Adrian stepped toward the trembling Marine.
"I'm looking for something. Can you show the way?"
The Marine's head bobbed frantically like a hammering drumstick.
"Y-Yes, I can! I'll take you there! Please… please don't kill me…"
Compared to dying, living was far more appealing—
especially when he was surrounded by corpses and rivers of blood.
Fear had already consumed him.
"Relax. It's a deal," Adrian said calmly.
"You guide me to what I want, and I'll let you go.
I'm not like pirates—no credibility, no integrity."
While saying that, he subtly stomped on pirates with words.
But he wasn't lying.
Even as a bandit, reputation mattered.
He didn't plan to finish one job and disappear from the world.
Future kidnappings—especially targeting the rich and influential—
required the other party to believe he would honor a deal.
If word got around that he never kept promises—
who would negotiate with him?
Who would obediently send the ransom?
Reputation was money.
Banditry could be robbery or kidnapping.
All counted toward the system's Bandit Evaluation.
But if possible—
Adrian vastly preferred kidnapping and extortion.
Why?
Because robbery was a one-time profit.
Kidnapping?
Endless harvesting.
Today he kidnaps you once.
Your family pays.
He releases you.
System reward acquired.
Tomorrow?
He kidnaps you again.
Another payout.
Another system reward.
Rinse and repeat.
Some people were living ATMs in his eyes.
"I—I'll do it, I'll do whatever you say…"
The Marine stuttered.
"Good choice."
Adrian smiled.
And so, under the Marine's guidance, they found Zoro's weapons—
including the precious Wado Ichimonji.
After securing it, Adrian kept his promise and released the Marine.
A deal was a deal.
"Boss… want me to… handle him?"
Grimmjow asked with killing intent.
"No need."
Adrian waved a hand.
"Killing a small fry after promising his safety is beneath me."
Beyond harming his reputation, it would make him look petty.
A man with ambition shouldn't kill ants out of insecurity.
"Let's go. We're done here."
Adrian stored Wado Ichimonji into his system space.
"You—where did you take my Wado Ichimonji?!"
Zoro snapped, his eyes widening.
He kept silent earlier because he knew he couldn't fight back.
But to see his sword vanish…
If he truly lost Wado Ichimonji,
he'd regret it for the rest of his life.
"Relax. I stored it away."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"It's my spoils now. Isn't that fair?"
"I will… take it back."
Zoro said firmly, eyes sharp with resolve.
Wado Ichimonji held deep meaning to him.
Being forced to hand it over was one thing—
giving up on reclaiming it was impossible.
"I'll be waiting."
Adrian didn't mind at all.
He had no real need for the sword—
he only took it to boost the evaluation score.
They walked back toward the Shells Town harbor.
Both ships awaited them there.
He would rest, wait one week—
and then—
Luffy arrives.
And once Luffy reached Shells Town?
Adrian was going to kidnap him.
The protagonist of the entire world.
The potential evaluation boost would be… absurd.
As these thoughts passed through his mind,
the system's notification sounded again.
Bandit Operation Complete! Evaluation Calculating… Result: A-Rank (Full Score) Reward: 10,000 Reputation Points! Bonus Reward:A-Rank Random Weapon Ticket ×1
A-Rank Random Ability Ticket ×1
A-Rank Random Subordinate Ticket ×1
Adrian grinned in satisfaction.
Destroying Marine Branch 153 alone wouldn't give an A-rank.
The real rating came from:
Kidnapping Zoro
Killing Helmeppo, a future major supporting character
Together, the rating soared.
Another full-score A-rank.
Another set of three random tickets.
A very rich haul.
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