Chapter 36
BANG! Crack!
The moment Kai's heavy kick landed on Colonel Morgan's shoulder, a loud bang sounded first, followed by the crisp sound of Morgan's shoulder bone shattering! Several hundred pounds of force crashing onto Morgan's shoulder—it was no surprise that his shoulder bone broke!
"Wah!"
Morgan opened his mouth and vomited a mouthful of blood. His eyes widened in shock!
Thud!
Then Morgan's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor. His eyes lost focus, and he fainted. Under Kai's sneak attack and full-powered strike, Morgan couldn't even withstand a single blow! He was heavily injured and slammed to the ground!
"Colonel…" "Colonel…"
Seeing Morgan spit blood and collapse, with a figure landing on top of him and stepping on his body, the Marines outside the treasury all cried out in alarm! Their guns instantly aimed at Kai!
"Hmph!"
However, under Kai's released Conqueror's Haki, the squad of Marines fainted before they could even pull the trigger! After releasing Haki again, Kai felt the Haki inside his body starting to run dry! He knew he couldn't release it anymore!
"Hmph! Aren't you called Axe-Hand Colonel? Then today I'll chop off your axe hand!"
Looking down at Morgan under his foot, Kai drew Wado Ichimonji and spoke coldly!
He had clearly remembered Morgan's attitude from earlier that day. A man must settle scores—revenge was a must! Looking at the unconscious Morgan, a cold light flashed in Kai's eyes!
Screech!
The blade flashed. Morgan's entire right arm was chopped off by Kai and thrown to the side! Blood sprayed violently from the severed shoulder!
"Ah…"
The pain of losing his arm instantly woke the unconscious Morgan with a miserable scream!
"Hmph!"
But the moment Morgan woke up, Kai stomped down again, and Morgan fainted once more. The pitiful Morgan—provoking Kai had led to this outcome! After adapting to the cruel side of the One Piece world, Kai had become decisive and ruthless in his actions!
That night, Kai took the 130 million Berries he had looted and sped toward Loguetown on the Phantom! He had no idea that because of this incident, Morgan would become even more brutal and tyrannical!
...
Loguetown—the place where Pirate King Roger was born and executed—was the most prosperous town in the East Blue. It guarded the entrance to the Grand Line at Reverse Mountain. Every pirate who wanted to enter the Grand Line had to pass through this checkpoint!
However, starting from last month, a new colonel named Smoker had been transferred from Marine Headquarters to this checkpoint. With his powerful Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability, no pirate crew had managed to enter the Grand Line this month!
Because of this, pirates in the East Blue who wanted to challenge the Grand Line now feared Loguetown. They had learned how strong Smoker was and assumed he was just showing his authority as a new commander. They planned to wait a while before trying to enter the Grand Line again! They had no idea that Smoker would guard this post for six full years—only leaving after Luffy passed through Reverse Mountain six years later!
This was also why the East Blue was considered the weakest sea in the Grand Line and New World—because for six long years, almost no promising new pirates had managed to enter the Grand Line. Smoker's presence at Loguetown blocked many talented rookies!
Only a few pirate crews managed to slip through when Smoker temporarily left Loguetown!
"As expected of the place where Pirate King Roger was born and died—it really is prosperous!"
After stepping onto Loguetown, Kai couldn't help but marvel at the bustling island. Compared to the rest of the East Blue, Loguetown was by far the most prosperous! The streets were lively, filled with people coming and going, noisy and vibrant!
"Look! Isn't that the 'Maple Leaf Hunter'?" "Yeah! It really is the thirteen-year-old 'Maple Leaf Hunter'! I didn't expect him to come to our Loguetown today…" "He must be here for the auction…"
Wherever Kai went, surprised exclamations followed. His identity was even more well-known in the prosperous Loguetown!
Kai ignored the whispers around him. After the first time, when he had felt extremely proud, he had grown used to it and now basically tuned it out. With a calm expression, he walked through the lively streets of Loguetown!
"I should find a chance to meet Smoker and test his Smoke Fruit ability!"
Kai muttered with a light smile.
"More importantly, I want to see if Tashigi has been assigned under him! She looks exactly like Kuina—I wonder if they have any blood relation?…"
Kai chuckled lightly. This was the main reason!
Kai believed that two people looking so identical couldn't be a coincidence—they must share a blood connection! Even in the original story, he had suspected the relationship between Tashigi and Kuina—especially since both loved swordsmanship. Now that he had the chance, he naturally wanted to confirm it!
"Kuina once said her mother—my master's wife—died from complications during childbirth. But rumors say she was a powerful swordswoman! How could someone like that die from difficult labor?"
Kai had always suspected this. He suspected Koushirou had lied to Kuina, and there must be some hidden truth behind it!
As for what that hidden truth was, Kai had no interest in knowing. What interested him was whether Kuina and Tashigi were sisters—or even twins!
"Heh heh! But whether they're sisters or twin sisters, I'll definitely trick Tashigi onto the ship… oh no, onto my bed in the future!"
Kai let out a wicked, charming chuckle!
...
"Tashigi, where are you going?"
Inside the Marine branch, Smoker looked curiously at Tashigi as she headed out! In front of Smoker stood Tashigi, wearing a blue uniform. She had only been assigned under Smoker as a Lieutenant this week!
"Reporting, Colonel! I'm taking a team out on patrol. Tomorrow is the auction day. We can't let any pirate crews sneak into Loguetown!"
Tashigi said while looking at Smoker.
"Mm! Alright then. Be careful out there!"
Smoker nodded with a smile. He quite admired Tashigi's sense of duty! Having only been here a week, Smoker already treated her like a little sister!
"Yes, Colonel!"
Tashigi saluted. Then she led a squad of Marines out to patrol the town!
"Achoo!!"
But as soon as she stepped out the door, Tashigi sneezed!
"Weird… who's badmouthing me?"
Tashigi cutely rubbed her little nose. She had no idea it wasn't someone cursing her—it was Kai thinking about her!
"Robbery! There's a pirate robbery!"
After patrolling just a few streets with her team, Tashigi suddenly heard shouts coming from ahead!
"What? There really are pirates causing trouble here! Let's go!"
Tashigi exclaimed in surprise. She immediately ordered the twenty Marines behind her and drew her sword, Shigure, rushing forward first!
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