Starting with Contracting with Red-Haired Shanks

In the deep pit, Lin Muxue and the other nine were in a sorry state, their injuries worsening. Some clutched their stomachs tightly, faces twisted in pain; others had arms hanging limply, blood dripping from their fingertips; some knelt on one knee, clutching their chests with pained expressions; and others hugged their legs, a bloody gash visible on their thighs.

Their faces were grim, shaken, as they looked up at Ye Yu, who stood above them, their hearts trembling.

They had had the chance to dodge that last strike. But they couldn't—it would have been too humiliating for ten of them to evade an attack together. Yet, even with their combined strength, they were at a disadvantage, their injuries only worsening.

Wang Quanshi's expression was dark. As an Ability User with the Fish-Fish Fruit Azure Dragon Form, he prided himself on his strength. But now, he knew with absolute clarity that if he had faced that strike alone, even with his full power, he would likely have met his end. This immense gap in strength dealt him an unprecedented blow. As a top-tier prodigy, his pride was strong, but the thought of being utterly crushed by Ye Yu, who had contracted with Non-Ability Users, was devastating, shaking his worldview to its core.

Why was the gap between him and Ye Yu so vast?

Lin Muxue and the others were equally shaken. They knew that in a one-on-one fight with Ye Yu, they stood no chance—they would be completely dominated. The power of that Divine Departure strike was simply overwhelming.

At this moment, the world was in turmoil.

"That strike was too powerful! Even with ten prodigies joining forces, they still couldn't withstand it!"

"They hastily counterattacked earlier, but now, even with time to coordinate, they're still at a disadvantage."

"No wonder it's called Divine Departure—even gods would avoid it. And since they didn't, this is the result."

"I never imagined it could be this strong. I thought the gap between top-tier prodigies wouldn't be that large, but with Ye Yu, it's immense. Even with ten of them working together, they're barely holding on, and still at a disadvantage."

"No wonder Ye Yu chose to contract with seven Non-Ability Users. It wasn't foolish after all."

…

Meanwhile, the crew of the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew cheered, elated.

"The Captain is incredible!"

"Maybe we have a chance in this battle!"

Ye Yu's two Divine Departure strikes had boosted the crew's morale.

In stark contrast, the alliance of the four major pirate crews was in shock and panic. Those two strikes had sent their captains and powerful executives flying, leaving them stunned and their morale plummeting. They had been confident, thinking they could easily crush the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew. But now, after being overwhelmed by Conqueror's Haki and seeing their top fighters at a disadvantage against Ye Yu, worry spread through their ranks, an uneasy atmosphere permeating the group.

"Are we… going to lose this battle?"

"This feels like a dream. It's so unreal."

"We seemed to have the advantage, with a strong lineup, but in reality, we don't?"

"I don't want to die…"

…

In the pit, Lin Muxue sighed in relief. "At least we're in this pit. The live broadcast won't capture our sorry state."

Buzz, buzz, buzz…

But then, the ten of them froze, their heads snapping up as they saw a bee-like flying device approaching.

On the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's ship, Lin Yan was controlling the small, bee-like drone equipped with a camera, broadcasting live to a viewership of hundreds of millions. The audience clearly saw Lin Muxue and the others in their disheveled state.

The world was in an uproar.

"They don't look lightly injured."

"Although it's Ye Yu's peak period now, this is still too outrageous."

"Previously, they didn't want to join forces, but now they've been repeatedly humiliated. How satisfying."

...

The morale of the alliance of the four Pirate Crews dropped even lower upon seeing this.

The crew members of the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew witnessed the scene and gave a thumbs up in admiration.

"Lin Yan, well done!"

Lin Muxue and the other nine looked grim, quickly standing up to save face, but the embarrassment and anger on their faces were impossible to hide.

Ye Yu looked down at them from above, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips: "Lin Muxue, do you regret it? My previous offer still stands. As long as you do as you said during the truth-telling and willingly become my slave, regarding me as your master, I might consider letting you follow me."

Lin Muxue snorted coldly upon hearing this: "Don't dream, absolutely impossible!"

Ye Yu sighed: "I should have brought the Truth-Truth Fruit user along, so he could ask the questions, I'd like to hear your true thoughts."

This broke Lin Muxue's defenses internally. Although she spoke like this, her heart was already stirred, and she felt some regret again.

She regretted kicking Ye Yu off the ship. If Ye Yu hadn't been kicked off by her and she had known how powerful Ye Yu actually was, she could have made Ye Yu the Captain of the Chosen One Pirate Crew before level thirty.

But, it was impossible to speak the truth.

Lin Muxue suddenly felt happy and relieved: "Thank you for showing us your strength, it makes me very happy. I have to admit, in a one-on-one fight now, I'm not your match, but I'm not worried at all about not being able to defeat you in the arena match a month and a half later. A month and a half is enough time, by then, our levels will surely be no less than thirty, and I can inherit the strength of the Rumble Rumble Fruit user."

Lin Muxue marveled: "I never thought a Non-Ability User could be so powerful, then the Pirates who have eaten the Rumble Rumble Fruit must be even stronger, surely possessing powerful Haki and Conqueror's Haki. So starting from level thirty, I can not only inherit powerful Haki, a strong physique, the user's strength and speed, but also Conqueror's Haki, and the Conqueror's Haki Coating you possess. Although Conqueror's Haki is the mark of a king, and not many possess it, I believe the Pirate King who has the Rumble Rumble Fruit ability must have awakened Conqueror's Haki, so in the arena match, I will surely defeat you."

Thinking this, Lin Muxue's face showed no sign of distress, she was very happy.

"Thank you for being so strong, it will allow me to defeat you and gain the most experience, leaving all the Chosen Ones behind."

...

Lin Muxue's words made Jin Mo and others' eyes light up, and joy surged in their hearts.

The stronger Ye Yu performs now, the more they yearn for level thirty.

Once they reach level thirty, they can also inherit the strength of the Pirate King's fruit ability users.

Wang Quanshi's eyes sparkled with anticipation, he firmly believed that the Pirate King who possessed the Azure Dragon form must be incredibly strong, and he grinned.

"Ye Yu, I really have to thank you. Once I inherit his combat power and physique, I will definitely become the strongest in one-on-one battles! My Thunder Bagua, combined with Dominator Infusion, will surely surpass your Divine Departure."

Jin Mo also sneered, "Ye Yu, you can only act tough now. Don't get too arrogant. Once we reach level 30, you'll be in for a world of hurt! But whether you can even escape this battle is still uncertain."

Jin Mo and the others seemed to find some comfort in their words, and the sense of defeat in their hearts gradually dissipated, making them feel much better.

People around the world who heard their remarks found them reasonable.

Those who possessed Devil Fruit abilities were even more eager to level up quickly and reach level 30.

At this moment, many people began to waver and discuss.

"Originally, I thought the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew was doomed, but now it seems that might not be the case."

"Could the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew actually have a chance to win this battle?"

"Not necessarily. The numbers of the Four Great Pirate Crews are just too overwhelming. As long as these ten prodigies can hold off Ye Yu, the Four Great Pirate Crews will definitely have the upper hand in other battles."

"That makes sense."

...

Although Ye Yu had humbled the ten prodigies twice, most people still believed that the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew was in grave danger in this battle.

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