Compared to the old fossils in the Nà Dōu Tōng Company—mean, rigid, and always trying to make your life hell—Xiao Zizai much preferred working under Akainu.
As long as you executed the mission perfectly, Akainu wouldn't have people watching you, wouldn't try to bind your hands. If you messed up, he'd even find a way to clean up after you.
Sure… his temper was a bit explosive, and his brand of justice was a little extreme.
But putting those tiny issues aside?
Akainu was basically the perfect boss for working people!
"You've been here a few days now," Ron asked with a smile after storing that Devil Fruit away in the warehouse. "How do you feel about this world?"
"Compared to my desires, it's a perfect world," Xiao Zizai said slowly after taking a sip of liquor.
"But…"
"As a human being, I hate this world."
"It's full of injustice, war, plunder, slaughter…"
"Honestly, compared to pirates running rampant, the Celestial Dragons are the biggest cancer in this world."
"The Mariejois they live in—that gorgeous paradise everyone dreams of—was built with blood as its irrigation, and corpses piled as its foundation."
Xiao Zizai's original world had its darkness too, but ordinary people's safety could still be protected.
This world was different.
The whole world was nothing more than a toy for Celestial Dragons to vent their desires.
Commoners were pigs in their eyes.
The Navy were bodyguards. Guard dogs.
Even pirates were nothing but tools to stabilize the situation.
Out on the streets, if a Celestial Dragon took a liking to someone—woman or man—they'd have their subordinates wrap them up and carry them away, only to deliver them to a bed in the end.
This world… Xiao Zizai didn't like it.
"So what do you plan to do?" Ron asked, smiling.
Rayleigh and the others also looked over, curiosity in their eyes.
Especially Jack the Ripper.
From the moment he laid eyes on Xiao Zizai, the colors in his vision felt far too similar to his mother's—deep, thick blood-red, yet within it, the same golden light shimmered like a hidden core.
A contradictory man.
And… probably a gentle one, too.
Born a demon, yet carrying a Buddha in his heart.
"With my current strength, all I can really do is assassination," Xiao Zizai said. "Killing every Celestial Dragon in Mariejois—including those five old bastards—is still pretty difficult."
"Especially the Supreme Commander of the God's Knights: Figarland Garling."
"That old bastard's strength can even rival a Yonko!"
He shrugged, a faint killing intent seeping into his voice.
"In the God Valley incident, I saw that old man," Rayleigh said, lifting his chin with arrogant confidence.
"He's strong."
"He even fought young Whitebeard to a draw!"
"But compared to me, he's still a little short."
"You sure?" Ron didn't even bother hiding his contempt.
Even the Lord, the little demon Loong, and Jack the Ripper all shot him skeptical looks.
"…Fine." Rayleigh kept forcing it.
"I can go fifty-fifty with him."
But when Ron and the others still clearly didn't believe him, Rayleigh lowered his head, his face full of shame.
"Actually…"
"It wasn't fifty-fifty. I got pressed the entire time."
The moment he said it, Rayleigh felt like killing someone.
Damn it.
I just wanted to brag a little—did you have to ask so damn thoroughly?!
Xiao Zizai patted him on the shoulder, speaking with grave sincerity.
"Uncle, don't be sad."
"I'll find a chance to kill him. Aside from the Yonko, he's the one I want dead the most."
"These last few days, killing pirates has been like eating bread—barely enough to fill my stomach."
"Only someone like a Celestial Dragon… that's a supreme delicacy to me."
His voice was full of yearning, and the darkness in his pupils was swallowed by crimson.
Seeing that, Rayleigh shivered, a chill crawling up his spine—while also feeling profoundly grateful.
Thank god I'm retired.
If he were still a pirate now, and Xiao Zizai ever locked onto him…
If Rayleigh got taken out in one clean stroke, fine.
But if Xiao Zizai failed, and later found another opening—
Rayleigh's end would be far worse than those pirates in the photos.
Just then, Jack the Ripper carried his drink over and sat beside Xiao Zizai, smiling softly.
"Next time you kill one of those so-called Celestial Dragons…"
"Could I have the honor of watching from the side and learning?"
"The instant they die—their final wails—must be beautiful."
Xiao Zizai tilted his head and glanced at him.
Just one look was enough.
This man was absolutely his kind.
"No problem," Xiao Zizai agreed.
"According to my intel, tonight Saint Rosward is holding a party in Area Thirty-Five."
"Good." Jack nodded, then looked to Ron.
"Boss, can I go back to my original world a bit later?"
Ron shrugged. "Do what you want."
"But if the Navy sees you, I'm not protecting you."
Jack's smile widened. "Don't worry. This is my profession."
Back when he was alive, no one had ever found a single clue that could trace back to him.
Now that he held a divine artifact in his hands, it was even more impossible.
Right after, Xiao Zizai and Jack started discussing the details of tonight's operation.
To kill a Celestial Dragon in a public place, they had to be fully prepared.
Not only did they need to eliminate the bodyguards and guards, they also had to deal with CP0—and the Navy reinforcements that could arrive at any moment.
On top of that, Xiao Zizai needed a perfect alibi.
So the Navy couldn't pin it on him during an internal sweep…
While the two of them plotted, Rayleigh began bragging about his romantic glory days to the Lord and his son, and Bald Qiang.
"If I hadn't boarded Roger's damn pirate ship back then…"
"I'd have been kept by a rich woman, living the good life—never eating a bite of tough rice again!"
"And I'd leave all the best stuff to my little brother!"
Ron laughed. "Do you know what the 'flower language' of a steel wool scrubber is?"
Rayleigh froze. "What?"
"Endurance and wealth!"
"..."
Rayleigh instantly thought of some very unpleasant things.
He'd heard certain rich women had… certain little hobbies. Was it actually true?
Hah…
Thank god I boarded Roger's pirate ship.
Even so, Rayleigh still refused to lose and snorted.
"You don't know shit."
"Those rich women aren't living easy either. Widowed in middle age, sitting alone in empty rooms. Their pain has nowhere to go."
"And their standards for men are really low."
"As long as they're willing to let a man stay… long… and steady, it's fine!"
"So if women like that still exist, I'm willing to sacrifice myself to fulfill them."
Ron: "….."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ZoroTL442