“Hmm? Someone still dares to come here?” Having just finished his silent tribute for Buffett, Rougishu looked towards the door and saw a large group of pirates rushing in. “That attire, are they from the Land of Flowers?”
“Is that guy… Rougishu? What terrifying eyes. Are those human eyes?” Walking in the front, Pepper met Rougishu’s gaze. The blood-red eyes made his heart race, but he maintained his composure. “You are Apoph— What the hell?”
It seemed he had stepped on a spherical object, causing Pepper to stumble and nearly fall. This disappointed his subordinates, who had hoped for a decisive confrontation.
“Damn it, I was so nervous that I didn’t even notice what was underfoot!” Pepper cursed inwardly. He had intended to establish his presence, but it seemed he had made a fool of himself. His eyes darted to the object that caused him embarrassment.
“Wait… is that a head? It’s the head of Skull Crusher Buffett!” Seeing the head of Buffett, who he had negotiated with not long ago, roll to his feet, Pepper gasped. He felt as if Buffett’s eyes were staring at him, accusing him of being late and cursing him to join him in hell.
Fang, on the other hand, had more profound thoughts. “Though the hall is partly collapsed, there aren’t many signs of battle, and Rougishu isn’t covered in dust. This means the fight probably ended in an instant!”
With this realisation, Fang began to reconsider. “Skull Crusher Buffett wasn’t weak, but he was overwhelmed by Rougishu. This shows Rougishu might be even more terrifying than the rumours. Chief Pepper is strong, but his lack of battle experience in life-or-death situations makes this too risky. I need to persuade him to abandon this unrealistic idea.”
“Most importantly, Buffett, who invited us to help, is already dead. Insisting on fighting now would be foolish.”
Having made up his mind, Fang said, “Lord Rougishu, we don’t intend to disturb you. We’ll leave immediately as if nothing happened.”
“Fang! I’m the leader. What gives you the right to make decisions for me?” Pepper angrily questioned.
Though his battle spirit had waned, Pepper couldn’t just walk away. If he returned now, he’d never escape his father’s shadow. Fang’s decisions for him only fueled his anger, pushing him to make a choice.
“Chief Pepper, be rational. Buffett is dead. Do you want to risk bringing a powerful enemy to the Happo Navy for a dead man?” Fang sternly reprimanded.
“This is my decision, not yours. I’ll fight in my own name if I must. If we leave without a word, how can I face my position as leader? The thirteenth head of the Happo Navy will not be a coward!”
“Chiefs, I don’t mean to interrupt, but… Rougishu is leaving. Should we stop him?” a subordinate asked hesitantly as the two argued.
“What?” Pepper looked in the indicated direction and saw Rougishu nearly out of the courtyard, seemingly indifferent to their presence.
“Even you ignore me? Am I just a figurehead?” The humiliation and anger of being ignored surged within Pepper, and he charged forward with a roar.
Rougishu turned his head, his eyes filled with killing intent. His sword’s presence created an illusion of a sea of blood, halting Pepper’s steps involuntarily.
“Damn, Chief Pepper’s been affected by the enemy’s presence!” Fang panicked, regretting not stopping Pepper’s reckless action.
Chief Chinjao once mentioned that during his clashes with the Whitebeard Pirates, one of Whitebeard’s strong sworders could create a floral illusion with his sword’s presence. The difference here was a sea of flowers versus a sea of blood.
Despite his lack of experience, Pepper, trained by the great pirate Chinjao, broke free from the mental impact after a breath.
However, a breath’s delay could decide the outcome of a battle between strong individuals.
As he regained his senses, the ghostly green flames reflected in his pupils grew larger. The sword’s tip was so close it seemed ready to slice him in half.
“Ah!!!”
A piercing, agonising scream erupted, scaring away the vultures scavenging at the port.
An arm fell to the ground, twitching.
Drenched in cold sweat, Pepper realised Fang had pushed him aside at the last moment, sacrificing his arm to save him from a fatal blow.
Yet, Fang’s screams continued, his body convulsing, soaked in sweat as if pulled from the ocean.
“Fang, what’s wrong? Hang in there, don’t scare me!” Pepper knew a lost arm couldn’t cause this much pain. Someone as battle-hardened as Fang shouldn’t react like this.
“That sword… it’s cursed. Never let it touch you, or the excruciating pain will render you powerless!” Fang gritted his teeth, explaining with his last strength before rolling in agony again.
The surrounding pirates watched in horror. They knew how tough Fang was, but now, he was writhing in pain, tears, and snot mixing.
“Your will must be unshakable to face him?” Fang’s suffering made Pepper mature in an instant. He lowered his gaze. “If so, I’ll fight by judging your movements. The wounds you inflicted on Fang, I swear I’ll return them!”
Rougishu gently raised his Seven Star Sword, positioning it in front of him. He was indifferent, treating Pepper’s vow as a meaningless joke.
Fang clutched his wound, struggling to stand, but the searing pain clouded his vision, making him stumble.
“Deputy Chief, Deputy Chief!” A pirate caught him, worried.
“Forget me. Chief Pepper won’t win alone. Support him with gunfire during the fight. Don’t hold back if we’re attacking,” Fang ordered decisively.
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