461-465

Chapter 461: Beat You Down 

"Hey, what's your problem?" Zoro glared coldly at the navy officer. "We’ve got no beef with you, so why are you ready to fight us the moment we cross paths?" 

By this point, Zoro had already recognized the marine commander—Smoker. 

Smoker had ordered his subordinates to surround their group without hesitation. 

That alone was enough to get Zoro and Sanji seriously riled up. 

"Heh... You pirates really are naive," Smoker said with a smug grin. "I'm a full-fledged marine, and you're pirates. Marines and pirates have never gotten along. So naturally, I'm going to attack you." 

"Cut the crap!" Nami snapped, already seething with frustration from being swindled by a shady merchant earlier. And now this marine dares to act tough in front of her? 

That pushed her over the edge. 

"Listen up, so-called Commander Smoker," she said, her voice sharp. "Yeah, we’re pirates, but we’re not out here to pillage and burn. We’re just chasing treasure on the Grand Line. We’ve got no grudge against you marines. So why not leave each other alone and mind our own business?" 

Smack! 

Before Nami could even finish her sentence, Smoker suddenly darted forward with insane speed. 

She barely had time to react. 

Smoker hit her with a flurry of punches and kicks, knocking her straight to the ground. 

"What the hell?! You bastard—how dare you lay a hand on the woman I love!" Sanji exploded. 

Sanji had always been head-over-heels for Nami. 

Seeing her hit like that made his blood boil with rage. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, Sanji launched himself into a full-on assault, unleashing every last one of his secret techniques. 

But what he didn’t expect was that Smoker wasn’t just any ordinary human—he had eaten the Moku Moku no Mi, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. 

So when Sanji’s kick came flying in, Smoker just smirked and turned into smoke. 

Sanji was stunned. 

Zoro jumped in right after, drawing all three swords and unleashing his Santoryuu—the Three-Sword Style. 

But even his strongest techniques, which had cut through enemies time and time again, couldn’t even scratch Smoker. 

The two of them exchanged glances, shocked. 

"Heh... you two trash-tier pirates seriously thought you could beat me? I’ll tell you right now, there’s no way in hell that’s happening." 

"Oh?" A calm but steely voice cut through the tension. "If they can’t beat you, maybe I can." 

It was Kazama. 

Seeing his crewmates beaten down by Smoker made his blood boil too. 

He hadn’t wanted to start anything with the marines. Not because he was afraid, but because he had a greater goal—reaching the Grand Line and helping his crew grow stronger through real challenges. 

Chapter 462: You're Just Not Good Enough 

At first, Kazama tried to endure it, but watching this Marine, Smoker, constantly showing off in front of him was really getting on his nerves. 

Kazama thought to himself, If I keep putting up with this, won't I just look like some spineless coward? That was something he absolutely couldn't accept. 

So, without hesitation, Kazama launched an attack on Smoker. 

Smoker, however, didn’t take Kazama seriously at all. 

Sure, he knew that Kazama had a bounty of 100 million Berries. He figured Kazama must have some skill. 

But as far as he was concerned, with his Logia-type Smoke powers, he was nearly invincible—able to attack and defend with ease. No matter how strong Kazama might be, he wasn't worried in the slightest. 

Using his Smoke-Smoke Fruit powers again, Smoker engaged Kazama in battle. For a while, it seemed like the fight was evenly matched. 

In their first few clashes, Smoker dodged all of Kazama's attacks with ease. 

Seeing that Kazama couldn’t land a single blow, Smoker was overjoyed. He sneered and mocked him, “What now, you little punk? I told you—you’re not on my level. Did you really think you could beat me?” 

But right as Smoker was boasting, Kazama landed a clean hit and sent him crashing to the ground. 

“What?! How is that even possible?!” 

The moment Smoker felt Kazama’s punch land, he broke out in a cold sweat. 

Ever since eating the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, he had believed no one could touch him. He didn’t even take Marine HQ’s top brass—Aokiji, Kizaru—seriously. 

So for a pirate he thought was trash to hit him with a wind punch and knock him down? 

It completely shattered his worldview. 

“Heh heh.” 

Seeing the stunned expression on Smoker’s face, Kazama let out a cold laugh and said, 

“Let me tell you something. I, Kazama, am a real man of iron will. Taking you down is no big deal. But I’m not the kind of guy who enjoys killing. That’s why I’ve held back.” 

“But I didn’t expect you to keep running your damn mouth in front of me. So now, I’m done holding back!” 

With that, Kazama launched into another round of attacks. 

Within just a few moves, Kazama unleashed his Wind Release technique. 

Smoker had no idea Kazama could use elemental-style jutsu. He still thought Kazama was just some weak nobody. 

Panicked, he turned his entire body into smoke and tried to escape. 

But escaping from Kazama? Not happening. 

After all, Kazama was the ruler of the seas. 

With just one move, Kazama trapped Smoker inside a massive tornado. 

“What?! How?! How can you have such powerful abilities?!” 

Smoker was in disbelief. His body had clearly turned to smoke, yet he was completely caught—unable to move. 

Cold sweat poured down his face. 

Kazama just smirked again. 

“You don’t need to know how I got this strong,” he said. “All you need to know is this— *In front of me, you're as weak as an ant.*” 

Chapter 463: Susanoo of the Pirate World 

“What a damn fraud!!” 

Seeing Kazama once again flaunting his power and lecturing him endlessly, Smoker flew into a rage. He was absolutely fuming, veins practically popping out of his forehead. 

But no matter how furious he was, it didn’t make a bit of difference now. The truth was, he simply couldn’t lay a finger on Kazama. 

Meanwhile, Smoker’s subordinates—watching Kazama display such overwhelming strength—were completely stunned. 

Even so, no one dared to back down. Loyal to their commander, they charged forward to support him, attacking Kazama all at once. 

Seeing their loyalty, Smoker was overjoyed. He pointed straight at Kazama and roared: 

“Listen up, you little punk! Yeah, your power might be something, but you’re still trash compared to me! Now I’ll show you what my men can do—they’re gonna cut you down!” 

Kazama just smirked. 

“Oh? You really think these guys are strong enough to kill me?” 

“What?!” 

Before Smoker could react, Kazama activated Susanoo—a massive, humanoid armor of pure energy. 

In the blink of an eye, he blocked all the Navy soldiers’ attacks. Even their cannon fire was stopped cold, unable to break through the glowing barrier. 

Not only that, but Susanoo protected Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and the others completely. 

“No way… What is this?!” 

Smoker was absolutely stunned. He never imagined Kazama’s power would be this overwhelming. Cold sweat streamed down his face again. 

“Heh heh…” 

Sanji, Zoro, and the others, finally safe behind Kazama’s protection, were thrilled. Seeing Kazama dominate Smoker so easily, they couldn’t help but laugh coldly. 

Sanji sneered at Smoker, “You know, we didn’t have any beef with you before. But you just had to keep showing off and acting all high and mighty. So don’t blame us for not showing mercy now.” 

“You’re pissing me off!!!” 

Smoker exploded with anger, humiliated over and over again by Kazama and the others. 

At this point, he tried one last trick. He attempted to fake surrender, hoping Kazama would let his guard down so he could escape. 

Unfortunately for him, Kazama wasn’t an idiot. There was no way he was going to fall for such a cheap trick. 

In just a few swift moves, Kazama smacked Smoker back to the ground again. 

At first, Kazama considered finishing him off for good. But then he thought about it—he wasn’t someone who enjoyed killing for no reason. 

So he stepped back and said coldly: 

“Listen carefully, Smoker. I’m sparing your pathetic life—not because you’re tough, and definitely not because I’m afraid of you. I just don’t feel like wasting more time on you. So be smart, and don’t cross me again.” 

With that, Kazama turned and led Zoro, Sanji, and the others away from the scene. 

Even though Smoker was boiling with frustration, there was nothing he could do. Kazama's strength completely outclassed him. 

Even if he wanted to resist, it was pointless. 

Kazama and the others’ next goal was to reunite with Luffy and set sail once more. 

Chapter 464: Buggy the Clown Strikes Again 

Just when Kazama and the others arrived at the execution platform in the middle of town, they were shocked by what they saw. 

Luffy was surrounded—caught in a trap set by a group of pirates. 

And when Kazama got a closer look at one of them, his expression froze. 

It was none other than Buggy the Clown—the same pirate Kazama had humiliated and left in the dirt not long ago. 

Apparently, Buggy had been itching for revenge ever since that loss. 

That’s why he had taken Luffy hostage. 

He knew full well that Luffy and Kazama were tight—like real brothers. 

If he had Luffy, he figured Kazama would have no choice but to show himself. 

And sure enough, just as he captured Luffy, Kazama and the crew arrived on the scene. 

Buggy was overjoyed. 

With a wicked grin on his face, he started taunting Kazama right away. 

“Kazama, you little punk—I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” 

“Oh? Don’t tell me you’re here to get beat down again?” Kazama replied with a smirk, clearly unimpressed. 

“You dare mock me again?!” Buggy exploded with rage. “I’ve had it! I let you off easy last time, but now I’m gonna cut you into pieces and burn the remains!” 

Buggy, who had been hiding out and building up confidence, was convinced he could finally win. 

He completely forgot how powerful Kazama truly was. 

Charging in without a second thought, Buggy activated his Devil Fruit ability—the Bara Bara no Mi, the Chop-Chop Fruit. 

In the eyes of many pirates, it was a terrifying power. 

But to Kazama, it was trash. 

Seeing Buggy launch the same old move, Kazama just scoffed. 

With a flick of his hand, he unleashed the power of his different fire—a mysterious, supernatural flame. 

In an instant, Buggy’s disassembled body parts were completely engulfed in Kazama’s eerie fire. 

“AAAH! What the hell?!” Buggy screamed, rolling all over the ground, trying to put the flames out. “How can your fire wrap around me like this? No way—there’s no way anyone can control fire with this much precision!” 

Still writhing in pain, Buggy cursed at Kazama. 

“Heh… You don’t need to understand how my powers work,” Kazama said coldly. “All you need to know is—you walked right into hell, so don’t blame me for sending you there.” 

But then—just as Kazama was about to finish the fight… 

Buggy let out a creepy chuckle. 

“Heh… Kazama, you really thought I came here to face you alone?” 

Before Kazama could react, a stunning woman with an alluring figure appeared in a flash and neutralized the fire surrounding Buggy’s scattered body parts. 

“What?!” Kazama’s eyes widened. 

Someone had just completely dispelled his different fire—something he thought couldn’t be undone. 

Chapter 465: Pirate Alvida Got Plastic Surgery 

As Kazama turned to look at the beautiful woman, he immediately realized—he didn’t recognize her at all. 

So he snapped at her without hesitation, “Hey you! I’m Kazama. We've never even met, and I don’t have any grudge against you. So why are you helping that clown Buggy attack me?!” 

“Cut the crap!” 

Before Kazama could even finish, the woman—wielding a spiked club—roared at him. 

“I’ll tell you this: my face hasn’t changed all that much! The freckles are just gone! Don’t tell me you seriously don’t recognize me?!” 

“What?! Who are you?” 

Kazama's heart skipped a beat as he started to suspect that maybe... she was someone from his past. 

His mind raced—but no matter how hard he searched his memories, he still had no idea who she was. 

Then the woman snarled again. “You little punk! I’m the pirate Alvida—the one you sent flying with a single punch!” 

“What?! No way!” 

As soon as Kazama heard her say she was Alvida, it wasn’t just him who was stunned. 

Even Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Nami all gasped in shock. 

After all, they had met Alvida before. 

And back then, she was short, obese, and looked just like Big Mom’s crew member Alvida. 

But now, standing before them was a stunning woman with a curvaceous figure and striking beauty. 

Naturally, everyone—including Kazama—was totally dumbfounded. 

Then Alvida sneered and said coldly: 

“Let me be honest with you, Kazama. I ate the Sube Sube no Mi—the Slip-Slip Fruit. Now my whole body is smooth and slick, like rubber with bounce. Even my attacks have that slippery quality. So no matter how powerful your flames are, they’re useless against me!” 

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get on your knees and beg for mercy. Otherwise, I swear I won’t let you off!” 

“Hmph!” 

Before Alvida could finish her threats, Luffy suddenly sprang forward and punched at her. 

“Alvida, I’ll admit your powers are kinda cool—but to me, the Rubber Man, you’re still just trash!” 

Smack smack smack! 

Before Luffy could even finish talking, Alvida landed three slaps in quick succession, sending him crashing to the ground. 

“Listen up, brat. Right now, there are two people I hate the most—Kazama, and you. My body’s smooth and elastic now. If you think you can take me down, dream on!” 

And just as Kazama had said, even though Luffy’s attacks were fast and fierce... 

They didn’t land. 

Not a single hit could touch Alvida. She slipped and dodged them all like it was nothing. 

Cold sweat started to drip down Luffy’s back. 

Before he could react, Alvida pounced again—three punches, two kicks—and once more, Luffy was slammed to the ground. 

Kazama watched all this in shock. 

“So... the Sube Sube no Mi really is that overpowered... Not even my fire techniques can scratch her. I wonder... can any of my other abilities actually work on her?” 

With that thought, Kazama launched an all-out attack—unleashing the powers of Wind, Thunder, Water, Fire, and Earth—all five elemental attributes—against Alvida.