18

Nezumi was in a terrible mood today.

As a naval officer stationed in the East Blue, he was not interested in fighting pirates. Instead, he had been colluding with the Arlong Pirates for quite some time. Every month, the Arlong Pirates would send him a large sum of money, and in return, Nezumi would turn a blind eye to their atrocities.

However, today, he received alarming news: a powerful bounty hunter had attacked the Arlong Pirates and intended to wipe them out. This was something Nezumi couldn't afford to ignore. The Arlong Pirates were his golden goose, and if they were destroyed, he would lose his steady flow of bribes.

Hearing this, Nezumi immediately led his men to investigate, rushing to Cocoyasi Village.

"The Navy is coming?" Ryō observed as the naval forces quickly approached.

"Perfect timing. I can claim the bounty from them directly," Ryō thought, his mind set on the reward for destroying the Arlong Pirates.

The Navy moved swiftly and soon surrounded the entire area.

"What's going on here?" Nezumi demanded as he arrogantly stepped forward, glaring at Ryō and Nami.

"Ah, the Navy. You've arrived just in time," Ryō said casually, his eyes locked on the colonel. "I've taken care of the Arlong Pirates. You can pay me the bounty now."

"What?! You destroyed the Arlong Pirates?" Nezumi was taken aback. He quickly cursed in his mind, "Damn it, how could that idiot Arlong get himself killed? My money! My income!"

While Nezumi didn't care about Arlong's life, the thought of losing his regular bribes was infuriating. Then, an idea popped into his head. The Arlong Pirates were a notorious group in the East Blue. If he took credit for their destruction, he could use the merit to get promoted, possibly even transferring to the Navy Headquarters.

A sly grin crossed Nezumi's face as he schemed.

"Hmph, a bounty hunter? I think not," Nezumi said with a sneer. "You two must be accomplices of the Arlong Pirates!"

"Men! Surround them! Don't let them escape!" he ordered, and immediately, the Navy soldiers raised their weapons, aiming them at Ryō and Nami.

"Navy, how can you say that?! We're not with the Arlong Pirates! We destroyed them!" Nami shouted, panicking as she saw the soldiers closing in.

Before Nami could finish her plea, Nezumi interrupted her.

"Hmph, the Arlong Pirates were clearly destroyed by the Navy! And you two? You bear the mark of pirates, which makes you their accomplices!" Nezumi declared arrogantly, disregarding the truth.

Nami was overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. "How can the Navy be like this?" she whispered, her voice shaky with frustration.

Ryō's expression darkened. "So, you're not going to give me the bounty?" he said coldly, glaring at Nezumi.

"Bounty? What bounty?" Nezumi laughed. "The Navy destroyed the Arlong Pirates, and you're just criminals. Seize them!"

As the soldiers moved in, Ryō's patience snapped. "No one takes my money," he growled. "Anyone who tries to steal from me will die."

In an instant, Ryō's right arm shot forward, black tendrils extending from his fist like a barrage of cannon fire. The tendrils pierced through Nezumi's chest with terrifying precision.

"Ugh... You dare attack the Navy?" Nezumi sputtered, blood spilling from his mouth as he looked at Ryō in shock. He collapsed to the ground, dead.

"What?! He killed Nezumi!" one of the Navy soldiers cried in disbelief.

"He actually attacked the Navy! Open fire!" another yelled, and the soldiers quickly aimed their guns at Ryō.

"Hmph, you should be the ones to die," Ryō said coldly. "Fire Release: Head Hard."

A massive burst of flames erupted from Ryō's hand, engulfing the Navy soldiers. Their screams filled the air as they were burned alive, their bodies turning to ash in the blaze.

With the Navy obliterated, Ryō turned his gaze toward Nami, his green eyes glowing ominously.

Nami, trembling, took several steps back. "L-Lord Kakuzu, what are you doing?" she stammered, her fear palpable. She had just witnessed him kill dozens of Navy soldiers in the blink of an eye, his murderous aura radiating around him.

"Little girl, you told me there was a bounty to be had. Yet, here I stand with no money in hand. What do you suggest I do with you?" Ryō's voice was chilling as black tendrils reappeared on his arms.

"Please! Lord Kakuzu, don't kill me!" Nami pleaded, panicked. "I'm a navigator! If you let me live, I can guide you across the sea. With my help, you'll be able to find more pirates with even higher bounties!"

Ryō paused, considering her words. "A navigator, huh? I could use one to guide me across the seas and help me hunt down more bounties."

After a moment of thought, Ryō withdrew his killing intent. "Fine, I'll spare you... for now. But if you try to run, I'll kill you without hesitation," he warned, his voice icy.

"Thank you! I won't run, I swear!" Nami breathed a sigh of relief, her heart racing. She had narrowly escaped death once again.

"Now, lead the way," Ryō ordered. "We're going to the nearest naval base. No one steals from me. If they won't give me the money, I'll take it myself."

"Yes, Lord Kakuzu..." Nami responded meekly, knowing she had no choice but to obey.