Chapter 20: Rescuing Nami
Hearing Gatt's words, the crew members—who had been momentarily intimidated—immediately roared back in fury. Nami's face turned deathly pale in an instant, her eyes filled with absolute despair!
"Hmph! You won't even spare a little girl? You all deserve to die!"
But just as Nami sank into hopelessness, a cold snort full of rage suddenly rang out across the ship—completely out of place amid the chaos!
It was Kai's voice! Cold and furious, it echoed from behind the pirates. At this moment, Kai's eyes burned with blazing anger. Seeing Nami's terrified expression, he had never felt such rage before!
Nami was one of his absolute favorite female characters from the story. But now, seeing the real, frightened Nami being threatened and about to be killed by these pirates, Kai's heart couldn't tolerate it!
"Who's there…?" "Who is it…?"
The sudden voice made every pirate jump. They whipped around—and their pupils shrank in terror the moment they saw Kai!
Nami, who had been drowning in despair, suddenly heard someone roaring in her defense. She looked up—and her eyes trembled as they landed on Kai. Then, a spark of joy and surprise lit up her gaze…
"It's the 'Maple Leaf Hunter'…" "My God… when did the Maple Leaf Hunter get here…?" "This time… is his target the boss…?"
Once they recognized Kai, the pirates immediately cried out in panic. Kai could clearly feel the overwhelming fear exploding from every single one of them!
Fueled by rage, Kai instantly amplified their terror using the Emotion Fruit. The pirates staggered backward in horror, none daring to approach him! How dare they scare Nami like this—Kai would repay them in kind!
"You're the 'Maple Leaf Hunter'?"
Gatt was also shaken by Kai's sudden appearance. His eyes flickered with fear as he asked, voice trembling slightly. He had long dreaded the infamous bounty hunter's name—he never expected Kai would actually come for him!
Kai ignored Gatt completely. He walked slowly toward Nami. With a single casual slash of Wado Ichimonji, the ropes binding her snapped apart!
"Are you okay?"
Kai looked at Nami with heartache in his eyes and asked softly. At the same time, he extended his hand to help her up.
Nami stared blankly at Kai. Her heart suddenly rippled with emotion. She never imagined the legendary "Maple Leaf Hunter" would care about her like this!
"I… I'm fine! Thank you!"
She shook her head quickly, stood up on her own, and thanked him in a trembling voice.
"Is this… what a hero saving the beauty looks like?"
Nami thought dazedly to herself.
"Heh heh! Good—you're safe now. These disgusting pirates… I'll kill them all for you!"
Kai gave Nami a gentle smile, then turned toward Gatt. His tone gradually turned ice-cold!
"Hmph! You want to kill me? Hahahaha… Kid! Don't think I'm like those trash pirates you caught before!"
Hearing Kai's cold threat, Gatt snorted and laughed maniacally!
"All of you—together! Kill him and the girl!"
Gatt gave the cold order to his crew.
"Yes, boss!"
Even though they feared Kai's strength, the pirates didn't dare disobey Gatt. Besides, Kai had just declared he would kill them all—their own vicious nature flared up. Pirates weren't known for mercy. When someone threatened their lives, they fought like cornered beasts! They charged Kai with weapons raised—some aiming for him, others swinging toward Nami beside him!
"Ah…!"
Nami had seen plenty of fights before, but never been in the middle of one. She screamed in terror!
"Rope Bind!"
Seeing his men attack, Gatt didn't hold back either. His five fingers extended—transforming into five thick ropes that shot toward Kai at high speed!
"As expected—Paramecia Rope-Rope Fruit user!"
Kai caught the attack from the corner of his eye and muttered inwardly.
"Fangs Bloodlust!"
With Nami right beside him, Kai didn't dare be careless. He immediately unleashed his technique. Wado Ichimonji glowed with fierce sword energy—forming the shape of fangs that crossed in front of him!
"Fangs Bloodlust" was Kai's improved version of Harley Shu's "Fangs"—enhanced with his own body and strength. Its power and speed were far greater than the original! But this was still just the prototype—Kai would continue refining it as his understanding of swordsmanship deepened!
Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat…
The fang-shaped sword shadows flashed. The pirates in front of Kai immediately sprayed blood from their chests—bodies sent flying backward. Even the ones behind were knocked away in the chain reaction!
Swish! Swish! Swish…
At the same moment, Gatt's rope attack arrived—whistling past Kai's ears! Without hesitation, Kai scooped Nami into his arms and leaped away!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang…
The moment Kai dodged, Gatt's five ropes pierced the spot where he had stood—shattering the sturdy deck. The pirates' attacks behind him also slammed into the empty space—splintering wood everywhere!
"Nami! Stay here—don't move!"
Kai gently set Nami down to the side, holding her slender waist for a brief moment. Then he turned and charged back toward the pirates—his eyes gleaming with cold killing intent!
"With you lot trying to kill me? Not a chance!"
Kai sneered inwardly. Looking at the swarm of pirates, he felt no fear at all. Like a wolf diving into a flock of sheep, he unleashed slaughter!
"Sandstorm Phantom!"
Boom!
Wooden splinters flew everywhere. Gentle winds spiraled up—quickly enveloping the pirates in a blinding storm of sand and debris. Screams of agony immediately rang out from within!
"Sandstorm Phantom" was Kai's refined version of "Cleaver Sandstorm"—perfect for chaotic group fights. This was the move that had taken down countless pirate crews before!
"You dared raise a killing intent toward such a small girl like Nami? All of you—die!"
Kai's furious shout echoed from within the storm as he fought!
Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat…
In the blink of an eye, every single pirate grunt fell under Kai's enraged assault—bodies covered in blood. This was the first time Kai had killed without mercy. He didn't spare a single one! The cold deck was now littered with corpses—only Gatt remained standing!
Nami stared blankly at the scene. Her eyes were filled with shock as she watched Kai's back. Her expression was complex—fear, gratitude, awe. She clearly heard that Kai had killed them… for her. The feeling of being protected and cared for made her heart tremble with emotion. But this was also the first time she had witnessed so many people die at once. She was both deeply moved and terrified of Kai!
"You… you killed all my men…?"
Gatt stared at Kai—covered in blood—with utter shock and rage. He looked at the boy like he was staring at a demon!
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