One Piece: The True Codex

"So, you're William?" Tony smirked meaningfully, sizing up William from head to toe. "I've heard about you from Edmond. I've always been curious about what makes you so special. Guess I'll find out today."

Although Edmond usually resided at the dojo, he owned a house in Momiji Village, which he rented out to cover his living expenses and tuition fees. As such, he would often return to the village.

With Edmond's bold and brash personality, it was no surprise that he often made a scene, even back home. While he wasn't the type to bully the weak, he was far from well-behaved. He had taught a lesson to tenants who tried to dodge rent, brawled with drunken sailors, and even roughed up fellow freeloaders when they tried to dine and dash. His reputation in Momiji Village was, to say the least, formidable.

Tony, on the other hand, was the local boss of Momiji Village. His uncle, the village chief, gave him a certain level of protection, allowing him to gather a group of loafers and thugs to form a small but active gang. They made a living collecting protection fees and smuggling goods through the docks.

Naturally, Tony had heard of Edmond, this troublemaker, but the two had mostly kept out of each other's way, wary of one another.

Of course, Edmond would never admit to being wary of Tony. When William tasked him with contacting Tony, Edmond was initially reluctant, feeling as though it would be an admission of inferiority to someone he'd always butted heads with. However, after William's repeated urging, Edmond finally reached out to Tony. After a few attempts, Tony agreed to meet, if only to see what kind of person could make Edmond run errands so willingly.

Tony's curiosity had been piqued. He wanted to know what kind of man William was, someone who could make Edmond—a person often compared to Tony in Momiji Village—work for him. Tony had once considered recruiting Edmond into his gang, but his efforts had failed.

For someone like Tony, face was everything. In his peculiar logic, he felt that William had somehow stolen the upper hand, and this made him bristle like a dog confronting an unfamiliar creature. His words were laced with provocation, as if testing William's authority.

Vallon glanced up at Tony, who spoke with a tone of mockery and arrogance, before calmly tucking the novel he had been reading into his chest.

William's smile remained unchanged as he asked curiously, "Oh? And now that you've seen me, what do you think?"

"You're just average," Tony said dismissively, waving his hand. "Let's cut the crap. Edmond said you have some money-making ideas. That's the only reason I came to this godforsaken place to meet you. I can't figure out why you're so timid. Why not talk on my turf? Why sneak off to a place like this?"

"Tony, watch your mouth!" Edmond frowned, his tone sharp.

Tony leaned back, grinning exaggeratedly at William. "Wow, I'm impressed. How did you manage to wrap him around your little finger like this? He's practically fawning over you!"

Edmond was furious, but William placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. Tony and his two henchmen, who had tensed up at Edmond's reaction, instinctively reached for the pistols at their waists. Tony did the same.

When William stopped Edmond from acting, Tony relaxed slightly, moving his hand away from his pistol. His eyes flickered as he tried to gauge William's strength.

"It seems you're not too keen on meeting me to discuss business?" William asked with a chuckle, his tone light and approachable.

Tony spat on the ground, his expression filled with disdain. "Do you think I'm as gullible as that simpleton next to you? You want me to come out here to talk? You sent someone to find me, so clearly you're the one who needs me! If you're asking for something, at least show some respect! Tell me your plan. If it works, I'll cooperate, but I'll take the lion's share of the profits. If it's no good, we'll part ways quickly. Understand?"

After listening to Tony, William turned to Vallon and Edmond, speaking softly, "Gin was right. These small-time thugs really are just bullies who prey on the weak."

"Speak up if you have something to say!" Tony frowned, his irritation growing.

William didn't respond. Instead, he spread his hand and made a small gesture toward the trees above.

A sharp whistle echoed from above Tony and his men. Before Tony's stout subordinate, Angie, could react, a shadowy figure leapt down from a tall tree, landing squarely on him.

Thud!

Angie collapsed to the ground with a mouthful of blood, his arm bent at an unnatural angle. He didn't even have time to cry out.

The tall and handsome Manny, reacting faster, managed to leap backward and avoid the same fate. However, it only delayed the inevitable.

With a slight bend of his knees to absorb the impact, Gin took a large step forward, closing the distance to Manny, who was reaching for his gun. With a swift motion, Gin struck Manny's xiphoid process with the hilt of his katana. The blow compressed the cartilage near Manny's heart, leaving him gasping for air.

Among William's group, Gin's talent was second only to William's. Unlike Vallon's straightforwardness or Aramis's impulsiveness, Gin was quiet and diligent. His rigorous training over the past year had significantly improved his skills. Had he not held back, this strike could have fractured Manny's xiphoid cartilage, potentially piercing his heart.

Even so, Manny, despite his impressive stature, was left breathless and disoriented. He collapsed to the ground, his vision blurred. Any attempt to struggle was halted by the cold blade of Gin's katana pressing against his throat.

While Gin subdued Manny, Aramis, who had taken down Angie with a single strike, charged at Tony. However, Tony, as the leader of his gang, was no pushover. Aramis's footing was unsteady after landing, and Tony easily dodged his hasty attack.

Unfortunately for Tony, this wasn't a one-on-one duel. Vallon had already barreled toward him like a meteor. Without slowing down, Vallon turned slightly, using his shoulder as a battering ram, and collided with Tony like a charging rhinoceros.

Tony was sent flying, crashing into a tree with a loud thud before slumping to the ground, motionless.

William strode over to Tony, who lay sprawled on the ground. Just as he approached, Tony suddenly propped himself up, a pistol in his right hand aimed at William.

But William had anticipated this. The moment Tony moved, William raised his foot and stomped down hard on Tony's gun hand.

Bang!

The bullet fired wildly into the air, its destination unknown. Tony let out a muffled cry, his fingers still gripping the trigger as William's boot pressed down, intensifying the pain.

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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