The Cat and the Dog

Sachis couldn't help collapsing to his knees. At some point, sweat had soaked through his clothes.

His thoughts had been completely seen through!

He really had wanted to rely on the Donquixote Family's power to rescue Bellamy. Perhaps there was some affection involved, but it was mostly a matter of self-interest.

He knew his own situation best. Sachis understood that he was nothing more than an ordinary man with a little strength. Even if he somehow managed to join the Donquixote Family on his own, he would only be one of its lowest-ranking members.

But Bellamy was different. He had shown strength beyond his years since childhood, and he was a Devil Fruit user. If he managed to join the Donquixote Family, he would surely be valued very quickly.

Then, as Bellamy's childhood friend—and with the favor of having asked for help on his behalf—Sachis could rely on Bellamy's strength and make a name for himself in no time.

But...

Manudo's voice reached his ears, and Sachis's body trembled involuntarily.

Was this the oppressive presence of the Donquixote Family? He had heard that this man was only a provisional officer.

The shadow of Manudo fell across Sachis's lowered gaze.

A huge shadow loomed over him. Through it, he could clearly see Manudo's outstretched finger suddenly grow longer.

"Die!"

As Manudo spoke coldly, Sachis caught a flash of light in the corner of his eye.

Bang—!

A sudden sound rang out. Right after that, the room's door was violently thrown open, and several underlings rushed inside, their faces full of panic.

"What is it!"

Manudo's icy gaze swept over them.

Ignoring their fear of him, the underlings pointed outside with pale faces.

Something even more terrible had happened out there.

"The family flag—it's been destroyed!"

Boom!

The ground beneath Manudo's feet suddenly caved into a deep crater. He left Sachis crumpled on the floor and dashed straight into the courtyard, looking toward the family flag in the middle of the estate.

But all he saw was a flagpole broken in two. The flag that symbolized the family had fallen to the ground.

"Who did this!"

Manudo grabbed one of the nearby underlings. His body had already shifted into his hybrid form, and his sharp canine teeth nearly pierced the man's face.

"I don't know! A bullet suddenly came flying from far away!"

Manudo made no effort to hold back his strength. The underling he had grabbed felt as if his shoulder were about to be crushed.

"You don't know?"

A murderous glint flashed in Manudo's eyes. He tightened his grip, driving his sharp claws into the underling's body and twisting his face with pain.

"What kind of mutt did this? Get out here!"

Manudo flung the underling away, took a deep breath, and let out a deafening roar.

Bang—

With a gunshot, a bullet appeared in front of Manudo almost instantly.

His arms swept up at once, and his long claws blocked the incoming bullet. Manudo glared viciously at the group walking in through the main entrance.

"So you were the ones who just called me a dog?"

"Whoa, so you're a skinny little dog."

Nia couldn't help teasing him as she looked at the man before them.

The Donquixote Family's provisional officer had apparently entered his half-beast form after the family flag was destroyed. His body was extremely long and lean.

"I am a dog! I ate the Dog-Dog Fruit, Dachshund Model! You're the bastards who destroyed our flag, aren't you? I'll tear every last one of you to pieces!"

Manudo planted his feet and shot forward. His claws slashed toward Rod, who stood in the middle, glinting coldly.

Rod leaned back slightly. Manudo's claws struck the ground, instantly shredding the stone floor.

Boom!

A long leg swung in from the side and slammed into Manudo's waist and abdomen. The terrifying force nearly folded him in half, sending him flying.

So strong!

Pekoms and Shakky exchanged a look, their eyes full of shock.

They hadn't expected Nia, who looked so sexy and charming, to be this strong.

When that skinny dog-man charged, they hadn't even had time to react. If they'd been the ones facing him, they might already have been finished. No wonder she'd taken down pirates with bounties of over forty million.

Could the two of them really be the weakest ones on the ship...

At the thought, they exchanged a knowing glance at Grey, who had been quietly following along beside them.

"I'll take this skinny dog."

Nia lowered her leg, excitement flashing in her eyes.

This guy could really take a beating! That last kick hadn't done him any real damage.

"You sure you're okay?"

"An ordinary dog-type can't beat a cat-type!"

As he spoke, Manudo got back to his feet and lightly patted his waist and abdomen.

"You've got some strength, but an attack like that won't work at all. You've got to attack like this!"

As he said this, Manudo shot forward. He appeared in front of Nia almost instantly, moving even faster than before. His claws flashed as they slashed wildly, blurring into a single streak.

"You know nothing about a cat's speed."

Nia darted about, easily avoiding every one of his attacks.

Though she'd spoken dismissively about Manudo, Nia knew perfectly well that this enemy was nothing like the ones she'd faced before. That was why she'd entered her hybrid form the moment the fight began.

Two black cat ears twitched lightly atop her head. She looked completely at ease.

Whoosh—

Nia dodged his attack once more, then flashed behind him, appearing on his back. Her cat claws stabbed down.

Squelch—

Blood sprayed as Nia's claws pierced straight through his body, meeting almost no resistance.

"Got him!"

"Caught you!"

Their voices rang out almost simultaneously, and Nia's pupils contracted.

A cruel smile appeared on Manudo's face. The muscles around the wound suddenly contracted, clamping tightly around Nia's claws.

As Nia struggled to pull free against the pressure of his contracting muscles, her body paused for an instant. Manudo twisted around, using his long, slender body to turn nearly 180 degrees. His vicious face now pointed straight at Nia as his claws came slashing down.

At the same time that Nia and Manudo clashed, the other members of the Donquixote Family had also reacted. All kinds of attacks came crashing toward Rod and the others.

"ROOM—"

A blue sphere instantly enveloped everyone. Just as Luo was about to use his ability—

"Aah-ee—yah—!"

A snow-white figure sprang forward, with two more figures right behind. In an instant, they knocked down the thugs charging toward them.

"Leave these guys to us!"

Pekoms and Shakky stood on either side of Bepo, flashing a hearty smile at Rod and the others. Grey quietly followed behind them, so easy to overlook that he was almost forgotten.