"Hahaha! Cut these Marines down!"
"Don't let those dogs of the World Government escape!"
"Kill them all!"
"This feels amazing… this is what true power is!"
"Pfft, it's too easy… even if ten times more came, I'd slaughter every last one!"
In the desolate northeast outskirts outside Loguetown, a pale, trembling Marine soldier gripped his rifle and backed away, his face twisted in pure terror.
Under the night sky, his comrades — the entire squad sent out — had been torn apart like fragile dolls by these inhuman monsters.
Even when bullets struck their flesh, they barely seemed to cause any harm, as if hitting stone or leather.
One by one, his friends fell, butchered in the most brutal ways imaginable. The sight shattered his courage and broke his will to fight.
In the darkness, their twisted faces and blood‑red, murderous eyes looked exactly like demons crawled up from hell.
It was a frenzy of monsters!
"AHHH!"
Finally, the last surviving soldier could take no more. He screamed, dropped his weapon, and turned to run — only to crash straight into a chest hard as a steel plate. He fell backward, his cap tumbling off into the mud.
Standing over him was a man over two meters tall, arms crisscrossed with scars, his face fierce and menacing.
The pirate dug out a bullet embedded in his skin with his bare fingers, sucked the blood from his hand, then bared his teeth and grinned wickedly at the terrified soldier, who had wet himself in fear.
"Running away…? Where's that Marine of yours, the White Hunter? What was his name… Smoker, right?"
"Why didn't he come?"
"Could it be… he got scared when he heard we were here?"
The pirate crouched down, placed a heavy hand on the soldier's head, and sneered.
Around him, the rest of the crew burst into mocking laughter.
"Y‑you… what kind of monster are you? You… you aren't human…" the soldier stammered.
Although the pirate still looked mostly human, his skin had grown thick and hard like callus, marked with black vein‑like patterns, and his features were distorted and strange.
Especially his eyes… there was nothing normal about them.
He looked like some unknown race from the deep seas.
"That's right… none of us are human anymore. We were chosen by a god and evolved into something far more sacred."
The pirate flicked out a long, disgusting tongue, then squeezed his fingers. The soldier's skull groaned under the pressure.
"AAAAHHHH!"
The screams of agony only made their laughter wilder and crueler.
Suddenly, low thunder rumbled overhead, and a fine, cold rain began to fall.
After finishing off the last survivor, the pirate stood up slowly.
"Should we march into town and wipe out every last Marine?"
"Hey, keep it down! You wanna die? The Captain told us to wait here for him…"
"Even with this power, that Smoker guy isn't someone you mess with. Don't get too cocky, I'm warning you."
"Hah?!"
Having effortlessly destroyed a Marine unit, their arrogance had swelled beyond measure. They began bickering among themselves, the tension sharp and hostile.
Although they all served the same master, these were men who had been famous and respected throughout the East Blue, each leading their own crews before.
Some had bounties close to 10 million Berries; some even knew each other well. They feared and respected their new Captain… but that didn't mean they were friends.
He had said the big fleet wasn't fully formed yet. Right now, whoever proved themselves strongest would be guaranteed a top leadership position, with all the privileges and wealth that came with it.
In the future, when they sailed into the Grand Line and made their names known across the oceans, they would stand at the very top of the World Government's wanted lists.
With such a chance before them, the "East Blue — Beginners' Paradise" no longer seemed worth their attention.
Power, fame, status, wealth… all of it would soon be theirs for the taking!
"Hm?"
Suddenly, one pirate's ears twitched. He snapped his head up. "Something's coming!"
They all looked toward the horizon.
A piercing bright light appeared in the distance, accompanied by the roar of a powerful engine.
It looked like… a motorcycle.
"Someone sure has a death wish…"
As the machine drew closer, one pirate — drunk on his own invincibility — stepped forward to meet it.
He hadn't had enough killing yet. He opened his mouth to jeer… but in the next instant, a massive wall of thick white smoke crashed toward him like a tidal wave.
"Watch out! It's him — Smoker!" someone screamed.
But it was already too late.
Churning white smoke filled the entire area, instantly separating and surrounding every pirate. Everything turned blindingly white; they couldn't see a thing.
The arrogant pirate who had stepped forward was still trying to figure out what was happening when the smoke behind him swirled and solidified. The upper body of Smoker emerged from the mist.
His weapon — the jutte — lashed out with terrifying speed, striking the pirate hard in the side.
With that single blow, the man — who only minutes before had laughed off bullets — had his eyes bulge in agony, and vomited bile as he crumpled to his knees.
But Smoker's gloved hand seized him by the hair and lifted him into the air, as if threatening to tear his scalp right off.
Pain gave way to panic on the pirate's face as he was carried high above the ground.
"So… you are the filthy rats causing trouble here?"
Smoker hovered in the air, cold and expressionless. Under his control, the smoke below parted directly above every trapped pirate, revealing each and every one of them clearly.
"Hm?"
Smoker frowned.
Lightning flickered in the dark sky above. After scanning the crowd, he realized — the man in the suit and mask was not among them.
"What race are you people?"
He glanced again at the struggling pirate in his grip, studying his features with confusion.
He had never seen or heard of any kind like this.
"Where is he?! Where is that man?!"
Smoker pressed the tip of his jutte against the pirate's throat, his voice sharp and commanding.
His instincts screamed — there is something very wrong here!
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
After finishing her duties, Tashigi walked back toward the Marine base in Loguetown, her mind heavy and distracted.
She held a Den Den Mushi in both hands, her heart filled with worry.
This was the first time since arriving here that she had felt such tension and danger.
She had read the files on the God‑Slayer. Knowing his bounty and reputation, she couldn't help but fear for Smoker's safety.
Yet for a long time, the snail had remained silent.
Unnoticed, the rain had grown heavier… Tashigi raised a hand to shield her face and hurried her steps.
Because of the all‑encompassing search throughout the town and its surroundings, almost every available soldier had been sent out.
The base was now manned mostly by recruits, clerks, and support staff.
She needed to return quickly to process and relay all reports and intelligence gathered during the operation, ensuring every patrol leader and Smoker himself was informed of any change immediately.
"With this rain, searching will only get harder…"
Running a short distance, she spotted the base entrance ahead. She ducked under a tree to catch her breath and straighten her uniform.
Especially her glasses — they were covered in raindrops, blurring her vision completely.
She muttered a complaint and lowered her head to wipe them clean.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.
"Excuse me… is the Marine base just up ahead?"
The question came out of nowhere, soft and calm.
Tashigi froze and looked up. Her vision was still blurry, but she could see a man standing right in front of her… strangely, she hadn't heard a single footstep.
He had appeared as if from thin air.
Naturally a bit slow‑witted in surprise, she answered automatically: "Oh… yes, it's right there… are you…"
She thought he might be a fellow Marine… but then realized — if he were, why wouldn't he know where the base was?
Besides, it was deep into the night, pouring rain, and there wasn't a soul in sight except their own patrols. Why would a civilian come all the way here looking for the Marines?
And if he lived here, he wouldn't need to ask directions at all.
Before she could finish her thought, she put her glasses back on, her fingers already resting on the hilt of her katana. She moved to draw —
Time seemed to freeze.
A sharp pain exploded in her body. A blade, dripping with blood, was pulled free. She convulsed as if struck by electricity, her limbs instantly losing all strength, and her body slumped slowly to the wet ground.
As she fell toward the rain‑soaked mud, she saw him clearly.
The man standing before her took off his smiling mask. A cruel, cunning smile played on his lips as he watched her fading consciousness.
It's him!
"Dom… the Cunning Fox."
The name flashed through her mind in an instant.
But it was too late…
She lay face‑down in the mud, unable to make a sound. She tried to scream… but blood pooled rapidly beneath her, turning the rainwater bright red.
Just before her vision went completely dark, she saw someone standing a short distance away.
Lightning flashed across the sky, casting a stark white glow. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, standing elegant and composed as a gentleman, even in the pouring rain… not a single hair or crease out of place.
The God‑Slayer!
Those three words were the last thing she thought of before losing consciousness.
"Boss… why didn't I just finish her off? Is there something special about this woman?"
Dom wiped his blade, bent down to pick up the Den Den Mushi, and walked slowly back toward Oboro.
"Killing her… serves no purpose. Not right now, anyway. Besides, just like Smoker, she's an important messenger — sending exactly the signals we want to the Marines and the World Government. She's nothing more than a tool." Oboro said calmly, walking forward.
"Ah… right."
Dom didn't fully understand, but he knew one thing for sure: Smoker had been completely played for a fool by their leader.
And right now… the Marine base on the island was at its most vulnerable.
Smoker certainly hadn't expected it… that they would use a diversion to draw him away, and then boldly set their sights on the base itself!
Oboro had recognized Tashigi, of course. She was part of the story, yes… but far too weak. Killing her now would yield almost nothing from the System.
Her combat experience was shallow, and the only skill she had was swordsmanship — nothing special at all.
He already had better cards stored in his inventory.
He hadn't planned to run into her here… it was just pure luck.
As they walked, the base drew closer… the outline of the entrance buildings visible through the rain.
They could even see the sentries standing guard.
"Boss… do we kill everyone?"
Dom stretched his shoulders, his excitement rising.
"Whatever you like… but make it quick. Those pirates won't be able to hold Smoker off for long."
Oboro's tone remained flat and unhurried. "Running and hiding all the time… it gets boring eventually."
"Let's give the Marines a proper welcome gift while we have the chance… After all, the Admirals will be here soon. I hope they appreciate it."
"Understood!"
Dom chuckled softly and strode ahead, leading the way.
"Who goes there?!"
The guards quickly noticed the intruders.
But the only answer they got… was a silent, ghostly figure rushing toward them through the dark.
And… the terrifying flash of cold steel.
Not long after… A harsh, blaring alarm shattered the silence of the night from within the Marine base.
____________________
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