Kuro raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I figured you were lucky, but him..." he trailed off, eyes narrowing at the unconscious Gin slumped over Gawain's shoulder.
Kuro's expression turned grim. The lingering danger of that last battle still haunted him. What left the strongest impression, however, was Gin's resolve—his unwavering belief in victory, even if it cost him everything. Even Kuro couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
Had he not seen through Gin's true intentions at the last moment, the battle might have ended very differently.
"You know who he is, right?" Kuro continued. "When even the enemy risks their life to save him… Gawain, kindness like that won't get you far in the Grand Line—let alone the New World."
Gawain gently lowered Gin to the ground and gestured for the ship's doctor.
"Treat his wounds—and deal with the poison in his system."
Only after ensuring Gin was in good hands did Gawain turn back to Kuro.
"He's just another poor soul."
"Besides," he added, voice quiet but firm, "who could hate a crewmate willing to throw away his life for his captain, even after being abandoned?"
He paused, gaze lingering on Gin's pale face.
"Still, with injuries like these… whether he survives is up to fate."
Kuro looked momentarily taken aback, then spoke softly, "As long as you understand that."
"If he wakes up and tries to avenge Krieg, I'll handle it myself. But you—"
He hesitated.
"What?"
"…Nothing."
Gawain gave him a sharp glance and triggered a scan:
[Name – Kuro]
[Potential – Silver]
[Score – Bronze: Understands nature, awakened Observation Haki, needs to refine remaining moves]
Just as expected.
With his Observation Haki awakened, Kuro's potential now matched Gawain's. His combat ability had jumped straight to bronze-level. Once his wounds healed, he'd grow even stronger.
No wonder the kid looked so smug.
Who else would speak to their captain like that, and in front of everyone, no less?
Gawain smirked inwardly.
It's fine.
He'd just need to give Kuro a few beatings later.
Of course, he couldn't beat him down too badly. The gap had to remain narrow enough to keep Kuro striving—not so wide that he'd give up altogether.
A thought sparked in Gawain's mind, and he decided to let Kuro be—for now. Turning away, he looked toward Grayza.
"The navy's fleet is moving in. We—"
He was cut off by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing down the hall.
Smoker and his marines were approaching fast. Even before they appeared, a stifling pressure filled the air, like a storm bearing down.
A guard burst into the room, face pale with panic.
"My Lord, the navy has surrounded the mansion! Their leader's a white-haired man—doesn't look like someone we want to cross. What should we do?"
Grayza's brow furrowed. "That shouldn't be possible. Without a search warrant, they wouldn't dare act so rashly… right?"
Jasmine, standing nearby, cast a wary glance at Gawain and his group.
"My Lord," she warned, voice tense, "we need to prepare for the worst. If they force their way in—"
"Don't panic. I'll go speak with them."
Grayza patted Jasmine's shoulder reassuringly and nodded to Gawain before heading toward the door.
"Wait."
Gawain stepped in front of him.
"That man doesn't follow protocol. If he attacks you directly, it'll be safer if I go with you."
He knew Smoker's kind too well—hot-headed, defiant, the type to curse out his superiors and skip his own promotion ceremony.
If Grayza ended up in Smoker's hands, things would spiral out of control fast.
"…Alright."
Grayza nodded and handed the official seal to Kuro. She then picked up a random longsword and gestured for Gawain to put on guard armor and hide his face.
Screech—
The doors to the lord's mansion swung open.
Smoker stood at the front, his sharp, scowling face framed by a row of grim-looking marines, all armed and radiating a quiet, oppressive energy.
Grayza swallowed hard.
"Sir Marine, what brings you here?"
Smoker's expression didn't change.
"We're tracking down a group of pirates. We've searched the entire city—this is the only place left."
"There are no pirates here," Grayza replied firmly. "You'll have to look elsewhere."
Smoker's scowl deepened. They had searched every corner of the island. A pirate crew that large couldn't have simply vanished. Grayza's evasiveness only confirmed Smoker's suspicions—the Gawain Pirates were hiding in the lord's mansion.
His tone turned sharper.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Click—
The marines raised their rifles in unison.
Surrounded by black muzzles, Grayza strangely found her composure. She locked eyes with Smoker and said coldly:
"So this is the Navy's justice? Running in fear from pirates, only to turn your weapons on civilians? Or maybe you've just been lining your pockets with the funds for that new branch base?"
"I—" Smoker faltered, silently cursing the corrupt elements of the navy.
He recovered quickly, though his voice remained stiff.
"I'll report those matters to headquarters and deal with the culprits."
"But right now—"
"You need to understand what you're doing… and the consequences."
He reached behind him, gripping the massive jitte, his eyes sharp as blades.
"Don't blame me if I resort to force."
As he spoke, a crushing aura exploded from his body, pressing down like a mountain.
Grayza, caught in the center of it, broke out in goosebumps.
Her knees buckled—but just before she collapsed, a strong hand landed on her shoulder.
The pressure vanished.
Gawain stepped forward, placing himself protectively in front of Grayza.
"Do you know what you're doing?" he asked coldly.
"Even the Navy isn't allowed to storm the lord's mansion of a World Government member country without a search warrant. That's a decision made between the Navy and the World Government itself."
"You plan to break that agreement?"
"If I have to."
Smoker's reply was unwavering. His resolve had only strengthened over time. If he didn't stop Gawain here, capturing him later would be far more difficult.
"Even if I lose this uniform, as long as I catch him, it'll be worth it."
"And yet…"
Smoker narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the man before him.
That surge of killing intent earlier… even he had sensed danger.
If someone like this really existed in the port, would Krieg's forces have invaded so easily?
Unless...
"…Who are you?"
Gawain's grip on his sword tightened. A battle could erupt at any second.
Before he could respond, Grayza stepped in.
"He's just a guard of the lord's mansion."
"No guard looks like that," Smoker said coldly.
"Who the hell are you—?!"
Just then, a small stone flew from the Kurod, cutting through the tense air.
Smoker caught it effortlessly and turned.
Standing nearby was a young girl, tears in her eyes… and behind her, a sea of angry port residents, all silently watching.