"Can't run away now!"
The soldiers surrounded them, the squad captain cocked the safety with a click, and grinned while aiming the gun at the little guy on the ground:
"Speak! Honestly confess! Where is Kureha now? In this country, only this old lady is still resisting His Majesty the King's orders!"
Swish!
A flash of the sword suddenly appeared.
The sharp cold light cut through the wind and snow, the soldiers had yet to react, and the flintlock guns in their hands shattered into two pieces.
"..." Robin looked at the figure that landed on the ground, somewhat surprised, "Captain, are you really a Sword Master?"
"...What are you saying? Forgot the nickname on my warrant?" Shano stared at her discontentedly.
"But isn't that clearly just a disguise?" Robin smiled wryly, "What you're actually best at is various Body Techniques, isn't that sword just to deceive the enemy?"
"..."
It's a bit dull, finally having a smart woman on the ship has this downside.
Shano curled his lips, unwilling to respond, while the squad captain suddenly emitted a wailing - it was Shano's swordsmanship lacking precision, cutting off his wrist as well.
Tsk, this is a bit unfortunate, Shano raised an eyebrow, feeling no guilt about it.
He remembered clearly that among Wapol's Defense Team, aside from Dalton being a rare conscience, the rest were loyal lapdogs, ruthlessly arresting doctors, effortlessly retreating against foreign foes. When Blackbeard invaded, Wapol was frightened into becoming a pirate, and these soldiers still followed along.
"It hurts, it hurts so much!!!"
The squad captain glared over with red eyes, "Who the hell are you two bastards! Dare to meddle in the kingdom's Defense Team's affairs, aren't you afraid King Wapol will capture you to feed the cannon!"
Before Shano could speak, a commotion suddenly erupted across from them.
A soldier, staring at Shano's face, his pupils shrank rapidly, pulling the squad captain's collar and whispered something.
"What?"
The squad captain froze, then felt like being doused with cold water, forgetting even the pain of his severed arm, "You're saying this guy is the Great Pirate with a bounty of 540 million?!"
"Can't be wrong!" The soldier said anxiously, "The newspaper headlines over these days are all his photos! Even Vice Admirals from the Navy Headquarters and the Seven Warlords of the Sea died at his hands!"
"What?!!!"
The soldiers instantly exploded, retreating in fright.
"Run...quick, run!" The squad captain lost his previous arrogance, his voice changed pitch, "Retreat! Retreat immediately!!"
The soldiers hurriedly propped up their captain with the severed arm, scrambling away, not daring to pick up the dropped weapons.
Shano chuckled, sheathing his sword, while Robin slightly frowned, "Shouldn't we..."
"No need."
Shano shook his head, gazing at the tallest peak in the distance, about five thousand meters high, "Let them serve as messengers; I'm curious about Wapol's reaction when he learns I've come to this island."
Robin then realized, relaxing her crossed arms.
"It's fine now, little raccoon, they won't dare to trouble you anymore."
She turned to the blue-nosed little guy and smiled gently, "Where is your home? Do you need us to take you back?"
"..."
The little reindeer remained silent, glaring at her warily, suddenly grabbing the basket of herbs from the ground and scampering behind the thickest tree trunk.
Then he peered out, secretly observing.
However...
"Aren't you hiding incorrectly?" Robin blinked, "Who hides their head behind the tree and leaves their entire body exposed?"
That's right!
The little reindeer hastily adjusted his posture, hiding his body inside.