Ōura strode into the study, Zanpakutō in hand, and glanced at Chagurot, asking, "You are Chagurot?"
Chagurot immediately pulled out a jewel-encrusted pistol and fiercely yelled at Ōura, "How dare you lowlifes break into my mansion? I am the Lord of the entire Papaloko Island! I'll kill your whole family, you hear me?!"
Ōura was completely unmoved by Chagurot's threats. He simply nodded to himself.
"That you are is enough."
A sudden sense of foreboding struck Chagurot, and he instinctively pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Smoke puffed from the muzzle, but the bullet lodged into the wall. Ōura's figure vanished from his sight. The next moment, he was grabbed by the scruff of the neck and lifted like a cat—Ōura had reappeared right behind him!
Before Chagurot could react, Ōura violently swung his right arm.
Crack!
Chagurot's corpulent body smashed through the window, crashing heavily from the second floor into the courtyard below.
Cough, cough!
Chagurot scrambled to his feet, dust-covered, only to see a crowd of residents surrounding him, wielding cleavers, hoes, and other makeshift weapons, their faces contorted with murderous rage.
"What are you lowlifes trying to do?! Harming a Lord is a grave crime! If the Kingdom finds out, you will all die!"
His pistol had been flung away, and without a weapon, Chagurot lost all confidence, desperately trying to scare the residents away with threats.
"Hmph! Chagurot, you colluded with pirates and killed so many people. If we let you live, who knows how many more will die in the future! For our own safety, you must die today!" Auguro said, cutting through the fear. He had shrewdly noticed some residents hesitating, so he immediately spoke up.
Upon hearing this, the people instantly understood. Yes! They had escaped death this time, but what about the next? And the time after that? Leaving Chagurot alive was leaving a ticking time bomb!
Seeing the residents' murderous intent intensify, Chagurot panicked completely.
He screamed, "I am a legitimate noble! I report to the Kingdom every year! You can't hide this…"
Before he could finish, Chagurot was hoisted up by Ōura, and Auguro plunged a blade into his body!
Chagurot's eyes widened. He hadn't thought they would actually dare to attack him!
Auguro stared coldly into his eyes and said grimly, "Don't worry. The Kingdom will receive a report that Papaloko Island was attacked by pirates, and Lord Chagurot bravely resisted and sadly fell in battle."
"You, sir, will become a hero widely praised by the Kingdom!"
With that, Auguro tossed the long sword aside. It wasn't his Zanpakutō but a sword he'd picked up from one of the fake pirates. Chagurot dying by this blade would make the cover story more believable!
Hearing Auguro's mocking words, Chagurot despaired completely. These commoners had even prepared their excuse in advance!
Then, Chagurot's eyes bulged in fury before he was completely overwhelmed by the enraged residents.
With the murderous Lord eliminated, Auguro brushed off his hands and said, "Chagurot did remind me of something!"
"He was the Lord of Papaloko Island, after all. Now that he's dead, someone needs to fill the vacancy!"
Before the crowd could react, Hanatarō Yamada stepped forward and declared loudly:
"Lord Auguro personally struck down the wicked old Lord and ordered the elimination of the pirates! I believe Lord Auguro is the most suitable candidate to assume the position of Lord!"
Ōura immediately seconded the motion.
"Indeed! I agree completely! Lord Auguro is the unquestionable choice!"
Only then did the town residents realize that Auguro's true ambition was the position of Lord of Papaloko Island!
Some people instinctively wanted to object. How old was Auguro, after all? How could he become the Lord?
Vwoom!
But before they could speak, a terrifying Reiatsu suddenly descended! It felt like a giant, towering mountain pressing heavily upon their shoulders!
Hanatarō Yamada looked at the crowd with a chilling expression. "I implore you all to carefully consider and provide the most just answer!"
The seated officer-level Reiatsu poured out of him without reservation. Becoming the Lord of Papaloko Island was the Lord Soul King's most crucial plan at this stage, and he would not let these mortals ruin it!
Ōura stood at the side, one hand already resting on his Zanpakutō.
Auguro showed no change in expression, simply watching silently. He never deluded himself into thinking that his path to power would be consented to by everyone. Which of the Four Emperors of the New World achieved their territory through everyone's approval?
Power was the greatest reliance!
Whether these residents agreed or not, he was taking this title! He had already demonstrated his strength. If anyone were truly reckless, he would simply have to ask them to leave Papaloko Island!
Gulp!
The residents nervously swallowed. They had just clearly witnessed how Hanatarō and Ōura dealt with Chagurot's bodyguards. In a mere instant, everyone was lying in a pool of blood! Their muskets didn't even have time to fire a second shot!
Dealing with them would likely be even easier, wouldn't it?
"You all have nothing to worry about!"
Auguro's voice suddenly rang out.
"If I become the Lord, not only will fake pirates cease to be an issue, but if any real pirates attack in the future, my subordinates will be responsible for eliminating them and protecting all of you!"
"That is what a Lord should truly be doing, isn't it?"
Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. The strength of Hanatarō and Ōura was undeniable! With their protection, ordinary pirates would certainly be no match! Looked at that way, accepting the rule of a strong person like Auguro might not be so bad after all!
"We are willing to honor Lord Auguro as our leader!"
Following the first person's declaration, the rest of the residents quickly voiced their agreement.
It was at that moment that the System's voice echoed in Auguro's mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing the hidden mission: Conquer a Territory by Force! Reward: One Epic Draw Ticket!"
Auguro's face instantly broke into a wide smile. An Epic Draw Ticket meant a free pull from the Purple Pool! That meant he could summon another seated officer-level Soul Reaper, or potentially higher! His strength would effectively double!
After receiving the residents' recognition, Auguro assigned Hanatarō Yamada to handle the clean-up work and immediately rushed home, eager to make his draw.
Heh…
Auguro carefully washed his hands again, vigorously scrubbing them, and piously prayed to the God of Luck before calling up the System.
"System, Draw from the Purple Epic Gacha Pool!"
Another familiar flash of effects.
A burst of dazzling purple light condensed into a card before Auguro's eyes. The portrait of a beautiful black-haired girl appeared on the card.
Name: Rukia Kuchiki
Zanpakutō:Sode no Shirayuki
Reiatsu: Vice-Captain Level
Position: Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain
Ooh, boy!
He hit the jackpot!
While Rukia Kuchiki was currently only Vice-Captain level, she had the potential to become a Captain-level Soul Reaper! In the original story, after mastering her Bankai, her power was comparable to a major natural disaster! Furthermore, her Zanpakutō's ability was ice, giving her a natural advantage in the world of One Piece.
In short, this draw was a massive profit! It was essentially pulling a Gold (Legendary) from the Purple (Epic) tier pool!