Chapter 37: Weird Gun Werther

Aurora ordered her crew to continue sailing while Asa remained deep in thought. The ship gradually moved further away.

"What monstrous strength... No wonder Ola Faustin didn't even dare to make a sound and just ran for his life!"

The bewildered caravan finally snapped out of their shock as they watched the ship disappear over the horizon. The leader of the caravan guards let out a sigh of relief, still shaken.

"After this job, I'm done! The sea is far too dangerous..." The fat merchant captain, drenched in cold sweat, felt like he'd aged years from fright.

The waters around them were stained red. Most of the slain pirates had already become food for the fish, and traces of Sea Kings loomed in the area.

The crew of the merchant ship quickly set sail again. Surviving one disaster was already a miracle—they had no intention of tempting fate and becoming another Sea King's meal.

The distance between Capone Bege's mafia-controlled island and Elbaf Island wasn't too far—just a two-day sail.

Compared to the longer voyages across remote seas, where trips could take ten days or more, this was considered a relatively short route.

This passage contained over 20 islands, with five or six nations flourishing along it. It was the wealthiest region in the West Blue, as it served as the main passage to enter the Grand Line.

But its prosperity came with chaos—a place where dragons and fish mingled.

Bounty hunters, mafias, pirates, and navies from different nations all competed for dominance here.

Originally, the largest force in the area was the mafia ruled by Aurora's father, but Capone Bege had seized control.

Still, Bege had only recently killed his former boss to take the throne, and his strength alone wasn't enough to command absolute loyalty. As a result, the region became even more unstable.

When news reached Capone Bege that the Aurora family possessed a Devil Fruit, he immediately ordered a hunt for the escaped Aurora.

During the voyage, after witnessing Asa's true power, Aurora finally revealed everything to him.

"These are trivial matters. No matter how cunning the schemes and plots in this sea are, they are nothing compared to absolute strength!" Asa spoke indifferently, showing little interest.

He valued strength and freedom above all, despising tricks and political maneuvering. The weak relied on schemes—because they lacked the power to dominate.

Take Capone Bege, for example. He killed his boss and sought to unite the mafia under his rule. But in the end, he would encounter Asa, who could crush him effortlessly.

The outcome was already set—either Bege would abandon his ambitions and flee to a place beyond Asa's reach, or he would stay and await his death.

"Miss! Lord Asa! Another pirate crew is approaching!" The ship's helmsman hurriedly reported.

Aurora, sitting inside the cabin, turned to Asa. With such a powerful man by her side, she felt reassured, knowing their journey would be safe. She simply waited for his decision.

"Tch, more annoying pests..."

Asa sighed, feeling a bit helpless. During their journey, he had already sensed at least a dozen pirate crews within his Haki's range. As long as they didn't bother him, he ignored them.

But now, someone was trying to rob them...

As Aurora watched him expectantly, Asa crossed his legs and spoke in a low voice:

"Thousand Thunders!!!"

At his command, the clouds above began to churn violently. Thick, dark storm clouds rapidly gathered, blotting out the sky. Thunder rumbled, and with a deafening crack, massive bolts of blue lightning streaked across the heavens—striking over a dozen pirate ships instantly!

The remaining pirate crews, who had been observing from a distance, were stunned into silence. It took them a while to even process what had happened.

"That's him! The Thunder Fruit user, Hyborai D. Asa!"

"The Lightning Controller—Asa!!"

"Run!!!"

Panic erupted. Without hesitation, they turned their ships around and vanished from sight.

"As if they couldn't recognize my ship by now… You already know my abilities, yet you can't even remember what my vessel looks like?" Asa muttered, annoyed that his thoughts had been interrupted once again.

Aurora gazed out the cabin window, watching the shattered remains of the pirate ships floating on the sea.

"They probably didn't come looking for trouble on purpose. Capone Bege must have gotten word of you and sent scouts to test your strength."

"Or maybe their intel is outdated. They've only heard of your name but didn't realize you were traveling along this route," Aurora speculated, her tone carrying a hint of respect.

"Sooner or later, Mr. Asa's name will shake the entire world!"

"Hahahahaha!" Asa threw his head back and laughed. "Not 'sooner or later'—it's already destined. The moment I set foot on this sea, I made sure of that. The world will never forget my name! That day is coming… soon!"

His wild, unrestrained laughter echoed, leaving a deep impression on Aurora. She knew this moment would be engraved in her memory forever.

She watched him—arrogant, reckless, indifferent, and commanding an overwhelming presence. He exuded a unique charm, drawing others in like moths to a flame.

But instead of speaking, she fell silent.

Compared to him, she felt insignificant. Even if she wished to follow his footsteps, she wasn't standing at the same height.

"Brrrrrmmm!! Brru buru buru!!"

Suddenly, the snail-like Den Den Mushi on the dining table in the cabin began ringing, its tongue flicking out.

Aurora snapped out of her daze and glanced at Asa, who remained still with his eyes closed, uninterested.

Taking the initiative, she reached for the receiver.

As soon as she picked up, the Den Den Mushi's expression shifted—it morphed into the face of a man with slicked-back hair, small round sunglasses, and an unnaturally long tongue.

Aurora recognized the look instantly.

"Capone Bege's lackey… The negotiator 'Weird Gun' Werther?" Aurora's face darkened, her voice laced with disdain. She gritted her teeth.

"'Weird' Werther, what do you want?"

She had nothing but contempt for this man—a schemer who would do anything to achieve his goals. If she could, she would tear him apart.

"Yohohoho! Cluck, cluck, cluck!" The Den Den Mushi let out a bizarre cackle.

"Young miss, please forgive my rudeness, but I'd like to speak to the 'Thunder Controller'—Lord Asa!"

Asa, of course, had heard the conversation. Slowly, he opened his eyes, interest flickering in them.

"Oh? What do you want from me?"

"Huh?" Werther hesitated for a moment but quickly recovered. "Ah! Lord Asa, my apologies. I am Werther, the gang's negotiator. People call me 'Weird Gun'!"

He spoke politely, but Asa had no patience for small talk. He cut in coldly.

"Get to the point. I have no interest in knowing who you are. Say what you want."

"Hohoho! Mr. Asa, you certainly don't waste words. Do all powerful people have such a direct personality?" Werther chuckled before his tone turned serious.

"On behalf of the entire gang, I extend our greetings.

I'd like to know—what will it take for you to abandon your journey to our base?"

(End of Chapter)

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