Chapter 24: Add Money

The moonlight shimmered over the restless sea, casting a silvery glow on the waves. On the deck of a damaged ship, the remnants of the Black Cat Pirates were nursing their wounds and bruised pride. Defeated, demoralized, and drenched in failure, they plotted their next move in silence.

At the center of the ship, Clo sat heavily in the captain's chair, a deep scowl etched across his face. His eyes scanned the battered and bruised pirates below him, burning with venomous rage.

"Damn that Leo... and that straw hat brat," he muttered under his breath, his voice cold and filled with hate. "Three years. Three years of planning, and it all went up in smoke because of a bunch of rookie nobodies."

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as he continued to seethe. "And these useless fools... if they hadn't been so weak, I wouldn't have been defeated like this!"

Clo's hatred grew heavier with every passing second. The humiliation of defeat weighed on him like an anchor. In his mind, there was only one solution to rid himself of this shame—kill them all. Every last one of these so-called crewmates.

Once he recovered from his injuries, he would dispose of them. These weaklings had outlived their usefulness. Only then could he disappear to a new hiding place, far from the eyes of the Navy, and start anew.

"You're right about one thing," came a calm voice from above, sharp as a blade. "People like you... it's a sin to let you keep breathing."

Clo's eyes snapped upwards, stunned. A figure floated in the air above him, silhouetted by the moonlight. It was Leo, standing midair as if the sky were his domain.

This kind of power was only spoken of in whispers—tales of elite Marines capable of flight. And yet here was Leo, an unknown figure until recently, floating effortlessly above the sea, like some mythical warrior.

"How... how did you find us?" Clo stammered in disbelief. "You—what are you?"

Leo didn't answer. He didn't need to.

"I don't want to waste my breath on trash," Leo said coldly. "This is for everyone who died by your hands."

He raised his hand. "Gravity Magic: Pressure."

A massive wave of force erupted from the sky, slamming down on the Black Cat Pirates' ship with brutal intensity. The wooden hull groaned and cracked as if the sea itself were trying to consume it. The ship's buoyancy couldn't withstand the weight, and the surrounding ocean dipped into a crater-like pit as the vessel was pressed downward.

The pirates screamed as water rushed over the deck. Moments later, the ship exploded under the pressure, shattering into fragments. Planks, crates, and lifeless bodies scattered into the blood-stained sea. A faint cry for help echoed over the waves, weak and fleeting.

Despite the destructive force, a few pirates had managed to survive the onslaught. Among them was Clo, coughing and gasping for air, his body trembling in pain and terror. The Meowban Brothers floated nearby, their earlier arrogance wiped clean from their faces.

"Mercy... please, spare us! We won't do it again!" the brothers cried desperately, flailing helplessly in the water. "We didn't know... no one told us there was someone like you in that tiny village!"

Leo's eyes were devoid of pity. "Water Magic: Abyss."

The sea responded to his command. A colossal whirlpool—over five kilometers wide—formed under the survivors. Its pull was inescapable. The water spun with devastating force, dragging everything into its depths. Screams were swallowed by the current, replaced by the roar of the vortex.

Crushed by the pressure, suffocated by the ocean's grip, the remaining pirates met their end beneath the waves.

Leo stood still in the air, surveying the aftermath. He had sensed the evil in these men. Even the least guilty among them had blood on their hands—seven or eight lives taken without remorse. There was no hesitation in his judgment. Justice, as he saw it, had been served.

Satisfied, Leo turned and vanished into the night sky, leaving behind nothing but broken planks and silence.

He had one more task to complete—asking Meli whether the Going Merry could be made stronger.

Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was far more lively.

Thanks to Kaya's generous hospitality, Luffy and his friends were celebrating with a grand banquet. The long battle was behind them, and for Luffy, nothing beat eating a mountain of food after a good fight.

"Meat! Glorious meat! It's so delicious! I could eat forever!" Luffy grinned as he shoved another piece of roast into his mouth, his face glowing with joy.

Kaya, now dressed in comfortable, elegant clothes, smiled warmly at her guests. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Mr. Luffy. I hope you'll stay for a few more days so I can thank you properly."

Luffy paused, meat in hand. "Nah, I've got a promise to keep with Shanks. I'm gonna become the Pirate King!" He waved excitedly, chewing as he spoke.

Kaya laughed gently. "Then I wish you the best of luck. But remember, you'll always be welcome here."

Meanwhile, Leo had returned to the mansion's shipyard, where Meli was overseeing construction. The sheep-horned shipwright was issuing instructions to a group of workers when Leo approached.

"Can we make the ship stronger?" Leo asked, his tone firm but respectful.

Meli scratched his head beneath his wooly hat. "Well, sure... but it won't be easy. The ship's almost done. Reinforcing it now would mean dismantling some parts and rebuilding them stronger. And that costs money."

Leo looked serious. "The ship is another one of our crewmates. If there's a chance to give it a longer life, I want to take it."

He remembered how the Going Merry was eventually burned. That memory—no matter how far into the future—left a lingering ache. If he had the chance to change its fate, to give it a better life, then he'd take it.

"We'll need high-quality wood, special coating materials, reinforcement for the keel... at least tens of millions of Baileys," Meli said after a pause. "And that's assuming we have some leftover materials."

Leo didn't hesitate. "I have thirty million Baileys. Will that be enough?"

With a casual flick of his wrist, Leo brought out several boxes and a bundle filled with cash.

Meli's eyes bulged. "T-thirty million?!"

"I saved it during my travels in the East Blue. It was originally for buying a ship," Leo said. "Kaya offered to cover the costs, but I don't want her to shoulder everything. Use these for reinforcements. Whatever's left, spend it on supplies."

Meli was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Understood. I'll make sure the Merry is the sturdiest ship to ever sail the seas!"

Leo gave a faint smile and turned to head back to the banquet. As far as his friends knew, he had only gone to the bathroom—no one needed to know he'd just erased an entire pirate crew from existence.

Just then, Nami appeared, eyes wide and shining like gold coins. She rushed toward Leo, stopping in front of the boxes filled with Baileys.

"Whoa! Leo, you're rich!" she gasped, kneeling down and gently touching the stacks of money as if they were treasure.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Why are you out here? Aren't you eating with the others?"

"I needed a break. Luffy's too busy stuffing his face, Zoro's already passed out drunk, and Kaya went to check on Usopp," Nami said, still staring at the money with admiration. "I figured I'd come find you."

Leo chuckled, then gave her a warning glance. "This is the money for the ship. Don't even think about touching it, or I'm taking that stick back."

Nami huffed but smiled mischievously. "Fine, fine. I was just looking."

Despite her love for money, she appreciated Leo. He was mysterious, sometimes a little dark, and yes, he had stolen from her once—but most of the time, he was reliable and gentle.

As the night deepened, the stars blinked silently above the sea. The village had been saved. The ship was being strengthened. And for the first time in a while, Leo felt the faintest flicker of peace.

The real journey was only beginning.

pàtreøn (Gk31)