Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Slaking’s ”Weapon Switch” and the Heavily Injured Kinemon

After Mandfeish, Babanuki also successfully earned a new reward by mastering the Monster Strength Technique. Although he didn’t gain the ability to breathe underwater like Mandfeish, the variety of abilities he acquired was far superior.

Compared to Magikarp, whose innate abilities are weak and can only rely on training, Slaking possesses exceptional attack power and stamina. With Babanuki’s Monster Strength Technique, he can fully unleash that terrifying strength.

White mane appeared around Babanuki’s neck, and his already tall stature rose even higher. Then, he threw another punch at Kinemon.

Although it didn’t hit him directly, the shockwave from hitting the ground sent him flying. That’s the terrifying power contained within Slaking’s body.

The temporary building was smashed down with one punch, and the overseers in the mine reacted immediately upon seeing this.

”Everyone, if you don’t want to die, get back to your cells!” They fired a few shots into the sky, and the captured thugs hurried back to their cells under threat.

Meanwhile, some people had already rushed towards Babanuki’s room, just in time to see Kinemon being knocked out.

Since it was due to the shockwave, Kinemon’s body wasn’t affected much. He was also physically strong, a man who could withstand a hit from Kaidou and still stand up in the future.

At that time, he was sent to the future by the Time-Time Fruit, meaning he hadn’t had much training over the past 20 years. You could say it’s a kind of talent.

”Master Babanuki!”

”It’s an intruder, don’t let him escape!”

Babanuki emerged from the smoke and dust. Slaking’s abilities were powerful, but they had one drawback: Slaking’s innate laziness.

Slaking enters a resting phase after attacking. It’s not just resting but gathering power, which is Slaking’s biggest flaw, as it creates a gap in attacks.

With training, this gap can gradually shorten. However, Babanuki hadn’t yet overcome this gap but found another way.

Though he was affected in his Beast Form and Human-Beast Form, his Human Form wasn’t. So he trained in this unique mode, which Arceus named ”Gun-Switching Mode.”

In FPS games, it’s well known that sniper reload times are very slow. To reduce this gap, people use a main and secondary weapons switch to shorten this time.

Babanuki, through switching states, used his Human Form to get through the stiff period.

Although he’s much weaker without his abilities, Kinemon had yet to reach his peak. At this time, it was still two years before Kozuki Oden returned to the country.

Having acquired Slaking’s ability, Babanuki significantly strengthened himself, making dealing with Kinemon from this period not problematic.

Though weaker in his Human Form, this place was the Udon Mine, currently ruled by the Hundred Beasts. Kinemon faced not just one Babanuki but a group of people.

”Capture him alive, let’s see what he’s up to.”

As the first to openly provoke after the Hundred Beasts Pirates arrived in Wano Kuni, they didn’t use firearms but wielded weapons and charged. This wasn’t a duel—a fool wouldn’t utilize the advantage of numbers.

Furthermore, for some reason, Kinemon found these charging pirates somewhat crazy. He didn’t understand the Hundred Beasts Pirates’ system, where strength determined status, and achievements earned rewards.

To gain more, you have to work harder.

The rules established by Arceus and Asie posed significant restrictions for pirates, but no one rejected them because they represented an absolute dominance in status and power. To join the Hundred Beasts, you had to adhere to these rules.

Because the Hundred Beasts had not only rules but also rewards.

And those rewards were things all pirates coveted. As the first troublemaker, in their eyes, Kinemon was like a prize ticket.

”Damn it, Foxfire Style! Iaijutsu!” Watching the approaching assailants, Kinemon didn’t give up resisting. Thanks to his sword skills, he became known as Foxfire Kin’emon.

Two swords were drawn, and flames rose from the blades. Kinemon parried the initial attack and then using his sword, injured one person. However, this didn’t deter the upcoming pirates, who were accustomed to fire-using abilities and weren’t fazed by the Hundred Beasts Pirates.

Even though he took down the first few attackers, more kept coming relentlessly.

He wanted to break through, but the guards at the Udon Quarry weren’t giving him that chance. The door had already dropped and sealed. Besides, Babanuki’s ”Gun-Switching State” had ended, and he once again transformed into Slaking’s Human-Beast Form.

”Get out of the way!”

The ground was filled with cracks in an explosive outburst, and Babanuki’s figure shot out. Although Slaking appeared lazy, the force he unleashed when taking action was terrifying.

Hearing Babanuki’s shout, those around scattered. Members of the Hundred Beasts Pirates were typically distributed under small leaders like Babanuki. They led ordinary pirates, and their crew seldom changed.

Not being familiar with the boss’s fighting style could cause chaos in battle. Seeing Babanuki charging, Kinemon swung his sword to strike.

Unexpectedly, Babanuki neither dodged nor used Haki; instead, he took the two strikes head-on and then wrapped his arms around Kinemon.

”Got you, bastard.” A strange wave pulsed over Babanuki’s body.

Then came a scream, as two deeper sword wounds appeared on Kinemon.

Return damage doubled, repaying double the physical damage received.

Pokemon Ability Users have two sources of skills: one is gifted by Arceus, who acts like an all-purpose Move Machine, mastering skills of attributes he already possesses and passing them to suitable people.

The other is through self-improvement in training and realizing new skills—a kind of alternative fruit development. Double Return is a skill Babanuki realized by himself.

But it’s not over yet. Before entering a lazy state, Babanuki, holding Kinemon in his arms, activated the Monster Strength Technique. A crisp cracking sound followed—the sound of bones breaking.

The arm bone, rib bone, and even the spine suffered damage, causing Kinemon to faint from this strike.

”Master Babanuki, didn’t you say to capture him alive?”

”Isn’t he still alive? Send him to Brother King, and tell them we’ve caught a Rebel. Let Brother King handle the interrogation.” Babanuki said, taking the bandages handed over by his subordinates and skillfully wrapped them around himself.

It seemed this wasn’t the first time he had used Double Return.