Chapter 31: The Encounter with Byrnndi World

At that moment, just as Varen sheathed his Zanpakutō, a flash of saber light lit up.

The man's figure froze for an instant.

Pooh...

A few seconds later, a large amount of blood splashed from the man's waist, staining the clean hotel.

"Three hundred million? Is this the level of the so-called Tiger Cook? I'm afraid the long-term comfort has made you lose your sensitivity to battle. You couldn't even detect the moment I drew my sword."

Ignoring the fallen figure behind him, Varen knew something about this man. Cook, the tiger with a bounty of 300 million berries, looked different from the one on the bounty poster. However, once he used his Devil Fruit ability, Varen recognized him from the New World bounty listings.

But it seemed that the prolonged stability had dulled Cook's combat prowess.

For Varen, this was insignificant. Despite the high bounty, Cook was an unknown figure and couldn't provide much experience.

His goal was Byrnndi World on this island!

As for the others, Varen would deal with them after World. While they didn't offer much experience individually, an island full of pirates could collectively provide substantial experience points.

As for World...

"Boss, we're back. How is that guy? Do you want us to help?"

Around a corner, twenty or so pirates hurriedly approached, inquiring about the situation. When they saw Varen unharmed and ready to leave, they were momentarily stunned.

Then they looked inside.

A man lay in a conspicuous pool of blood in the once clean and tidy hotel.

"Boss!" Upon seeing the familiar figure, the pirates exclaimed.

"Let's deal with you pirates as well." Varen gradually raised his hand.

[Hadō: Sixty-seven Thunderbolt]

With a thunderous sound, a bolt of lightning shot from Varen's hand, instantly electrifying the twenty or so pirates, causing their bodies to explode.

None of them had expected that what they saw as easy prey would turn out to be a predator, devouring them all.

...

After leaving the hotel, Varen walked through this unique city, finding it extremely interesting. A place completely controlled by pirates was bound to be chaotic.

Walking down the street, it was clear there were no good people here—not a single person looked trustworthy.

Varen's presence naturally attracted attention.

Many people seemed aware of his recent visit to the hotel. Surviving that place was enough to prove Varen's strength, so no one dared to provoke him immediately.

A big pirate with a bounty of 300 million berries wasn't someone to be trifled with. The onlookers knew this well.

Either Varen had the strength to leave that place alive, or he was still prey being hunted. Snatching prey from others required strength.

There was another reason for the current quiet: Byrnndi World.

World's reputation for destroying warships, civilians, and even other pirates was well-known. With his powerful Haki and formidable Devil Fruit ability, few could match him, except the three great pirates.

On this island, World wasn't here to rule but to plunder.

No one dared to stir up trouble and attract World's attention. World would leave after a while, and there was no need to take risks.

World had no interest in ruling the island. Subduing the numerous pirates would be a massive task, and uniting them would make them a huge target for the Marines.

Marines' influence over the sea was strong. Without the strength of the three great pirates, leading the island was impossible.

Golden Lion avoided Marines in the air, and Whitebeard's Shock Fruit was a naval battle natural disaster.

The Roger Pirates, despite being as strong as Golden Lion and Whitebeard, were constantly hunted by the Marines because they couldn't avoid them.

World, with his Momo Fruit, had some naval battle capability, but he was far from the three great pirates' level. Even if he controlled the island, he couldn't hold it.

For World, the goal was to maximize the island's resources before leaving.

"Captain, we grabbed another batch of loot from some pirates."

In a tavern in the central square, a subordinate reported to World, presenting a large bag of gold and silver treasures.

"Good job! Keep grabbing more over the next couple of days, then we'll leave. After that, we'll find a city and have a great time!"

Hearing his subordinate's report, World spoke grandly.

At this time, he hadn't been betrayed by his subordinates and still needed to maintain control through such methods.