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"Ahhh!!!"
Maran screamed in agony as both his legs were severed by Aaron, collapsing to the ground in unbearable pain.
Aaron, holding his blood-dripping blade Ghost Cry (Onikiri), sighed to himself as he looked down at his defeated foe.
"As expected, Haki really makes a massive difference in battle. Now that my Observation Haki has reached the beginner level, even a Devil Fruit user with a 50 million Berry bounty like him is no match for me. Once I foresee their moves, their fate is sealed."
Finding Maran's screams unbearably noisy, Aaron frowned, then struck him across the head with the back of his blade, knocking him unconscious in an instant.
Meanwhile, the pirates still fighting Aaron's subordinates froze in terror when they saw their captain's miserable defeat. Most of them immediately turned tail and fled. They had only followed Maran out of fear of his strength â few were truly loyal to such a cruel and violent captain.
Kill people and think you can run?
Aaron showed no mercy. Drawing his revolver, he swiftly shot down every fleeing pirate with precise headshots.
At that moment, Bafina and the Akio Gang members who had rushed over from their base finally arrived â just in time to witness Aaron defeat Maran and execute the remaining pirates from a distance.
"Treat the wounded and clean up the battlefield," Aaron said calmly, lowering his revolver and turning toward the shocked Bafina.
Bafina quickly recognized the man lying at Aaron's feet â Maran, the notorious pirate with a 50 million Berry bounty. Now, that fearsome man was lying in a pool of blood with his legs severed, his fate uncertain. The outcome of the battle was clear.
"Incredible⌠even a Devil Fruit user worth 50 million Berry isn't his match. He's so young too⌠he'll only grow stronger from here."
Bafina was awestruck. When Aaron's eyes turned toward her, her heart skipped a beat. Blushing, she shouted, "Yes, Lord Aaron!"
Gabdon and his squad had suffered devastating losses in their fight against Maran's crew â nearly half their members were killed, and the rest were gravely wounded. Gabdon himself was severely injured and would have died if Aaron hadn't arrived in time.
Aaron knew that if he expected his men to risk their lives for him, he couldn't afford to be stingy. He provided his subordinates with generous pay and took care of their families.
If someone died defending his territory, Aaron ensured that their family received ample compensation and continued support.
For those injured or disabled, he arranged work for them in businesses under the Golden Flash Trading Company, so they could still live decent lives.
Since Aaron had seized his territory, the Golden Flash Trading Company, managed by Williams, had fully stationed itself there. With Aaron's help, it quickly absorbed local industries and entered a period of rapid growth.
In just over a month, the company had acquired numerous businesses in Aaron's domain, becoming the true power behind them. This brought Aaron enormous financial backing, allowing him to afford generous treatment for his subordinates and fund improvements to his territory.
Without question, Aaron's treatment of his men far surpassed that of other gang leaders in the slums. Most saw their subordinates as disposable tools â offering no compensation or support once they were no longer useful.
Happiness is always relative. Aaron's kindness and the tangible changes over the past month made his largely slum-born followers deeply grateful. And as a young, capable leader who clearly understood how to govern, Aaron's loyalty base soared.
Now, anyone in the slums with any talent was desperate to join Aaron's ranks â even if working under him was more dangerous than under other gang bosses. It was worth it for the good treatment and the genuine respect they earned from the people living in the slums.
Though Aaron had only ruled District B of the slums for just over a month, the impact he'd made was enormous.
First was the environment. District B had originally been as filthy as the rest of the slums â garbage littered the streets, and people relieved themselves wherever they could. If not for the Drum Kingdom's winter island climate keeping the air cold, the place would have long reeked and become a breeding ground for disease.
Few people, even pirates, enjoy filth. Most prefer to eat, drink, and relax in cleaner surroundings, even if it costs more.
To attract more people to spend money in his territory, Aaron began improving the environment as early as the second day after taking over. He paid out of pocket to build several garbage dumps and many public toilets, placed trash bins throughout the streets and alleys, hired slum children to collect garbage, and even enforced strict rules against littering and public urination.
After just over a month, Aaron's territory had been completely transformed. While it still wasn't as clean as the civilian districts, it was practically a model of cleanliness compared to the rest of the slums.
District B's location was already excellent, with far higher foot traffic than other areas of the slums. Now that the environment had improved, even more people came, boosting the local economy further.
Beyond the environment, Aaron also focused on improving public order.
The slums were the most chaotic part of Vilia Port â essentially a lawless zone.
There were no city guards patrolling the slums; security was left to whichever gangs controlled each area. But gangs didn't care about the lives of slum residents â unless their own interests were threatened, such as damage to their businesses, they did nothing.
As a result, ordinary people in the slums lived in constant fear, rarely going out at night. People from other parts of the city avoided the slums altogether.
Aaron knew that lawlessness attracted pirates â and most of his businesses catered to them â but he also understood that only good order could ensure long-term development. The people living in his territory were the foundation of his power.
Thus, he strictly prohibited murder within his domain.
However, murder was all too common in the slums. At first, Aaron's men faced frequent violent resistance while enforcing his order, leading to heavy casualties. Aaron himself often stepped in personally to execute those who defied his commands.
The immediate consequence was a sharp drop in visiting pirates, causing the businesses that depended on them to suffer.
But public safety improved dramatically, and Aaron's brutal reputation â and that of his men â terrified would-be criminals.
Aaron's success in improving security won him immense respect among the locals. People in District B were deeply grateful to the man who actively protected their lives and property. Residents from other slum districts wanted to move into District B, causing property prices to soar. Real estate quietly boomed, and many industries were revitalized as the population surged.
Now, when Aaron walked through his territory, many people greeted him with respectful salutes â and even his subordinates were treated with newfound respect.
Most of Aaron's men were born and raised in the slums. Earning the respect of their fellow residents filled them with pride and satisfaction, and they returned home with their spirits soaring.
Clearly, good security wasn't just something civilians wanted â many ordinary pirates valued it too. After all the bloodshed they endured at sea, they wanted to relax and enjoy themselves on land without unexpected trouble.
Once Aaron's efforts to improve public safety gained recognition, the pirates who had stopped coming returned in even greater numbers. On top of that, many new customers from the civilian districts began visiting his territory, making it more prosperous than ever.
Tonight's battle could not be hidden from the rest of the slums. News of Aaron's defeat of Maran and the heavy losses suffered by Gabdon's squad spread rapidly. Many people felt an even deeper fear and awe of Aaron â but also great excitement. They couldn't wait for tomorrow to come, hoping to pass his trials and join his ranks.
After checking in on Gabdon and the other wounded men, Aaron hefted the now-stabilized Maran and started back toward their base. At that moment, he looked every bit the victorious king returning from battle. As he walked, countless residents â having heard the news â stepped out of their homes and saluted him with deep respect.
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