"I was feeling quite disheartened, but just a few days later, I suddenly learned that the Arlong Pirates had been wiped out, and the heroes who rid the people of this scourge are now standing right before us!"
As Sophia reached this point, her expression suddenly turned serious, and she was the first to raise her right hand. "Marines, attention! Salute the heroes!"
—Swish, swish!
The surrounding marines snapped to attention, saluting in unison. This sudden gesture startled Nami and Nojiko.
"Hey, Nojiko," Nami whispered, her face flushed, "don't you think the marines at this base are much more impressive than those at Base 16?"
"Really?" Nojiko tilted her head and shook it. "In terms of combat strength, it's hard to say, but their discipline is definitely better. They look very imposing. It seems Colonel Sophia is much more competent than that Nezumi guy."
"Thank you, thank you," Man-Scar, who had never received such treatment before, was grinning from ear to ear.
Although he knew this was all due to his boss's reputation, he still felt a sense of pride. His face glowing, he quickly added, "But we can't really take credit for being called heroes. The entire Arlong Pirates were taken down single-handedly by our boss, Xiano."
"Ah, I know. I heard about it over the phone," Sophia nodded with a smile, then looked around curiously. "Hmm, where is Lord Xiano? Didn't he come?"
"He did come, but after the big battle, his injuries haven't fully healed, and he caught a chill at sea. He's still a bit weak and isn't in a condition to meet anyone, so he stayed on the ship. Please understand," Man-Scar apologized, pointing to a spot on the ship.
Sophia followed his gaze.
Sure enough, she saw a sturdy figure cloaked in black, a long sword strapped to his back, leaning against the railing. He waved and smiled in their direction.
But then he was seized by a violent coughing fit, clutching his chest. With the help of two crew members, he limped back into the cabin.
"I've heard that Lord Xiano is still quite young. Last year, he won the swordsmanship tournament on Asakura Island, and now he's defeated a formidable enemy like the Arlong Pirates. His swordsmanship must have improved greatly. He's not just the strongest among the younger generation—he might very well be the strongest swordsman in the entire East Blue," Sophia said, her face filled with regret as she looked away.
"What a pity. I'm also a swordsman, and I was hoping to have the chance to spar with Lord Xiano this time, to get some guidance from him."
"R-really?" Man-Scar forced a laugh, recalling the scenes he had witnessed on the mountain—the hollowed-out mountain, the flying giant trees, the skin that even bullets couldn't penetrate…
Could Boss Xiano still be considered a swordsman?
...…
At the same time, at the top floor of Base 16's fortress.
Nezumi, his face dark, kicked open the door to his office and strode over to the spacious desk, sitting down in his familiar leather chair.
"That kid…" he clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly.
Where did he come from? When did the East Blue produce such a ruthless character? He's a complete monster!
With that kind of strength, why isn't he making a name for himself on the Grand Line, instead of holing up in some small village as a farmer?
"Just you wait…"
Nezumi's heart was filled with lingering resentment. For now, he couldn't afford to provoke you, but there would come a day when you would leave your hometown. When that time came, your family and those foolish villagers who dared to laugh at him...
Buru Buru~!
The Den Den Mushi on the desk suddenly rang.
Startled out of his reverie, Nezumi hurriedly picked up the receiver: "Hello... Huh? It's you? Rear Admiral, sir, didn't we agree to contact next week? Why now..."
"A few days early, what's the difference? I'm just saying, my share of the money should be ready, right?"
A deep, magnetic voice came from the other end of the line. At the same time, the Den Den Mushi somehow produced a pair of sunglasses and put them on, leisurely puffing on a cigar.
"It's ready, it's ready!"
Nezumi hastily replied, pressing the red button under his desk. The bookshelf behind him suddenly flipped open, revealing a massive metal safe.
Opening the safe door, it was filled to the brim with stacks of green 10,000-Berry bills. A rough estimate put the total at over a hundred million Berries.
"Ten million Berries in total. Don't worry, I'll deposit it into your account at the bank tomorrow," Nezumi said with a smile as he pulled out a stack, closed the safe, and started counting the money.
"Ten million Berries?"
The voice on the other end paused, then turned cold.
"Nezumi, are you joking? Wasn't the agreement 30% of the first year's earnings? You're about to complete your first year in office. Don't tell me you only made thirty million Berries in total."
"Money is hard to come by, sir," Nezumi quickly complained. "This place is remote and far-flung. Many villages are practically barren. Truth be told, I haven't even made thirty million yet. Being able to come up with ten million is already quite an effort. I rounded it up as a gesture of gratitude for your guidance regarding Arlong and his crew recently."
"...That's somewhat acceptable. Fine, let it be this year," the magnetic voice said coldly. "Next year, that number better not be less than thirty million. Remember, it was my recommendation that got you the position of base commander. That's worth far more than this paltry sum."
"Yes, yes, I understand, Rear Admiral, sir," Nezumi nodded repeatedly, hesitating for a moment before adding, "By the way, sir, I've recently offended someone. He's quite mysterious, and I'm a bit worried he might come after me. I was thinking of striking first and taking him out..."
"Mysterious?" The magnetic voice scoffed. "In a place like the East Blue, there's no such thing as a mysterious figure. What's his name?"
"His name is..."
Boom!
At that moment, the window shattered.
A shadowy figure, who had been eavesdropping outside for a while, suddenly stepped into the top-floor office.
Hearing the noise, Nezumi instinctively turned his head. Before he could react, a powerful hand, like an iron clamp, tightly gripped his throat, lifting him off the ground as if he were a helpless chick.
It's you!
You actually dared to come here?!
The black-haired young man before him had an indifferent expression. Nezumi's eyes widened in disbelief as he struggled desperately to speak, but all that came out were low, painful groans.
"Nezumi? Nezumi!"
An urgent voice came through the phone, "Hey! What's going on! What happened over there?!"
No one could answer.
In Nezumi's terrified eyes, the reflection of the black-haired boy slowly twisted into a sinister grin. Then, with a sudden motion, he grabbed Nezumi's entire head and slammed it forcefully against the iron door of the safe!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Once, twice, three times... Xiano's movements were swift and precise, one after another, leaving Nezumi no room to struggle.
"Ugh, ugh..." At first, there were faint groans, but soon they completely ceased. The iron door of the metal safe gradually became smeared with blood and brain matter, slowly collapsing and denting...