As everyone knows, when you awaken Conqueror's Haki for the first time, you usually pass out from exhaustion. But this was still pretty good. That burst was enough to bring out the three little ones' Conqueror's Haki.
Rhett had originally planned that if this didn't work, he would take them to see the Celestial Dragons. Those rare treasures would definitely awaken their Conqueror's Haki.
Rhett: If you don't have enough stamina, just tell me.
I can just give you some, can't I?
The blood mist flowed toward the three little ones, keeping their eyes open just as they were about to close. It was basically a forced stand-up and keep fighting move.
Go on, go on! Three little ones, time to hunt!
Domain expansion~~~
Rhett activated Ace's effect. When a Rhett Family character is on the field, he can special summon two other Rhett Family members from his hand.
He chose to summon Sabo and Ann in attack position. But it didn't end there.
He activated his Commander Rhett effect. When Rhett is the field commander, he can add one Blood Mist Summon card from his deck to his hand.
He would use this card. His god! His soul!
Blood Mist Summon~
The effect of this card: All Rhett Family members gain 2000 attack and defense points. They cannot be destroyed by monster effects, cannot be destroyed in battle, cannot be targeted by spell or trap cards. Additionally, reduce the opponent's HP by 1000 and increase your own HP by 1000 each turn.
The thick mist surged in like a tidal wave, swallowing the entire reef beach in an instant. The pirates and Marines who had been noisy just moments before suddenly fell silent.
"What's going on?! Form up! Form up!" The major barked orders, his hand already on his saber.
"Sir, there's something... there's something in the mist..." a Marine soldier said, his voice trembling.
Rhett: Oh, still reporting properly, huh.
"Whoosh—"
A dark figure flashed through the mist, fast as lightning.
"AHH—!!" The one-eyed pirate's scream was cut short. A hair-thin bloody line had appeared on his throat. As his body hit the ground, Ann's figure had already vanished back into the mist, her heavy sword unstained by blood.
"Enemy attack! Form up!" The major shouted, but the mist distorted his voice. The Marine soldiers scrambled to form a circle, back to back.
"BANG!"
A gunshot cracked through the mist. The bullet pierced a pirate's knee with surgical precision. Ace's figure flickered briefly in the mist before disappearing. The pirate's head flew clean off. Ace's lips curled into a cold smile. "Second one."
Rhett: Oops. Why are you tossing heads around for no reason? Oh dear.
Sabo made no sound. His silver-white longsword struck from the mist like a viper. The blade flashed. Two Marines barely managed to block, but their swords snapped.
They didn't even see who had struck them before they fell into a deep "infant's sleep."
"Damn it! It's a Devil Fruit user!" The scar-faced captain roared, swinging his blade wildly, only to cut through mist. "Come out! Fight us face to face!"
"THUD!"
Ann's heavy sword slammed into his spine from behind. The sound of cracking bones was unmistakable. The scar-faced captain dropped to his knees and vomited blood. Before he could turn his head, Ace had already planted a foot on his back and pressed the flintlock against the back of his head. "When you were killing those villagers, did they beg for mercy?"
The major finally broke down. He swung his saber frantically, slashing at the mist around him. "Come out! You cowards—"
"SWISH!"
Sabo's blade stopped just before his throat. The cold touch froze the major in place. The mist parted slightly. The figures of the three children slowly emerged. Ann's heavy sword was against a pirate's neck. Ace's pistol was aimed at another's forehead. Sabo's blade was pressed firmly against the major's throat.
"You... you're pirates, aren't you?" The major's pupils contracted violently as he finally saw the figures in the mist clearly. "Just... kids...? I can give you all the treasure. We can even work together. There's no need to fight to the death here, right?"
"No." Sabo's voice was soft, but it chilled the major to the bone. "We're sending you to hell."
When the mist finally cleared completely, only scattered bodies remained on the reef beach. Rhett stood not far away. The three little ones walked back to his side, not a single drop of blood on them.
"Good teamwork." Rhett ruffled Ann's hair. "Ann for突击 and suppression, Ace for ranged support, Sabo for precise finishing..." He paused, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. "But next time, leave one alive for questioning. I want to know where they stashed the money. That's our income too."
Ace pouted. "They're all scum anyway. Aren't we giving that money back to the villagers?"
"Of course. The stuff they stole from the villagers goes back to them. But what about the stuff that doesn't belong to anyone? That's ours. And honestly, you wouldn't be wrong to keep it all anyway. You avenged those villagers. Consider it their payment to you for the job. Up to you. I don't really care either way."
Sabo looked down at his blade and asked quietly, "Do they... really deserve to wear those uniforms?"
Rhett didn't answer. He just looked toward the horizon, where the sky was slowly turning light. "Dawn's coming. Time to head home."
In the morning mist, four figures quietly disappeared, as if they had never been there at all. Only the sea breeze wailed softly, carrying away the last traces of blood.
---
Rhett hurried the three little ones back to the small house in Windmill Village as fast as they could go. He had to move fast. Rouge had called him so many times. They had said they would only be gone for a few days, but it had nearly been a week. Rouge was already worried sick. Not that she didn't trust Rhett — but what parent wouldn't worry about their children?
Rouge was already standing at the doorway, craning her neck. When she saw four figures appear at the end of the path, she immediately hurried over to meet them.
"Why are you so late getting back?" Rouge crouched down and carefully checked each child. "Are you hurt? Are you hungry?"
Ace immediately started hopping around, holding up a bulging cloth bag. "Mom, look! We earned a lot of money!" He deliberately shook the bag to make the coins clink.
Sabo smiled shyly. "We also helped the villagers chase away the bad pirates."
Ann silently pulled an exquisite shell wind chime from her pocket and gently shook it. "For you, Mom. We picked it out in a town we passed through."
"Oh, how beautiful!" Rouge took the wind chime, delighted. Then she pretended to be angry and poked Rhett's forehead. "You, keeping the children out so late."
Rhett raised both hands in surrender. "My fault, my fault. I was just showing the kids the magnificent sights of the open sea."
He winked at the three little ones. "But they did great."
At the dinner table, Ace waved his arms and legs enthusiastically, recounting their "exciting" adventure. "That pirate captain was so stupid! Ann knocked him down in one swing! Then Sabo and I took care of the rest in no time!" He gestured wildly, carefully avoiding any mention of blood.
Sabo sipped his warm milk, adding a few details here and there. "The grilled fish in that town was really good..." His eyes sparkled as he described the food, like he was talking about the most delicious thing he had ever eaten. He didn't mention the crying villagers, the ruined houses, or the scenes of hell on earth.
Ann quietly ate her bread, nodding occasionally. When Rouge looked her way, she would raise her little fist and make a "victory" sign.
Rhett and the three little ones only talked about the good stuff, never the bad. And that was fine. Rouge only needed to know that they were doing great.