章 256: Chapter 256
"Sigh… Why did Ross have to get such a large ship? We look like ants on this giant deck!" Smoker grumbled, scrubbing the vast planks of the massive ship with obvious frustration. His voice was tinged with both annoyance and resignation.
He was paying for his loss in a bet, and the sheer size of the ship was turning what could have been a simple task into an endless chore. The bet had been simple: whoever lost had to clean the entire deck, and Smoker had, unfortunately for him, come out on the losing end.
I leaned against the railing, suppressing a chuckle. The ship had been taken from the Marines Giant Squad, a vessel so massive that everyone except for Dora seemed like a mere speck upon its deck. His irritation was clear, but a bet was a bet.
"Smoker! You're a man, aren't you? Keep your word. You lost the bet, so I expect this deck to be spotless, sparkling, and gleaming by the time you're done," I teased, flipping through the latest intelligence reports gathered by the family.
As I studied the documents, I noticed a curious trend: the World Government had been unusually quiet. Despite the chaos and disturbances erupting in the New World, their forces seemed dormant, as if biding their time, accumulating strength. It was suspicious, but as long as they left the Donquixote Family alone, I had no reason to act.
Our mission now was simple—focus on our strength, just as they were doing. We were currently sailing to an island in the East Blue to negotiate the acquisition of a rare Devil Fruit from a rival pirate crew.
"Ross-kun, are you sure we can trust the other party to keep their word?" Miyamoto's voice broke through my thoughts, his tone filled with concern.
"Five billion berries for a mere Paramecia-type Devil Fruit? That price is far too steep, especially for a fruit that can only manipulate gold, not create it." His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "And the way they're setting up this exchange, it's clearly a trap. They're planning to ambush us."
I smirked, amused by the obviousness of the other crew's plan. "It's almost laughable, isn't it? They've no idea who they're dealing with. They're thinking they can make an easy score by luring in a buyer and betraying them. Imagine their faces when they realize it's me they're up against." I chuckled, leaning back as the waves gently rocked the ship.
Miyamoto, however, remained cautious. "But why this fruit? What's so special about it?"
"Ah, Miyamoto-san, you're thinking too small," I replied, my voice calm but filled with conviction.
"This fruit is far more valuable than it seems. The Goru Goru no Mi may not create gold out of thin air, but it can manipulate it, and that's what makes it indispensable. With this fruit, we could extract gold deposits from anywhere, even the most barren of lands. Think about it—endless resources, limitless wealth. As long as we have the user of this fruit, our coffers will never run dry. It's not about the fruit's power in combat; it's about what it can do for our future."
"Brother Ross," Robin interrupted, her eyes scanning the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia in her hands. "According to this, the Goru Goru no Mi allows the user to turn anything they touch into gold. Isn't that far more valuable than just extraction?"
I smiled at her youthful enthusiasm. "You're not wrong, Robin. But remember—anything turned into gold reverts back once it comes into contact with seawater. That means we can't rely on it for permanent creations, especially if we're near the ocean. Still, it has its uses, especially if we need to fool someone with a pile of gold that'll vanish once they try to transport it across the sea." I winked, and Robin smiled back, realizing the trick's potential.
Across from us, Lucci stood with his usual stoic expression, arms crossed. "Master," he said in his deep, gravelly voice, "do we plan on wiping out this other pirate crew once we acquire the fruit?"
I glanced at him, my amusement growing. Lucci was always direct, cutting through the layers of diplomacy and getting to the heart of things. "Of course," I answered, my tone casual. "We're pirates, after all. It's only natural that we take what we need and eliminate anyone foolish enough to stand in our way. Besides, they're planning to ambush us. If they're that foolish, they deserve whatever's coming to them."
Lucci gave a small nod of approval. He was never one to shy away from violence, especially when it was for the sake of the family.
"Ross...!!" a small voice echoed from above as Leo leaped from the top of the mast, landing with ease. If the rest of us looked like ants on this massive ship, then Leo and Mansherry, being dwarves, were practically invisible.
Honestly, if it weren't for Mansherry's insistence, I would've swapped this behemoth out long ago. But here we were, and Leo seemed to be in his usual energetic state.
"I can see the island now," Leo reported as he dusted himself off. "But it looks like the entire island is on fire, and there are a lot of ships anchored on the shore."
I narrowed my eyes and strode to the bow of the ship, gazing at the island in the distance. Smoke billowed up into the sky, a thick, dark plume that spoke of chaos and destruction.
The entire island looked like it had been put to the torch. Several pirate ships clustered along the coast, their sails billowing in the wind.
"Numbers won't matter," I repeated, my voice steady, but this time with more of an edge. "We have more than enough firepower to handle anything they throw at us.
Let them bring their entire crew—it'll only make things more entertaining. These fools have underestimated us. By the time they realize their mistake, it'll already be too late."
The ship glided smoothly toward the shore, our course locked. The plan remained simple—secure the Goru Goru no Mi, wipe out the pirates, and leave no witnesses. They thought they were setting a trap for some hapless buyer, but they had no idea who they were really dealing with.
On the island, the scene was nothing short of a nightmare. The pirates had ransacked the place, leaving nothing but smoldering ruins in their wake. Flames flickered hungrily, devouring the last remnants of homes and shops. The stench of burning wood and charred flesh filled the air, blending with the low rumble of the island's unrest.
Near the pier, a group of pirates had gathered, lounging around the docks, drinking and laughing as if the destruction around them was a mere afterthought.
"Fuck!" one of them suddenly swore, his bottle clattering to the ground as his eyes widened in shock. "What the hell is that…? Is that a giant's ship?!"
Another pirate, more alert, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "That… that ain't a Marine ship, is it? Someone, inform the captain now!"
One of the pirates quickly sobered up, narrowing his eyes as he stared at our ship approaching from the distance. "No, you idiot! Look at its Jolly Roger. That's no Marine ship."
"Wait," another pirate cut in, squinting at the flag. "I've seen that Jolly Roger somewhere before… but where? There ain't no pirate crew in East Blue with a flag like that…"
The first pirate sneered, slapping the back of his head. "Who cares? It doesn't matter whose flag that is. They've brought us a gift—that giant warship. Imagine what we can do with a ship like that in our fleet! We could raid any island we want. We could even conquer the Grand Line!"
The group erupted into laughter, their voices rising with confidence. They saw our ship as an easy prize, something they could seize to boost their ambitions.
From my vantage point on the ship, I could hear every word. These fools were so ignorant, so utterly clueless about the world beyond their little corner of East Blue.
They had no idea how dangerous the Grand Line truly was. For all their talk of conquest, they were nothing more than small-time pirates playing at a bigger game.
"Idiots." I muttered under my breath. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity now. How had a group of weaklings like this ended up with the Goru Goru no Mi? What made them think they could demand 5 billion berries for it? There had to be more at play here—someone or something was manipulating this situation.
I expanded my Observation Haki, letting my senses scan the island for any hidden threats or surprises. I could feel the presence of the pirates on the shore, the fear and uncertainty of the island's few survivors huddled in the ruins, but something else lingered in the background. Something… strange.
Back on the island, the pirates continued their idle chatter, unaware that their doom was approaching.
"You think they've got anyone worth fighting on that ship?" one of them asked, stretching lazily as he leaned against a stack of crates. "I'm itching for a good brawl. Been too long since we've had some decent action."
"Doesn't matter," the pirate next to him scoffed. "We've got the numbers. There's, what, maybe a hundred of them? And look at the size of our fleet. We'll take 'em down in no time."
"They're probably just some rich idiots trying to buy their way into the Grand Line," another pirate added with a sneer. "Once we've got their ship, we can sell whatever's left of them to the slave traders."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," the first pirate warned, though his grin was unmistakable. "First, we get that 5 billion berries, and then we take everything else. By the time they figure out what's happening, we'll be long gone."
More laughter erupted from the group. They truly believed this was a simple ambush, an easy score that would make them legends.
The massive ship anchored a short distance from the shore, its imposing size a sight to behold even from the pirates' perspective. The fact that we had to anchor further out was a necessary precaution, because the pier was not designed to handle such a gigantic ship.
From the deck, the island loomed ahead, its once peaceful shores now a burning, ravaged mess. Flames curled up from what was left of the town, black smoke trailing into the sky like a grim signal of the violence that had overtaken it.
A small dinghy was lowered into the water, rocking gently as Lucci, Robin, and I stepped aboard. The pirates were still hesitant to act—perhaps the sheer size of the ship had them second-guessing their numbers, unsure of how many enemies they'd be facing. Or maybe they were too caught up in the idea of an easy score to see the obvious.
As we approached the shore, I could already hear their whispers.
"Is that guy serious?" one pirate hissed under his breath. "Not only did he bring such a massive ship, but now he's coming ashore with a kid and a little girl? That girl would fetch quite the sum if we sold her to the slave market…"
Another pirate chuckled in agreement, his eyes gleaming with greed as he watched us approach.
"Easy money," he muttered. "We'll make a fortune off this lot."
Lucci's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. Even without turning, I could feel the barely restrained fury radiating off him. His Observation Haki, like mine, had picked up every word, every vile plan these vermin had in store.
But for now, we played along. It was amusing to see them believe they had the upper hand, unaware of the storm that was about to descend on them.
We stepped onto the shore, greeted by a towering brute of a man, easily four meters tall. His grin was wide and unsettling, his sharp teeth visible as he welcomed us with false cheer.
"Ah, welcome, welcome!" he bellowed. "Don't mind the festivities—we were just bored, so you know how it goes…"
Festivities? It was as if he was completely blind to the horrors surrounding him, or maybe he just didn't care.
As we were "escorted" into the heart of the island, more than one hundred pirates surrounded us. They claimed it was for our protection, but I knew better. They were keeping us in place, waiting for the right moment to spring their trap. But the longer they delayed, the more amused I became.
Little Robin's frown deepened as we made our way deeper into the island. The devastation was laid out before us, scene after gruesome scene of brutality that these pirates had left in their wake.
The first was a burning house—what had once been a home was now little more than charred rubble. Inside, the blackened bodies of what must have been a family huddled together. Their hands still clutched each other, as if hoping for some miracle that never came. The flames had consumed them entirely, leaving nothing but ashen skeletons curled up in a final embrace.
Robin's eyes lingered on them, her lips tightening. I could sense her silent rage building, though she kept it under control. She had seen too much of this world's cruelty, but it never failed to disgust her. Lucci, on the other hand, showed no emotion—but I could tell he was eager to make these pirates pay for what they had done.
A little further, we passed what used to be the village square, now turned into an execution ground. The bodies of villagers hung from hastily constructed gallows, their feet swaying slightly in the breeze.
Some of the pirates laughed as they passed by, nudging each other and pointing at the bodies as if it were some sick form of entertainment.
One of the bodies was still alive, a young man, struggling weakly against the rope around his neck. His face was pale, lips blue, as he gasped for breath. The pirates, however, were in no hurry to end his suffering—they seemed to enjoy watching him slowly choke to death.
"They'll die soon enough," one pirate sneered, as if it were an afterthought. "No need to rush—saves us the trouble of doing it ourselves."
Robin's hands twitched, as if she were moments away from using her powers to snap the pirate's neck. But she held back, for now.
In the next part of town, we came across a group of children huddled together, their eyes wide with fear. They were being prodded by pirates, forced to carry bags of stolen loot from the village homes to the ships.
The children were covered in dirt and bruises, and one little girl—no older than six—stumbled under the weight of a heavy sack. When she fell, the pirate next to her kicked her viciously in the side.
"Move, you little rat!" he barked. "Or I'll gut you right here."
Robin's face paled, and I could feel the tension rising in her. Lucci's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. I could tell that the moment these fools decided to make a move on us, there would be no mercy.
The final scene was the worst—a pile of bodies stacked like refuse near what used to be the town's main well. Some were villagers, others pirates who had likely died in the chaos. But there was no dignity in their death. The pirates hadn't bothered to bury them, leaving the corpses to rot in the sun. Flies buzzed around the pile, and the stench was overwhelming.
"Is that enough gold yet, or do we need more?" one pirate shouted from the top of the pile, throwing another body onto the heap. "We've bled this place dry—might as well move on to the next one!"
Robin's eyes, wide and pleading, turned to me as we walked through the devastation. Her small hands were balled into fists, trembling with anger. The destruction of Ohara had left deep scars in her heart, and seeing this island reduced to ashes by the cruelty of these pirates stirred something dark inside her.
She was no longer that helpless girl who could do nothing but run. Her haki, though still in its early stages, was more than enough to take down these low-level thugs from East Blue, who relied on brute strength alone.
"Patience..." I whispered softly, leaning down so only she could hear. "You can let loose after we get our hands on the devil fruit. For now, let's see what kind of theatrics they have planned. I'm more interested in the fool who leads this rabble."
Robin's eyes narrowed, but she nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line as she restrained herself. I could tell it took everything in her not to act, but there was a time and place for everything. The more we played along, the more entertaining it would be when the trap finally sprung—only to backfire in ways these pirates couldn't begin to imagine.
Lucci, walking quietly beside us, glanced over at the pirates with cold, calculating eyes. His rage was quieter, more controlled, but no less deadly. The tension between us was thick, a storm waiting to explode, but for now, we moved forward as if we were nothing more than helpless prey.
After walking through the burning wreckage of the town, we found ourselves standing in front of a building that had somehow remained mostly intact despite the chaos. It was a large mansion, clearly the former home of the town's mayor.
The elegant façade had been tarnished by pirate banners, and broken windows revealed the looting that had taken place inside. The pirates had claimed it as their base of operations, turning what had once been a symbol of peace and order into a den of chaos.
"This must be the place," Lucci muttered, his gaze flicking toward the guards stationed outside. They were standing lazily, clearly not expecting any real threat from us.
The pirates surrounding us seemed to relax as we neared the mansion, their confidence growing. They hadn't acted yet, likely because we weren't carrying the promised money for the devil fruit.
But I could sense it—tension was in the air. They were waiting for the right moment, waiting for us to get comfortable before they pounced.
One pirate near the door spat on the ground as we approached. "What do you think? That kid and girl look soft. Easy pickings. The captain will want the girl, but we can split the boy." His voice was barely a whisper, but my Observation Haki caught every word.
"Idiot," another pirate snorted. "They probably have the money hidden somewhere on that big ship of theirs. Once we've got them tied up, we'll make 'em talk. Bet the boss'll skin 'em alive if they don't."
Robin stiffened at the cruel words, her fingers twitching as she fought to keep her composure. Every insult, every crude remark, only fueled the fire inside her.
"We...we are here to exchange for the devil fruit that was listed on the Underworld network by your crew. May I speak to your captain..." I stuttered in a low voice, more to myself than anyone else. My patience was wearing thin as well, but I still found amusement in letting them believe they were in control.
The pirates led us into the mansion, where the stench of cheap booze and rotting food filled the air. Inside, several more of their crew lounged about, gambling and laughing, oblivious to the impending disaster headed their way.
The floors were littered with stolen goods—golden candelabras, fine porcelain, and precious paintings, all treated as little more than decorations for these fools to revel in their temporary victory.
At the far end of the main hall, a large throne-like chair had been set up, and there, slouched arrogantly, was the captain. He was a hulking man with greasy black hair, a jagged scar running down his cheek, and an assortment of weapons strapped to his massive frame. He grinned as we entered, his eyes sizing us up like fresh meat.
"So... you're the ones coming to buy the Goru Goru no Mi, huh?" The captain sneered, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his makeshift throne. "I didn't expect much, but damn, you brought kids. Bold move. Makes me think maybe you don't have the cash after all."
Behind him, a small chest sat on a table, half-hidden by a pile of stolen loot. I could sense it—the devil fruit was inside. But this captain didn't plan on handing it over. The look in his eyes, the way his men tensed at the corners of the room, all told me the same thing: they were waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"That's the fruit? " I asked calmly, my eyes flicking to the chest.
The captain's grin widened. "Yeah, that's it. But I'm thinking I might just keep it now. You see, we've had a change of plans. Instead of taking your money, we'll take your lives. And maybe I'll keep that little girl as a... consolation prize."
Robin's eyes darkened, and Lucci's fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.
I smiled, feeling the tension break as the captain's men began to close in. This was the moment they'd been waiting for, the moment they thought they had us trapped.
"I was wondering how a group of morons in East Blue got such a grand idea—wagering a devil fruit for 5 billion berries," I said calmly, taking a step forward. The so-called pirate captain's grin faltered for the first time.
He blinked in confusion, his bravado beginning to slip as my words sank in. "You should've stuck to cheating ragtag pirate groups. But I assume you're someone who's crawled back from the Grand Line."
The captain bristled, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword as if to regain some semblance of authority. But I wasn't interested in him anymore. My gaze shifted past him, to the real mind hiding in the shadows.
A man stood near the corner of the room, his back pressed against the wall as if he was trying to blend into the furniture. His face was pale, his body trembling as his mind raced to understand the nightmare he had walked into.
Unlike the captain, this man—gaunt and wiry, with a weathered face etched with the experience of survival—understood exactly who I was. His beady eyes were wide with recognition, his lips quivering as though trying to form words but failing under the sheer weight of terror. The room seemed to grow colder, the very air thick with dread as he realized what kind of predator they had lured into their trap.
I took another step forward, and his knees buckled. He tried to push himself against the wall, eyes darting between his men and me, knowing full well no one in the room could save him. The captain, oblivious to the shift in power, barked at him. "Oi! Get it together, you coward! What's wrong with you?!"
But the man said nothing. His face had drained of all color, beads of sweat now pouring down his forehead as if he had stepped into the presence of death itself. His hands shook uncontrollably, his legs giving out as he collapsed onto the floor, staring up at me in a silent plea.
I smirked. "Ah, so you do recognize me. I was wondering if I had to end up announcing myself despite my noterity." My voice was smooth, yet carried an undertone of menace. "So, you're the one who convinced this fool to try his luck, aren't you?"
The captain, still oblivious, spat on the floor. "What the hell are you talking about? This guy? He's nobody! I run this crew!"
I ignored him, keeping my eyes on the man who now lay trembling at my feet. He was shaking his head slowly, his lips mouthing silent prayers, trying to will himself out of this nightmare. But there was no escaping now.
"Your luck seems to be terrible, you not only got your hands on such a rare devil fruit, but you also had to go ahead and flaunt it and use that to spring a trap," I said, my voice cold as ice. "You should have done your research before you set this trap. But now... now you've lured in a monster far beyond your worst nightmares."
The pirate leader could barely breathe, each shallow gasp sounding more desperate than the last. His fear was palpable, hanging heavy in the air like a stench. He had survived the Grand Line, but he knew now that this was a battle he couldn't win. Not against me. His body was frozen in terror, unable to move, knowing any sudden action could be his last.
The captain, still clueless to the danger, took a step toward me, hand gripping his sword. "Oi! What are you—"
Before he could finish, I turned my head slightly, meeting his eyes for the first time. It only took a glance. The predatory glint in my eyes was enough to stop him dead in his tracks. For the first time, the realization began to dawn on him. He wasn't in control anymore. In fact, he never was, and he was literally staring at death.
"You..." The captain's voice cracked, and he stepped back instinctively. "Who the hell are you...?"
I smiled, slow and deliberate. "Someone you should have never crossed."
As I said the words, Lucci's gaze turned sharp, and Robin's small figure stood silently by my side, but the aura around her was anything but weak. The tension in the air thickened, and for the first time, the room was filled with a silence so oppressive it felt like a weight pressing down on the chest of every pirate present. Even the drunken men lounging in the background sobered up instantly, their senses catching up to the magnitude of their mistake.
The man in the shadows began to stutter, finally finding his voice, though barely above a whisper.
"P-please... we... we didn't know. I swear, we didn't know it was you. P-please, show mercy..."
"Mercy?" Robin's voice echoed, as if tasting the word. She looked at him with the kind of detached amusement one reserves for insects.
"I wonder... did you show mercy to this island? To its people?" My gaze flickered to the burning ruins outside. "Did you offer mercy when you put this place to the torch?"
He whimpered, unable to meet my eyes, his body trembling so violently it looked as if he would break apart at any second. "I... I... it wasn't my decision. It was them... the crew... the captain! I had no choice!"
The captain, who had finally grasped the situation, looked at his so-called ally in disbelief. "You filthy traitor! You said this was our chance! You said—"
His words were cut short by a single gesture from me as Lucci moved, beheading the pirate captain with a single strike.
The pirates who had surrounded us, once confident in their numbers, now stood frozen, watching helplessly as their mighty captain's head rolled, their arrogance crumbled under the weight of their own fear. They had been so sure of their plan, so sure that their sheer numbers and brutality would be enough to break us.
But now they understood. They had underestimated us. And now, the reckoning had come.
I leaned down slightly, my voice barely a whisper as I spoke to the trembling man at my feet. "You'll have plenty of time to regret this mistake in the afterlife."
*****
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