Chapter 22: We Are All Real

Snap!

The rat slapped Paru straight across the face, then turned with a sly smile toward Gao Wen, ignoring Paru’s stunned expression.

“I just misremembered.”

“Returning to the East Blue from the Grand Line isn’t unheard of in the Marines—for example, Admiral Garp often comes back here.”

“Looking at you… at your face, you don’t seem like a pirate.”

“Really?”

Gao Wen slowly sheathed his knight’s sword, his expression cold—he knew from the rat’s reaction that the man had recognized him.

From his demeanor, he clearly didn’t want to fight here.

After all, even someone like A Long could easily control him—let alone Gao Wen, whose bounty was more than double A Long’s and whose strength far surpassed his.

“So it seems this is just a misunderstanding.”

The rat nodded vigorously.

The moment he recognized Gao Wen’s face, he nearly pissed himself—so of course this was a misunderstanding, and it had to be one.

As a senior Marine officer in the East Blue, he knew exactly what a bounty of 48 million meant.

Only a Grand Headquarters Colonel or higher-ranking officer could handle such a threat.

In the East Blue, he was practically invincible—if things escalated to the point where Gao Wen had to act, everyone here would die.

Even the man beside Gao Wen, who was calmly sheathing his claw blades one by one—named Luo Ke—was starting to look familiar.

Wait.

Ten-claw blades, cold and gloomy face, an aura of terrifying killing intent…

Luo Ke… Keluo?

He’s the Hundred Schemes Keluo?!

The rat’s heart lurched—same fighting style as the rumors, no doubt—he was the real Hundred Schemes Keluo!

Recalling his own words just now, the rat wished he could crawl into the ground.

What the hell!

He’d just been boasting, making up nonsense—and the real person was right here?

At that moment, Keluo’s gaze accidentally swept over the rat. Feeling the coldness in the man’s eyes, the rat felt a chill run down his spine—he couldn’t stay here a second longer!

Just as he opened his mouth to try to bluff his way out, he felt a wave of scorching heat beside him.

The burning pain on his face made Paru tremble violently—he reached up to touch his nose and saw bright red blood:

“Blood? I’m bleeding?”

Paru’s face turned deathly pale, and an invisible flame erupted from beneath his armor.

The flame glowed blue-green, far hotter than ordinary fire—even from a distance, everyone felt the heat licking at their skin.

“Shit!”

A Jin’s face darkened.

Paru’s strength, among Krik’s men, was second only to his own. With his full set of shields, even direct cannon fire might not push him back.

But Paru had one fatal flaw.

Once injured, he lost his sanity and went berserk!

“This is bad!”

“Flame Paru!”

Flames exploded around Paru, his face twisted into near madness. The pain shattered his reason, sending him into a frenzy.

Without hesitation,

He swung his arm-mounted shield at the rat!

“S… save me!”

The rat barely choked out a sound when a gaunt figure suddenly appeared before him.

The newcomer swung his iron cane with tremendous momentum, striking the shield on Paru’s chest…

Boom!

Paru’s chest shield shattered outright; his body flew backward, landed with a thud, rolled his eyes up, and passed out.

The harbor guards stared at A Jin, who had suddenly attacked, their expressions filled with fear. They instinctively shielded Jia Sha and stepped back, their gazes toward A Jin now laced with deep wariness.

Someone who could shatter such a thick shield in one blow—was no longer human in their eyes.

The rat, having narrowly escaped death, had soaked his pants.

“I… I’m alive!”

“You did great! I’ll pay you, promote you—no, I’ll transfer you to my command!”

The rat babbled incoherently.

A Jin caught the strange odor in the air and frowned.

“Commander, our identities still need your confirmation.”

“Oh, right—identities!”

Ignoring the dampness between his legs, the rat forced a sly smile at Gao Wen, then turned to Jia Sha:

“I vouch for them—both are genuine Marines.”

Jia Sha glanced at the rat, then at A Jin beside him, and frowned:

“None of you three are trustworthy now!”

The rat’s face flushed red, but dared not react with Gao Wen present.

He could only scowl as he pulled a Den Den Mushi from his pocket, dialed a number, spoke briefly to the person on the other end, then ordered a subordinate to hand the receiver to Jia Sha.

“Father?”

Jia Sha froze slightly.

“You know this Colonel Rat?”

She gave the rat a strange, unmistakably disgusted look, lowering her voice:

“Isn’t this guy the one who colluded with pirates in Cocoyasi? What a piece of shit!”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll trust you.”

After hanging up, Jia Sha returned the Den Den Mushi to the rat and apologized slightly to the group:

“Since this is a misunderstanding, let’s end it here.”

“I apologize for my earlier actions—but as a lord, I must bear this responsibility. I hope you understand.”

Then Jia Sha waved her hand, dismissing the harbor guards. After one final long look at Gao Wen, she turned and left.

The three opposing sides in the harbor all exhaled in relief.

None of them wanted open war—so this outcome was nearly the best possible.

With the tension lifted, each side began their own actions.

The rat watched Gao Wen’s retreating figure and involuntarily shivered, then turned to his marine:

“Let’s go!”

“We leave immediately!”

The marine blinked, looking uneasy:

“Colonel, our supplies only last a few days. The next port is at least half a month away. We…”

“If we stay here, we all die!”

The rat’s voice trembled. After regaining some composure, he ordered:

“Contact the nearest base. Tell them our ship broke down at sea and they must send a rescue.”

“As for these monsters…”

The rat glanced at A Jin, then at Gao Wen and Keluo, gritted his teeth:

“Let the monsters handle them!”

“Rogue Town isn’t far from here. That bastard from Headquarters isn’t arrogant enough?”

“Let him deal with it!”

Without even bothering to secure supplies, the rat immediately set sail as soon as the crowd dispersed—clearly fleeing in panic.

…

In the harbor.

Keluo stared at the Marine ship carrying A Jin and the others, licking his lips:

“I know that rat—he’s weak, no real threat. But that marine who just moved, named Bai Yin, has some power. Even I felt a hint of danger. He’s a notable figure in the East Blue.”

“He’s not called Bai Yin.”

Gao Wen shook his head, cutting straight to the truth:

“Ghost Man A Jin. Bounty: 12 million Berries. Chief general under Admiral Krik.”

(End of Chapter)