Outside, a hoarse, grating voice barked:
"When they come out—shoot them all! Whoever crippled my son Andy's legs must die!"
Saab and Penny froze.
"It's the mayor! Andy's father! They've got guns! Benefactor, please—escape through the back!"
The mayor was notorious, a tyrant who colluded with pirates. His dozen thugs carried muskets, making him even more dangerous.
"I'll handle them."
Redfield stepped forward. Creed nodded.
"Don't go!" Saab tried to stop him, but the door had already swung open.
"Someone's out! Shoot!"
"Kill them!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire roared. Bullets punched into the wooden walls, dust raining down from the rafters. Saab and Penny screamed and covered their heads.
But soon, silence.
Then the same hoarse voice shrieked—this time begging:
"Spare me! I'll give you six million belly—ahhh!"
A final scream, then nothing. Even the torchlight flickering outside vanished, swallowed by stillness.
Creed patted Saab's shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. They're all dead. From now on, stand strong. Protect yourselves."
"Kyuuu!"
Falkor puffed up, tiny fists raised, imitating Ain's encouragement pose. Creed chuckled, ruffling its head.
Ain… I wonder how you and the G-5 branch are doing now.
As he and Redfield prepared to leave, Saab rushed out, pressing an ancient map into Creed's hands.
"Benefactor—this is the map of Suigu Town."
"Thank you." Creed accepted it, then departed with Redfield.
Only after they left did Saab notice the carnage: the mayor and his thugs sprawled lifelessly, bullet holes drilled neatly into their brows.
Saab swallowed hard, then gathered the fallen guns.
Never again… I'll never let anyone bully Penny again.
On their ship, Creed unfolded the map.
"Didn't expect this twist. Good thing you acted, Creed, or we'd still be searching blind."
Redfield's eyes lit up as the old map aligned perfectly with his memories. The puzzle was finally clear.
Their swift naval craft carried them through turbulent seas until, at last, a strange island emerged.
"The demon's dwelling… no wonder it looks so cursed."
The island was shrouded in gray mist, thunderclouds swirling above. Within the clouds, scarlet light churned like rivers of blood.
Summer moonlight spilled down, silver-bright—until it touched the island. Then it warped into crimson.
To ordinary men, it would be terrifying. But to Creed and Redfield, it was confirmation. The Devil Fruit was here. The island itself warped by its power.
They dropped anchor at a distance, then crossed the waves to land.
Mist pressed heavy. Beyond ten paces, sight failed. Only their sharpened Kenbunshoku Haki kept them sure.
Ruins of old Suigu Town lay scattered—collapsed walls, rotting houses. As they searched, monstrous bats screeched from the dark, each the size of a basin.
"Chiii!"
Slash!
Creed's sword aura cut them down.
"Your swordsmanship grows sharper still. These bats are tougher than bullets, yet you cleave them like paper." Redfield marveled.
"No wonder the townsfolk fled. But we've scoured the ruins—nothing. Let's try the back mountain?" Creed suggested.
Redfield sniffed the air. His eyes narrowed.
"Someone's been here recently. Look—this bat wasn't killed by us. Others came first."
"After the fruit?" Creed frowned. "We'd better hurry."
"Follow me." Redfield traced the lingering aura, leading them up the mountain.
Not far in, they found them.
CPO.
Seven figures in white suits stood before a massive stone slab carved with strange glyphs.
Creed's breath caught.
A Poneglyph…!
There were 30 in the world. Four Road Poneglyphs, leading to Raftel and the One Piece. Nine chronicled the Void Century and the fall of the Ancient Kingdom.
And now, one stood here.
"Could this be tied to the Vampire Fruit?" Creed thought, but the CPO had already noticed them.
The leader turned—white robes, sword at his hip, aura sharp as a drawn blade. Creed knew him well.
The swordsman from Mariejois. The man who had once chased him alongside Akainu.
And now, his blade sang with a brilliance Creed recognized instantly—Sword Heart Clarity.
"It's you… Creed!" the swordsman spat. His eyes burned. "I'll never forget your aura. It was seared into me that day in Mariejois. If not for you, I wouldn't be here, chasing this cursed mission!"
(End of Chapter)
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