A fight?
Fujitora's face carried a faint look of disappointment.
Still, he didn't think Don was joking.
His Observation Haki could sense Don's condition, and such a powerful presence couldn't possibly be hidden—an astonishing life force pulsed within him.
Don's gaze locked on Fujitora, though he did not rush him for an answer.
The commotion quickly drew the attention of the Rain Dinners' guests.
With Don's consecutive victories earlier, many had already turned their eyes toward him.
Now, seeing what looked like a confrontation brewing, one by one, faces lit up with anticipation.
They didn't know who Don or Fujitora really was, but for gamblers numb from endless wagers, a fight promised another kind of thrill.
But for those who did know Don's identity, it was another matter entirely.
Baroque Works already knew Don had arrived at Rain Dinners.
And the agents stationed here knew just what kind of man he was.
Someone who could clash with an Admiral of the Navy.
If a battle broke out here, Rain Dinners would be reduced to rubble.
No, perhaps not only Rain Dinners—this entire oasis city could be destroyed.
The croupier Don had stared down earlier scrambled away, reporting his words to a superior.
The name Crocodile meant nothing to lower-ranking agents.
Some of them didn't even know what a Shichibukai was.
But among the higher ranks of Baroque Works, quite a few knew exactly who their president was.
The report was carried immediately to Crocodile.
Meanwhile, Rain Dinners remained unnervingly silent, all eyes fixed on the towering Fujitora, waiting for his reply.
Don, too, waited patiently.
His invitation to battle had been a sudden impulse.
He hadn't expected Fujitora to appear here at all.
Between Fujitora and Crocodile, there was no question who held greater value.
Fujitora was Admiral-class.
Crocodile was formidable, but to Don, he was nothing more than a tool for building the framework of the Hunter Association.
And tools could always be replaced.
Since Fujitora was here, Crocodile's reaction no longer mattered.
The question now was—would the man dare face him?
"You seem to know me."
Fujitora's white eyes turned toward Don as he pressed the tip of his cane-sword against the floor.
Though met with blank eyes, Don wasn't bothered. He simply nodded.
"I do know you. As for how, there's no need to ask now. When the battle's over, I'll tell you."
He rose to his feet as he spoke.
Though just over two meters tall—shorter than Fujitora—his aura didn't falter in the slightest.
The Baroque Works members guarding Rain Dinners felt their hearts climbing into their throats.
The other guests, however, lit up with excitement.
Boom!
Don unleashed a wave of Conqueror's Haki that exploded outward, sweeping through all of Rain Dinners in an instant.
Fujitora's expression turned grave.
"Conqueror's Haki… Very well. I accept your challenge. But this is no place for battle."
He turned and began walking out of Rain Dinners.
Seeing him agree, Don cast a glance toward Robin.
"Be careful."
Robin reminded him softly.
"If Crocodile shows up, make him wait here."
"Mm."
She nodded gently, watching Don leave.
She, too, was curious about this fight.
For Don to take it so seriously, this blind man's strength had to be extraordinary.
Such battles were rare.
But then again, few people had the qualifications to even spectate a clash like this.
The shockwaves alone could kill anyone without sufficient strength.
Don and Fujitora departed Rainbase, heading into the desert.
At the Spider's Café, the true headquarters of Baroque Works, Crocodile received the report from Rain Dinners.
"…That man's target is me?"
He frowned.
He already knew Don had clashed with Jinbei and Doflamingo.
But Crocodile had never crossed Don—why would he be targeted?
He had deliberately concealed his presence in Alabasta.
Yet Don was openly calling him out. The words left Crocodile uncomfortable, though more than that, intrigued.
It couldn't be as simple as a bounty hunt.
And there was also Nico Robin.
If he wanted to find Pluton, Robin was indispensable.
"Boss?"
Mr. 1—Daz Bonez, the Supa Supa Fruit user and Crocodile's right hand—stood at his side.
"Since he wants to meet me, then I'll meet him. I'm also curious about the blind man Don invited to fight."
With that, Crocodile stood abruptly.
Things were taking an unexpected turn.
Though he had other plans, his courage remained intact.
In fact, Crocodile had already considered one possibility
If Don could be made an ally, his own ambitions might advance all the faster.
Beyond the city, across the shifting dunes, two figures moved swiftly until they had put enough distance between themselves and Rainbase.
At last, Fujitora stopped, turning to face Don.
The sound of steel rasping echoed as Don drew his blade, eyes locked firmly on Fujitora.
"I ate the Zushi Zushi no Mi—the Gravity Fruit. I can control gravity."
Fujitora placed his hand on his sword's hilt but didn't draw it, instead revealing his power outright.
Don blinked.
"You're just going to tell me that?"
"This battle is only a wager. You and I bear no grudge. There's no need for a death match."
Fujitora's Observation Haki told him Don carried no malice toward him.
That was why he had agreed to fight.
"Since that's the case—then I'll tell you. I ate the Mera Mera no Mi. I'm the Flame-Flame Man."
Don's words made Fujitora pause.
"A Logia? …I see." His tone carried faint surprise.
"Please, strike. Do not underestimate this old man simply because I am blind."
"I wouldn't dare underestimate you!"
Don answered firmly. His figure blurred, appearing before Fujitora, blade raised high before bringing it down with force.
Clang!
Fujitora's cane-sword came free of its sheath, sweeping horizontally.
Boom!
A crushing wave of gravity erupted in an arc.
Don's body stalled mid-swing. His blade still came down, grazing past Fujitora as he sidestepped.
The strike cleaved into the earth, tearing a deep gash, sand billowing into the air.
The swirling sand converged under the pull of Fujitora's gravity.
"Gravity Wave!"
His face hardened.
That Don had resisted the pull of his gravity slash so easily was shocking.
Logia or not, gravity should affect flame. But what he'd sensed was different.
Through Observation Haki, he realized—Don hadn't dispersed into fire. He had taken the weight head-on, with sheer physical strength.
END OF CHAPTER
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