Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 138: Chapter 137: A Foolish Choice

Showing off one’s strength? She acknowledged that point; after all, the reason she approached the Hundred Beasts was because she believed in their power.

But she already explained that these people were under Orochi. There was no need to demean them to flaunt one’s might.

This group had over a hundred samurai; even if they were over a hundred pigs, it wouldn’t be easy to capture them in a minute. Initially, the agreement was quite harmonious. How did things turn so abruptly?

Moreover, this could have been said earlier, but it was mentioned just as they docked at the Hidden Port. Everyone guarding the area could hear it.

One might even say Kaidou purposely raised his voice, fearing they wouldn’t hear.

Wano Kuni is inherently xenophobic. This xenophobia is not just an individual trait but a collective characteristic up and down the country. Originally, there was discontent with Kurozumi Orochi seeking external aid.

Now hearing these outsiders demean them, many showed displeasure. A feature of Wano Kuni is that orders from anyone other than a truly respected lord are sometimes difficult to implement 100%.

Moreover, these are not household attendants won over by Kurozumi Orochi’s charisma but mercenaries lured by money. Naturally, they retorted to such insulting words.

”Don’t underestimate us! A minute? I bet you couldn’t defeat a single person in a minute. If you’ve got the guts, try us!”

Then, the next moment, he regretted it. They were on the shore while Kaidou was on the ship, so the height difference wasn’t that noticeable. But when Kaidou stepped off, his towering frame of over six meters intimidated them.

Followed closely by King and Queen, their stature was similar. Wano Kuni wasn’t short of tall people, but such individuals were seldom seen. Ashura Doji could be said to be one of the tallest, often called the monster of Kuri.

”Was it you just now who wanted to try?”

Kaidou intended to provoke. It didn’t matter who the opponent was; he just wanted to embarrass Orochi. Choosing not to deal with him now didn’t mean giving him a friendly face. After all, he’s a pirate, and some rudeness is just expected from pirates.

If these people could bear it all down, he would have been at a loss. But with someone unable to hold back, it’s a good start.

Kurozumi Higurashi also noticed Kaidou’s intention to provoke, but she thought Kaidou wanted to give them a show of strength to negotiate more advantages later, as the details of their cooperation weren’t finalized yet.

So she gave a look to the person recruited by Kurozumi Orochi, indicating that enduring in silence was the best option now. If these people could defeat Kaidou, why would she go to the trouble of finding him?

However, Higurashi’s intention was misunderstood. Because of Kurozumi Orochi’s grandfather, the Kurozumi Family had become like street rats in Wano Kuni. If Higurashi hadn’t disguised herself as Kozuki Sukiyaki, Orochi wouldn’t have become the Acting General.

Kurozumi Orochi’s tenure as Acting General slightly improved the reputation, as his slogan was to cleanse his taint. But that didn’t mean all of the Kurozumi Family achieved this.

Therefore, these people didn’t have high regard for the old Higurashi. On top of that, she wasn’t particularly good-looking, and her expression was mistaken for contempt, leading the person to stubbornly engage Kaidou in conversation.

”Yes, it was me. Just a mere outsider, don’t be too full of yourself!”

”Kaidou, Lord Orochi has already prepared a banquet. There’s no need to waste time here...”

Kurozumi Higurashi wanted to stop all this but was too late. Kaidou ignored her entirely.

”Ooh, what fun. Kid, which of these people do you think you can beat? I’ll give you the opportunity to choose your own opponent. Who wants to spar with him, boys?”

The rank-and-file also had levels. The ones Kaidou brought to Wano Kuni were elite, especially those who boarded the Origin. They essentially bore a few labels.

A member of the Arceus Sect, joined for over a year, experienced real combat, and followed orders, required to know some Armament techniques—not necessarily proficient but at least usable.

This was Wano Kuni’s first battle; performing well might lead to unexpected rewards. Under Kaidou’s orders, they were as eager as if fueled by adrenaline, hoping to be chosen.

Wano Kuni was isolationist; there were mainly hooligans here. In a closed, legal nation, not everyone had experienced slaughter, whereas these pirates emerged from real battles, which frightened him.

But having come this far, fleeing without a fight would be disgraceful.

”Can I really choose anyone?”

”That’s right.”

”Then I choose her!” As he pointed, the pirates made way, revealing his chosen opponent: Olga. Due to the effect of Pure Gold, Olga hardly grew in stature, barely taller than Zeraora.

So to him, she seemed the perfect challenge, leading to uproarious laughter from the Hundred Beasts Pirates, especially the regular combatants, who laughed until their sides hurt.

She was someone who survived three years of training under Kaidou and Arceus, following the standards for reserve cadres. Even if it were just a monkey that withstood such training, it wouldn’t be so easily beaten down.

Let alone Olga, who possessed the abilities of Zoroark. She merely appeared to be the weakest but was far tougher to handle than those regular combatants.

He thought they were laughing at him, which they were, but not for choosing a ”weakling.” They laughed at his misfortune in challenging the one person, apart from the official cadre, he should have avoided.

”Olga, it’s up to you. One minute. If you can’t do it, prepare for extra Armament training tomorrow.”

”Huh? Why me! Captain, it’s Uncle Queen who said one minute, not me!”

”Then five minutes, no more delays; people are waiting for us.”

”Captain, how about picking someone else?” Olga wasn’t interested in such fights. She wasn’t a battle fanatic and preferred to slack off if she could. However, Kaidou didn’t give her the chance to refuse and started the countdown.

”Nope, you have four and a half minutes.”

Olga’s face twitched a few times as her hair began to grow, and claws appeared on her fingers, directly entering her Human-Beast Form. With powerful legs, she leaped off the ship.

In Kurozumi Higurashi’s eyes, however, it was a different scene. After that man was defeated by Olga’s Armament-coated claws, the rest started fighting amongst themselves intensely—not lethal, but enough to need days of recovery.