One Piece: New Order-Chapter 78: Pirates and Adventurers

Enel thought for a long time and finally let out a quiet sigh. "Wait for the right time, then strike with one fatal blow."

Sakazuki nodded. "Yes. One fatal blow. If we're not fully prepared, even one mistake could be deadly. The World Government has stood for eight hundred years, and Celestial Dragons have ruled the world for just as long. It's not because of the Marines. It's because of eight centuries of foundation... and that weapon no one has ever seen with their own eyes. The unknown is always the most terrifying."

Enel gave a slight nod in response.

"Come on," Sakazuki said. "Let's go take a look at those adventurers."

With that, he placed a hand on the boy. In a flash, they disappeared again.

...

Inside a two-story restaurant, Sakazuki picked a table by the window. He ordered two glasses of cold beer and motioned for Enel to look at the group from the Note Pirates in the distance.

Leading them was their captain, Blake.

He was a refined middle-aged man dressed in a sleek black tailcoat. In his hand was a violin case. Inside that was not just his instrument—it was also his weapon.

Just then, a commotion broke out downstairs in the restaurant.

Sakazuki frowned.

Suddenly—

Boom!

A figure was sent flying, crashing through tables and chairs, mixed with shattered mugs and spilled beer.

The splash landed directly on the approaching Blake, staining his elegant tailcoat with large blotches of alcohol.

Caught off guard by the sudden mess, the pirate stiffened. Then, the entire crew around him started laughing.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Looks like you're popular as always, Captain!"

"You just landed and someone's already offering you a drink!"

"Hahaha!"

Blake shook his head with a helpless smile and wiped at his coat. He didn't get angry. Calm and composed, his gentlemanly demeanor left a good impression on those watching.

'What a nice person,' many of the onlookers thought to themselves.

Ignoring the fight, Blake led his crew out of the restaurant and into another tavern across the street.

Only then did Sakazuki turn to Enel and ask, "What do you think of him?"

The boy pondered for a moment. "He doesn't seem like a bad guy, and his actions stand on the side of justice."

Recalling the scene from earlier, he added, "He's not violent or the kind to bully the weak. Judging by his aura, he could've easily dealt with those two troublemakers. Yeah... not a bad person."

After speaking, Enel looked at the vice admiral.

Sakazuki agreed. "You're right. He's not a bad person. He even saved two villages that were raided by pirates. He's never killed a Marine, and there's no record of harming civilians either. Everything he's done fits the definition of an adventurer.

"But, I want you to kill them."

As the cold voice echoed in Enel's ears, his brows furrowed. "Why?"

He could strike down unforgivable criminals without hesitation. But an adventurer like this, who could be considered a good man...

Sakazuki met his eyes, voice firm. "This is an order."

A long silence followed.

Finally, Enel gave a heavy nod. "I understand."

He then removed his Marine cloak and threw it aside, revealing the white uniform beneath it.

Crack!

A violent bolt of thunder echoed across the sky, shaking the air and disorienting everyone nearby.

Sakazuki watched Enel's little act of retaliation and chuckled as he shook his head.

...

Inside the tavern.

With a grim look, Enel stared at the members of the Note Pirates.

"Are you ready to die?"

The pirates burst into laughter. Some even stepped forward tease the boy, thinking he was just trying to pick a fight for fun.

Enel clenched his fists. His body trembled. He couldn't bring himself to feel killing intent toward people like them—true adventurers.

'Run. Just run already.'

Electricity crackled wildly around his body.

Blake's eyes narrowed as he studied Enel's aura. Something felt off. This wasn't just an angry boy throwing threats.

Cautiously, he called out to the laughing crew. "Let's go."

The crewmates were stunned for a second. Seeing the look on Blake's face, they immediately sobered. Without another word, they followed him out of the tavern.

Enel didn't move. He just stood there, exhaling slowly as a breath of relief escaped his chest.

'Just this once... I'll disobey Uncle's order.'

"Great Eruption!"

BOOM!

A deafening explosion roared behind him. Then, a wave of scorching heat surged into the tavern like a raging storm.

Enel turned around in shock, staring at the wooden doors that had been blasted open.

On the street outside, molten magma oozed and spread across the ground, devouring everything in its path. The Note Pirates, who had just stepped out, were all dead.

Enel transformed into lightning and shot back up to the second floor of the restaurant.

He glared at Sakazuki, eyes filled with rage. "Why?!"

The vice admiral glanced at him, then looked off toward the distant port. "There are three more on the ship. I'm giving you ten seconds to take care of them."

"I'm not going!" Enel shouted.

Sakazuki stood up, raised his index finger, and pointed at the Note Pirates' ship.

Whoosh!

A sharp sound sliced through the air as a magma bullet rocketed toward the vessel.

Enel turned into lightning and rushed after it. With his speed, he easily appeared in front of the molten projectile.

He tried to block it. But Sakazuki's attack wasn't something the boy could stop at his current strength.

The bullet smashed into Enel and hurled him straight into the ship.

BOOM!!!

A massive eruption of molten lava engulfed the entire pirate vessel. From the slowly sinking sea of magma, a giant lava hand emerged and tossed Enel out.

Sakazuki had somehow appeared on the shore. He caught the boy, who was now covered in burns and writhing in pain.

Gripping the violently struggling Enel, he stepped forward. The two of them disappeared, flying off to an unknown destination.

...

Featherwind Island, Nos Town.

The vice admiral dragged the battered, silent Enel into a small shop and changed them both into civilian clothes.

Outside, the town bustled with life. The streets were filled with laughter and joy. Sakazuki walked with Enel, weaving past vendors and children playing.

Even though it had been three months since the Note Pirates had left, the people were still full of praise and admiration.

The gentleman pirate, the warm-hearted Blake. The hero who saved them.

Everywhere they went, stories about him lingered. And now and then, a child dressed as a pirate would run past, shouting, "I'm hero Blake!" while waving a tiny paper violin in their hand.

Enel stood motionless for a while, watching this peaceful little town.

Sakazuki turned to him. "Do you see it now?"

Enel's voice was low. "Yeah. I see it. They were all heroes."

He lifted his head, meeting Sakazuki's gaze directly.

The vice admiral didn't seem surprised. "That's right. They were heroes. They saved this town. Look at this peace, it's what they protected. But... they're the heroes. Then what does that make us?"

Enel froze. His mind went blank, like he'd been struck by lightning.

Sakazuki walked over to a shop and bought a few ice creams. He waved to the kids nearby. As they ran over, he handed them the treats and asked, "What game are you playing?"

The moment they saw the ice cream, they started chattering all at once.

"It's a role-playing game!"

"I'm Hero Blake!"

"No, I am!"

"I'm him! I'm him!"

Watching them argue, Sakazuki smiled faintly, "And who is Blake?"

The kids answered in a chorus:

"He's a pirate!"

"A super strong one!"

"When I grow up, I want to be a hero just like him!"

"Take this!"

The carefree children dashed off down the street, laughing and chasing each other.

Sakazuki looked at Enel. "Do you know why I told you to kill them?"

Enel struggled to speak. "Because... they were pirates."

Sakazuki nodded. "Indeed, because they were pirates. When people like that become heroes, it plants a seed in the hearts of these children. A blind admiration. Worship.

"One day, they might grow up and become pirates too. And who can promise that every one of them would turn out to be a good person?

"What if this island also raised a Marine? A soldier who risks his life out at sea for the sake of the world and its people. But the children in his hometown are all fighting to be pirates.

"Imagine a battle-hardened veteran, returning home with a missing arm and a chest full of medals. Instead of being welcomed with pride, he's greeted by children shouting about becoming pirates.

"How hopeless and cruel would that be..." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

**

**

**

Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra Chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:

P@treon/SilverShark769

Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!

Your support means a lot, thank you!