Chapter 1110: Don't You Dare Pity Me!
Chapter 1110: Don't You Dare Pity Me!
"We were—"
Before Kas could answer Kuro's question, Wilbur abruptly cut in, "We had orders to execute our mission earlier, so we came straight here, Commander Kuro!"
"Oh?" Kuro raised an eyebrow, glancing at the two men before nodding silently.
Of course they had missions—it wasn't like they were idling around like him.
Meeting Kuro's probing gaze, Kas nodded vigorously. "Exactly!"
"Kas, perfect timing. See those people over there? About a hundred thousand of them are under some kind of mental transformation. Can you fix this?"
Kuro pointed to the distant crowd bound by his power. He'd stayed specifically because he knew Kas would arrive. If Kas could once awaken emotions in Vinsmoke's cloned soldiers, perhaps he could counter Brant's ability.
"Fix this? Aren't we here to activate the Pacifista? Why haven't these civilians been evacuated? Are they determined to die with this island?" Doflamingo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"You think they're stupid? Their minds are controlled. The culprit is right there." Kuro pointed at Brant. "We can't kill a hundred thousand people over one man's actions. If possible, we'll resolve this. Our orders were to destroy the island, not necessarily to massacre everyone."
Doflamingo nodded. That logic made sense. Though ruthless, they weren't senseless killers. And this was about ten thousand lives, no small matter.
"I understand. Before arriving, I reviewed the data—Kemorike Island currently has 135,000 residents", Kas said bluntly. "If we annihilate them all just because of the World Nobles, it'd be excessive. We're Navy, not World Nobles."
This earned Kas two profound glances from Borsalino and Doflamingo.
While everyone understood this unspoken rule, voicing it so openly...
Truly a subordinate of Admiral Kuro.
Kuro himself shrugged. He often said such things. Kas, being an honest hothead, naturally spoke his mind.
"Let me try."
Adjusting his uniform, Kas strode toward Brant, whose body was half-buried in the purplish-black ground.
Brant grinned with his crooked eyes. "Navy? Ten warships—ready to activate the Pacifista? Then do it already! What are you waiting for?!"
Kas stood before him, his towering form like a shield. The wind howled as his hooded cloak billowed.
"You're going to die, naturally."
"Huh?" Brant froze.
Wasn't this guy here to plead for mercy? Did he want to provoke him?
"What do you mean?" Brant growled.
"Simple. You're a pirate and the culprit, so death is certain. I won't lie about that", Kas said. "But you'll get dignity. I researched this nation's history beforehand. I might not grasp everything perfectly, but it's enough. You set the terms. Free these people, and I'll grant you one wish."
"Grant my wish? Grant MY Wish?!" Brant roared. "You're just a Navy grunt! You dare offer me a wish? How about ordering the Navy to vanish? Or dragging the World Nobles from Mariejois? Or destroying Dominica?!"
"You want my pity while declaring my death? I'm immortal! As long as one of these hundred thousand lives survives, I won't die!!"
Kas watched silently as Brant writhed in madness, his eyes burning with rage. Closing his own eyes, Kas murmured, "Fuelled by resentment, aren't you?"
"Don'T You Dare Pity ME!"
Brant howled. "I'm a pirate! A Great Pirate worth three hundred million! Your job is to kill me, not to pity me! Why—Why are You pitying me? Why?!"
Why wasn't it Borsalino pitying me back then?!
If it were him, I could've saved my nation!
Instead, I got branded a pirate by Kemorike's people, accused of their ruin!
Pirate! Always a villain! If life was stable, who'd become a pirate?!
One Piece? Screw it!
No one gave me a chance!
Not Kemorike, not the World Nobles, not even the Navy meant to protect them!
So I'll rely on no one!
I'll make them feel my pain! Force them to choose—either let the World Nobles suffer endlessly, or watch their nation fall into endless ruin!
Brant clapped his hands together, roaring, "Grudge Grudge—Open!!"
At his scream, the crimson-eyed masses roared, their bodies bursting with muscle. Their mouths stretched wide, revealing sharpened fangs; their eyes bled crimson. No longer slaughtering each other, they turned toward the Navy.
"See my strength!" Brant bellowed, his body fading into transparency. "This is my ultimate ability! Freed, they've lost all consciousness! They're no longer humans! Let's see if you can pull the trigger!"
His body dissolved entirely, leaving his head rolling on the ground.
"Ice Ghost?" Kuro's expression darkened. "Is this like Luo Shen's technique? But this is pure ability..."
He recalled the poison from Quinn’s virus, which had affected Luo Shen’s victims. This was different—purely Brant’s power.
"Kas?" Kuro turned.
Kas pressed his lips, walking back. "Commander Kuro... I'm sorry. I tried to stay calm, but... I feel sorrow."
"I see." Kuro narrowed his eyes, scanning Kas, then the preparing Vice Admirals. "Retreat to the ships first."
(End of Chapter)
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