"So this is the gift you specially prepared for me?"
Outside the cell at the bottom of the ship, Kaito Arisawa pointed toward the woman locked in the opposite prison cell.
Inside that cell stood Tashigi, glaring at him with a mixture of anger and fear.
"Yes, Captain. This is the loyalty of your subordinate."
Standing beside Kaito was Bunier, the one who had captured Tashigi. He spoke respectfully, his posture straight as he expressed his devotion to his captain.
"Good. Very good. I'm quite satisfied with this gift."
Although Tashigi was several years younger in earlier encounters, she was now twenty years old. Her appearance and figure were already quite striking.
Because of that, Kaito quickly turned and patted Bunier on the shoulder with satisfaction.
That's right.
This was exactly how a proper subordinate should behave.
A captain shouldn't have to spell everything out for his crew. A good subordinate understood how to consider the captain's needs on his own.
"As long as the captain is satisfied."
Receiving praise from his captain, Bunier was overjoyed. The pride on his face was impossible to hide. Clearly, he felt he had made the correct decision.
"I heard you've already learned Armament Haki, right?" Kaito asked casually.
Bunier nodded immediately.
"Once you learn Observation Haki as well, I'll find an opportunity to reward you with a Devil Fruit."
Since the subordinate had shown such loyalty, it was only natural for the boss to give something in return.
With that simple sentence, Kaito immediately made a promise.
"Thank you, Captain! I will definitely learn Observation Haki as soon as possible!"
Bunier's eyes lit up instantly. He placed a fist over his chest in a salute, his excitement impossible to conceal.
Among the three remaining Devil Fruits recovered from Baoyu Iceberg, Kaito had not immediately distributed them.
Instead, he made the fruits public knowledge within the crew.
They were to serve as rewards.
Anyone who performed exceptionally well or made great contributions would have the chance to obtain one.
During the last Devil Fruit competition, Bunier had narrowly lost in the final rounds and failed to become an ability user.
Now that he knew learning Observation Haki could secure him a fruit, he was naturally filled with motivation.
Not long after, Bunier hurried off, eager to begin training.
Kaito remained behind, turning his attention once again to the prison cells.
His gaze returned to Tashigi.
"What do you want to do?!"
"Don't try anything strange!"
"I'd rather kill myself than let you succeed!"
Tashigi's hands and feet were chained with iron restraints. Her expression was filled with humiliation and anger.
The moment she saw Kaito looking at her again, panic surged through her body.
She retreated to the corner of the cell, shouting fiercely despite the fear in her voice.
"Golden Swordsman… if you're still a man, don't bully women."
At that moment, a weak voice came from the neighboring cell.
It was Smoker.
After receiving basic medical treatment, he had also been imprisoned here. His wrists were locked in Seastone handcuffs.
The injuries covering his body, combined with the draining effect of Seastone, left him extremely weak.
"You're mistaken," Kaito said calmly, folding his arms.
"I haven't done anything yet."
"And even if I did…"
He glanced between Tashigi and Smoker.
"Do you really think a few words from prisoners could stop me?"
Tashigi's shouting immediately fell silent.
Smoker also stopped speaking.
The reality was obvious.
As prisoners, they had no ability to resist.
Especially Smoker.
Regret filled his heart.
He didn't regret confronting the War Pirates.
What he regretted was his own overconfidence.
He had not only marched into battle himself—he had also dragged all of his subordinates, including Tashigi, into the conflict.
If he had been alone, even dying in battle would not have mattered.
But now he had implicated everyone under his command.
"This is much better," Kaito said lightly.
"In that case, let's begin your baptism."
A smile appeared on his face.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then—
He unleashed Conqueror's Haki.
BOOM!
With his talent attributes focused entirely on Conqueror's Haki, an overwhelming wave of pressure erupted from Kaito's body.
The invisible force surged into the prison cells, sweeping directly toward Smoker and Tashigi.
Thud!
Under the crushing pressure, Tashigi's breathing froze.
Her body instantly weakened.
She collapsed onto the ground as if all strength had been drained from her limbs.
"Th-this is…"
In the neighboring cell, Smoker's eyes widened in shock.
Despite lying weakly on the floor, he forced himself to lift his head and stare at Kaito.
Conqueror's Haki…
This pirate from West Blue actually possessed Conqueror's Haki.
Although Smoker had not yet mastered Haki himself, he had graduated from the Marine Elite Training Camp.
His understanding of Haki was far from shallow.
Kaito ignored his reaction.
He continued releasing his Conqueror's Haki.
The oppressive aura repeatedly battered the two prisoners.
After some time passed, he finally stopped.
Then, with practiced familiarity, he adjusted his talent attributes again.
This time, he focused on Observation Haki.
His goal was simple.
To read their thoughts.
By doing so, he could determine how effective the Conqueror's Haki suppression had been.
Good progress.
Kaito first examined Tashigi's mind.
With Observation Haki enhanced by talent concentration, reading her emotional changes was effortless.
Just as he expected—
The look in her eyes had shifted.
The fierce hostility from earlier had weakened.
Fear had turned into something closer to awe.
The Conqueror's Haki baptism had clearly shaken her mental defenses.
This woman really is tough on the outside but weak inside.
After a few more rounds, she'll probably become obedient.
Kaito felt quite satisfied with the result.
Tashigi's strength and potential were not particularly impressive.
But beauty itself had value.
Once properly subdued, she could serve in logistics—or simply remain as a decorative presence.
After all—
No man disliked beautiful women.
After finishing with Tashigi, Kaito turned his attention toward Smoker.
This was the one that truly mattered.
Among Logia users, Smoker's potential was considered relatively low.
But even so, he still possessed the potential to reach the level of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
If he could be subdued, the War Pirates' combat strength would increase significantly.
Kaito focused his Observation Haki and began reading Smoker's mind.
Then—
His brows suddenly furrowed.
A trace of surprise appeared in his eyes.
There was no effect.
Smoker's thoughts, emotions, and will remained completely unchanged.
It was as if Kaito's Conqueror's Haki had done absolutely nothing.
"How strange…"
Kaito fell into deep thought.
Could it be that this man's spiritual will is so strong that even my Conqueror's Haki cannot subdue him?
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