Hachinosu was loud on recruitment day. The shouts of new pirates mixed with the clashing of weapons, forming the familiar chaos that defined Rocks's island. Hundreds of newcomers crowded the dusty square, arguing about ranks, treasure, and who they planned to kill first.
Then the crowd parted slightly as Lo Ye approached—his white suit cutting through the dirt and noise like a blade of light. Even those who didn't know him lowered their voices. Some instinct told them not to breathe too loudly near this man.
On one of the higher walkways, Isla closed her notebook and watched him step into the sun.Her mind spoke quietly to her chest.
He's back. Good. The balance feels normal again.
On a nearby rooftop, Stussy raised her sunglasses just a little. She smiled in that slow, dangerous way of hers."He really did keep that suit spotless," she murmured.But that wasn't all that caught her attention.She noticed something softer: Lo Ye's shoulders relaxing when he finally saw the familiar view of Hachinosu, as if he felt… safe here.
Down below, Dahlia grinned openly when Lo Ye walked by her spot."Back from the hunt," she said. "Did you miss me?"
Lo Ye didn't stop walking, but he did answer:"A little."
Dahlia froze for half a second—then smiled like she just won a fight.
Before any of them could say more, a booming laugh shook the entire square.
Rocks D. Xebec stepped forward, towering above the recruits like a giant shadow.
"Kid!" he called. "You finished the mission already? Where's the team I sent with you?"
Lo Ye slid his hands into his pockets."They're carrying the loot."
"And the official members? The three high-ranking ones?" Rocks asked.
Lo Ye looked directly into Rocks's eyes."They died."
The silence hit instantly.Not a bird.Not a wave.Not a single breath.
Isla's eyebrows twitched—she knew the truth. Lo Ye had killed them because they were liabilities.Stussy smiled a little wider—she liked honest men.Dahlia muttered, "Good. They annoyed me."
Rocks stepped forward and lifted his giant arm to clap Lo Ye on the shoulder—
Lo Ye blocked him.
His white-gloved hand caught Rocks's wrist in midair.
"…Your hand," Lo Ye said quietly, "is dirty."
For a moment, no one moved.Kaido stopped chewing.Newgate raised an eyebrow.Even Shiki paused his laugh.
Then Rocks slapped his knee and roared with laughter.
"Good! A man with rules! You don't want dirt? Then don't die today!"
He pointed to the crowd of rookies.
"Since you're so clean—help me clean them! Test these newcomers. Only the strong survive!"
The recruits erupted in outrage.
"What?!"
"An intern?!"
"I'll slice him in half!"
Lo Ye flicked his cigarette away, the ember glowing faintly.
"I don't mind," he said."But if they touch my suit, they die slowly."
Isla felt a small shiver run down her spine.The tone wasn't cruel—it was elegant.Efficient.Reliable.
And something in her chest tugged.
Stussy leaned forward, studying Lo Ye's face."So cold," she whispered."Why do I like that?"
Dahlia cracked her knuckles."Let them come. I'll break the ones who get too close."
Lo Ye stepped into the center of the crowd.Hundreds of eyes.Hundreds of threats.
He loosened his tie slightly.
A tiny gesture.
But the three women all recognized it at the same time.
He's about to fight.
And whether they knew it or not, each of them felt their heart beat just a little faster when his cold eyes lifted toward the angry rookies.
"All of you," Lo Ye said quietly.
"Come at me."
The square fell silent.
Then—
The entire crowd charged.
And the suit thug began his beautiful violence.