Chapter 383: Learn Your Lesson

Swinging her sword at the man before her...

She couldn't do it.

Tashigi's eyes trembled violently, her body bound by an invisible shadow that left her powerless no matter how hard she struggled.

Clang—

Her sword fell from her hand, landing on the ground with a metallic thud.

It was as if all the strength in her body had been drained in an instant.

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, staring blankly at her sword resting quietly on the ground.

Zoro and the others, who had rushed to the scene, along with Luffy and his crew, who had just broken free from their restraints, all looked at the disarmed Tashigi with mixed expressions.

Was that Maude's doing?

If not for something Maude had done, how could this strong-willed Marine woman have given up resistance so easily?

All eyes shifted toward Maude, who stood calm and composed.

None of these rookie pirates, who hadn't truly stood in opposition to Maude, could comprehend the pressure Tashigi endured when facing him up close.

That aura...

It wasn't merely the result of a disparity in strength.

More than that, it was an aura forged from countless spilled blood, a presence that pierced straight to the heart like a sharp blade—enough to drain the warmth from one's blood in an instant.

This was the natural reaction to facing a monster.

Seeing Tashigi surrender so obediently, Maude withdrew his gaze, sparing her not a second glance. Instead, he walked toward where Smoker lay on the ground.

"Huff—!"

After only a few steps, wisps of white smoke billowed from the rubble of a collapsed building, slowly coalescing into Smoker's form.

That earlier kick hadn't completely robbed Smoker of his fighting ability—it had only broken one of his arms.

As Smoker emerged once more, the Straw Hat Pirates tensed up.

This man, capable of turning his entire body into smoke, was by far the most troublesome opponent they'd faced since setting out to sea.

Whenever they encountered him, they had no choice but to flee in disarray.

Yet this same relentless foe could do nothing but take a beating before Maude.

"So this is the power of Armament Haki..."

The Straw Hats eyed Smoker's limp arm in astonishment.

They had only heard of Armament Haki, but had no idea how to use it themselves.

Seeing Maude bypass Smoker's Logia intangibility and directly break his arm left them deeply amazed.

To them, this scene was far more impactful than Maude's battle with Pica.

Ignoring the Straw Hats, Smoker fixed his gaze on Maude and said in a low voice, "Bacardi Maude... don't forget your 'status' right now."

"Tch..."

Maude's brow twitched slightly, his tone cold. "I don't need you to remind me."

Before the words had fully left his mouth, his figure abruptly vanished mid-stride.

In the next instant, Maude appeared right before Smoker.

Before Smoker could react, Maude's right hand shot out, clamping firmly around Smoker's neck.

"Ugh!?"

Smoker's eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat.

He couldn't transform.

Panic surged through him as he struggled with all his might to break free.

Yet no matter how hard he fought, it was like trying to shake an immovable mountain—he couldn't even budge Maude's grip.

With unwavering strength, Maude hoisted Smoker into the air.

The vise-like grip tightened, rapidly intensifying Smoker's suffocation.

Oxygen drained from his lungs, and the creeping shadow of death began to coil around his heart and chest.

The surrounding Straw Hat Pirates watched in stunned silence.

In just a single move, the formidable Smoker had been pushed to the brink of death.

Maude's face remained expressionless as he stared at the gasping Smoker.

"What you should be doing... isn't reminding me of my 'status'—you should be thanking my 'status.' It's the only reason you've been spared."

"..."

The oxygen in his lungs was completely squeezed out. Smoker's face flushed red with discomfort, unable to speak—he could only glare at Maude.

He understood what Maude meant.

The title of Warlord of the Sea meant Smoker had no right to strike against Maude, but it also meant Maude was willing to let him off the hook.

However—

The glaring gap in strength left him filled with unwillingness.

If his strength surpassed Maude's…

Then, as long as there was no direct subordinate relationship between the Straw Hat Pirates and Maude, he could arrest the entire crew in front of Maude's eyes, and Maude would have no choice but to watch helplessly.

The key wasn't identity or position.

It was the strength that paled so far in comparison to Maude's…

The suffocating pressure and unwillingness made veins bulge on Smoker's reddened forehead.

He looked utterly battered.

"Let go of Captain Smoker!!!"

At some point, Tashigi had once again gripped her sword. Though she still appeared flustered, her voice was unexpectedly firm.

The source of this sudden change lay in Smoker's imminent peril.

Though her fighting spirit had been crushed by Maude's presence, she still mustered the last shred of dignity as a swordswoman.

Even if it meant death, she would die with her sword in hand.

Maude tilted his head, glancing at Tashigi, who had barely escaped the shadows. His idle hand reached toward the long-unused Skillful Grade blade, Chidori.

"Commendable courage… but if you're truly prepared, speak with your sword. However… you're not yet worthy of me drawing Shusui."

"Don't underestimate me!!!"

With a furious shout, Tashigi held her sword before her, charging at Maude like a rhinoceros at full speed.

A graceful arc of light carved through the air, aiming directly at Maude's throat.

Clang—!

Maude drew Chidori, coating the blade with Armament Haki.

"Too slow."

With a single swing, he effortlessly cleaved through the incoming arc of sword energy.

A crisp sound echoed as Tashigi's sword snapped in half, its broken tip spinning into the sky.

"My… Shigure…"

Maintaining her attack stance, Tashigi stared blankly at the shattered remains of her beloved sword.

Without acknowledging her despair, Maude flicked his arm, hurling Smoker toward Tashigi.

Smoker's body shot out like a cannonball, colliding with the broken blade still clutched in Tashigi's outstretched hands—blood splattered instantly!

The lingering momentum sent both Smoker and Tashigi crashing through the restaurant wall, raising a cloud of dust.

Maude glanced at the gaping hole in the wall and spoke flatly:

"Hopefully, this encounter will teach you both a lesson."

Not far behind Maude, the Straw Hats remained utterly silent.

Luffy clenched his fists quietly.

For someone who always acted without considering the consequences, he finally began to ponder one thing:

Could Crocodile, another Warlord of the Sea like Maude, truly be an enemy they could defeat?

"That's… the power to cut iron!"

Zoro's eyes locked onto the broken blade on the ground, his gaze heavy.

At the edge of the street—

Ace, carrying his backpack, slowly withdrew his gaze.

Even if Maude hadn't acted, Ace would have stepped in to stop Smoker the moment he heard the commotion.

"Blackbeard isn't here…"

He pressed his hat down, his mind already drifting toward the next island on this route.

Meanwhile, at the Rain Dinners Casino—

In a dimly lit room, Robin received a report from the Billionaire Agents but did not immediately seek out Crocodile.

"That man… why is he in Alabasta?"

Her eyes filled with thought, unable to comprehend the reason.

Lost in contemplation, Robin failed to notice the shadow silently approaching behind her.

-------

Want to read waaaay ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/EmperorGarus [remove the parenthesis ( )]

There are more than 400 advance chapters available for you!