Water 7 IV

As the groups led by Draco and Roger made their way through the labyrinthine streets of the island, their determination grew sharper with each step. They moved swiftly, their purpose unified: to confront and bring down Captain Taylor, one way or another. But back at Dock 5, the shadows grew darker.

Standing at the edge of the porch, Captain Taylor puffed his cigar leisurely. Beside him stood a tall, lanky figure dressed in an impeccably black suit. His jet-black hair cascaded over his face, obscuring everything but his nose and mouth. The figure remained unnervingly still, like a shadow-given form.

"Mace," Taylor addressed him without turning his head. "Have you figured out that person's identity yet?"

Mace, seemingly unfazed by Taylor's direct tone, reached out and plucked the cigar from Taylor's hand. He took a slow drag, exhaling the smoke in a thin stream before speaking. "Of course… my information gatherers are everywhere on this island. But…" His voice dropped slightly, as if weighing his next words. "I believe you should let this one go, Lord Taylor."

The air grew tense. Taylor's eyes narrowed as his expression darkened. With a flick of his wrist, he activated his Armament Haki, his hands glinting as they sharpened into deadly edges. Without warning, he slashed at Mace, his motion as quick as lightning.

Mace's torso split in half, the sound of tearing paper echoing eerily in the air. Taylor sneered, his voice cold and biting. "What do you mean by that, Mace?"

Before Taylor could press further, another sound came from below the porch. A second Mace slipped out from the shadows, his voice as calm as ever. "It's…"

Before he could finish, yet another Mace appeared, this one perched on the roof of the building. "Draco."

A third Mace, emerging from the alley nearby, chimed in. "The Human God."

Another clone appeared, speaking with the same unnerving composure. "A very controversial pirate right now."

Finally, the original Mace reappeared before Taylor, finishing the explanation. "That pirate is allied with the Roger Pirates, who are also on this island as we speak."

Taylor's expression hardened as he processed this information. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the marines bustling about the dock. His eyes locked on one marine officer carrying a wooden box. Without hesitation, Taylor reached under his robe and retrieved a golden pistol, engraved with his family name, "Quinten".

Without a word, he aimed and fired.

The marine staggered, screaming in pain as the bullet tore into his leg. Before anyone could react, Taylor fired again, the second shot adding to the marine's cries. Taylor lowered the smoking pistol, a sinister grin stretching across his face.

"Don't be an idiot, Mace," he said, blowing the smoke away from the barrel. His voice carried a chilling indifference. "We'll just call Headquarters. If Dock 1 hasn't reported these pirates, it means they're hiding fugitives."

Taylor licked his lips, his grin widening as he slid the gun back into his robe. Turning sharply, his robe swished as he strode back into the building. "Let's make this official," he said, heading toward his Den Den Mushi. Behind him, the pained cries of the marine echoed across the dock.

Mace stood silently, watching as a group of marines rushed to aid their fallen comrade. His hands twitched slightly, veins bulging under his pale skin. Then, without warning, strips of paper began to peel from his body, forming into a new clone before him.

The clone nodded to Mace, who returned the gesture with an almost imperceptible smile. The duplicate vanished in a blur, using Soru to appear beside the injured marine.

The marines attempting to help their comrade backed away instinctively, their faces pale with fear. They had seen this before. This was routine under the second command, Mace.

Mace crouched down, extending a hand to the injured marine with a smile that seemed kind, too kind. "Are you new?" he asked softly.

The marine, clutching his wounded leg, groaned in pain. "Y-yes, sir!" he stammered, still writhing but grateful for the help.

Mace's smile widened unnaturally as he pulled the marine to his feet. For a brief moment, the injured marine looked relieved,

**SWISH**

until his arm was suddenly severed.

The marine screamed in agony, his voice piercing the night air.

"Leahahaha… Leahahaha… Leahahahaha!" Mace's laughter rang out, uncontrollable and manic. His hand covered his mouth, but his wide grin was impossible to hide. "Scream! Yes, scream louder! I love your screams!"

The other marines averted their eyes, their faces filled with fear and disgust as they retreated from the scene. They knew better than to intervene.

Mace stood over the marine, his laughter echoing across the dock, blending with the faint sound of Taylor's footsteps receding into the building.

The darkness around Dock 5 thickened, it was the sheer malice that now permeated the air.

[Draco and the Trio]

As Draco bounded across rooftops, the trio trailing behind, Buggy finally broke the silence. "Uhh… do you even know where we're headed?" His voice carried a mix of nervousness and confusion.

Draco, hiccuping as he swayed unsteadily from one building to the next, replied, "To Roger. We gotta tell him 'bout it before we take action. Don't want them going off without us." His words were slurred, but his intent was clear.

[Dock 1]

Meanwhile, back near the shipyard, Roger and his group stepped out of the building where Tom had been moments before. Roger looked unusually pensive, scratching his head as he surveyed their surroundings.

"Roger," Rayleigh said, exasperated as he slapped a hand to his forehead, "do you even know where we're going?"

Roger, ever the carefree adventurer, grinned sheepishly. "Ah, no!" he admitted with a hearty laugh, scratching the back of his neck.

Before anyone could comment further, Tom emerged from the building, arms crossed and his expression resolute. "Dock 5," he said firmly. "That's where Taylor is. But we'll have to get him discreetly."

Scopper, raising an eyebrow, was the first to object. "We? Tom, you've got no business playing pirate now. You're a shipwright, Tom."

"Let us handle it, Tom-Kichi-san!" Oden interjected enthusiastically, his respect for Tom ever so rising higher. 

Rayleigh, nodding in agreement, clapped a hand on Tom's broad shoulder. "They've made up their minds. Let us do the work here."

Tom, smiling proudly, sat down on the dirt ground with his arms crossed. "Then do it with gusto! Don't let that marine go easy!"

Roger's grin widened at the encouragement. Clenching his fist, he turned toward the docks, leading his small group forward. "How much trouble could one marine cause?" he said cheerfully, his confidence unwavering.

As they were about to head out to Dock 5, they suddenly spotted Draco and his trio. Shanks, Buggy, and Enel stood behind the swaying Draco, looking just as eager, if not slightly concerned.

Draco halted abruptly in front of Roger and gestured lazily. "I don't know if we're interrupting, but… we're looking for a marine named Taylor. We'll be back."

Roger's eyes widened in surprise before bursting into laughter. "Taylor? WAHAHAHAH! Looks like you're after him too!"

"Huh?" The trio, as well as Draco, blinked in confusion.

Roger quickly filled them in on the situation, explaining what Tom had told them about Marine Captain Taylor's crimes and his position at Dock 5. As the story unfolded, Draco's expression shifted.

By the time Roger finished, Draco's normally easygoing demeanor was replaced by something far darker. His jaw clenched, and his eyes burned with fury. "Ah… well," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous, "we have to kill him now."

They had never seen Draco this angry before. It wasn't just anger, it was something deeper, more terrifying. This was Killing intent, it was so powerful it even had Roger and everyone near, start sweating and shivering. 

Roger, staring at Draco's uncharacteristic killing intent, tightened his fists. 'This Taylor…' he thought to himself, 'he'll be erased from the enols of history.'

[Dock 5]

At Dock 5, Taylor reclined on his ornate golden chair, his legs crossed. The opulent seat was a stark contrast to the grimy chaos of the dock, but Taylor reveled in the absurdity of it. Holding his Den Den Mushi, he leaned back as the line connected with a sharp,

**Click**

"Headquarters. Lieutenant Yoda speaking. What is it?" The voice on the other end was thick and slow, carrying an air of laziness and superiority.

Taylor's face immediately contorted with irritation. 'These damn headquarters marines are so cocky! I'll kill them!' he muttered under his breath, veins bulging in his neck.

Clearing his throat, Taylor straightened and spoke with a commanding tone, laced with mock nobility. "Marine Captain Taylor. This. Is. Your. Superior. Speaking. Water 7, Dock 5, Unit 93."

Lieutenant Yoda, however, remained unimpressed. "Uh-huh… what is it, sire?" The condescension in his voice was palpable.

Taylor's grip on the Den Den Mushi tightened, and the snail squirmed as if gasping for air. "We have evidence," Taylor hissed, barely keeping his rage in check, "of pirate Gol D. Roger being hidden at Dock 1, where that disgusting Fishman Tom holds position."

There was a pause before Yoda's voice exploded with alarm. "REALLY? GOL D. ROGER IS THERE?!"

Taylor grinned wickedly, his teeth bared as he spoke. "Yes. Call every force you can. If it's false, you can execute me on the spot."

"Don't let them out of your sight!" Yoda commanded. "We'll gather forces and be there as soon as possible!"

Taylor, relishing the chaos to come, replied through gritted teeth, being commanded, he mocked back, "Yes, sir. Lieutenant." With that, he hung up, his expression cold and calculating.

The Den Den Mushi, clearly exhausted and in pain from Taylor's grip, slumped in its shell. Taylor glanced at it with disdain before pulling his golden pistol from his robe. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.

The shot rang out across the dock, and the Den Den Mushi, exploding from the shot, gets sent flying before dying. Taylor, unbothered by the destruction, rose from his chair, the corner of his mouth curling into a sinister grin.

"Let's see how long they last."