One Piece Quest Fruit - Chapter 33
While Eust and his companions were strolling through the streets of Lighting Island, they encountered a street brawl and became “forced” spectators amidst the crowd.
After the fight ended and the crowd began to disperse, Eust and his group were about to continue their walk when trouble found them.
A thief had set his sights on the long sword hanging at Eust’s waist. Eust’s keen senses detected the thief before he even touched the scabbard.
However, Eust didn’t react immediately. He waited until the thief had his hand on the scabbard before grabbing him in the act.
“You’ve got some nerve trying to steal from me. Do you want a beating or a thorough beating?” Eust said, gripping the thief’s “evil hand” tightly, evident from the sweat forming on the thief’s face.
“Ouch, my hand! Let go!” the thief cried out in pain.
“I asked you a question. Do you want a beating or a thorough beating?” Eust repeated, not intending to let the thief off easily.
By now, the situation had drawn the attention of the passersby.
“Let go! It hurts! Let go!” the thief shouted, pulling out a dagger with his other hand to stab Eust.
Eust wasn’t about to let this pass. He grabbed the thief’s other wrist, breaking it with a quick twist. He applied more force to the first hand, snapping it as well.
Amid the thief’s screams, Eust kicked him twice, not caring if he suffered “internal injuries.”
Trying to steal from Eust was bad enough, but pulling a knife made it worse. Did the pirate world even have laws? Regardless, stealing from Eust and then attempting to stab him warranted punishment.
Eust’s swift actions left the crowd with varied reactions:
Some were bewildered, “What just happened? Who am I? Where am I?”
Others were shocked, “What’s going on? Who is he? What are they doing?”
Some understood, “A thief got beaten up. Can he still cause trouble?”
Eust walked away with only his back and his sword remaining in the crowd’s memory (Sunny and Lila were unnoticed, though Lila might freak out if she found out).
Not concerned about the thief, Eust continued to enjoy his walk with Sunny and Lila.
But trouble seemed unavoidable.
As they finished their walk and headed to the beach for a stroll, they found themselves surrounded in a small grove.
Their assailants were led by a “big boss” who refused to reveal his identity. Whether or not he became stronger after going bald was unknown.
The big boss brought two lackeys carrying a stretcher with a familiar face: the thief Eust had beaten up earlier, now unconscious.
Did they think numbers made them strong? Did they think Eust would fear them?
Eust wasn’t worried about them. Though they had four people to Eust’s two (excluding Sunny), he sensed danger only from the big boss.
Suddenly, Eust seemed momentarily lost, his mind distracted.
“Eust, are you okay?” Lila asked anxiously, thinking something was wrong.
Eust wasn’t fazed by the big boss’s aura. He had heard something that distracted him but couldn’t pinpoint it.
“I’m fine, Lila. No need to worry about these guys.”
Eust felt only the big boss posed any threat. The others were insignificant, especially with Sunny as a hidden ace.
The big boss finally spoke, “Heh, beating up my man won’t go unpunished. How do you plan to compensate?”
The two lackeys started clamoring.
“You severely injured Dally! We won’t let you off!”
“Boss Desli, show this punk some respect.”
Eust replied without fear, “He tried to steal from me. How do you plan to compensate?”
“Boss, this punk is too arrogant!”
“Boss, avenge Dally!”
“Boss, don’t be polite with him!”
“Boss, we’re cheering for you!”
“Boss…”
Before Eust could protest, Desli beat up his noisy lackeys himself. Eust couldn’t help but feel sorry for Desli having such troublesome lackeys.
Desli then addressed Eust, “Kid, I won’t waste words. Your sword and mine come from the same weapon shop. Leave your sword, and I’ll let you go.”
“Heh, are you dreaming? Can’t you see the difference in our strengths? You must know I’m strong and don’t want to fight. Let’s duel. Enough talk.”
Eust’s bold words reflected his confidence, knowing that showing weakness wasn’t an option.
Desli, accepting the challenge, approached Eust with his sword.
A gust of wind blew, scattering leaves, hinting at what was to come.
Eust and Desli stood facing each other in silence, a minute, then two, then three passed, and still, they stared.
Growing impatient, Eust attacked first, stepping forward with a swift slash. His blade flashed, aiming to strike.
But Desli’s blade flashed brighter, hitting Eust’s left shoulder. Eust instinctively moved, lessening the injury, but it was still serious, and his attack ceased.
“Quick Draw!” Eust muttered, recognizing the technique.
Desli, needing a moment to recover after his attack, didn’t pursue.
Eust, however, advanced instead of retreating, engaging Desli in close combat, even while injured.
Surprisingly, Eust pressured Desli despite his wound.
Lila, alarmed, shouted, “Eust!” Sunny, too, was anxious.
Desli’s lackeys were equally confused. They were initially confident in their boss’s technique but now watch him struggle.
Swordsmen’s duels were dangerous, with no room for error. After a few exchanges, Eust found an opening, injuring Desli with a decisive strike. Without hesitation, Eust ended Desli’s life.
Villains die from talking too much, and Eust remembered this well. While he wasn’t a villain, he knew not to give opponents any chance during a fight.
After defeating Desli, Eust didn’t tend to his shoulder. Instead, he swiftly dealt with Desli’s three lackeys, ensuring none could escape.
Sunny was young, and Eust worried he couldn’t handle such situations. He took care of it himself, ready to call Sunny if needed.
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