One Piece: Starting with Creating the Strongest Character Design

Chapter 116 Kitahara Tsuneo vs. Evan Thorpe (Please Subscribe)

Upon hearing his opponent concede defeat, Kitahara Tsune sheathed his longsword at his waist, a gentle smile on his face, and nodded to Shimotsuki Koshiro.

"Mr. Koushirou's swordsmanship is extremely superb. If we have time later, we can have a private discussion."

Shimotsuki Koshiro was taken aback upon hearing this, but then gave Kitahara Tsune his usual kind smile, nodded, and said, "I would be happy to, Mr. Kitahara Tsune."

The two shook hands, as if the fierce battle that had just taken place had never happened.

Then, the host finally announced, belatedly, "The winner is—Kitahara Tsuneo!"

As the host announced this, another round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Kitahara Tsune and Shimotsuki Koshiro exited the stage together.

Due to the immense damage caused to the arena floor by the battle, a period of rest is needed to allow the arena floor to return to its original state.

This was a request made by Evan Thorpe, and Kitahara Tsuneo naturally had no reason to refuse.

Although he roughly knew what the other party wanted to prepare at this time, he didn't care.

He was more interested in Shimotsuki Koushirou, who claimed to be a samurai from Wano Country but had actually been living in seclusion in the East Blue for many years.

One or two people were walking in the tunnel next to the arena.

The tunnel was dimly lit, with only the flickering light of torches on the walls.

The sounds of workers repairing the site could be heard in the distance.

Kitahara Tsune asked casually, "Koushirou-sensei, what level do you think my swordsmanship has reached?"

Upon hearing this, Shimotsuki Koshiro stopped and said earnestly, "Among the people I know, your swordsmanship is among the best."

"Even in Wano Country, your swordsmanship stands at the pinnacle of swordsmanship."

Upon hearing this, Kitahara Tsuneo chuckled and teased, "Then, Mr. Koushirou, do you think my swordsmanship qualifies me as a master swordsman of the sea?"

"That's natural." Shimotsuki Koshiro nodded.

As soon as he finished speaking, a system notification sounded in Kitahara Tsune's mind.

[Your swordsman class has advanced to swordmaster, and you have been awarded 1 draw chance.]

As Shimotsuki Koushirou uttered those words, a piece of information immediately popped into Kitahara Tsune's mind.

This is feedback about the profession.

Through the personal certification of the samurai of Wano Country, the swordsman class has been upgraded from swordsman to sword master, and he has been granted one chance to draw a prize.

Upon hearing this message, Kitahara Tsune nodded to himself, thinking to himself that it was indeed true.

The naval ranks and the CP9 agents both have clear pathways and methods for advancement.

However, this so-called swordsman never improved.

However, since this profession was initially obtained through the approval of a samurai from Wano Country, it is highly likely that subsequent advancements are also related to samurai from Wano Country.

Or, to put it another way, any swordsman famous at sea will do, like Hawkeye Mihawk.

As Kitahara Tsune pondered, a series of hurried footsteps came from the end of the tunnel.

A maid appeared at the corner, trotting along. Upon seeing the two, she quickly stopped and bowed, slightly out of breath.

Seemingly to prevent Kitahara Tsune from having any rest time, a maid from the arena soon came to inform him.

"The arena has been repaired, Mr. Kitahara Tsuneo, the next gladiatorial match can begin at any time."

Kitahara Tsune raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement.

They had only just left the arena, less than 10 minutes later, and the arena was already repaired. That's incredibly fast.

Who is our opponent in this match?

Kitahara Tsune casually asked the maid.

The maid stood respectfully to the side and said, "It is Lord Evan Thorpe."

"Evan Thorpe? The current Arena Hero? The guy who appeared on the Arena screen the day before yesterday?"

Kitahara Tsune suddenly understood and nodded.

With that, he walked into the tunnel of the arena.

The hem of the white suit swayed gently in the breeze, and footsteps echoed in the empty tunnel.

Earlier, before that.

As Kitahara Tsune and Shimotsuki Koshiro walked off the arena, Ovilette's eyes shone even brighter as she looked at Kitahara Tsune.

She couldn't wait to go down and ask the handsome navy man for his autograph.

King Rick, standing to the side, looked at his second daughter's appearance and a smile crept across his lips, his mind seemingly preoccupied with something.

Evan Thorpe then ordered his men to repair the arena immediately.

He then turned to look at Cyrus, the former arena hero, who was standing beside him with his eyes closed and a calm demeanor.

Evan Thorpe thought for a moment, then walked up to Cyrus and said, "The next battle is mine, Mr. Cyrus."

Cyrus opened his eyes, his clear gaze meeting Evan Thorpe's. He nodded and said, "I have nothing to say, except to wish you victory."

Upon hearing this, Evan Thorpe shook his head, hesitated for a long time, and finally said, "If, if I am defeated in the next match, I hope that you, Mr. Cyrus, will step in immediately and not give that navy man any time to rest."

"No matter how badly the venue is damaged—"

When Evan Thorpe said this, his tone was firm, and his eyes were fixed on Cyrus.

To Evan Thorpe's surprise, Cyrus showed no astonishment at all upon hearing this.

He simply closed his eyes silently, avoiding Evan Thorpe's gaze.

The silence at this moment seemed to have answered Evan Thorpe's request.

"Mr. Cyrus————"

Evan Thorpe's tone was almost pleading.

This plea was so earnest that Cyrus couldn't help but open his eyes and look at Evan Thorpe again.

How could Cyrus, a former arena hero, not be familiar with Evan Thorpe?

The guy in front of me wants to protect the glory of the Dressrosa Arena more than he wants to win.

In a sense, this duel represented the face of the entire nation of Dressrosa.

For Evan Thorpe, this battle was one he couldn't afford to lose, and there was no reason for him to lose.

Seeing Evan Thorpe's state, Cyrus looked on with pity and turned his head away.

However, Evan Thorpe's tone was firm, as if he had made up his mind. He looked down at the now-repaired arena and said, "I'm fighting this battle with the determination to die."

"Mr. Cyrus, this is my last request."

Cyrus's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out.

'

Cyrus remained silent.

The air in the box seemed to freeze, with only the faint noise from the distant audience seats audible.

At this moment, Kitahara Tsune, having been notified by his maid, left the arena and stepped onto the newly renovated stage.

Cheers erupted around him as Kitahara Tsune entered.

Looking at the cheering audience below, King Rick in the box remained expressionless, even showing a hint of anticipation.

-

"The next gladiatorial match has begun, Evan—"

King Rick spoke, his tone seemingly urging him on.

Sensing the urging in the king's words, Evan Thorpe withdrew his gaze from Cyrus, his expression turning somber.

He knelt on one knee, pounded his chest with his right hand, and declared his will to the king: "Your Majesty, I will bring victory to the arena."

King Rick nodded in satisfaction.

"I'm looking forward to your performance, Evan. Not just me, the entire arena is waiting for you."

Upon hearing this, Evan Thorpe's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly stood up.

At this moment, Evan Thorpe seemed to have returned to the day he became an arena hero.

"Today, His Majesty the King personally bestows upon the second Arena Hero after Cyrus—Evan Thorpe."

"From now on, you will be the one to protect the glory of the arena."

It was an evening three years ago. The entire arena was packed, and all eyes were on him.

At that moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of honor and responsibility.

From that day on, he was no longer just a warrior, but a symbol of the Dressrosa Arena.

Over the past three years, he has fought 1500 times on this stage, giving his all each time and protecting this honor each time.

But today, facing the rear admiral in front of him, he felt uneasy for the first time.

Images from the memory flashed through my mind.

However, Evan Thorpe's gaze became even more determined.

"Lord Evan, it's your turn."

Seeing that it was almost time, the maid stepped forward and said softly.

When she looked up again, Evan Thorpe, who had been standing in front of the king, had disappeared.

"call"

A gust of wind rose from the VIP box, and Evan Thorpe leaped straight from the box on the high platform into the arena.

Arena hero, Evan Thorpe, has arrived!

-

The atmosphere in the audience changed once again when Evan Thorpe himself stepped onto the stage.

The already enthusiastic applause became even more passionate, and the audience's emotions were even more admiring.

"It's Lord Evan Thorpe! Lord Evan himself has actually come down to fight!"

"Great! We're saved!"

"Let's see how arrogant you can be now, you navy guy. Our adults can easily take you down."

"Do you understand the significance of a 1500-game winning streak?"

"This is the true power of the arena."

To the arena spectators, Evan Thorpe, with his record of 1500 wins, was undoubtedly the best player in Dressrosa.

"Can a mere small navy possibly defeat an opponent of this caliber?"

"It would be more appropriate to call your general over."

Kitahara Tsune and Evan Thorpe stared at each other in the arena.

Sunlight streamed down from directly above, shrinking the two people's shadows into a small ball at their feet.

A gentle breeze blew by, stirring up the fine sand on the arena that had been used for repairs and had not yet been cleaned, creating a thin veil of smoke between the two.

As the smoke cleared, their eyes met in the air.

Evan Thorpe's gaze was bright and resolute.

Kitahara Tsune remained as calm as ever, as if nothing in this world could surprise him.

"Dres Rosa Arena, Evan Thorpe."

"Rear Admiral Kitahara Tsuneo."

The two sides exchanged names, a process even more concise than their previous battle with Koushirou.

Like the calm before a storm.