The instant Shirogai unleashed the blades covering his body, a cold and lifeless killing intent bloomed outward like a black flower, spreading in every direction.
Each pitch-black petal carried the presence of death itself, as if a grim reaper stood upon it, harvesting lives with absolute indifference.
"Such terrifying killing intent," Kuma said quietly as he focused his Armament Haki.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
He extended his massive hand, the fleshy paw pads glowing faintly, and swatted away dozens of pitch-black slashes that had drifted toward him unintentionally.
Bang.
The sharp sword energies vanished the moment they touched Kuma's palm, redirected and expelled far into the distance.
"A monster," Gecko Moria muttered in horror. "He really is a monster."
At this point, Moria no longer cared about his beloved ship. Using the Shadow-Shadow Fruit's ability, he fled in complete disarray, barely escaping the range of the erupting killing intent.
"Damn it," he snarled. "This place is finished."
…
"We are the Bloodthirsty Pirate Crew! The real Black Death Pirates! People tremble when they hear our name and weep when they see us!"
In another sea, aboard a massive pirate ship in the midst of wild celebration, freshly plundered gold, silver, and jewels were piled high across the deck.
"Hahaha, drink up!"
"We struck it rich this time! The Captain is going to lose his mind!"
"That little girl tried to ambush me earlier," one pirate laughed crudely. "I pinned her down on the table and she didn't stand a chance!"
"When are we heading to the greatest entertainment city in the world? I'm ready to spend everything!"
The pirates reveled in their success, fantasizing about the weapons, supplies, and indulgences their loot could buy.
Creak… creak…
Not far away, a burning merchant ship drifted lifelessly. Charred corpses lay scattered across its deck, their faces frozen in terror and despair.
There were no survivors.
It was obvious that this ship had been their most recent victim.
Swish.
Without warning, a pitch-black slash descended from the sky.
It struck the Bloodthirsty Pirate Crew's ship with flawless precision.
Puff.
The sword energy pierced through the massive hull as effortlessly as slicing tofu.
The invisible scythe of death swept across the ship in complete silence, then faded away as if satisfied.
…
The once deafening pirate songs and drunken laughter ceased instantly.
Absolute silence engulfed the ship.
Thus, the Bloodthirsty Pirate Crew, infamous for leaving no survivors, continued sailing across the sea without a single sound.
…
Days later, another pirate crew encountered the drifting vessel.
Above it circled an enormous swarm of black crows, thousands upon thousands, blotting out the sky.
Caw. Caw.
Their blood-red eyes stared downward, as if watching prey.
The ship was unnaturally quiet.
After cautiously approaching and receiving no response, the pirates realized something was terribly wrong.
"A few of you, board it and investigate," the Captain ordered grimly.
"They're dead! They're all dead!"
"Run! This is a ghost ship!"
The boarding party returned moments later, pale and trembling with fear.
After gulping down several mouthfuls of wine, they stammered out their report.
"The Bloodthirsty Pirate Crew is completely wiped out! This ship is cursed!"
"There are corpses everywhere. The crows have stripped the flesh clean off the bodies on deck!"
"Inside the cabins, they're still sitting, still grinning, still holding drinks, but every single one of them is dead!"
"Even their Captain, the Bloodthirsty Devil Schmid, bounty 150 million Berries, died like that. Slumped over a table, holding a half-naked woman!"
"Captain, we have to leave. Now!"
A chill ran down the Captain's spine. Fearing some dreadful curse, he abandoned any thought of scavenging and ordered an immediate retreat.
But panic clouded their judgment.
At full speed, the ship slammed into a hidden reef. The hull tore open, seawater rushed in, and the vessel sank before long.
Only a handful survived.
From that day on, a new horror story spread throughout the region.
A cursed ship of the dead would appear at sea.
If you ever see it, do not approach.
Do not investigate.
Run.
Or you will join the dead aboard that ship forever.
…
Clang. Clang.
Crisp collisions echoed endlessly across Thriller Bark.
Two figures clashed at speeds invisible to the naked eye, colliding and separating like violent storms, destroying everything in their path.
Each impact sent shockwaves that made the Rolling Pirates, now retreating even farther away, feel their blood freeze.
"Captain," one crewmate groaned, clutching his chest. "I can't breathe."
Several pirates collapsed, blood seeping from their noses as they held their heads in agony.
"Retreat!" Lola shouted. "Everyone, get away from here!"
Any thought of witnessing the battle was gone.
She had been foolish.
Back when she sailed with an Emperor's crew, powerful siblings would release Haki to suppress the residual pressure and protect weaker members.
But now, her crew was made up of ordinary pirates.
They could not withstand the aftermath of a battle between monsters.
Not even from a distance.
…
"Stop," Luffy said suddenly.
Ahead, an overwhelming sense of danger pressed against them.
"Going any closer is bad," Sanji said, eyes narrowed as if something monstrous was watching them.
"Yeah," Luffy replied seriously, gripping what he held in his hands. "There's someone ahead who could kill us."
He paused, then spoke firmly.
"But we can't leave Shirogai alone. Usopp, protect Nami. We're going in."
"Me? Protect her?" Usopp protested weakly, glancing at Nami and the heavy pack floating beside her.
"I'm not sure who's protecting who anymore…"
Ever since Nami obtained her Devil Fruit ability from Shirogai, the gap between them had only grown.
Nami smiled brightly and patted Usopp's shoulder.
"I'll protect you, Usopp."
Usopp looked up at the moon, completely speechless.
He really wanted a powerful Devil Fruit too.