"Make sure you remember these two women. When you're out catching slaves, don't mess with them—they're crewmates of the Sword Demon. Heard of Clodia? He didn't check who he was dealing with, and now he's probably fish food."
In the lawless zone, inside a shady employment agency, a fierce-looking man barked orders as he handed out photos. His goal? Burn these faces into everyone's memory.
They were photos of Karina and Joanne.
What happened yesterday at GR 50 had spread like wildfire overnight through their circles.
Clodia wasn't just any name in the underground world. In terms of "merchandise quality," he was top-tier—attractive, strong, and smart.
Yet someone like him didn't even land a single hit before the Sword Demon annihilated him. It was said his corpse was so mangled you couldn't even tell it was human.
The Marines, afraid of ruining Sabaody Archipelago's public image, dumped his remains into the sea. Not even a proper burial crew dared to collect his body.
---
"Everyone got a good look?"
"Got it!"
This was about staying alive. Of course, they committed those faces to memory. No one wanted to provoke those two—not just for their own sake, but for the safety of everyone behind them.
Scenes like this were playing out across every trafficking network. Karina and Joanne's photos were passed around like cursed charms—something to be avoided at all costs.
As for Jack and Kadun, since they weren't spotted with the others, no photos were circulating yet. No one dared to ask the Marines for any, either.
As for Theodore, the Carmeline family had
everyone known long ago he was on the Sword Demon's ship. Those tied to the Celestial Yaksha were already in the know and had taken precautions.
After all, if even your backers can't beat someone, what kind of fool would dare to provoke them?
---
In the lawless zone, Theodore emerged from a high-end hotel after a good night's rest. Kadun followed groggily behind, dragging along floating bubbles filled with books.
Originally, Kadun had gone to buy books on navigation and was planning to return to the ship. Instead, Theodore pulled him aside and they ended up staying in this chaotic district.
Kadun had spent all night poring over his new books and looked half-asleep.
As for Theodore—well, let's just say he had his own way of spending the night. No further comment.
"Kadun, be careful. This is the lawless part of Sabaody. Scams, robberies, human trafficking, even murder—it's all business as usual here."
"And this district has more pirates than anywhere else on the island."
"Sometimes just making eye contact is enough to start a war between pirate crews."
"Don't expect them to be like the weaklings you met before. This place is full of pirates from all four seas and the Grand Line—people trying to reach the New World. They're no joke."
Theodore's words came rapid-fire like a machine gun, hammering home just how chaotic this place was. As a young master of the Carmeline family, he'd visited Sabaody countless times.
As he spoke, a brawl broke out just ahead between two pirate crews. Blood was spilled in seconds.
Neither Theodore nor Kadun so much as blinked. They just changed direction.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But couldn't even two women shut you up for one night?" Kadun grumbled, clearly aware of what Theodore had been up to.
"Cough, cough... don't tell the Captain and the others."
Weiss might just tell him to take care of his health. But Karina and Joanne? Their words were like venomous snakes. One sarcastic comment from them could make you want to jump into the sea.
"One more thing you must remember," Theodore suddenly turned serious.
"What is it?"
Just then, a thug tried to mug a little girl for her lollipop in front of them. Theodore sent him flying with a single kick.
"If you run into a Celestial Dragon on Sabaody—run. Avoid them at all costs. If you can't escape, just get on your knees."
Clearly, Theodore had some bitter memories.
"Celestial Dragons? Seriously? We're not actually going to run into one... right?" Kadun asked uncertainly.
He wasn't some clueless rookie anymore. Back on Valan Island, he'd already seen what kind of monsters these so-called "descendants of the gods" were.
Jack and the others had nearly been sold into slavery—all because someone used the name of a Celestial Dragon to make an illegal deal "legal."
"Who knows? Those freaks come down here for fun all the time. Especially if the mermaid auction is open. If there's a mermaid, they'll definitely show up."
As they chatted, they made their way toward the Chris.
Even if you're out having fun, dragging a pile of books around isn't ideal. Now, as for why Kadun had so many books...
Cough, cough.
Some passersby looked at Kadun—clearly a scholarly type, easy prey. But the moment they saw Theodore, their expressions changed and they walked away, muttering curses.
This guy, back when he was weaker, used to fish for trouble in the lawless zone to train himself. He hit almost every underground job agency here.
After his strength skyrocketed, he started targeting major pirates—and finally calmed down.
Many remembered Kadun's face. Everyone knew Theodore now sailed under the Sword Demon. Seeing how close the two were, no one dared to provoke them.
Kadun was safe thanks to Theodore.
But Jack…
---
"Hand over all your money, and leave the ammo too."
"We're from the Blood Wolf Pirates. Our captain—the Mad Wolf—has a bounty of 110 million berries. Cooperate, and we'll let you keep your pathetic life."
Jack knew this was the lawless zone. The weapons and ammo sold here were the best on the island. That's why he came.
He also knew it was chaotic—but still didn't expect to be robbed in broad daylight, right outside the store, on the main street.
The bystanders didn't even flinch. It was just business as usual here.
But so what?
"Oh, you mean this stuff? Sure, it's right here. Come and get it."
Jack casually placed three floating bubbles on the ground, weighing them down with a rock.
The pirates, thinking he was an errand boy for a pirate crew, laughed at how cooperative he was. They were already planning to capture him and sell him to a job agency afterward.
Just as they reached for the bubbles—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Three shots rang out. All five of the pirates dropped dead, bullet holes through their skulls.
Jack calmly blew the smoke from his revolver and holstered it.
Grabbing the floating bubbles again, he walked off without a word.
A hush fell over the street.
"Did you see that?! He shot two with one bullet!"
"What a terrifying gunslinger..."
"He's dead meat though. The Blood Wolf Pirates are this year's super rookies. No way they'll let their crew's killer walk away..."
---
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