When it came to the ownership of a few Devil Fruits, Leno had already made up his mind. Seeing Chopper and Kaya walk out of the infirmary, he spoke up.
"Kaya, take a look at these Devil Fruits and see if any of them catch your eye."
Hearing there were Devil Fruits, Kaya and Chopper hurried over excitedly. After listening to Leno explain each Fruit's ability, Kaya looked conflicted. The thought of turning into some kind of monster made her uneasy.
Seeing her reluctance, Leno took out two more from his collection — the Mythical Zoan: White Tiger Fruit and the Size-Size Fruit — and asked again for her opinion.
Kaya shook her head gently. "Thank you, Leno, but I don't like fighting. These kinds of Devil Fruits should go to someone who needs them more."
Leno nodded, not pressing further.
"It's fine. If none feel right now, we can wait until we find one that does."
As he put the Fruits away, Leno mentally went through a list of those that might suit Kaya. Some had already been eaten, others were yet to be discovered. Times like this made him sigh inwardly — if only he could extract Devil Fruits from people.
'The Dark-Dark Fruit is still who-knows-where... Forget it, that's for later.'
Once Leno stored the Fruits, everyone prepared to resume their duties. Suddenly, Yamato—who had somehow run up to the bow—called back over her shoulder,
"Everyone! There's an island ahead!"
Chopper clambered up eagerly. "Really?! We've already found a new island?"
Nami pulled out the sea chart she'd gotten from the Revolutionaries and checked it against the Log Pose. After a moment, she looked toward the horizon.
"This island's called Karate Island. The people here are fierce, and martial arts are deeply rooted. It's a medium-sized island."
Yamato clapped her hands, her eyes gleaming. "Oh? A place famous for martial arts? Sounds fun! I'm looking forward to this!"
But as the Gale drew closer, the crew began to sense something was wrong. Thick smoke rose from all over the island, and screams echoed in the air.
Chopper was the first to panic. "Guys—something's not right! It looks like pirates are raiding the island!"
The others grew grim, and Nami quietly increased the ship's speed.
Moments later, they landed—only to find the ground littered with bodies, collapsed burning houses, and blood splattered across every street. The scene, illuminated by roaring flames, looked like a vision of hell.
Kaya, seeing such horror for the first time, bent over and vomited violently.
Chopper rushed to her side. "Kaya, are you okay? Hang in there!"
"I'm fine, Chopper..." she choked out, her pale face streaked with tears. "It's just—too cruel... Why would anyone do something like this?"
Even Nami and Nojiko turned pale. They'd witnessed pirate attacks before, but never anything this brutal.
As they walked through the blood-soaked streets, the crew's expressions hardened. The killing intent in Kuina's and Yamato's eyes was almost impossible to suppress.
"These pirates are truly savage. Not a single survivor," Hancock said coldly, her voice tinged with disdain.
Even she, raised on the Grand Line and used to death, rarely saw slaughter this merciless.
"Let's move—quickly. They're still here..." Yamato's eyes blazed as her Observation Haki locked onto several presences ahead. With a burst of speed, she shot forward.
When Nami and the others finally reached an open area similar to a plaza, they found Leno's figure already standing there, confronting a group of people opposite him.
The stench of blood grew thicker as they approached. In the center of the square, atop a heap of corpses, stood a red-haired man with a massive mechanical arm, grinning mockingly.
Leno's eyes flicked to the arm—a crude fusion of metal and machinery—and he understood immediately. His expression hardened.
"Eustass Kid?"
"Hahahaha! I didn't expect the mighty Thunder God himself to know the name of a small fry like me. What an honor!" Kid's laughter echoed through the carnage.
At Leno's appearance, Killer quickly whispered a warning to his captain, but Kid didn't need the reminder—he knew Leno at a glance. The man standing before him was his ultimate target of ambition.
Rather than fear, exhilaration surged through his veins. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If he could defeat Leno here, his name would shake the seas! Everyone carried their head on their shoulders—why should he back down? This would be the day of a god's downfall.
"Hahahaha! I've long wanted to see what the Thunder God can really do. Let's see if the legends are true!"
"Voom!"
With that, Kid's eyes flared and his Conqueror's Haki burst forth, surging straight toward Leno.
"How dare you! Who do you think you are, showing such disrespect to Lord Leno?!"
Infuriated that the arrogant man would dare attack the one she loved, Hancock unleashed her own Conqueror's Haki in response.
"Boom!"
The two waves of Haki collided midair, erupting into a shockwave that swept across the plaza. The weaker pirates nearby collapsed instantly, eyes rolled back.
Kuina stepped in front of Kaya, blocking the residual force, her gaze murderous.
Kid's Haki lasted only moments before Hancock's furious will crushed it utterly, shattering his aura and driving him back several steps.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
He staggered, face paling, and glared at her venomously.
"Be careful, Kid! That woman's the former Pirate Empress—Boa Hancock. She's no pushover!" Killer shouted, his arm-blades spinning to life as he prepared for battle.
"Tch! Just a woman... Then I'll deal with you first—before I take the Thunder God's head!"
"You dare! Captive's Arrow!"
"Leave him to me!"
Before Hancock could fire her arrow, Yamato—unable to restrain herself any longer—shot forward like lightning toward Kid.
"Not so fast!" Killer moved to intercept, his spinning blades cutting through the air—
"Shing!"
A massive pink slash tore across the square, heading straight for him.
Unable to dodge, Killer crossed his blades in defense.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The powerful slash engulfed him completely, smashing through several buildings in its path. Smoke and dust filled the air.
"Killer!!!" Kid roared, eyes wide in shock as he turned—
"Bastard~ Where are you looking? Thunder Bagua!"