Chapter 27: Captain Kidd

After speaking with Smoker, Aokiji immediately set off, using his Devil Fruit abilities to create a frozen path across the sea. Riding his bicycle, his preferred method of travel, he moved swiftly, unfazed by any sea creatures he might encounter—his confidence in his strength absolute. Meanwhile, Smoker remained in Loguetown, deep in thought, contemplating how to grow stronger. He even considered heading to the Grand Line, but he knew it wouldn't be easy—he was still a few merits short of qualifying for a promotion.

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Meanwhile, Taiyo and his crew were still walking toward the town square of the Briss Kingdom, unaware that an admiral was now specifically targeting them—something unprecedented for such a new pirate crew. But it was going to happen regardless.

Suddenly, Van Augur, who was still linked with Huginn and Muninn, became alert as he noticed smoke rising from the town square—it was burning.

"Taiyo, the town square is on fire. Looks like a pirate crew is attacking it," Van Augur reported, informing his captain.

"Really?" Taiyo replied, surprised, as his Observation Haki had been disabled, causing him to miss the civilians' suffering.

"What do you want to do, boss?" Laffitte asked, a slow grin forming on his face.

Taiyo didn't respond. Instead, he silently reactivated his Observation Haki and took off running toward the town square. His crew exchanged knowing glances. Even though Laffitte had asked, they all already knew Taiyo's answer. One by one, they followed him. Van Augur, however, used his ability to teleport to the square instantly.

Taiyo, running at lightning speed, arrived not long after Van Augur due to the short distance. What he saw made his blood boil—civilians, especially women and children, were being attacked by pirates. Behind the chaos stood a figure Taiyo immediately recognized: Eustass Kidd of the Kidd Pirates.

Back when he was still just an anime fan, Taiyo admired Kidd. But now, witnessing him attack innocent civilians destroyed whatever sentiment remained. He remembered clearly—Kidd had always been ruthless in the manga, wreaking havoc on every island he stepped foot on.

At first, Kidd didn't notice Taiyo and Van Augur, as both were suppressing their presence. But then, his gaze locked onto the spot where they stood. A smirk formed on his face—he could sense nothing but weakness.

"Looks like some small fries are interested in my head. Killer, you know what to do," Kid said with a grin.

Killer grinned back and immediately dashed toward them.

Van Augur stepped forward to intercept, just as Laffitte, Kuro, and Jango arrived.

"Don't kill him yet, Augur," Taiyo said calmly.

Van Augur moved, meeting Killer's advance. Every swing of Killer's weapon was countered by the butt of Van Augur's rifle. The Kid Pirates, slowly realizing they were now facing someone who could match—and perhaps even kill—them, began to grow serious. As Killer and Van Augur continued clashing, Heat, one of the original members of the Kid Pirates, suddenly realized who they were up against.

"Boss, recall Killer immediately," Heat said with urgency, something that confused Kid—this was the first time Heat had spoken with panic in his voice.

"Huh? Why would I do that?" Kid asked, his tone a mix of anger and confusion.

"That's Van Augur—his face slipped my mind at first—but the more I look at him, the more I remember. He's the sniper from that pirate crew that defeated the Logia-user Captain back in the East Blue. And that man with the top hat? That's Laffitte—the Demon Sheriff who vanished from the West Blue because of his brutal methods. And him, the one with the massive sword? That's their Captain—the one who defeated a Marine Captain in the blink of an eye: Shimotsuki Taiyo. Killer will be killed if he keeps fighting Van Augur," Heat said as he explained.

Kid finally understood who they were facing—but he didn't really care. He wasn't the type to fear a name or a reputation.

Killer, unaware of the danger he was in, swung again, only to be parried by Van Augur with minimal effort. The sniper's movements were eerily calm, precise, and calculated. Every impact echoed with restraint, like he was holding back on purpose.

"Get back!" Heat shouted toward Killer, but it was already too late.

Van Augur made a single fluid move, sidestepping one of Killer's swings and twisting his rifle to slam the butt into the side of Killer's helmet, sending him flying several meters into the dirt. He groaned, trying to rise, but blood seeped from under his mask.

Laffitte smiled slightly. "They never listen when they're told."

Kid's grin had vanished. He stepped forward, and the metal around the square began shaking. Pipes, nails, steel beams—all vibrating toward him. "I don't care who you are," Kid growled. "I've crushed worse under my boots. You think your titles mean anything to me?!"

The metal surged, forming into jagged spikes and a grotesque arm twice the size of before. His crew tensed, spreading out behind him, while the rest of Taiyo's crew began to move.

Jango flicked his rings once, ready to hypnotize if needed.

Kuro adjusted his gloves, his expression unreadable.

Laffitte leaned his weight on his cane-sword. "Captain?"

Taiyo gave no response—his eyes were locked on Kid. His Observation Haki told him everything he needed to know. The rage, the arrogance, the overconfidence. He didn't even need to speak.

Van Augur stepped back from the downed Killer and rejoined Taiyo, rifle slung across his back once more.

"You hurt Killer!" one of Kid's crew screamed and charged—but Taiyo was gone in a flash.

In one step, Taiyo closed the distance.

In one strike, he appeared behind the attacker.

The pirate dropped unconscious without even seeing what hit him.

Kid snarled. "You bastard!"

The massive metal arm slammed toward Taiyo like a battering ram, but Taiyo deflected it with a single upward slash from his massive blade, the pressure alone sending debris flying. Sparks lit the air from the contact, and Kid stumbled a step back.