Kaku stared blankly at Takumi.
He had thought that once Takumi learned he was a spy, he would definitely kill him.
When he was hit earlier, Kaku didn't even try to dodge.
Even if he had tried, it wouldn't have made a difference—he knew he was no match for Takumi.
Besides, Takumi's punch was much heavier than the ones he had seen him land on Enel before. Though it hadn't killed him, Kaku assumed Takumi was just venting his anger and intended to torture him before eventually killing him. But now… what was happening?
"Hey, Kumadori! What are you doing? Hurry up and save me!" Spandam ignored Takumi's words and screamed at his subordinate.
Takumi, without hesitation, drew his Sandai Kitetsu. Before Kumadori could move, Takumi swiftly decapitated Spandam. "You talk too much."
"What… what?!" Kumadori, who usually spoke very slowly, was so shocked by Spandam's death that it seemed to fix his speech. "You can't be serious… That guy was Spandain's son! If you kill him, Spandain will come after you!"
Takumi remained indifferent. "I've killed Celestial Dragons. Do you think Spandain scares me?"
"Hahaha!" Enel burst out laughing. "I told you! My captain would never abandon us. You're all dead now!"
"Life Return!" Kumadori shouted as he began spinning his staff-like weapon in his hands. His long hair, animated by his ability, whipped through the air, aiming straight for Takumi.
Takumi didn't waste any time. He swung his Sandai Kitetsu horizontally, slicing through Kumadori's hair like a blade cutting through tentacles. Kumadori, quick to react, wrapped himself in Tekkai, but even so, Takumi's sword energy managed to wound him.
Seeing the cut on Kumadori's body, Takumi was dissatisfied.
He had expected that strike to kill him outright.
Was Kumadori's Tekkai too strong, or was Takumi's level 9 swordsmanship not powerful enough yet?
The lingering force of his sword energy spread out, cutting everything behind Kumadori clean in half.
Fortunately, Enel, with his quick reflexes, had dropped to the ground in time to avoid being hit.
"Hey, are you trying to cut me too?" Enel grumbled as he jumped back to his feet. "If I die, no one will be able to pilot the ship."
Takumi ignored him.
Kumadori coughed up blood, his face pale. "To think you can even break through my Tekkai… No wonder you knocked out Fukurou with a single kick. You're incredibly strong."
Takumi glanced at him coldly.
Without saying another word, Kumadori took a step back and then leapt out of the window that Takumi had broken through earlier.
"He ran off. Aren't you going after him?" Enel asked as he quickly walked over to Takumi.
"Give me your hands," Takumi replied calmly.
Enel obediently extended his cuffed hands toward Takumi.
Takumi sheathed his Sandai Kitetsu and then suddenly, blue-violet lightning crackled around his palm.
Enel's face turned pale. "Wait… is that… Raikiri? Are you seriously going to use that to break these handcuffs?"
Takumi simply responded with a quiet, "Yes."
Enel almost cried. "You're going to break me along with them, aren't you?"
"Stop whining," Takumi muttered before striking the Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs with Raikiri.
Though Enel trusted Takumi's strength, he couldn't help but feel nervous in this situation. Raikiri was powerful enough to break through even his strongest attacks. If Takumi miscalculated the force by just a little, it would be disastrous for Enel, who was now powerless without his Devil Fruit abilities.
"Just be careful! I'm not ready to die yet," Enel muttered as he closed his eyes.
After hearing a sharp crack, Enel hesitated before opening his eyes, realizing that he was still alive.
When he saw the shattered Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs on the ground, his eyes lit up with disbelief, then excitement. "It worked?! I'm perfectly fine… Amazing! Takumi, you really are unstoppable!"
"If you're going to chase Kumadori, you'd better move fast," Kaku's weak voice suddenly broke in. "We're close to Marine Headquarters. If they catch wind of your presence, they'll send their strongest forces here. It'll be much harder to leave then."
Enel glanced at Kaku before looking back at Takumi, silently asking if they should go after him.
Takumi gave a slight nod.
Understanding immediately, Enel transformed into lightning. Just before he shot out the window, he paused and glanced back. "You'd better wait for me, long-nosed idiot! When I get back, you'll be sorry!"
With that, he disappeared in a flash.
After Enel left, Kaku let out a weary sigh, which caused him to cough painfully from his internal injuries.
Takumi stood silently, staring at him.
If Takumi had said something, Kaku wouldn't have been so nervous. But it was the silence, the way Takumi just stared at him, that made Kaku feel increasingly uneasy.
"I know it's too late for anything I say now." Kaku let out a strained laugh, finally breaking the silence. "If you want to kill me, go ahead. I'm ready. If you think it's beneath you to dirty your hands, I'll do it myself."
With that, Kaku staggered over to Spandam's body and picked up the fallen sword. After taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for what he was about to do.
But before he could act, Takumi delivered a sharp chop to his wrist, sending the sword flying.
Kaku stared at him in disbelief. "What… what are you doing?"
"Did I say you could die?" Takumi replied coolly. "You've already died once. I was the one who saved you. Your life belongs to me now. If I haven't given you permission to die, you won't die."
Takumi's words sent a shock through Kaku. "But… but I'm a spy sent by the World Government onto your ship…"
In his mind, Takumi was usually laid-back and lazy, not bothering with most things. But when it mattered, Takumi was not someone who showed mercy. Why was he saying this now?
"The Kaku that served the World Government is dead," Takumi said coldly. "From now on, the only person you can serve is me."
"But surely… I've lost the right to stay on your ship," Kaku hesitated.
Without turning back, Takumi began walking toward the office door. "As punishment, I won't heal your injuries. You have no other choice. When you've made up your mind, follow me."
Kaku stood there, watching Takumi's figure disappear through the doorway. He clenched his fists tightly. "Do I… really deserve to keep living?"
Without looking back, Takumi answered with a single word: "Yes."
That single word reignited the hope in Kaku's heart.
Without hesitating any longer, Kaku quickly followed after him, his once-uncertain gaze now filled with resolve. "From now on, no matter what happens, even if I have to face the entire world, I will never betray you again. I swear to remain loyal to you until the end of my life!"
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