The Most Talented Pirate Hunter - Chapter 30

Bang!!!

A thunderous clash echoed as elbows collided. Ent glared at Hermes with murderous intent, enunciating each word with resolute determination, “Kid, you won’t walk out of here today. Don’t think that taking down Explosive Rabbit gives you the right to challenge me.”

Hermes didn’t reply verbally. Instead, his left hand shot out with a Finger Pistol as swift as lightning, signaling through action that not only was he challenging Ent, but he intended to defeat him.

He’d encountered plenty of braggarts before.

Ent’s hoof came crashing down, causing the ground beneath them to crack. They simultaneously kicked out, creating a wind blast that whipped their hair wildly.

Hermes swung his elbow horizontally, but Ent dodged by supporting himself on one hand, bending low. His hooves then shot up towards Hermes’ chin. Hermes instantly shrank to five millimeters, riding the gust of wind to Ent’s back, where he reverted to normal size and delivered a powerful kick.

Anyone else would have been caught off guard by such an attack, but Ent was different.

His tail, which he hadn’t used yet, wrapped nimbly around Hermes’ leg, not only stopping the attack but also lifting him off the ground.

Losing his balance, Hermes shrank again, easily escaping Ent’s grasp.

Another collision sent both retreating, their expressions serious.

Without a doubt, Ent had the advantage in strength, but Hermes was more agile, especially with his ability to shrink and grow combined with Observation Haki, making him hard to hit.

Unless Hermes chose to be hit.

“Kid, what Devil Fruit did you eat?” Ent sensed how tricky Hermes was.

In a direct confrontation, Ent had no worries. But dealing with agile opponents always gave him a headache.

“Foolish,” Hermes thought it was absurd. He wasn’t an idiot; he knew better than to reveal his abilities to the enemy. He was smart enough to avoid eating random things and to seek shelter from the rain. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to disclose his power to an opponent.

Hermes’ look of disdain and pity infuriated Ent. Without another word, he launched an attack.

The sound of powerful collisions rang out repeatedly. They exchanged blows, each hit delivering raw power. Unless necessary, Hermes didn’t dodge but met Ent head-on.

Winning wasn’t the priority; honing his skills through battle was.

There were risks, but as long as his life wasn’t in immediate danger, Hermes would push the limits.

“King Iron Body.”

With all his strength, Hermes braced for Ent’s powerful kick.

The force drove Hermes’ feet into the ground, sliding him back two meters. His chest burned, but his ribs remained intact. He merely spat a mouthful of blood.

He could still take it.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Hermes taunted as he straightened up.

“Die!” Ent’s eyes glinted coldly. He launched himself at Hermes.

Boom, boom, boom!!!

The fight intensified, and the commotion soon spread. News quickly reached the surrounding areas that the bounty hunter Hermes Jormungandr was battling Giraffe Ent.

Hearing this, Explosive Wolf from the Violent Family rushed to the scene.

A mouthful of blood sprayed out as Hermes took a hit after hit from Ent. His chest was now covered in bruises, looking as though he’d been through severe abuse, but Hermes was exhilarated. His mastery of the Iron Body was rapidly improving.

“Giraffe Barrage.”

Ent’s hair stood on end. Growing more frustrated and alarmed, he unleashed a powerful combo.

It was known as a deadly chain attack.

Few in the seas could withstand it.

“King Iron Body.”

Hermes clenched his fists, focusing all his strength on his chest, which visibly swelled. He was determined to endure another round of attacks.

What was happening?

Suddenly, Hermes felt a strange power well up in his chest. His defense surged noticeably.

There was no time to ponder as Ent’s relentless attacks continued, wave after wave.

Gradually, Hermes’ feet sank into the ground as he slid back. But the expected pain wasn’t as intense; Ent’s attacks felt weaker.

What’s going on?

Ent was puzzled, too. He could feel the increased hardness of Hermes’ chest; his defense was on a different level now.

“Damn it.”

Ent roared in frustration, continuing his onslaught while Hermes stood firm. That strange power grew stronger, his defense becoming more formidable.

Swish!!!

With a final powerful strike, Hermes couldn’t hold on and was sent flying. He rolled on the ground, crashing into a corner wall, blood trickling from his mouth, his face pale.

But Hermes didn’t mind any of this.

He’d just thought of a possibility.

The mere idea made his heart race with excitement, just like when he first awakened his Observation Haki. It had come suddenly, without warning.

Unexpected, but thrilling.

This strange power could be Armament Haki.

In the world of One Piece, haki was paramount, especially armament haki, which boosted both attack and defense, making it invaluable.

You could lack a Devil Fruit or the Six Powers, but you needed Observation and Armament Haki to be a true powerhouse.

Damn it, could I be a natural genius? Or is this my cheat for crossing worlds, an enhanced talent?

Excited.

Euphoric.

Hermes couldn’t describe his feelings.

He couldn’t let this sensation fade, just like with Observation Haki. He needed to master it quickly.

The best way? More fighting.

Hermes was like a tomcat in heat, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented brightness, barely restraining a howl.

Seeing Hermes’ greedy expression, Ent felt immense pressure.

The change in Hermes’ spirit was too noticeable. He seemed ready to devour Ent alive, clothes and all.

“Kill!!”

Suppressing his fear, Ent attacked again.

Hermes charged too, eager to be hit.

“Violent Kick.”

“King Iron Body.”

The sound of iron colliding echoed as Hermes braced his chest against Ent’s strikes, carefully feeling that strange power.

Blood flowed freely, but Hermes only grew more spirited.

“How is this possible?!”

“After taking so many of the captain’s attacks, he’s still standing.”

The observing pirates were dumbfounded.

Hermes looked battered, on the brink of death, yet he endured Ent’s assaults, urging him to hit harder.

His frenzied, greedy look made him seem like a deranged masochist.

It was unsettling.

“Don’t stop!”

Once more, Hermes climbed to his feet, coughing.

Ent, panting, felt a chill in his bones.

This kid was relentless.

He was like an indestructible cockroach. Who was the real Zoan user here?

“Ara ara~”

“Found you.”

As Ent prepared to attack again, a bicycle approached from a distance. The lazy voice made Ent freeze, his hair standing on end. Trembling, he turned around.

Hermes’ expression also shifted, surprised to encounter such a prominent figure here.

A bicycle, round sunglasses, green mesh visor, blue V-neck shirt under a black coat, and an air of perpetual sleepiness.

He looked like someone begging to be punched.

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