Intimidation from the Executioner!

At this moment, Nami asked Igaram how long it would take for the Log Pose to gather this island's magnetism. Igaram said they should put that aside for now and moved to put an arm around Nami's shoulders.

"You, watch yourself!"

Hearing the somewhat cold voice, Igaram immediately froze. He turned toward the speaker, and the wanted poster for this person instantly surfaced in his mind.

This guy was the Executioner with a 50 million Beli bounty? He really did look like trouble!

Igaram silently labeled Zero as dangerous and awkwardly lowered his hand. Nami also turned to look at Zero, feeling a wave of warmth at his sudden concern.

Afterward, Igaram's expression returned to normal. As he led Luffy and the others into the island, he did not forget to tell the islanders to take good care of these adventurers.

That night.

Everyone joined the island's festivities.

Luffy was devouring the feast, Usopp was boasting to everyone about stories he had made up, Sanji had his arms around women with a lovestruck look on his face, while Nami, Roronoa Zoro, and Zero sat on a sofa off to the side, watching the revelry.

Igaram came over and invited the three of them to drink. Nami initially refused, but Igaram explained that it was a special beverage made from grapes and contained no alcohol, so Nami decided to give it a try.

"This drink is so good!"

Nami praised it after finishing her glass.

Seeing this, Igaram struck while the iron was hot and invited Nami and the others to take part in a toast-drinking contest. He even brought out 100,000 Beli as the prize. The money-loving Nami immediately decided to join and even made Roronoa Zoro and Zero participate as well.

Zero shook his head and said he wanted to get some fresh air, then walked straight out of the building. This left Roronoa Zoro staring at Nami's ill-intentioned smile, with no choice but to join her in the so-called toast-drinking contest.

A long while later, all the Straw Hat Pirates had fallen asleep.

Igaram came outside and spoke with the suddenly appearing Vivi and MR.9. He also officially revealed his true identity: he was actually Baroque Works' MR.8!

"That female pirate can really drink!"

A woman in a gray robe also walked out of the building. When she took off the robe, her muscles were revealed at the same time. Like Igaram, she was a Baroque Works bounty hunter—MISS. Monday!

MISS. Monday complained that they should have dealt with a bunch of kids as soon as they got off the ship. After hearing her out, Igaram took out two wanted posters, one for Luffy and one for Zero.

Once they saw the two bounties clearly, all three were shocked. They had not expected these harmless-looking pirates to be valued so highly by the Marines. Zero's 50 million Beli bounty in particular was not much lower than their boss's had been before he became one of the Seven Warlords!

"Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen that Executioner since then. Do either of you remember seeing him?"

As soon as he heard MISS. Monday's words, cold sweat broke out on Igaram's forehead. Then he heard a familiar voice. "Looking for me? Executioner is just the Marines' codename for me. Personally, I prefer that you call me by my name. What do you think, everyone from Baroque Works?"

The four of them abruptly turned toward the source of the voice.

Zero stood in front of a house with his arms crossed, his expression blank. Yet for some reason, all four of them felt an unfathomable pressure from him at the same time!

Before they could react, another voice sounded from the roof of the building behind them. "Zero, so this is where you were! No wonder I couldn't find you! Hahahaha!"

The four recognized the man's face. He was none other than Roronoa Zoro of the Straw Hat Pirates!

"Sorry, I went to the bathroom and took a walk while I was at it. I didn't expect it to be this late by the time I came back, hahaha!"

Zero waved in reply to Roronoa Zoro. He also noticed people armed with swords and guns gradually gathering around them, apparently intending to surround the two of them!

"Zero, are you okay down there by yourself? This is a bounty hunter nest, so be careful!"

Roronoa Zoro asked with concern, yet he showed absolutely no intention of coming down to help.

Zero shook his head and stepped forward amid the puzzled gazes of the bounty hunters. Then he said calmly, "They're just a bunch of ordinary people."

As soon as he said that, Igaram seemed to remember something and prepared to warn everyone about the man before them. But he suddenly felt an astonishing aura erupt from Zero, causing his head to split with pain!

Igaram struggled to say, "What... is this..."

Seeing the bounty hunters roll their eyes back and collapse one after another, Roronoa Zoro could not help drawing a deep breath. It was not the first time he had seen it, but it was still incredibly shocking.

"Conqueror's Haki really is useful..."

Roronoa Zoro sighed, but rather than feeling discouraged, sensing Zero's strength only made him yearn even more to become stronger!

In the blink of an eye, all the bounty hunters who had surrounded them collapsed. Even those farther away who had not been affected fled upon seeing the bizarre scene, shouting about demons as they ran.

As for the four members of Baroque Works, although they had not collapsed, they were all sprawled painfully on the ground. Only after quite some time did they struggle to their feet and look at the man before them with fear in their eyes.

They had encountered plenty of pirates, but never a man with such an eerie power. Especially when their companions around them had fallen one by one, they even began to think that this man was more terrifying than MR.0!

Suddenly.

"Don't be afraid!"

Igaram spoke, causing the other three to look at him. Zero and Roronoa Zoro also looked over, wanting to see what he would do next.

"Don't forget, if we fail our mission, we'll die anyway. Rather than dying at the boss's hands, we might as well fight this man. At least then we have a chance! Besides, after using that power just now, there's no way he can use it a second time!"

Zero really wanted to tell him that he could use it a second time.

After all, following his upgrade, not only had the range of his Conqueror's Haki increased, but its duration had increased as well. But seeing how miserable they looked, Zero felt it would be better not to hurt their fragile hearts. Especially since one of them might become a companion of the Straw Hat Pirates in the future—

"Zero, I can't let you have all the glory. Leave these two to me!"

As he spoke, Roronoa Zoro jumped down from the rooftop. After loosening up, he charged straight at Vivi and MR.9.

Zero smiled and silently allowed Roronoa Zoro to act.

Then his expression suddenly turned serious, because Igaram and MISS. Monday were now standing before him,

"Executioner, let's see what other tricks you have!"

After saying that, MISS. Monday charged straight at him. At the same time, Igaram pulled out something resembling a trumpet, preparing to attack Zero.

Feeling their fearless determination, Zero could only say helplessly, "If that's how it is, then I'll play with you."