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Chapter 10 - The Power of Wind Blade Magic

There was no other choice.

With the pirates closing in fast, Nami could only grit her teeth and hurl the heavy wooden chest aside. It crashed to the ground with a thunderous crack, splitting apart as a storm of gold and silver coins scattered in all directions.

She snatched up a handful of what looked most valuable, then her body seemed to shed its restraints. Like an arrow freed from its bowstring, she shot forward and widened the distance once again.

"So much lighter now…" Nami exhaled in relief, sprinting with ease. But then her eyes blinked in realization.

Had she forgotten something?

She twisted her head back with difficulty, and there he was, Ron had fallen far behind. Some pirates were already grabbing at the spilled treasure, but more than a dozen pressed on, eyes locked on him. At their head, a scarred captain in a broad hat charged with his blade drawn, murderous fury burning in his gaze. He wanted Ron's blood.

"Damn it."

Nami's steps faltered, frustration clouding her face. She should never have brought Ron with her.

Her mind raced for a way to save him.

Yet at that very moment, Ron stopped running. His eyes shimmered with resignation, but beneath it burned a spark of excitement. He had grown tired of practicing against thin air. At last, he could unleash it for real.

Nami's eyes went wide. He had stopped? Why?!

On this island, the navy had a garrison. Pirates avoided gunfire for fear of attracting them. If Ron just kept running toward her, she could help him climb to the rooftops. Escape wasn't impossible. Why had he stopped now?

"You're not running anymore, brat?"

The pirate captain sneered, slowing his stride as he lifted his jagged cleaver. "You dare sneak onto my ship and steal from me? You've got guts, I'll give you that. Do you even know who I am? I am Captain Klu, a great pirate worth five million berries! For your ignorance and insolence, you'll pay with your life!"

The pirates around him jeered, certain their captain would cut the foolish boy in two.

But Ron's face did not change. Neither the title of great pirate nor the bounty impressed him. This opponent was not some insurmountable terror. For him, Klu was the perfect test.

Ron's breathing was heavy from running, yet his spirit was calm. In his eyes danced flickering light, and deep within his pupils, countless green lines wove together at lightning speed.

Wind-element, First Tier Magic.

Wind Blade.

When Klu swung his massive cleaver down, Nami squeezed her eyes shut in terror. But before the blade could land, the air before Ron surged and twisted. In a flash, a sharp emerald edge materialized and shot forth.

Clang!

The wind-forged blade clashed against the cleaver, sparks scattering like fireworks. Two of the steel teeth on Klu's weapon shattered instantly. The captain staggered back, his arms trembling violently, his coat ripped open across shoulder and waist. Blood seeped through two clean lines that mirrored the path of the blade.

The mocking pirates froze in disbelief.

What had just happened?

Even Nami peeked through her lashes and froze at the sight.

Klu himself trembled, eyes widening with raw shock. What sorcery was this? He had seen no movement, no weapon drawn, and yet he had been wounded. Was it magic? Witchcraft?

Ron's gaze sharpened. He drew a steady breath, his spirit surging once more. Another emerald edge burst into existence and slashed toward the stunned captain.

Klu's face drained of color. He raised his already-damaged cleaver desperately, but this time the weapon could not endure. With a shriek of metal, the cleaver snapped apart, shards scattering to the dirt.

The Wind Blade sliced through and passed cleanly across Klu's chest. The glowing edge stretched a few more meters before dissolving into nothing but breeze.

Klu's body stiffened, his disbelief forever carved into his face. Then, with a dull thud, he collapsed backward in a pool of crimson.

The world fell silent.

Nami's wide brown eyes shimmered with disbelief as she stared at Ron.

Ron steadied his breath, the fatigue tugging faintly at his spirit, but his face betrayed nothing. Calmly, he turned his eyes to the other pirates.

They still gaped, rooted to the ground, unable to comprehend.

Ron began to walk forward, each step heavy with unseen force. Though he bore no staff nor cloak, he strode with the aura of a dark sorcerer, oppressive and unyielding.

He lifted his hand. With a cutting gesture, another Wind Blade formed in an instant. It shrieked across the battlefield, piercing through two pirates before they could even scream. Their blood splattered as their bodies crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

"Run… run for your lives!"

At last, the pirates broke. Their bravado shattered into raw terror. They fled, tripping over themselves in desperation, not even daring to touch the treasure scattered across the street.

No one wanted to be the next victim of that emerald death.

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