CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 193: A CARELESS BATTLE!

Chapter 193: A Careless Battle!

---

"I’ll go first!"

Pekoms burst forward without hesitation.

Humiliated after being beaten by Enel and captured like some exotic pet by Chrollo, he was burning with frustration. He had to redeem himself—especially with the Big Mom Pirates facing off against the Whitebeard Pirates.

And Ace? He was the perfect target to unleash it all.

"You?"

Ace cracked his knuckles, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Bring it."

Flames erupted beneath Ace’s feet as he propelled himself forward like a missile—his speed eclipsing even that of the Navy’s "Rokushiki."

But Pekoms wasn’t some random lackey. As a combatant of the Big Mom Pirates and a warrior of the Mink Tribe, he met Ace head-on, activating his Devil Fruit ability mid-charge and slamming a haki-covered fist toward Ace’s flaming strike.

The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the bubble dome.

He was knocked back—but protected by his Zoan ability, Pekoms barely took any damage.

He charged again, claws unsheathed, aiming straight for Ace’s core.

As they exchanged blows, Pekoms began to struggle. Keeping up the pressure while maintaining his Zoan defense—and resisting Ace’s intense flames—was draining.

"Damn it..."

He gritted his teeth, then yanked a pill from his coat and swallowed it.

BOOM!

A violent surge of energy burst from his body, shaking the ground beneath them.

Ace backed off, frowning. "What the hell is that?"

Ryuunosuke’s eyes narrowed as he watched from a distance. He turned to Conrad, who stood silently beside him.

"Is that some kind of Mink Tribe specialty?"

Conrad’s expression darkened. "No. That’s not ours."

"It’s something from the outside—probably made by the underworld or through Big Mom’s channels."

"And judging by the aura... they’re trying to force a transformation into Sulong form."

Ryuunosuke’s expression shifted slightly.

The Sulong—or Moon Lion—form was a berserker state exclusive to the Mink Tribe when exposed to the full moon. Normally uncontrollable unless mastered.

Conrad, with his Moonlight Fruit, was one of the rare few who could control it freely.

"But forcing that transformation artificially... it’s dangerous."

---

Pekoms transformation completed with a final burst of white light.

He emerged in Sulong form—fur bristling, eyes red with fury, and killing intent radiating off him like a wildfire.

But even to the untrained eye, something was off.

His aura was unstable. His breath ragged. His gaze... feral.

"He’s turned," Ace muttered. "But you think that’s enough to beat me?"

Flames exploded across his body. "I’m Portgas D. Ace—Whitebeard’s Second Division Commander!"

He launched himself into the sky and came crashing down like a meteor, heat rolling in waves.

Ryuunosuke raised his hand, casually sealing the surrounding area in a sound-dampening barrier. He wasn’t about to let collateral damage rain down on Fishman Island—or trouble Shirahoshi again.

The battle between Ace and Pekoms intensified, until—

"IDIOT!!"

Conrad’s voice tore through the air like a whip.

Pekoms froze mid-swing.

His bloodshot eyes flickered—then slowly began to clear.

"Conrad...?"

The fury in his expression faltered the moment he saw the familiar face.

With everything happening so fast, he hadn’t noticed Conrad among the Dragon Hunter Pirates.

Now, he did.

"You still remember our traditions?" Conrad snarled, stepping forward. "The Sulong form isn’t some tool for monsters to play with!"

"Have you forgotten what it means to be a Mink!?"

Pekoms form began to collapse. The brilliant white fur faded. His limbs shook. Within moments, he dropped to his knees, reverting to normal.

He was done.

Too exhausted to stand. Too ashamed to meet Conrad’s eyes.

"I lost," he whispered, barely audible.

He stepped aside without protest.

He couldn’t even look at his fellow Minks.

And worst of all, he couldn’t bring himself to explain that this wasn’t what he wanted.

There was simply... no time for excuses.

"I’ll handle the next one," Baron Tamago said, stepping forward.

He didn’t understand why Pekoms had surrendered, but that didn’t matter.

His job now was to defeat Ace.

"Come on then!" Ace grinned, confidence surging.

He rushed forward, blade-shaped flames bursting from his arm. "Flame Slash!"

The strike was sudden and brutal—catching Tamago completely off-guard.

SLASH!

His body split in half mid-air.

"...So weak?" Ace blinked. "That’s a Big Mom pirate?"

But then, from the spilled yolk on the floor, something began to grow.

Tamago evolved.

From Baron to Viscount Hiyoko.

The Egg-Egg Fruit’s strange power allowed him to "evolve" upon damage.

Stronger. Faster. Sharper.

Without missing a beat, Viscount Hiyoko lunged at Ace.

And while he was stronger than before, Ace was no slouch. After a flurry of blows, flames, and counters, Ace overwhelmed him once again.

From there, it was only a matter of time before the final form—Count Niwatori—appeared.

And was promptly defeated.

Three evolutions, three beatdowns.

Two out of three victories for Ace.

There was no longer a need for Perospero to join the fight.

---

"...We’re leaving," Perospero said, voice tight.

He didn’t want to linger a second longer.

Something told him if he didn’t get off this island now, he might never leave again.

"You go on ahead," Pekoms said quietly, still sitting on the ground. "I’ll return later."

"Pekoms, what are you—?"

"If Mother is angry... I’ll take full responsibility."

Perospero didn’t argue.

He just turned and left, taking the battered remnants of his team with him.

Chrollo looked after Baron Tamago with a hungry glint in his eyes.

That man did look like a rare species.

If they hadn’t run just then...

He might’ve actually added him to the collection.

Pekoms dragged himself forward.

He stopped in front of Conrad.

Then, without a word, he knelt.

The entire crowd fell silent.

Even Ryuunosuke blinked in confusion. Wait, what?

He didn’t know much about Mink Tribe customs, but Pekoms status on Zou wasn’t low.

And Conrad wasn’t exactly royalty.

So why—why kneel?

"Captain," Chrollo suddenly whispered. "I’ll be back."

He grabbed Machi’s hand and disappeared without another word.

"...O...kay," Ryuunosuke muttered.

He gave up trying to understand the weirdness of his crew for now.

He was sure the explanation would come soon enough.

"Pekoms," Conrad said softly.

"...Have you betrayed Zou?"

Behind him, the other Mink Tribe members stared at Pekoms silently, waiting.

Pekoms didn’t lift his head.

"They stole my fur... and then..."

He clenched his fists.

His voice cracked.

"I didn’t have a choice..."

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