ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

A deafening roar echoed in his mind. Instantly, dizziness overtook him. His vision doubled, the world spun, and an unbearable pressure weighed on his body.

Gnali gritted his teeth, pushing himself to endure. Half a second—that was all he managed before his legs buckled, forcing him to one knee.

Sweat streamed from his forehead, as if he had just walked through a torrential downpour. His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling violently.

"What... is this...?" he muttered, barely able to comprehend what was happening.

A deep anger flickered in his eyes. He clenched his fists, determination surging through him.

Caesar Clovis, standing a few steps away, raised an eyebrow. He had deliberately held back his Haoshoku Haki, ensuring it wouldn't knock Gnali out instantly. After all, his goal wasn't to crush him—it was to dominate, to bend him to his will.

Seeing that Gnali could still hold on, a pleased smirk crossed Caesar's lips.

"How about it?" Caesar's voice was slow and deliberate, dripping with confidence. "Join me."

His words struck Gnali like a war drum pounding inside his skull.

Brad, who had been silently watching, took the chance to chime in. "You don't know how lucky you are," he said, crossing his arms. "Caesar is strong. You should be honored."

"No…" Gnali's voice was hoarse but firm.

Brad's expression twisted in disbelief. His eyes widened. "What? You're still refusing?!"

BOOM!

An overwhelming force burst forth from Gnali's body. His own Haoshoku Haki—unrefined but unmistakably powerful—clashed against Caesar's.

A violent shockwave exploded outward.

The ground cracked. The trees groaned before toppling over.

Even Brad, despite years of training under Caesar's oppressive aura, struggled to stay standing. He quickly leaped back, escaping the zone of impact. His eyes, filled with shock, locked onto Gnali.

"That was... Haoshoku Haki..."

A cold sweat ran down his back.

This ordinary-looking guy… actually possessed the rarest power of all?!

Impossible.

For the first time in a long while, even Caesar was momentarily taken aback. But then, his lips curled into a slow, amused grin.

Interesting.

He hadn't been mistaken—Gnali had the makings of a top-tier fighter. The kind of warrior who could one day stand at the pinnacle of the seas.

The desire in Caesar's eyes became undeniable.

He would not let this man go.

RUMBLE!

Caesar unleashed another surge of Haoshoku Haki, this time with full force. Gnali's newly awakened willpower was completely overwhelmed.

BOOM!

The pressure sent Gnali crashing to his knees, his body trembling from the sheer weight of it. But the light in his eyes refused to go out.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him.

Caesar stepped forward, peering down at him with a confident smirk.

"Let's make a bet."

He raised a single finger.

"One hour."

"If you can withstand my attacks for one hour, you're free. You can go wherever you want, and I'll even fund your journey."

His smile deepened.

"But if you lose…"

A pause. A sharp glint in his eye.

"Then you'll become my vice-captain."

Gnali met Caesar's gaze head-on. He could feel the challenge, the unshakable arrogance behind those words.

There was no escaping it.

And yet… a fire burned in his chest.

A king does not back down.

Gnali slowly stood up, rolling his shoulders, his body aching but his spirit unwavering.

"Fine," he said, clenching his fists. "I accept."

Their eyes locked.

A fateful battle was about to begin.

[38] Confrontation – The Clash of Kings!

BOOM!

Caesar moved first. His fist cut through the air with a force that howled like a storm.

Gnali reacted instinctively, raising both arms to block.

The impact sent him skidding backward, his feet dragging long trenches into the ground.

Caesar chuckled. "Not bad."

"But what about this?"

BOOM! BOOM!

The next two punches came faster than lightning.

Gnali barely dodged, flipping backward. His fist struck a nearby tree instead, shattering its thick trunk.

The tree collapsed with a thunderous crash.

With a sharp roar, Gnali lunged, appearing in front of Caesar in an instant.

He swung, aiming straight for Caesar's face.

Caesar smirked.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent Gnali flying.

Gnali twisted midair, landing in a crouch, dirt spraying around him.

At that moment, he had only his raw strength. His swordsmanship was non-existent, his movements unrefined. The broken sword in his hand was nothing more than a prop.

Yet—

Caesar had noticed something.

Despite his lack of formal training, this guy… was powerful. Stronger than Brad.

Caesar rolled his shoulders, fists clashing together.

Excitement gleamed in his eyes.

Maybe—just maybe—his future right-hand man wouldn't be weaker than Silvers Rayleigh.

WHOOSH!

An afterimage blurred across Gnali's vision.

His pupils shrank.

He couldn't see Caesar's movement at all.

Not even a trace.

How fast…?!

Instinct screamed at him.

He spun just in time to cross his arms and block.

BOOM!

The impact numbed his limbs.

Gnali gritted his teeth.

Caesar narrowed his eyes. "No Devil Fruit, no Haki, no weapons. And yet, you're still standing."

"Interesting."

Gnali didn't reply. He had no time.

He threw punch after punch—each one backed by everything he had.

And yet—

Not a single one landed.

Brad, still watching from a distance, clenched his fists.

"That bastard… how is he this strong?"

He took a step back.

The fight intensified.

BOOM!

Gnali, now armed with a steel pipe he had grabbed from the ground, charged forward.

The crude weapon added just enough force to his attacks, pushing his strength closer to a Rear Admiral's level.

But—

Caesar was leagues beyond that.

With one motion, he caught the steel pipe mid-swing and yanked it from Gnali's grip.

Then—

BOOM!

He swung Gnali like a ragdoll, slamming him through trees and boulders.

CRACK!

RUMBLE!

The battlefield was in ruins.

And yet—

Gnali still stood.

Blood trickled from his forehead. His right eye was swollen shut. His breathing was labored.

But his gaze…

That fire had only grown stronger.

"I can't fall here."