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The members of the Kuja Pirates closed in, swarming around Stussy.
When Robin blocked her attack, a moment of clarity pierced through Stussy's fury.
What the hell was she thinking?? She'd let her temper get the better of her, and now she was completely outnumbered. And it wasn't just about the numbers—even in a fair fight, she was no match for Shin Uzumaki.
She opened her mouth to apologize when steel flashed toward her. Hancock had drawn her sword and was coming straight for her throat.
"You've got a lot of nerve."
Hancock's attack was relentless, forcing Stussy to use the Shave technique of the Six Powers to constantly dodge. Her reflexes were incredibly sharp; she managed to evade Hancock's strikes, her speed was astonishing.
But over time, it became a struggle. Hancock's blade grew faster, and several cuts appeared on her body.
Stussy wanted to stop—to surrender—but she didn't have a choice. Under Hancock's relentless assault, she couldn't even get a word out. It wasn't that she didn't want to give up—she literally couldn't afford to. One moment of distraction and Hancock would finish her off.
Shin watched calmly, with no intention of stopping them.
Olvia and the others didn't help Hancock either. The reason was simple—they didn't need to. They could see that Hancock was clearly stronger than Stussy.
So they didn't need to help; Hancock could handle it herself. And with Hancock's personality, she probably wouldn't appreciate their help anyway.
Stussy seized an opportunity to create some distance and quickly shouted.
"I'm sorry! I was completely out of line—I apologize!" Stussy blurted out as fast as she could. She was terrified Hancock's blade would come for her throat again.
"Hmph, I don't need your apology. Anyone who attacks Shin dies." Hancock snorted, with no intention of stopping. She swung her katana, the blade creating a web that left Stussy with no escape.
Facing the attack, Stussy wanted to spit blood. 'Can't you let me finish? I haven't even finished speaking.'
"What, are you scared?" Shin asked Shirahoshi. She was covering her eyes, too afraid to open them. Shin couldn't help but ask.
Shirahoshi didn't speak, but she nodded her little head.
At this moment, Stussy had several cuts on her body, and a lot of blood was flowing out. After seeing the blood, Shirahoshi felt a little scared.
"Hancock, stop for a moment," Shin said to Hancock.
Hearing Shin's words, the blade that was about to strike Stussy was pulled back by Hancock.
Stussy breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if she had just walked through the gates of hell.
"Captain Shin, I want to apologize for acting so foolishly earlier. When I return, I'll send you one million Berries as compensation."
Stussy immediately expressed her remorse to Shin.
"One million Berries? What do you think that is to me?" Shin asked calmly. One million Berries was pocket change—the currency was practically worthless. A regular beer at any bar cost at least a thousand Berries.
"Looks like you're not serious about this at all. In that case—why don't you stay here forever?" Shin stood up and walked toward Stussy.
Each footstep thundered in her ears, making her heart race. It felt like Death itself was closing in on her. She was on the verge of losing it completely.
Shin terrified her in ways the Five Elders never could.
And what did making this her permanent resting place mean? She knew exactly what—death.
"WAIT! I'll give Captain Shin plenty of treasure."
Stussy said frantically. She had to save her own life first. Sure, she'd lived for a long time, but the longer you're alive, the more you want to stay that way.
"Oh? And how much is that?" Shin wasn't against making some money.
"I'll give you half my fortune," Stussy said through gritted teeth.
Money was just money—she loved wealth, sure, but not more than breathing. Trading cash for her life was a no-brainer. Nothing mattered more than staying alive.
"Not bad. But now tell me your real reason for tracking me down. And don't even think about lying—you won't like what happens next."
Shin's piercing gaze seemed to see straight through her. Stussy hesitated. Should she reveal her true mission? The Five Elders had sent her—should she admit that too?
But telling the truth would blow her cover completely. Her CP0 identity would be exposed, and once that happened, the entire underworld would have her head.
"I really do just want to work with Dragon, so I was hoping Captain Shin could introduce us." Stussy finally decided to stick with her story.
"Impressive—you actually have the balls to lie to my face. You think I don't know you're CP0? The Five Elders sent you to scope me out, didn't they?"
Shin's voice was ice-cold.
Stussy's face went rigid with shock. 'He knows? He actually knows who I am?'
'How is that possible? I never slipped up. How could he know? Does he have someone inside the World Government?'
"This bitch is still lying to us. I say we kill her and be done with it," Kalifa said, adjusting her glasses.
She had zero love for CP0—quite the opposite, actually. As a former CP9 agent, she'd watched those CP0 assholes look down on her for years.
Stussy shot Kalifa a venomous glare. 'I don't have any beef with this woman, do I?'
CLACK! ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
Kalifa struck with her thorned whip, the blow sending Stussy stumbling backward. Despite her anger at the attack, Stussy didn't retaliate.
Seeing her restraint, Kalifa felt a surge of vindication.
Shin glanced at Kalifa without any hint of disapproval. She was part of his crew, after all.
"Looks like you're not being straight with me. So tell me—what should I do with you?" Shin asked, studying Stussy with cold indifference.
"That's right, the Five Elders did send me to gather intel..." Since Shin Uzumaki already knew the truth, Stussy saw no point in keeping up the charade. She couldn't come up with any more believable lies anyway.
"..." Stussy closed her eyes, waiting for him to decide her fate.
There was nothing left to say—she'd let him do whatever he wanted. She stopped fighting it. He wasn't going to let her walk away from this.
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