"It's nothing, just plundered from a few towns. For pirates, this is a normal affair," Shiryu of the Rain said, his tone indifferent.
Doflamingo frowned. He had plundered on a grand scale himself before becoming a Shichibukai, but he had never amassed this much treasure so quickly. Shiryu of the Rain's haul could only be explained by collusion with the World Government and an indiscriminate massacre of townsfolk.
Without such extreme measures, Shiryu could never have gathered such a fortune in so short a time.
"I see," Ashveil said, voice calm, almost casual.
A dazzling golden light erupted on his finger.
It was the fusion of his Golden Conqueror's Haki and the Glint-Glint Fruit ability.
Shiryu felt sweat bead on his forehead, each drop like a small marble under the weight of Ashveil's presence.
"Mr. Ashveil… what are you planning to do? I swear, my treasure map is genuine!" Shiryu stammered, desperate.
He assumed Ashveil's fury was directed at the authenticity of the map. After all, he had risked life and limb to plunder it; he hadn't deceived anyone.
"A treasure map… Hm, I believe you, Shiryu. I've already forgiven your participation in the United Army against me," Ashveil said calmly, yet the golden glow in his hand intensified.
"Then what does that mean?" Shiryu asked, confusion and fear battling across his face. Kaido himself had defied Ashveil repeatedly, yet only lost money—never his life. Why was this different?
Ashveil stepped closer, deliberate and unhurried.
"Do I need to remind you?" he asked, the faintest chill threading through his words.
"Remind me…?" Shiryu blinked.
Back then, Ashveil had released him from Impel Down, warning that any freed criminals must never harm humanity. At the time, Shiryu had scoffed, but now the warning weighed heavily on him.
Could there truly be someone in this world willing to punish the powerful for the sake of ordinary people?
"Please… Mr. Ashveil, spare me! I know I've done wrong. As compensation, I will join the Whitebeard Pirates and serve under you! I swear I will fight alongside you against the Marines!" Shiryu pleaded, panicked.
The nearby Whitebeard Pirates exchanged skeptical glances. Could a man like this truly belong among them?
"Ashveil, don't let him join. He's like Blackbeard—dangerous, untrustworthy!" Fire Fist Ace growled, remembering past betrayals.
Ashveil looked at Shiryu, expression neutral, almost amused. "Insignificant."
Shiryu sank to his knees, desperation plain.
"Yes, Captain Ashveil, you're right. I'm insignificant, incapable of causing harm… please, spare me!"
The others, however, murmured in anger. Shiryu reminded them too much of Blackbeard.
"Kill him!" some cried. "Don't let this ungrateful fool survive!"
Ashveil smiled faintly. The golden light in his hand flared brighter.
"Don't worry. I keep my word. Since he broke the promise I granted in Impel Down, he deserves punishment," Ashveil said, voice measured.
The Pirates watched, awe and fear mingling. Shiryu had overplayed his hand; Ashveil's judgment was swift and absolute.
In an instant, the golden beam of Haki and light shot toward Shiryu.
His pupils dilated in horror as the light closed in. In a desperate reflex, Shiryu drew his famed sword, and braced for impact.
Ashveil's expression remained unflinching. The combined power of his Golden Conqueror's Haki and Glint-Glint Fruit ability was beyond any mortal blade.
The beam struck. A thunderous explosion of energy erupted. Smoke cleared, and Shiryu still stood, holding his sword.
The Whitebeard Pirates gasped. Had he blocked it?
"No…" Ace's roar cut through the confusion. "He didn't! The sword… it's pierced through!"
A hole ran straight through Shiryu's blade, aimed at his chest. His heart, his defense, all laid bare before Ashveil's might.
The Pirates' shock was palpable. Even a famous sword was powerless against Ashveil. One strike, one glance of golden Haki, and Shiryu of the Rain's defenses were obliterated.
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