Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sudden gunfire shattered the calm of the night in Loguetown.
Immediately after, screams and shouts of chaos echoed from every street and alley. Especially in the districts known for harboring gangs, the arrival of Marine soldiers in uniform plunged the once brightly-lit streets into utter pandemonium.
From bars to casinos and other illegal establishments, gang members in their flamboyant attire scrambled out in panic.
Hot on their heels, armed Marines charged in like wolves among sheep, beating down gang members without hesitation. Those who resisted or attempted to flee were swiftly gunned down.
In less than half an hour, dozens of streets in Loguetown fell under the Marines' thunderous control. Every gang leader and delinquent in these areas was dragged out and forced to kneel in the streets.
Even those who thought they were safe at home weren't spared. Many gang leaders were yanked from their beds by Marines who broke down their doors. They were dragged out into the streets like pigs being hauled to slaughter.
The most pitiful were a few gang leaders caught in the middle of a card game. Forget about not having time to put on their underwear—the sheer terror of being captured at such a compromising moment left them utterly humiliated, likely ruining their ability to "stand tall" ever again.
The anti-crime operation in Loguetown continued unabated.
On a bustling street lined with late-night food stalls, Xayuki, Ain, Dracule Mihawk, Gecko Moria, Crocodile, and Donquixote Doflamingo had just entered a barbecue restaurant and taken their seats when the sudden gunfire drew their attention.
Before they could react, the gunfire grew more frequent, spreading rapidly across a shocking number of streets.
Within minutes, the sound of gunfire echoed from dozens of streets, causing panic among the diners on this street.
"What's going on? This seems more serious than usual."
Moria blinked, using his towering height to peer around. His eyes gradually lit up with excitement. "Judging by the gunfire, quite a few people will die tonight. If only I could use those who fall..."
Before he could finish, an oppressive aura enveloped him.
Recognizing this familiar pressure, Moria immediately shut his mouth and sat down like a scolded child, his gaze fixed downward.
"Fleet Admiral, I'll go check out what's happening," Ain said, standing up and looking toward the area where the gunfire was most intense. "It's probably pirates entering Loguetown and being discovered by the patrolling Marines!"
Just as Xayuki was about to respond, three or four disheveled youths burst into the street.
Under the watchful eyes of Xayuki and the others, the youths, looking as if they had just experienced a nightmare, ran toward a food stall across the street. They shouted urgently at a group of diners there:
"Boss! How can you still be drinking here? You need to hide, now!"
"Hide?"
A middle-aged man among the diners stood up, his demeanor arrogant. "Why should I hide?!"
"Boss, now's not the time to act tough!"
One of the youths rushed to the man's side, speaking hurriedly, "That damned Bartolomeo went to a bar to clear it out and ended up angering some Marine officers. One of them immediately ordered an anti-crime operation across Loguetown! Bartolomeo's territory—dozens of streets—is already under Marine control, and Bartolomeo himself has been strung up at the entrance to the red-light district!"
"What did you say? Bartolomeo was taken down by the Marines?"
The middle-aged man sobered up instantly, his excitement palpable. "Good, great! With Bartolomeo gone, Loguetown will be mine to rule! Hahaha!"
"Boss, are you even listening?!"
The youth shouted in frustration, "The Marines aren't just targeting Bartolomeo and his men—they're cracking down on all gangs in Loguetown!"
Before the man could fully process this, a squad of armed Marines emerged from both sides of the street.
Leading the charge, a Marine officer with a determined expression headed straight for the food stall. His gaze locked onto the middle-aged man, and he declared coldly, "Captain Morgan has ordered: After tonight, no gangs will be allowed to exist in Loguetown!"
Pausing briefly, the officer raised his voice. "All members of the Wild Wolf Gang, listen up! Kneel down with your hands on your heads. If anyone resists, they will be executed on the spot!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Marines behind him skillfully loaded their rifles and aimed at everyone in the food stall, including the middle-aged man.
"Damn it!"
"What did I do to deserve this?!"
The middle-aged man glared at the officer, his eyes wide with anger. "It was Bartolomeo who pissed off your captain! What does that have to do with me—"
Bang!
Before the man could finish, the officer raised his gun and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
The gunshot echoed, and the middle-aged man's pupils dilated. His body stiffened before falling backward, lifeless.
Clatter!
As the man hit the ground, every member of the Wild Wolf Gang, including the youths who had come to warn him, immediately knelt with their hands on their heads. The smell of blood in the air was so overwhelming that some of the more timid ones wet themselves in fear.
"With guts like these, you dare to call yourselves gangsters?"
The officer handed his gun to a nearby Marine and said decisively, "Leave a few men here to escort these scumbags to the base's prison. The rest of you, follow me to the next location!"
As he spoke, the officer's eyes narrowed as he looked toward another street. He couldn't help but sigh, "It really pays to follow the Fleet Admiral. Sitting at home, yet glory falls from the sky! Hahaha!"
Hearing this, a Marine beside him quickly corrected, "Lieutenant, the glory isn't falling from the sky—it's thanks to Captain Morgan's leadership."
"Ah, right, right, it's all thanks to Captain Morgan's leadership!"
After a brief pause, the lieutenant added with admiration, "Captain Morgan is really on the rise this time. But he deserves it—after all, he's been personally mentored by the Fleet Admiral! We'd better stay on his good side from now on!"
"What do you mean?" the Marine asked, puzzled. "Captain Morgan was mentored by the Fleet Admiral? What kind of mentoring?"
"Didn't I tell you to pay more attention to Headquarters news? Now you're clueless!" The lieutenant shot the Marine a glare before his expression shifted to one of reverence. "Listen carefully and remember this—what I'm about to say is the Fleet Admiral's famous quote!"
"Loyalty!"
The Marine immediately straightened up, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Taking a step forward, the lieutenant recited solemnly, "'This glory, I will not keep for myself!'"
Perhaps realizing he lacked the charisma to deliver such a line, the lieutenant quickly added, "Do you know the weight of those words among the brothers? Before this, have you ever heard any big shot from Headquarters say such a thing?"
"The reason Captain Morgan is sharing the glory of this operation with us is because he was inspired by the Fleet Admiral. Glory is not to be hoarded!"
"Of course, I won't shortchange my brothers either!"
"Everyone who participated in tonight's operation—your salaries for this month will be doubled, on me!"
Third update coming at 8 a.m. tomorrow!
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