying from his mouth like scattered pebbles, and his unconscious body crashed onto the blood-soaked floor.
"This is… Haki?!"
Rin's mind reeled. In the East Blue, knowledge of Haki was almost nonexistent. The overwhelming majority of people—at least 99%—had never even heard of it, let alone wielded it in battle.
"Could he be from the Grand Line?" Rin pondered.
It would explain a lot. In the Grand Line, and especially in the New World, Haki was commonplace among strong fighters. But here? It was a rarity. No matter the case, Rin had already decided.
"I have to learn Haki from him."
The difference between those who could use Haki and those who couldn't was like the gap between heaven and earth. If Rin wanted to truly dominate in battle, he had no choice but to obtain this power.
For now, he set those thoughts aside.
The battle continued.
When the other fighters saw that this mysterious boy was just as formidable as Rin, they were at a loss. How could two young warriors be so powerful?!
With no other options, the remaining combatants searched for easier prey.
The sounds of clashing steel, bone-crunching blows, and death cries filled the air as the second match continued. The battlefield, which had been wiped clean before the round, was once again painted red with fresh blood.
Unsurprisingly, Rin advanced.
The third round began soon after. By now, the surviving fighters had learned their lesson—none dared to provoke Rin. He advanced again.
Then came the fourth match. This time, there was no avoiding battle.
Only two fighters could advance from this round.
Four warriors remained—Rin, the Haki-wielding teenager, and two others.
Rin immediately selected his opponent.
His choice? A massive man, comparable in size to Gecko Moria, though nowhere near as powerful. The brute's name was Kelly, and Rin had been observing him closely.
Few of the remaining fighters were weak, but Kelly stood out. He had immense brute strength, yet he lacked technique, speed, and adaptability. Even so, raw power alone had carried him this far.
BOOM.
Rin unsheathed the Thunder Calamity Blade, its edge gleaming ominously. He pointed the tip at Kelly.
"Let's end this. You win, you advance. You lose, you die." Rin's voice was calm, yet absolute.
Kelly bared his teeth in a wicked grin. "Fine by me."
Without hesitation, Kelly roared and charged forward, his right fist barreling toward Rin like a cannonball.
"Kami-e."
Rin's body suddenly drifted like a piece of paper in the wind, narrowly avoiding the blow. The sheer force of Kelly's punch sent a deafening shockwave through the air, but Rin had already shifted positions.
Kelly, enraged, swung again. Then again. And again.
Each strike missed.
Rin was reading the flow of air, predicting every attack.
As Rin effortlessly dodged, the other two fighters engaged in their own battle.
Kelly, breathing heavily, let out a furious roar. He swung his full strength at Rin one last time.
Rin moved.
His body arched like a predator ready to pounce, his sharp eyes locking onto his prey.
"Shave."
With explosive speed, Rin closed the distance in an instant.
SLASH!
A terrifying purple-black aura coated his blade as it sliced through the air.
The ghostly energy surrounding the Thunder Calamity Blade surged forward, cutting deep into Kelly's chest.
A fountain of blood erupted from the wound.
Kelly stumbled back, eyes wide in disbelief. A deep, gruesome gash had been carved into his torso, yet he remained standing.
"Impressive," Rin muttered. "You survived that?"
The Thunder Calamity Blade's sharpness and the sheer destructive power of the Ghostly Slash should have been enough to end Kelly instantly. Yet he still stood.
But not for long.
Rin wasn't done yet.