Thud!
Smoker collapsed onto the deck.
Even as he fell, he still couldn't understand how the enemy managed to strike a Logia user like him.
Was it really because of that so-called Reiatsu the man mentioned?
He had no idea.
But one fact was undeniable—
He lost.
He was one-shot.
The sheer difference in strength sent a wave of humiliation and disbelief through him.
"What are you doing lying down? I held back on that slash."
"It wasn't enough to kill you."
Grimmjow sheathed his sword and glanced at the fallen Smoker.
Smoker: "…"
Held back?!
Held back my ass!!
From his right shoulder down to his left abdomen—
—there was a massive gash across his body.
And this bastard claimed he "held back"?!
What kind of joke was that?!
Was he really that weak?
Smoker refused to accept this, but reality slapped him harder than the slash did.
"Colonel Smoker!"
Tashigi screamed as she drew her blade and rushed Grimmjow.
"You don't look like anyone important. Dying shouldn't cause any problems."
Grimmjow said calmly, raising his hand.
Black-red energy gathered in his palm—
Cero.
Just as he prepared to blast Tashigi out of existence—
Snap!
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Rob Lucci had finally arrived.
"Don't kill this one."
Lucci said, and with his other hand, he effortlessly caught Tashigi's blade—
the clash ringing with metal.
His hand was coated in Armament Haki.
A mere grade sword like Shigure couldn't cut through that level of hardening, especially not with Tashigi's current strength.
"Lucci… you dare stop me? Believe it or not, I'll cut you down!"
Grimmjow growled.
But despite his complaint, the Cero in his palm dissipated.
"She has good looks. I think the boss will like her."
Lucci said casually.
Grimmjow: "…"
You—
You thick-browed, serious-faced bastard—
You're actually using this kind of cheap trick to curry favor with the boss?!
Shameless!
Absolutely shameless!
"Fine, keep her then."
Although disgusted by Lucci's despicable tactic, Grimmjow still accepted the suggestion.
And neither of them bothered lowering their voices.
Their conversation played out clearly in front of Tashigi.
"You… you pirates! What do you take me for?!"
Tashigi trembled with rage.
They were planning to treat her as a "gift" to their so-called "boss"!
She struggled hard, trying to pull her sword free from Lucci's grip—
—but it didn't move at all.
The difference in strength was like heaven and earth.
Grimmjow placed his blade against her neck.
"Woman, don't move. You're a gift for the boss, so I won't kill you."
"But if you insist on resisting, I'll send you to heaven immediately."
Tashigi's breathing froze.
Just as she prepared to fight to the death—
"Don't resist."
Smoker's weak voice came from the ground.
Tashigi stiffened.
"Colonel Smoker… but they're pirates!"
Her voice trembled.
"We are not their match.
If we insist on fighting, everyone on this ship will die for nothing."
Smoker leaned against the railing, pale and bloodied.
He had already seen the difference in strength.
Any further resistance was suicide.
"But they're pirates! They won't spare us even if we surrender!"
"That's not their goal."
Smoker's gaze locked on Grimmjow.
"You said it yourself. Your boss wants us alive.
You intend to use us—to extort something from the Navy, correct?"
Even defeated, his instincts remained razor sharp.
Grimmjow clicked his tongue.
"I hate guys like you the most. Thinking too much."
"Colonel Smoker?! We're Navy! You want us to stop resisting?!"
Some marines shouted angrily.
Surrender without a fight?
That went against everything their justice stood for.
"Young fools… this isn't courage. It's meaningless sacrifice."
Smoker shook his head.
"To die here without achieving anything—that's not justice."
He looked at the men who had followed him for years.
He couldn't let them all die here.
One by one—
Clang… clang… clang…
Weapons dropped onto the deck as the majority of the marines surrendered.
"A wise decision."
Lucci nodded with satisfaction.
Adrian's orders were to capture as many alive as possible.
This saved him time—and prevented unnecessary casualties among the prisoners.
"Boring. That guy was too weak."
"I hope the next opponent is at least a little stronger."
Grimmjow sighed, sheathing his blade.
Smoker had been instantly defeated.
No challenge at all.
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