Standing Offer

Seeing that Yunan didn't have anything further to say, Ori lost any interest in sticking around listening to others gossip. Just as he was about to lead Roman and the others away, A group of a dozen people appeared blocking his path.

"Where do you think you're going Heavenly Demon?"

The one who spoke was Kurogane and just behind him was Smoker and the other Marines.

Ori wasn't surprised in the slightest, he'd already felt the killing intent of the Vice-Admiral earlier. He didn't even reply, he merely took a gentle step in their direction.

"1st step!"

Suddenly a terrifyingly sharp wind emerged taking the heads of 4 of the marines. He was just about to take a 2nd step when Kurogane charged at him sword in hand.

"That's enough out of you, stop acting as if I don't exist."

Seeing the Vice-Admiral charging at him, Ori began channelling his Qi through his body raising his body strength by another level as he raised his hand to the hilt of his sword and smiled excitedly.

"Sword Draw!"

It wasn't until after he drew his sword and the blade was nearing did Kurogane sense the power behind Ori's attack, but by then it was too late to act appropriately. He was forced to go from a full powered attack to a last minute defence.

Even though he managed to successfully raise his guard before Ori's attack landed, he still ended up being sent 10 meters back, but the thing that shocked and annoyed him most was the fact that there was a nick on his blade where the 2 swords connected.

"Vice-Admiral I suggest you come at me with everything you have if you want to keep your life today."

As he said that, the crowd was once again shocked speechless by this turn of events. The Marines tried to block the path of the Heavenly Demons and 4 of their own ended up dying in an instant. One of the strongest Vice-Admiral's the Marines had charged at the Heavenly Demon and ended up on the losing side.

It was then they realised the Heavenly Demon didn't have such a high bounty for no reason.

Kurogane looked down at his blade with a frown. As an accomplished swordsman one of the most shameful things that can happen is for you to damage your sword. The last time he'd had his sword damaged was during his battle with Mihawk when it was cut in 2.

Since then he'd fought numerous powerhouses in the new world including the likes of "Flower Swords" Vista, Jack from the Beast Pirates and even the Yonko; Red Hair Shanks. Even when facing those big names, never once had his sword sustained any damage. For the first time it happened since that fateful battle with Mihawk to be under the sword of someone who may well be that man's rival…

"Since you're in such a hurry to die…"

As he spoke the crowd felt a suffocating killing intent alongside a fearfully sharp aura emanate from the Vice-Admiral's body. Ori's expression tensed when he felt Kurogane's aura.

[Peak Grandmaster Swordsman!]

Even though he knew that Kurogane was at the peak of the boundary he'd just stepped into, there was no fear, just a burning desire to do battle.

Kurogane could feel Ori's war intent and although deep down he had to admit that Ori had the qualification to make him serious, all he was thinking about at that moment was how he could kill him and regain his face.

"Allow me to send you on your way!"

Just as he was about to attack, a large object came crashing down into the ground surprising everyone present. After the smoke cleared they noticed that the object was a female wearing a ripped tightly fitted black outfit making her look somewhat like an assassin. She had clearly sustained quite a few injuries, but she still looked like she was ready to fight.

When Benji sensed the presence of the female assassin he was instantly shocked.

"Malia? What happe…"

Before he could finish his sentence he was interrupted by the shouts of a group of 3 coming towards them.

"Girl, if you just hand it over I'll let you die a quick and painless death."

When they looked over Ori immediately noticed that the 3 new arrivals were all part of Big Mom's crew. The one who spoke was Big Mom's oldest son Perospero and beside him was 2 of her non-relative subordinates, Bishop Bobbin and Knight Tamago.

Suddenly a man wearing a black hooded jacket stepped out looking at the injured Malia and asked.

"Malia what happened to you?"

When her 3 pursuers saw who stepped forward they frowned and held their positions, seemingly cautious of his presence.

Before Malia could say a word, Katakuri stepped forward and said.

"Vernon, I take it that Malia is one of your fellow members of the League…

A few days ago she stole the Heat Fruit that once belonged to my brother from the hands of a broker who found it and was planning on returning to us. Your colleague has been on the run ever since and has managed to kill several of our men whilst evading us.

I hope you can give me this face and let us handle her from here on."

Vernon could see that Katakuri was adamant about taking Malia and in his eyes, a mid-level assassin was not worth offending one of the 3 strongest executives in Big Mom's crew, no matter how attractive she was. He glanced at Malia and said softly.

"You're on your own now Malia."

When Malia heard that she didn't look upset or distraught by his words, she merely laughed.

"Hahaha Vernon, this mission was one you told me to take, you said it'd be good for my career in the League. And now that one of Big Mom's Executives are interfering you're willing to forsake me?"

Vernon frowned as he replied.

"You know the rules, if you get caught the League is under no obligation to protect you."

When he heard that, Benjiro couldn't help but worry about Malia's safety. Although they had only travelled together for a few months before going their separate ways, he had grown genuinely close to the female assassin. Other than the Heavenly Demons, Malia was the closest living person to him.

He clenched his fist and looked down at the ground. He wanted nothing more than to save Malia, but he knew that he was now a Heavenly Demon and by interfering in Malia's enmities he would be drawing the line of fire onto Ori and the others. Ori had already provoked an Admiral for his sake, he couldn't be the reason they provoked any other monstrous factions.

Ori saw Benji's reaction and could guess what was going through his mind. He shook his head at the musicians actions and said softly.

"You don't need to hold yourself back on our behalf. We're a family now, your problems are our problems. If you wish to save her then so do we!"

Benji's body trembled as he heard that. Even though he couldn't see anymore, he could feel the sincerity in Ori's words. It wasn't only him, He could feel from the aura's of Roman and the others. They were all willing to stand with him. He felt a warmth in his heart that only came from the love of a family.

Ori took a step forward looking at the abandoned assassin.

"Malia, my offer from before still stands."

When he heard him, Katakuri frowned. He didn't know what offer the Heavenly Demon was referring to, but he could tell from the sound of his voice it was for the benefit of the assassin.

It wasn't just him, even Vernon was frowning.

"Heavenly Demon, this has nothing to do with you. Don't interfere in the business of the League before you go provoking a disaster."

Ori glanced at Vernon before looking back at Malia with a smile, completely disregarding his presence.

Vernon clenched his jaws when he saw that. He'd never been so thoroughly disregarded by anyone. Yet this little rookie actually dared to treated him as if he were air.

Ori didn't care about the assassin's reaction, he was only interested in Malia's answer.

"So, what do you say?"