West Blue — the Kingdom of Aitfi.
Inside a lavishly decorated hall,
a slightly plump middle-aged man sat at the head seat.
Beside him stood a short man in a pinstripe suit,
reporting in a low voice.
"Godfather, a while ago, near the neighboring Kaya Kingdom,
a derelict passenger ship was discovered.
Everyone aboard had been slaughtered by pirates."
"What's strange is—
those pirates were also found dead on the ship.
Every one of them died with a smile on their face.
The local fishermen think they encountered a ghost ship."
"Ghost ship?"
The middle-aged man sneered.
"Only idiots believe that nonsense."
"Based on my analysis, those pirates were likely killed by Apophis.
It's widely rumored on the Grand Line that he commands the spirits of hell.
He can make enemies die in despair and agony,
or let them die peaceful and unknowing—
never realizing their own deaths."
"So he's already reached the West Blue?
That bastard really can't wait to take my life!"
The middle-aged man snorted coldly, clearly trusting his subordinate's judgment.
"Godfather, according to your orders, everything has been arranged.
Once Apophis steps into our territory,
endless firepower will rain down on him.
Even if he's a monster forged from steel,
he'll be reduced to scrap in an instant!"
"Excellent.
Bege, do you see it?
This is the power of authority."
He spread his arms proudly.
"No matter how strong he is, he's still alone.
How could one man possibly fight my thousands of subordinates?
He wants my life?
He can dream on!"
"The odds are overwhelmingly in our favor—
he's already dead."
The short man said flatly, though his eyes glimmered calculatingly.
"However… our only method of identifying Apophis is his demon mask.
If he removes the mask and sneaks in quietly…"
"Apophis is far too arrogant to ever pretend weakness."
The middle-aged man waved dismissively—
then paused.
"But you're right.
Relying on an enemy's predictability is foolish.
Fortunately, I've made another preparation.
In fact… they should be arriving soon."
"They…?"
The short man—Capone Bege—tilted his head.
"Godfather, who exactly do you mean by they?"
"Who else?
The Happo Navy I invited from the Flower Country, of course!
It's a pity Chinjao himself has already retired.
A pirate with a bounty over 500 million—
now that is a true monster from Hell!"
"But no matter.
His son—future 13th leader of the Happo Navy, Hanpao—
has agreed to my invitation."
(Author note: Since Oda never gave Chinjao's son a name, the author uses "Hanpao"—a play on "Chinjao + Flower Country."吐槽随意!)
"His strength is already considerable.
And even if he loses,
he has the great pirate Chinjao backing him.
Would Apophis really risk offending such a figure for my measly life?"
"The Happo Navy is indeed a powerful trump card."
"Originally, I wanted to use Apophis to eliminate this old bastard—
then take over his territory myself."
Bege's inner thoughts remained unreadable.
"But this old man may have lost his pirate brutality,
yet that wariness of his still remains…"
Capone Bege secretly retracted the 'lockdown' inside his Castle-Body.
Since Apophis was "certain to die,"
there was no need to leave him an escape route.
"Heh.
I'll just enjoy the fireworks."
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Thunderous explosions shook the entire city.
Even the ground beneath Bege and Buffet cracked with gaping fissures.
"W-what was that?!
Is Apophis already attacking?!"
Buffet staggered, panic in his voice.
Bege hid his contempt well.
Ten years ago he was a pirate worth over 100 million…
and now he's reduced to this trembling coward.
"Teachings from the sea survive only in true pirates.
This mafia nonsense is just children playing games."
"Godfather, that was our first defensive line.
I buried over a dozen tons of explosives along his path.
Once he's lured in—
BOOM—
he'll be vaporized before he even realizes what hit him."
Bege's tone was icy.
The implication was clear—
everyone stationed there was expendable.
Buffet, however, brightened with joy.
"Hahahaha!
Bege, I knew I could count on you!
With that much explosive—
that bastard is done for!
I can finally sleep in peace!"
"I didn't expect it to be so easy.
Just as you said—
Apophis is nothing but a conceited beast."
BRU-BRU-BRU ~~ BRU-BRU-BRU
Bege frowned and lifted the Den Den Mushi.
The snail's face morphed into a mask of terror—
reflecting the caller's expression.
"S-Second-in-Command…
he's dead.
Everyone is dead!"
Bege twitched.
He almost responded, I'm not dead,
but decided the joke wasn't worth it.
"Apophis is dead too?"
"N-no.
He's not dead."
The voice trembled uncontrollably.
"What did you just say?
A blast covering an entire kilometer—
half a minute of continuous detonation—
no one survives that!
Don't tell me you idiots set it off early?!"
"N-no!
We all watched him walk into the kill zone with our own eyes!
We used over a thousand brothers' lives to force him in!"
"But…
everyone died.
Everyone except him.
He…
he's not human…"
The voice grew distant, hollow—
then suddenly erupted into hysterical screams:
"We're dead!
All of us!
Anyone who opposes that demon from Hell—
whether it's me,
or you,
or the Godfather—
WE'RE ALL DEAD—!!"
CRACK.
Bege crushed the Den Den Mushi in one hand,
its goo splattering across the floor.
"You're joking, right…?
Thousands of gunmen…
explosives that could blow apart an entire street…
And he survived?
He actually survived all that…?"
Buffet's voice was empty—
his mind shattered by the final curses of his subordinate.
"Godfather, that man was already insane.
We don't need to believe the ramblings of a madman."
Bege spoke respectfully, despite the disdain in his eyes.
"You're right…
He'd gone insane."
Buffet inhaled shakily—
then stared at Bege with desperate hope.
"Bege…
since there's a first defensive line,
that means there must be… a second line, right?"
"Of course.
The second line is filled with poison gas shells purchased from the black market.
Even a Sea King would die instantly with one breath."
"Hahaha!
Bege, you're truly reliable!
As expected o—"
His laughter froze mid-sound.
Because in the doorway—
a shadow had appeared.
A shadow with demon-red eyes.
A shadow dripping with death.
"No…
No way…
My defenses…
didn't even hold him for three minutes…?
Or did he…
just walk through them…
like a stroll?"
Bege's heart hammered wildly,
a cold sweat beading down his temples.
"Bege!
Hurry!
Activate your third defensive line!!"
"Yes…
the third line…"
Bege stepped back,
expression icy.
He pressed a button.
CLANG!
A steel gate dropped instantly,
separating him from Buffet.
Buffet grabbed the bars, horrified.
"W-what is this…?!"
"My dear Godfather…
you still don't understand?"
Bege smiled coldly.
"The third defensive line…
is you."
Buffet stared first at him—
then at Apophis approaching from behind.
Regret pooled in his eyes—
then spilled out as silent, bitter tears.
Iron-bar tears.
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