Was that... Bartolomeo?
Takumi didn't expect to run into this troublesome guy so soon.
Bartolomeo was destined to be one of Luffy's most fervent followers in the future. Before turning to piracy to follow his idol, he was the notorious leader of a criminal gang that ruled over 150 streets.
In short, this was a guy who was nothing but trouble once you got involved with him.
Takumi didn't know where Bartolomeo was heading so early in the morning, nor did he care to find out.
What mattered to him now was getting to the execution platform where Roger was put to death.
Following the directions given by some of the townsfolk, Takumi soon arrived at his destination—the town square.
Gazing up at the towering execution platform that stood several stories high, Takumi didn't hesitate to climb up.
As soon as he steadied himself on the square platform, the system's notification echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Successfully reached the top of Roger's execution platform. Sign-in progress +10%, current progress 20%. Reward: Master-level Divine Departure skill.]
Immediately, more advanced knowledge about the Divine Departure technique flooded Takumi's mind.
Before he had a chance to fully process it, a loud voice called up from below:
"Hey! You up there, kid! Get down from there right now! This is a special execution platform under the jurisdiction of the World Government! If you don't want to be arrested, get down immediately!"
Looking down from the platform, Takumi saw a Marine soldier with a loudspeaker shouting up at him. A crowd of townspeople had already started to gather.
"Look, there's a kid up on the execution platform!"
"Who is he?"
"I don't know, never seen him before. How did he even get up there?"
The crowd buzzed with speculation.
Takumi had no intention of drawing too much attention to himself. Although he could easily jump down from this height, to an ordinary person, it would be impossible for a ten-year-old to make such a jump without injury.
To avoid causing a scene, he opted to climb down slowly using the iron supports on the side of the platform.
Just as he was making his way down, Smoker happened to be returning along the main street with a group of Marines, escorting a gang of recently captured pirates.
Noticing Takumi climbing down the execution platform, Smoker paused, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. "Isn't that the kid from the bar?"
But it was this brief moment of distraction that gave one of the captured pirates an opportunity. A small handgun slid out of the pirate's sleeve, and with a wicked grin, he fired a shot at Smoker.
Smoker reacted instantly, sidestepping the bullet and swiftly disarming the pirate.
Meanwhile, the square erupted in cries of alarm.
"Oh no, that kid's going to die!"
"Somebody save him!"
"Someone help that boy!"
Smoker followed the cries and saw the bullet heading straight for Takumi. Even with his Devil Fruit powers, there was no way he could stop it in time.
Takumi was exasperated as he watched the bullet rapidly close in on him. Dodging it would be easy, but if he avoided it, the bullet would likely strike the platform, possibly causing it to collapse.
Given that he was still about ten meters above the ground, a normal child would either be seriously injured or worse if they fell. If he landed unharmed, it would definitely draw even more attention.
But if he simply blocked the bullet, the result would be the same—everyone would be focused on him.
He wanted to stay low-key, but fate seemed determined to deny him that.
Resigned, Takumi gripped the iron support with one hand and wrapped the other in Armament Haki.
In full view of everyone, he effortlessly caught the speeding bullet in his hand.
The square fell silent.
A few seconds later, the crowd erupted in disbelief.
"What? No way! That's impossible!"
"Oh my god, did that kid just catch a bullet with his bare hand?"
"That bullet has to be fake! No one can catch a real bullet and be fine!"
"No, it's not fake! I heard the gunshot! It's definitely real!"
The pirate who had fired the shot was drenched in cold sweat, muttering in disbelief, "How is this possible? That bullet was specially crafted to be several times more powerful than a regular one... Who the hell is that kid?"
Smoker stared at Takumi's hand, which had returned to normal after the catch, his mind reeling.
Did that kid just use Armament Haki?
Still hanging from the iron support, Takumi had inadvertently become the center of attention in the square.
Since he was already exposed, there was no point in pretending anymore.
He released his grip and leaped from the ten-meter height, landing gracefully on the ground.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a boy with a spiky rooster haircut in the crowd, staring at him with wide-eyed excitement.
Huh?
Bartolomeo?
What's he doing here?
Takumi felt a bad premonition creeping in. Without hesitating, he quickly headed off in the direction with the fewest people.
Smoker watched as Takumi made his escape. He ordered his still-stunned subordinates to take the captured pirates back to the base, then hurriedly followed Takumi.
That kid is no ordinary person! I need to find out who he really is!
Takumi, knowing Smoker was after him, deliberately headed into the maze-like alleys of the town.
As expected, it wasn't long before he lost Smoker.
I was too conspicuous earlier. From now on, I need to keep a low profile.
Takumi wasn't keen on being the center of attention everywhere he went.
As he pondered where to head next, his eyes fell upon a weapon shop.
Isn't this the shop where Zoro buys his swords ten years later?
Looks like I've stumbled across it by accident...
If memory serves, the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu and the quality blade Yubashiri are both in this shop.
Since I'm already here, I might as well take a look.
With that thought, Takumi walked into the weapon shop without hesitation.
"What the—just a kid?"
The shop owner, Ippon-Matsu, had been ready to greet a customer with a smile, but his expression quickly soured when he saw that it was just a child. Grumbling to himself, he turned back to his work.
Takumi's gaze swept over the weapons displayed on the walls before landing on three barrels in the corner filled with swords.
Noticing Takumi's interest in the cheap swords, Ippon-Matsu spoke impatiently, "Those swords in the barrels are the cheapest ones we've got—50,000 Berries each. If you've got the money, pick one, but if you don't, then get lost."
Ignoring him, Takumi walked over to the barrels, ready to dig out the Sandai Kitetsu for a closer look.
But just as he reached the barrels, a tall, slender figure passing by the shop's entrance caught his eye.
Sensing someone's gaze, the person outside the shop paused and glanced inside.
Their eyes met.
The man had long, silver-white hair, a matching beard, glasses, and a long scar running vertically across his right eye.
There was no mistaking it.
It was Silvers Rayleigh—the Dark King!
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