"Death can be a simple matter… or a complicated one."
Ren smiled faintly as the Malay blade in his hand drew a shallow cut across Zagu's neck. "You scum understand that better than most. Fortunately, I understand it too.
So why don't we take this fine day—the day your Bloodhand Gang meets its end—and exchange a little experience?"
"I can offer you all my wealth in exchange for my life." Zagu tried to bargain, seizing on the only leverage he had left.
Life could always be bought—just as dockworkers spent their days exhausting themselves for a handful of Beli. Selling one's time, one's strength, even one's body—all for money.
Ren tilted his head. "Oh? Then let's see how sincere your offer is."
"You first. Show me you're serious."
Zagu's jaw clenched. To speak too soon might invite a beating; to stay silent too long might mean losing his life.
Ren's tone turned cold. "I'll give you three minutes."
Zagu didn't answer.
Ren flipped open a gilt pocket watch and spoke lightly, "Silence counts. When the three minutes are up—if you haven't offered what I want—your head moves house."
Reality hit like a slap. And so, Zagu caved.
By the time he was tied up and dragged outside, seeing the corpses littered across the manor grounds, all resistance drained from him.
Under his guidance, Ren quickly located two of the Bloodhand Gang's treasure caches.
The gang had developed from its base in Cuckoo Town, its influence radiating outward to several surrounding islands—eight in total, all resource-rich and populated.
With such a foundation, the gang's accumulated wealth was staggering.
As the saying went: A man with a conscience can make money. A man without one can make even more.
The Bloodhand Gang had their hands in everything—earning piles of Beli through every shady trade imaginable. They then propped up subordinate groups to act as their hands and shields, using them to plunder further while keeping their own risks low.
Once those subordinates grew too strong, they would "clean them up" and swallow their assets.
A perfect little cycle.
That was one of the many reasons the Bloodhand Gang's name was so infamous. Everyone knew it.
But there was never a shortage of fools on the sea who thought, I can turn the tables on them. And those fools only made the gang richer.
Under Zagu's lead, the two treasure vaults were soon opened.
Beli, jewels, gold coins, rare goods—piled high in every corner.
All together, it amounted to around ten million Beli.
But that was only one-third of their total fortune.
The rest was hidden away in a secret cache—their final escape route.
"We've gotten old," Zagu said, staring at the gold scattered across the floor. "We were thinking of washing our hands clean and living the life of rich men."
He gestured toward the glittering piles. "This is ten million Beli—one-third of what the Bloodhand Gang amassed. The other two-thirds were hidden as treasure.
Those who knew the location were me and my men. But thanks to you, they all died in that sea of fire.
If you want more, spare me. I'll tell you where it's hidden."
It was the oldest play in the book—buying life with money.
After all, what good was fortune to a corpse? He could always earn more later, so long as he survived.
The only real fear was that Ren wouldn't want anything—that he'd simply kill him.
That would truly be the end.
Ren smiled thinly. "Is that so? In just a few years, you squeezed out a total of thirty million Beli. You're even more absurd than Arlong of the Arlong Pirates—his bounty was only twenty million."
He took out the Desire Compass, its glass surface gleaming faintly as he flipped it open.
The pointer swung, then stopped, unwaveringly aimed to the west—stubborn and certain, much like Ren's own greed.
"Good. It really exists."
"Yes," Zagu said quickly. "There are no traps there, only a very well-hidden vault. Kill me, and you'll never find it. Spare me, and I'll show you the way."
He eyed the strange compass, wondering if it was broken, then pressed on with persuasion.
Justice or treasure worth twenty million Beli—if it were him, he wouldn't hesitate to choose the latter. To hesitate even half a second would be an insult to the money.
Unfortunately for him, Ren was not a man swayed by greed.
"Is that so?"
Ren snapped the compass shut and lifted his gaze to Zagu's anxious face. "Then I suppose our little treasure hunt is over."
"What do you mean? Without me, you'll never find it!" Zagu shouted, panic and fury mixing as he tried to step back.
Ren didn't answer.
But his sword did.
The Malay blade flashed once—
Slish!
Zagu's head rolled across the golden floor, eyes still wide with disbelief. Blood splattered across the coins, staining his wealth crimson.
Just like his life—he chased money and perished by it.
Ren sighed. "Unfortunately for you, you were dealing with a player using cheat codes. Ever heard of a map hack?"
Well… the Desire Compass wasn't that overpowered.
But pointing out the exact direction was good enough.
Even if there were traps, Zoro could just slice through them.
So getting the treasure wouldn't be a problem.
And even if it was, Ren had no intention of giving Zagu any second chances.
A man like that didn't survive long by being stupid—and Ren had no interest in playing mind games. Smashing the board entirely was the safer move.
"Wonderful. Another fruitful night."
Ren smiled as he flicked the blood from his blade, his eyes gleaming at the sight of the treasure.
Tonight was a feast—the corpses of the Bloodhand Gang would be his bounty.
More than thirty million Beli in assets!
Though much of it was in goods and jewels, which meant he'd probably need some help from an old friend to convert them.
"You're really decisive," Zoro remarked, glancing at Zagu's head. "You're not going for the hidden treasure?"
Ren raised a brow. "Oh? You interested? I remember today's plan wasn't supposed to involve you getting a share. Planning to take a cut?"
Zoro shrugged.
"No. Just helping you out."
He waved it off, showing little interest in the wealth.
Zoro was never one for money—what he truly cared about were swords and sake.
Then he added, "When we're back, buy me a drink. You owe me two now—and one story."
"I know. I don't go back on my word."
Ren chuckled softly. He knew Zoro wasn't the kind to hide his desires behind false modesty.
If he really wanted to thank Zoro… perhaps he should gift him a sword that burns with fire.
If memory served, that was Zoro's answer when asked what kind of weapon he desired most in the original story.
But such a blade… he'd need a lucky spin from the Dimensional Roulette to get one of those.
(End of Chapter)