Chapter 61: Mimic Human Bak Arlo
Chapter 61: Mimic Human Bak Arlo
At 160 Branch Plaza, a sword-wielding Navy officer stared intently at Kas, eyes narrowing. "The next one's you."
He was Bak Arlo, a pirate from the New World with a bounty of 370 million Belly. Nicknamed the 'Evil Impersonator,' he'd eaten the Mimic Fruit, becoming a Mimic Human. He possessed Observation Haki and was skilled in swordsmanship.
As a Mimic Human, his ability was simple yet terrifying—transforming into any object he'd seen, though the transformation only lasted a day. After that timeframe, he couldn't assume that form again. Whether living or inanimate, nothing escaped his 'disguise.'
This ability made him infamous among the Navy. He specialized in impersonating Navy officers, infiltrating bases to massacre crews, steal ships, and plunder supplies.
A newcomer last year, he was one of the Super Novas who'd once dreamed of challenging the Four Emperors in the New World.
But he'd learned a harsh lesson quickly.
He'd targeted one of the Four Emperors: 'Beast' Kaido.
He never even laid eyes on Kaido. Instead, one of the Beasts Pirates' Three Disasters—a hulking giant named Jack the Disaster of Drought—had annihilated him in a single strike.
His ship was destroyed, his crew wiped out. Even after fighting desperately to escape to the edge of the Calm Belt, he'd been tracked down and blasted away. If not for a lucky break—being flung to the East Blue by a Sea King's sneeze—he'd have perished in the depths.
Arriving in the East Blue, he'd killed several Navy officers, impersonating them to infiltrate multiple bases before finally reaching 160 Branch.
Under his old methods, Bak would've infiltrated a Marine Base, seized a ship, and sailed off. But without a crew, solo voyages were impossible.
More importantly, the battle against the Beast Pirates had shattered his hubris. He hadn't even seen Kaido in person—just encountering Jack the Disaster had stripped him of all courage.
Now, he no longer dreamed of challenging the New World's titans. All he wanted was to quietly assemble a pirate crew and survive in the Paradise.
Staying in the East Blue was impossible. The Navy's control over the Four Seas was absolute, especially here. If he lingered, he'd inevitably be captured.
Only the Grand Line offered the freedom pirates like him craved.
He needed to find a Navy officer whose rank wasn't too high but who could still command a Warship. Impersonating that officer would be his ticket out to sea.
"Today must be my lucky day!"
Watching Kas deliver his fiery speech on stage, Bak's plan crystallized.
He'd heard of Kas' reputation during his undercover Navy infiltration. This officer was renowned in the region—ruthless against pirates, beloved by lower-ranking Navy personnel.
With Kas' name alone, Bak could sail straight to the Grand Line. There, he'd gather subordinates and live comfortably in the Paradise, never venturing out again.
"Pity Blackbeard took Crocodile's Seven Warlords of the Sea position. Otherwise, that slot might've been worth chasing", Bak mused bitterly.
After Kas finished speaking, he departed with the Navy crew. Bak waited two hours to confirm they wouldn't return, then approached the harbor to begin his transformation.
"Loring, what are you doing?"
A Navy officer called out from behind, slinging a familiar arm around Bak's shoulders. "Still thinking about Sergeant Kas? He's definitely inspiring."
Bak's eyes narrowed into a smile. "Sergeant Kas' words certainly are refreshing."
This officer, Loring, was already dead.
"Kuro Mr. was great, and Sergeant Kas is great too!" The officer nodded enthusiastically. "I'll follow their examples and become a resilient Navy officer!"
Bak's grin turned sinister. "Resilient Navy? Let me teach you a lesson—resilience shatters into dust when faced with strong men."
The officer sensed something wrong. Loring smiled often, but never with such malevolence.
"You don't understand how overwhelmingly strong the pirates of the seas truly are. But you won't need to."
Bak suddenly lunged, seizing the officer's throat. His grip, like steel bands, lifted him effortlessly. The man's eyes rolled white as his face turned purple. No words escaped his lips.
"I must say, your luck's... questionable. Originally, you'd have been next after my transformation expired. But Kas' arrival changed plans. You wouldn't have died—except for standing beside me."
His body twisted like clay. His skin sloughed off like a shed husk, revealing a pale, sinister-faced man beneath.
Crack!
With a squeeze, the officer's neck snapped. Bak tossed the corpse into the sea, watching it vanish beneath the waves. His skin rippled again, morphing into Kas' bearded visage.
"From now on, I am Kas."
Bak laughed heartily at the ocean.
...
Two hours later, 'Kas' boarded a Warship, sailing toward the open sea.
This identity was perfect.
The base commander hadn't questioned his solo departure, immediately supplying him with a fully provisioned ship and crew upon hearing his request. Bak's plan unfolded seamlessly.
After infiltrating multiple Branches, he'd memorized the faces of deputy commanders and key officers. All he'd lacked was an opportunity for solo command.
Now, 'Kas' provided it. Using the guise of taking 160 Branch's Navy on a justice mission was brilliant. The base had eagerly approved his request.
The transformation could last 24 hours. During that window, he'd visit other Branches. In front of Navy officials, he'd identify higher-ranked officers to impersonate, seamlessly slipping into their roles. Repeating this process would eventually propel him to the Red Line, where he'd use Navy resources to cross Reverse Mountain.
The plan was flawless.
As Bak mused, a thunderous roar erupted across the sea.
"Kas!!!"
The voice pierced the ocean itself, reaching every soul aboard.
Bak turned. On the horizon, another Warship appeared, its bow occupied by a young Navy officer.
The voice brimmed with unmistakable fury.
An enemy?
Bak grimaced.
Could his luck be this bad? Even among the Navy?
But glancing at his adoring crew, his confidence returned. With Kas' reputation intact, this petty Navy officer wouldn't threaten his cover.
(End of Chapter)
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