Chapter 21: Chapter 21:Zoan · Spider-Spider Fruit: Model: Black Widow!
Arms Street. Outside the Muramasa sword shop.
Kuina cleared out the miscellaneous soldiers and rescued Luwell. With her recent experience, she didn't have a good impression of this woman with a striking figure and a pretty face. It was Leno who asked her to help, so she did.
"So, your Boss thinks you're embarrassing him and wants to kill you?" Kuina asked.
"Not only does he want to kill me, but he also wants to kill you to maintain his rule," Luwell replied, still shaken.
Leno's Observation Haki picked up her heartbeat and breathing, confirming she wasn't lying. She was genuinely being hunted down, with scrapes and Bloodline to show for it.
Leno needed someone to introduce his prey.
"Who is he?" Leno inquired.
"Black Spider Ruen. He's the leader of the Spider Gang that controls the Eastern District, a powerful Devil Fruit user!" Luwell explained without hesitation.
"Beside him is a man named Kuro, the captain of the assassins he trained. I suspect Ruen will send him to deal with you," Luwell added.
Leno smiled with interest. "Why us? You live here, you should have many friends, right?"
"Friends?" Luwell laughed bitterly. "Those so-called friends are probably plotting how to kill me to curry favor with Ruen and seize my territory. They dare not resist him!"
Luwell wasn't stupid. After being abandoned and escaping the stronghold, she realized that only Leno and Kuina could stand against Ruen.
"We're all being targeted and in the same boat. I have information on Ruen and know the Eastern District well. So, let's cooperate?" Luwell suggested.
Kuina frowned. "But you deceived people on the street before, and we took money..."
"No, little sister, the past is the past. Enemies and friends can change," Luwell said, noticing that Kuina was still naive and untested by the harsh realities of the world.
"You are wrong. You're asking for our help, not proposing a partnership," Leno cut her off.
"Eh?" Luwell was stunned.
Leno smiled, "We can still leave here without you, but you won't survive the day without us. You need help more than we do. You came to us seeking protection. Don't get it twisted."
Kuina nodded seriously; Leno was right.
Luwell felt a pang of frustration. Why was this guy harder to deal with than Ruen?
"No, no, no, I have information!" Luwell insisted.
Leno glanced at the unconscious killer on the ground. "They have it too. Your information isn't unique; they know it as well."
Luwell turned her head in the direction Leno indicated, seeing a group of thugs with swords and guns, shouting excitedly and running towards them.
"It's Wright's man, that drunkard!" Luwell cursed, noticing there were multiple groups.
"Twenty million Belly!" Leno said suddenly.
"Huh?"
Luwell was puzzled.
Leno held up two fingers. "For just 20 million Belly, we'll not only guarantee your safety but also take care of your boss, Ruen."
"Twenty million Belly? Why don't you just rob me?" Luwell retorted.
Leno's smile remained kind. "We're not pirates. How could we rob? Don't slander us!"
Luwell was taken aback.
"Anyway, life or death, the choice is yours," Leno said as the enemy drew closer.
Luwell stomped her foot in frustration, "Fine, you bastard, 20 million it is!"
Kuina couldn't help but click her tongue, admiring Leno's negotiation skills.
Leno, Kuina, and Luwell quickly dispatched the first wave of enemies.
"Where is Ruen's base? It's boring fighting underlings. Let's go straight for the boss," Leno suggested.
"In that direction, there's the Spider Casino," Luwell pointed out.
"Let's go!" Leno ignored the pursuers and led the group toward the Spider Casino.
In the dark alley, Kuro pulled out a small Den Den Mushi.
"Kuro, the target is on Arms Street, Third Lane!" The Den Den Mushi squawked. "That traitorous woman, Luwell, is with them. Deal with them immediately."
"Understood, Boss!" Kuro replied, hanging up.
"Kuro, what are you planning?" one of his men asked.
Kuro adjusted his glasses, a cold glint in his eyes. "Ruen already suspects me. I'll take this chance to kill him. I know where he keeps his money."
Kuro wasn't by Ruen's side out of loyalty but greed. He coveted the wealth in Ruen's safe.
"Prepare the ship. We'll leave immediately after," Kuro ordered.
Spider Casino, located in the middle of the East District, consisted of two connected spherical buildings with four entrances, resembling a spider lying in wait. The front half catered to lower-end gamblers, while the back half served the elite.
Thanks to Glass Ball Island's fashion scene, nobles and celebrities often visited, bringing a steady stream of wealthy patrons to the casino. This made Ruen's Spider Casino a massive earner.
In the office, Ruen put down the Den Den Mushi and looked up. "Are you certain it was Kuro who leaked the information about the munitions last time?"
"Are you suspecting the Oikot Knights?" asked a middle-aged knight in golden armor, his tone dripping with arrogance.
A flash of irritation crossed Ruen's eyes.
With a swift movement, the middle-aged knight's western sword was unsheathed and pressed against Ruen's neck, causing him to stiffen.
"Ruen, don't forget, you were just a gambler who lost everything before my king gave you a chance!" the knight sneered.
Ruen lowered his head slightly. "I'll have Kuro board your ship tonight. He's yours to deal with."
"Good!" The knight sheathed his sword. "And prepare 10 million Belly in chips. It's rare for me to come out; I want to have some fun! Hahaha!"
Suddenly, the ground shook. The knight's laughter stopped abruptly. He frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
Ruen stood up, noticing that the smoke and dust seemed to be coming from the direction of his own gate. He was puzzled as well.
He closed his eyes. Beneath him, transparent threads like a spider web wrapped around the entire Spider Casino. Ruen, the spider on this web, could sense any disturbance within the casino.
Zoan · Spider-Spider Fruit: Model: Black Widow!
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