If demons truly existed in this world—
The first one Sakazuki would name was Xiao Zizai.
In the photographs—
Though the corpses were still vaguely recognizable as human—
Not a single body had a patch of intact flesh.
Organs and bones were arranged neatly.
There was even something resembling lamb spine soup bones.
The prison floor had been replaced entirely by pools of blood, speckled with faint traces of white and green.
To call it a living hell would not be an exaggeration.
For a moment—
Everyone at the bar frowned.
"Too cruel…"
"You wouldn't even see something like this on a battlefield."
Jiraiya inhaled sharply.
Orochimaru clicked his tongue. "Even my human experiments pale in comparison."
Demon Dragon forced a laugh. "Father… are we demons even this brutal?"
The Holy Lord shook his head slightly.
"Other than our eldest sister, Demon Bo Gang, when she devours people… I can't think of anything comparable."
"The phrase 'Hell is empty, and the devils walk the earth'—"
"It isn't wrong."
"Sometimes humans are crueler than demons."
Hearing that, Sakazuki abandoned the idea of showing the rest of the photographs.
They were too revolting. He didn't want to ruin his appetite for drinking.
"If it were anyone else, I'd be shocked."
"But this is Xiao Zizai. It's within expectations."
"Everyone he killed deserved death."
Ron lit a cigarette unconsciously and smiled faintly.
Xiao Zizai was a patient.
A self-aware, born criminal.
An instinctual predator with an overwhelming hunger for slaughter and cruelty.
He didn't just kill.
He savored it—slowly, meticulously.
He wanted to feel the pleasure of life slipping away beneath his hands.
In his own words:
That's the seasoning of my life. Without it, there's no flavor.
One could only imagine the despair of those one hundred and twenty prisoners in Impel Down—
And the pirates who had surrendered—
In their final moments.
"They deserved death."
"But acting privately like this violates procedure."
"Sengoku doesn't know yet."
"Magellan wanted to report it. I forced him to suppress it."
Sakazuki rubbed his forehead, exhausted.
Despite everything—
He respected Xiao Zizai.
Especially the choice of targets.
Every victim had been researched in advance.
Each one guilty beyond redemption.
That night in Impel Down—
Xiao Zizai followed a list.
One by one.
Methodically.
"When you become Fleet Admiral," Ron asked lightly,
"Won't these things stop being problems?"
"Isn't what Xiao Zizai does… also what you truly want?"
Sakazuki shook his head slightly.
"Perhaps…"
Then he turned his gaze toward Rayleigh.
"Why are the former Roger Pirates gathering toward Sabaody?"
"As the former vice-captain, you wouldn't be unaware."
Rayleigh's heart skipped.
Damn it.
What was Gaban doing?!
He told him to dig up Roger's grave—
Not summon the old crew!
If Roger couldn't be revived, they'd attract Marine attention and reopen old wounds.
Rayleigh forced a confused look.
"Sakazuki, you know me."
"I'm just a law-abiding citizen now."
"I haven't contacted my old crew in years."
He even squeezed out a few tears.
"Sigh…"
"A bunch of heartless brats."
"Not one has visited me in all these years."
"Maybe they just had a sudden guilty conscience and want to throw an old man one last party before dying."
"Sakazuki, don't mind me. I ramble at my age."
"Wait—don't leave yet. I wasn't finished—"
Halfway through—
Sakazuki had already moved to another seat at the bar, face dark.
This old man was insufferably long-winded.
And not a word of truth left his mouth.
If not for the tavern's rules—
Sakazuki would've loved to shut him up with a "Meigou."
At that moment—
The tavern doors swung open.
Xiao Zizai entered in full Marine justice coat, holding a strange guava patterned with swirling designs.
"Boss."
"Here's the Devil Fruit I promised."
He placed it on the counter with a smile.
Sakazuki felt a chill.
"Where did you get that?"
Xiao Zizai shrugged.
"After we split earlier—"
"I raided the residence of a World Government official."
"Rank seemed pretty high."
"Clever fellow."
"Most of his stolen assets were hidden in a villa next to Mr. Black Horse's estate."
Black Horse was the director of the Marine Criminal Investigation Bureau.
To be his neighbor—
That rank was at least Vice Admiral level or higher.
Sakazuki's breathing grew strained.
"Do you know whose property that was?"
"Nope."
"That was the Marineford residence of one of the Five Elders."
"Topman Warcury."
Sakazuki slapped his own face.
He felt like dying.
Everyone in the upper echelons of the Marines knew what that villa contained.
Even Black Horse pretended ignorance.
And yet Xiao Zizai had walked right into it.
"Really?"
"I've never liked those five old fossils."
"Relax. I wore a mask. I was discreet."
Xiao Zizai patted Sakazuki's shoulder reassuringly.
At that exact moment—
The Den Den Mushi in Sakazuki's coat began ringing.
Purururururu—
He answered.
Before he could speak, Sengoku's roar exploded through it.
"Topman Warcury's residence was robbed!"
"The thief was wearing a Marine uniform!"
"Find him immediately!"
Sakazuki blinked.
"How do they know that much?"
"That villa is covered in surveillance Den Den Mushi developed by Vegapunk!"
Smack!
Another slap to his own face.
Damn it!
If you're going to raid a house, fine—
Why wear a Marine uniform?!
"I understand."
After hanging up, Sakazuki stood to leave.
"Not finishing your drink?" Xiao Zizai teased.
"There's plenty left."
"Shut up. I have to go clean up your mess!"
Sakazuki snapped before nodding to Kesha and striding out of the tavern.
Watching his retreating back—
Xiao Zizai muttered softly,
"This leader's not bad."
"Much better than the old fossils back at Nadutong."
...…
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