A few days later.
The Queen of Spring's city—Saint Poplar.
Every city has a dark side.
Even Saint Poplar, under the control of the World Government, is no exception.
In a remote tavern on the city's eastern outskirts—
The outside was run-down and dilapidated, but the interior glittered with gold and splendor.
More luxurious than most royal palaces.
A member of the intelligence network was pinned down against a table piled with Beli.
A cold gun barrel was pressed firmly against his forehead.
"Krili, after attacking the Sea Train and Saint Poplar so many times, you still dare to show your face here? My disappearance has already caught Mayor Wilson's attention. Your death sentence is imminent."
"Hahahaha~" That hit the Krili Pirates' funny bone.
The tavern erupted in laughter like a festival.
After laughing enough, Krili wiped the grin off his face—though the pride in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Weapons, slaves, intelligence—if you've got money, you can get it. The World Government's corrupt officials are more than happy to serve us. They help us get whatever we need."
Krili stared at the agent's feigned look of disbelief and let out a cruel smile.
"That's right, just as you're thinking. As long as we keep their bellies full, what's so hard about walking into this city?"
"So… Wilson helps launder your goods, and every time you visit, he tips you off about your enemies ahead of time?"
The intel agent voiced his suspicion.
"Hahahaha~ Bingo. Nailed it! That's exactly right!"
Krili burst into laughter again, finally feeling like someone appreciated his genius.
What came next was the best part—watching these justice-driven fools have their ideals shattered right before his eyes.
His crew, knowing their captain well, immediately started showering him with exaggerated praise.
"Hehehehe, Krili really is the wisest among us!"
"Playing both intel agents and pirates like puppets—genius!"
"Only way they'll catch us is if Mayor Wilson suddenly drops dead! Hehehehe~"
...
"Then I guess I don't have to hold back anymore."
Rob Lucci's eyes narrowed. He activated his blood flow, pumping it into his arms strapped behind his back.
The two pirates restraining him suddenly felt their grip slip.
His arms shot free like iron rods, slicing through the air.
Crack!
Two heads burst like watermelons, still frozen in mid-laughter.
"Hey! He broke free—!"
The pirate barely had time to finish his sentence.
Lucci's fingers pierced through his throat and out the back of his spine.
Blood sprayed across Lucci's cold, unreadable face—ironically giving him a strangely serene look.
The other pirates screamed and dove behind Krili for protection. They were just here to fence goods—don't drag them into this!
"Hahahaha, every now and then, someone like you shows up thinking they're a hero."
Krili admitted he'd had too much to drink and hadn't caught the kid's movements clearly.
But that was over now.
A low growl rumbled from Krili's throat.
His body inflated like a balloon.
Bright fur burst from his skin. His ears rounded and flattened against the back of his head.
His hands sprouted sharp claws. His legs bent into a beastly crouch.
Krili, the Leopard Model Cat-Cat Fruit user—had arrived.
"You're different though… young and fresh. Bet you'll taste exquisite when I rip you apart."
He extended a long, blood-red tongue lined with backward-facing barbs, greedily licking around his mouth.
This kid was strong and young. His meat would be extra chewy.
Boom!
Lucci and Krili struck at the same time—fist vs. palm.
Their blows collided with a sound like thunder.
Lucci was forced to slide back half a step.
"Your strength… doesn't seem like enough."
Krili grinned bloodthirstily. His left claw swept toward Lucci's heart. From the shine on its tips, it was clear—those claws could tear right through vital organs.
Lucci's expression didn't change. He activated his blood flow into his left palm.
His fingers turned hard as steel, forming a claw to intercept Krili's neck.
With Tekkai backing it, he'd be injured—but Krili would die.
Bang!
But Krili wasn't the kind to trade wounds. As a hedonist, he had no desire to die for victory.
Using the reflexes granted by his Leopard Fruit, he deflected Lucci's claw with his own, and at the same time—
He lunged his neck forward. That barbed tongue flicked across Lucci's chest, dragging a shallow wound before he pulled back again.
"You used that speed to latch onto the Sea Train, didn't you?"
Lucci's voice was steady as he activated his blood flow again to stop the bleeding.
"Hahahaha… you taste amazing. I'll savor you… one bite at a time."
Krili didn't answer. He just licked his bloody lips.
His eyes burned with lust—for Lucci's chest.
Then—
His crouched legs exploded with power as he charged.
Lucci stood motionless, like an ordinary man frozen in fear.
Until Krili got close enough for even the blood in his fur to be visible.
Boom!
A violent gust exploded from the floor.
Lucci whipped his leg through the air, unleashing a Rankyaku slash toward Krili.
"Let's see if you can change direction mid-charge at that speed."
Squelch!
Krili's bloodied shoulder answered.
He'd barely dodged his head aside—otherwise it would've been a direct hit.
Fury and blood twisted his face into something feral.
"Damn you, brat! I've changed my mind. I'll keep you alive and eat you little by little."
"Troublesome."
Lucci frowned at Krili's rapidly sealed shoulder wound.
He might lack Rokushiki skills, but Zoan recovery was no joke.
Strength and speed too—Krili held the edge.
Victory… wasn't guaranteed.
Kuro, how long does it take to grab Wilson's head? Where the hell are you?
...
The Kuro Lucci was thinking about—
Was standing inside a weapon shop with a smiling face logo.
Moments later—
He walked out with a satisfied grin.
Arriving at a secluded tavern, he transformed into Wilson's appearance.
Then headed to the rendezvous point.
When Kuro finally arrived—
The place was in ruins.
Krili's subordinates, according to the files, had all been shredded by the aftermath of the fight.
If Krili hadn't reinforced his lair so well—
His whole damn house would've been torn apart.
Krili now stood, chest crisscrossed with deep lacerations.
Kuro could tell—those were Rankyaku wounds.
But Lucci looked worse.
His chest and back were nothing but raw flesh.
If it weren't for his mastery of Tekkai and blood control, he would've passed out from blood loss.
Kuro's arrival broke the deadlock between them.
"Wilson! Call your guards! If he escapes, we're both dead!"
Krili shouted in desperation.
Even while brawling, he'd been stuffing his face—but his strength was running low.
His Devil Fruit powers were draining his stamina fast.
Lucci, however, noticed the subtle hand signs Wilson was making—and relaxed slightly.
"Don't worry, Krili! I'm here to help you!"
Kuro pulled out the latest and most expensive weapon he'd just picked up from his family.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg