Chapter 328: Barrett vs. Chinjao
"What's going on? Is that Chief Chinjao stepping into the ring? And who's that kid he's facing?"
"Why is the Chief here?!"
The moment Chinjao stepped onto the arena, a massive wave of murmurs exploded across the stands.
Everyone in the Flower Country knew who he was.
As the leader of the Eight Treasures Navy, Chinjao held tremendous status. He had led the navy into the New World, where he roamed for over five or six years among the strongest pirates.
He wasn't just the pride of the Flower Country—but of the entire West Blue.
Even after being defeated by Garp and retreating from the New World, his prestige among the West Blue's people remained immense.
"Who is that other guy? To be standing opposite Chinjao?!"
Eyes turned to Barrett, but few recognized him.
Which wasn't surprising—Barrett's rise to fame had happened four years ago, and it was in the New World.
Only his association with the Rockefeller Pirates had caused ripples this far west.
"Fufufufufu! Time really flies… so the little brat from back then now stands before me."
Chinjao looked at Barrett's youthful face and recalled the first time they met—five or six years ago, as part of Charlotte's entourage.
"Old man, less talk. Back then, your Conqueror's Haki was quite flashy!"
Barrett cracked his knuckles, bones popping crisply.
His arrogant smirk made his defiance clear.
"Hah! You've got Conqueror's Haki too, don't you? Let's see whose is stronger!"
Chinjao's eyes widened.
BOOM!
A burst of blue Conqueror's Haki exploded from his body, crashing toward Barrett like a tidal wave.
Barrett chuckled.
He didn't even flinch.
A second later—BOOM!
An infernal surge of Conqueror's Haki burst from him, purple in hue and brimming with demonic energy, colliding with Chinjao's aura mid-air.
Hummmm!
Waves of spiritual pressure rippled across the arena.
"Ah!"
"Ugh!"
"Mm!"
Spectators sitting close to the stage rolled their eyes back and fainted on the spot.
"What… what monsters are these?!"
Even those seated further back felt suffocated by the clashing auras.
On the stands, Charlotte sat calmly with a wine glass in hand, sipping leisurely.
Chinjao frowned deeply as he stared at Barrett.
"Incredible… like a beast from hell itself."
He muttered.
"Hehehe…"
Barrett gave a twisted grin and crouched low.
With a stomp—BOOM!—his body shot out like a cannonball.
Chinjao saw it coming.
He coated his right arm in Armament Haki, locked onto Barrett's movements with Observation Haki, and threw a punch.
"Eight Impact Fist!"
A wave of concussive force surged from his knuckles, aimed straight at Barrett's face.
Boom!
Barrett countered with his own punch, coated in blackened Haki.
Chinjao's blow was absorbed completely.
"Hmph!"
Chinjao grunted, feeling the pressure on his fist.
Veins bulged on his forehead—he pushed harder.
BOOM!
The air trembled as their Haki collided.
Though Chinjao had retreated from the New World, he was no weakling.
Even without his drill head, his body remained monstrous.
His full power matched Barrett evenly.
Bang!
The two paused—then each took three steps back.
"Hah! Youngsters nowadays can't be underestimated!"
Chinjao said seriously, his fighting spirit rising.
He clasped his hands together.
"Eight Impact Fist: Armored Head!"
His forehead, though flattened, shimmered with hardened Haki as he lunged forward.
Even without the drill, his skull was a weapon.
Barrett didn't dodge.
He raised his fist, also coated in hardened Haki, and swung it down toward Chinjao's head.
Boom!
The impact rocked the arena.
After a brief struggle, Barrett was the first to retreat half a step.
He looked at his tingling hand and grinned.
His excitement peaked.
Before Chinjao could counter—
Barrett lunged again!
His fists flew like a storm—each one heavy, each one overwhelming.
Chinjao used his Observation Haki to track every strike, parrying blow for blow.
Their clash was raw, brutal, and primitive—pure power vs. power.
Every punch connected with a sickening crunch, and the crowd roared.
"Let's go, Chief!"
"Chief Chinjao! Fight!"
The Eight Treasures Navy cheered from the stands.
Not to be outdone—
"Let's go, Vice-Captain!"
"Go, Brother Barrett!"
The Rockefeller Pirates and Charlotte's children cheered back.
Barrett smiled faintly at the support.
His punches grew fiercer.
He was well-loved aboard the ship.
Though second only to Charlotte, he was humble and fair.
He helped manage the entire crew and had earned everyone's respect.
Their brawl dragged on for over an hour.
"Damn it!"
Chinjao realized he had fallen into Barrett's rhythm.
"Damn! If I still had my drill head, there's no way I'd lose to a brat like you!"
He growled bitterly.
Losing the drill had cut his power in half. He had no choice but to fight like a brawler now.
"Heh… Chinjao—get off this stage!"
Barrett roared, hurling a devastating punch at Chinjao's face.
Chinjao's pupils shrank. His Observation Haki screamed a warning.
But his body, sore and exhausted, couldn't react in time.
BOOM!
The blow landed.
Chinjao was sent flying, crashing hard onto the arena floor.
The impact shattered the stage around them.
"Chief!"
His subordinates cried out in alarm.
"He lost? Chief Chinjao lost?! Who is that guy?!"
The audience gaped.
From his seat, Charlotte took another sip of wine and smiled.
"Heh… Chinjao… you're getting old."
Barrett stood tall in the arena, grinning down at his fallen opponent.
"I've lost… again…"
Chinjao muttered, sitting there dazed and hollow.
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