One Piece: Gawain The Knight Of The Sun

Alas, the enemy's hero is my foe!

Gin's face remained stoic as he scanned the crowd, his cold gaze settling on Gaza. "Do you realize what you're doing?"

"Drawing weapons on Marines, even as a kingdom noble, gives me the right to execute you on the spot."

A tangible killing intent erupted from Gin, almost visible to the naked eye.

The port guards felt a chill rise from their feet to their skulls, their gun-holding hands trembling as if facing not a man but a beast in human skin.

Gaza, sensing Gin's aura, shivered, goosebumps rising, her fingers trembling under her sleeves.

Yet, as the port's overseer, she mustered the courage to meet his piercing stare. "That's quite a coincidence. The Major here just fought a fierce battle with Captain Kuro at sea."

Suspicion surged within her.

Pirates posing as Marines to infiltrate ports were not uncommon in the East Blue.

Admiral Krieg, notorious for this tactic, had sacked several ports this way.

She subtly signaled a guard.

He understood, organizing the port's patrols to evacuate civilians and form a defensive line, ready for trouble.

"This…" Gin's lip twitched.

He glanced at the heavily damaged warship in the port, then at Gawain's righteous demeanor, feeling as if a herd of stampeding beasts roared over him.

Seriously? My random excuse collides with theirs? Could this get any more absurd?

Recalling Krieg's words before departure, Gin steadied himself.

Having followed Krieg for years, he knew his captain's meticulous style left no room for such oversights.

Suppressing his killing intent, Gin spoke. "I'm under Captain Bart of the 18th Branch. You can verify with nearby bases."

"But you…" His icy gaze fixed on Gawain. "I've never seen you. State your ship's designation and branch."

"Or I'll execute you for impersonating a Marine!"

Gin drew his tonfa, iron balls at each end spinning faster and faster.

Kuro's expression darkened.

Clang!

His claw blades unsheathed, glinting coldly in the air.

The bizarre weapon drew every eye, even making Gin's breath catch. "Hey, this doesn't feel good," Balu muttered, sweat beading as he raised his shields. "Besides the captain, I've never felt such killing intent from an enemy."

"This guy's no Marine!"

Gin, grim-faced, stared at Kuro. "So you're the fakes?!"

"Tch, looks like it's down to…" Kuro began, but Gawain stopped him with a hand, turning to Gaza with an apologetic look. "Sorry, ma'am. Locke can't tolerate any potential threat."

"His family was killed by pirates in his youth, shaping his intense nature."

Kuro paused, then caught on—Gawain had a plan.

He reined in his killing intent, sheathing his claws and feigning irritation. "Mind your tongue."

Gawain gave a gentle smile, as if used to this, but inwardly he gave Kuro a mental thumbs-up.

No wonder he blended into Kaya's household for three years without a slip. Instant improv, outshining any actor—veteran or rookie.

"It's not his fault," Gaza said, eyes misty, clearly touched.

Gawain turned to Gin, frowning slightly. "We're from Branch GL-5, under Vice Admiral Vergo."

"Branch GL-5? A Vice Admiral?!" Gin froze.

He'd never heard of this branch, clearly not in the East Blue. "GL" could only mean one place…

The Grand Line! A Vice Admiral!

The weight of those words hit the crowd. No further explanation was needed.

Gin's face grew heavier, torn between pressing the issue or eliminating them to clear the

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