《One Piece：The True Codex》Chapter 59: Standoff

William leaned in close to Zeff's ear and whispered, "How about you tell your men to lower their guns?"

Zeff snorted in disdain. "Do you take me for someone so afraid of death that I'd lose my head? Either let me go, or we die together!"

"So, it seems you're determined to go down with a no-name pawn like me?" William replied with a hint of threat in his voice, while mentally calculating the time. He wondered how long it would take for the restaurant's owner, Dampier, to arrive.

"Once you've chosen the life of a pirate, you lose the right to choose how you die," Zeff said, his sharp gaze sweeping over his three subordinates. His words weren't just directed at William but also at his own men. "The only thing we can decide is whether we die like men!"

William felt a chill run down his spine. He could sense Zeff's killing intent. This man, who had risen to the rank of pirate captain while maintaining the guise of a chef, was now showing a side of him that somewhat redeemed William's negative impression of pirates.

At least among pirates, not all were spineless cowards who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Just as Zeff and his three subordinates were preparing to make their move, a group of people hurriedly entered the restaurant.

"One Piece:The True Codex"Dampier, still wearing his white lab coat, had come straight from his laboratory to the meeting room, and now to the restaurant entrance, without even finding time to change his clothes.

It was clear that the man was suppressing his anger. Holding a slender rapier in his hand, he stepped between the two groups locked in a tense standoff. First, he glanced at Reis and the Red-Beard Pirates, then at William and Zeff, whose blades were pressed against each other, and finally at Zeff's subordinates, who had their guns trained on the two. Taking a deep breath, he spoke: "Are you planning to kill each other here? In the royal capital? In front of my restaurant?"

"If either of you makes the first move, I guarantee you'll never get another shipment from me. Meanwhile, your opponent will have everything they could possibly need," Dampier warned, his hand resting on the hilt of his rapier. The men behind him also raised their guns, aiming at William and the others. "And don't think for a second that you'll leave here unscathed!"

As soon as Dampier finished speaking, Zeff was the first to respond. He ordered his subordinates, "You three, lower your guns."

Once his three men complied, Zeff turned to Dampier and said, "I'll give you this favor, Dampier. If I die, I trust you'll help my crew fulfill the obligations they couldn't complete."

Zeff's words were well-crafted. If William or Reis dared to harm him now, Dampier would certainly intervene.

Reis frowned but, seeing Dampier's gaze fixed on him, weighed the pros and cons before finally saying, "Let him go, Stolt."

With a shrug, William moved his blade away from Zeff's throat and cautiously retreated, slowly rejoining his crew.

Zeff turned around, showing no signs of anger or humiliation. Instead, he smiled at William. "Kid, I'll remember you. You're in trouble now. This old fox holds grudges just like you!"

William ignored the threat from the infamous East Blue pirate. As he passed Dampier, their eyes met briefly. Dampier seemed to be deep in thought as he looked at William.

In the distance, a commotion could be heard from the far end of the street. Dampier cast a cold glance at both groups and said, "It's probably the royal guards. I know some of you have connections with the big shots in the capital, but I don't want pirates and my restaurant to be publicly associated."

Reis forced a smile, while the other Red-Beard Pirates cheerfully patted William on the shoulder. Hatcheson asked about his injuries with concern, as if William had just won a glorious battle.

Before the royal guards arrived, the two pirate crews parted ways, each heading in opposite directions.

Kalmar City, at the residence of the Minister of Finance.

After seeing off Barbarossa and Kuro, Arcadio Buendía made his way to a small meeting room. His collaborator, the short-statured Marine Captain Roy, was standing with his hands behind his back, intently studying a painting of a nude woman displayed in the room.

Although Captain Roy, Arcadio, and "Red-Beard" Barbarossa had formed a de facto alliance of mutual interests, Roy still avoided meeting Barbarossa face-to-face whenever possible. Associating with a kingdom noble like Arcadio was one thing—if trouble arose, it could be explained to some extent. But colluding with a pirate like Barbarossa was a crime that couldn't be easily excused.

The profits Arcadio took from Barbarossa's spoils always included a share for Roy, which Arcadio would pass along. However, Barbarossa couldn't explain this arrangement to his crew, leading to inevitable discontent among his men. They viewed their captain and his hidden "partners" on land as greedy opportunists.

"These brainless pirates," Arcadio sighed, "they just can't understand that their freedom is thanks to the intelligence and official protection we provide. Instead, they're always fixated on petty gains."

Clearly, Kuro had privately informed Arcadio about Barbarossa once again pocketing a portion of the spoils. He might have even exaggerated the details.

Arcadio was also aware of Kuro's recent beating at the hands of Hayreddin, but he didn't care. As for Kuro's subtle hints about wanting to return to the trading company, Arcadio ignored those as well. In the end, Kuro left the mansion filled with disappointment and resentment.

"It's because they're stupid that they became pirates in the first place," Captain Roy said as he turned back around. Despite Barbarossa's reputation as a notorious pirate in the East Blue, Roy's tone carried an air of superiority.

Arcadio chuckled and was about to say something when the Transponder Snail in his pocket suddenly rang.

Offering Roy an apologetic smile, Arcadio stepped aside to take the call.

Roy didn't mind and turned his attention back to the room's decorations. When Arcadio finished the call, his expression was grim. Roy finally asked, "What's the matter?"

The call Arcadio had just received was about the public standoff between Reis, William, and Zeff, which had unfolded in full view of the townspeople.

"These scum are nothing but rabid dogs, always causing trouble," Arcadio sighed. "They're such a headache. If I could find suitable replacements, I'd kick them to the curb in a heartbeat."

"They're just pirates. There are plenty more where they came from," Roy replied nonchalantly, puffing on his cigar.

Elsewhere, William had already returned to the ship with the help of his crewmates. Along the way, the older pirates traveling with him vividly recounted to the remaining crew how William had subdued Red-Leg Zeff and joked with him even while surrounded by three loaded guns.

After Hatcheson and Harden helped him lie down and left, William suddenly sat up in his hammock. Though his face was still a bit pale, there was no sign of the weakness he had shown earlier.

Zeff's kicks, while powerful, hadn't been as forceful as they seemed. During their exchange, Zeff had changed his moves three times without having time to fully gather strength. The one kick that landed on William wasn't nearly as devastating as it appeared. Moreover, since acquiring the Robust trait, William's body had become significantly more resilient and quick to recover. The earlier display of needing assistance had been entirely an act.

Peeking outside to ensure no one was around, William pulled a Transponder Snail from his pocket and dialed a number.

When the call connected, William spoke in a low voice, "The bait's been set. Get ready to skin them."

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