CHAPTER 33
A thunderous BOOOOM tore through the town square as Ren leapt onto the like a falling comet, landing on the execution platform with one knee down.
The shockwave blasted outward, throwing dust in a perfect ring and forcing the citizens to stumble back in disbelief.
Ren casually dusted off his coat—like he hadn't just shattered government property.
He leaned forward slightly, staring at Keptyn, who was chained, trembling, and kneeling with his head hanging as if he had already accepted death.
"Hey, boy," Ren said lazily. "Wanna join my crew?"
Keptyn blinked, tears still clinging to his eyes.
"Huh…? Is this the delusion people see before death?" he muttered weakly.
WHACK!
Ren flicked him sharply on the forehead.
"There. See? Not a hallucination," Ren said, smiling slightly.
Keptyn sniffed, half laughing, half crying.
"I… I actually want to join. Honestly. But I'm about to die here, you know?"
Ren tilted his head. "Oh, that's all?"
He turned toward the executioner.
His aura tightened—shifting from relaxed to deathly serious in one instant.
"You," Ren said. "Do you still plan to kill him?"
The executioner froze under the crushing wave of killing intent.
"N–No! No sir!" he stammered. "It wasn't even a real execution! Our boss just wanted a dramatic farewell for the prince! We weren't going to kill him, I swear!"
Ren nodded calmly. "Alright. That's settled then."
He looked back at Keptyn.
"You're free."
The crowd erupted in confused whispers, unable to understand what was happening.
Keptyn quickly wiped his tears, grabbed a sword nearby, and leapt off the platform.
"Thank you! For real, thank you! If I survive what's coming next, I swear I'll become your helmsman—or a chore boy if that's all I'm worth! I'll repay you somehow!"
He sprinted toward the palace district.
"But first—I have something I must finish!"
Ren chuckled.
"Hm… I definitely need a helmsman. And if you're heading for the king…"
His eyes shifted toward the dark forest.
"I can feel the strongest auras on this island—most are gathered in the woods. And two more averagely powerful ones right here."
With a gentle kick, Ren shot upward using Moonwalk, stepping across the sky like invisible stairs.
Keptyn ran beneath him, eyes wide.
"You really have Observation Haki? And—thank you again!"
"Yes," Ren replied simply.
"That's amazing… mine is only beginner level. And there's nobody who can teach me further."
Keptyn glanced up. "And how are you THAT fast?!"
Ren tapped his shoe.
"This is just a Marine technique I copied."
"Copied?! Just like that?! That's so cool! But… how is Moonwalk different from our assassination steps?"
Ren laughed.
"Moonwalk is like an upgraded Shave. Your assassination technique is a weak, quiet version made for sneaking. The Marines optimized it for speed and raw force."
Keptyn nodded quietly.
"Well… my mom created our version. She was an assassin."
Ren paused for a moment.
"Oh. That explains it."
---
Forest Perimeter — Brocky & Sophia
Deep within the forest, Brocky and Sophia surveyed the perimeter cautiously.
"So, Brocky," Sophia said, adjusting her compass, "is your captain really that good to you all?"
Brocky burst into loud laughter.
"RAHAHAHAHAHA! He's not just good—he is the best captain I've ever had! That man would fight the world for us. I'd stake my life on him without hesitation!"
Sophia blinked.
"That much trust… wow."
Suddenly—
GRRRRRRRRRMMMMMM—!
The ground trembled violently. Brocky's legs sank as the soil beneath him dissolved into swirling gray sludge—an ash cement swamp.
"SOPHIA! MOVE!" Brocky roared, hurling her away just before the swamp engulfed him up to his chest… then his neck.
A cold voice echoed from the dark forest.
"So… Sophia. They told me you died. Yet here you are, walking with pirates. Did you betray the government… or did you want him dead?"
A figure stepped out, eyes glowing with quiet menace.
"Cement: Waterfall."
A deluge of thick, gray fluid pooled in midair and crashed down above the two.
---
CP Operations — Forest Depths
A female agent stepped out of the shadows and bowed.
"Agent Domino, the island is now surrounded."
Domino lit a cigar, exhaling calmly.
"Good. And the pirates who arrived today—have they been handled?"
"No sir. One of them seems extremely dangerous. I suggest we request backup."
Domino smirked.
"No need. I've been wanting a real fight. If anything goes wrong, call our master. What's his name again?"
She swallowed nervously.
"He is Ren… Ren the Destroyer."
"The boy who wrecked Marineford, escaped Impel Down, and fought Kizaru one-on-one? What's his bounty?"
"The Navy hasn't decided yet. But the government ordered a private reassessment."
Domino grinned wildly.
"Perfect. Time to enjoy myself."
Then—
His head snapped toward a nearby bush.
"Queen-1, continue your mission. I'll handle this."