Chapter 36: Chapter 34: The General Appears
Shirakawa's lean physique contrasted sharply with the bandit leader's bulk, yet their battle was surprisingly even.
"If you keep this up, your men will all be dead soon," Shirakawa taunted, trying to distract the bandit leader.
He was right. Shanks was holding his own against the remaining bandits, though he had sustained a few minor injuries. The bandits, however, were losing their nerve. If their leader wasn't there, they would have probably fled already.
"Damn it!" The bandit leader, seeing his men fall one by one, grew reckless, attacking Shanks with wild swings. This created an opening for Shirakawa.
'Now's my chance,' Shirakawa thought. The bandit leader's back was turned, exposing a multitude of vulnerabilities.
Shanks sensed the danger and tensed up as the bandit leader charged towards him.
Bang!
A gunshot echoed through the air. Buggy had seized the opportunity and shot the bandit leader in the right arm.
"Damn you!" The bandit leader glared at Buggy, who immediately cowered in fear.
"Hurry!" Buggy shouted at Shirakawa and Shanks, trying to regain his composure.
"Got it!" Shanks swiftly dispatched the remaining bandits and rushed towards the leader, Shirakawa attacking from behind.
Normally, the bandit leader would have easily blocked their attacks, but his rage and injured arm left him vulnerable.
Shirakawa seized the opportunity, slashing the leader's back from shoulder to hip. Blood spurted out, and the bandit leader cried out in pain, forgetting about Shanks.
Shanks took advantage of the distraction, slashing the leader's abdomen. The pain forced the leader to his knees, and Buggy landed another shot, hitting his thigh.
In a matter of seconds, the bandit leader had sustained three severe injuries, the one on his back being the most critical.
"It's over," Shirakawa said, pointing his sword at the fallen leader.
Even though all three of them had contributed to the fight, the Sword of Damocles hadn't appeared, indicating Shirakawa hadn't used his full strength.
The bandit leader knelt there, silent.
"He's not dead, is he?" Buggy asked, cautiously approaching. Such injuries shouldn't be immediately fatal, especially for someone with such a strong constitution.
Shirakawa walked over and flipped the leader over with his sword. The man's eyes had rolled back into his head.
"He must have passed out from the pain."
"Passed out from pain? That's a first," Buggy exclaimed.
"Let him bleed out here. It's a fitting punishment," Shirakawa said coldly.
"Excellent work, gentlemen," a smooth voice said, accompanied by slow, deliberate clapping.
Shirakawa's body tensed. The feeling of unease he had experienced earlier returned, stronger than before.
They turned towards the source of the voice. A figure emerged from a nearby building, his footsteps echoing in the sudden silence.
"What's wrong?" Catherine asked, noticing the three boys freeze.
"Run," Shirakawa said through gritted teeth.
The Sword of Damocles appeared, and Shanks, Buggy, and Catherine were enveloped in white light, levitating into the air. Shirakawa intended to stay behind and buy them time to escape.
"Shirakawa, run! You're no match for him!" Shanks shouted, having also recognized the figure.
"A noble sacrifice, trying to let your friends escape. But I can't let that happen."
The figure vanished, reappearing in front of the floating group. With a single punch, he sent them crashing back to the ground.
"Missed, huh?" he said.
Shanks, Buggy, and Catherine groaned in pain, but they were alive. Shirakawa had increased the gravity on them, causing them to fall before the figure could land a fatal blow.
"Who are you?" Shirakawa asked, his voice filled with caution.
"You can call me General. My name is Draken."
"General? Are you the one who ordered the massacre of that village?"
"Draken? Are you the 'Tiger' of the Goa Kingdom?" Catherine asked, recognizing the name.
"Yes, that's me," the man replied, answering both questions at once.
"Catherine, who is he?" Shirakawa asked, surprised that she knew this person.
"He's one of the strongest in the Goa Kingdom, known as the 'Tiger' throughout the island. But why is he here?"
"So we're in trouble," Shirakawa said grimly, understanding the source of his unease.
"As expected of a princess. You're well-informed. But I'm here for you, Catherine," Draken said, having overheard their conversation.
"For me? Why?"
"Because you're a valuable hostage. We can't let you slip away."
"Then why did you order the massacre of that village?" Shirakawa demanded.
"To lure you out, of course."
"Lure us out?"
"Yes. If you were willing to escort Catherine back to her country, it meant you were the type to meddle in other people's affairs. I knew you wouldn't ignore such an atrocity."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone