One Piece: It All Started When I Found Shanks' Arm

Chapter 49: A Dark and Stormy Night for Murder

"I was so frustrated. But a few days later, I suddenly heard that the Arlong Pirates had been wiped out. And the heroes who rid the people of this evil are now standing right before our eyes!"

As Sophia spoke, her expression suddenly turned solemn. She raised her right hand first. "Marines, all of you, to the heroes—Salute!"

—SWISH! SWISH!

The surrounding Marines snapped to attention and saluted in perfect unison. The sudden action startled Nami and Nojiko.

"Hey, Nojiko," Nami whispered in her ear, her little face flushed. "Don't you think the Marines at this base are way cooler than the guys at Branch 16?"

"You think so?" Nojiko tilted her head and then shook it. "I'm not sure about their combat strength, but their military bearing is much better. They look very imposing. It seems this Captain Sophia is much more competent than that Nezumi."

"Thank you, thank you," Manba had never received such treatment before, and his mouth split into a wide grin. Although he knew it was because of his boss, he felt honored all the same. His face beaming, he said quickly, "But we can't accept the title of heroes. The entire Arlong Pirates were taken down single-handedly by Boss Shane."

"Ah, I know. You mentioned it on the Den Den Mushi," Sophia said with a smiling nod. She looked around and couldn't help but feel a little curious. "Huh? Where is Mr. Shane? Didn't he come?"

"He came, but after such a big battle, his injuries haven't healed, and he caught a cold at sea. His body is inevitably a little weak, so it's not convenient for him to see people. That's why he didn't get off the ship. I hope you can understand," Manba said apologetically, pointing to a spot on the ship.

Sophia followed his gaze.

Sure enough, she saw a sturdy figure in a black robe leaning against the railing, a long, slender sword on his back. He smiled and waved at them in greeting. But then he was seized by a violent coughing fit, clutching his chest. With the support of two crew members, he limped back into the ship's cabin.

"I heard that Mr. Shane is still very young. He won the kendo tournament on Cherry Blossom Island last year, and now he can defeat a powerful enemy like the Arlong Pirates. His swordsmanship must have improved greatly. Now, it's not just among the younger generation; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's the strongest swordsman in our entire East Blue."

Sophia retracted her gaze, her face full of regret. "What a pity. I'm a swordswoman myself. It's a rare opportunity. I was hoping that if I had the chance this time, I could have a good sparring match with Mr. Shane and ask him for some guidance on my swordsmanship."

Is... is that so?

Manba gave a dry laugh. He recalled the scenes he had witnessed with his own eyes in the mountains: the hollowed-out mountain, the flying giant tree, the skin that bullets couldn't penetrate...

Boss Shane, he... he should still count as a swordsman, right?

At the same time, in the top-floor office of the Branch 16 fortress.

Nezumi's face was dark. He kicked open the office door, strode to the large desk, and sat down in the familiar leather chair.

"That brat..." He clenched his fists, his teeth grinding together.

Where did he come from? When did the East Blue produce such a ruthless character? He's a complete monster! With that kind of strength, why isn't he out making a name for himself in the Grand Line? Why is he holed up in a small village as a farmer?

"Just you wait..."

The hatred in Nezumi's heart was hard to dispel. I can't provoke you for now, but you'll have to leave your hometown one day, right? At that time, your family, and those foolish villagers who dared to laugh at me...

Puru-puru-puru~!

The Den Den Mushi on his desk suddenly rang.

Nezumi was startled out of his fantasy and quickly picked up the receiver. "Hello... Huh? It's you, sir? Rear Admiral, didn't we agree to contact each other next week? Why are you calling now..."

"It's just a few days early, what's the difference? I say, my share of the money should be ready, right?" a low, magnetic voice came from the other end. At the same time, the Den Den Mushi somehow produced a pair of sunglasses, put them on, and began to leisurely smoke a cigar.

"It's ready, it's ready!" Nezumi answered hurriedly. He pressed a red button under his desk, and the bookshelf behind him suddenly swiveled, revealing a huge metal safe.

He opened the safe door. Inside was filled with green 10,000-Belli notes, at least a hundred million Belli at a rough count.

"A total of ten million Belli. Don't worry, sir, I'll go to the bank tomorrow and deposit it into your account," Nezumi said with a grin, pulling out a stack and closing the safe, counting the money as he spoke.

"Ten million Belli?" The other side was slightly taken aback, then his tone turned cold. "Nezumi, are you joking with me? Wasn't our agreement thirty percent for the first year? Your first year in office is almost up. Don't tell me you've only earned a total of thirty million Belli."

"Money is hard to earn, sir," Nezumi quickly lamented. "This place is so remote. Many of the villages are good-for-nothing backwaters. In fact, I haven't even made thirty million yet. Being able to come up with ten million is already very difficult. I just wanted to round it up for you, and also to thank you for your guidance regarding the Arlong matter a while back."

"...That's more like it. Fine, we'll leave it at that for this year," the magnetic voice said coldly. "Next year, the number shouldn't be less than thirty million. Remember, it was the merits I assigned to you that got you the position of Branch Commander. It's worth far more than this."

"Yes, yes, I understand, Rear Admiral," Nezumi nodded repeatedly. He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Speaking of which, sir, I've recently offended someone. That person is hiding his true strength, and I'm a little afraid he'll come for revenge. I was thinking, should I strike first and..."

"Hiding his true strength?" the magnetic voice scoffed. "In a place like the East Blue, what kind of person could be hiding their strength? What's his name?"

"His name is..."

BOOM!

In that instant, the glass window outside shattered.

A dark shadow that had been listening outside for some time suddenly stepped into the top-floor office.

Hearing the sound, Nezumi subconsciously turned his head. Before he could react, a powerful hand, like an iron clamp, had already tightly gripped his throat, lifting him high off the ground like a hawk snatching a chick.

It's you!

You actually dared to come here?!

The black-haired young man's face was indifferent. Nezumi's eyes widened in disbelief. He struggled desperately, trying to speak, but could only force out low, pained whimpers.

"Nezumi? Nezumi!" an urgent voice came from the receiver. "Hey! What's going on?! What's happening over there?!"

No one could answer.

In Nezumi's terrified pupils, the reflection of the black-haired young man slowly spread into a savage grin. He then grabbed Nezumi's entire head and slammed it violently against the iron door of the safe!

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Once, twice, three times... Shane's movements were swift and neat, one blow following another, giving Nezumi no room to struggle at all.

"Ugh, ugh..." At first, there were some weak moans, but soon they ceased completely. The iron door of the metal safe, now gradually covered in blood and brain matter, began to cave in...