Zoro trembled as he hid in the corner.
Especially when Bai Yu's sidelong gaze fell on him, a chill ran down his spine.
Coupled with that savage, bloodthirsty smile.
Zoro really worried that Bai Yu would say right then.
"Come on, let's fight again."
After witnessing the enormous gulf between them firsthand.
Zoro had no desire to throw his life away before he grew stronger.
"Ahem, B-Bai Yu, if there's nothing else, I'm planning to leave first. I'll definitely challenge you again someday."
Zoro tightened his grip on Wado Ichimonji, the only sword he had left.
Remembering how that slash had struck him so hard that he had even spat out his sword, he felt an urgent desire to grow stronger.
Right now, Zoro only hoped to leave this place quickly, then train like mad to get stronger.
Then find this so-called Gotei 13 and break into the top hundred.
"Are you planning to swim away?"
Bai Yu sheathed his demon sword, the savage, bloodthirsty smile fading from his face as his usual indifference returned. He casually took a swig of liquor before speaking.
"If you're confident in your sense of direction, go right ahead and swim away."
"If you don't want your road to becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman to end in the Lord of the Coast's belly, hurry up and carry things for me."
"All the ships in these waters have been slashed to pieces. Only my boat is intact. I'll go bring it over."
With those words, Bai Yu turned and left without hesitation.
Using the Shunpo unique to Soul Reapers, he swiftly headed toward the little boat moored several thousand meters away.
For a moment, only Nami and the other two remained aboard, staring at one another.
As for running away, after witnessing that slash spanning a thousand meters firsthand.
Nami really didn't dare bet that her skinny little arms and legs could withstand a slash.
East Blue, Olais Island.
This was a town where pirates gathered. Even the villagers here were descendants of pirates, or pirates who had retired from the sea to make a living.
Over time, it had become a pirate settlement.
As the only tavern on the docks, it was already packed.
A man with spiky red hair, a pitch-black chain wrapped around his body, and lips like two hot dogs was drinking with his head down.
Aside from Sec P and Naolai sitting beside him, a nervous pirate was reporting something.
"Bang!"
Treasure slammed his wooden mug onto the table, shattering it on impact.
The liquor splashed out, immediately striking the gleaming scalp of a bald pirate seated nearby.
Feeling the wetness on his head, the bald pirate abruptly stood and roared in anger.
"You bastard! I'm Iron Head, with a bounty of five million Beli-"
Bang!
A black chain shot out of Treasure's hand.
The bald pirate's head burst on impact.
As blood sprayed, the chain continued with undiminished force, smashing straight into the wall and punching a huge hole through it.
"East Blue really lives up to its name as the Weakest Sea. It's crawling with trash who don't know how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is!"
Treasure snorted angrily.
"And yet, in this sea of trash, two little thieves managed to pull one over on me. This is already the third day, and you still haven't found them. Do you want to die too?"
His hysterical roar echoed through the tavern.
No one dared breathe loudly.
Faced with this ruthless man who had casually killed a pirate worth five million Beli, the watching pirates wished they could bury their heads in their tables, afraid of drawing his wrath.
"Lord Treasure, we've already discovered the two little thieves' whereabouts. However, word has come in that White Hunter Smoker, stationed in East Blue's Loguetown, has been assigned to pursue us."
"At the same time, it seems it's also to protect a Navy rookie named Bai Yu."
As a pirate from the Grand Line, with a powerful backer like Tesoro behind him, Treasure did have something of an intelligence network.
"White Hunter Smoker? That fellow who arrived in Loguetown six months ago and claims he won't let a single pirate go?"
Treasure gave a vicious smile.
"Heh, looks like the Navy knows the fearsome reputation of us treasure hunters too. Since they've personally issued orders to pursue us, of course we must repay them properly."
"But before that, we must find those two thieves as soon as possible and bring back the Demon Sword Murasame. Otherwise, Lord Tesoro will never spare us!"
"As for that rookie named Bai Yu, if we get the chance to run into him, we'll help the Navy teach him a lesson or two!"
As the string of orders was issued, Treasure's pirate ship was once again camouflaged and rendered invisible by Sec P before setting sail.
A cloaked man who had been drinking gloomily in a corner hurried after them, the Navy uniform hidden beneath his cloak faintly visible.
Meanwhile, a warship that had entered East Blue was cutting through the waves.
Standing on its deck was none other than the silver-haired Smoker, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
"Captain Smoker, there's news of Treasure. He appeared on Olai Island just now and has already left. Based on our intelligence, he's searching for two little thieves and also intends to target the Navy rookie Bai Yu."
An adjutant hurried over to report.
"Thieves, and the Navy rookie Bai Yu?"
Smoker gave a disdainful snort around his cigar.
"Is he the Navy Supernova Fleet Admiral Sengoku mentioned over the Den Den Mushi?"
"A rookie who's never even left East Blue can actually be called a Supernova? How disappointing. It seems the people at headquarters are growing more and more muddleheaded."
"But our mission is only to capture Treasure. As for protecting the Navy rookie, notify Vice Admiral Garp. Tell him I'll capture Treasure very soon. Once that happens, that greenhouse flower won't need protection anymore."
The adjutant's expression turned bitter.
Of course, he knew a thing or two about Smoker's temperament.
It was precisely that defiance that had gotten him, a Logia Devil Fruit user, sent to garrison somewhere in East Blue like Loguetown.
Of course, Smoker's own wishes had also played a part.
Otherwise, Hina, who had been in the same class, wouldn't have remained at headquarters.
"Get moving already!"
Smoker urged him again.
"Yes, sir!"
The adjutant answered, then hurriedly turned and left.
Looking over the deck, which had suddenly fallen quiet, Smoker exhaled a mouthful of smoke and gazed at the distant waves as he spoke disdainfully.
"A Navy super rookie? You'd better hope you don't run into me. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind giving you some pointers on how to be a rookie and show your seniors proper respect."
"On this sea where the weak are meat for the strong, titles are useless."
His voice dispersed on the sea breeze.
With Treasure and Smoker on the move, East Blue had clearly been drawn into the storms of the Grand Line.
Of course, if Bai Yu learned that someone had set their sights on him.
Faced with prey delivering itself to his door.
He would absolutely have only one thing to say.
"Are you worth cutting?"