Queen's trademark uproarious laughter echoed across the battlefield, his unique "Mmmahahaha!" mingling with the sharp whistle of his blade cutting through the air.
The massive man displayed an agility that defied his physique, the longsword dancing in his hands as if it were alive. Sunlight danced along the sharp edge of the blade, refracting a chilling, cold gleam.
Nix's pupils contracted abruptly, fear freezing on his contorted features. He didn't even have time to utter a final plea for mercy before his head left his body. Blood traced a perfect parabola through the air. Queen casually flicked the blood from his blade, looking down with satisfaction at his fallen foe. His small eyes sparkled with the joy of victory, his portly frame rising and falling slightly with his breath.
As the smoke of battle gradually cleared, Queen surveyed his surroundings, confirming that his side had completely secured the situation. He leisurely pulled a premium cigar from his suit pocket, lit it with a gold-plated lighter, and took a deep drag. Thick smoke billowed slowly from between his thick lips, forming perfect rings in the air.
Not far away, Urouge's fight was also nearing its conclusion. The brawny warrior swung his massive battle-axe, letting out an ear-splitting laugh. "Hahaha! You can put up a decent fight!"
His voice rumbled like thunder across the field. "But you're still no match for me!" The battle-axe whistled through the wind as it descended upon the already battered CP Squad Leader.
The man tried to resist but was directly sent flying by the tremendous force, crashing heavily to the ground. Urouge pressed his advantage, bringing his axe down to cleave open his opponent's chest, ending this mismatched duel.
With the main fights concluded, the other pirates also finished off their respective opponents one after another.
The battlefield was littered with fallen enemies and scattered weapons, the air thick with the smells of blood and gunpowder. The pirates began methodically clearing the field and looting valuables.
Cigar clenched between his teeth, Queen strolled leisurely toward the corner where Karel was trembling. This once haughty Celestial Dragon butler now looked ashen, retreating step by step, his voice quivering with threats. "D-do you know who I am? I am a descendant of the creators, the butler of the great Celestial Dragons!"
Hearing this, Queen burst into laughter, the fat on his face jiggling. "Mmmahahaha! I don't give a damn who you are!" Before the words had fully faded, he swung his hand, delivering a resounding slap that sent Karel sprawling to the ground.
The man who had once been so overbearing now lay on the ground like a stray dog, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Karel stared up in terror as Queen drew his longsword, immediately kneeling and begging frantically. "P-Please, I beg you, spare me."
However, the only reply he received was Queen's merciless blade. A flash of steel, and Karel's life was extinguished.
Queen flicked the blood from his blade, turned, and shouted to the surrounding pirates, "You lot! Now that the fight's over, get to looting properly! Especially those fruits, get them all loaded onto the ship! Boss Kaido is waiting!"
"Aye aye, Queen-sama!" the pirates chorused, immediately springing into action.
Like a swarm of well-trained ants, they began pillaging the spoils with clear division of labor. Some were responsible for carrying the wooden crates full of fruit; others tallied up the loot; while others vigilantly guarded the perimeter against any possible surprise attack.
The entire scene, though filled with the air of plunder, was orderly, demonstrating the strict discipline of the Beasts Pirates.
Soon, Queen and the others returned to the pirate ship with their spoils.
A sea breeze blew gently, carrying its salty, briny scent across the deck.
Enel sat bored on the ship's railing, swinging his legs. His eyes lit up when he saw the figures of the returning party.
"You're finally back!" He flipped down from the railing and hurried forward to meet them.
"Mmmahahaha, kid, out of the way." Queen rudely pushed aside the obstructing Enel, his obese frame surprisingly nimble as it moved across the deck. He held a sandalwood box in his hands.
Kaido's towering figure stood at the bow, his shadow covering a large portion of the deck. He turned around, his deep voice rumbling across the planks. "Is this the Hyaku-Rui Fruit? The fruit that even the Celestial Dragons pine for?"
Queen respectfully opened the wooden box, revealing the neatly arranged fruits inside. Several crystal-clear, pink fruits lay quietly on a velvet lining, glinting like gems in the light of the setting sun.
Kaido casually picked one up and, without hesitation, tossed it into his mouth, chewing heartily.
Queen rubbed his hands together, his beady eyes darting about. "So, Boss Kaido, how's the taste?"
Kaido narrowed his eyes, a meaningful smile curling his lips. "Queen, you're not telling me you managed to resist sampling one first, are you?"
"I've been wronged, Boss!" Queen exclaimed dramatically, waving his hands, the fat on his face wobbling. "I was just worried the fruit might be poisoned and was taste-testing it for you!"
"Wororororo..." Kaido let out his trademark laugh, making the deck tremble faintly. "Queen, take a portion of these fruits and distribute them to everyone. Let them all taste the delicacies the Celestial Dragons enjoy. Preserve the rest properly so that King and Bullet can try them when they return."
"Aye aye!" Queen replied immediately, turning and shouting to the gathered crew, "You heard the Boss! He's rewarding everyone!"
"Long live Boss Kaido!"
"Hail the Captain!"
Cheers rose and fell as the crew members excitedly crowded around.
Queen began distributing the fruits, each person accepting one with a flattered, overwhelmed expression. Enel pushed to the front of the crowd, eagerly snatching a fruit and stuffing it into his mouth.
"Mmm... so sweet!" he mumbled indistinctly, juice trickling down the corner of his mouth.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose from the shoreline. A pirate on watch duty barked loudly, "Halt! Who are you people?"
Everyone's attention was drawn. They saw a group of well-dressed people approaching the ship, led by a middle-aged man in a crisp suit. He bowed politely. "Greetings. We are envoys from the Kingdom of Lexter, sent by His Majesty the King to pay our respects to Mr. Kaido."
"I don't care what kingdom you're from, get lost, or I'll..." the pirate waved impatiently, about to shoo them away.
"Let them come aboard!" Kaido's voice boomed down from the ship like thunder.
The pirate's expression immediately changed. He bowed respectfully to the envoys and said, "Please, come aboard."
The middle-aged envoy turned and instructed his attendants, "Wait here. You two, come with me." He boarded the pirate ship with two attendants carrying exquisite boxes. The boxes in their hands looked even more opulent than the one Queen had brought back, studded with gemstones that glittered in the evening sun.
On the deck, the crew members whispered amongst themselves, eyeing these unexpected visitors with curiosity.