https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-607-I-Won-t-Let-This-Ship-Be-Disgraced-/13538684/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-609-Navy-s-Prestige-Pirate-Attractor-/13538711/
Chapter 608: Your Haki Can't Match My Hardened Will
Chapter 608: Your Haki Can't Match My Hardened Will
Boom!!
Over a dozen cannonballs hurtled forward, several striking the pirate ship dead-on. Explosions erupted in fiery fury, engulfing the vessel in flames. Wreckage flew in all directions, churning the surrounding seawater into chaotic waves.
"What a spectacular fireworks display, Donquixote-san, Sabo-san", Kuro quipped with eerie calm.
"Sabo?!"
Lida blinked in confusion, scanning the area. "Where's Sabo?"
The Sabo Lida knew was the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command. Could he really be here?
"Just making conversation", Kuro shrugged, leaning back in his chair with casual arrogance.
Crack!
Suddenly, a ship's rudder rocketed from the inferno, smashing against the glass window before shattering from the recoil. Kuro's lips twitched.
He leaned further back, biting his cigar and exhaling a plume of smoke. "Alright, check for survivors. Finish them off if there are any. If not, let's move out."
"Understood, Mr. Kuro", Klah saluted.
Truthfully, no orders were needed. The crew already knew their duty. As the big cannons sank the pirate ship, Wilbur had already dispatched men in steam launches to reach the wreckage.
Their mission: eliminate any survivors and claim spoils.
The navy's steam launches hissed, releasing wisps of steam as they sped across the waves. Though typically wooden vessels requiring manual rowing, Golden Lion's launches were advanced steam-powered crafts.
Three launches arrived at the wreckage—Donald, Sazil, and Ju Geng each standing on one. The ship's remains were half-shattered into splinters, the other half floating in broken segments. Fortunately, the captain's quarters remained intact.
"I'll handle it."
Sazil leapt from his launch onto the wreckage, reaching for the small wooden door.
Suddenly, Donald and Ju Geng's eyes narrowed from their boats. Sazil's hand froze on the doorknob.
Splash!
A figure erupted from the water behind him, blade gleaming with Haki.
"Despicable navy! Die!!" Cyril snarled, his gruesome face twisted in rage as he stabbed toward Sazil's back.
The navy had dared to mimic the Golden Lion to draw their attention? How despicable!
If not for their deception, his ship wouldn't have been sunk. His dream of dominating Paradise was now half-ruined! Gathering his New World-hardened crew again would be nearly impossible.
All because of these damned navy pigs!
Landing on the wreckage, Cyril's blade pierced Sazil's hooded cloak, burying deep into his back.
Clang!
A metallic sound rang out as the blade met resistance.
Sazil turned slowly, expressionless, his gaze dropping to the black-stained edge. "Haki? Back from the New World?"
"Impossible!" Cyril staggered back, eyes wide. "You can see Haki? You wield Haki too?!"
"That ability..." Sazil's arm darkened with Haki as he gripped the blade barehanded. "Isn't exclusive to New World survivors!"
Cyril released his weapon, switching to a Haki-infused fist. Sazil twisted his body, letting the punch graze past before countering with his own iron-hard fist.
"Slow."
The punch whistled through the air, smashing into Cyril's face. Teeth flew as he collapsed backward, eyes rolling white.
Sazil loomed over him, disdain in his voice. "Haki isn't some invincible trick you mastered. Your shallow understanding pales against my hardened will. And you only grasp Armament Haki at that."
With a flourish, he flipped the blade and severed Cyril's head.
"One hundred million bounty? Pfft." Kicking the corpse into the sea, he scoffed at the floating head. "Bounties from slaughtering civilians are the cheapest kind."
This weakling? Ten like him wouldn't faze Sazil. Daily beatings—or rather, daily special training—had forged him into this.
He'd sensed the attack before it came, pausing just in time. His Observation Haki had evolved far beyond mere perception.
Pushing open the captain's door, Sazil dove inside.
Meanwhile, Ju Geng nocked an arrow on her great bow, eyes narrowing at the water.
"Still some left."
Twang!
The arrow pierced the surface, blood swirling in its wake.
...
"Hmm?"
Back in the office, Kuro watched through the window as navy crews loaded sacks onto launches heading toward the Golden Lion.
"That idiot Sazil brought back a head? How messy. Just capture them next time. Killing's such a hassle, and keeping heads is even worse."
He'd spotted Sazil's trophy.
"Killing's easier. Prevents resistance", Klah offered.
Kuro never interfered with how his men earned merit—so long as it didn't involve him. Their unspoken principle was Pirate Slaughter.
For merit, they needed corpses or proof. Heads were convenient.
Sazil and Klah both preferred this method. Only Kas ever took prisoners.
Truthfully, Kuro wasn't a mindless pirate killer. He'd spared many—those forced into piracy by circumstance rather than malice. Others he'd quietly eliminated when no one watched, not out of principle, but convenience.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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