51: A Strike Filled with Intent to Kill

Ron rarely felt anger.

It was anger toward these vile pirates and frustration with the incompetent Marines.

He remembered the small island where he'd first arrived in this world.

The two islands were similar, with small towns of only a few hundred people.

If that island had ended up like this, with his close friends suffering the same fate…

Just imagining it filled Ron with fury.

Zephyr listened to Ron's words in silence.

"The Marines may indeed have their flaws, and I cannot argue with that. But I can guarantee that the Marines would never ignore a situation, nor refuse to send reinforcements."

"We learned of this island's state because someone risked their life to escape and bring us this news."

Ron brushed past him, saying, "You don't need to explain this to me. I only believe what I see with my own eyes."

As he walked toward the battlefield, he slowly drew Raikiri from his back.

His inner fury lay dormant.

…

"Eeehahaha! As long as I have blood, I'll never lose!" Devil's Hand, with his twisted, devilish hands dripping with black-red blood, tossed aside a lifeless corpse and grinned menacingly at Ain.

Ain leapt back to avoid his attack.

"Grow, grow!" Binz chanted, using his Devil Fruit power to grow vines that shot toward Devil's Hand. But the monstrous hands ripped them apart with ease.

"Tempest Kick!" Ain unleashed another Tempest Kick, but Devil's Hand shielded himself, the white slash cutting into his hand before the wound was swiftly repaired with blood.

"Eeehahaha, useless!" Devil's Hand sneered at Ain. "Your attacks don't work, but I just need one touch to drain you dry! I've never tasted a Marine's blood before."

Ain tightened her grip on her sword, recognizing the challenge before her.

Her Devil Fruit ability required direct contact with his body.

But if she got close, his demon hands would touch her, draining her blood.

And her power could only turn him back three years per hit.

It would take multiple strikes to make him lose his strength.

Could he really be worth only 37 million Berries?

"Die!" Devil's Hand swung his right hand, laden with bloodlust, toward Ain.

Ain gritted her teeth, gripping her sword and preparing to fight him head-on.

"Step back."

A calm voice sounded beside her.

Then, she saw a small figure walking past her, Raikiri glowing with lightning, as he approached Devil's Hand head-on.

"Ron?" Ain's eyes widened, and she shouted, "Watch out for his hands—don't let them touch…"

"Armament Haki… imbue."

"Sun Breathing: Form Nine - Setting Sun Transformation."

With a soft whisper, Ron's figure appeared in mid-air, upside down, his sword wreathed in Armament Haki like blazing sunlight. He slashed through the air with Raikiri.

Ain saw a golden arc slice the air before her.

The next moment, a wave of searing heat brushed her hair.

Boom!

Devil's Hand's monstrous hands crashed to the ground.

Ain stared in shock.

"M-My hands?! My hands!"

Devil's Hand screamed in agony, looking down to see both arms severed at the base, flames licking the stumps and searing them in a pain he could barely stand.

Without looking back at Devil's Hand's suffering, Ron sheathed his sword and, expressionless, walked back toward the Marines' ship.

…

With the capture of Devil's Hand and his crew, the Marines soothed the tormented townsfolk and recorded the island's position before sailing away.

In Zephyr's cabin, Ain reported the situation.

Zephyr listened, frowning slightly at her description of Devil's Hand's powers.

"If what you say is true, Devil's Hand's strength far surpasses his 37 million Berry bounty."

"Sir, I checked, and his bounty is from four years ago—it hasn't been updated."

Ain explained.

"Four years to develop his Devil Fruit powers… no wonder," Zephyr said, removing his glasses with a slight scowl.

"To think the Marines overlooked his crew's actions for four years. Ron's right—the Marines are losing their edge."

"Sir, with his current power, what would Devil's Hand's bounty be?" Ain asked.

"Based on your description, at least 60 million Berries."

"60 million…" Ain was shocked.

"A 60-million-Berry pirate commander defeated in a single strike by Ron… it's hard to believe his strongest skill is swordsmanship."

Zephyr couldn't help but admire.

Ain, still stunned, recalled Ron's astonishing slash.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed such a feat could come from an 11-year-old.

"What's he doing now?" Zephyr asked.

"When I last saw him, he was practicing Shave on the deck."

"How's he doing?"

"Uh… about the same as before."

Zephyr nodded.

"I see. Dismissed, then."

"Yes, sir."

After Ain left, Zephyr took out a Den Den Mushi and connected to Marine HQ.

"Sengoku, it's Zephyr."

"Zephyr, what's going on?" Sengoku replied.

Zephyr explained the situation.

After a brief silence, Sengoku replied, "It was indeed our mistake. But since the pirates have been captured, there's no need to deploy additional troops."

"Is that so? A mistake that lost the Marines their trust… shouldn't we act now to restore it?"

Sengoku's voice grew colder.

"Zephyr, we don't have the manpower to station Marines on every remote island. How could we possibly uphold justice across the seas with such demands?"

"I know, Sengoku. There are still spare troops stationed in Mary Geoise…"

"Zephyr! Enough. The forces at the World Government's service are not to be moved. The training is over. Bring your team back."

"Is that all you see now, Sengoku? The World Government, not the people we protect?" Zephyr slammed a fist on his desk, splintering its corner.

He heard Ron's words echo once more in his mind.

"I saw the pirates' evil, but I also saw the Marines' failure."

…

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T/N:

Powerstones please!