"Go to hell!"
The large black spider shouted, its venom-dripping arm morphing into a cold spear that lunged toward Leno.
Dancing spider webs fell with Ruen, hundreds of silk threads densely packed, trying to ensnare Leno in a horrifying web.
"That guy is dead!"
From a diagonal alley, Kuro and his men watched the scene unfold, a mix of calculation and fear in their eyes.
Two dogs fight, play off, Kuro mused, gently pushing up his glasses. He hadn't expected Ruen to be this powerful. Luckily, he let these people get their hands dirty for him.
A Devil Fruit ability? He mused. If the opportunity arises, I must get one too.
His gaze flickered toward the casino. Luwell was fiercely battling the minions, while a short-haired girl with a sword clashed against a middle-aged knight in golden armor. As for the black-haired boy ensnared in the spider webs, Kuro paid him no further mind. That man was as good as dead.
"Now that Ruen and the casino's people are preoccupied, move!" Kuro ordered, leading his men toward the casino's back half.
As Kuro broke into the casino to loot, within the spider web, Leno remained calm, his body shaking slightly, causing the spider threads to miss him entirely.
Observation Haki!
Leno focused on Ruen, noting, "So you've only mastered the basic power of a Devil Fruit?"
Disappointment tinged his voice. This Spider Fruit had high potential, yet Ruen, lacking in calm analysis and tactical prowess, failed to fully utilize it. Leno had deliberately left an opening, which Ruen foolishly underestimated.
How stupid, Leno thought. No wonder they can only scrape by on this island, too afraid to venture into the sea. Compared to someone like Luffy, who seems carefree but is actually sharp and strategic, this kind of person is miles behind. Luffy, despite his appearance, never gives up, always seizing opportunities and targeting weaknesses—most notably in his battle against Crocodile, where he persisted until victory.
"Are you scared stiff? Die, die, die!" Ruen laughed maniacally, believing no one could escape his lair. Anyone caught was his prey.
"How unfortunate!" Leno calmly pressed his hand on the sword's hilt. "10 seconds, that's all I need to send you to heaven!"
Clang!
The sword barely left the scabbard, and immediately, a gust of wind wrapped around the sword and Leno's body, breaking all the spider threads in its path.
SS Level Talent: Wind's Blessing!
Leno's training in Shimotsuki Village encompassed not only Haki but also Kendo. He had been striving to combine the power of wind with his swordsmanship. Fortunately, he had a template to follow.
"What?"
Ruen, now face to face with Leno, suddenly found his body unable to move, paralyzed by fear. The young man before him had transformed into a fierce tiger, radiating terrifying power.
Leno drew his sword, the wind rising in tandem with the blade, cutting forward.
"Let's go with the wind!"
Boom!
The fierce wind from the sword swirled out of thin air, slicing through the spider webs and Ruen, who screamed in agony.
"What's happening?"
"What's going on? That's Boss' voice!"
No one saw what transpired within the spider web, but Ruen's agonized cries sent chills down everyone's spine.
As the wind shattered the cobwebs, Leno stepped out unscathed.
"Huh? How is he fine?"
"Could it be?"
The fight in the casino had already drawn the attention of the Eastern District, and those watching were now dumbfounded.
Leno sheathed his sword as the surrounding whirlwind dissipated. Behind him, Ruen's shattered body fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming a grim scene.
"Hiss, Ruen, dead?"
"Ah, how brutal!"
"Who is he? He killed Ruen!"
The onlookers gasped and murmured in shock.
"Great, we bet on the right side!" Luwell, still battling the minions, grinned widely.
"What? That guy actually killed Ruen?"
The middle-aged knight clashing with Kuina was shaken. Although he had looked down on Ruen, he had to admit Ruen's strength, bolstered by his Devil Fruit, was superior. And now, he was a corpse?
Fear gripped the knight's heart as cold sweat dripped down his back. His momentary distraction allowed Kuina, who possessed the [Sword Heart] talent and an exceptionally high level of concentration, to strike.
Slash!
Though her sword hadn't reached the [Iron Slashing] realm, her [Wado Ichimonji] blade was unparalleled in sharpness, cutting through the knight's armor and sending him crashing to the ground.
Whistles echoed through the air.
Leno turned to see Marines stationed on the island rushing toward them, guns in hand.
"Catch them!" one Marine shouted.
Leno frowned. These Marines arrived too quickly. Could they be in league with the Spider Casino?
Regardless, Leno had no desire to clash with the Marines and bring trouble to Shimotsuki Village at this time. He swung his sword forward.
"Wind Slash!"
A powerful gust blew toward the Marines, causing them and those in its path to stagger and close their eyes against the force.
When the wind subsided, Leno, Kuina, and Luwell had vanished.
The attack on Spider Bar? Ruen killed? The news spread across Glass Ball Island, leaving countless people stunned. Ruen, a local tyrant known as the Black Spider, whose very name could make children cry at night, was now dead?
Simultaneously, another piece of news quickly spread.
"I heard the Spider Casino was robbed and lost 100 million Belly!"
"It's more like 500 million Belly!"
"Obviously a billion Belly!"
"I also heard the Dragon Gold, meant for the auction, was stolen!"
"Ah? Did those guys do it?"
In the crowd, Kuro, now in a different outfit, pushed his glasses slightly, watching the Marines take control of the casino and gather Ruen's body. He found it hard to believe.
"That guy, what's his story?" Kuro muttered, curiosity piqued.
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