Chapter 1097: Evil Flame
Chapter 1097: Evil Flame
"Kuro?"
In the highest clock tower above the rioting crowd, a shadowed figure perked his ears at the name and grinned widely. "An impressive name, but I wonder if they deserve it. Regardless, bearing that title must mean they're one of Borsalino's subordinates. Time to collect some interest first."
His pupils were crimson, and as he spoke, his fingers extended in a mocking smile. "Sow Resentment, Slaughter. As the Navy sworn to Protect the people, a Blindly merciless slaughter must be quite entertaining, wouldn't you say?"
Snap!
Thumb and middle finger cracked together, echoing sharply through the clock tower. The figure's lips stretched into a terrifying arc as he whispered, "Welcome to hell!"
At the sound, Sazil—midway through using his ability to knock civilians away without injuring them—suddenly froze. The ground below had transformed. Once stained crimson with blood, it now pulsed with a purplish-black hue. The spilled blood seemed to dissolve into the eerie surface, as if it had never existed.
The purplish-black mass surged, consuming most of the battlefield and engulfing the ground beneath Sazil and the Navy troops. From its depths, shadow-like spikes erupted, lashing toward the group like thorned serpents.
Sazil had just punched down a cluster of rioters when the attack struck. A spike pierced his chest, embedding itself in his heart region before he could react. His breath hitched.
He was done for!
There was a strongman here after all!
Not even his Observation Haki had detected it—how had it slipped through? Now his heart was pierced!
No! He couldn't die like this!
He hadn't yet proven himself to Kuroadmiral and Klah Mr. He hadn't earned his own Admiral title or carved his name into the Grand Line. As a mere Commander, he'd barely tasted the pleasures of rank!
Unlike Kuromr., who'd lived comfortably even as a Commander, owning his own base. Sazil had served the Kurofaction long enough to deserve a base of his own—like Kuroadmiral had during his early days. A cozy little tyrant, Protecting a small corner of the world, building his reputation as a local guardian. If he survived, he'd rise slowly but surely, eventually fulfilling his dreams.
But now? Pierced through the heart? This was it!
"Dammit! If I'd known, I'd have at least punched Klah Mr. senseless and cursed out Kuroadmiral once before dying. That would've been satisfying!" Sazil growled, regret burning his throat.
Ambushing Klah Mr.? He'd definitely land a hit. As for Kuroadmiral? Probably unbeatable, but a few choice curses would do.
That arrogant Klah had tormented him for years, never letting him get ahead! Why was he always the one taking punches? Why did others always unload their frustrations on him?
Did he choose to develop this cursed Observation Haki that let him sense danger but left his body aching? No! Donaldbig brother and Moerbig brother had both marveled at it—while others' Haki let them lock onto targets, predict the future, or hear the whispers of the world, his could only warn him of incoming blows.
What a joke. If he'd had a choice, he'd have rejected it!
To outsiders, he was a Commander under the rising Kurofaction. But privately? He was nothing. Useless.
Within the faction, he couldn't compete. Not with the core members promoted to Vice Admiral, nor even with the newer recruits. He'd joined first, yet felt inferior everywhere.
Donald was the top subordinate, respected by all despite merely tagging along with Kas. Meanwhile, Sazil served directly under Klah Mr.—who spent most of his time trailing Kuroadmiral like a shadow. Shouldn't that make him the favored one?
Even Lidavice Admiral's subordinate, Ju Geng, intimidated him. Sure, she was just a chef, but at least she had a skill.
And Fen Ni! At least she could make medicines. She was more valuable than him!
Moerbig brother? Lazy, unreliable, and cursed with bad luck—but no one ever dared hit him.
Why did he always end up injured? Klah Mr. would take out his frustrations with a "training" session, claiming it built strength. Training? No—it was just an excuse to beat him!
And Kuroadmiral? Whenever he had a bad day, Sazil took the brunt of it. He wasn't a punching bag!
The more Sazil brooded, the hotter his anger burned. Crimson light flickered in his eyes.
"Fucking infuriating..." he snarled, baring his teeth.
Then he froze.
Wait—he should be dead, shouldn't he?
Looking down, he saw the purplish-black spike that should have skewered his chest had vanished. The eerie ground, the shadowed thorns—all gone. Had he imagined it?
Too many blows to the head, maybe?
Shaking off the confusion, Sazil barked his previous order: "Retreat! All of you, fall back!"
"Hey, Sazil! What qualifications do you have to command me?"
A sharp voice cut through the chaos. A Navy major, crimson-eyed, stormed forward. "You've only been in the Navy a few years! I've fought in countless battles, charging at pirates headfirst and taking injuries without flinching. What have you done? You've captured barely a handful of pirates—how did you even become Commander?!"
"And now you think you can order me around? You think being a Devil Fruit user makes you special? The Navy isn't yours alone! You're just lucky to have a good superior—someone who's already an Admiral! You've coasted on their favor!"
"If I had your position, I'd rise faster than you!"
"Hm?"
Sazil's suppressed rage erupted like a wildfire. His eyes blazed crimson as he glared at the major. "You dare defy me?"
"Hm?"
Sazil's suppressed rage erupted like a wildfire. His eyes blazed crimson as he glared at the major. "You're resentful?"
"Damn right I'm resentful!" the major roared. "Ask them all—do they respect you? If you hadn't recklessly charged in here, we'd never have gotten trapped in this meat grinder battlefield, and our comrades wouldn't be injured!"
(End of Chapter)
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