The Marines issue bounties, and bounty hunters chase after them for reward money—
a scene all too common in the world of pirates.
But the bounty-hunting profession itself walks the blurred line between light and darkness.
It is a chaotic mix: powerful lone wolves, shadowy underground assassins,
and even a considerable number of bounty hunters who are themselves wanted criminals.
If they were foolish enough to carry a pirate's severed head directly to Marine Headquarters to claim their reward,
the Marines might very well toss them into a cell instead.
And so, the Hunters' Guild—an organization half-official, half-underground—came into existence.
The forces behind the guild are… complicated.
The largest backer, naturally, is the behemoth known as the World Government, which in many ways uses the guild as a convenient glove for certain "important figures."
Behind it are nobles from various kingdoms, merchants whose influence spans multiple seas,
and even shadow-kings who dominate the underworld.
Because of this tangled support network,
while most public bounties come from Marine Headquarters,
there are also countless secret missions—assassinating enemy leaders, spying on rival nations,
and other underground contracts never meant to see the light of day.
In one kingdom located in the central waters of the first half of the Grand Line,
there lies the infamous Black Triangle—
a region swarming with more pirates than one can count,
known to the outside world as the "Sea of Thieves."
Here, in the heart of this pirate nest, the Hunters' Guild branch deals predominantly in underground bounties.
Ironically, the ones who visit this guild most frequently… are the pirates themselves.
They watch others trade in bounty slips with grinning faces,
quietly sizing them up and wondering whether to rob them on the way out.
Even without business, pirates could sit here all day,
drinking and bragging loudly.
However…
the usually raucous guild branch was now so silent that the drop of a pin would seem thunderous.
All because of the man sitting at the front desk, wearing a grotesque demon-mask.
"G-gulp… Is that really the Demon-Blade Apophis?
What if he suddenly snaps and kills all of us?
They say every time he kills, it looks like a slaughterhouse…"
A pirate captain so notorious in these waters he could scare crying children into silence
was now trembling, too afraid to even raise his head—
terrified that meeting the masked man's gaze would mean instant death.
"I don't know… but let's hope we never meet that kind of monster.
I heard that the 92-million-berry ogre, Barlo the Flesh-Eater, was targeted by him.
His screams before dying could be heard over a kilometer away.
I can't even imagine what kind of torture could make a butcher like that beg for mercy…"
Another pirate shook uncontrollably,
as though the ghostly wails still echoed around him.
"I am Apophis. You should all know my name.
I plan to establish my own pirate crew and challenge the throne of Pirate King.
For that, I'm recruiting experienced crewmates…"
The moment the hall heard that Apophis was recruiting,
the entire guild nearly erupted.
This was a powerhouse who could kill nearly-hundred-million pirates with ease—
a terrifying adventurer of unmatched strength!
Yes, the rumors described Apophis as brutally violent…
But among pirates, brutality is synonymous with power.
Given the choice, most pirates would rather serve a powerful, ruthless captain
than follow a weak, gentle one.
If they could board Apophis's ship,
they might become future founding officers of a massive pirate crew!
"Great Lord Apophis!
My bounty may only be 27 million berries,
but I've always admired your strength!
Please allow me to follow you!"
a moderately notorious pirate exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement.
"I don't care whether you're strong or weak.
Even that ogre Barlo—
to me, the only difference is whether he dies in one slash or two."
From beneath the mask came Apophis's indifferent reply.
The crowd surged.
"Lord Apophis! Take me!
I am Gravekeeper Ross, wanted for 35 million berries!"
"Me too! Please let me witness your legend!"
In short order, Apophis accepted most of the pirates present.
He gave a small nod and said,
"We have enough manpower. Next comes the ship.
Only a top-class vessel built from Treasure Tree Adam befits someone of my stature."
Though they didn't know where he was going with this,
a newly recruited pirate quickly flattered him:
"Of course!
Legend says Pirate King Roger only completed his voyage thanks to a ship built from Adam wood!
Naturally, Lord Apophis deserves a vessel of equal caliber!"
Apophis nodded approvingly.
"There are rumors that a log of Treasure Tree Adam will appear at a Water Seven auction.
It is expected to fetch at least 300 million berries.
Hand over your money, and I will win it at auction.
Once I feel like it, I'll kill a few hundred-million-berry pirates and double your investments."
Hearing this, the pirates hesitated.
"What?
My first order as captain carries no weight?
You should know—300 million berries is pocket change to me.
I simply want to secure the Adam wood quickly."
"This…"
The pirates exchanged uncertain looks.
Creaaak…
The door opened.
A tall man walked in, carrying a large case—
and wearing a demon-mask identical to Apophis's.
Seeing this, all the pirates stared suspiciously at the two masked men,
and the feverish excitement from moments earlier rapidly cooled.
The "Apophis" sitting at the counter cursed internally.
Maintaining a façade of calm, he hopped off the bar stool
and strode toward the tall man.
Standing up revealed something unfortunate—
the fake Apophis was barely 1.8 meters tall,
while the newcomer was at least 2.4 meters,
towering over him with immense pressure.
"G-gulp!"
The masked counter-man swallowed hard and lowered his voice.
"Brother… you're in my territory.
This is the domain of Shapeshifter Jack."
"Tell you what—since it's your first offense, I'll let it slide.
Just play along with the act,
and we'll split the earnings ninety-ten."
The tall man remained silent.
Grinding his teeth, Jack hissed,
"Fine! Eight-twenty… seven-thirty…
Six-forty! I can't go any lower than that…
Look, leave a man some dignity so we can work together again in the future—
fifty-fifty is my bottom line!
Otherwise we're done!"
Finally—
after being subjected to Jack's endless renegotiations—
the tall man spoke:
"…You're in my way."
Jack froze, confused that the man had finally "agreed" only to say something so strange.
"You… what did you say?"
The tall man slowly lowered his head.
The moment their eyes met,
Jack felt his very soul freeze—
a terror so deep it swallowed him whole.
Those eyes—
cold, blood-soaked, merciless—
contained every omen of death and slaughter known to this world.
More terrifying still,
the man who owned such monstrous eyes
remained perfectly calm—
as though he were suppressing a devil far worse beneath his serenity.
This guy…
could he actually be the real Demon-Blade Apophis?
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