The Terror of the Pirates

"A guy like me who got his start in bootlegging?"

Becky swallowed the other half of her Devil Fruit and looked at the middle-aged man with contempt.

"Simo, with your narrow-mindedness, it's no wonder the Colo family is crumbling under your leadership."

With that, Becky extended her right hand to her side.

A subordinate dressed in a black suit promptly handed her a white napkin.

Becky took the napkin and wiped her mouth.

For the next month, she doubted she'd forget the indescribably disgusting taste of the Devil Fruit.

Tonight, for the sake of this so-called power, she had nearly risked her life.

She could only hope the ability was worth the danger.

But even if the ability wasn't to her liking, uprooting two rivals in the process was cause for celebration.

Seymour, the boss of the Colo family—one of the top five underground gangs—tried to struggle to his feet but failed.

Blood flowed from his wounds, slowly sapping his strength.

Though he could still speak, he couldn't refute Becky's words, his face twisted with resentment and bitterness.

Twenty years of accumulation, undone by a bootlegging business that had risen overnight.

It was a classic case of one wrong move leading to total defeat.

"As long as you take the right path, even the cheapest wine can become more valuable than gold."

Sensing Seymour's frustration, Becky continued to trample on his dignity, reveling in her victory.

"And old-timers like you, stuck in the past, are destined to retire."

Becky dropped the napkin and turned away.

"Moving with the times is the only way to go faster and farther. Do you understand now, you relic of the Colo family?"

The white napkin floated down, covering Seymour's hate-filled gaze.

Becky's men stepped forward, raising their guns.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The gunfire erupted like a sudden downpour.

"You lost disgracefully, but I can grant you a dignified death."

Listening to the gunfire behind her, Becky's expression remained cold.

The auction venue was still in disarray, with a few guests lingering.

Most had been escorted to safety by the Auction House Armed Squad at the first sign of trouble.

But there were always those who couldn't resist staying to watch the spectacle.

Among them were the infamous Devil's Sheriff, Lafayette, as well as Kid and Kira, who had come to buy weapons.

Saul, who had already secured the Fifty Works fast knife, was also present.

As for Arthur, he hadn't wanted to stay but had been forced by Saul to keep him company.

Arthur watched Becky eat the Devil Fruit he had dreamed of, his heart burning with envy.

He had considered trying to steal it but knew that would be suicidal.

The corpses scattered across the floor were proof enough of that.

Capone Becky… truly ruthless.

Witnessing Becky's cunning and ferocity, Arthur could only sigh in awe.

Beside him, Saul watched Becky's imposing exit and remarked, "They say Devil Fruits taste worse than shit."

Arthur glanced at Saul, thinking that even if they did, he'd gladly eat a ton of it if it meant gaining such power.

"But really, all it takes is one bite."

Saul touched the long knife in his hand and smirked. "I wanted to give her a friendly reminder, but the timing wasn't right."

"..."

Arthur's mouth twitched.

Saul glanced subtly at Kid, then turned toward the exit. "The show's over. Time to go home."

With that, he walked toward the door.

What had surprised Saul most tonight wasn't just Becky's commanding presence but also the emergence of formidable new faces like Lafayette.

As for Kid, whom Saul had once considered a rising star, he now seemed less impressive.

A figure flashed in Saul's mind.

Smiling, Saul gripped the Fifty Works fast knife and left the auction, followed by Kid and the others.

Lafayette and the remaining guests also had no reason to stay and soon departed.

Kira looked at her captain, Kid, who wore a satisfied expression. "Kid, it's time to go."

Kid nodded, his right hand gently caressing the short sword and pistol at his waist.

These were the weapons he had purchased tonight—decent quality, though not as good as the Keanu sidearm.

But they would suffice until he found something better on his journey.

He glanced at the departing figures.

Not only had he enjoyed a good show tonight, but he had also identified several peers worth taking seriously.

"It's about time…"

A grin spread across his face as he strutted toward the exit.

Recruitment.

Ships.

In this place, as long as you had money, anything was possible.

The owner of the auction house, Ralph, still dressed in his deep red suit, stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at Mad Hatter Town, where the lights flickered like streams of fire.

As his subordinate delivered a concise report, Ralph's eyes remained dark and unreadable—devoid of emotion, like an abyss.

When the report concluded, Ralph raised his head and looked toward [Wall Mountain], towering in the distance under the moonlight.

Compared to the night's disturbances, the other side of the mountain was what truly occupied his thoughts.

"Any updates from the factory?"

"Everything is as usual."

"Dismissed."

Ralph nodded.

The subordinate left quietly, leaving Ralph alone in the room.

He stared at [Wall Mountain] for a long time, lost in thought.

Haku stood at the edge of the deck, relief washing over him as he saw Saber and Clara approaching through the night.

"We got it—a map of the layout behind Wall Mountain."

Clara held up the drawing in her hand.

"Good work, Clara."

Haku smiled slightly.

With the mission complete, there was no need for pseudonyms. He addressed her by her real name.

"Not only did we get the topographical maps, but Saber also gathered intel on the factory's defenses and the number of slaves."

Clara glanced at Saber, who had been unusually quiet.

"Saber, what's wrong? You've been acting strange since we got back."

"Ah, it's nothing."

Saber looked up with a smile.

"Just wondering if it's necessary to leave someone behind until the operation begins."

"You want to stay?"

Clara's eyes widened in surprise.

Haku immediately vetoed the idea. "There's no need for that."

Before Saber could respond, Clara, familiar with his tendencies, pressed further. "Why?"

Saber scratched his head and said seriously, "There's a masked man we encountered tonight—likely a Navy operative lurking in town. He might have valuable information."

"Huh?"

Clara immediately thought of the figure who had shot and saved the fishman slave.

"Was he carrying a flintlock rifle?"

Saber's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"

Clara briefly described Alex's appearance and his actions during the auction.

After hearing her account, Saber fell silent.

Haku, a fishman himself, frowned. "This place even has a Navy operative like that…"

"Well, it's not confirmed yet."

o

Saul returned to the weapon store, greeted by the aroma of food.

Following the scent, he entered the kitchen and found Alex and Sunny enjoying a bowl of noodles.

"Yo, you even prepared a portion for me."

Seeing the steaming beef noodles on the table, Saul's stomach growled.

He casually placed the newly acquired fast knife on the table and began eating.

Alex's eyes were drawn to the long knife.

"Saul, is that the Fifty Works fast knife from tonight's auction?"

"Yep, it's called Chidori."