The Sudden Criticism
"Aunt Mary, I told you, I'm pretty strong," Ron said with a smile toward the stunned Mary.
At this moment, Mary was at a complete loss for words, her mind blank.
Nearby, several pirates brandished their swords and charged at Ron.
Harris was just about to rush over to help.
But before he could take a few steps—
Bang, bang, bang!
The pirates surrounding Ron were all sent flying. Ron was left holding one of the pirates by his collar.
"S-Spare me!" the pirate begged, drenched in sweat.
But Ron smashed his fist into the pirate's face, leaving a deep imprint.
"M-Monster!" a nearby pirate, holding his weapon, backed away in terror, trying to distance himself from the boy who still stood on their leader's head.
Brian came up beside Harris, staring at the small figure. He couldn't help but ask, "Harris, what's going on with Ron? He's only eight years old, right?"
Harris smiled bitterly. "I... I have no idea either. All I know is that he's been training his body for the past six months..."
"An eight-year-old training for six months can get this strong?" Brian's mouth hung open, full of disbelief.
Harris didn't know what to say. He, too, found it hard to comprehend.
"Harris, now's our chance! Let's wipe out these pirates once and for all!" said a middle-aged man excitedly. The villagers had been suffering under the pirates for too long.
Before Harris could respond, someone shouted, "Drive these pirates off our island!"
In an instant, the crowd surged with excitement.
"Yeah! Charge!"
The onlookers shouted in anger as they rushed towards the now hopeless pirates.
They grabbed pots, pans, hoes, and sticks, smashing them down on the pirates' heads.
The remaining dozen pirates were instantly beaten like drowning rats, kneeling and begging for mercy.
Ron stepped back from the battlefield, and a hand rested on his head.
He turned to see Harris smiling down at him.
"Ron, thank you for saving me," Harris said.
"You little brat! When did you get so strong? You're really something!" Brian exclaimed, his face leaning in.
"I've just been training, and before I knew it..." Ron feigned innocence.
"Harris! Ron!" Aunt Mary pushed through the crowd and rushed over, wrapping her arms around both of them, tears streaming down her face.
"Don't make me worry like that, you two idiots!"
"Aunt Mary."
"Mary... don't do this; everyone's watching," Harris said, blushing, as he awkwardly scratched his head with his uninjured arm.
...
"Bring some rope! Tie them up!" someone shouted after a while.
The pirates were all bound, with Samoatti leading the pack. His face was so swollen it had doubled in size, making him unrecognizable.
When he regained consciousness, he was still trying to sound tough: "Don't think this is over! You're all dead! I work for Lord Arlong! You've signed your death warrants by messing with him!"
Ron's eyes flickered at the mention of Arlong.
Arlong... Could it be...?
"Arlong... Could it really be that Arlong Pirates?" someone asked, fear lacing their voice.
"No way..."
"Ka-chak-chak! Yes, it's that Arlong Pirates!" Samoatti let out a sinister laugh. "Lord Arlong is a big name with a 20 million berry bounty! You've messed with him, and now you're—"
Sizzle.
A stream of water hit him right in the head.
"What's this? Ah! It burns! My eyes, my eyes!!" Samoatti screamed in agony.
"The pepper water gun I made with Mars—how does it taste?" Ron said, holding up his water gun, his childlike voice echoing in everyone's ears.
The crowd stared at him, dumbfounded.
Ron aimed again and sprayed several more pirates.
"Biubiubiubiu!"
"Ah!!!"
"My eyes!"
"It's burning, it's burning, it's burning!"
"Ahhhh!!!"
"Stop it! Aah!!!"
The onlookers watched the pirates suffer, some feeling a shiver down their spines.
"Is this child... a demon?" a well-dressed man wearing glasses suddenly shouted from the crowd:
"Stop it!"
Everyone turned to look at him, including Ron.
The entire area fell silent.
The spectacled man pushed his way through, appearing furious as he yelled at Ron:
"Do you even understand the situation?! The people you've offended are none other than the Arlong Pirates, the most dangerous crew in the East Blue! Have you thought about the consequences?"
"Our town, even our entire island, could be destroyed because of your reckless actions! You're going to get us all killed, you foolish brat!"