"I was feeling down, and then just a few days later, I suddenly hear that the Arlong Pirates have been wiped out. And the heroes who rid the people of this scourge… are now standing right before us!"
Sofia's expression grew serious, and she raised her right hand first. "Marines, attention! Salute the heroes!"
Swish! Swish!
The surrounding Marines snapped to attention, saluting in perfect unison. The sudden display startled Nami and Nojiko.
"Hey, Nojiko," Nami whispered, cheeks flushed. "Don't you feel like the Marines at this base are way stronger than the ones at the 16th Base?"
"Really?" Nojiko tilted her head, shaking it. "Maybe not in raw combat, but their discipline is definitely superior. They look imposing. Seems Colonel Sofia is much more competent than that Nezumi guy."
"Thank you, thank you," Scar beamed. He wasn't used to this kind of treatment and was glowing with pride.
Although he knew it was out of respect for their boss, he felt honored nonetheless. Blushing, he quickly said, "But we don't deserve to be called heroes. The entire Arlong Pirates? That was all done single-handedly by Boss Shanu."
"Ah, yes, I heard about it over the phone," Sofia smiled, nodding, then glanced around curiously. "Huh, where's Lord Shanu? He's not here?"
"He is, but after that big battle, his injuries haven't healed. On top of that, he caught a chill at sea, so he's a bit weak and didn't disembark. Please understand."
Scar apologized, pointing toward a spot on the ship.
Sofia followed his gaze.
Sure enough, a sturdy figure draped in a black cloak leaned against the railing, a long sword strapped to his back. He waved casually in greeting.
Then came a violent cough, clutching his chest, as two crewmen supported him. Limping, he turned and entered the cabin.
"I've heard Lord Shanu is still young," Sofia continued. "He won last year's Kendo Tournament on Sakura Island, and now he's defeated such formidable foes as the Arlong Pirates. His swordsmanship must have improved greatly, he's arguably the strongest swordsman in the entire East Sea among the younger generation."
Sofia withdrew her gaze, her expression tinged with regret.
"What a pity. I'm a swordswoman myself, and I was hoping for the chance to spar with Lord Shanu this time, to learn from him…"
"Is that so?" Scar forced a smile, recalling the scenes he'd witnessed on the mountain, trees torn from the ground, bullets bouncing off skin… Boss Shanu, he thought, could still be considered a swordsman, right?
...
Meanwhile, atop the 16th Branch fortress.
Nezumi stormed into his office, kicking the door open, and strode to the large desk, plopping into the familiar leather chair.
"That brat…" he clenched his fists, teeth grinding.
Where did this kid come from? When did the East Sea get someone so ruthless? A total monster! With such power, why stay in a tiny village farming instead of making a name on the Grand Line?
"Just you wait…"
Nezumi seethed with resentment. He couldn't touch him now, but one day, when Shanu leaves his hometown, his family and those foolish villagers who mocked him would pay…
Brzzz~!
The phone on the desk rang.
Startled from his reverie, Nezumi snatched it up. "Hello… huh? You? Vice Admiral, weren't we supposed to contact next week? Why so early—"
"A few days earlier, what's the difference? Say, the money owed to me, ready, right?"
A deep, magnetic voice came from the receiver. Simultaneously, an assistant appeared from somewhere, donning sunglasses, casually puffing on a cigar.
"Ready, ready!"
Nezumi replied hastily and pressed a red button beneath his desk. The bookshelf behind him swung open, revealing a massive metal safe.
Inside, stacks of crisp green bills, roughly hundreds of millions of Berries, were neatly arranged.
"Ten million Berries in total. Don't worry, I'll deposit it in your account tomorrow," Nezumi said with a smile, counting the money as he closed the safe.
"Ten million Berries?"
A pause on the other end, then a sharp tone:
"Nezumi, are you joking? Wasn't the agreement thirty percent of the first year? You're almost at a full year. Don't tell me you've only earned thirty million Berries total."
"Money's hard to earn, sir," Nezumi said nervously. "This place is remote. Many villages are desolate. I haven't even made thirty million yet. Getting ten million together was already difficult, and I did it partly to show gratitude for your earlier guidance against Arlong's group."
"…Fine, that'll do for this year. But next year, don't drop below thirty million. Remember, your position as branch commander was granted due to your achievements, it's worth far more than this."
"Yes, sir, I understand, Vice Admiral."
Nezumi nodded repeatedly, then hesitated. "Sir, I recently offended someone. He's cunning and secretive. I'm a little afraid he might retaliate, so I was thinking of striking first…"
"Cunning and secretive?" The voice chuckled. "In the East Sea? Who is it?"
"His name is—"
CRASH!
The window shattered.
The shadow that had been lingering outside finally stepped into the top-floor office.
Nezumi instinctively turned his head, but before he could react, a massive, iron-like hand clamped around his throat. Like an eagle seizing a chick, he was lifted high into the air.
It was him!
He actually dared to come!
The black-haired youth in front of him remained calm. Nezumi's eyes widened in disbelief, struggling, but could only manage a weak, pained "ugh… ugh…"
"Nezumi? Nezumi!"
The voice on the phone shouted anxiously. "Hey! What's happening over there?!"
No one could answer.
Nezumi's terrified eyes reflected the youth's grim smile. Then, with a sudden motion, Shanu slammed his entire head into the iron door of the safe!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
One, two, three, Shanu's movements were fast and precise, leaving Nezumi no room to struggle.
"Ugh… ugh…" Initially weak moans, soon silenced. The safe door gradually became smeared with blood and brain matter, slowly denting and collapsing…