One Piece: The Legendary Pirate

"It seems like you've taken a liking to your slave, eh?"

Seated in the colosseum, anticipating the start of the tournament's second round, one Celestial Dragon—the man in his twenties who was also around during the auction—asked Vallerina.

This man, with green hair and black-colored eyes, was fit and good-looking. Unlike the majority of obese and/or unsightly Celestial Dragons here, he, like Vallerina, spoke of elegance and fanciness that belonged to a noble.

"That weakling who clearly shouldn't have made it here... somehow winning the fight he shouldn't have won. The way you wait with excitement seems different than the last time."

"...I can't deny that."

Not bothering to hide her feelings, Vallerina smiled.

"Doriki is the accurate measure of a person's physical prowess. It has been tested and calibrated numerous times by the experts. Yet, it didn't necessarily represent the defining value of one's victory over the other. I simply want to see... how far someone like him goes."

"Well, humans have limits of their own. In my opinion, you're being a little too optimistic here."

"But my interest in my slave isn't the only thing to talk about, isn't it?"

Crossing her arms, Vallerina changed her topic.

"What of your slave? That pirate is clearly defined as the strongest among the fresh new batch, with the Doriki of 2000. Haddock the 'Scourge', the captain of a grand pirate crew whose name was known worldwide."

"Heh, it was nothing short of a luck, really. Others all carelessly wasted their money on useless slaves from down and ran out of their monthly allowances, allowing me to become the highest bidder."

"It's simply a matter of perspective. You valued this tournament, while others valued other things more."

"Eh, I suppose so."

Vallerina tapped her fingers against an armrest. Humming, she then asked,

"By the way, Marchen,"

"Got something to ask?"

This green-haired man, Marchen, raised an eyebrow.

"I am well aware that this colosseum and tournament hold significance in Mary Geoise. The means of recruitment and entertainment are tied altogether through this duelling system that pits slaves and applicants in one. What I don't understand, however..."

Vallerina looked at one particular person—a Celestial Dragon—who was seated afar from them. That guy, whose age approximates to 18 or so, was also unique and unlike other obese Celestial Dragons. Black-haired, yellow-eyed—he, at a first glance, resembled that of a snake.

"...is why that man, Ethanbaron V. Dominius, is also participating in this tournament."

Her question implied more than what it appeared to ask on the surface.

Ethanbaron V. Dominius. This man was well known to be cold-blooded, a rationalist. Unless there was a sure gain, he didn't step in. The fact that someone like him was in this tournament,

"Even willing to go to the length of investing a ridiculous amount of effort to ensure his slave's victory... it doesn't make sense when all this tournament's got to offer to us is nothing but an entertainment."

On the screen, the name of Dominius was displayed next to the slave who was currently ranked 3: Brody.

"Ah, yes. I did hear that he not only gave his slave a devil fruit, but also some sort of serum that was under development in Technoia kingdom. I'm more surprised by the fact that that slave didn't manage to win the first place than anything, really, but then again, rank 1 hasn't changed for a long time."

Rank 1: Hyena.

"Buccaneers really are something."

"Answer my question."

"Ha... impatient as always, aren't you."

Marchen smirked, and Vallerina narrowed her eyes threateningly at him.

"Why did Dominius join? Well, I did hear a rumor. I can't ascertain the verity of the information."

[Ladies and gentlemen, you've all been waiting for a long time! Thank you for your patience! Now, let us begin the second round—more thrills, more blood, more violence!!]

"But well, here it is. You know how the first place usually receives more allowance? That changed temporarily because of the delay in funding transportation from below. The last season's reward was an unknown devil fruit, and the winner, Camael, fed it to his slave—that buccaneer duh—only to be disappointed by its power."

"Seems like he has taken a liking to reigning as this arena's champion."

"Yes, he does."

The voice erupted, and the Celestial Dragons, who were minding their own business, perked up, excited.

In this loud scene, Marchen's muffled voice was only heard by Vallerina,

"This season, they are wagering the ownership of a land—a newfound kingdom of the West Blue named 'God Valley.'"

"...What?"

[Who shall be the combatants of the opening match?! Let the roulette roll!!]

A shock. Vallerina couldn't register what she just heard.

"An... entire kingdom?"

Lands. They were the most important source of operation of the Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders were mainly responsible for their management and coordination such that Mary Geoise always prospered and lived without any deficiency.

Lands meant responsibilities and power just as huge. It meant working directly under the Five Elders. It also meant a chance to make oneself known to the older generation and raise one's chances of inheriting the title of a family head.

"Who decided that?"

"Hah, if this rumor turns out to be true, you know the answer."

The Five Elders themselves.

"...Why?"

Vallerina whispered.

"Yes, the Five Elders are the supreme rulers of this holy land. Yes, they work together in maintaining the ideal balance—be it here or the entire world. However, you'd be mistaken if you think they get along all the time. Just like us, this colosseum and these gladiator fights are peaceful means of competing with each other."

Ethanbaron V. Dominius. Topman Vallerina. Now that Vallerina took a closer look, she noticed that they too were there—three of the younger generations from other families tied to the remaining three of the Five Elders.

"...To see whose kid is the most talented?"

"Presumably."

"How childish."

"Haha! They too are the same as us in the end, no matter how long they lived—oh?"

The roulette stopped. Revealed—the rank number of Haddock,

—versus rank 7: Binol.

The crowd of Celestial Dragons erupted in excitement, unable to believe that such a big match occurred by chance.

__________

[Unbelievable!! The machine of fate decided upon the match between the man of 2000 Doriki and the current 7th in ranking!!]

Darvy watched from beyond his cage as Haddock walked out with a blank expression on him. Coupled with his tall physique, he appeared menacing... although his enemy was even taller with legs so long that they took up the majority of his entire body.

'Longleg tribe, was it?'

Darvy understood that legs of such size much pack just as much of a kick. Physique-wise, that man of the longleg tribe, Binol, seemed superior to Haddock. However, according to the screen, Binol's Doriki amounted to 510, which is approximately a quarter of Haddock's.

"Doraki, Doreki, pff... you too realized by now, but those numbers mean nothing!"

Without bothering to take hold of a weapon, Binol brazenly marched at Haddock with those long legs of his.

"Oh? Is that so?"

No further talk was needed. Binol sent forth a fearsome kick that resembled a whip due to its length, and Haddock simply matched it with a punch of his own.

A cracking noise was heard—an indication that something broke.

"GAHHHHH!!!"

It was Binol whose leg was completely disfigured, forcing him to lose his balance while screaming in pain.

Darvy's eyes widened from this unbelievable spectacle.

Then, a punch straight into the face of the falling Binol, which crashed him into the ground, unconscious.

"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!! THAT BUG IS CHEATING!!! HE'S—"

One Celestial Dragon, supposedly the master of Binol, shouted in disbelief, but was quickly shut down by other Celestial Dragons who shouted back in spite.

[What a quick battle it was in contrary to the expectations of many! Time to cool down the heat a little, we still have a long way to go!]

The pit floor softened and swirled, before pulling Haddock and the unconscious Binol in just as the last time.

The only thing remaining in the scene now was the playful sound of roulette being at work.

'Doriki difference isn't negligible. The gap between Haddock and that guy, Binol, just now... was unbelievable.'

The more Darvy realized of Haddock's strength, the more he wondered how strong that white armored servant of Brysus was.

'Will I never get to be as strong as I want?'

Darvy clenched his fists, perhaps out of frustration. His dream, at this moment, felt so far-fetched.

Then, the roulette stopped, drawing the results.

[500 vs 53].

500. That was Darvy's number within the 500 remaining gladiators, meaning that his Doriki remained the lowest and his strength the weakest among them.

And versus a person ranked 53. The number stated that this person was, by current understanding, the 53rd strongest within 500.

"How unlucky,"

Commented Marchen, as the cage door in front of Darvy creaked open.

There, Darvy saw his enemy—a pseudo-giant at a height of 3 meters. His arms alone were thicker than Darvy's legs.

"Damn it. This is going to be so one-sided."

Some Celestial Dragons groaned. Some slaves shut their eyes tight, knowing that this was over for Darvy and that the end won't be well-sightly.

"Show me, can you win even this one?"

Vallerina whispered to herself, with excitement and underlying cruelty.

Seeing this, Marchen seemed to have seen something in her.

"Wait, Vallerina. You..."

His eyes narrowed,

"Did you set this up? On purpose?"

Vallerina simply smiled at that, confirming his thoughts.

[Rank 500: Darvy! Versus~ rank 53: Arex!]

This huge man, Arex, grinned and revealed his just as huge teeth as he casually and leisurely marched toward Darvy.

"I remember your fight in the previous round. You used cheap tricks like light and sand to blind your opponent. Well... that won't work this time around."

Darvy wasn't clear how the ranking was done after the first round. After all, those from the previous season had their rankings preserved regardless of their Doriki, and after the first round of this season, the slaves of the previous season and the new batch were merged together.

However, the fact that this guy, Arex, had the Doriki of 600 meant that his strength at the very least exceeded Haddock's opponent, Binol.

In contrast, Darvy's Doriki was 3.

3 vs 600.

"Well, Darvy,"

Arex's grin widened,

"Seems like this is your doomsday."