By the time the pig farm workers reached the secret vault, their "benefactor" was long gone. Only half a chest of gold coins remained—deliberately left by Victor to help them rebuild their lives.
He hadn't abandoned it because he couldn't carry it. These people had slaved for Adrian for years, their families suffering in poverty. This gold was their lifeline.
But Victor was careful. Too much wealth could attract trouble. Just enough to ease their hardships—no more.
---
Back at the tavern, the treasury record-keeper still lay unconscious. The Beast-Control Ring around Ifrit's neck had vanished.
He knew what it meant.
The young man—Victor—had knocked out the lackey right before his eyes. The collar had never worked on him. It was all an act.
Now, with the ring gone, Adrian was surely dead. That bounty hunter must have taken his body to a Marine base for the reward.
The shadow over Ifrit's life had lifted.
If he silenced the unconscious lackey now, no one would ever know the truth. The kingdom would be spared, though the guilt of tonight's secrets would haunt him forever.
On an ordinary evening, a stranger had saved a nation without its people ever realizing it.
This wasn't exaggeration. The last kingdom Adrian plundered was now on the brink of collapse. Had he succeeded here too, the country would've failed to pay the Celestial Dragons' tribute, lost World Government protection, and been devoured by the rising tide of pirates—especially its helpless civilians.
In the end, Ifrit strangled the lackey. The man wasn't innocent—he'd aided Adrian in countless crimes. A fitting end.
After depositing the record-keeper at an inn, Ifrit returned home—carrying guilt, gratitude, confusion, and a fragile hope. What future awaited him now?
---
Victor was already gone, soaring through the moonlit skies toward Peace Island on Geppo.
He felt no pride in "saving" the kingdom.
All he'd done was buy it a little more time. And that wasn't enough.
'A dangerous thought. One the World Government would never tolerate.'
---
Somewhere in Paradise, aboard a pirate ship...
"King, you bastard, was this really Kaido's order? Or just your own damn idea? I, Queen, don't take commands from trash like you! Put the boss on the line!"
Queen snarled into the Den Den Mushi.
"King's drunk. Passed out. He gave the order while drinking. Want to hear him snore?" A icy voice replied.
"Tch. I'll confirm with the boss later. If you're lying, I'll burn your damn birdhouse to the—"
'Click.'
The line went dead.
"That feathered bastard hung up on me?! I'll pluck him bald when we get back!" Queen fumed.
"Lord Queen, do we still head to Gia Island for that Adrian guy?" a crewmate asked.
"Might as well. King's not wrong—that bastard's power is a threat to us. We're done in Paradise anyway. Let's clean up loose ends."
"Aye, setting sail now!"
Unbeknownst to them, their prey was already dead—killed by a variable from another world.
Though in the end, the Peto Peto Fruit would resurface years later, claimed by Breed, who'd enslave Kung Fu Dugong.
---
Dawn, Peace Island – Marine Ship
When the trainees woke, they found Victor meditating on the deck. Seeing his closed eyes, they left him undisturbed.
Most assumed he'd been handling pirate affairs on the island. After days without him, they'd expected him to return with the main force—not alone.
Victor had guessed the Peace Island operation was wrapping up, hence his direct return.
As chatter filled the deck, he opened his eyes—and froze.
The ship was brand new.
No, not new. Repaired.
Last night's darkness had hidden it, but now he saw it clearly: fresh planks, patched holes, and half-finished repairs everywhere.
His Observation Haki swept the vessel—every inch bore signs of damage.
Victor's eye twitched.
"Those damn evaluators..."
The usually silent observers had finally shown their hand—sabotaging the ship as a hidden test.
A brutal but clever assessment. They'd covered every onboard skill imaginable.
Unable to tolerate the hammering, Victor disembarked, ignoring the seahorse's chirps from the bay.
His Haki soon located Gion, Rebecca, and Wendy at a seaside snack stall, laughing over skewers.
"Vice Admiral, when do you think Victor will return? It's been days... Could something have happened?" Rebecca fretted.
"Relax. Even if we all died, he'd be fine. Have faith in his strength," Gion chuckled.
"That's why I'm worried! With his power, why would any enemy take this long?"
"Maybe he was searching for something?" Wendy offered.
"A man like him strolls through Paradise like it's his backyard. You should pity his enemies," Gion grinned. "Land, sea, or sky—nowhere to run. Imagine their despair! Hahaha!"
Her laughter infected the others, their mirth ringing down the street.
"What's so funny? Not gossiping about me, I hope."
A familiar voice spun them around.
Victor stood there, smirking.
He'd heard everything.
"Victor! You're back!" Rebecca beamed.
Wendy simply nodded, smiling.
"That was quick. I expected you to... take longer," Gion said.
Victor nearly choked.
'What kind of phrasing is that?! There are children present!'
But the girls seemed oblivious.
"Ahem. The ship's still under repair. When do we leave?" he hurriedly changed topics.
"Another day, probably. Why? In such a rush after getting what you wanted?"
Gion's tone carried something unreadable—a nuance lost on everyone present.