Mangu's sudden movement had not been without reason.
They were surrounded by the younger brothers of the War Pirates.
Even though the crew had deliberately left a wide space around the battlefield, the force with which Sandy had been launched was far too great. The distance they had created was still not enough to guarantee safety.
In that split second, Mangu realized that Sandy's flying body would crash straight into his own men.
That was why he had tried to grab him.
But he had been just a fraction too slow.
His outstretched palm closed on empty air.
Like a cannonball, Sandy shot backward at terrifying speed. In the blink of an eye, he had already reached the rear ranks of the War Pirates. Another second and he would slam directly into the crowd.
Though the younger brothers had undergone strict training under Kaito Arisawa, the overwhelming difference in strength made it nearly impossible for them to react in time to such speed.
An accident was imminent.
Swish!
At that critical instant, the sharp scream of air being torn apart echoed through the street.
A tall, straight figure flashed into existence before the men in the impact zone.
He raised his left hand casually and struck forward with an effortless clap.
Boom!
His palm met Sandy's back.
It was as though Sandy had collided with a wall of solid steel.
The massive impact halted instantly.
The explosive force dissipated into rippling airwaves, spreading outward harmlessly.
Sandy did not even fall.
He was simply stopped in midair, then lifted as casually as if he weighed nothing at all.
"Captain?!"
Only then did the War Pirates react.
For a brief moment they stood frozen, then quickly pounded their chests in salute to the figure who now held the enormous Sandy aloft with one hand.
"You brats," Kaito said coolly, not even glancing at the man suspended above him. "It's a good thing I stepped out to take a look. Otherwise, quite a few of you would be lying on the ground right now. Next time, pay attention. When facing a battle far beyond your level, even watching requires proper distance."
His tone carried clear dissatisfaction.
"I'm sorry, Captain! We were careless!"
"Please forgive us, Captain!"
"It won't happen again!"
The younger brothers bowed their heads in shame.
"Just learn from it," Kaito said, his expression easing slightly.
Then he swept his gaze over the nearby corpses of the Violent Bear Pirates and the stunned onlookers lining the street.
A satisfied look appeared in his eyes.
"Of course," he continued, "your performance earlier was commendable. You upheld the prestige of the War Pirates. Once we return to the ship, I'll have Robin record your merits."
The mood shifted instantly.
"That's what we should do!"
"The War Pirates are the strongest!"
"Long live the captain!"
Their previous tension vanished, replaced by renewed pride and enthusiasm.
Especially at the mention of rewards for merit—nothing motivated them more.
Not far away, Mangu exhaled quietly in relief upon seeing his captain resolve the crisis. He quickly approached.
"Brother… scold me. I almost caused an accident."
His voice carried genuine self-blame.
Kaito smiled faintly and waved his free hand dismissively.
"You. You're too honest for your own good. You defeated the enemy. I didn't even get the chance to praise you yet. Why would I scold you?"
It was not favoritism.
The responsibility truly did not lie with Mangu.
In battle, unless there was an overwhelming difference in strength, holding back was a mistake. Showing mercy would only create opportunities for the enemy to counterattack.
The situation was entirely different from that of the younger brothers.
As he spoke, Kaito casually tossed Sandy to the ground.
"Don't play dead here," he said coldly. "Or I'll make it real."
He gave Sandy a light kick.
The man had been lying motionless as if unconscious—but under Kaito's Observation Haki, there was no hiding his true condition.
Zoan users possessed formidable vitality. Even now, Kaito could sense Sandy's wounds recovering at a steady pace.
"No, no, I really fainted just now!"
Sandy sprang up at once, rubbing the back of his head with an awkward grin.
The moment he heard Kaito's words, any thought of playing dead vanished.
"Captain, please sit!"
A clever subordinate hurried over with a large master's chair, placing it respectfully behind Kaito.
"Good."
Kaito did not refuse. He sat down boldly, crossing one leg over the other as he looked at Sandy.
"Explain yourself. Why were you causing trouble?"
Though a faint smile rested on his face, his eyes were icy.
The chill that radiated from them made Sandy's spine stiffen.
"It's all a misunderstanding, sir! Truly! I didn't mean to offend you!"
Under the pressure of Kaito's presence, Sandy dared not show the slightest arrogance.
Through his stammering explanation, Kaito quickly pieced together the situation.
Simply put, Sandy had tried to seize the top courtesan reserved by Kaito's group—and had been taught a brutal lesson for it.
But words alone were never enough.
Without anyone noticing, Kaito activated his Observation Haki to its concentrated state and read Sandy's memories.
It confirmed the story.
"You've got some nerve," Kaito sneered. "Trying to snatch a woman from me. If I cut your head off right now, it wouldn't even be excessive."
A heavy killing intent rolled off him.
Sandy's face went pale.
"I surrender! Please, give me a chance! I'm a Devil Fruit user—it would be a waste to kill me! Let me join your command, sir!"
He dropped to his knees instantly.
There was no hesitation.
Among pirates, the rule was simple.
The victor reigned.
Unless one was a fool willing to die for pride, kneeling to survive was the most practical choice.
Sandy was no fool.
He had no desire to be beheaded.
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