Chapter 35: One-Punching Ace
"Eh? Big Bro Shane! What are you doing?!"
Luffy was startled and subconsciously reached for the hat. "You can borrow anything else as a prop, but this is very important to me, you can't..."
"Watch closely."
Shane chuckled and tossed the straw hat into the air.
And in the instant the straw hat fell and was caught by his hand, it suddenly vanished without a trace.
"?!!!"
Luffy's eyes bulged like copper bells. He circled Shane's open palm, looking left and right, but couldn't find a single clue.
"Stop looking. Believe it or not, it's already in my bag," Shane said with a smile.
"How is that possible?"
Luffy scoffed, then eagerly unzipped Shane's bag. Underneath a few pieces of bread, he really did find his straw hat.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!"
Luffy held the straw hat high and cried out in amazement. "It's really here! That's amazing! How did you do that, Big Bro? Do it again, do it again!"
He presented the straw hat to Shane like a treasure and shook his arm vigorously. "Just once, just one more time, please..."
"Performing the same magic trick twice would only make it lose its charm."
Shane smiled and ruffled his head. "Alright, that's enough. It looks like they're almost done packing. I should get going."
Unnoticed by anyone, at this very moment, below the cliff.
A freckled boy was gritting his teeth, climbing up inch by inch.
Several times he nearly lost his footing and fell, but in the end, he struggled to the top, grabbed the edge of the cliff, and flipped himself over.
These damn bandits!
How dare they capture Luffy! I have to teach them a good lesson!
His gaze shifted to the stone pillar. Ace was stunned. Huh? Where'd he go? He had clearly seen Luffy tied to this pillar from a distance.
He peeked out from behind the pillar and was instantly horrified.
He saw a brawny, black-haired man who looked like the bandit leader, holding Luffy's head and revealing a savage grin.
And next to Luffy, a large pot was set up, its thick soup bubbling and boiling.
What are they doing?
Are these bandits so depraved that they've resorted to cannibalism? Are they going to boil Luffy alive?!
"Stop right there!"
Ace's heart was on fire. With a roar, he charged out without hesitation, his right fist clenched as he rushed towards the damn bandit leader.
BAM!
In a flash, the bandit leader actually reacted. He spun around abruptly, his large hand shooting out to envelop Ace's fist, catching it firmly.
Hm?
Ace was stunned. This guy... his reaction speed is incredible!
Shane was also stunned.
These trademark freckles... is this Ace? Why did he suddenly jump out and attack me?
The two made eye contact for a split second.
Ace violently pulled his fist back. At the same time, his other hand went to his waist, drew a dagger, and stabbed towards Shane's wrist.
"You..."
Shane had just opened his mouth when he was forcefully interrupted. He could only retreat while sweeping out a leg, kicking the dagger away.
"Don't be rash, kid!"
He grabbed Ace's incoming fist, frowning. "Have you misunderstood something? This is the first time we've met, isn't it?"
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? I saw you with my own eyes, holding Luffy's head, about to throw him into the pot!"
Ace roared with effort, actually breaking free from Shane's large hand. He twisted his waist and sent a sharp uppercut kick towards Shane's groin.
"You man-eating monster, die!"
Hey, this is getting endless!
Shane's temper flared as well. What is this brat imagining? He won't even listen to a proper explanation.
In that case, I won't be polite either!
He suddenly lifted his foot and, without dodging, stomped down on the incoming kick.
The moment they collided, Ace let out a piercing scream. His face twisted in pain, and a crisp crack sounded from his leg as it bent at a sharp angle.
So painful! How is this guy so much stronger than me? Ace was both ashamed and furious. He threw all caution to the wind, grabbed Shane's waist tightly with both hands, used the leverage to prop himself up, and slammed his head into his opponent's chest.
Still coming?
Shane had truly lost his patience now. He clenched his fist and sent a straight punch right at the freckled face that was rushing towards him.
THUD!
With a dull thud, blood spurted from Ace's nose. His eyes went vacant, his body swayed, and he collapsed softly to the ground, unconscious.
He's out already?
Shane retracted his fist, looking at Ace on the ground with some surprise. I didn't even use my full strength.
This kid's strength and speed were decent, about half of his own level. But his durability seemed to be even worse than Luffy's.
Then again, Luffy was a special case. The rubbery properties of the Nika Fruit naturally allowed him to nullify most blunt-force damage even at a young age.
"Ace!"
Luffy's eyes widened, and he quickly rushed over to shake Ace. "Are you okay? Wake up!"
He had actually wanted to stop Ace the moment he drew his dagger. But everything happened too quickly. Before he could even process it, in just a few punches and kicks, Ace had been knocked out by Shane.
"He's fine. He'll wake up in a bit," Shane said, checking him over and shaking his head slightly. "But his leg seems to be a little fractured. It's best if he rests quietly for the next few days and avoids any strenuous activity."
He's fine?
That's good. Luffy was relieved. He looked at the bruised and battered Ace and suddenly couldn't help but point at him and burst out laughing. "To be defeated so quickly, how embarrassing! You had it coming, Ace!"
"..."
Shane's eyebrow twitched. "I thought you were going to rush over and get revenge for him."
"It was Ace's fault for not being reasonable! Although I know he was worried about me, I'm not a fool. Of course, I won't blame you, Big Bro Shane. And besides, I can't beat you anyway," Luffy said, standing up. "We spar all the time. Ace is much stronger than me. I can't win even once in a hundred tries. I get beaten up badly every time, and can only watch him act all smug. I never thought I'd see the day he'd get knocked down in just a few hits."
"You're so strong, Big Bro Shane!" Luffy said, pinching his chin. "Hmm, should I have you teach me the magic trick first, or the fighting technique to beat Ace..."
"Neither."
Shane chuckled, grabbed his backpack, and slung it casually over his right shoulder. "Manba and the others are all packed. I'm really leaving this time. See you again someday, Luffy."
Eh?
Luffy subconsciously looked up and saw that the camp had indeed been cleaned up. Those poor people were gathered at the fence gate, waiting for Shane.
"I'm off!"
Shane ruffled the kid's head one last time. It was prickly, but felt quite comfortable. He smiled, waved, and led Manba and his group away, their figures gradually receding into the distance.
The once-lively camp suddenly became quiet and deserted.
Luffy stared blankly at the gate for a long time before coming back to his senses, a little disappointed. He rubbed his somewhat empty stomach.
So hungry. He turned his head and looked at the large pot that was still bubbling. It was filled with some radishes and wild vegetables. Normally, he would never eat this stuff. But right now, he was starving, and he had to wait for Ace to wake up, so he couldn't go out to find food. He simply ladled a bowl and began to drink it down in big gulps.
Just as he was about to finish, a groan came from beside him. Ace was holding his head, slowly coming to.
"Luffy?"
Ace looked at him, stunned. "You haven't been cooked yet?"
"What do you mean, cooked... You misunderstood, Ace!" Luffy ladled another bowl and held it in front of Ace. "Those uncles, they weren't really bandits at all."
Radishes?
Ace looked down at the soup being offered to him, scratched his head, and suddenly understood a lot. He took the bowl with a bitter smile. "Looks like I was too rash. What about that guy who fought me? He's really strong. Who is he?"
"That guy..."
Luffy recalled the recent events and giggled.
"He's a really good person! And he can do magic, too! Amazing magic! It's a pity I didn't learn it. Ace, I'll show you later. Can you do it for me in the future?"