Luffy slammed Clarus's head into the wall, fury blazing in his eyes.
If not for a sudden, inexplicable instinct, Robin might have died tonight.
"Bastard!" Luffy snarled, tightening his grip.
Feeling the sheer strength radiating from Luffy's hand, Clarus wisely chose not to resist with brute force. Instead, he reached for the dagger at his waist and blindly stabbed toward Luffy's head.
But with Observation Haki activated, Luffy easily tilted his head to avoid the strike.
That attack, however, completely shattered Luffy's patience.
He lifted Clarus by the head,
Boom!
And slammed him viciously into the deck. The wooden boards cracked, caving in from the force.
Clarus groaned, seriously injured. His vision blurred, blood sputtering from his lips. He was barely conscious, held face-down by Luffy.
"What's going on?!"
Robin rushed out at the noise, opening the cabin door to find Luffy pinning someone violently to the floor.
She didn't believe for a second that Luffy would pick a midnight fight for no reason.
Concerned, Robin asked, "Who is he, Luffy?"
Without loosening his grip, Luffy smiled at her calmly. "No one is important. Just a petty thief. Go back and rest."
He didn't mention Clarus's true target to avoid worrying her.
Luffy wanted her to know, while he was here, nothing would harm her.
But then Clarus, nearly unconscious, stirred. With his dislocated jaw hanging loose, he choked out, "I'm… not just some petty thief… I'm Clarus… the world's future number one bounty hunter!"
It took every ounce of strength he had to get those words out. Sadly, his timing couldn't have been worse.
"Bounty hunter?!"
Robin's pupils shrank. Smart as she was, she instantly grasped the situation.
After all, she was the only person on this ship with a bounty.
She had spent years dodging bounty hunters. Her eyes darkened, the memories flooding back, but instead of fear, she felt something stir, something powerful.
She was no longer the woman who only knew how to run.
Now she had protection, a shield of her own. All she needed was the will to hold it tight.
Robin stepped forward calmly and said, "Let me handle this, Luffy."
"It's nothing, really. This guy's just, " Luffy stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes widened. Robin's right hand was engulfed in a brilliant purple flame.
The Vongola Ring, a symbol of inner resolve, manifested the wearer's will as fire. The brighter the blaze, the stronger the determination.
Seeing her awakening, Luffy slowly released his grip on Clarus.
The cloud-style ring had changed: its black-and-white swirl had turned fully black, and the flames on it condensed into a proud, regal amethyst crystal.
Clarus collapsed, barely able to hold himself up.
"Cough!"
More blood spattered the deck.
Though Luffy had aimed for his crown twice, Clarus wasn't yet incapacitated, just concussed.
He staggered up, shaking his head, trying to clear the blood from his vision.
Luffy stepped aside, curious to witness Robin's rebirth.
Clarus knew escape was no longer an option. The gap in power was clear. Still, if he had to die, he would do so with dignity, in combat.
Raising his dagger in a standard stance, he prepared to lunge.
"Clarus!!!"
A voice called out, and a figure landed heavily on deck.
"Clarus! I'm here!"
The man was clad in steel armor, wielding a greatsword, his biceps bulging. "Sorry I'm late. Took a while to gear up."
Clarus's bloodied lips curled into a faint smirk. Though his words said otherwise:
Traitor… get lost!"
"You're saying that now? Isn't it a bit late?!"
Lacey charged forward with his greatsword, aiming for Robin.
Clarus instantly moved faster, overtaking Lacey. "I don't need your help!" he shouted, even as he flanked Robin from the side.
Lacey struck head-on, while Clarus attacked from the side, an old routine. Even after three years apart, their coordination was sharp.
Unfortunately, their opponent was no longer the same Robin.
She saw right through them. The proud, violet Vongola Flame surged from her ring, enveloping her entirely.
Cherry blossom petals swirled inside the translucent blaze. Arms sprouted from the deck and combined into two enormous hands, clasped protectively around Robin.
The sword and dagger clanged uselessly against the giant palms, scattering petals, no real damage done.
"Damn it!"
"She's a Devil Fruit user!"
The massive hands faded away.
Robin crossed her arms, her palms opening as she whispered:
"Ochenta Fleur: Cuatro Manos "Shock"."
Sakura petals filled the air. From the deck rose four towering limbs, each forming a colossal fist.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One after another, the fists rained down on Clarus and Lacey.
Lacey raised his sword to block, but the blow launched him off the ship, sending him crashing into a distant patch of ground.
Clarus weaved between the strikes with agile footwork. But the moment he glanced at Lacey's battered body, he faltered.
Robin seized the moment. A giant hand grabbed him and slammed him beside Lacey, leaving a crater in the earth.
"That'll keep the deck clean…" Robin muttered. One eye shimmered with life; the other burned with an eerie purple flame. "Cooking is already a hassle. Cleaning up too? That's just depressing."
"Uhh…"
Luffy, who had been planning to check on the bounty hunters, froze mid-step.
He stared at Robin's silhouette and thought to himself,
Maybe I should try cooking tomorrow…
─────────🏴☠️─────────
Far off, in the snowy clearing:
"Cough…!"
Clarus spat more blood. Bones broken, barely breathing, he could no longer move.
Lacey's ribs were shattered, but seeing Clarus's condition, he forced himself up and lifted his comrade.
He knew they were out of time.
Clarus's internal injuries, the head trauma, nearly knocked him out cold. Blood and tears mixed in his eyes as he whispered, "Forget me… Lacey… run to the city. You might still make it out alive."
"Don't talk nonsense! Did you forget our vow?"
"One life, two brothers, live and die together!"
Lacey dared not look back. He hoisted Clarus onto his shoulders and fled toward the town, tears streaming down his face.
"I'm sorry, Clarus… I never told you… I fell in love with Laura. I want a normal life."
"I was going to tell you… later."
Clarus's head drooped.
After a long pause, he sighed. "I already knew."
"But…"
"But she loves you. That's why you wanted to leave so fast. I knew…"
Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of boots crushing snow cut through the moment.
Luffy and Robin had caught up with ease.
"You didn't actually think I'd let you go, did you?" Luffy's voice was calm, but his eyes still burned.
Lacey stopped. He knew it was over.
Suddenly, Clarus burst from his arms and dropped to his knees.
Blood and tears ran down his battered face. Legs twisted, vision fading, he cried out:
"Please, sir! Let Lacey go! It was all my doing! I acted alone! If it pleases you, I'll kill myself here and now! I beg you, please have mercy!"
He bowed again and again, his skull hitting the frozen ground with heavy thuds.
Luffy stood silently, watching the scene. He could feel the weight of their bond.
"I respect your brotherhood," he said gently.
He nodded to Robin.
"But… that can't excuse your attempt to hurt my crewmate."
"Dos Fleur: Grab."
Two phantom arms emerged behind Clarus, grasping his head and,
Crack!
"Clarus!! NO!! AAAHHHH!!!"
Lacey lost control, watching his brother die in front of him, those eyes still filled with guilt.
He roared and swung his greatsword at Luffy.
Ryusoken.
A blazing dragon engulfed him, consuming everything.
He collapsed beside Clarus.
Minutes later, all that remained was melted snow and a layer of ash.
Falling snowflakes soon began to bury it all again, as if nothing had ever happened.
[Ding! Congratulations, your partner defeated a bounty hunter. EXP +9800, Gold +29000.]
[Ding! You defeated a bounty hunter. EXP +9500, Gold +25000.]
[Ding! Level up complete. Current Level: 24.]
"…Huh?"
Luffy blinked at the system notifications.
"So I get rewards even when my crew lands the kill? That's awesome!"
==========
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