Tiger Shark Island, North District—the recreational area, in everyday terms.
As Rod and Nerl had just walked in, they could already feel the lively atmosphere.
The whole district was filled with laughter and shouting, occasionally punctuated by gunshots and screams, creating a unique kind of bustle.
"That's what they call the free will, I suppose."
Looking at the scene before him, Rod murmured something ambiguous.
Free from the World Government's control and the oppression of noble lords, the people here had undoubtedly gained their freedom.
Absolute freedom!
But absolute freedom also meant that the greed and brutality in people's hearts had been unleashed, no longer held in check.
The result was that the strong controlled everything, while the weak were controlled in every way.
But that was simply how this sea was.
That was why he had to become the person with the strongest fist—the one who controlled everything.
Nerl's expression didn't change in the slightest. He, too, had a deep understanding of the nature of this world.
However, he had no desire to change it.
All he had to do was become Rod's right-hand man and assist him, whether he wanted to control this world or destroy it.
"Over there!"
Nerl pointed to a tavern at the end of the street. That was their destination.
Inside the tavern, he could indeed sense several presences that were comparatively powerful.
"Wait!"
Just as they were about to head that way, Rod suddenly stopped again. He watched a man walking in from another direction. Judging by where he was headed, he was going to the North Blue Scenery tavern as well.
The man looked sharp and capable.
He stood about 1.9 meters tall and wore a long black coat. His short, tousled hair was black, and his regular features were utterly unremarkable.
Only his eyes, filled with determination, stood out. Even from a distance, Rod could sense the strength of his will.
This was a man who, once he set his sights on a goal, would give it everything he had and stop at nothing to achieve it.
Although Rod had never seen this man before, a thought rose in his mind.
This was the Zombie Man Genos whom Baroque Works was preparing to recruit.
Bang—
Genos kicked open the door of the North Blue Scenery tavern. Ignoring the many different gazes that turned his way, he swept his eyes over the people inside.
When he didn't see the mustached man from Baroque Works, Genos furrowed his brow slightly, then shouted into the tavern:
"Where's Lem? Get out here!"
Mr. 11, who had been chatting happily with Mr. 5, changed color, then quickly regained his composure and smiled at Mr. 5.
"Looks like we don't have to go looking for him. Zombie Man's here!"
As he spoke, the partition door he'd forcibly installed fell straight to the floor, revealing the three people inside to Genos.
"So you came all the way here on your own. Don't tell me you've finally decided to join us."
Looking at Genos by the tavern entrance, Lem—that was, Mr. 11—said with a sinister smile.
If Genos agreed to join Baroque Works now, wouldn't that mean Mr. 5 and his partner got credit for nothing?
"Don't waste your breath. Since you dared to use such underhanded tactics, you'd better be ready to face my fury."
"Underhanded tactics?"
Hearing Genos's words, Lem froze for a moment. But before he could think about what Genos meant, Genos was already in front of him. He pulled a one-handed axe from who knew where and brought it down on Lem's head.
Clang!
Lem hastily drew his saber and blocked Genos's attack, his expression turning grim.
Although the recruitment attempt had failed, they hadn't become enemies. Even when they'd fought, neither side had gone all out; they'd both held back.
But Genos's attack just now had clearly been aimed at taking his life.
Worse still, Genos might actually have been able to do it.
Straining to shove Genos away, Lem retreated two steps, putting Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine's Day in front of him.
"Zombie Man, are you trying to make an enemy of Baroque Works!?"
He had no time to wonder why Genos had suddenly gone straight for the kill, nor whether he could still complete the mission to recruit him.
Right now, the most important thing was to save his own life!
Mr. 5 stood up as well. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but his posture made it obvious that he was focusing all his attention on Genos.
"Make an enemy of you? This was your choice. Now we're enemies to the death! Either you kill me, or I'll wipe out your entire company!"
Drawing another axe, Genos calmly watched the three people across from him.
He knew the mustached swordsman among them. He'd previously tried to recruit Genos into Baroque Works, but his strength was mediocre and nothing to worry about.
The other two were an unknown quantity. But, like Lem, they were a man-and-woman duo. Were they Baroque Works members too?
"You two are members of Baroque Works as well, aren't you?"
"I can't just pretend I didn't hear that."
Not answering Genos directly, Mr. 5, who was also wearing a long coat, looked at him coldly.
"Right in front of the Chief Commander, you dare run your mouth about making an enemy of our company and wiping us all out.
"I've seen plenty of scum like you. You haven't even seen the vastness of the sea, and you know nothing about the world beyond. Stuck in the Four Seas, how could you possibly know what true strength is?"
As he spoke, Mr. 5 rolled up his sleeve, revealing a strong, well-trained arm.
"Let me teach you a lesson, kid! You have to treat the sea with respect!"
As he spoke, Mr. 5 suddenly lunged forward, slamming his arm hard into Genos.
Genos hurriedly raised his arm to block the charge, his expression unchanged.
The force coming from the arm wasn't all that strong. His opponent wasn't particularly powerful.
That thought had barely crossed Genos's mind when he noticed the sunglasses-wearing man's lips curling into a slight smile.
The next moment, a deafening explosion rang out. A burst of heat accompanied the powerful shockwave that erupted where their arms met, sending Genos flying.
An explosion!?
As his body flew backward through the air, Genos glanced at his arm, blasted full of holes. He felt the pain in it, but his expression didn't change.
He hadn't seen any bombs on his opponent, and given his strength, there was no way he could detonate one at such close range. His body couldn't withstand an explosion from that distance, either.
Then he must be a Devil Fruit user!
Genos adjusted his position in midair and landed steadily, holding both axes in front of him again. At some point, the wounds on his arm had already healed.
"I've always respected the sea. That's why I only want to live a peaceful life in North Blue."
Genos gripped the axe handles tightly, the veins bulging in his arms, a fierce look on his face.
"You people are the ones who've lost all respect for this sea!"
The ground beneath his feet shattered with a crash. Genos shot forward, swinging his axe hard at Mr. 5.
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