"The sail... it's been torn..."
"When did that happen!?"
"How is that even possible!?"
Aboard the Oro Jackson, the members of Roger's pirate crew stared in disbelief at the sail slowly drooping onto the deck. Their eyes were fixed on the golden wave-bearded skull emblem, now cleanly sliced down the middle. A chill ran up their spines.
Unlike Marine warships equipped with power systems, most pirate ships at sea relied solely on sails and had no engines. These sailing vessels depended on the wind to move, using paddles or oars only for maneuvering during calm winds or while docking and departing.
If a mast or sail was destroyed, the ship would instantly lose its ability to sail. That's why, in most naval battles, the mast and sail were always the crew's top priority to protect.
But now, their sail had been cut—by a dagger that had come out of nowhere.
Suddenly, Buggy shrieked, pointing at the blade with a trembling hand.
"How did it end up there!?"
Earlier, under the pressure of the storm, with supplies flying everywhere and the ship nearly coming apart, no one had noticed a single dagger getting swept up in the chaos.
Now they were all staring at it—hovering in midair, giving them a mocking, almost polite bow.
"Why is the dagger moving on its own?"
"Could someone have infiltrated our ship?"
"No... I didn't sense any enemies with my Observation Haki!"
The Roger Pirates quickly regained their composure, faces grim.
"Rayleigh, what do you think?" Roger's expression was no better.
Cannonfire continued to erupt across the nearby sea, sending plumes of fire and smoke skyward.
Garp's flagship was drawing dangerously close—less than a hundred meters away.
Suddenly, the hovering dagger began to tremble violently under the influence of some strange force field.
The dagger shot out like a silver streak, the air howling as it sliced forward. The sudden burst of speed created a deep, popping boom.
Its target... was an unassuming figure—
That red-haired kid in the straw hat!
A deafening hum rang out as a blast of wind engulfed Shanks.
He stood frozen in place, legs weak and unresponsive, his face pale, completely stunned by what had just happened.
A long blade had blocked the dagger just inches from piercing his forehead.
"First Mate Rayleigh..."
Shanks gulped hard, his throat dry and tight.
Rayleigh, holding the sword one-handed, narrowed his eyes and gestured with the other.
"Shanks, take Buggy and fall back. Watch each other."
With that, he slowly looked up, eyes narrowing with fury as he locked onto the approaching warship.
The trembling dagger suddenly reversed course and shot back in a straight line—landing neatly in the hand of the Marine Commodore.
"A fine trophy," Daren said, weighing the ruby-inlaid blade in his hand with a smile.
He glanced toward the red-haired boy.
Shanks, retreating with Buggy, suddenly froze. He looked up—and locked eyes with him.
That cold, cruel, untamed gaze...
The same icy chill from before surged through him again. Even under the protection of his crewmates, he felt as if death itself was wrapping around him. His body turned to ice.
In front of this man, it felt like his life could be snuffed out at any moment.
"So... it's not going to be that easy, huh..." Daren murmured, letting out a dry chuckle as he looked away.
Taking a shot at Shanks—the future Yonkō—was more of a probe.
Because if they just let this brat grow up unchecked, he'd definitely become a huge problem someday.
Of course, Daren hadn't expected it to work.
Cutting the sails amidst the chaos of the storm and Dragon's distraction was one thing.
But trying to kill Shanks, the "favorite" of the Roger Pirates? That was something else entirely.
"So it was you who cut the sail."
Rayleigh lowered his sword, his eyes sharp as he stared straight at Daren.
"But really... the so-called 'King of the North Blue,' the Marine Supernova who took down 'World Breaker' Byrnndi World—this is all the guts you've got? Going after a kid?"
Roger also raised his sword, black and red lightning crackling around the blade, glaring at Daren.
Anyone who dared hurt his crewmates...
Would never be forgiven.
Under their gaze, Daren felt an overwhelming pressure crash down on him—as if the sky was collapsing and the sea splitting apart.
Through his biofield perception, the energy radiating from these two was unlike anything he'd ever encountered.
It felt like two massive shadows from the depths of a dark, twisted sea had slowly opened their blood-red eyes—and were now locked onto him.
As Rayleigh's low voice faded, every crew member on the Oro Jackson turned to glare at Daren, their faces filled with fury.
A thick, tangible killing intent radiated from them all.
The wind and waves across the sea stilled, subdued by the suffocating tension.
"Guts? Sure, I've got that."
Daren's lips twisted into a cruel grin.
"But pirates don't deserve it."
"And as for attacking a child... your Captain Roger didn't hesitate when he wiped out an entire country's military force over a crewmate who'd been insulted." Latest content published on novel⦿fire.net
As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of furious shouts crashed over him.
"Captain Roger would never lay a hand on a child!!"
Every pair of eyes stared daggers at the Marine Commodore, their hatred burning.
Dragon stepped forward, taking a place beside Daren to share the mounting pressure.
Seeing this, the Marines behind them—Gion, Tokikake, and the others—also stepped forward, drawing the swords at their waists.
The sharp sound of blades leaving their scabbards echoed across the ship. Tensions were boiling over.
"...Alright, maybe I misspoke."
Daren raised both hands in mock surrender, smirking at the crew of the Oro Jackson.
"You didn't lay a hand on the children."
He snapped his fingers.
Behind him, the deck of the Marine warship began to tremble. Countless bullets and cannon barrels floated upward, forming a dense, menacing array in the air.
"But you did slaughter the fathers they had serving in the military."
Daren grinned viciously, dripping with scorn.
"...is even more ruthless."
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