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Due to its remote location and slow economic development, Windmill Village doesn't have a commercial port, just a simple dock for boats.
"HAHAHA! Those simple-minded pirate fools could never guess I'd take the sea route, could they? Leaving a boat here just in case was the smartest decision of my life!"
Higuma couldn't help but laugh loudly as he admired the small wooden boat docked at the shore, feeling proud of his cunning.
However, his smile soon faded, replaced by a darkening gaze.
"It's just a pity I couldn't take the opportunity to chop off Zyhark's head, that bastard who dared make me lose money!"
Having his team buried by the pirates in Windmill Village, Higuma's plan to expand through high-interest loans naturally fell through.
"Don't you dare insult Zyhark or Shanks and the others!"
Luffy, firmly gripped in his hand, shouted loudly, trying to stretch his rubbery arm to punch Higuma in the face.
Higuma, having already witnessed this bizarre ability, grabbed Luffy's flimsy fist, twisting and binding the flailing limbs like tying ropes.
Luffy, just having mastered his fruit's abilities, was thus subdued, unable to free himself from his own stretched arms.
"Shut up, brat! If you weren't still useful to me, do you think I wouldn't chop you up and feed you to the fishes right now?!" Higuma coldly glared at Luffy in his grasp.
After all, if it weren't for this brat suddenly causing trouble, how would they have ended up in a conflict with the pirates, forcing them into this humiliating escape?
Having subdued Luffy, Higuma hurried towards the small wooden boat docked at the shore, beginning to untie the hemp rope tied to the stake.
"Once we escape the pirates' pursuit and ensure our safety, you'll join my men in their grave!"
"Higuma, my man, why the rush? I still owe you a few hundred thousand Belly."
Higuma, pondering how to dispose of Luffy, jumped at the calm voice that suddenly came from behind.
Pirates?
They found us so quickly?!
No, that damn voice...
It's Zyhark!
Realizing who it was, Higuma's face twisted with ferocity as he slowly turned around, indeed seeing that familiar handsome face.
"Zyhark! And Aqua!!"
Luffy, seeing the two standing on the beach, instantly went from menacing to smiling brightly.
But his smile soon turned into deep concern.
"Where are Shanks and the others? Didn't they come with you? It's really annoying, but this bandit brute is really strong!"
To him, Zyhark, who appeared to be just a restaurant owner rather than a pirate, might have subdued the red-haired monster, but seemed incapable of defeating Higuma.
And Aqua, who could at best tie with him in their usual scuffles, stood no chance against this fierce bandit!
If Aqua knew she was seen as such by little Luffy, she'd likely be hopping mad.
"Not at all, Higuma is just small fry to our Aqua-sama, she could easily handle him!" Zyhark crossed his arms, his demeanor unshakable as a mountain.
Hearing this, Aqua nodded vigorously, adding, "That's right, Luffy, don't be fooled by Zyhark's frail appearance, he once..."
"Eh? Am I going in?"
Realizing midway through her boast, Aqua's words hung in the air as she glanced at the menacing bandit nearby, blinking her wise eyes.
"This small fry? Interesting, a woman with a brain issue, and you talk big!"
Higuma, already seething with hatred for Zyhark, rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, his expression darkening.
Aqua was irked by his words. What did he mean by saying she had a brain issue?
When Aqua gets irked, her passive effect of ignoring her own safety kicks in, maxing out her taunts!
"Ha? I, the goddess with countless loyal followers, Aqua of the Axis Church, even among the elite gods, am the highest achieving, most praised Water Goddess. And you? Just a rat scared off by pirates!"
"Dare to say my head's got issues? You're the one who should be scared stiff by a tractor, dying and reincarnating into a smelly slime in hell, shouldn't you?"
Her rant, far from the image of a beautiful girl, nearly baffled both Higuma and Luffy.
Higuma's face twitched uncontrollably, thinking his earlier "bit off" comment about Aqua was an understatement.
"Wow! Aqua-sama is so cool!"
Only Luffy, the fool, would admire her with stars in his eyes.
"For a lunatic, I've always been quite tolerant. But calling me a 'smelly rat,' that I cannot ignore." (Not that he understood the rest)
Higuma, with veins bulging on his forehead, couldn't hold back any longer and swiftly drew his sword from his waist.
Knowing Zyhark and the others had found this place meant the pirates wouldn't be far behind.
Thus, without further ado, he wanted to quickly deal with these nuisances and then escape to the sea!
The sharp blade glinted menacingly, finally snapping the frenzied Aqua back to her senses, who quietly retreated behind Zyhark.
Truly, Aqua-sama's talent for infuriating others was unparalleled!
Seeing Higuma charging with rage, Zyhark's eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of a plan coming together.
Though confident he could defeat Higuma head-on, feigning weakness to disorient him before striking was the easiest strategy.
Especially since Luffy was still in Higuma's clutches. If the coward attempted to flee upon realizing he was outmatched, things could get complicated!
"Zyhark, you know what?"
"Ever since you made me lose money at the restaurant, I've wanted to chop you down!"
Higuma, with his powerful stride, approached Zyhark, his long sword slashing through the air towards Zyhark's head with a deadly angle.
Naturally, Zyhark wouldn't just stand there waiting to be killed; he dodged back, avoiding the attack.
Higuma's cruel smile broadened as he anticipated this amateur evasion, swiftly changing his grip to stab at Zyhark's heart, now vulnerable in his retreat!
Zyhark, quick to react and protect his heart, was forced to grab the incoming blade with his hand.
The sound of the blade cutting through the palm echoed, Higuma, accustomed to killing, decisively let go of the sword and, closing in, aimed a powerful punch at Zyhark's face.
A direct hit with a "friendship-breaking punch"!
Zyhark, a mere civilian, couldn't withstand such an attack and was sent flying, crashing into the sand a few meters away.
Even the long sword he had gripped fell from his hands due to the intense pain, dropping straight to the ground.
(End of Chapter)