Chapter 446: The Old Man Buying Donuts
Chapter 446: The Old Man Buying Donuts
A slash imbued with Armament Haki struck Kas squarely in the waist, piercing through the swirling white energy.
"Iron Body!"
Kas knew evasion was impossible. He roared, planting his feet as his body hardened to withstand the ferocious strike.
Crash!
The blade collided with Kas's ribs, sending him flying backward. As he tumbled across the ground, Snug watched blood bloom across his opponent's waist.
"Protect Commander Kas!"
The Navy officers surged forward like wind, encircling Kas the moment he landed.
The white aura detached from Snug, forming a shield nearby.
"Tch, this annoying ability still won't disappear? Guess one slash wasn't enough."
Snug tightened his grip on his long blade, grinning maliciously. "But no matter. I've figured out how to break it."
So what if he couldn't pierce the shield? This battlefield was vast enough. The shield couldn't protect everyone. If he targeted the civilians, these idiotic Navy officers would surely surround him again. And once they pulled him into the shield's range, he'd strike them down.
"Commander Kas!"
Within the white aura, Dougleg's Navy officers rushed to help him up, their faces etched with concern.
"I'm fine."
Kas clutched his ribs, blood seeping through his fingers. This slash had shattered his "Iron Body" and carved a gaping wound into his waist. The blade's power had torn through his defenses like paper.
Thankfully, the white aura had absorbed much of the blow. Otherwise, he wouldn't just have a wound—he'd be split in half.
But this wasn't reason enough to retreat!
"The enemy is a notorious pirate, but so what?!" Kas's expression hardened. "I won't retreat! Anyone who threatens civilians will never make me back down! Comrades, stand with me—stop him!"
"Oooh!!!"
The Navy roared again.
"Encircle him!"
Kas pointed at Snug, who was feigning an attack on the town. The Navy moved as one, this time forming a ring around Snug instead of engulfing him. The white shield stretched into a wall, completely boxing the pirate inside.
"Hmph?"
Snug's face darkened. He swung his blade at the white wall, creating a thunderous boom. The barrier trembled slightly.
"Oh? You're using such a crude method? You think I, Snug, would fear this? This flimsy thing can't stop me!" Snug's malicious grin returned as he raised his blade again, striking the white aura wall.
...
Pegasus Town.
Olga stared toward the harbor, his expression tense as distant explosions echoed.
This was Big·mom's pirate crew—one of the Four Emperors. No matter who came, resisting them was nearly impossible. As for driving them away...
"Please succeed, Commander Kas. You've rekindled my hope in the Navy. Please... win!" Olga clenched his fist, whispering fervently.
"That won't happen."
A voice suddenly called from above.
Olga turned sharply, seeing a white-haired man standing on a rooftop, looking down at him.
"You—you're Rezan?!" Olga gasped.
Rezan sneered. "Olga, no one escapes Mother unscathed. To leave our crew, you must pass Mother's judgment. You fled without permission—that's unforgivable. Mother wants your donuts. Come back with us."
"You..." Olga trembled, glancing toward the harbor. His mouth opened, but no words came.
"The Navy over there? Snug's big brother is handling them. To capture you, even Snug's big brother was sent. Do you really think you can escape?"
Rezan smiled confidently. "Dougleg Kas may be famous, but he's no Lucius Kro. If it were him, we might hesitate. But if not us, it would be someone else. Mother gets what she wants!"
"That Dougleg Kas won't lose to Snug's big brother. Soon, Snug's big brother will come here. This island won't be spared either. Let the world see how cruelly we punish those who defy Mother's command!"
"Never!!"
Olga shouted. "Commander Kas promised to protect me! I won't surrender easily either. I have my own will—I'm not Big·mom's tool! I'm telling you—I won't make her any more food!"
Rezan's expression turned icy. He drew his sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"Looks like words won't work. I'll drag you back by force!"
In a flash, he lunged, his blade carving a white arc straight at Olga.
It's over!
Olga closed his eyes, instinctively straightening his chest.
The Navy will protect me!
I'll place my trust here!
Even if I die, I won't be Big·mom's pawn!
Come then!
I'll fight you with my very life!
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out.
The expected pain never came. Olga hadn't even spoken his prepared final words.
He waited a moment, then cautiously opened his eyes.
"Phahaha!"
A booming laugh greeted him.
Before him stood a muscular white-haired man holding Rezan, who twitched helplessly in his grip. The man faced away from Olga, wearing a Navy officer's hooded cloak.
After laughing heartily, the man turned to Olga. "Hey, I heard your donuts are amazing. We came to buy some. By the way, who's this guy I'm holding?"
He gestured to Rezan, his teeth gleaming unnaturally white.
Beside him, another elderly man with braided white beard and glasses laughed, pointing at Rezan. "What rotten luck, hahaha!" The man wore a casual shirt, baggy pants, and a Navy hooded cloak.
"You—you two?" Olga blinked, stunned. When had these two Navy officers appeared? And why were they both old men?
"Hey, are you selling donuts?" The old man asked again.
Olga finally snapped out of his daze, swallowing hard. He pointed at Rezan. "That's Rezan, one of the Four Emperors Big·mom's sons! How did he lose so quickly?!"
What was up with this old man?!
"Big·mom?"
The two old men exchanged glances. The one with glasses asked, "She's on this island? I didn't sense her."
"This Rezan came alone. Snug, the famous pirate, is fighting Commander Kas at the harbor."
"Ah."
The old man holding Rezan nodded to his companion. "Hey, Sengoku, want to go check it out?"
"Hahaha, this old man wants to stretch his legs too. Been too long since I've had fun." The bespectacled elder laughed.
"Then later, I'll come buy your donuts."
Waving at Olga, the old man strode toward the harbor with Rezan slung over his shoulder and Sengoku beside him.
Leaving Olga standing in the wind, utterly bewildered.
Who... were those two old men?!
(End of Chapter)
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