When Luffy proposed this condition, Uta, who had been so aggressive, suddenly hesitated.
This meant that if she lost, she would have to leave the Red Hair Pirates and leave Shanks.
Uta looked at Shanks for help, but Shanks maintained a smile, giving the impression that he would let her decide.
In fact, this also aligned with Shanks's style of conduct; he would definitely respect Uta's own wishes.
Seeing Uta struggling, Luffy waved his hand and spoke up to resolve the situation.
"Well! I was just saying that casually; don't mind it."
He knew that if Uta kept hesitating, she would definitely choose Shanks.
And by saying that, he was giving Uta a way out.
"However, no matter what we compete in, you won't be able to beat me."
At this point, Luffy added another sentence; he didn't want Uta to say he backed down because he was scared.
Uta had just started to feel a bit of goodwill towards Luffy because he had given her a way out.
But upon hearing that last sentence, she bristled again.
"Damn it! You guy... let's have a showdown!"
"Didn't I say..."
"Hurry up! The first competition is arm wrestling..."
...
Three months later.
"This time, it's a rowing competition."
On the shore, Uta gritted her teeth, looking unconvinced at Luffy beside her.
"I say, Uta, isn't it about time you gave up?!"
"In the past three months, you've competed against me 136 times."
"And your record is 0 wins!"
Luffy responded with a helpless expression.
"Less talk, I'll definitely win this time."
Uta didn't listen to Luffy's response at all, saying angrily.
"See that rock in the sea? We'll make that rock the finish line."
"Whoever reaches the rock first wins."
Following Uta's direction, Luffy looked out at the sea.
And with just one glance, he saw through the trick.
That wasn't a rock at all; it was clearly the Lord of the Coast near Windmill Village.
However, he didn't tell Uta this information.
As long as they got close enough, when Uta discovered that the rock was the Lord of the Coast, she would surely be scared and back down.
At that point, she would definitely willingly admit defeat.
Thinking of this, Luffy was immediately filled with motivation.
"Come on! The 137th match!"
...
After both of them were ready, they set off simultaneously at Uta's command.
Luffy's stamina was ultimately far superior to Uta's, so he quickly left her behind.
"How about it, Uta? Still not giving up?"
Uta gritted her teeth, her paddle smoking from her vigorous strokes, as if forming a blur.
"Less talk, the competition isn't over yet!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Uta rowed even more strenuously.
Luffy smiled and simultaneously accelerated his own speed.
Just then, the "rock" that had been sitting quietly there suddenly rose.
Immediately after, both of them saw a giant, eel-like monster burst out of the water, its sharp fangs bared, glaring at them with crimson eyes.
At that sight, Uta was instantly terrified, her eyes rolling back, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Still not giving up, Uta?"
Seeing that Uta still hadn't turned back in this situation, Luffy couldn't help but ask again.
They were getting closer and closer to the Lord of the Coast; if they didn't turn back now, it would truly be too late.
"You... you haven't given up, so I won't give up."
Uta was so scared her voice trembled, but she still kept moving forward.
Luffy, hearing this, immediately felt helpless.
For Uta's safety, he had no choice but to turn back first.
"Alright, Uta, this competition is void; let's go back first!"
However, Luffy had already started to head back, but he saw that Uta still had no intention of turning around.
Just as he was about to ask, he heard Uta, holding back tears, say tremblingly,
"No... I can't, I don't have any strength left."
No sooner had Uta finished speaking than the Lord of the Coast dove down and charged towards her.
...
At the same time, Makino's Bar.
Shanks, who was drinking, suddenly put down his glass, his expression serious.
Seeing Shanks's sudden change in expression, his normally boisterous crew also stopped their merrymaking.
"What's wrong, Boss?"
Shanks frowned.
"I have a bad feeling."
"Where are Uta and Luffy?"
A knowledgeable crew member replied,
"They said they went to have a rowing competition."
No sooner had the crew member finished speaking than Shanks flashed out of the bar.
The rest of the crew followed closely behind him.
Makino's Bar was not far from the shore, and in the blink of an eye, Shanks and his officers were the first to arrive at the coast.
When he saw the Sea King in the distance lunging towards Uta, Shanks was instantly alarmed.
He then narrowed his eyes, intending to use Conqueror's Haki to deter that Sea King from a distance.
But just then, Shanks, who had been looking serious, suddenly looked shocked, and the surrounding officers also widened their eyes in disbelief.
They watched as the Sea King, which had been incredibly fierce, suddenly looked extremely startled, then plunged into the water and disappeared.
And in the moment before that Sea King disappeared, an unparalleled powerful aura emanated from Luffy's body.
Moreover, this aura was directed solely at that one Sea King.
"J-just now, that was..."
"No mistake, it was Conqueror's Haki!!!"
"Luffy... is he a King just like Boss?!"
While his crew was shocked, Shanks was also extremely shaken, thinking to himself,
"He's so young, yet he's not only awakened Conqueror's Haki but also mastered it so proficiently. Is he a born King?"
"Luffy, could it be... are you really the one I'm looking for?"