Chapter 476: A Passionate Anime for the Elderly
The lead monster grinned mockingly as Shino drew her lightsaber.
"So, this is your weapon," he sneered. "We've seen it before. Don't expect us to just stand still and let you cut us down."
Before she could reply, the creature lunged forward with inhuman speed.
"Boom!"
Its sudden charge forced Shino to swing reflexively, the purple blade slicing through air.
But the monster twisted its body in a grotesque motion, bending joints in impossible directions. Shino's slash missed, her movement slowing just for an instant.
It was enough.
A heavy fist smashed into her side, driving the breath from her lungs and sending her crashing through the dirt.
"Hehehe…" The monster's voice dripped with arrogance. "You think I'd fall for the same trick twice? Your swordsmanship might look flashy, but it's useless here." He leaned closer, fanged mouth curling into a grin. "Right, Dragon Hunter sniper—Shino?"
He knew her name.
Shino's hand trembled as she pushed herself up. Blood filled her mouth. She spat crimson onto the ground—thick, dark, and clotted.
The blow had damaged her organs.
"Ahahaha! That all you've got, Shino-sama?" the monster taunted. "Relax. We'll make sure your final moments are… memorable."
Its tongue slithered out between rows of fangs as it stepped toward her.
Shino gritted her teeth. Her legs shook. "Is this… where it ends?"
"Captain… sorry, I—"
A thunderous crash cut her words short.
The monster's body blurred—and then exploded into a nearby house, reduced to splinters and dust.
A new voice chuckled. "Oops. Guess I overdid it. Been a while since I stretched."
Through the smoke, a small, wiry figure stepped out—his hands stained red, his eyes calm and terrifyingly cold.
The man adjusted his coat and gave a faint smile. "Seems I'm rusty. Time for some maintenance. You'll do nicely as spare parts."
As the dust cleared, Shino's eyes widened.
"Mr. Erwin!"
The kindly old shopkeeper now radiated pure, murderous intent—so dense it made the air itself feel heavy. A faint red aura shimmered around him, like a sea of blood.
For Shino, it was suffocating. For the monsters, it was terror incarnate.
"Little Shino," Erwin said, voice calm and deadly. "Take a breather. Leave these small fry to me."
He smiled faintly. "Don't look so surprised. Back in my day, the pirates used to call me—Blood Mist."
His body flickered.
Then the killing began.
Before Shino's eyes could track his movements, one of the creatures was already dissolving into a red haze. In the span of a few breaths, Erwin appeared back where he started—calm, hands in his pockets.
"All done," he said casually. "Come on, girl. You're hurt. Get some rest. Leave the rest to us old timers."
He turned toward the burning skyline of Loguetown and smiled. "After all, people seem to have forgotten why the East Blue was once called the Forbidden Sea."
Shino could barely process what she had seen. Her ribs ached, her breathing shallow. She swallowed a vial of Life Essence, feeling warmth flood through her body, and leaned on Erwin as they moved away from the fight.
When they passed the shattered rooftop, she glanced down—and froze.
The monster's body was gone. Only a lingering cloud of blood mist remained.
That alone told her everything she needed to know.
Erwin had annihilated them completely.
Just who was this man?
Could his strength rival the captain's?
Before she could ask, another booming laugh echoed down the street.
"Hey! You're already done?"
A burly old man approached, dragging a bloodied weapon behind him. "You geezers always steal the fun! I finally tracked a few down, and you cleaned up already!"
Erwin smiled faintly. "Tonight, no one's sleeping early. Seems someone's trying to draw us old bones out of hiding—to end what's left of our shameful generation."
He kept walking, supporting Shino as they disappeared into the smoke.
---
At the Port
"Rear Admiral Rick! We're out of shells—and bullets too!"
"We'll have to fight them hand-to-hand!"
The young officer reporting to Rick was pale but unflinching. He knew retreat meant the slaughter of everyone behind them—family, friends, civilians.
So even afraid, none of them backed down.
Rick nodded firmly. "Then we fight! Show them what justice looks like!"
He raised his blade, voice thundering. "Dying on the battlefield for justice is more romantic than growing old in fear!"
"Clang!"
He charged first, sword gleaming with Armament Haki. The rest of the Marines followed without hesitation, roaring in unison.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Then, a thunderous explosion erupted offshore.
A massive shadow loomed through the smoke—a golden radiance glowing from afar.
"Look! It's a Marine warship!"
"The Advisors Sengoku, Tsuru, and Hero Garp are on board!"
"They're here! Loguetown is saved!"
Tears welled up in the eyes of countless young sailors.
Rick's grip tightened on his sword. His Haki flared again, turning his blade jet black. "Reinforcements are here! Push forward!"
Morale surged like wildfire. The Marines struck back with newfound strength.
Then, the sea itself split.
A gigantic golden Buddha rose above the waves—the Sengoku of Legend in his full form.
Garp followed with laughter and fists that shattered pirate ships in single blows.
And beside them, Tsuru's power cleansed the enemy fleet, washing dozens of pirates into unconsciousness.
In less than half an hour, the three legends had turned the tide completely.
The pirates' formation broke. Ships burned.
Victory roared across the sea.
But Tsuru's sharp eyes narrowed.
"These aren't the ones," she said quietly. "Not the monsters the Dragon Hunter Pirates warned us about. These are just pawns—decoys."
Her gaze turned toward the smoke rising over Loguetown.
"The real threat is still inside the city."
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