Chapter 22: We’re All Real

Slap!

Mouse smacked Balu across the face, then turned to Gawain with a fawning smile. "My mistake."

"Grand Line Marines returning to the East Blue isn't unheard of. Vice Admiral Garp does it often."

"You… sir, you don't look like a pirate."

"Oh?" Gawain sheathed his knight's sword, his expression neutral. Mouse's reaction told him the man had recognized him.

Judging by his demeanor, Mouse clearly wanted to avoid a fight.

Even Arlong could handle Mouse easily, let alone Gawain, whose bounty doubled Arlong's and whose strength far surpassed him.

"Then this must be a misunderstanding."

Mouse nodded vigorously.

The moment he recognized Gawain, he nearly wet himself. This had to be a misunderstanding—nothing else was possible.

A 48-million-Berry bounty meant something he, a high-ranking East Blue Marine, understood all too well.

Only a Headquarters Colonel or higher could handle such a threat.

In the East Blue, that was near-invincible. If things escalated to Gawain fighting, everyone here would die.

Even the man beside Gawain, "Locke," slowly sheathing his claw blades, seemed increasingly familiar.

Wait!

Ten-fingered claw blades, grim and cold demeanor, radiating terrifying killing intent…

Locke… Kuro?

He's Captain Kuro!

Mouse's heart sank. The fighting style matched the rumors—it was him!

Recalling his earlier boasts, he wanted to crawl into a hole.

Damn it!

Spouting nonsense, and the real guy's standing right here?

Kuro's gaze swept over Mouse, the coldness chilling him to the bone. This place isn't safe!

Mouse opened his mouth to smooth things over, but a scorching heat hit him.

Burning pain gripped Balu, who touched his nose, seeing crimson blood. "Blood? I'm bleeding?"

His face paled as invisible flames erupted from beneath his armor.

The cyan-blue flames, far hotter than normal, made everyone feel their skin singe despite the distance.

"Trouble!" Gin's face darkened.

Balu, second only to him in Krieg's crew, could withstand cannon fire with his shields.

But he had a fatal flaw.

Injury sent him into a berserk rage!

"This is bad!"

"Blazing Balu!"

Flames exploded around Balu, his face crazed. The pain drove him into a frenzy.

Without hesitation, he swung his shielded arm at Mouse!

"Help… help!" Mouse squeaked.

A gaunt figure flashed before him, Gin's tonfa swinging with massive force into Balu's chest shield…

Bang!

The shield shattered, Balu flew back, and collapsed unconscious with a roll of his eyes.

The port guards stared at Gin in fear, instinctively shielding Gaza and retreating, their eyes wary.

Breaking such a heavy shield in one blow made Gin a monster in their eyes.

Mouse, barely alive, had soaked his trousers. "I… I survived!"

"Well done! I'll pay you, promote you—no, I'll bring you under my command!" he babbled.

Gin, catching a whiff of the stench, frowned. "Sir, you need to vouch for our identity!"

"Right, identity!" Mouse, ignoring the dampness, flashed Gawain a sycophantic smile before addressing Gaza. "I vouch for them. Both sides are real Marines."

Gaza glanced at Mouse, then at Gin beside him, frowning. "None of you are trustworthy now!"

Mouse flushed but didn't dare snap with Gawain present.

Grimacing, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi, dialed, spoke briefly, and had a subordinate hand the receiver to Gaza.

"Father?" Gaza blinked. "Colonel Mouse is an old acquaintance?"

Her expression soured as she glanced at Mouse, disgust in her eyes, whispering, "He's no good, colluding with pirates in Cocoyasi. Despicable!"

"Alright, I understand. I'll trust them."

Hanging up, Gaza returned the Den Den Mushi, offering a slight apology. "If this was a misunderstanding, let's end it here."

"I apologize for my actions, but as lord, I'm responsible for the port's people. Please understand."

She waved, dismissing the guards, and left after a lingering look at Gawain.

The three factions sighed in relief.

None wanted open conflict—this outcome was the best possible.

As tensions eased, they split to pursue their plans.

Mouse, watching Gawain from afar, shivered and barked at his men, "Go!"

"We're leaving now!"

A Marine hesitated. "Colonel, our supplies will only last a few days, and the next port is half a month away—"

"Stay here, and we're all dead!" Mouse's voice trembled. Calming down, he added, "Contact nearby bases. Say our ship's damaged and needs assistance."

"As for these monsters…" He glanced at Gin, then Gawain and Kuro, gritting his teeth. "Let monsters deal with monsters!"

"Loguetown's close. That smug Headquarters guy can handle it!"

With that, Mouse fled without even resupplying, his ship vanishing as the crowd dispersed.

…

At the port, Kuro eyed Gin's warship, licking his lips.

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