Blazing Fire and Boiling Oil, Escalating Intensification!

My name is Samuel, and I'm a Bounty Hunter.

Although it's been almost five years since I left home and I've only participated in two group bounty hunting operations, this is genuinely how I make my living.

A few days ago, someone named the Black Count appeared in the East Blue. He claimed to have the ability to communicate with the dead and help people resolve their regrets.

The Navy only released a statement warning people to be careful after the situation escalated beyond their control, so I knew this had to be true.

And so, I set off.

My first destination was a small, unremarkable village called Shimotsuki Village. The only name worth remembering was a dojo called Isshin-ryu.

On the street, I met a young man. He claimed he hadn't seen the "Hypnotist" Zango, but I could tell from his eyes that he was lying.

So, I decided to follow him.

This was the beginning... of all my misfortune.

Mom, I miss you so much.

The next day, Shimotsuki Village.

"Over there... over there, cough cough cough!"

Samuel's desperate cry echoed through the morning air of Shimotsuki Village, heart-wrenching and utterly tragic, causing residents along the street to open their windows and watch with curiosity.

Ever since yesterday, I've known a terrible truth, but the terrible things are far from over.

"Shut up! I know where it is!"

Zoro, carrying Samuel on his shoulder, roared impatiently, then glanced around nervously, scratching his hair.

"Weird, why does this place feel like I've been here before?"

"Nonsense! This is... cough... the fourth time!"

"Impossible!"

Zoro retorted, then suddenly realized, smacking his palm.

"I know, it must be because I grew up in this village, so everywhere looks familiar."

"No, actually... it's~ not~~~~!"

Before he could finish his sentence, under Samuel's despairing gaze, Zoro once again sprinted off with him on his shoulder, turning into an alley they had already passed through three times.

How on earth did you manage that?!

He really wanted to grab Zoro's collar and ask him.

How could you get lost in such a tiny town?!

He remembered following the guy in the forest yesterday, being led back and forth along the same path over a dozen times, his feet developing blisters. Samuel was almost spitting blood.

At the time, he thought the other guy had discovered him and was deliberately toying with him.

So, he got angry and jumped out.

And then...

There was no "then."

He was beaten half to death.

Now he understood it was a misunderstanding.

Because this guy was a complete and utter super directionally challenged person!!

The real horror is that the master of the Isshin-ryu dojo had a directionally challenged person take me to the doctor.

Carried on his shoulder, his gaze fixed on the gravel on the street, Samuel looked blank.

Will I make it to the doctor alive?

Ah, Mom, I miss you so much.

Hic!

"Oh no, he's fainted. I need to get him to the doctor quickly."

Σ(ﾟдﾟ;)!!

"Yosh!"

Zoro's eyes burned with fighting spirit. He crouched down, took a starting stance, and said confidently, "I thought of a shortcut, this way!"

He sped off like a bolt of lightning.

"Did you find Zango?"

In a dimly lit ship's cabin, the light was dim.

A black figure, whose face couldn't be seen, stood in front. His massive size made Wallace tremble.

Hearing the question, he replied.

"Yes, sir. A merchant ship under the White Dove Trading Company found him. They didn't make a fuss, contacted us secretly, and sent people to surround him when he reached his destination. But he still managed to slip away."

Saying this, Wallace, fearing Locket's dissatisfaction, added.

"But he can't escape."

"The White Dove Trading Company has already ordered the port blockaded, with ships patrolling the island 24 hours a day. He's trapped like a bird with clipped wings."

"So, he's completely stuck in Orange Town?"

Lowett tapped his fingers on his cane.

With Zango's hypnosis abilities, could he still get out?

"I understand. You may go now."

He's not going to make a move?

Wallace was a little confused.

They went to all this trouble, wasn't it just to force Zango out?

But he didn't dare to ask, and nodded obediently.

"Yes."

After waiting for him to leave, the cane drew an arc in the air and struck the wooden board heavily.

Lowett's lips curled up, and his eyes seemed to gather starlight.

"Even the most cunning prey cannot escape the hunter's grasp... This time, what choice will you make, Vice Admiral Momonga?"

Revenge?

That was a given.

But before revenge, there was a matter of priority.

In the past week or so, Lowett had only killed the souls of less than 30 people from two pirate ships. It was a drop in the bucket for him now, and the biggest drawback of being trapped in the East Blue was beginning to show.

The wounds on his soul were not physical and could not heal naturally.

If he could perfect his divine art in the East Blue and then venture out cautiously, Lowett would naturally not be in such a hurry.

But unfortunately, that was not the case.

As his wounds gradually healed, the nourishment ordinary people could provide was no longer enough to keep up with his soul's strength. It was like a max-level character with a million HP drinking a novice village's potion that only restored ten points – it was a burden.

Of course, insufficient quality could be compensated by quantity.

But if he did that, what would the Navy's reaction be?

Lowett was very sure that if he let go and hunted indiscriminately, the Navy would spare no effort to eliminate him, especially since a dignified Vice Admiral of the Headquarters was currently staying in the East Blue because of him.

Leaving the East Blue was inevitable and necessary.

"Roar!"

"I know the current situation isn't enough to make him show himself, but that won't be the case for long."

A day later, another coerced newspaper issued a notice.

"Black Count" Francis Lowett announced that he had set off for Orange Town. The promise to capture Zango would still stand before his arrival, but if he caught Zango himself, the promise would be void.

Furthermore, there would be no second chance until he had a new fugitive enemy.

Instantly, some Bounty Hunters and ambitious individuals who were still observing rushed into Orange Town. Under this great tide, the entire East Blue was like a raging fire, in utter chaos.

Navy Base in Loguetown, Momonga's office.

Chaos!

Zango being found so quickly was far beyond Momonga's expectations.

He had underestimated the power of the masses. With an intelligence network built by sheer numbers, no pirate could escape.

"Report! We received a notification from Branch 77 that 'Shark' Muka and 'Faceless' Xiaohua are fighting over the right to land!"

"Krieg Pirates attacked Branch 12, Branch 12 is in critical condition and requests support!"

"Orange Town residents are in conflict with pirates, currently in a standoff!"

The small office was crowded, with all sorts of disturbances erupting today. Lowett had not caused public panic as they had wished, but he had caused chaos between the Navy and pirates.

Momonga's collar was already undone, his tie hung on the back of his chair, and sweat had soaked his uniform.

"Have you found the Black Count's whereabouts?"

"No!"

"If you haven't found him, then you haven't found him. What do you mean 'no'?!"

Momonga glared angrily, causing the messenger to break out in a cold sweat.

He quickly explained.

"Currently, there are 23 pirate crews gathered around Orange Town, and more than 50 other pirate crews are heading to the scene. The White Dove Trading Company, under the guise of an affiliated nation treaty, has refused Navy assistance. With them working together, our intelligence personnel simply cannot penetrate their defenses."

Orange Town might seem isolated at sea, tucked away in a corner, but it actually belonged to an affiliated nation. Not every country had a vast landmass like Alabasta; it was common for nations to rule a stretch of sea rather than an island.

"These, greedy beasts!!"

Momonga slammed the desk heavily and stood up in anger.

"Report!"

Suddenly, another voice called out.

"Speak!"

Momonga snapped impatiently, looking up to see Smoker.

After this period of recovery, Smoker had largely healed. His vitality was astonishingly resilient, almost inhuman. However, his head was still bandaged. Bones take a hundred days to mend, and their growth rate was far slower than flesh.

"The worst has happened, Vice Admiral."

Smoker didn't get angry, speaking gravely. "Facing so many rivals, some pirate crews who felt they had no hope gave up on Zango and turned to raiding towns instead!"

"...Among them, 'Hyena' Morey attacked a small town called Enbifei near Orange Town three hours ago. They slaughtered the residents, set fires, and the people... suffered heavy casualties."

"Beasts!!!"

Clang!!

A terrifying sword cry drowned out all the noise in the office. Momonga's eyes turned bloodshot as he roared.

"Does he have any humanity left?!"

If he did, he wouldn't be a pirate.

Smoker remained silent.

Who among normal people becomes a pirate?

And among pirates, how many would be so deranged as to slaughter civilians?

In truth, if they hadn't insisted on holding Loguetown, the situation wouldn't have escalated to this point. If Momonga had simply disappeared from sight, which pirate crew would have dared to be so insane?

But that's how things are in the world; for every gain, there's a loss.

Brrr, brrr, brrr...

Just then, the Den Den Mushi rang.

Smoker's pupils contracted.

That was Momonga's private Den Den Mushi. Besides himself, perhaps only certain entities in the Grand Line knew the number.

Momonga clearly understood this as well.

He suppressed his rage and signaled for the others to be silent.

"Yes, it's me."

Crrack!

His dry, rough fingers dug claw marks into the wooden desk. Momonga took a deep breath, killing intent surging in his eyes. "Understood... Yes."

Putting down the Den Den Mushi, Momonga turned, his gaze icy as he looked at the others.

"All personnel, prepare to depart!"

Thank you to reader ~allxjbt~ for the 100 reward, thank you for your support!!

Speaking of which, why has the collection increase dropped these past two days? It was over 500 on Monday, but only 300 on Friday. Now it's not even 5000, and Da Shu is bleeding profusely.

Considering how pitiful Da Shu is, please remember to vote for recommendations, maybe it can still be saved.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.