Akainu regretted it.
Inviting a lunatic to join the Marines was one thing—
But now he even had to pay the bar tab?!
A bad feeling stirred faintly in his chest.
Xiao Zizai would absolutely become a massive headache in the future.
Not only would there be endless messes to clean up—
Even he himself might end up dragged down with him.
But…
Since things had already reached this point, all he could do was take it one step at a time.
After settling the bill, Akainu left the tavern with Xiao Zizai, heading toward the nearest harbor to board a warship back to Marineford and complete a series of formal procedures.
Watching their departing figures, Rayleigh chuckled.
"Although Xiao Zizai is a bit unhinged…"
"Some of his actions might actually influence a group of Marines."
After their previous battle—and recalling the things Xiao Zizai had said—
Rayleigh knew clearly that this man was a genuine madman.
Everything he did, everyone he killed,
Was determined solely by the scale in his heart—
And that final sliver of light that remained within him.
"For someone born twisted, this world is practically perfect."
"He's also lucky."
"He's found a job that allows him to vent his instincts—"
"And still has a heart unwilling to fully sink into darkness."
Ron smiled faintly.
"You're right. Before long, the Marines will have a large number of people who support him."
Rayleigh nodded proudly.
"Then let's wait and see. This old man's judgment is rarely wrong."
As his words fell—
The system's mechanical prompt echoed in Ron's mind:
[Ding. Customer Xiao Zizai has completed his confession.]
[Customer Xiao Zizai: Dragon Claw Technique, Flower-Plucking Finger… Host may choose one ability.]
After a moment's thought, Ron said,
"Select Flower-Plucking Finger and fuse it."
[Ding. Beginning fusion of Flower-Plucking Finger.
Compensation for ability gaps complete!]
In the next instant—
All knowledge related to the Flower-Plucking Finger flooded Ron's mind.
When executing the technique,
As the two fingers come together, a small gravitational vortex forms between them.
The user can freely control the direction of attraction,
Pulling on different parts of the opponent's body!
Hold on a second…
After fully understanding it, Ron suddenly realized something felt very wrong.
Are you sure this is a combat technique—
And not something meant for nighttime use?
If this were used on Lucoa, wouldn't I turn into Yu the Great taming a flood?
Mm…
This might require some late-night research.
Better have Rem prepare a few extra bedsheets—
Just in case the floodwaters rise…
...…
After leaving the tavern, Xiao Zizai and Akainu encountered a problem.
Since Areas 1 through 30 had been gifted to Ron by the World Government,
The harbor in Area 13 was temporarily shut down.
The two had no choice but to travel to the neighboring Area 70 to board a Marine warship.
Just as Xiao Zizai stepped onto the gangplank, he suddenly stopped and turned his head.
"What is it?" Akainu asked, turning back.
"I didn't expect human traffickers to exist in this world too."
Xiao Zizai sneered.
Akainu followed his gaze.
A group of traffickers were dragging five or six women toward a shadowy alley.
In truth…
They weren't ordinary traffickers.
They were enforcers raised by the Celestial Dragons—
Specialized in seizing attractive women for their masters to choose from.
If selected, the women would become playthings.
If rejected…
They would either be killed or "rewarded" to the enforcers.
So when Marines saw such scenes, they usually turned a blind eye.
At this moment—
Akainu said nothing.
He wanted to see what Xiao Zizai would do.
Vice Admiral Onigumo snorted coldly.
"New guy, I advise you not to meddle."
"Otherwise, no one will be able to save you."
Xiao Zizai glanced at him and smiled.
"My friend, civilians are being oppressed."
"And you Marines choose to ignore it."
"Very good…"
"This gives me a deeper understanding of this world."
As his words fell—
Xiao Zizai vanished before the eyes of the Marines.
The next second—
Piercing screams echoed throughout the harbor!
Mixed within them were the sounds of limbs being torn apart,
And Xiao Zizai's distorted, exhilarated laughter.
Seeing this, Onigumo's expression changed drastically.
"Move out immediately!"
"They must stay alive!"
If these enforcers died, it would be a direct slap to the Celestial Dragons' face.
When that happened,
Every Marine present would suffer the consequences.
However—
When Onigumo and the soldiers arrived at the scene,
Every face was drained of color.
The once-lush grassland had been dyed crimson with blood.
Organs and severed limbs lay arranged in eerie order,
Painting a scene straight out of hell.
"You're too late."
Xiao Zizai shook the blood from his hands.
His eyes glowed faint red, his face filled with the bliss of satisfied bloodlust.
"Do you even know what you've done?!" Onigumo roared, trembling.
"Of course I do."
"But what was our original reason for joining the Marines?"
"To collect a paycheck and clock out?"
"Sorry—if I ever wear the same uniform as you for that reason alone, it would make me sick."
"I joined the Marines to give my desires a legitimate outlet—"
"But more importantly, to magnify the light within my heart and suppress my inner demon."
His calm voice echoed clearly in everyone's ears.
Onigumo and the surrounding Marines felt deep shame rise in their chests.
Yes…
Wasn't this why they joined the Marines in the first place?
To kill scum like this!
Then what had they been doing just now?
Watching?
Standing by while two pairs of mothers and daughters were dragged away to be violated?
After a long silence—
A Marine major stepped forward.
"You're right!"
"From now on, no matter who it is or what price we pay—we'll kill these bastards!"
Another soldier raised his blade high.
"Cleanse the seas!"
Then—
One voice became two.
Two became three.
Until finally, every Marine raised their arms and roared:
"Kill the pirates! Purge the entire sea!"
At that moment—
A seed seemed to be planted deep within their bones.
Taking root.
Sprouting.
Until the blood-red spider lily bloomed in full.
Seeing this, Akainu nodded in satisfaction.
This was exactly the scene he wanted.
As for the Celestial Dragons—
He would clean up Xiao Zizai's mess himself.
Akainu stepped forward and announced:
"This is the new Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral—Xiao Zizai!"
Just as the Marines were about to applaud—
Xiao Zizai turned and walked to the body of a dead woman.
She had been killed earlier when a trafficker's gun accidentally discharged.
He knelt down, pressed his palms together, and silently recited prayers.
At that moment—
His aura changed.
Moments ago, he had been a bloodthirsty demon.
Now—
He resembled a monk filled with compassion.
Contradictory.
Yet on him, it felt strangely fitting.
"A man who walks in darkness, yet still carries a sliver of light…"
"Ron… letting someone like this join the Marines truly gives me a difficult problem."
Akainu muttered quietly.
...…
At the same time—
Inside the Myriad Worlds Tavern.
As everyone drank and laughed together, the bell suddenly rang again.
Ding-ling…
The door was pushed open.
A bald, middle-aged man with an ordinary face walked in slowly—
A small axe clenched in his hand.
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