Chapter 10: The Pirates' Offering

"Have you decided how you want to die...?" 

Renji's low voice echoed over the island. 

The Navy, the pirates, and the civilians all looked up at the not-so-tall but imposing figure of the Navy lieutenant commander in the sky. 

The people who had been evacuating in an orderly manner instinctively stopped in their tracks upon hearing Renji's calm voice. 

That voice... 

"Lieutenant Commander Renji is here!" 

The Navy soldiers, who had been busy evacuating the crowd, suddenly erupted into cheers, their eyes shining with admiration under the sunlight. 

"Leave some people here to continue the evacuation. The rest, follow me to provide support." 

With Renji's arrival, the Navy soldiers seemed to be filled with adrenaline, eager to follow the man they admired into battle. 

"You don't need to go. Stay here and protect the civilians." 

At the entrance of the town, a wobbly figure walked toward the gathering of Navy soldiers, holding his stomach. 

"Lieutenant Kuzan!" 

The Navy soldiers saluted, their faces filled with respect for the man before them. 

Kuzan waved his hand. "Disperse and carry out your duties. Make sure the civilians are safe." 

He sighed helplessly, his gaze fixed on the town's entrance to prevent any pirates from sneaking in—though that was unlikely to happen. 

"Ugh..." 

The flight had been too fast, and he still hadn't recovered. 

Kuzan rubbed his stiff face. Truly, Lieutenant Commander Renji was something else. In just five minutes, he had flown them 20 kilometers. 

Meanwhile, at the coast, Henry Evans' arrogant laughter rang out. 

"I thought it was a Navy vice admiral coming with all that big talk." 

"Turns out it's just a puny lieutenant commander. Hahaha, this is hilarious!" 

"When I was fighting on the high seas, you were still playing in the mud and piss!" 

"I've killed at least a hundred brats like you. Why don't you go take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror, or do you need me to help you with that?" 

Renji narrowed his eyes. Extreme vulgarity always rubbed him the wrong way. He replied calmly, 

"Oh? Were you so scared that you pissed yourself just now, and now you're trying to pin it on me?" 

"Like a child, always using foul language to hide your panic." 

Henry Evans spat in disdain, his anger turning into a sneer. "Well, I'd really like to see what you've got." 

"No one can stop me. Whoever stands in my way... I'll kill them!" 

He waved his hand fiercely toward Renji. 

"Everyone, attack! Kill him! I want him torn to pieces!" 

Violence and madness filled his eyes, his rage driving him to the brink of insanity. 

The atmosphere grew suffocatingly tense. 

Under the pressure of the two men's auras, the pirates held their breath, silently reloading their guns, afraid that someone else might steal their chance at glory. 

But soon, the pirates noticed something strange. 

Their attacks seemed to have no effect, even though their bullets had clearly hit the Navy officer. 

Yet, the bullets left no marks on him. 

The unknown was the most terrifying, but they had no other choice. 

Bullets rained down like they were free, the pirates hoping that overwhelming firepower would bring them some sense of security. 

Those remaining on the pirate ships didn't hesitate either, loading cannonballs into the cannons. 

In an instant, scorching projectiles streaked across the sky, creating a storm of gunfire and explosions. 

"HAHAHAHA! Tremble before my firepower!" 

Henry Evans refused to believe that a mere lieutenant commander could withstand an attack capable of destroying an entire town. 

Back in the town, the Navy soldiers' expressions changed as the sounds of gunfire and cannons reached them. 

"How do these damn pirates have so many cannons and so much ammunition?" 

Some of the newer recruits grew anxious. This was their first mission, and they had already encountered such ruthless pirates. 

"Relax. Those pirates have no idea who they're dealing with..." 

Kuzan, who had always been by Renji's side, wasn't worried at all. In fact, he almost wanted to laugh. These pirates were only a threat to ordinary Navy soldiers with their ships and cannons. 

Their lieutenant commander's body was impervious even to cannon fire. Even a legendary sword capable of cutting through iron wouldn't leave a scratch on him. 

Kuzan patted the katana hanging at his waist, a bitter smile on his lips. 

Just as the Navy soldiers were worrying about Renji's safety, they were surprised to find that the gunfire and cannon sounds from the coast had suddenly stopped. 

Had something unexpected happened outside...? 

... 

At the coast. 

A strong wind blew, dispersing the smoke and dust... 

The pirates were stunned to find that the Navy officer was still standing in mid-air. 

His torn uniform revealed a muscular body, his tanned skin glaringly obvious to their eyes. 

"How is this possible...?" 

"After being hit by cannons and bullets for so long... it had no effect!" 

"What kind of monster is this?!" 

The more fragile pirates stared at Renji in shock, their feet involuntarily stepping back. They were terrified. 

Against an enemy with such unfathomable strength, they couldn't muster any will to resist. 

"Sigh..." 

A sigh reached the pirates' ears, standing out even amidst the gunfire. 

"Now I'll have to apply for a new uniform. Those guys are definitely going to nag at me again. What a hassle." 

Silence! 

The world suddenly fell into complete silence, as if time had stopped. 

??? 

The pirates were filled with confusion. 

We've been attacking you with everything we've got, and you're worried about your damn uniform? 

"Alright, I'm done playing with you." 

Renji crossed his arms and stretched lazily. 

"Ah~ Thanks for the massage. I haven't felt this good in a while." 

"As a token of my gratitude, I'll reluctantly send you all to hell." 

"Pirates like you always look better dead." 

His tone was casual, as if he were chatting with an old friend, but his words were chillingly brutal. 

As Renji spoke, Henry Evans flipped into the air, drawing the twin swords at his waist and lunging straight for Renji's face. 

His attack wasn't flashy, but it was fast and vicious! 

Yet, Renji didn't even seem to notice the blades coming at him. 

Instead, he took a step forward. 

With a loud *smack*, Henry Evans' swords missed their mark, slashing into empty air. 

But Renji didn't give him a chance to continue. His right fist slammed into Henry Evans' face. 

The man's face seemed to explode on impact, and without even a scream, he was sent flying backward. 

By the time he struggled to his feet, Renji was already standing in front of him. 

The fire of madness in Henry Evans' heart seemed to have been extinguished. His hands trembled as he dropped his swords to the ground. 

"I surrender!!!" 

"I'll never come back to these waters, I swear!!! I swear to you!!!" 

"Please, spare me!!!" 

Seeing that Renji remained unmoved, Henry Evans hurriedly added, 

"I have a lot of treasure! If you let me go, I'll give it all to you!!" 

"..." 

"If that's not enough, I... I have many beautiful women on my ship. I'll give you everything!" 

"I can serve you... I still have value..." 

The other pirates remained silent, as if they had accepted their fate. 

... 

Renji silently watched the pirate's performance, curious about what was going on in this man's head... 

What made him think such things would appeal to him? 

Seeing that Renji didn't reject his offer, Henry Evans felt a hint of disdain. 

As expected, these Navy officers were no different from pirates—equally greedy and self-serving. 

He raised his hands above his head, cautiously inching forward, appearing to have completely given up any resistance. 

...