Killing thousands of people alone is naturally very troublesome, but if thousands of people work together, it will be much faster.
Four thousand people, two thousand people, one thousand people, five hundred people…
Each breath marked a leap, symbolising the pulse of life.
The sounds of slaughter around had become inaudible, and the battlefield had turned into an actual hell, with dismembered bodies and splattered blood everywhere. Life at this moment was as insignificant as dust.
Amidst this silence, faint sobbing could be heard.
“It’s all my fault, all my fault! If I hadn’t insisted on fighting, if not for so-called dignity, they wouldn’t have died. None of them would have died. I led them into hell. I’m not fit to be their leader!” Flower Pepper (Hanakaru) knelt powerlessly on the ground, looking at the nearly annihilated Eight Treasures Marines.
“Leader, it’s not entirely your fault. I bear some responsibility, too. I underestimated the enemy and failed to stop you.” Wolf Fang (Rouga), who managed to retain clarity through sheer willpower, took a deep breath and faced Rougishu, who was strolling towards them.
“Wolf Fang, you’re alive? You’re still alive?” Flower Pepper looked up in surprise, a mix of joy and disbelief on his face.
“Maybe the searing pain in my soul kept me somewhat conscious. But none of that matters now. We must find a way to escape alive!” Wolf Fang, maintaining his steely resolve, turned his gaze towards Rougishu.
“Wolf Fang, you go. I’ll cover you!” Flower Pepper declared.
“I should be the one saying that. The Eight Treasures Marines can survive without me, but not without you, the Thirteenth Leader!” Wolf Fang countered.
“I have no right to lead them anymore. You are more qualified than I am…” Flower Pepper argued.
“Enough. This melodrama ends here,” Rougishu stood before them, looking down with cold eyes.
“Rougishu! I’ll fight you to the death…” Overwhelmed by new and old grudges, Flower Pepper lunged forward in fury.
“Calm down! Your reckless actions have caused enough damage!” Wolf Fang held him back, shouting harshly.
Flower Pepper’s enraged body froze, and lowered his head in frustration.
Wolf Fang suppressed his hatred and spoke calmly to Rougishu, “Rougishu, we lost this time. But we have no real animosity between us. Perhaps we can resolve this more peacefully.”
Seeing no reaction from Rougishu, Wolf Fang continued, “A mature pirate shouldn’t be ruled by emotions. Only benefits are the eternal truth.”
“As for the fallen Eight Treasures Marines, I will take all the blame. Bartholomew invited us under false pretenses to weaken the power of Flower Country, even blaming you to create hostility. If not for your timely intervention, his plan might have succeeded!”
Flower Pepper looked bewildered at Wolf Fang as if seeing him for the first time. How could he tell such blatant lies so quickly?
“After this, you will be our most honored guest. If you wish to train your Armament Haki before entering the New World, Chief Green Pepper (Qingjiao) will be your best mentor!” Wolf Fang continued.
“This is a win-win situation!”
“You almost made me tempted!” Wolf Fang was relieved, but Rougishu’s following words sent him into a cold sweat. “Unfortunately, I’m not a pirate. I’m not after such trivial things.”
Wolf Fang steadied himself, refusing to give up. “No matter what you want, we will try to satisfy you. We’re not particularly gifted, and pose no threat to you. You have nothing to worry about.”
“If you could pose a threat to me, I would gladly let you live. The thrill of someone chasing me is too wonderful!” Rougishu’s voice finally showed a slight fluctuation.
Wolf Fang and Flower Pepper were both stunned. Rougishu was genuinely insane. Who craves the feeling of dancing on a knife’s edge?
“But worthless trash doesn’t deserve to live!” Rougishu raised his sword, and Wolf Fang desperately threatened, “Chief Green Pepper has a bounty of over 500 million. He will avenge us if you kill us!”
“Really? Then you’ve given me another reason to kill you!”
The setting sun was like blood, and two bloody heads rolled aside in despair.
“Prepare to set sail quickly. We can’t stay here!” Capone Bege (Capone Bege), who had witnessed the slaughter, felt his legs trembling. The terrifying killing made even him, a naturally cruel person, shudder. He feared looking up to find that monstrous figure standing before him.
“Boss, but what about our base here…”
“It’s all over. Chief Green Pepper is not someone who listens to reason. Even if Bartholomew is dead, he will still take his anger out on us.”
“Boss, where are we going next?”
“The West Blue is too small, and the Mafia is too limited,” Capone Bege said, looking at the sea with determination. “I’ve decided to become a pirate and enter the Grand Line once I unify the West Blue!”
…
The next day.
A powerful aura erupted in a silent bamboo forest, bending the stems.
“Rougishu! I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you!” A fierce, elderly voice shouted.
“Grandfather, will Father never come back?” a young voice asked.
“No, and it’s better this way. The Eight Treasures Marines were nearly destroyed under him. He doesn’t deserve to be the leader. Even in death, he should return the title of Thirteenth Leader!”
“Sob…”
“Abu, stop crying. If you’re a man, take responsibility. As for avenging our father and the Eight Treasures Marines, I’ll do it myself!”
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