In the waters neighboring the Aitfi Kingdom,
ten massive sailing ships lined up in a straight formation.
On the flagship—noticeably larger than the rest—
two burly men were deep in conversation.
"Chief Hanpao,
I mean no disrespect…
but I must say this:
You may be rushing things too much.
The Demon Blade, Apophis, is a name feared even on the Grand Line.
To accept Buffet's request
without consulting Chief Chinjao first…
what if—"
"That's enough!"
Hanpao slammed his foot down, voice booming.
Then, catching himself, he exhaled.
"…My apologies. I lost my temper."
The other man waved it off with a laugh.
"Chief Hanpao, I understand your feelings.
You want to stand on your own,
without relying on Chief Chinjao's influence.
But still—he is your father.
No one would blame you for using your father's strength."
"Understand?
No—"
Hanpao's emotions ignited once more,
words spilling out with barely contained frustration.
"No, you don't understand!
None of you ever have!
No matter what I do,
no matter what achievements I make—
you all only see Chinjao's son.
I'm twenty-eight years old!
And you still treat me like a child,
as if every decision must first get my father's approval!
But I am the Chief of the Happo Navy!
I am supposed to be the backbone of the 13th generation!
So why…
why do my words never count for anything?!"
"I've had enough of this!"
The other man fell silent.
These were waters he dared not stir.
"I know that man Apophis is no ordinary foe.
But that is exactly why—
I accepted Buffet's request.
I want his blood—
and his head—
to mark the beginning of my own authority within the Happo Navy!"
The other man could only smile bitterly.
Fine… let him suffer a little, regain some humility.
Besides, no matter how insane Apophis is,
he won't go as far as making an enemy of Chief Chinjao
just because we came here to assist… right?
Just as that thought passed his mind,
a pirate under the Happo Navy came running in a panic.
"Chief Hanpao! Deputy Chief Langya!
We've arrived at the Aitfi Kingdom, but—b-but—!"
"Speak clearly!"
Langya barked.
"This… this…
The two chiefs had better come see for yourselves!"
As soon as they stepped outside—
the stench hit them.
"A thick smell of blood…
and burnt flesh…
mixed with gunpowder…"
Langya's brows furrowed as he hastened forward.
Then he froze.
"—Hss!!"
Even a seasoned killer like Langya
couldn't help the sharp intake of breath.
The once-bustling port
was now a field of ruins.
Collapsed buildings.
Scattered limbs.
A purgatory of mangled corpses and twisted wreckage.
"This guy…
Is he truly a demon…?"
Hanpao's face was pale as paper.
He didn't vomit—but his trembling hands betrayed his true feelings.
"Apophis is strong, but even so—
a single man cannot be solely responsible for all this."
Langya steadied himself, analyzing coldly.
"We interrogated several black-market mafiosi who'd gone mad from fear.
According to them…
Buffet planted explosives all over the port,
hoping to blow everything sky-high."
"No wonder…
That bastard Buffet was always vicious."
Langya exhaled deeply.
"And Apophis? Did he die?"
"No.
Final outcome: Apophis is unharmed.
They—the mafia—were wiped out completely."
"Unharmed…?
He's even more dangerous than expected."
Langya's expression darkened.
This enemy surpasses anything we imagined.
"Chief Hanpao…
perhaps we should retreat first,
seek Chief Chinjao,
and—"
He immediately regretted saying it.
Hanpao's expression chilled.
"You think I'd be scared off by something like this?
He's just some flashy swordsman!
Watch how I break him with the Hasshoken!"
Meanwhile—
Apophis stepped forward and pinned Buffet under his boot.
"Your slaver ships have visited Aska Island, haven't they?"
"Slaver… Aska Island…?"
Buffet blinked in confusion, coughing blood.
"What are you talking about?
Aren't you here to kill me?"
"Fine.
Let me rephrase."
Apophis's voice was flat.
"Where do you keep your records on slave ships?"
"Slave ships—
I see now."
A look of realization flashed across Buffet's face.
"You mainly target slave traders…
or underground bosses like me who dabble in human trafficking.
I get it now.
You must have someone you care about—
someone who was taken as a slave.
That's why you're running around like a rabid dog,
hunting people like us for information!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!
Apophis—
I didn't think you had such a pathetic backstory!
I truly pity you!"
Seeing what he believed to be his opponent's weakness,
Buffet's confidence swelled grotesquely.
"If you want information from me,
you must at least guarantee my safety."
"With how much you hate slavers,
the moment you get what you want,
you'll kill me.
We both know this."
"So don't even think about forcing anything out of me.
I'm terrified of death—
your torture means nothing compared to dying!"
Apophis lifted his foot off him
and walked toward a nearby cabinet.
"Good. Good!
Respecting each other—
that's the foundation of cooperation!"
Buffet's voice brimmed with self-satisfaction.
"If you'd come sincerely requesting information,
I might've even treated you as a friend.
But now you've put me in a difficult position.
If I simply hand it over,
I'll lose face before my men.
If I refuse,
I'll damage our 'relationship.'"
"So I thought of a perfect compromise—
as long as you agree to three conditions,
I'll—HEY!
Are you even listening to me?!"
His rant abruptly cut off.
"W-wait…
What is that in your hand?"
Buffet's eyes widened in horror
as he recognized the booklet Apophis held.
"Transaction records,"
Apophis replied calmly.
"H-how?!
How did you find it so quickly?!
I hid it in the most secret place—!"
"The dead don't need to know."
"Wait!
I can still—"
A single slash.
His head rolled across the floor,
eyes still bulging in disbelief.
For a long moment, Apophis stood silently.
Then he tossed the booklet aside.
"…The last transaction with Aska Island was seven years ago?
Another dead end."
He sighed lightly.
"Mr. Buffet—
you truly were unfortunate."
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