"Is this... a devil fruit user? Or an actual dragon?"
Staring at the towering beast before him, Daz Bonez felt his once-simple worldview begin to crack.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring himself to believe that this was the power of a mere Devil Fruit user.
Among the countless powerhouses he had encountered, none came close to the raw might radiating from the creature before him.
Even Crocodile—also one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, like Hanafuda—wouldn't fare much better if he were to face off against this monster.
In the face of such overwhelming power, resistance felt utterly meaningless. And it was only now that Daz Bonez truly understood:
Even if you have the courage to stake your life, you can't erase the primal fear carved into human instinct.
Just like now—his legs were trembling, locked in place, refusing to move.
"That's right!"
"That fruit...!"
Suddenly snapping out of his thoughts, Daz Bonez looked around in a panic—but the mysterious man from earlier was nowhere to be found. A terrifying possibility flashed through his mind.
"Don't tell me..."
"This monster is that person's power?"
As his voice trailed off, the massive dragon in front of him slowly began to move.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Each heavy step left a deep crater in the earth, sending cracks spidering outward from the impact points.
Just hearing the sound was enough to make many of the East Blue nobles collapse or stagger, unable to stand properly.
And when Gawain finally emerged from the enormous crater caused by his landing, no one at the port of Loguetown could remain on their feet.
He glanced down at the frightened nobles and spoke slowly, his voice deep and rumbling:
"As an evil dragon, isn't it only natural for me to like treasure?"
"I did just save your lives from that dinosaur. Asking for a little reward isn't too much, right?"
"So now—leave everything valuable you've got. All of it."
As soon as his voice fell, a heavy silence blanketed the port. The only sound was the sea breeze howling eerily in their ears.
People began to take in their surroundings.
The port had been reduced to rubble. Cracks stretched out from the impact site, seawater leaking in and flooding the area. Many ships had been severely damaged, some already sinking into the deep.
And in the distance—within the crater—a terrifying scene unfolded: molten lava bubbled, and scorched bones crumbled apart.
It looked like the end of the world.
This... was salvation?
This?! This was salvation?
Are you freaking serious?!
Everyone cursed silently in their hearts—but no one dared to show a hint of disrespect. The last person who tried that had already been reduced to a charred corpse.
A port resident in simple, tattered clothing stumbled toward Gawain, shaking like a leaf. From his pocket, he pulled out a few crumpled banknotes.
"L-Lord Red Dragon... this is all I have..."
Gawain's eyes fell on the man's weathered hands and emaciated frame, signs of long-term hard labor. He sighed inwardly.
Life was already cruel enough for ordinary people like this. There was no need to add insult to injury.
He didn't take the money. Instead, he replied calmly:
"You can go."
The man froze for a moment, then his eyes welled up with gratitude. He bowed repeatedly, thanking Gawain over and over until Gawain grew impatient. Clutching his money tightly, the man turned and ran, hunched over and shaking.
Then came a fat nobleman, dressed in extravagant clothes and covered in glittering gemstones. He stepped forward with a theatrical sob, pulling out a few banknotes from inside his robes.
"L-Lord Red Dragon, this is all I have," he whined. "I'm just a humble civilian of this port too! I have a daughter to raise at home! Please... show some mercy—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, a massive claw came crashing down from above, crushing him into a bloody pulp.
Gawain raised his claw, shook off the blood with disgust, and looked down at the shocked crowd. He didn't bother pretending anymore.
"Are you insulting my intelligence?"
"Let me make it simple: This is a robbery. Pay up, and you get to live!"
A thunderous roar echoed from his mouth.
It shattered whatever sliver of hope remained in the nobles' hearts.
They all scrambled to empty their pockets, shaking as they fumbled for every coin, gem, and scrap of gold they had. No one dared to hesitate—not when a single second could mean getting flattened.
As for running away?
The only port in Loguetown was behind Gawain.
Who'd dare try to escape?
Even if you managed to make it out to sea, what then? You'd be a sitting duck in front of a fire-breathing, flying dragon.
In just a few minutes, a mountain of riches had accumulated before Gawain: piles of banknotes, gold bars, precious jewelry—even antiques freshly sold from the auction house.
A rough estimate told him this haul easily exceeded hundreds of millions of Berries.
Just like that, the money he'd spent acquiring a Devil Fruit power had already been earned back in one glorious, violent swoop.
This... this was the joy of getting something for nothing~
And when you're taking it from a bunch of rich scumbags?
Oh, that joy doubles.
But still...
"Is this really all the treasure you've got?"
Gawain lowered his massive dragon head, eyes narrowing as he scanned the crowd. His voice dropped in temperature.
"I remember very clearly how much you all spent at the auction just now. Don't try to cheat an honest dragon."
The corners of everyone's mouths twitched.
Honest?!
Who's bullying who here?!
A trembling noblewoman finally gathered the courage to speak.
"My lord, this truly is all we have," she explained, forcing a nervous smile. "Even at the auction house, we don't carry that much cash…"
"I don't care."
Gawain cut her off coldly.
"I'm a results-oriented dragon. I don't care about the process. If you can't offer me enough value—then why should you be allowed to keep living?"
His words dropped like thunder.
Several people visibly winced.
From a dark corner, Daz Bonez—still hiding and eavesdropping—was completely stunned.
Is this guy even speaking like a human being anymore?
He didn't know why, but...
Daz Bonez, who always saw himself as composed and rational, found his mental defenses cracking again and again in the face of Gawain's madness.
After glancing around at the situation, Daz Bonez, who had finally regained control over his body, was preparing to slip away. But just as he took his first step—
"Ah~"
A chilling voice drifted from behind.
"I almost forgot... there's still a little mouse hiding over there~"
In an instant, cold sweat drenched Daz Bonez's back. He turned his head stiffly, only to be met with a golden dragon's eye glowing with amusement.
"I remember you. Baroque Works. You were at the auction earlier, weren't you?"
Gawain didn't bother with pretenses and directly revealed Daz Bonez's identity.
Then, as the man froze in disbelief, Gawain spoke again—his tone low and commanding:
"Return my money. Now."
Return your money?!
Daz Bonez's expression turned ugly, but he didn't dare defy Gawain. Raising both hands, he explained:
"The money was taken by my companions!"
"Then have them bring it back," Gawain said coldly. "Or you can pay for it with your life."
"..."
"Well?"
"I understand."
Gritting his teeth, Daz Bonez picked up the Den Den Mushi and contacted Zala, ordering her to bring the money.
Some time later, in the distance, a tall figure with a large afro appeared, carrying a suitcase.
It was Zala, returning to redeem Daz Bonez.
The moment she saw the massive red dragon waiting at the port, Zala instinctively swallowed hard. Forcing her trembling legs forward, she placed the suitcase gently before Gawain.
Bang!
The box popped open, revealing a neatly stacked bundle of bills—each with a denomination of 10,000. A rough estimate placed the total at nearly 300 million Baileys.
Gawain raised a brow, then turned to Daz Bonez with a faint smile.
"I'm quite impressed with your potential. Ever considered switching employers?"
When he had scanned Daz Bonez earlier, Gawain had been surprised by the result:
Silver-tier potential.
With proper development, this guy might one day reach the level of a Vice Admiral.
That kind of power could easily serve as a core asset in any pirate crew.
Tempting, indeed.
However—
"I'm sorry," Daz Bonez replied firmly. "I've already pledged my life to my boss."
"Even if I tried to fake loyalty... I doubt I could fool you."
"...Is that so?"
Gawain felt a pang of disappointment but didn't dwell on it.
Even if he didn't recruit this one, he had more than enough resources—and leeks—to grow. In just two or three years, he could break into legendary status on his own.
Besides, guys like Kuro and Gin weren't just tools anymore. They were companions on this journey.
"A pity," Gawain said with a shrug. "But as agreed, you're free to go. And if Baroque Works ever turns on you—come find me."
He turned slightly, his voice echoing across the port:
"My name is Gawain. Knight Gawain."
Zala froze, her eyes widening as the name clicked.
"That super rookie from the East Blue? The one whose bounty jumped from 8 million to 200 million in under half a year?!"
She'd always wondered how someone could rise so fast.
Now, staring at the overwhelming presence before her, it all made sense. Just the sheer aura of this being—let alone its destructive power—could justify a bounty of a billion.
The two locked eyes.
In that brief moment, mutual shock—and awe—flashed between them.
"Thank you," Zala said sincerely.
If Gawain had wanted to kill them all… no one would have escaped alive.
Gawain nodded casually, watching as they disappeared into the moonlit distance.
With two fresh examples burned into their memory, the East Blue nobles panicked and began frantically stripping off anything of value.
Hairpins, brooches, gemstone rings, gold-trimmed belts—every scrap of wealth was offered up, piled into the growing mound before Gawain.
In just over ten minutes, the treasure had doubled in size.
Gawain eyed the mountain of riches, then turned his gaze toward the nobles now disheveled and trembling.
Only now did he fully realize—
Aside from a few escaped slaves, he had effectively cleaned out every buyer who had participated in the auction.
From top to bottom.