Chapter 1212: What Did You Actually Learn These 2 Years? Feeble Old Man?

“Daifuku, Owen’s abilities are more suited for the finals than yours. You should withdraw first.”

“Yes, I understand, Katakuri brother.”

Katakuri holds absolute prestige among his siblings. At this moment, Katakuri believes Owen’s Heat-Heat Fruit has much more potential than Daifuku’s Puff-Puff Fruit.

After all, in a chaotic 2v14 battle, Daifuku, who uses golems to fight, is likely to be ambushed, whereas Owen doesn’t have this concern.

Listening to Katakuri’s arrangement, Daifuku, as a younger brother, didn’t argue at all and directly chose to admit defeat and surrender.

“The Katakuri brothers have instantly defeated their opponents! Zone A’s advancing contestants have been declared! Charlotte Katakuri and Charlotte Owen advance to the finals!”

Gatz, the commentator, seems more excited than the participants, already standing on the table.

Then he picked up the microphone and continued talking: Let’s observe three seconds of silence for the unlucky ones who perished in the arena. As for the injured, there’s no need to worry; His Majesty the King has prepared an excellent medical team, ensuring everyone gets treated.

“That guy’s punch… so fast, Ace, does he have any special powers?”

Luffy brushed his Straw Hat, noticing reflections of his own moves in Katakuri’s punches; the manner of punching was very similar to his developed Gear Four: Snakeman Mode.

“Yes, Paramecia-type: Mochi-Mochi Fruit, capable of transforming the body into mochi—a special Paramecia-type. Don’t underrate it as mochi; combined with his Observation Haki, this fruit is even more challenging than Logia-type.”

“Is his Observation Haki really that powerful?”

“Of course, it’s considered top-tier even in the New World. His Observation Haki is said to already be capable of Future Sight.”

“Future Sight? Can Observation Haki really do that?”

“You didn’t know?”

Staring at Luffy’s bewildered expression, Ace appeared equally puzzled.

“I didn’t know, isn’t Observation Haki used to foresee enemy attacks and then dodge them?”

Seems familiar, but I’m not certain.”

Recalling briefly, Luffy felt he might have forgotten something but couldn’t remember.

As a basic teacher, Rayleigh might have mentioned it once in passing, making it hard to leave a lasting impression.

“Observation Haki has different levels. Some people have special abilities naturally, and a very few can train to predict the future. Judging by your reaction, do you also not know that Armament Haki can be externally applied or even internally destructive?”

“Well… I’ve heard it, but it seems unfamiliar.”

“What have you been doing these two years? Hah, did Rayleigh teach him, and he didn’t remember any of it?”

Ace looked questioningly at Hercule, Luffy claimed to have been training under Dark King Rayleigh for two years; Ace could understand him not mastering advanced Haki, but knowing nothing puzzled him.

“Hercule…”

Hercule reflected, then shook his head, he too had no recollection in this regard.

“Your basics… are really thoroughly underwhelming…”

Ace helplessly covered his face; this little brother of his seems to need quite a bit of tutoring, Rayleigh as a basic class teacher probably hasn’t mentioned anything advanced.

Even though few in the New World grasp this level of Haki, Rayleigh shouldn’t be uninformed. At this moment, Ace didn’t know how to evaluate.

“Alright, let him learn gradually in battle, Ace’s brother, keep a close watch. In this arena, you’ll witness many exaggerated things.”

Marco took a bite of pineapple, his eyes sweeping across the Bullfighting Arena, appearing to search for something.

Katakuri is also an old adversary of his—formidable but still manageable.

Having personally experienced the Summit War, Marco knows the greatest threat hasn’t yet emerged; after searching several times, he hasn’t spotted any Hundred Beasts personnel.

“Hmm, that’s all we can do for now.”

…

A battle doesn’t frighten Luffy, no matter how strong the enemy is, he still isn’t afraid. But a battle can indeed scare Buggy.

On the viewing platform’s other side, Buggy’s mouth was already agape. Since becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he has been relying on his fame as a backstage protector, never participating firsthand in battles in the New World.

He occasionally avoided combat; to truly face this arena, he would likely end up flattened.

“Might as well sneak away while these guys are yet to notice… After all, with so many people, they might not see me…”

Thinking thus, Buggy’s feet have separated from his body, walking towards the distance. Once his feet reach a safe spot, his body can secretly fly over.

To avoid drawing his subordinates’ attention, Buggy’s other parts didn’t follow, leading his feet to inadvertently step on someone else.

“Captain Buggy… Where are you heading?!”

The moving feet were discovered, instantaneously exposing Buggy’s thoughts.

“Could it be… witnessing such an intense battle, have you been unable to suppress your inner zeal, wanting to participate in advance?!”

“I… I….”

“Originally, we intended to use numbers to help you achieve your goal, but now it seems that’s an insult to you, it’s our fault, we shouldn’t have meddled in your battle!”

“No! That’s alright, everyone, such a rare chance, let’s all go together! This competition has certainly attracted the world’s attention—such a prime opportunity, I can’t hog it!”

Seeing the mob tactic about to become him going solo into the fray, Buggy panicked, hurriedly halting his subordinate’s imaginations and offered a proper reason for them to join.

Amidst the sentiment, Buggy and the Buggy Express crew robustly poured into the preparation area. By the time Mr. 3 and Mohji returned with food, Buggy and the others had already disappeared.

“Strange, didn’t Buggy say he would watch the fight here and wait for the strong guys to wear each other out before stepping in? Why is he missing?”

“I don’t know, maybe he ran away? But where did those guys go as well?”

“Forget it, let’s keep watching. The heavens watch over good people; Buggy will be fine.”

After confirming with each other that Buggy wouldn’t have any problems, they continued watching the match while munching on the food they bought.

…

Meanwhile, in the preparation area, contestants from Zone B were also getting ready.

Punching bags being smashed, warriors sparring with each other, bounty hunters polishing their weapons—they were all preparing intensively for the upcoming battles.

The pace of the battles in Zone A exceeded their imagination, making them realize it would undoubtedly be an extremely fierce fight.

Sitting silently on a bench on the side were Redfield, disguised as Laide, and Padoom.

“Boss Laide, it’s lively here. Let’s find a few more partners; sailing with just the two of us is too boring.”

After his experiences post-prison, Redfield changed his mind and began to acknowledge his inner feelings. Having traveled alone for decades, for the first time, he had thoughts about comrades, and the fact that he didn’t immediately reject Padoom’s idea was telling of this change.

“Don’t rush, Padoom. Trustworthy and powerful partners aren’t easy to find. If we truly find someone reliable, handing over the Quake-Quake Fruit is an option.”

Both Redfield and Padoom were Devil Fruit users and were here to acquire the Quake-Quake Fruit. Redfield didn’t mind giving it to someone else, but his words already suggested he considered it practically his own.

“My round is about to start. Wait here for now; I’ll be back soon.”

The Bullfighting Arena imposed no racial limits on its contestants. Though Padoom was just a tanuki or raccoon, he still had the qualifications to compete; he just wasn’t in the same group as Redfield.

Participation was free, and no one could question a contestant’s identity, but not everyone saw it this way. Upon hearing Redfield’s remarks, a tall, muscular man wearing only shorts with a cape on his back approached.

“What are you babbling about, old man?”

“I don’t believe I know you?”

“Of course you don’t. An old geezer barely able to stand wants to compete? Don’t make me laugh. The audience wants to see battles between the strong, not some contest squashing an ant.”

“Oh? That crushing battle in Zone A earlier was quite entertaining for them.”

“… Stop preaching, old man! Get lost! This isn’t a place for you!”

With that, he threw a punch towards Redfield in front of him.

“Spartan! Stop!”

People nearby saw his actions and quickly yelled to stop him, but it was to no avail.

Spartan himself was a sword fighter at the Bullfighting Arena, a fifty-one-time monthly tournament champion, and one of the arena’s star fighters.

Though a popular figure, his temperament was very domineering and arrogant, often bullying other contestants behind the scenes.

In his mind, the arena was sacred, and frail-looking old men, brats, and women had no place here.

Facing his punch, Redfield casually moved, making the attack completely miss.

Failing to land a blow on even an old man, Spartan seemed to lose face, ignoring the rule against fighting outside the ring as he prepared to attack Redfield again.

“Stop it!”

A clear female voice sounded from behind a column on the other side. A shield was thrown from afar.

Though it hit its target, it was useless, instantly bouncing off Spartan’s muscles, but it did make Spartan temporarily halt his action.

“Rebecca? You’re competing too? So many people who can’t see their limitations. Today, you didn’t dodge? Usually, you steer clear of me. Do you think because you’re entering the ring today, I won’t dare touch you?!”

Rebecca was one of the contestants Spartan usually bullied. Seeing Rebecca stand up for someone else, his anger burned even fiercer, recklessly intending to strike.

But at that moment, Redfield moved.

He slowly lifted his umbrella, pointing its tip towards Spartan.

“You’re quite right, ants and such should stay far away.”

Redfield hadn’t been idle; he had read Spartan’s memories, roughly skimming through this man’s past life.

Spartan should thank those who led Redfield to change, as they let him face his own heart and become a bit more humane.

If not for them, Spartan would deeply regret it now, maybe not even have the chance to regret.

“Old man, what are you saying!”

Seeing Redfield’s contemptuous look, Spartan swung his fist at him in disregard of everything.

But Redfield gently swayed his umbrella, and Spartan’s movements abruptly stopped, followed by a tremendous crash into the ground, losing consciousness.

“Quite the insect indeed, couldn’t even handle that? You’re right, ignorant ants should exit the stage.”

Redfield stepped over the fallen Spartan, and the surrounding crowd fell silent. No one saw what happened; to their eyes, Redfield did nothing, and Spartan collapsed on his own.

Even the referee responsible for the area had no reason to disqualify Redfield since it was the provocateur who passed out.

Redfield then approached Rebecca, his eyes showing a bit more interest.

“Young girl, such a cool outfit won’t boost your defense power.”