Abel felt more than a little reluctant. He couldn't shake the feeling that this skill should be capable of more.
But the situation right now wasn't suitable for testing it.
Meanwhile, the chaotic brawl at the port was finally nearing its end.
Bang!
Black Bear Miles's massive body slammed into the ground once more.
This time, he couldn't hold on any longer. His eyes rolled back, and he passed out, his body changing back from a bear to a human. He was completely out of the fight.
Silver Light Sword Lawrence looked even worse.
A few minutes earlier, Mr. Pique's Cat-Ear Fist had sent him crashing to the ground, spitting blood and with his face badly battered.
Before the fight began, neither of them could have imagined they would suffer such a miserable defeat.
Not only had both of them been countered despite outnumbering their opponent, but they'd lost so thoroughly there was no excuse to be made.
The man called Pica had beaten them fair and square. There was no denying it.
With both captains defeated, the remaining pirates were no threat. They scattered in terror and fled.
At last, the local soldiers, who had been watching the fight for ages, sprang into action and began cleaning up.
Nearly all the troublemaking pirates were captured or killed. Not a single one was spared.
If they could have, they would have arrested the Donquixote Family men too.
But the thought of the Donquixote Family's retaliation was more than they could bear, so they reluctantly decided to let them go.
"Hiss."
Amid the cheers and flattery of his remaining crew, Mr. Pique lit another cigarette. He gazed up at the Sky, his eyes distant and melancholy, lost in thought.
The whole sequence of movements should have looked cool and captivating.
But at that moment, he couldn't have looked less cool.
The left side of his face was swollen up like he had a bun stuffed in his mouth.
His sunglasses had been smashed, leaving only the frames.
Worst of all was his suit. It had practically become rags, hanging off him in strips and leaving him badly exposed.
That was just the way he was.
Even though he could use his Devil Fruit powers to sneak up on enemies and win with ease, he would rather face them head-on and fight fair.
The only thing to say was that he had eaten the wrong Fruit.
"Hey, are you the officer the Donquixote Family sent this time?"
A government official, protected by soldiers, stood before Mr. Pique with his chin raised.
"Senor Pink."
"Hm? What?"
"You can call me by my name, or call me Mr. Pique. A man without manners is terribly unromantic."
Was this guy an idiot?!
The official's expression darkened. If these bastards hadn't caused trouble, why would he have to stand here dealing with a filthy pirate?
"Fine. Mr. Pique, my king wants an explanation and an account for what happened here."
"Don't forget, we've already bought a large quantity of 'goods' from your Donquixote Family in accordance with our agreement. Whatever the reason, this shouldn't have happened today. Wouldn't you agree?"
Senor said nothing. He continued smoking, his expression melancholy.
A few minutes later, the official left, pinching his nose in disgust.
Before he went, he had the unconscious Silver Light Sword Lawrence bound and taken away.
That was the explanation and account Senor had given them.
Lawrence's 35 million bounty was enough to cover the cost of rebuilding the port, leaving no grounds for complaint.
As for Black Bear Miles and the two pirate ships, Senor planned to take them back as an account to give Captain Dof.
That was only because Senor was the way he was. If anyone else from the Donquixote Family had been there, they wouldn't have offered an explanation or account. The soldiers and that foolish official would all have been lucky to survive the day. If they hadn't killed everyone, it would have been because they'd taken up praying.
And they still had the nerve to demand an explanation?!
I could wipe out your entire country, you know!
Then one of the crew hesitantly approached Senor.
"Mr. Pique, during the fight, we used some of the goods that were supposed to be traded."
"I already know. Don't worry, this wasn't your fault. When we get back, just put all the blame on me."
"Mr. Pique..."
Hearing him say that, the crewmen were moved, but guilt showed on their faces too.
No matter what, Mr. Pique was the person they trusted and respected most.
It was something they could never experience under the other officers.
That night, in the outskirts,
Abel, who had gone on a little shopping spree without paying, was eating his fill with Luo. As they ate, he casually told him about the fierce battle at the port earlier that day.
Luo listened intently, slowing his hands without even realizing it.
"Is the Donquixote Family really that powerful? One officer beat two Pirate Groups working together!"
"You've never heard of the Donquixote Family?"
Abel looked surprised.
Luo shook his head. "No one at home is interested in that sort of thing, but I know about Germa 66."
"Huh?"
"I saw it in a comic book once. The hero Sky led a giant combining robot to defeat the evil Germa 66 army!"
"..."
Abel was speechless.
This was probably another scheme by the World Government and the Navy, trying to portray the Navy as powerful and righteous and brainwash children.
Even Luo had frowned instinctively and looked disgusted when he mentioned the name Germa 66. That showed just how effective the tactic was!
"Abel."
"Yeah?"
"I want to join the Donquixote Family you told me about."
Abel froze for a moment, then asked, "Are you serious?"
"I've thought it through. We can barely feed ourselves every day on our own. We can't do anything at all."
"You and I only have a few years left to live. I don't want to keep wasting them like this!"
"If the two of us can't manage on our own, then let's sink into depravity and join those bad people. We can use their power to destroy and kill as much as we want!"
The madness in Luo's eyes was enough to shake even Abel.
But once he calmed down, he could understand how Luo felt.
If he hadn't gotten his cheat and found a way to extend his life, perhaps he would be just as hysterical as Luo right now, willing to do anything.
But putting all that aside,
Abel and Luo were destined to be different.
So he began seriously considering Luo's suggestion: joining the Donquixote Family.
What would he gain from it? How could it help him?
If the answer was nothing, then perhaps this was where he and Luo would part ways.
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