Mariejois. Room of Authority.
"He actually took care of the World Pirates and defeated World all by himself. Did he get stronger, or did World get weaker?" the blond Gorosei asked, setting down the Den Den Mushi and crossing his arms.
"Who knows? Perhaps it was a Devil Fruit counter," the Gorosei with the curved mustache commented casually, yet hitting the nail on the head.
"It's possible. With his hyper-speed flight and instantaneous travel, World's long-range attacks wouldn't even be able to hit him," the Gorosei with the long, straight mustache said flatly.
"Regardless, it's good that the problem is solved. It would be even better if we could secure World's corpse," the curly-haired Gorosei suggested, his words carrying meaning.
"Don't even think about it. It's impossible," the Gorosei in the kimono dismissed with a shrug. "We aren't ignorant of their research into the human body, or their biological weapon, the Dragonian. World would be too perfect a research subject for them."
"Let's leave it at that, then," the Gorosei with the curved mustache concluded. "Sakazuki has just taken office, and he has a pile of troubles, including the World Military Draft. The Navy cannot spare the manpower, and neither can we."
"I second that!"
"I second that!"
"..."
…
West Blue.
The West Blue, rife with Mafia influence, is saturated with organized crime culture. In some kingdoms, while the King rules the day, the Godfather rules the night. Even members of the Royal Family must abide by the rules of the underworld when moving about after dark.
In the West Blue, there are also various Mafia families who occupy certain islands. Any merchant or guild that comes to do business must pay protection money to the island's mob family.
Otherwise, they won't be able to conduct business, and might even lose their lives.
Bisna Island is one of the two islands closest to Reverse Mountain. The island is riddled with gangs, with no fewer than twenty or thirty large and small crime syndicates. Even the Marines on the island have to save face for these gangs.
Rumble…
A fierce explosion rang out in the city. A huge hole was blasted directly through the roof of a three-story hotel, sending countless fragments of stone flying. Dozens of windowpanes shattered, falling to the ground with a crackling sound.
"Ahhh!"
"Someone's causing trouble!"
"Two pirate gangs are fighting!"
People rushed frantically out of the hotel, filled with panic, screams echoing non-stop.
Inside the third-floor banquet hall, a massive, human-shaped blue beast, over five meters tall and covered in electrical arcs, was locked in a fierce battle with a tall, human-shaped werewolf, nearly four meters in height and covered in black fur. The violent combat shockwaves left the surroundings utterly devastated.
"Flash Claw!!!"
The massive, indigo-blue monster, crackling with electrical arcs, turned into a swift flash of lightning, smashing the chairs and benches in the third-floor banquet hall to pieces.
Boom!
Countless stone fragments flew, and dust filled the air. Five long claw marks appeared on the wall, cutting completely through the forty-centimeter-thick structure.
"Vito, a rare Mythical Zoan ability. You seem to have been living comfortably all these years!"
The tall, black werewolf paced back and forth, its terrifying, fang-filled wolf jaws dripping with disgusting saliva, exuding a savage aura.
"Are you jealous of me, Puda? Impel Down couldn't have been fun, right?"
Vito flicked his tail behind him, watching his opponent warily.
"Jealous? Of course!"
Puda, one of the former top executives of the Demon Mask Pirates, admitted without reservation, "I certainly don't want to go back to a place like Impel Down."
"Armament Hardening: Wolf Rush!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Puda slightly bent his knees, placing his wolf-claw hands one in front of the other. Then he pushed off the ground, suddenly shooting out. In the blink of an eye, he crossed several meters, charging directly in front of Vito, and his fierce claw attack slashed forward.
Puda's speed was extremely fast. Given the short distance between them, an ordinary person wouldn't even have time to react before being torn to shreds.
However, Vito is an Mythical Zoan user who can generate lightning. Although he's not on the level of Enel, the electricity generated by his body's electric muscles can make his speed and reflexes countless times faster than ordinary people.
In a flash, Vito crossed his arms, hardening his thick forearms with black Armament Haki tinged with indigo-blue.
Clang!
Puda's black, sharp claws struck the scales on Vito's forearms. Besides a loud metallic crash and sparking fire, they failed to inflict any damage.
But the strong air current from the impact vibrated the air, raising a fierce blast that knocked over everything in the banquet hall. Even some lighter objects were pressed firmly against the smooth walls by the air current.
"It's no use, Puda! So, isn't my offer a good one? As long as you join us, everything in the past will be wiped clean!" Vito looked up through the gap in his crossed arms, attempting to persuade him again.
"The offer is good, but I have a bad temper. I don't like bastards who send me to Impel Down!" Puda shook his massive wolf head, looking completely resistant to persuasion. At the same time, he kicked out his leg.
Thud!
Boom!
Vito reacted quickly, swiftly turning to avoid the kick. At the same time, his thick tail swept out, forming a semicircle arc that slammed hard into Puda's back.
With a dull thud, a strong force and sharp pain shot through his back. Puda was sent flying forward on the spot, smashing straight through the hotel wall and tumbling onto the street outside.
"Ahhh!"
"A werewolf! A monster!"
"A Devil Fruit user!"
Lying on the street, Puda's hideous werewolf form was seen by the crowd on the street, causing countless screams. Although some people recognized it as a Devil Fruit ability, they were the minority. Most were terrified.
Boom!
The gap in the hotel wall grew larger as debris fell, and Vito leaped down directly from the building.
"You can't escape. Honestly, tell us: where did Kataror go?" Vito walked up and stopped in front of Puda.
As he spoke, Rock and Marcus pushed through the scattering crowd and cut off Puda's escape route.
"Well? Did you find him?" Vito asked.
"No. According to our recent investigation, Kataror left Bisna Island two days ago. Reportedly, he boarded a merchant ship heading for the Grand Line."
Rock shook his head, his right hand transforming into a dark cannon barrel pointed at Puda. He demanded, "Tell us, where did he go?"
"Heh heh~ Don't waste your effort!"
Puda sneered, a look of madness in his eyes.
"Hmph. You think we won't find him?" Marcus snorted, pointing the large sword in his hand at the opponent in annoyance. "You underestimate the Chris Investigation Bureau's information network. Finding him is only a matter of time."
"In that case, we'll break his limbs and bring him back. Recovering a Devil Fruit is also a good option," Vito twisted his neck, a hint of malice in his tone.
Buzz! Buzz!
In an instant, Vito had transformed into a fierce bolt of lightning and shot forward, leaving only a few electrical arcs dancing in his original spot.
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