"Chris, you're just gonna let them go at it like that?"
Sweetheart Queen glanced back, a flicker of concern on her pretty face.
Betty replied coolly,
"What's there to stop? This day was bound to come. Not surprising at all."
Baccarat gave a soft shake of her head, smiling bitterly.
"I'm not fond of all this fighting either, but with our ship's rules… stuff like this is inevitable."
Chris stared straight ahead, voice calm and steady.
"Survival of the fittest. The weak have no say."
Soon enough, the crew returned to the Chris, their ship, and set sail into deeper waters.
"Captain! Find an uninhabited island—I need space to go all out!"
Burgess grinned with full confidence as he looked at Chris.
Even Doc Q, normally deadpan, showed a rare glint of excitement.
"Finally... it's happening. I've been waiting for this."
Lafitte spun his cane with elegance, his tone polite as ever.
"Captain, since Burgess wishes to challenge me, I'll accept."
"As for the Vice-Captain's spot... I don't intend to let anyone else have it."
Chris nodded, offering a cold warning:
"You can fight. Just don't go too far."
"If anyone gets carried away… I'll kill them myself."
Without another glance, he turned and walked toward the training room.
Sweetheart Queen rolled her eyes.
"I seriously don't get it. Why do you guys love fighting so much? Hmph!"
Baccarat waved her hand gently with a smile,
"Come on, let's go watch Chris train. Let the boys brawl all they want."
The three beauties continued their cheerful chatter and followed Chris.
"Lafitte, heads-up—I'm a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user. Soundwave Fruit."
"My mouth can fire laser blasts."
Burgess shrugged, his grin full of challenge.
"If you're not confident, you might as well give up now."
"'Cause if I do mess you up too bad, the Captain's gonna slice me in half."
Doc Q, serious for once, nodded slowly.
"He's not joking. Captain's not exactly the forgiving type."
"If you cripple Lafitte, you'll be six feet under by this time next year."
Lafitte adjusted his top hat, responding gracefully:
"Don't worry. I'm not as weak as you think."
"And I'll be careful—I won't hurt you too badly."
Inside the training room.
Sweetheart Queen sat on a chair, humming with a smile.
"Who do you guys think will win?"
Betty lit a cigarette and replied flatly,
"Burgess. No contest."
"That guy's Devil Fruit ability is crazy powerful. No way he loses."
Baccarat looked at them and smiled gently.
"Why are we guessing? Just ask Chris. He always knows."
Sweetheart Queen giggled, nodding.
"True. Let's let the Captain weigh in."
"Chris~ Tell us: who's stronger, Lafitte or Burgess?"
The three looked expectantly at the man ahead, awaiting his answer.
Chris didn't pause for a second. Swinging his crimson blade, he replied:
"Lafitte."
The room froze.
The three beauties exchanged stunned looks.
"What did he just say?"
Sweetheart Queen blinked, disbelief in her voice.
"He said Lafitte is stronger? Did I hear that right?"
Betty blew out smoke, frowning.
"How can that be? No way."
"That guy looks like a stage actor. Pale as snow. Total pretty-boy."
"How the hell is he beating Burgess?"
Baccarat shook her head and chuckled softly.
"We won't get a clear answer from Chris. Might as well stop asking."
Chris didn't explain. He simply kept swinging his blade and gave a short reply:
"You'll see when they fight."
Lafitte is a hidden powerhouse.
At the Warlord meeting—he marched right into Navy HQ.
At Impel Down—he hypnotized the guards and opened the Gates of Justice.
When Blackbeard fought Ace—he dodged Ace's flames effortlessly.
Too many signs prove it:
This guy's strength is no joke.
The women exchanged another look. They knew Chris well.
When he said something, he meant it. No point pressing.
"Alright, I'll see it for myself soon enough."
Sweetheart Queen still seemed skeptical.
"Burgess losing? Can't wrap my head around it."
Betty took another drag.
"If Chris says it, then Lafitte wins. No doubt."
"But yeah… I'm curious too. Should be fun to watch."
Baccarat playfully rolled her eyes.
"You two are hopeless."
"Getting all hyped up like schoolgirls over a brawl."
"We're ladies. Let's not get dragged into their drama."
Sweetheart Queen patted her shoulder, grinning.
"We're just bored! Gotta find some fun somehow~"
Three hours later.
"There! I see it! Island dead ahead!"
"Uninhabited island spotted! At ten o'clock—get ready!!"
The lookout was clearly way too excited, yelling with everything he had.
Even sounded like he was gonna pass out from how loud he was shouting
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T/N:
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