Holding the unconscious Sai in his left hand, Kaito Arisawa arrived at the battlefield and swiftly assessed the situation.
From what he could see, whether it was Mangu and Robin or the rank-and-file members of the Sword Gang, they clearly held the upper hand.
This advantage stemmed not only from the fact that the Sword Gang's combat capabilities were not inferior to those of the Eight Treasures Navy, but also from the disparity in numbers. The force Sai and Boo had brought with them was nearly half the size of the troops Kaito had mobilized.
With such an imbalance in manpower, the outcome of the battle was practically decided—unless high-level combatants intervened.
But the Eight Treasures Navy's high-end fighters had already been neutralized.
Sai and Boo had been dealt with personally by Kaito.
The remaining stronger members were locked down by Mangu and Robin.
There was no room left for reversal.
Shing!
After confirming the situation, Kaito immediately drew one golden saber with his right hand and slashed toward the cluster of Eight Treasures Navy personnel.
A golden slash wave burst forth and struck the street below in an instant.
Boom—!!!
The thunderous explosion that followed shook the battlefield.
The massive slash not only tore through more than a dozen Eight Treasures Navy members caught within its range, but also split the stone-paved street open with a horrifying crack.
The sudden arrival of such destructive force stunned everyone present. Both sides instinctively halted their clashes and turned toward the source of the attack.
"It's the boss! The boss is back!!!"
"Long live the boss!"
"How… how could Master Sai lose…"
"This can't be real… I must be dreaming!"
Reactions diverged sharply.
The Sword Gang members erupted into fervent cheers. Their morale soared instantly, fanaticism blazing in their eyes.
The Eight Treasures Navy members, however, stared in disbelief at the figure standing atop a nearby building—Kaito—and at the limbless Sai dangling from his grasp.
Several of them dropped their weapons outright, their faces pale as despair crept in.
Although Robin had ceased fighting as well, a faint smile appeared on her lips when she looked up at Kaito.
I don't know what happened to him to make him this overwhelmingly powerful all of a sudden… but he's still someone worthy of trust.
Swish!
After surveying the battlefield from above, Kaito leapt down without hesitation, landing precisely beside Robin.
"Leave the rest to me," he said coldly. "Take this one and get him treated. Don't let him die. He's valuable."
He casually tossed Sai to the ground as he spoke.
Robin blinked briefly, her gaze falling on Sai's mutilated body. Though she did not fully understand what Kaito meant by "valuable," she did not question him.
"Understood."
She immediately summoned two nearby Sword Gang members to carry Sai and prepared to leave.
"Stop!"
"Put down Master Sai!"
"Wait! We surrender! Just return Master Sai to us—otherwise Leader Chinjao won't let you go!"
Several Eight Treasures Navy members snapped out of their shock when they saw Robin attempting to take Sai away.
Some raised their rifles in anger, aiming at Robin and shouting furiously.
Others stepped forward more cautiously, attempting negotiation.
The one who approached Kaito was the red-haired man who had just been fighting Robin.
His face was grim, humiliation and anger evident—but for Sai's sake, he forced himself to speak.
However, as he spoke, he deliberately invoked the name of Don Chinjao, clearly intending to use it as leverage.
As a legendary pirate who had once fought Gol D. Roger, Don Chinjao's reputation still carried tremendous weight in West Blue—even though he had semi-retired in recent years.
Moreover, the Eight Treasures Navy was not just a pirate crew; it was also aligned with the powerful Kano Kingdom.
Ordinary forces rarely dared provoke them.
A flash of steel.
Two severed legs hit the ground.
"Ahhh—!!!"
Before the red-haired man could finish speaking, his legs were cut off cleanly—just like Boo's had been earlier.
He collapsed instantly, screaming in agony.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Kaito said coldly, resting the golden saber against his shoulder. "Who do you think I am? Some washed-up relic of the old era doesn't scare me. Don't embarrass yourself by bringing him up."
He glanced at Robin.
"Take this one too."
Without hesitation, Robin motioned for two men to carry the red-haired officer away along with Sai.
Kaito had not killed him.
The reason was the same as before.
From their exchange moments ago, it was clear the red-haired man held a cadre-level position within the Eight Treasures Navy—and likely possessed knowledge of Haki cultivation as well.
If Sai refused to cooperate later, Kaito intended to have alternatives.
"Go! Rescue Master Sai!"
"Bastards! Brothers, fight them!"
"Kill!!!"
With their leaders captured and maimed, the Eight Treasures Navy could no longer remain passive.
Whether out of loyalty or desperation, they roared and charged once more.
Gunfire erupted again.
Bang! Bang! Bang—!
Several rifles were raised, bullets streaking toward Kaito.
But at the moment the triggers were pulled—
Kaito vanished.
It was not foresight.
It was speed.
The instant the bullets were fired, he exploded forward with movement beyond the perception of the naked eye.
His left hand drew its saber mid-motion.
Not only did he evade the incoming bullets, but he became a golden afterimage streaking across the battlefield.
Blade light bloomed continuously.
With each pass through the ranks of the Eight Treasures Navy, limbs were severed and bodies collapsed.
Stumps and broken arms flew through the air.
In the span of a single breath—
Kaito reappeared on the opposite side of the street.
Behind him, chaos remained.
And the Eight Treasures Navy's formation had been torn apart.
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