C21

Weiss didn't want to meddle in other people's business. That group had already set their sights on this place—what was the point of stopping them once if they'd just come back again? Unless the root cause was dealt with, fighting off a few waves would change nothing.

Besides, he wasn't some kind of saint. He wasn't about to help just anyone out of kindness.

As he mulled it over, Weiss made his way toward the Chris. Just as he reached the outskirts of the town, he faintly heard Ace's voice—then saw a blaze erupt into the sky from the coast.

In the blink of an eye, Weiss vanished from his spot and reappeared atop a nearby hill.

Out at sea, a ship flying an unknown flag was bombarding the Chris with cannon fire.

But before the shells could even land, Ace intercepted them mid-air with a blazing Fire Fist, detonating them with explosive force.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Weiss used Moonwalk/Geppo and shot straight onto the deck of the Chris, his expression icy cold. There were three enemy ships: two fairly standard, and one that looked especially luxurious. That one, Weiss guessed, must be from Mary Geoise.

"So I didn't go looking for trouble, but trouble came to me."

These ships were clearly here to collect the Heavenly Tribute—a tax for the Celestial Dragons.

Normally, the Navy escorted that kind of money. No way those sewer rats would be allowed to do it alone.

Weiss reached for his sword, ready to cut the three ships to pieces.

"Hey, hey! Weiss, wait! Don't act yet! Let me try out my powers first!"

Ace, still high on adrenaline and excitement, quickly stopped him.

After all, it wasn't every day you ran into enemies—why let Weiss steal all the fun?

"Fine, have your fun," Weiss said after a moment's thought, loosening his grip on the hilt. He leaned against the ship's railing, watching the show up close, curious to observe Ace's control over his Devil Fruit powers.

Anyway, there was no chance the enemies were escaping.

Because of Weiss's interruption, Ace hadn't had time to intercept all the earlier attacks. Now the sky above the Chris was swarming with bombs.

"Shinka—Shiranui (Divine Fire:Unknown Fire)!"

Ace raised a single finger, and a small flame—like a candle—flickered to life. As he pointed toward the sky, clusters of tiny fireballs burst forth like bullets, each one precise and deadly.

The moment they touched the bombs, the explosions were tremendous—almost as if the bombs had been guided to detonate.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Bomb after bomb exploded mid-air, vanishing into thick clouds of black smoke.

On the enemy's ship, a man with a telescope narrowed his eyes at Ace's display, a flash of malice in his gaze.

"Pass the order: All three ships, launch a full-scale, indiscriminate bombardment. No need to wait for my command—just fire."

With the command issued, black-clad crew members moved quickly. The decks of the three ships thundered underfoot as cannon after cannon roared to life.

It was a literal storm of shells—enough to make any average pirate ship crumble in despair. After all, no single vessel could match the combined firepower of three warships operating in formation.

But Ace wasn't an average person.

As the cannons fired, he remained calm. His right arm turned entirely into fire. For a Logia user like him, group attacks like this were nothing but a waste of effort.

"Hiken (Fire Fist)!"

With a loud shout, Ace hurled the blazing sphere he had charged. Ves, standing nearby, felt the wave of heat crash over him like standing in an oven.

No—they were standing in fire.

The fire surged through the air like a burning path—one whose end was paradise. Anything that blocked the way would be incinerated.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The bombs in the sky exploded under the intense heat. Steam began to rise from the sea—the fire was evaporating seawater.

Ace beamed proudly at his handiwork and glanced at Weiss, battle spirit gleaming in his eyes. He longed to spar—but knew he wasn't on Weiss's level, so he pushed that urge down.

"Alright, alright, I get it—you're hot stuff. Now let's wait for them to come to us," Weiss said casually, hand on his sword hilt, gaze fixed on the enemy ships. He had just used Observation Haki to scout them.

None of those people could take him. This was in the bag.

---

"Oh? Fire powers… a Devil Fruit user."

The enemy leader watched the cannonballs being burned away by flames. It was clear that continuing the bombardment would be a pointless waste of ammo. So he gave the order:

"Get closer. Prepare for a boarding battle."

After all, the Chris only had two people. No one on the East Blue could take on three entire ships. Maybe some monsters existed elsewhere—but not here.

As the three ships drew near, Weiss didn't hesitate. He leapt onto the most luxurious vessel, with Ace close behind.

From the prow, they looked down on a deck full of black-clad men.

"Oh? You actually dared to come aboard? Seeking death, are we?"

The leader stared at the two, his face calm—as if looking at a couple of dead men.

He even found it a little funny. No one had boarded this ship in years.

Ever since he'd gotten in bed with the Celestial Dragons, even the criminal underworld of the Grand Line gave him face. He had three talent recruitment agencies in Sabaody Archipelago. And now? His ship was boarded?

On this ship, you were either crew—or a slave.

"Capture them. Use Seastone—one of them has powers. He looks like the type those perverted nobles like. Don't damage him," the leader ordered before stepping back.

Violence was for brutes. He preferred to be an elegant gentleman.

"Charge!"

To Weiss's surprise, a group of men rushed at him with fishing nets—clearly intending to capture him alive. Weiss chuckled—a cruel, chilling smile.

Without any flashy tricks, Weiss strolled across the deck like he was in a garden. With effortless swings of his sword, he cut down the attackers before they could even react.

They died without knowing how they were killed.

Because Weiss's sword was too fast—it was as if he never moved at all.

One swing, one death. Easier than cutting grass.

Finally, one of the black-clad men near the leader couldn't stand it anymore. He lunged at Weiss.

Clang!

Fist and blade clashed. A shockwave burst out from their impact, scattering nearby men like leaves in the wind. The deck cracked under the force, sending more crew flying with the debris.

"Oh? Armament Haki. So you're from the Grand Line."

Weiss didn't even flinch. His sword didn't waver.

The attacker's expression changed. "Observation Haki!"

He had tried a sneak attack—from behind. But this man had reacted like he had eyes on his back, blocking the strike with ease—even with Armament Haki infused.

"You have some skill… too bad it's too late."

And with that, Weiss killed him. No pain. Just peace.

Meanwhile, Ace had turned his entire body into flames. The enemy couldn't even touch his physical form before being burned alive. Not even Seastone worked.

The moment Ace saw the handcuffs, he felt deeply uncomfortable. But after Weiss's earlier explanation, he realized it was Seastone—and took them out first.

As that black-clad fighter died, the leader's expression finally changed.

That man had been the second strongest on the fleet. The strongest was himself—and even he couldn't guarantee a clean kill like that.

This young man… was unbeatable. Even that Logia kid was nothing compared to him.

---

Currently at chapter 135 on Ko-Fi

https:// ko-fi.com/sami27