chapter 7
"Flying Slash?! A Great Swordsman?!"
Kyle's jaw dropped as he witnessed Rhodes unleash a devastating slash. His entire body froze in disbelief. As a prominent gangster in the North Sea, Kyle had enough experience to understand what he was seeing.
Even in the New World, where the strongest roam, a Great Swordsman was a rare force to be reckoned with. What was such a figure doing here, involving himself in the petty affairs of a gangster family?
"This isn't a flying slash, and I wouldn't call myself a Great Swordsman," Rhodes calmly explained. "It's just raw strength and the pressure of the blade."
As he spoke, Rhodes surged forward, swinging his sword with ease.
"I survived the Great Swordsman's attack!" one of the gangsters shouted, standing shakily after being knocked down by the earlier slash.
For a brief moment, he thought he was invincible. His chest swelled with pride until he saw a flash of light—the blade cutting through him.
"No, you've just earned the privilege to die a different way," Rhodes muttered, continuing his relentless assault. Each swing of his sword left another gangster lifeless.
The weaklings before him offered no real challenge. A faint red glow shimmered in Rhodes' eyes as he sidestepped incoming bullets, appearing before the gunmen in a blur. One swift motion ended them all.
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Kyle's Desperation
"These people... they're monsters!" Kyle's hands trembled as he witnessed his men fall like leaves in a storm.
Turning to Jason, his most trusted subordinate, he barked orders. "You stay here and delay them while I gather reinforcements!"
Without waiting for Jason's response, Kyle fled through a hidden side door, leaving his subordinate to face the slaughter alone. Jason stared at the approaching Rhodes, his face pale with despair.
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Kyle's Last Resort
"Push out the cannons! Destroy the entire building!" Kyle screamed as he emerged outside.
"But, Boss Kyle, our men are still inside!" protested one of his subordinates.
Bang!
A gunshot echoed as Kyle executed the dissenter without hesitation.
"This is the Felke Family! I am Felke Kyle! Obey me or die!" he roared, glaring at the others.
The gangsters scrambled to obey, dragging out cannons and positioning them to fire. Moments later, the deafening roar of cannon fire tore through the air. The manor's main building crumbled under the barrage, flames engulfing the ruins.
"It's over now," Kyle muttered, lighting a fresh cigar as he surveyed the destruction.
Although the loss of Gray, the scientist, was regrettable, Kyle consoled himself with the thought of salvaging Gray's designs from the rubble.
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The Black Cat Emerges
"You really thought it would be that easy?"
A voice echoed through the smoke and debris, sending shivers down Kyle's spine. A black cat emerged from the ruins, leaping onto the fountain in the garden. Its piercing gaze locked onto Kyle.
"A Devil Fruit user?" Kyle muttered, recognizing the transformation.
"But it's just a cat!"
He waved dismissively, signaling his men to open fire. A hail of bullets followed, but the cat darted through them with supernatural speed.
In an instant, the black cat grew, morphing into a humanoid figure. Standing among the stunned gangsters was Nia, her black cat ears twitching and her tail flicking.
"Using your men as bait? How despicable," Nia growled, her eyes cold and wild.
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Kyle's Last Stand
Kyle clenched his fists, his cigar falling to the ground. "You're meddling in my business for no reason!"
"Your business?" Nia sneered, her voice laced with contempt. "You tried to kill us and refused to pay what you owe!"
With a burst of speed, she closed the gap between them. Kyle raised his arm just in time to block her powerful kick, the impact sending shockwaves through the air.
"Fine! I'll pay you double—five million extra! Just leave now!" Kyle offered desperately, trying to end the fight.
Nia smirked, her sharp fangs glinting in the light. "As long as I kill you, everything you own will be mine!"
Her transformation advanced, black fur spreading over her body as her claws extended. "I'm the user of the Cat-Cat Fruit: Model Black Cat. When I fight in this form, I might get... a little carried away. If I'm too cruel, I'll apologize later."
Before Kyle could react, a sharp pain erupted in his chest. Blood splattered as Nia's claws slashed across him.
"That's it, meow~" Nia purred, licking the blood from her claws, her predatory eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
The Felke Family had underestimated their foes. What began as an ambush turned into their utter downfall, leaving only a single truth in its wake: they had crossed the wrong people.