Over the next few days, exactly as Robin had predicted, the Fang Gang halted their incursions into Night Wolf territory. Instead, they pivoted their forces to attack a different neighboring syndicate: the Flying Dagger Society. This particular gang was quite unique; their members despised firearms and completely shunned traditional swords, opting exclusively for throwing knives and short daggers in combat.
If this were an ordinary world, Bardock would have advised the Flying Dagger Society to surrender immediately. But this was a world governed by superhuman strength and Devil Fruits. Who was to say a throwing knife couldn't outgun a flintlock pistol?
When Bardock received the intel, he found himself forced to keep one eye on their turf war. If the Flying Dagger Society turned out to be an incredibly tough bone to chew, the Fang Gang would be in serious trouble. If they suffered repeated defeats, would they even be useful as the Capone Family's vanguard anymore? And if Capone Bege decided to step in directly to clean up his subordinates' mess, the Night Wolf Gang would prematurely enter his crosshairs.
This butterfly effect directly threatened to delay Bardock's timeline for setting sail into the Grand Line, which greatly annoyed him. What he desperately needed right now was the strength to crush any obstacle in his way. He needed a breakthrough in his swordsmanship. Sure, water dripping on a stone would eventually pierce it, but that breakthrough could happen in the next second, tomorrow, or ten years from now. He couldn't afford to wait.
After weighing his options, Bardock made a decision: he would head out to sea alone to force a breakthrough, leaving Robin and the others behind to monitor the situation. Given his sheer physical stats, his ability to fly, and his massive stockpile of Blood Dandelions, navigating the West Blue solo was essentially a walk in the park.
"Robin, I've made up my mind. I'm going out to sea alone this time," Bardock announced the next morning. "You guys stay here, rest up, and keep a close eye on the war between the Fang Gang and the Flying Daggers. If anything major happens, call me on the Den Den Mushi."
Robin frowned, clearly unhappy with the idea. "At least take Leo with you. Having two people is much safer; you can watch each other's backs."
"No need," Bardock shook his head firmly. "I want Leo to stay here and protect you all. And don't argue with me on this. I'm not worried about the Fang Gang or the Mafia Families; I'm worried about the World Government's guard dogs. We have no idea when they might suddenly track us down. But with Perona's Devil Fruit combined with Leo's, you guys have a terrifyingly overpowered 'first-encounter kill' combo. While I'm gone, I need to know you can perfectly protect yourselves."
"I... understand. Where are you planning to go, then?"
Bardock's reasoning was airtight, leaving Robin unable to refute it. However, she secretly swore to dedicate far more time to her own combat training. The feeling of being a liability who needed to be protected was absolutely suffocating.
"Rasgap," Bardock replied, sliding a recent newspaper across the table. "A pirate crew raided the island a few days ago, but they were completely wiped out shortly after by a bounty hunter named Daz Bonez. I know of this guy. He ate the Dice-Dice Fruit, a Paramecia that turned his entire body into living steel. If I can use my swordsmanship to cut his steel body, I'll officially break through and become a Master Swordsman."
Bardock was, of course, drawing inspiration from Roronoa Zoro. In the original timeline, Zoro had achieved the realm of cutting steel during his brutal, near-death battle against Daz Bonez in Alabasta.
"If this man is a literal blade human, his offensive power must be absolutely lethal. Isn't this too dangerous?" Robin quickly scanned the newspaper, her frown deepening. "The article says he's a ruthless killer who never leaves anyone alive. He doesn't sound like someone you can just casually spar with."
"The fact that he's a ruthless killer is exactly why I picked him! If he was a nice guy, he wouldn't agree to a deathmatch," Bardock grinned, brimming with absolute confidence. "As for his offensive power, you don't need to worry at all. When I enter my Monkey King Beast Form, my body achieves a state of Indestructible Vajra. My raw physical defense is actually far superior to his steel body.
"If we fought all-out, he wouldn't be able to put a scratch on me. The only reason he stands a chance is because I'm deliberately restricting myself to only using my swordsmanship. If things actually go south, I have half a dozen different ways to crush him."
"If you're that confident, then I suppose I can rest easy," Robin sighed, offering a small smile.
A few days later, Bardock arrived at the port city of Rasgap, quietly docking the Monkey King.
Because he was traveling alone and in a hurry, he hadn't taken the massive White Dragon galleon. Instead, he had simply summoned the Flying Nimbus to cradle the small sloop, flying high above the clouds at top speed. Just before reaching the island, he dropped the boat into the ocean and sailed into the port normally, avoiding any unwanted attention.
He soon found himself in the "Midnight Bar," a completely ordinary, incredibly quiet tavern. At the moment, Bardock was the only customer in the building.
Sitting at the counter, Bardock took a sip of his fruit juice and asked casually, "Hey, boss. I heard this town got raided by pirates a little while ago."
The bartender's face instantly darkened into a scowl. "Don't remind me. Those pirates weren't humans, they were absolute animals! Monsters! My booze! Do you hear me?! They completely cleaned out my cellar! I'm just a humble bartender trying to make an honest living, who did I ever offend to deserve this?! I hope those black-hearted bastards rot in hell!"
"Well, the news says they got wiped out pretty quickly," Bardock pointed out, swirling his glass. "Doesn't that mean you can just go get your stolen alcohol back?"
"Get it back? My ass!" The bartender looked around nervously before leaning in and lowering his voice. "The Marines didn't do jack! They never show up in time! They just roll into town after the fires are put out, pat us on the back, and promise to 'bring the criminals to justice.' Once the heat dies down, who knows if they actually hunt them or not? One thing's for sure: stolen property is never returned."
"But didn't you just say you hope they rot in hell? Someone must have killed them," Bardock pressed.
"Yeah, but it wasn't the Marines," the bartender sighed, his face twisting in renewed agony. "Right after the pirates finished loading their ship with my loot, some bounty hunter suddenly jumped them. The guy was an absolute maniac! I mean, I'm glad he killed them, but he sliced the entire pirate ship into pieces! Along with my beautiful, priceless alcohol! If he's so damn strong, couldn't he have held back just a little bit?!"
The bartender continued to grumble, completely heartbroken over his lost inventory.
"Do you know where that bounty hunter went? A guy that strong... I'd love to meet him," Bardock asked.
"You're looking for him? Try the hotel district a few blocks over. I heard he's been renting a room in that area."
"Much appreciated, boss."
Bardock downed the rest of his juice, slapped a massive denomination Berry bill on the counter, and headed for the door.
"Thank you! Please come again!" the bartender gasped, staring at the bill. That tip was enough to cover ten glasses of juice! 'What a generous kid! ...Ugh, my beautiful booze!'
The moment Bardock pushed the tavern doors open and stepped outside, he nearly bumped straight into someone walking in.
The man was incredibly tall and heavily muscled, with a buzzed haircut, oddly thin eyebrows, and prominent, thick lips. It wasn't just a coincidence—it was pure, unadulterated fate. The man standing right in front of him was none other than Daz Bonez.
"Daz Bonez," Bardock said, stopping in his tracks. "I know who you are. I heard no swordsman can cut your body. I'm incredibly curious to see if that's true."
Daz Bonez stopped, looking down at the kid with cold, dead eyes. "You're a swordsman? Are you challenging me?"
"A challenge? Yeah, you could call it that," Bardock replied honestly, resting a hand on the hilt of his blade. "To be completely straightforward, I want to use your body as a whetstone to break through my current bottleneck and reach the realm of a Master Swordsman."
"Hmph. You're just a brat, but you talk a big game. Are you not afraid of death, kid?" Daz Bonez sneered, his voice a low, threatening rumble. "I treat every single enemy as an equal. Do not expect me to show you any mercy."
"That is exactly what I was hoping to hear! I desperately need an opponent who won't hold back," Bardock grinned, his blood starting to pump with adrenaline. "So, what's it going to be? Right here, right now, or do you want to pick a time and place?"
"Since you're in such a rush to die, I'll gladly grant your wish. Follow me. I know a place where no one will interrupt us."
Without waiting for an answer, Daz Bonez turned and began walking toward the outskirts of town.
Bardock immediately followed, his heart pounding with sheer excitement. The final hurdle was right in front of him.