News reached the Marines' 16th Branch. Captain Nezumi had led three warships to Arlong Park, seeking to inspect after hearing Arlong's crew had been annihilated. But on the voyage, they encountered the man who had destroyed Arlong's gang. The three warships were destroyed, and Nezumi and his men were all slain.
The attacker's name: Rody. Red-haired, about 2.3 meters tall, with strange markings across his face and body. Suspected Devil Fruit user, capable of unleashing razor-sharp slashes that diced every victim into pieces.
So far, intelligence only confirmed that he first appeared in Cocoyasi Village, where he exterminated the Great Axe Pirates. Afterward, he commandeered their vessel, took along Arlong's thief Nami, and together they sailed to Arlong Park, where Rody killed Arlong and his crew.
Admiral Sengoku put down the 16th Branch's report and rubbed his brow with irritation. "Slashes… a Devil Fruit ability? Damn Roger. They should have silenced him before the execution. If not for his words, luring so many lawless fools to the sea, the world would not be in such chaos."
He steadied himself and addressed Brannew. "Rody the Slaughterer. Bounty, fifty million Berries. Cat Burglar Nami. Bounty, five million. Issue the notices at once."
"Yes, Admiral!"
…
"Look ahead! Pirates. They aren't attacking. They're closing in," Nami called, pointing at the horizon.
"Oh? Let's see what they want," Rody replied, sipping his orange juice from the deck chair.
As the ships drew close, Nami's eyes narrowed at the flag—a wolf's skull emblazoned on black. "The Wild Wolf Pirates. Captain Dire Wolf Disk. Bounty twenty million Berries."
"Captain Disk, fortune smiles," a lackey chuckled. "We struck it big last week, and now another ship drifts right into our claws."
"Yes, yes. Look at them. They don't even flee. Must be frozen stiff. Hahaha!"
Disk ignored the jeering. He toyed with his twin daggers, face composed. "Enough. Once we close in, haul everyone out. Ready the hooks. Anyone who resists, kill them."
His words barely faded when Rody landed on their deck in a silent leap, still holding his half-finished cup of orange juice.
"Who are you to dare board the Wild Wolf Pirates' ship?" one shouted.
"Big mistake, kid," others barked, blades scraping free as they surrounded him.
Disk walked forward, daggers in hand. His gaze lingered on the tall man sipping juice as if none of them, not even a twenty-million-Berry captain, mattered in the least compared to that cup.
"Quiet," Disk said, raising one hand. His eyes fixed on Rody. "Boy. Give your name. You don't strike me as a nobody."
Rody drained the last of his juice, tossed the cup aside, and with a flick of his hand carved through every pirate on the deck. Only the helmsman remained, shaking.
The man collapsed to his knees before Rody. "M-my lord."
Nami clambered aboard using one of the pirates' grappling hooks. She glanced at the kneeling survivor. "Take us to the treasure."
The pirate shot a terrified glance at Rody. Seeing no reaction, he stammered, "Yes, my lady."
He led them into the hold. There, in a cage, slumped a man of about sixty. His suit was of fine cloth, now torn and disheveled, hair unkempt, eyes dulled with fatigue.
"Who is he? Why is he caged?" Nami asked.
"He… he's Mike. A butler from the Bruce family we raided. The captain wanted to recruit him—said he was strong. But after we killed every member of his family, he refused. Captain ordered him locked up. This is the fourth day."
"Open it," Nami commanded.
Mike lifted his head. He saw them: the girl in short skirt and striped blouse, still carrying the freshness of youth; the towering man whose markings seemed carved from power itself, whose eyes carried an arrogance greater than kings.
He had seen arrogance before—lords, nobles, even kings. But their pride was a bubble, fragile and ready to burst when faced with someone higher in station.
This man's arrogance was different.
The cage opened. Mike straightened his clothes, smoothed his hair, and bowed deeply. "Respected sir, honored lady, thank you for my rescue. Might I know your names?"
"I'm Nami. This is Rody," she replied. "Rody killed the Wild Wolf Pirates. When we reach a proper town, you'll be free."
Mike bowed again. "Lord Rody, you have not only saved my life but avenged the Bruce family by erasing the Wild Wolves. I offer you my eternal gratitude."
Nami tugged at Rody's sleeve, urging him to respond.
Rody looked down coldly. "I did not kill them for revenge. I erased them as one swats gnats. Worthless insects."
Mike met his eyes steadily. "To you, perhaps. But to me, it is an unpayable debt. I am sixty-eight. I spent forty years serving the Bruce family, all of whom are now dead. I am homeless, with no kin. I beg to spend the rest of my life in your service, to repay this debt. Please, Lord Rody, accept me."
He knelt, forehead nearly touching the floor.
Nami's heart softened. She looked up at Rody. "Let him stay."
Rody's gaze flickered. "Stay? What can you do?"
Mike answered without hesitation. "I served as the Bruce family's butler for four decades. Tea, cuisine, gardening, cleaning, animal husbandry—I have skill in all. I can cook, tend, and keep order."
Nami's eyes brightened. "See? He can do so much. He could even help care for my orange trees."
Rody considered a moment. "Rise. You may stay."
Mike pressed his forehead to the deck once more, voice low with relief. "My lord."