On the run, pirates began detonating bombs in their hands. One after another, brilliant explosions lit up the skies over Canopy Island like grand fireworks displays—each one paid for with a life.
When news broke that a Celestial Dragon had been injured, chaos completely engulfed the island. Pirates who had once restrained themselves now gave in to their violent instincts. Anyone who stood in the way of them seizing a Devil Fruit was marked for death.
Naively, they believed that as long as they ate a Devil Fruit, they could defeat a Marine Admiral.
A few smarter ones, however, understood how terrifying an Admiral truly was. The moment they heard the news, they rushed to the harbor and set sail at top speed.
What they didn't expect was that even more ships were converging on Canopy Island from the outside, drawn in by some unseen force.
Groo had only released the technical details to the Grand Line. Those on the island knew nothing about it—only that five Zoan-type Devil Fruits were present.
---
"Willis! Willis, where are you? Hurry and come with me—we need to get off this island!" Sophie called as she ran through a narrow alley, frantically searching for the little boy.
The island was in complete disorder now. The only option was to escape and lie low until the chaos subsided. But she couldn't bring herself to leave without Willis, so she came back for him.
"Willis! Willis!"
"Sis Sophie! I'm here—quick, over here!"
From around the corner, Willis poked out his head and waved. Sophie quickly ran over and found him hiding in a hollow tree trunk.
"We have to go now, Willis! This whole island is too dangerous!"
"But Sis Sophie, hiding in here is the safest option right now," Willis said seriously. "The pirates outside have gone completely mad. They're killing anyone who gets in the way of the Devil Fruits. I saw it—they're out for blood."
"Come in and hide with me. We dug this out as our secret base. It goes deep. We can wait until it's all over before coming out."
Sophie hesitated. When she returned earlier, she had seen the chaos herself. The main town on Canopy Island had already been destroyed. Most of the colorful canopy trees had fallen. The island was practically in ruins.
Just as she was making up her mind, a lecherous voice drifted in from outside the alley.
"I'd like to hide in a hole too. I wonder if this beautiful lady would let me in."
"Run, Sis! Don't let them catch you!"
It was too late.
A pirate had already grabbed Sophie's arm. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free.
"Help! Someone help me!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, praying someone—anyone—would hear and come to her rescue.
"Haha, scream all you want. No one's coming. I didn't expect to find such a beautiful girl in all this chaos. Even if I die on this island, it'll be worth it."
His filthy hand slid from her arm to her neck. Sophie was just an ordinary girl—there was no way she could resist a pirate's strength.
"You can die now."
The pirate's vision blurred, and then he dropped dead on the spot—his death sudden and unexplained.
At the entrance to the alley stood Weiss. A dagger twirled effortlessly between his fingers. Behind him were Jack and Kadun. Kadun was holding a box—inside it, unmistakably, was a Devil Fruit.
They'd been on their way to the Chris, cutting down any pirates who dared block their path, which kept most trouble at bay.
But while passing through a particular alley, a Devil Fruit fell from the sky and landed directly in Weiss's hands. Moments later, a group of bloodthirsty pirates charged after it.
Weiss didn't turn down a gift like that. One strike—just one—and a pirate was buried in the rubble. The others, seeing his frightening skill, didn't dare make a move.
While passing by, he'd overheard a pirate attempting something vile and, hearing Sophie's desperate cry for help, he acted. And such a bizarre request—he couldn't help but fulfill it with a blade.
"Thank you—thank you for saving me!" Sophie repeated over and over. If not for Weiss, she would've been defiled by that pirate.
"It's nothing. Just lending a hand. Anyone with a conscience would've done the same," Weiss said with a casual wave, already turning to leave.
"That's him, Sis Sophie! He's the one who peeked at you and got me beaten up for it!"
Weiss, already halfway down the alley, paused. Jack and Kadun shot him a look of utter disdain. He turned back and walked straight toward Willis.
"Kid," Weiss said through clenched teeth. "I already told you—I was just sunbathing up there. I wasn't peeking. Got it?"
"I don't believe you. You all say the same thing," Willis pouted.
Sophie, terrified, quickly clamped her hand over Willis's mouth. If they made this powerful man angry, they were as good as dead!
"You little brat, are you just making things up now? Did you see me peek with your own eyes?" Weiss's voice suddenly boomed, making Sophie and Willis instinctively step back.
Jack and Kadun quickly rushed to calm him.
"Captain, it's not worth it. Just a little peek, no big deal. No need to kill anyone. Everyone's got their quirks on the sea."
"Exactly! No harm done!"
"See, see? He's mad 'cause I'm right," Willis muttered under Sophie's hand.
Sophie flushed with embarrassment, having heard everything. The three in front of her were strong—two had even awakened Observation Haki—so of course, they heard every word too.
"Let's go."
Knowing he couldn't clear up the misunderstanding, Weiss took a deep breath to steady himself, then turned to leave with Jack and Kadun without another word.
"Wait!" Sophie called after him. "My name is Sophie. May I ask… could you escort me to the harbor? I can pay—30 million Berries!"
Weiss stopped. He hadn't planned to get involved. The Chris was already loaded with treasure from raids over the past half-year.
But their ship did fly the banner of The Rescuers, after all. It wouldn't hurt to help a stranded client.
"Do you even have that kind of money?" Weiss asked, doubtful. She didn't exactly look rich—though tall and striking, her beauty could rival Nami's two years from now. Still, she didn't give off the air of someone wealthy.
"Sis Sophie is the daughter of the richest man on the island," Willis said, hugging Sophie's leg with a pout.
Weiss stared. Somehow, this little brat reminded him of another detestable kid—one he'd love nothing more than to tear to pieces.
"…Fine. Come with us."
---
Elsewhere, on a bloody battlefield—
"Hahaha! It's mine! This Devil Fruit is mine!"
A pirate stood atop a mound of corpses, face smeared with blood, holding a Devil Fruit aloft in manic triumph.
No one dared charge him anymore. Everyone who tried had already fallen.
Someone finally recognized him—it was Terry, the infamous pirate with a 110 million Berry bounty. He'd made a name for himself in five years at sea and was rumored to be heading for the New World. So why was he here?
"This Fruit is mine now. Anyone got a problem with that?" Terry shouted arrogantly.
"Is that so? Funny… I was under the impression it belonged to me."
Terry's laugh died instantly. "Who's there?"
All eyes turned skyward.
Terry's jaw dropped. "Why the hell are you here?!"
Descending from the skies was none other than one of the Three All Stars of the Beasts Pirates—King.
---
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