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CHAPTER 58

The Tora One cut through the deep cobalt-blue waters that encased the elusive Clockwork Island. Waves lapped gently at the hull as the crew congregated around a rustic wooden table. The scent of sea salt mixed with the mouthwatering aroma of their freshly prepared meal. Amidst the clinking of utensils and plates, Kuina looked up, her eyes locking onto Kreegan's. "What is the plan now?"

Kreegan smirked, a sense of mischief veiling his eyes. "Usually, we'd infiltrate stealthily, assassinate the leaders, and retreat as silently as we arrived. However, it appears that this time, I'm inclined toward something... flashier."

Kreegan leaned back in his chair, the wooden legs creaking under his weight, as he mused aloud. "I don't see why we should sneak around these guys. Only three elites remain. I'll take on Bear King, and you two can divide the remaining two amongst yourselves."

As he spoke, both Kuina and Lex lunged for a worn and sun-bleached wanted poster of Pin Joker that lay on the table. Their hands flailed in a brief panic before Kuina, quick as a flash, snatched it up. "I'll handle the swordsman. You, Lex, are more suitable for a match against a man of science like Skunk One."

Lex frowned, his fingers wrapping around the edge of the poster that Kuina held. "As a gentleman, I can't in good conscience let a lady take on a rapist." He yanked the poster from her, but she seized it back instantly.

Kuina's eyes narrowed as she reclaimed the poster. "That's all the more reason a lady should be the one to administer his punishment."

Exasperated, Kreegan interrupted, "Will both of you cease this trivial bickering?"

Turning toward Kreegan, Lex thrust Skunk One's wanted poster into his face, his eyes brimming with tears. "THEN YOU FIGHT HIM! I'LL TAKE ON BEAR KING!"

With a calming gesture, Kreegan pushed the poster back toward Lex's chest and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder. "I need to take on the strongest among them for a personal breakthrough. You're best equipped to go toe-to-toe with Skunk One—a battle of wits and gears, tinkerer against tinkerer."

Clutching the poster between his teeth, Lex's eyes overflowed, his tears trickling down his cheeks. "Why do I have to fight the stinker?"

...

Six hours later, the crew found themselves back at Clockwork Island—an island that defied the very laws of nature and stealth. Rising about a kilometer into the sky, it was supported solely by a twisted tower shaped like a stack of enormous clams. The only way in was by brute force, a challenge the crew was more than willing to accept.

They disembarked at the base of the surreal spiral tower, embarking on an arduous upward journey. The ascent was fraught with traps, each more devious than the last. However, they were all for naught against this formidable group. Whenever a flood trap was triggered, Lex would morph into his full beast form, creating an impenetrable shield behind which the crew could take refuge. On the occasions when boulders rained down upon them, Kreegan's improved swordsmanship came into play. His blade sliced through the falling rocks with a practiced ease, reducing them to harmless gravel.

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At last, they reached the summit, and Kreegan found the rumors to be true. The land was a steampunk haven: windmills generating electricity dotted the landscape, and a labyrinth of steam pipes snaked around them. Dominating it all was a grand castle, its highest tower flying the Jolly Roger of the Trump Pirates. As they ventured past a bustling, mechanically driven town, they were met by hundreds of pirates waiting in formation. Leading the pack were Skunk One and Pin Joker.

"How dare you kill my siblings, gasu!" Skunk One growled, his voice dripping with venom.

"I will kill all of you, gasu," Pin Joker added, his eyes locking onto Kreegan. "We will kill your crew in front of you, so you can use your own medicine and know what it feels like to lose someone you love."

"Did you mean 'taste your own medicine'?" Kuina couldn't help but correct him.

Undeterred by her interruption, Pin Joker continued, trying to be regal and gallant, "I will square vengeance upon you!"

Again, Kuina chimed in, "You must know it's actually 'wreak vengeance,' right? Is this guy for real?"

The veins on Pin Joker's forehead bulged visibly as he finally lost his composure. With an enraged snarl, he charged toward Kuina. With a sly grin on his face, Pin Joker unleashed his attack, calling it out as if declaring his triumph. "Hari-Hari Ken (Needle-Needle Sting)!"

From his cape, a barrage of feathers rained down, each infused with Skunk One's Devil Gas. The air grew thick with malevolent intent. A direct hit from these would severely weaken Kuina, making it easier for Pin Joker to end the duel. But Kuina was far from helpless. In a swift motion, her sword sliced through the air.

"Sanjuroku Pound Ho (36 Pound Phoenix)!" she cried out.

Her sword's spiraling energy annihilated the airborne needles, neutralizing the threat. It continued to surge forward, making a beeline for Pin Joker. With a grimace, he thrust his rapier forward to meet the attack. The clash of energies sent reverberations through the air, pushing Pin Joker slightly backward.

Their abilities were classed differently: Kuina held a mid-level 3 ranking, while Pin Joker was categorized as a 'gray level 3,' marking him as weaker among his tier. The outcome of their clash made that abundantly clear. Seeing that Kuina had the upper hand, Kreegan seized the moment. Drawing both his swords, he plunged into the pirate mob that awaited him, shouting, "Jolt, Tatsumaki!"

A whirlwind infused with blade energy materialized and charged through the mass of pirates, slicing them apart. Not wasting a moment, Kreegan unleashed a second, more potent attack. "Nanajuni Pound Ho (72 Pound Phoenix)!"

The resulting explosion carved a path of destruction twenty meters wide, obliterating more than half the mob in an instant. Those who survived scrambled to flee.

"Stop... Stop running! We will catch you and kill all of you traitors, gasu!" Skunk One howled.

Just as Skunk One was about to take off and chase the fleeing pirates, a large white silhouette materialized beside him. "Where do you think you are going?" Lex swung his steel staff with brutal force, sending Skunk One crashing into the ground.

Struggling to his feet, Skunk One's legs trembled under him, a clear indication that Lex's weakening debuff was taking its toll. As a 'yellow level 2,' he was outclassed. Kreegan assumed Lex would finish him off easily, but Skunk One had one last trick up his sleeve.

"I will make you pay for this, gasu," he spat, releasing a yellowish gas.

However, before the poisonous cloud could reach Lex, Kreegan cast an Air Bubble spell around him. With a gesture of all ten fingers, Kreegan signaled that Lex had ten minutes before the spell would dissipate, and then he bolted toward the castle.

Back in the fray, Kuina and Pin Joker's duel reached new heights. They traded blows in a dance of flashing steel and willpower. Seeing an opening, Kuina swung her blade downward in an overhead slash. Pin Joker dodged backward, but Kuina swiftly closed the gap, twisting her sword upward in a rising arc.

"Ittoryu: Tsubame Gaeshi (Swallow Return)," she declared.

Pin Joker couldn't evade completely; a diagonal slash marred his face.

"AAHHH!"

"How is it?" Kuina taunted, "I learned this from Kreegan. You weren't handsome anyway, so what does a slash mark matter? Now, at least, you look like a swordsman rather than a clown."

Pin Joker's eyes were ablaze with fury, but Kuina's confidence was unwavering. With her newfound Devil Fruit abilities amplifying her physical prowess, she was practically using Pin Joker as a training dummy. He had become just another stepping stone on her path to becoming the world's greatest swordswoman.