"..."
Seven was choked with anger. He glared at him.
"Running out on your own is one thing, but you even went as far as sneaking out to beg? Is your playful streak that strong? What did I always tell you before? Didn't I say you mustn't copy that kind of thing?"
"...I'm sorry, Mr. Seven," the black-haired boy mumbled softly.
"Forget it. I'll deal with you later."
Seven waved his hand in frustration, then looked up at Nao with a snort.
"According to the rules I set, tourists on this island get begged from once at most. Never twice."
"This time, my men acted without thinking. For that, I apologize. You can tally up how much money they took from you—I'll pay it back double."
Wow, he actually has principles.
Nao raised a brow, a little surprised. But before he could say anything, Seven crossed his arms and continued coldly:
"However, business is business. I won't renege on money, but your people tricked us out of twenty million Berries, and even injured my men. That debt needs to be settled too!"
"Oh?"
Nao glanced at the men Belle-mère had knocked unconscious—ten or so scattered on the ground. He crouched down, gazing into Seven's eyes with faint amusement.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
"Of course…"
Seven replied coldly, taking a few steps back quietly. Suddenly, he swung his right hand and roared angrily:
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!"
"Everyone, get them! Beat this bunch mercilessly and take back all the money! Let them know the Seven Pirates are not to be trifled with!"
"Yes, Captain!"
His subordinates, who had been holding back their anger, cheered and charged, brandishing clubs and sticks. They came from all directions, menacingly rushing towards Nao and the others who were surrounded.
"Charge!"
"Brothers, let's show these punks our strength!"
"That monster-strength woman is probably the toughest—take down the others first, then focus on her with everything!"
Monster-strength woman…
Aside from Fujitora, the rest exchanged awkward looks at Belle-mère.
"You bastards!"
Bell-mère flushed with anger and embarrassment. She clenched her fists, knuckles cracking like firecrackers.
"Daring to give me a nickname like that on your own? Better be ready to spend a month in the hospital!"
Just as she was about to charge forward, a hand gently landed on her shoulder.
She turned her head to see Nao shrugging helplessly:
"Leave it to me. Let's save the city's doctors some trouble."
"No way!" Belle-mère puffed out her cheeks in protest.
"I don't need your help! Today, I'm definitely going to—"
"What are you doing, flirting at a time like this!"
A furious shout cut her off as two burly men, gripping wooden clubs, rushed in. They swung at her from left and right, sneering as they bellowed:
"You're asking for a beating—take this!"
In that very instant, Nao pulled Bell-mère aside. His eyes narrowed slightly as a terrifying, invisible force suddenly burst forth from his body. It was so intense it seemed almost tangible, sweeping in all directions!
Buzz
Everything was silent.
The dim light of the black streetlights remained, and a few chirping insects and croaking frogs could still be heard from the bushes outside the wall.
But the scene in the alley seemed to freeze at this moment.
Thud!
First, the two burly men on the left and right suddenly knelt on the ground and then slowly fell to their sides. Then, a few others nearby, followed by those further away...
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Like waves of wheat during the autumn harvest, people fell unconscious in swathes.
In the blink of an eye, the entire alley became dead silent. The only ones still standing were the blue-haired young man, Seven, and a few children.
In the blink of an eye, the entire alley became dead silent. The only ones still standing were the blue-haired young man, Seven, and a few children.
That's… Conqueror's Haki?!
Behind them, Fujitora, who was about to draw his sword, froze and "looked" at Nao in surprise.
"Oh my, your control has improved a lot." The women weren't surprised at all. Gion clapped her hands and chuckled softly. "At the beginning of the year, it would have been an indiscriminate attack, right?"
"Old man Sengoku taught me a lot."
Nao shrugged, then looked back at Seven.
Seven's mouth was wide open, and his eyes were filled with panic. Cold sweat poured down his forehead as he seemed to recall a terrifying name.
"Na…Natsuya Nao…"
A Marine with Conqueror's Haki… there's no mistaking it—it has to be him!
I actually provoked this killing god? His body was stiff, and his legs were weak. He didn't dare to move. He could only watch as Nao walked closer, step by step, until he was in front of him.
"Oh?"
Nao crouched down and said with a smile, "So you do know me. I heard you calling yourself what just now? The Seven Pirates? Imagine that—I never thought you all were actually pirates…"
"No, no, that's not it!"
Seven's face turned pale with fright. He trembled all over and shook his head violently:
"Vice Admiral Nao! You've… you've misunderstood! I'm truly not a pirate! Yes, yes, I did once form a pirate crew to go adventuring at sea, but we never actually lived a single day as pirates!"
"Don't you think that sounds contradictory?"
Before Nao could speak, Bell-mère couldn't hold back anymore and kicked him.
"Be honest! Explain yourself! What's going on with you and your subordinates! You're out there scamming people every day. What about the real beggars in the city? Where did they all go? Did you kill them all?"
"Kill them?"
Seven froze. But seeing the unfriendly look in Nao's eyes, he didn't dare hesitate anymore. He spilled everything honestly, like beans tumbling out of a bamboo tube.
So that was it.
This guy named Seven wasn't actually a pirate.
He was actually from Water 7. His noble father died, leaving behind a dwindling inheritance. Restless and bored in the city, about half a year ago, he suddenly had the idea to set out to sea and adventure around the world.
He didn't hesitate—bought a ship and supplies, then hired more than two hundred dockside laborers at high pay to serve as sailors and guards. A few days later, he sailed off, brimming with excitement.
To look more intimidating, he even drew his own pirate flag and hung it up, naming it the Seven Pirates and calling himself the captain.
But their start was not good. The great Captain Seven ran into a terrifying tsunami a few days later. The ship capsized, and all their belongings were lost.
His dreams shattered instantly. Forget adventuring around the world—he became penniless, too ashamed even to return home.
After drifting for days, he and his remaining sailors finally arrived in Spring Queen's City. The noble young master's pride made him unable to work. In the end, he was so hungry that he could only beg on the streets.they could only beg on the streets.
By chance, it was during the city's carnival. Tourists poured in, rich and generous, tossing money around freely.
One night of holding a broken bowl brought in tens of thousands of Berries. After his initial shock, Seven suddenly realized he had discovered the true money-making secret of this tourist capital…
"So you pretended to be beggars to scam money?" Bell-mère, fuming, punched him on the head again.
"You're even a Devil Fruit user, and this is what you use your power for? Have you no shame?"
"I didn't want to either, but making money this way is just… so easy and so fast…"
Seven cried out in pain, collapsing onto the ground. He clutched his head, where a swelling lump was already radiating heat.
"My men are basically the same sailors who followed me back then. At first they didn't want to do it either, but once the money started rolling in, they didn't even want to go back home anymore."
"Monopolizing the begging business of an entire tourist city… naturally makes you rich."
Fujitora shook his head slightly and sighed:
"But have you ever considered… those frail, sickly people who truly rely on begging to survive? What kind of misery would they suffer if you cut off their only means of living?"
"Please rest assured, I've taken care of that!"
Seven hurriedly said, "The young and able-bodied beggars—I gave them money, told them to find other work, or just get out. As for the crippled, the elderly, and the children—I've been supporting them myself!"
Eh?
Fujitora was slightly stunned. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he turned his head toward the far end of the alley.
Under the dim light, a group of children and old men and women with walking sticks had appeared at the iron door of the small house.
They seemed to have been woken by the commotion outside. Seeing the ground littered with "bodies," their faces turned pale with fright, and they quickly shrank back behind the door…
"Mr. Seven is a good man."
Little Messi, who had been frozen in fear since Bell-mère scared him earlier, suddenly stretched out his arms and stood in front of Seven, gritting his teeth as he said:
"He took us in, so we wouldn't have to wander the streets hungry. He also told us to learn more, so we wouldn't grow up to be beggars… It's all my fault. I snuck out without telling him, trying to trick and play around, and ended up offending you all! Vice Admiral sir, if you want to hit or punish someone, take it out on me. Please don't make things hard for Mr. Seven!"
Though his voice trembled, his eyes were stubbornly resolute.
"Step aside, you brat!"
Seven, both anxious and angry, tried to get up and push him away.
"Why are you standing in the way? I'm the one in charge. If someone has to take responsibility, it should be me! Who asked you to step forward—get out of the way!"
"I won't!"
"…" Belle-mère looked between the two of them, then glanced over at the frightened old folk and children. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Enough."
Noxia, however, wasn't moved by such a display. He patted little Messi on the head and said impatiently:
"Step aside. You're too young to be playing this duet with him. Since you already know who I am, do you really think I'd actually do anything to you?"
It was half an act, half genuine. Messi and Seven exchanged glances, both looking a little embarrassed.
"Other than posing as beggars and scamming money—you haven't killed, robbed, or done worse, right?" Nao fixed his gaze on Seven, asking coolly.
"Absolutely not! I'm a man of principle, Vice Admiral Nao—I swear!"
Seven hurriedly raised his right hand—but accidentally poked Bell-mère's knee, earning himself yet another punch to the head.
He winced in pain, tears welling in his eyes, while Nao fell into a brief silence.
With Observation Haki at his level, he could read the truth in a person's subtle expressions and breathing patterns. Seven was just an ordinary man—he couldn't possibly hide anything.
And everything this guy said… was entirely genuine.
"S-so… what's going to happen to me, Vice Admiral?"Seven looked at his expression and asked cautiously. "Um, you see, can my organization continue to operate?"
He still clung to a sliver of hope. After all, he'd stumbled upon such a lucrative money-making scheme—he couldn't bear to throw it away. Maybe, just maybe, Vice Admiral Nao might grant him an exception, for the sake of the good deeds he'd done…
"Dream on. Not a chance."
Nao immediately saw through him, pouring cold water without mercy.
"You've got dozens of healthy young men, all in their prime—and you think it's fine to keep leeching off tourists instead of working?"
"It's… it's not like we don't work…" Seven muttered weakly, voice like a mosquito's.
"I still spend hours every day managing accounts, rewriting scripts, and training my men's acting skills… I've been really busy…"
"Forget it. I'll notify this city's authorities to conduct a full-scale crackdown and root out your scam dens."
Nao stood up, his voice cold.
"Part of the money you've scammed so far will be confiscated, and part of it will be sent to the Marine orphanage on Mal Island in the north. These old folks and children will also be sent there. If the children stay with you, they'll all turn bad sooner or later."
He glanced at little Messi. The black-haired, black-eyed boy lowered his head in shame.
"As for sending them there, I'll leave it to you, Brother Issho." Nao turned to Fujitora.
"I'll also write a personal letter. If any official dares lay a hand on these kids—or tries to get their hands on that money—they can come answer to me."
"You've really thought of everything, Vice Admiral," Fujitora said with approval. His expression grew solemn as he added firmly:
"Leave it to me. I'll make sure everything is arranged properly."
"Mhm, with you taking care of it, Brother Issho, I'm at ease."
Nao smiled, then lowered his gaze toward Seven.
"All the money's going to be confiscated… then, then what about us…" Seven muttered, his face twisted with pain and conflict.
"I was originally planning to throw you all in prison so you'd learn your lesson." Nao couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. But for the sake of those old folks and kids, I'll let that slide."
Just like that? Released, without any punishment?
Seven's face lit up with surprise—but before he could savor it, Nao went on casually:
"But… more than two hundred young men have spent months living as lazy bums. If I just send you back to your hometowns as ordinary folk, you'd probably starve to death. A bit of reform is in order."
Reform? What kind of reform?!
Seven's eyes widened as the realization hit him. No way… Vice Admiral…
Sure enough, the next moment, he saw Nao pull out a Den Den Mushi and dial the 172nd Branch, giving a few brief instructions.
"You're all going to become Marines."
After hanging up, Nao looked at Seven.
"Time to get rid of that lazy, freeloading habit. The 172nd Branch happens to be short on men—your 'fresh blood' will be put to good use there. Any objections?"
Do I dare say yes?
Seven pulled a long face. "N-no, Vice Admiral."
"I hope that the next time we meet, your spirit and discipline will be completely transformed." Nao patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Let's hope so…" Seven muttered dispiritedly, not holding out much hope. He glanced at his still-unconscious men and asked anxiously:
"Sir, when will they wake up?"
"They'll be fine before dawn. Don't worry, no one's life is in danger."
Noxia shrugged and stood up.
"Still, I'll give you this—you're quite loyal to one another. Not surprising though. More than two hundred people, and all of you actually survived that tsunami… You're really blessed with luck."
"Well, not exactly…" Seven scratched his head sheepishly.
"I was already drifting unconscious at sea, thought I was done for. But when I woke up, I found myself and all my companions washed up together on some deserted island's beach…"
"Someone saved you?" Nao raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. "To pull so many people through a tsunami—that must've been a remarkably powerful individual."
"Not a person."
Seven shook his head. After hesitating for a moment, he decided there was no point hiding it.
"It was a flying dragon, Vice Admiral! A massive, blue flying dragon—I'll never forget that creature for as long as I live!"
His eyes shone with awe and nostalgia as he spread his hands to sketch its immense shape.
"That dragon wasn't just incredibly fast—it could control lightning! My sailors said that during the tsunami, two Sea Kings leapt out, trying to swallow us whole. But that dragon flapped its wings, and with a single thunderbolt, it roasted them like fish on a grill!"