Snap, snap!
At the entrance of the restaurant, a burly, towering man with a thick beard appeared, a strange smile carved across his face.
"Heheheh…"
The massive man stared at the tightly shut restaurant door and muttered with eerie amusement.
"Is Arrogant Emperor Shirogai inside this restaurant?"
A string of enormous red prayer beads hung around his neck. A deep scar ran across his left forehead, and on his back were a pair of white wings, resembling those of an angel.
Yet this was no elegant angel.
This man stood nearly four meters tall, his physique terrifyingly solid.
Most eye-catching of all was the thick hexagonal stone pillar resting on his shoulder, forged from an unknown material, radiating oppressive weight.
This was the captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates.
A man with a bounty of 180 million Berries.
Urouge, the Mad Monk.
"Oh? Mad Monk, you showed up too?"
A pirate who had arrived much earlier leaned against the wall outside the restaurant, sitting casually atop a barrel.
"It seems the rumors caught your attention as well."
The pirate crossed his legs, leopard-patterned attire visible beneath his coat. Dark circles hung under unruly eyes as he surveyed Urouge with thinly veiled interest.
"Word is, a pirate worth five billion Berries is dining in this little place."
He chuckled.
"So, how about it? Want to cooperate and take his head together?"
"Oh… so it's you."
Urouge studied the speaker, smiling strangely.
"Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death."
The man wore a spotted hat and an orange coat marked with the Heart Pirates' emblem.
Captain of the Heart Pirates.
A Supernova with a bounty of 200 million Berries.
Trafalgar D. Water Law.
"You're strong, and I'm not weak either."
Law smirked.
"A temporary alliance. Kill him, and we both become legends."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Don't think you can manage it alone. No new pirate on this island stands a chance against someone worth five billion Berries."
"Captain, this is a rare chance!"
The Fallen Monk Pirates looked eagerly toward Urouge.
If they could kill such a monster, their name would echo across the seas.
"An alliance…"
Urouge repeated softly, then lifted his gaze and smiled.
"I refuse."
Law's smile stiffened slightly.
"I don't trust you. Your reputation is… unpleasant."
Compared to the bounty, Urouge desired something else more.
He wanted to see the distance between himself and the opponent.
Only by clashing with monsters could his own path become clearer.
"A pity."
Law shrugged, unbothered.
"Then that makes us competitors."
A chilling gleam flashed through his eyes.
"I wonder how many cuts that massive body of yours can endure."
"You're welcome to try."
Urouge planted his stone pillar into the ground with a heavy boom, cracking the pavement beneath.
Hostility sparked between them instantly.
As Supernovas, they knew exactly what defeating another pirate meant.
Authority. Reputation. Distance from the rest.
Just like Shirogai, the Supernova who rose above all others, earning the title of Emperor.
Weapons were drawn.
Tension tightened.
"Forget it."
Law suddenly sneered and shook his head, glancing toward the shadows.
"You pirates lurking over there, enjoying the show?"
He raised his middle finger mockingly.
"Hoping we tear each other apart so you can pick up scraps?"
"Heh, that would be ideal."
A scar-faced pirate hidden in the darkness licked the blades embedded in his fingernails.
"There are too many pirates on the sea. Half of them should die."
Law laughed.
"So that's why your bounty never crossed one hundred million, Captain of the Jackal Pirates."
Zabiya Walker, the Clawed Jackal.
Bounty: 99 million Berries.
Law smirked.
"All members of Shirogai's crew are worth over one hundred million. Every single one outranks you."
"Their bounties are inflated!"
Walker snarled.
"A Marine trick!"
"Still bitter about the Marines?"
Law turned toward another approaching crew.
"Captain Drake, someone thinks Marine bounties are unfair."
Among them stood a tall man with an eye patch and X-shaped scars.
"I am no longer a Marine."
X Drake spoke calmly.
"I am simply a pirate."
Law grinned.
"A former Marine pirate. Want to cooperate?"
Drake studied the scene, then nodded.
"Alright."
Law's eyes darkened as he stared at the restaurant door.
"Still eating in there? Does the five billion Berries man plan to dine forever?"
Bang!
The door suddenly burst open.
"Gurgle, gurgle…"
A strange man flew out, rolling across the ground.
"Ah ba ba ba! That was terrifying!"
"Apoo?"
Law recognized him instantly.
Scratchmen Apoo, the Sea Rumble.
Bounty: 198 million Berries.
"Oh? Everyone's gathered already?"
Apoo laughed wildly.
"This is getting lively! Watch closely!"
He leapt aside.
Swish!
Another figure was hurled out.
"Bastard! Are you courting death?!"
Metal objects flew everywhere.
"Qin Lang, I'll kill you!!!"
Kid roared, magnetic force surging.
However, before he could finish charging, more bodies crashed into him.
Bang! Bang!
Killer and Bege slammed into his face.
"Damn it! You did that on purpose!"
Kid flung Bege into a trash bin.
"Shirogai! Fight me head-on!"
Pirates scrambled out in chaos.
Hawkins exited calmly, eyes calculating.
Law tightened his grip on Kikoku.
"Everyone, stay alert. Retreat immediately if needed."
Tap, tap, tap…
Footsteps echoed.
A figure emerged.
But instead of Shirogai, a beautiful and arrogant woman stepped forward.
Shalria.
She scoffed.
"You filthy pirates think you're worthy of comparing yourselves to Darling?"
Her gaze swept over them in disdain.
"You can't even sense where he is."
Law's blood ran cold.
"Be careful. He's already here."
Swish!
A black-purple flash descended.
A voice whispered beside Law's ear.
"Trafalgar D. Water Law."
"Have you ever been kicked by light?"
Swish!
A foot of pure light struck.
"ROOM!"
Law barely activated his Devil Fruit, switching positions instantly.
Someone else was sent flying instead.
Walker, the Clawed Jackal.
His body vanished into the distance.
Law collapsed to one knee, drenched in sweat.
"That… would have killed me."
He stared at the smiling man now standing before him.
Long black hair.
Calm eyes.
Shirogai Yamikuro.
"How is someone this strong possible…?"
"Not bad."
Shirogai smiled lightly.
"You reacted."
Light shimmered again as he vanished.
"Everyone!"
Law shouted.
"Fight together or die!"
All Supernovas abandoned any thought of solo combat.
Because standing before them was not a pirate.
It was a calamity.