You Already Walk the Path to Death! (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Not long after.

The warship gradually slowed down and came to a steady stop near the south gate of Arlong Park.

A large number of Marines rode small boats into the courtyard, then disembarked and lined up along the pool connected to the sea.

The leading Marine was surrounded by nearly a hundred armed soldiers.

He wore a hood on his head, with two mouse-ear decorations on the hat.

Even his face had whiskers resembling those of a rat, and his eyes and expression looked especially cunning.

"Kihihihi."

Rat Captain chuckled softly, discreetly scanning the surroundings. A flicker of shock flashed in his eyes.

Judging by the scene before him at Arlong Park, it was clear that Arlong's gang had been defeated—and badly at that.

And since he couldn't even handle those fishmen himself, there was no way he could deal with whoever had beaten Arlong.

But Rat Captain wasn't flustered by this; instead, he remained calm and composed.

Because he was certain that the one who defeated Arlong was either one of those annoying bounty hunters.

Or some hired help those foolish villagers had scraped up from who knows where.

In any case, it absolutely couldn't be a pirate—otherwise, how could these villagers still be standing here unharmed?

And as long as it wasn't a pirate, they wouldn't dare lay a hand on him, a Marine captain.

Because the Marines were the true rulers of this sea!

So Rat Captain wasn't the least bit worried about his own safety.

He had originally brought his men here to collect his regular payment from Arlong.

So when he found out Arlong's gang had been defeated, he felt a surge of irritation.

But then Rat Captain had a second thought—maybe he could use this opportunity to directly claim all the treasure Arlong had left behind.

After all, Arlong and his fishmen had been holed up here for years; the amount of plundered treasure was probably unimaginable.

"Kihihihi."

At that thought, a flash of greed flickered in Rat Captain's eyes, and he couldn't help but laugh again.

Right after.

Rat Captain completely ignored the villagers around him and turned his gaze to the tall man among the crowd who was most likely the one who had defeated Arlong's gang.

Then, believing everything was under his control, he sneered and spoke:

"So you're the one who took care of Arlong's gang, huh."

"Alright, there's nothing for you here anymore. Take these villagers and leave."

"Leave the rest to us Marines."

Nami, suddenly remembering something, quickly interrupted: "Wait, he defeated the wanted fishman Arlong. Shouldn't he get a bounty?"

Rat Captain's eye twitched. He shot an annoyed glance at this talkative woman and brushed her off casually:

"That's right, of course there's a bounty."

"Arlong the fishman's bounty... I remember it was a thousand... uh, no, five million Berries."

The adjutant sergeant beside him caught on immediately and chimed in to back him up: "Yes, Captain. Arlong's bounty is five million Berries."

"Kihihihi. Looks like I remembered correctly."

Rat Captain sneered and nodded, then waved dismissively at Will:

"Alright, that five million Berries bounty—come to Marine Branch 16 in a few days to collect it."

"What did you say? Only five million Berries?!"

Nami was stunned. How could she ever forget Arlong's bounty?

She frowned immediately: "Arlong's bounty has always been twenty million Berries. When did it become five million?"

"It's five million Berries. It was just lowered recently. You probably didn't know."

"If you don't believe me, ask them."

Rat Captain wasn't flustered at all. He sneered and turned to the Marines beside him:

"Come on, tell her. What's the bounty on Arlong the fishman?"

The armed Marines understood their captain's meaning perfectly. They sneered in unison:

"It's five million Berries!"

"Kihihihi. See? I told you so."

Rat Captain looked at Nami, crossing his arms with a mocking grin.

"Damn it... this bastard is doing it on purpose. He's trying to pocket Arlong's bounty."

Nami finally understood his intent, and fury welled up inside her.

She had only ever heard of bounties going up, never once that they could be lowered.

These Marines before her were so shameless, clearly enemies, not allies.

Nami couldn't help but feel a pang of worry deep down.

Meanwhile, Rat Captain, after droning on for a while, was starting to lose patience. He furrowed his brow and barked:

"Enough! What are you all still gathered here for?!"

"Get out of my sight now! Don't interfere with the Marines mopping up the remaining pirates!"

But he noticed that even after he spoke, the people in front of him still hadn't budged.

Rat Captain's face darkened instantly, and he threatened viciously:

"If you don't leave, I'll treat you all as accomplices of the Arlong Pirates and arrest every single one of you!"

Hearing this.

Will, who had been silent all along, quietly watching the clown's performance from the side, finally spoke with a blank expression:

"As a Marine, you dare threaten us ordinary civilians. Quite the authority you wield."

By now, Rat Captain was too impatient to keep up the act, eager to get his hands on Arlong's treasure as soon as possible.

He raised an eyebrow and said with an unbearably arrogant sneer:

"Kihihihi, kid, don't think taking down Arlong's gang makes you something special."

"Let me tell you, in these waters, it's Marine Branch 16 that calls the shots!"

With that, he shot Will a contemptuous glance and taunted, "What, you planning to lay a hand on me, a Marine Captain?"

"If you dare touch me, you'll be wanted by the Marines immediately!"

"Then there won't be a single place in the entire East Blue where you can hide!"

"Threatening me."

Will's expression turned cold. He shoved his hands in his pockets and strode forward, the killing intent in his eyes utterly undisguised:

"You've already earned yourself death!"

"Huh?!" Rat Captain's face twisted with fear at the sight.

He hadn't expected the guy to actually make a move. Flailing his hands, he shouted frantically:

"How dare you defy the Marines! Soldiers! Get him!"

"Arrest this bastard right now! If he resists, shoot to kill!"

"Yes, sir!" the Marines soldiers shouted in unison.

Immediately, a dozen or so nearby soldiers raised their guns and charged at Will.

Several of them even aimed their muzzles directly at him.

Will kept his eyes locked on Rat Captain, not even bothering to dodge the guns around him.

Whoosh--!

With a sharp sound of breaking air, Will's figure vanished from where he stood.

Then, he turned into a zigzagging blur, swiftly sweeping past the Marines soldiers trying to surround and capture him.

Bang bang bang bang bang--!

The next second.

Those dozen or so Marines soldiers seemed to take a massive blow, suddenly flying backward with a loud thud.

After crashing heavily to the ground, they let out a few low groans.

Then their heads lolled to the side, and they lay still, motionless.

"Huh?!" Carina and Nami were startled at the sight.

Clearly, none of them had expected that even against the Marines, Will would show no restraint whatsoever.