"A half-breed? That's just rude!"
The strange creature protested after being labeled a "half-breed" by Jose.
"What the hell are you even saying, you stowaway?"
Jose bonked the creature on the head, pulled out a pair of Sea Prism Stone cuffs from his belt, and slapped them on the intruder.
"Urgh... My strength's fading…"
"So, who exactly are you?" Rengoku asked, observing the bizarre lifeform.
"I'm Absalom, servant of the [Warlord of the Sea] Gecko Moria! Technically, we're on the same side!"
"Gecko Moria?"
Considering how the negotiation with fellow Warlord Hancock had failed, meeting another Warlord so soon was unexpected for Rengoku.
"Y-yeah! Lord Gecko Moria!"
"Are you saying Gecko Moria ordered you to infiltrate a Navy battleship?"
Vivi eyed Absalom suspiciously.
"I only followed the signal flare! I didn't do it on purpose!"
"Hm. This is a Super-Marine-class battleship—known to be used exclusively by Navy Admirals," Rengoku said, sheathing Enrin Kitetsu.
"You sneaked in without even realizing what kind of ship this was, and once you did, you still chose to remain aboard. That alone implies hostile intent. Had this been a regular naval vessel, you could've easily overpowered them."
"Seriously… A so-called Warlord's subordinate attacking the Navy? You want that Warlord title revoked?" Jose's brow twitched with fury. Veins bulged as he drew his pistol and aimed it at Absalom's head.
"W-w-wait! Chill! Let's talk this out! I haven't hurt anyone yet!"
"Yet? That's what you're going with?"
"I-I swear! Just let me go! I'm on your side! We're allies! Navy and Warlords!"
"Who's 'we'? You tried to grab my wrist while invisible. Your intent was clearly disgusting, you filthy pervert!"
Vivi, still fuming from earlier, couldn't believe a word from him.
"P-pervert? Who are you calling a filthy pervert?!"
She swiftly drew her sword and pointed it at his wrist.
"And what's this—hand-mounted cannons? Modified to fire at will, no less. You're armed, invisible, and stowed away on a Navy ship. Your intent is clearly hostile!"
As she pointed out, Absalom had hand cannons mounted on both wrists.
"T-these are my primary weapons! Just like your swords! Please, spare me! I'll leave right away!"
Faced with the threat of death, the once-arrogant Absalom grovelled without shame.
"Hm... I'll decide what to do after meeting your boss, Gecko Moria."
Rengoku grabbed one of the hand cannons and crushed it effortlessly with raw strength.
"We spotted a fang-shaped structure earlier. Was that Moria's ship?"
"Y-yes! That's Thriller Bark, Lord Moria's ship! I'll take you to him right away!"
Now completely disarmed and powerless, Absalom spilled everything. Escaping the warship was now impossible.
"Jose, inform the entire crew—we're heading to negotiate with Warlord Gecko Moria."
"Yes, sir!"
"Vivi, you'll be in charge of this man—huh?"
As Rengoku turned to assign Absalom's custody, he found Vivi on her knees, eyes vacant with despair.
"…I'm just a sparrow…"
"What in the world are you doing, Lieutenant Vivi?"
Thud!
"I'm... a sea anemone..."
As Jose turned to relay orders, he suddenly dropped to his knees, overcome with despair.
"Jose?!"
Rengoku's eyes narrowed. With both subordinates acting strangely, he grabbed Absalom with one hand and demanded,
"This is clearly your doing! What did you do?!"
"P-Perona! Quick, hit this guy with your Negative Hollow too!"
"So it was your doing!"
Crack!
Rengoku's crushing grip tightened around Absalom's throat.
"Ghh... kahh!"
"Hurrah hurrah hurrah~ Absalom, you're hopeless as always!"
Floating up through the deck came a young girl, hands on her hips, laughing mockingly at Absalom.
"Hm? A Devil Fruit user?" Rengoku muttered, seeing her phase through the deck like a ghost.
"Well, maybe! Negative Hollow!"
She didn't bother answering and instead attacked. A white ghost-like spirit zipped through Rengoku's body.
"Hurrah hurrah hurrah! That makes everyone on this ship—nearly a thousand Navy soldiers—taken down!"
The spirit struck Rengoku directly, and he dropped Absalom without a word.
"That's right! You're worse than scum—hurrah hurrah hurrah!"
"Why… why am I still so weak…"
"…Huh?"
Instead of falling into despair, Rengoku simply looked down, muttering to himself. Perona was surprised—it wasn't quite the reaction she expected.
"Hey, Perona! Are you sure it hit him properly?! Why is he drawing his sword?!"
Absalom panicked as Rengoku reached for his blade, Enrin Kitetsu.
"Because I'm weak… even scum like this can infiltrate my ship…"
Rengoku's expression darkened. He tightened his grip on the sword and slashed at Absalom.
"Hey, Perona! I thought you said it worked!"
"Don't lump me in with you! My Negative Hollow definitely connected!"
"Then why's he attacking me?!"
With an almost gloomy air about him, Rengoku kept swinging his sword in silence.
"This is all… because I'm weak."
"WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?!"
Absalom was now dodging for his life, utterly baffled by Rengoku's brooding monologue.
"…Maybe I just need more of them. Negative Hollows!"
Dozens of spirits rushed through Rengoku's body at once, and his expression only grew more solemn.
"The weak… in the end, they can't protect anything. Maybe I was never suited for Flame Breathing…"
Though the effects seemed to hit him, it was clear they didn't cripple him like the others. His body still moved. His will, though heavy, remained.
"…Maybe I was meant for another Breathing Style…"
"Wh-what the hell is he rambling about now?!"
Sensing real danger, Absalom turned and ran.
"…Sanemi… yeah. Sanemi's strong enough…"
Rengoku raised Enrin Kitetsu overhead and adjusted his breathing.
"Shhhhaaaa—"
"Breath of Wind, First Form…"
"Dust Whirlwind Cutter!"
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