Flames licked the charred beams, and thick smoke rose in spirals, carrying the stench of blood.
Every street and alley they passed revealed fallen bodies and splashes of dark red.
Rossi carried the long sword named Sandai Kitetsu, his brow furrowing slightly as his gaze swept over the devastation.
"What exactly is the Vinsmoke Family thinking?"
Now that they had occupied this place, these survivors should have become their future workforce.
Wasn't allowing pirates to slaughter them undermining their own foundations?
"Fufufu... perhaps they're trying to 'make room.'"
Beside him, Doffy idly leafed through an old book, its pages rustling in the wind.
"Cut the existing population down to a certain number, and ruling becomes easier.
"Besides-"
He lifted his chin toward the alley entrance ahead.
A girl of about thirteen or fourteen raced past, pulling along a boy of four or five, the hem of her nun's habit brushing the rubble strewn across the ground.
"Even the Vinsmokes can't stop this pack of wolves from having their fun."
The girl stopped abruptly when she saw Rossi and Doffy walking slowly toward her.
She had sharp features and thick lashes, and her figure had begun to take shape beneath her black nun's habit.
The boy she shielded behind her also had pale blue hair, every strand standing upright like a frightened young beast's.
"There! Don't let them get away!"
"I'm going first-"
"Take turns!"
A jumble of curses pursued them from the far end of the alley as five or six pirates charged closer, brandishing blades and guns, their eyes glued to the girl.
What else were they risking their lives for the Vinsmokes for, if not money, women, and the pleasure of indulging themselves? Who would fight to the death without even those little rewards?
"Run!"
The boy broke