Chapter 574: Coltiga's Disappearing Demon
Chapter 574: Coltiga's Disappearing Demon
The Warship departed from G-5.
Kuro led Lida and Klah, along with the Navy contingent from Headquarters, toward Coltiga as described by Smoker.
"Coltiga, Long Snake Archipelago, has many residents. There's no king here—just scattered village settlements. It's an earthquake-prone island."
Klah held the investigation report obtained from G-5, briefing Kuro.
Kuro, meanwhile, stared at Lida in the Warship's office, who was excitedly tearing open snack packets. With a flick of his finger, the snack bag floated from her hands and shot toward him.
"Hey, Kuro!"
Lida, like a protective tigress, roared and lunged after him, only to be stopped mid-leap by a single hand pressing down on her head. Kuro leisurely munched on the snacks while asking, "Earthquake island?"
Klah twitched his lips.
You really never outgrow this annoying habit, do you?
"Yes, an earthquake island. Originally, such archipelagos shouldn't experience quakes, but strange tremors began over twenty years ago. Initially mild, they've grown increasingly frequent."
"What about the demon rumors? Why are people disappearing?"
"No concrete intelligence—just rumors. But recent disappearances center here."
Klah approached, spreading a map and pointing to the archipelago's foremost island. "According to G-5's intelligence, in the past two days, this island's population has vanished mysteriously. Victims disappeared without trace—homes still had residual energy from cooking fires, but no signs of combat. G-5's Navy now calls it 'Coltiga's Disappearing Demon.'"
Kuro scoffed. "People love adding mystery and horror to the unknown, trying to mask their helplessness with drama. There's no demon—either a Devil Fruit user or a seasoned operative. This world's not that mysterious. Everything's laid bare."
He mused, "Back in the day, giants, demons, or stretchy/short-armed freaks would've made this a fantasy horror. Devil Fruit powers would've seemed mystical in a more ignorant era. But now? Everything's normal. The only real mystery left is treasure."
"Though", he added, "the New World's pirates aren't much like pirates anymore. No treasure hunts, raids, or quests for Pirate Legends. Not since the Great Pirate Era. Now it's all about territory grabs, protection fees, and cross-sea conquests—the Four Emperors' favorite games. Real sword-and-shield battles lack adventure, but hey, not my problem. I'm no pirate."
"Still, Coltiga has one specialty—its tobacco leaves are top-tier. Rare and hard to cultivate. Each harvest gets snapped up instantly."
Klah's words sparked Kuro's interest. After returning the snack bag to Lida—who clutched it tightly and fled to the doorway, glaring while hastily munching—Kuro grinned. "Definitely worth checking out. No pirates, just a rumor and premium tobacco? My kind of case."
Two days later, the Warship reached the destination.
Coltiga Archipelago stretched like a serpentine chain. Islands lay close enough to swim between, with no pirate flags in sight—a typical New World archipelago.
They landed at a port village. Several ships lay abandoned at the docks, eerily silent. Cargo remained half-unloaded, residual human energy lingering from no more than three days ago.
"Definitely no combat residual energy", Kuro noted, chewing a cigar. "No life signs either."
"None at all, Mr. Kuro", Klah added, his eyes glowing faintly red. "Not even animal auras."
"Let's investigate."
Kuro led the Navy into the village. A peaceful settlement, its architecture untouched by pirate raids—unsurprising near G-5's powerful base. Smoke still curled from some chimneys.
Kuro entered a modest house. A small living room and two bedrooms. Food remained on the table, utensils scattered—forks dropped mid-meal, as if diners vanished mid-bite.
"No residual energy. Definitely sudden", Lida muttered, shivering.
"You're scared?" Kuro rolled his eyes, his own red Observation Haki flaring. Across the archipelago, faint life auras flickered into his perception.
"There's someone. And one strong enough to know the truth—or be the culprit."
Lida activated her Observation Haki, frowning. "I sense life auras, but can't gauge strength from this distance."
"You're slacking. No progress in years—just stuffing your face. In the New World, that's a death sentence."
Her Observation Haki remained unchanged since he'd met her—capable of sensing life auras but not their strength without proximity. Unlike Kuro, who could instantly discern power levels across vast ranges.
(End of Chapter)
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