As Alex sees Mr. 8 acting all nervous before him, even shaking a little, he can't help but smile, appreciating the situation.
That's the kind of treatment I like. It's perfect for our situation.
However, before he can say anything, he sees Benezia pulling out a sword, seemingly from her back, but in reality pulling it out of the air.
What? So she had her sword with her... she could have told me... well, at least her inventory works just fine... but more importantly. Why did she draw it?!
Alex stares at it in confusion. Despite that, he can't help but admire it.
The Asari blade in her hands is a narrow, single-edged weapon with a long, straight profile. The edge angles slightly near the tip, forming a sharp point suited for thrusting as well as slashing. Its body is flat and polished, faceted surfaces catching the light in clean, geometric lines that give it a futuristic design.
The hilt is integrated seamlessly into the blade without a crossguard, giving it a monolithic appearance—as if it were not a weapon but a piece of art. Its rectangular grip flows with smooth contours, designed for one-handed use. The transition from hilt to blade is reinforced by a raised, angular section, adding both strength and a distinct visual break.
Damn, that thing looks cool... but what's going on? Why is she drawing it on him? Did Mr. 8 piss her off that much? I guess just looking at this silly person does somehow piss me off, but it doesn't really warrant threatening or scaring him.
Soulmate! Princess Jewel has spotted enemies! They are aiming weapons at us.
I really didn't notice...
Princess Jewel will take care of it!
"Is something wrong?" Mr. 8 asks nervously, sweat pouring down his face.
Alex sees Jewel, still using Zetsu as usual, leaving his head and stalking towards the large building in front of them, slowly climbing into a window on the bottom floor.
"Why don't you tell me?" Alex asks, anger on his face. "What is this supposed to be?"
Still not knowing what's actually going on, Alex briefly uses En.
He spots several people holding long stick-like objects, hiding inside, right next to the windows, and around the building.
Rifles! This place doesn't look like it, but One Piece has weapons. If I get hit in the eye or head, even I'll suffer.
Mr. 8, now looking more confused on top of being terrified, stammers, "I... I really don't know what you are talking about. Please stop this joke. This is going too fa—"
Before he can finish, Benezia steps forward. Her entire body vanishes instantly, only to reappear about ten meters ahead. She slashes forward with her blade, beheading a man in a single strike. She then turns on another and releases a biotic attack. Her arm glows blue, and a stream of energy surges towards the target.
The attack lands, but Alex doesn't see any obvious impact. The man isn't thrown back or torn apart, yet he suddenly begins to scream in agony.
His body twitches violently, strength draining from him as he collapses to the ground, writhing helplessly.
Did she just cast a damn Cruciatus curse or what?! No, that was Reave. It attacks the nervous system and tears the enemy apart from the inside.
Every bystander stares in shock, many fleeing or stumbling back.
Benezia finally raises her hand again, biotic light gathering before she releases Warp. A blue bolt of energy shoots out at blinding speed, striking the man. At the moment of impact, his body is engulfed in an explosion of biotic force, tearing him apart and leaving only scattered remains and a spreading pool of blood.
"That was my mercy... anyone else attacking us will suffer far longer and far more excruciatingly," she says in an eerily calm voice.
Even Alex gets goosebumps from the cold threat, while the onlookers appear to be trapped in a nightmare.
At the same time, more screams erupt from inside. Seconds later, Jewel drags out a body—then returns, pulling out two more.
With exactly five men lying dead before Alex and Igaram, everyone around stares at them in horror.
No chests... this sucks!
"Are you intending to assassinate me... Mr. 8?" Alex asks, his face darkening with anger.
"NO!" Mr. 8 screams. "What happened?! I didn't do anything!"
Alex, deep in thought, nods. "I tend to agree... no way would you try to openly assassinate me, not when you use your pathetic cowardly tactic to make unsuspecting pirates drunk before taking them down. You don't have the balls to do it...."
"Ma—ma—ma of—of course, you are correct! I wouldn't attack you! You just joined, why would I? I wouldn't attack someone with a bounty of 69 million, 62 million, and 50 million, respectively," he stammers.
I hate his way of speaking, but he is right.
"Who has a bounty of 62 and 50 million?" Alex mumbles, curious about the random numbers.
"L—Lady Benezia, the Night Demon, has a bounty of 62 million... then there is, of course, Jewel... the demon spider with 50 million. That's why I pleaded that you do not allow it to eat human meat! I have heard the stories, and look, she has already taken out three men! Our agents won't feel safe!!"
"She killed men who were aiming to kill me," Alex clarifies. "That is exactly what she is supposed to do. Good job, Jewel."
Jewel jumps into Alex's arms, her mouth bloody, indeed resembling a scary, demonic spider.
Alex takes out a tissue and gently wipes her mouth clean before patting her head.
❤️
"What about me?" Menchi asks from behind, her voice sulking.
"I... I am not aware, aren't you just their cook and servant? I don't even know your name," Mr. 8 stammers.
"..."
"Okay, let's drop this bullshit. So what is going on?" Alex asks.
Benezia steps forward, rejoining the others. "I only sensed hostility from a few of them."
"The ones Jewel took out had rifles and were targeting me!" Alex says.
"I really don't know what's going on!" Mr. 8 defends himself.
Suddenly, a large woman rushes out of the building. She has dark brown skin, pink hair tied into two short but thick twin-tails, and an extremely muscular build. She wears a short dress patterned with white diamonds. Her height matches Mr. 8, both towering well above two meters (6'6").
"I—I... it's...!" she stammers in an unusually high-pitched voice, the sound at odds with her imposing frame.
"Ma—ma—ma, what is it... Miss Monday?" Mr. 8 says, still panicked.
"It's... her! She wants to speak to him!" Miss Monday yells.
"Ma—ma—ma who?!" Mr. 8 asks.
"Miss... All Sunday. The Vice-President and partner of the boss!" she clarifies.
Everyone around them falls silent.
She then presents a small Den Den Mushi. The snail has a telephone mounted on its back, a comical yet useful combination of technology and animal, prized by large organizations like the Marines, Baroque Works, and wealthy individuals alike.
Alex steps forward, approaching Miss Monday.
"Let's take that call inside, alright?" Alex says in a loud voice.
"A fine suggestion, Mr. 8 and Miss Monday, you are invited to listen in," a playful voice replies through the Den Den Mushi.
A few minutes later, Alex, Benezia, Menchi, Jewel, Mr. 8, and Miss Monday sit in a small room, the Den Den Mushi resting in front of Alex.
"I have a message from the boss. First of all, he'd like to apologize for that small test. We recruited you because of your reputation. However, there are a few pirates going around who have successfully obtained bounties through lies, manipulations, and not through real abilities and achievements," Miss All Sunday begins, her voice calm and confident.
"I don't think you can call it an achievement to receive a bounty... more like a crime," Alex mumbles. "However, I get your argument. There are also people who pose as someone else, taking advantage of their reputation for personal gain."
"Exactly," Miss All Sunday responds through the Den Den Mushi. "First of all, as our recruiter stated, we'd like to offer you and your partner, Lady Benezia, the position of Frontier Agents. The boss has repeatedly told me that your skills are sufficient for you to become Officer Agents. However, our Organization also values results. While we don't doubt that you can fulfill missions, we can't just give you the rank of an Officer Agent right away... especially because some of our most important plans depend on the existing Officer Agents. If we demote them now, that could disrupt current projects."
"It's fine... it won't take long for you to acknowledge my abilities," Alex says calmly. "I am more than willing to fight your strongest member, aside from the boss, of course. That would be... Mr. 1? Aside from that, I am also okay with fulfilling missions."
"That sounds promising," Miss All Sunday says. "However, we'd like you to focus on fulfilling missions for us. For now, the boss has granted you the position of Mr. 6, the strongest and highest-ranked Frontier Agent. The former Mr. 6 is busy with a long-term mission and has been temporarily demoted. He will most likely regain his former position once you have shown your value, meaning after you have achieved a promotion, so it doesn't disrupt current projects."
"In addition, you don't have to follow any orders from Officer Agents. You will solely work at the boss's discretion. I will act as your liaison. The same goes for your partner. Lady Benezia, you would take the place of Miss Mother's Day," Miss All Sunday continues. "How about we call you... Miss Judgment Day."
... a little eerie for my taste.
"That sounds great, I think we accept?" Alex says, looking at Benezia, who calmly nods in response.
"I have some... minor requests, however. I wonder if the boss would grant them," Alex adds.
"... Are you sure?" Miss All Sunday quietly whispers in the background.
Suddenly, a deep voice echoes through the Den Den Mushi. "This is Mr. 0... speak."
Crocodile...!
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