16

Ryō, now embodying the role of Kakuzu from the Akatsuki, had the powers of five hearts, allowing him to control five elemental chakra natures: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Lightning. When he destroyed the pirate ship earlier, he had used Water Style techniques, but now, as Zoro attacked him, Ryō employed Earth Style to harden his arm and block the swordsman's attack effortlessly.

"What!? How is that even possible!?" Zoro exclaimed, his face showing shock at how easily Ryō had defended against him.

"You're not worth my time, kid. Leave now," Ryō said coldly.

With a burst of strength, Ryō sent a powerful force through his body, launching Zoro into the air and flinging him into the sea. Zoro disappeared beneath the waves, leaving Ryō uninterested in whether the swordsman survived.

Ryō then shifted his focus to the pirate ship, or rather, what remained of it. Although half of it was in ruins, the cabin was still intact. He made his way inside, scanning the wreckage for his true prize.

As he entered, the sight before him was one of chaos—everything had been rummaged through. His eyes narrowed.

"Hmph, I can't believe a rat dared to steal my money..." Ryō's voice dripped with venom as a dangerous killing intent radiated from him. To Kakuzu, whose greed was as fierce as his fighting ability, anyone who touched his money was as good as dead.

Hidden within a cabinet, a pair of wide, fearful eyes watched Ryō's every move. The murderous aura suffocating the air around him made her shiver uncontrollably. Eventually, the fear became too much, and she tumbled out of the cabinet and onto the floor.

"Ah! Don't kill me! I'll give back all the gold coins!" cried the trembling figure. The young woman's eyes were wide with terror as she stared up at Ryō, and scattered at her feet were bags full of stolen gold.

Ryō's expression changed slightly upon recognizing her. "Oh? So it's you... the thief cat." The woman before him was none other than Nami, the future navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates. Ryō couldn't help but think his luck was good today—first Zoro, and now Nami.

Nami was visibly terrified. She had originally infiltrated the Berserk Wolf Pirate Group by pretending to be one of them, using her navigational skills to steal from them when the opportunity arose. She had hoped to escape unnoticed, but she hadn't expected Ryō to appear, swiftly kill the captain, and defeat Zoro with ease. Now, with no way out, she had hidden, hoping Ryō wouldn't find her, but his overwhelming aura had forced her out of hiding.

"Hehe, a little beauty, and you had the audacity to steal my money. What should I do with you?" Ryō's voice was low and sinister, making Nami flinch.

"Please! Don't kill me! I'm not a pirate! I'll give you back all the money!" Nami was on the verge of tears, her body shaking in fear. Though she was usually clever and resourceful, Ryō's killing intent was far beyond anything she could handle. To an ordinary person like her, he was an unstoppable force.

Ryō remained unmoved by her pleading. "Anyone who steals from me... dies." He extended his hand, and black tendrils shot out from it, slithering toward Nami.

Nami's heart sank. She had seen these tendrils kill the pirate captain earlier and knew what fate awaited her if they reached her. Desperate, she shouted, "Wait! I know where a powerful pirate is!"

Ryō paused, intrigued. "Oh? A powerful pirate? Tell me more." His eyes locked onto her, and the tendrils stopped their approach, hovering ominously.

"There's a sea thief with a bounty of 20 million Berries in Cocoyasi Village!" Nami quickly blurted out. "If you take him down, you'll get a huge bounty!"

"20 million Berries?" Ryō's interest was piqued. "That's worth a trip." He retracted the black tendrils, and the suffocating aura around him faded.

Nami let out a sigh of relief, grateful to still be alive. However, her relief was short-lived as Ryō glared at her. "Now, gather all the gold coins. If even one is missing... you'll lose a part of yourself."

"Y-Yes, sir!" Nami hurriedly began collecting all the money from the remains of the Berserk Wolf Pirate Group. After some time, she had gathered a large chest of gold coins.

Ryō, embodying Kakuzu's obsession with money, took his time counting every last Berry, his eyes scanning each coin carefully. After nearly an hour, he closed the chest with a sigh.

"Pathetic, only eight million Berries," he muttered in disappointment.

Once finished, Ryō turned his attention back to Nami. "Lead me to this pirate you spoke of. If you're lying... you already know what will happen."

Nami, feigning obedience, replied, "I wouldn't dare lie, sir. Please, follow me." But as the 'Thief Cat,' Nami had her own plans brewing in her mind. Whether she was truly submissive or plotting something was a secret only she knew.