Swordmaster's domain?
Perceiving the sound of all things breathing?
All the pirates, including Krieg, wore confused expressions. What was this woman even talking about? How could they possibly understand any of it?
"You're wasting your breath."
Nokigo covered her mouth and laughed gloatingly from the side, "You should save those words for pirates on the Grand Line. These fools won't get it."
"..."
Guina's cold expression instantly cracked. She turned her head, slightly annoyed, and was just about to argue with Nokigo when her brows suddenly furrowed.
As a swordmaster, her sharp instincts vaguely picked up the airflow behind her—someone was quickly approaching.
"You damn woman!"
In the next instant, a spiked iron ball on a cane came whistling toward her back. Reflected in the lens was Gin's cold, vicious face, "Let go of the boss!"
So slow.
At best, he's just on Zoro's level.
Guina curled her lips with disdain and was just about to counterattack—when suddenly, a dazzling bolt of bluish-purple lightning shot past her shoulder and surged toward the back.
Boom!
Thunder exploded on the ground. A few pirates standing closest didn't even have time to scream before they turned into charcoal-like corpses.
As for Gin, he stared blankly down at the gaping, charred hole in his chest the size of a washbasin. His lips trembled a few times before his pupils lost focus and he collapsed backward—completely lifeless.
"Captain Gin!!!"
Anguished roars erupted all around.
Awooo—!
Suddenly, a wolf's howl echoed across the shore.
"T-That's…"
Under the frightened gazes of the pirates, Ayin stepped out of the forest one calm step at a time, sweeping a cold glance at these uninvited guests.
It had been three years.
Gone was its clumsy puppy appearance.
Now, this silver-white giant wolf stood proudly with its head held high—shoulder height two meters, body length three meters. Its entire coat shimmered like cascading snow.
The electric current stirred up by its Azure Thunder Breath had yet to dissipate. In those deep violet beast eyes, flashes of lightning flickered. Dim-blue electric arcs ran from its spine down to its limbs, glowing with a chilling light.
Thud.
Krieg trembled all over and dropped to his knees with a thump—completely terrified, with no will left to resist.
"...Coward."
Guina paused slightly, glanced at him with disdain, and sheathed her sword casually before smiling at the giant wolf not far away.
"Ayin, you came too? That attack timing just now… or should I say, the timing of your 'breath' was perfect—it saved my life!"
"..." Ayin looked at her like she was an idiot, then lazily laid down.
"Trying to be friendly but got the cold shoulder, huh?"
Nokigo couldn't help but snort with laughter, "I know you're trying to get close to Ayin, but it's no use. Ayin has always been proud around outsiders. With my brother and me though? Super affectionate. Don't believe me? Watch. Ayin! Come here!"
This time, Ayin didn't even lift its head. It yawned and went right back to basking in the sun with its eyes closed.
Nokigo's smile froze on her face.
"Pffft—hahaha!!!"
Now it was Guina's turn to clutch her belly in laughter, "That's what you get for bragging! So, whose face got colder now, huh?"
"Shut up!"
Nokigo was embarrassed and annoyed. She stomped over and started pulling on Ayin's ear, shaking it back and forth.
"You ungrateful mutt! Did you forget who secretly bought you extra strawberry milk when you got in trouble before!?"
Ayin grunted twice without resisting—barely giving her some face—and laid its head back down comfortably again.
"Hmph!"
Nokigo still didn't feel satisfied and was just about to lecture some more when she suddenly noticed something. She turned her head, "Huh? Wait, where's that big guy from earlier?"
Guina followed her gaze and also frowned.
—That spot was now completely empty. Krieg, who had been kneeling there obediently moments ago, was gone without a trace.
"I'm over here, idiots!!"
A smug voice called from the distance.
Somehow, Krieg had quietly snuck several hundred meters away to the edge of the dock. He had grabbed an old man who seemed to have just finished dinner and gone for a walk.
Guina and Nokigo were stunned. Their expressions turned a little strange as they looked at each other.
"You bastard!"
Guina drew her sword again, trying her best to hold back a laugh, and shouted angrily, "Let go of that old gentleman!"
"Oh? Looks like you know him? That's perfect. Nobody move!! One step closer, and I'll kill this geezer!"
Krieg grinned viciously, "Put your swords away too. Don't try anything funny. The moment I sense anything weird, I'll snap this old man's neck."
He lowered his head and looked at the trembling old man in his grip, baring his teeth.
"Scared stiff, huh, old fart? You better behave. Blame yourself for being blind—who told you to stroll by the shore at the wrong time?"
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After speaking, Krieg kept a tight grip on the old man's neck and slowly backed up along the gangplank to his ship. He waved his hand and gave a fierce order:
"Fire the cannons! Blow the entire dock to pieces! I'll let those two annoying women and that coward who won't even show his face taste the power of my invincible fleet!"
"But, boss!"
One of the pirates on deck widened his eyes, "We've still got tons of our own men onshore!"
"Didn't you hear what I said!?"
Krieg's eyes turned cold as he glared, "Unrestricted cannon fire! Fire now! I won't repeat myself! If those fools die, it's their own damn fault for being weak!"
"Yes, boss!"
The crew, intimidated by Krieg's usual brutality, didn't dare argue. They hurried back to their stations.
Not long after, with the sound of gears turning ka-ka-ka, fifteen ships turned their cannons toward the dock all at once.
"What the hell is he doing?!"
"Crap! Now we're the ones being sacrificed!"
"Captain Krieg! Don't leave us behind!!!"
The pirates onshore cried out in anger and fear.
Krieg ignored them, staring coldly below.
Then suddenly, he felt something off. The dock—no, the entire island—seemed to be getting lower and farther away…
Wait a minute!
His perspective was rising!
Krieg realized in shock—he was hundreds of meters up in the air!
The gunners below stared upward in dumb shock, unsure whether to fire or not.
The next moment, a gnarled yet powerful old hand clamped around his neck—intense suffocation followed.
"Hey."
Zeff hovered midair, his right leg spewing red-and-blue flame, keeping him balanced. He looked at Krieg's blue-tinged face and grinned.
"Let me reintroduce myself. I used to be a pirate too. Back in the East Blue, I had a bit of a name…"
"So, you see—what I hate most are scumbags like you who abandon their comrades."
Thud!
As he finished speaking, Zeff let go of his grip and slammed a heavy kick into Krieg's neck—
...
Shano stood at the sink, wearing an apron, rinsing bowls and dishes with running water.
"Is the fight over?"
Through the glass window, he could vaguely see a body falling from the sky in the distance. He muttered with a look of realization, "No wonder it took so long. Turns out it was the Krieg Pirates this time."
In the reflection on the glass, his current figure could be seen.
He stood 185 cm tall, his build slim and well-proportioned, with clean, handsome features and clear eyes. His smile gave off a warm and gentle vibe, like the big brother next door who just graduated—full of friendly charm.