Xia Yu didn't enjoy fighting or killing. If he was to live as a traveler, he preferred to remain uninvolved—eat when it was time to eat, drink when it was time to drink, and drift through the journey without a care.
But this was the world of pirates!
Remaining completely detached, however, was simply impossible.
So when it was time to act… he would act!
And since he had already made his move—since blood had already been drawn—Xia Yu had no reason to show mercy. He didn't waste a single word—he simply dealt with every marine in the courtyard.
After cutting down the middle-aged officer in a single strike, Xia Yu turned toward Kaya's family—still trembling in fear—and spoke calmly, "Don't be afraid. I'm not a bad person. Though… it seems you'll need some time to calm down."
With that, he left the stunned Kaya family behind and walked toward the courtyard gate, addressing the villagers outside, who had regained some composure but were still visibly shaken."Could you all do me a favor and help move these marine bodies—"
"Report… report…"
"I'll repeat—our marine unit in Syrup Village has been attacked by pirates. All personnel except me have been brutally killed…"
At the sudden voice, Xia Yu instinctively tilted his head and looked over.
The marine officer whose arm had been severed had somehow taken out a Den Den Mushi and was reporting the situation.
"Careless of me…"
Xia Yu blinked. He hadn't expected that guy to still be carrying a Den Den Mushi! Now that the message had gone out, more marines would inevitably arrive. By then, his peaceful visit to Syrup Village would be completely ruined.
Well, since I've already killed them…
Then I might as well… leave no one alive.
With that thought, Xia Yu stepped forward and walked toward the officer.
"You… you're dead!"
After finishing his report, the officer glared at Xia Yu, his expression twisted with malice. "Killing marines… you'll definitely end up on the execution platform—"
"W-what are you doing…"
"Don't come any closer—"
"AAAAAH—!!!"
With a swift, decisive strike, Xia Yu ended the officer's life. He casually tossed the saber aside, his expression as calm as ever.
"This is bad… very bad."
Xia Yu rubbed his head, feeling a bit troubled. He hadn't expected that after arriving in this world and growing stronger, even his mindset would change so completely.
He had just killed so many marines—yet he felt not a trace of worry or fear.
Was this what they called… the mindset of the strong?
Or perhaps… the confidence that came with strength?
Meanwhile—
East Blue, a certain Marine base.
Upon receiving the report from Syrup Village, the base's colonel nearly exploded on the spot.
Pirates in the East Blue had been getting more and more rampant lately!
Not long ago, although the 153rd Branch had captured the infamous pirate Kuro, they had suffered devastating losses—almost an entire fleet wiped out.
And now, before things had even settled, another marine unit had been attacked in Syrup Village. If this continued, wouldn't the entire East Blue fall into chaos?
With that in mind, the colonel quickly took out his Den Den Mushi, preparing to issue orders.
At that moment, a marine officer beside him stepped forward. "Colonel, even if we rush there now, it'll already be too late."
"Even so, we still have to go and assess the situation!"
The colonel said firmly, "Even if we arrive late, we must find out which pirate crew did this and wipe them out completely."
"Pirates must indeed be eliminated."
The officer bowed slightly and added, "But, Colonel… have you forgotten? Vice Admiral Garp just contacted you earlier."
Hearing this, the colonel's eyes lit up. "Vice Admiral Garp is currently in the Syrup Village waters… But if we contact him directly, wouldn't that be overstepping? Besides, he's a Marine hero—something this minor—"
"An attack on marines is no small matter."
The officer said calmly, "If Vice Admiral Garp hears about this, even without our request, he'll head there immediately."
"…Alright."
After a brief silence, the colonel made his decision.
Syrup Village.
Though still fearful, the villagers eventually calmed down and helped Xia Yu move and bury the marine corpses.
While the villagers were busy handling the bodies, Kaya's family inside the mansion also gradually regained their senses, nervously watching Xia Yu sitting at the entrance.
"Um…"
Kaya's father mustered his courage and cautiously approached Xia Yu, his voice trembling. "Th-thank you for saving us… may I ask, sir…"
"I'm Xia Yu."
Hearing him stutter, Xia Yu cut in gently and introduced himself, "No need to be afraid. I'm just a traveler passing through."
"A… traveler?"
Kaya's father paused. Although he could sense that Xia Yu wasn't a bad person, the earlier scene of him cutting down marines as if they were nothing had left a deep impression, and his voice still trembled. "Mr. Xia Yu… you… you just killed so many marines… The Marines won't let this go. So… you should leave—leave as soon as possible!"
"Rest assured, after you leave, I and the villagers will not reveal any information about you. After all… you killed those marines because of us."
"That really is troublesome."
Xia Yu rested his forehead on one hand, looking at Kaya's father with an amused expression. "If you're truly worried about me, how about preparing something to eat? Even if I have to flee, I should at least fill my stomach first."
"Th-this…"
Kaya's father froze.
Normally, even lawless pirates would avoid the Marines. Yet this young traveler, after killing so many of them, showed no fear at all.
Was it ignorance of danger… or absolute confidence?
Just as he stood there stunned, little Kaya suddenly ran into the house.
Moments later, she returned carrying a large bowl of food, walking up to Xia Yu shyly. "Mr. Xia Yu… here!"
Compared to the frightened villagers and her father, little Kaya appeared surprisingly calm.
And the reason was simple—she could sense that Xia Yu harbored no ill intent.
Not only that, but being near him gave her a gentle, comforting feeling.
So the moment she heard he was hungry, she immediately brought him her favorite food.
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