Chapter 310: Kakuzu's First Hunt - The Method of Immortality
[Beep... Task 2 of the Year Completed: Gather Companions]
The moment Kakuzu agreed to join the Dawn Pirates, the system task completion notification sounded.
[The ship's doctor, helmsman, and musician have been summoned; total summoned members: 15/15; task completion condition met.]
[Task reward: 10 bond points; Devil Fruit (Sheep-Sheep Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Demon Form)]
Eric also decided on the next destination. For someone as greedy as Kakuzu, wouldn't it be easy to boost his favorability?
In the New World, there were many lawless zones where pirates ran rampant. The closest one to Eric 's location was a place where the pirates had bad luck.
A broken-down small town, with ruins everywhere. The town's size and the weather-worn buildings didn't change the fact that it had once been a thriving place.
The sight of this once-bustling town now in ruins was certainly saddening, and the culprit behind all of this was drinking and having fun in a tavern, where the wind and rain couldn't reach.
The pungent taste of cheap beer stimulated the men's throats, while the rich aroma of fine wine filled the pirates' nostrils. The meat of sea kings, from various parts of their bodies, was consumed, mixing with stomach acid.
Loud laughter and crude jokes filled the air. Treasure, fine wine, and women were always these men's favorite pastimes.
The alcohol numbed their brains, food teased their taste buds, and tobacco smoke lazily drifted upward. The free and easy pirate life seemed no different from that of gods.
Unrestricted, casually plundering, recklessly killing, and doing whatever they pleased! No one could take this from them, not even the Navy. The sea was the pirates' world!
Boom—!
The remaining half of a small wooden door was kicked off, and the broken pieces of wood flew and struck nearby pirates. The half door slammed at the feet of the pirate captain of this crew.
The ruckus ceased immediately, and all the pirates looked toward the uninvited guest. Drunken pirates squinted their eyes, trying to clear the double vision.
Kakuzu, with his bare upper body, stood at the entrance of the tavern. His green eyes, along with the numerous stitched scars on his body, made anyone who saw him frown.
Kakuzu rotated his eyes, scanning the group of pirates, finally locking his gaze on a figure deep in the tavern.
"Who are you?!" Before the pirate captain could speak, one of his subordinates stepped up to deal with the issue.
Armed with a sharp blade and emboldened by alcohol, especially with so many brothers around, the subordinate stepped forward, approaching Kakuzu. "This is the Kostin Pirate Crew—uh...!"
The pirate was like a duck with its neck squeezed. His words were stuck in his throat as he gasped for air but couldn't take in any oxygen. The mixed stench of alcohol made Kakuzu wrinkle his nose. The sputtering saliva that sprayed from his mouth as he struggled made Kakuzu feel nauseous.
A low voice entered his ear, "The first heart, take it from him."
Kakuzu tightened his grip around the pirate's neck. It felt as though something was moving inside his arm, and suddenly, several black tentacles burst from the stitched areas.
Captain Kostin squinted, silently watching the two at the door.
The black tentacles wrapped around the pirate's limbs, and others twisted together, rushing toward the pirate's heart, trying to force their way inside.
"Ah!" No one came to the pirate's aid, and all the other pirates simply watched the scene unfold.
The man in front of them was clearly a Devil Fruit user. Fighting an enemy with an unknown ability? At the very least, they needed sufficient intelligence before making a move.
One pirate's death meant little to the crew. After all, compared to their comrades' lives, their own life was more important.
Kakuzu half-closed his eyes, observing the expressions and movements of everyone: 'This group of pirates isn't united…'
"Whoosh!" Kakuzu yanked his right hand back, the black tentacle inside the pirate's body pulling out a beating—bright red heart.
"!?" The pirates, who were usually used to killing civilians with swords or guns, were shocked by the sight of the heart being ripped out. They had never committed such a horrific act before.
Kakuzu placed the heart into his own body, and a white mask appeared on his back. He turned and looked at the nearest pirate.
The pirate jumped back in fright, taking a big step away.
The figure deep inside, the captain of the Kostin Pirate Crew, finally spoke, "You're a Devil Fruit user, right? What kind of ability do you have?"
"Hmph." Kakuzu sneered but didn't answer. Revealing his ability was something only a fool would do. Instead, he moved to the next pirate.
"What...!" Before the pirate could draw his weapon, Kakuzu's black tentacles restrained him.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear." Kakuzu's right hand formed a blade shape and stabbed through the pirate's body, once again pulling out a fresh, beating heart.
"Hey." Kostin could no longer sit still. Gripping his knife handle, he stood up, "It's not okay to kill my subordinates at will."
With their captain leading, the pirates in the tavern drew their weapons. The sound of blades scraping against their sheaths filled the air.
"Two more left." Kakuzu's hands detached from his body and, connected by the black tentacles, grabbed two more pirates by the neck.
The two pirates, already prepared, swung their sharp blades toward Kakuzu's darkened arms.
"Clang!"
The blades hit the arms, as if they struck a hard steel plate. The arms remained unmoved.
"What..."
A powerful force surged forward, and the pirate grabbed by the neck was dragged violently toward Kakuzu.
Kakuzu's tentacles, sensing the blood, became even more active. The dense black tentacles quickly burrowed into the pirate's body.
The two pirates whose hearts were taken immediately died, and the four white masks on Kakuzu's back finally aligned.
Captain Kostin then began to recruit, "What's your name? Want to join my crew and become my subordinate?"
He had clearly seen the scene where Kakuzu's arms withstood the blades without a scratch. Compared to the nameless subordinates, having a powerful new member was obviously more important.
Kakuzu remained unmoved and coldly said, "You're Kostin, with a bounty of 89 million Berries, right? You look exactly like the face on the wanted poster. I'll take your bounty."
"Heh, so you're a bounty hunter. Let's see if you have the ability!" Kostin waved his hand, "Everyone, attack!"
Kakuzu bent down, and something seemed to move beneath his skin.
The pirates who had been about to charge suddenly stopped, staring at the scene, none of them daring to take the lead.
The four masks on his back rose and fell, struggling to break free from Kakuzu's body.
"Whoosh!"
The skin on Kakuzu's back suddenly tore, and the four white masks, along with black tentacles, burst out from his body.
The black threads automatically stitched up the large crack in his back, and the four creatures made of black tentacles and white masks stood on either side of Kakuzu.
"This... What kind of monster is this?!"
"Oh?" Esdeath , who was watching the battle from a distance, became interested, "Is this his ability?"
Eric answered, "Yes, he can store up to five hearts, so he has five lives. He can also split into four different elemental Chakra Fears."
Kakuzu spoke coldly, "Though the captain forbids us from attacking civilians, you're pirates, so you don't need to worry about Breaking that rule."
Kostin roared, "You dare talk big! Men, kill him!"
The monsters with wings on their backs opened their mouths. Kakuzu's cold voice rang out, "Wind Release: Pressure Harm!"
The high-pressure storm unleashed from the wind-based mask instantly swept everything in its path.
The fire-based mask monster opened its mouth, "Fire Release: Head Hardship!"
A wave of fire, like seawater, poured out from the fire mask monster. The intense flames quickly spread on the ground, engulfing the pirates and buildings. The pirates' bodies burned completely, leaving no trace behind.
One Wind Release, one Fire Release—completely destroyed the tavern that could have once provided shelter. Under the glaring sunlight, the remaining pirates of the Kostin Pirate Crew couldn't feel the warmth brought by the sun, their bodies feeling as though they were trapped in an ice cave.
In just two moves, half of Kostin's crew was wiped out. Sweat began to bead on Kostin's forehead and trickle down his face.
"Don't worry, your body will make it to the exchange for gold," Kakuzu's words, however, didn't bring Kostin any joy. "After all, your body is worth 89 million Berries."
"Let's see you try!" Kostin roared, raising his massive blade. His 3-meter height, combined with the weapon, made him exude an imposing presence.
"Too slow!" Kakuzu swiftly closed the distance, using his already hardened arms to strike a heavy elbow to Kostin's abdomen. The powerful impact caused Kostin to bend over, his body folding into a shrimp-like position.
Kakuzu spun, delivering a follow-up attack with centrifugal force, and kicked Kostin into a building behind him. The wooden structure couldn't withstand the violent collision, and tons of debris collapsed, burying Kostin beneath it.
The pirates of the Kostin Pirate Crew cried out, "Captain!"
"Nardo, bounty: 31 million Berries," Kakuzu aimed at the second-in-command pirate.
"Am I the next target?!" Nardo raised his rifle, but the bullets bounced off Kakuzu's hardened skin, leaving no trace.
"What..."
"Die!" Kakuzu's hardened arm easily pierced Nardo's body, and he crushed his heart with a single hand.
"Ugh!" Nardo spat blood, convulsing as he collapsed and died.
The pirates mourned, "Vice-Captain!"
"Let's fight him!"
The remaining pirates rushed toward Kakuzu, "These guys don't seem like bounty criminals, so we don't need the bodies."
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
The lightning mask monster shot out a sharp lightning spear, sweeping the pirates from left to right. The lightning bolt, which could easily pierce rock, passed through their bodies.
"Zzzz!"
The pirates' upper bodies collapsed to the ground, their organs spilling everywhere. Their lower bodies, propelled by inertia, continued to charge forward, before spraying a massive amount of blood from their torsos.
"What's going on..." Eric walked over with a dissatisfied expression. "You really went out of your way to make this disgusting, huh?"
"No," Kakuzu shrugged and explained, "Wind Release: Pressure Harm and Fire Release: Head Hardship would have destroyed the important bodies of bounty criminals. I had to use Lightning Release: False Darkness to clear the enemies."
"Is that so..." Eric nodded. "Your important number one bounty criminal seems to be running away."
"What?!" Kakuzu was surprised and turned to look in that direction. Kostin was using the collapsed building for cover as he ran further away.
The Wind Release Mask monster with wings chased after him and released a high-pressure wind ball. It quickly traveled over several dozen meters and pierced Kostin's body. Kostin spat out a mouthful of blood but continued running.
"You seem to underestimate the bounty criminals here," Eric chuckled. "Their physical strength is generally very strong. If you keep treating them like they're susceptible to the fatal wounds you know in the ninja world, you'll be at a disadvantage in future battles."
"..." Kakuzu quickly formed seals in silence, "Water Release: Water Curtain, Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
From the Water Release Mask monster's mouth, a powerful water cannon shot out, while the lightning spear followed, both attacking Kostin.
Hit by the high-pressure water cannon, drenched by the water, Kostin died instantly from the lightning.
[Obtained money: +89 million Berries.]
Eric looked at the slightly charred body, "Seems like the power was a bit too much this time."
Kakuzu: "..."
Having cleared out all the pirates here, Eric called, "Let's go."
"Wait, all of this is money!" Kakuzu hoisted two bodies and followed.
At Kakuzu's request, Esdeath used her powers to make ice blocks for refrigeration. Two frozen bodies were added to the Invincible.
◇
After four days of sailing, the Invincible finally arrived at the sea area indicated by the compass.
This region had a winter climate. The sky was grey, and small snowflakes gently fell. The members of the Dawn Pirates changed into thick warm clothing.
"There's nothing here?" Perona shielded her eyes and scanned the surrounding sea. "Is the captain's compass broken?"
"No," Eric looked beneath the water. "What we're looking for is below the surface."
Law suggested, "Should we use the polar submarine?"
"No need," Eric turned to Deidara. "Deidara, use your bombs to bring that giant lanternfish below to the surface."
"OK." Deidara molded some white clay from his palms, infused it with his highest level chakra, clasped his hands, and shaped it into a jellyfish, "Watch me bring it out."
He threw the clay into the air, and with a "boom," it expanded before plunging into the sea. Its umbrella-shaped body expanded and contracted before quickly diving deeper.
Deidara formed seals with one hand, closing his eyes and saying, "Found it. This fish is huge!"
"Of course, this lanternfish can swallow a small island whole."
"Swallow a small island?!" Porgy grabbed Eric 's clothes, "Ugh, captain, let's not do this!"
"It's too late. Drink!" At Eric 's command, Deidara detonated the jellyfish near the lanternfish, which immediately awoke in anger.
"Buzz—!"
A loud roar came from the sea, and the once calm sea began to churn violently.
"Hold on to the railing! Be careful not to be thrown off!" Eric shouted, "Wendy, make the Invincible fly."
"Okay!"
The ship swayed as it left the water, finally stabilizing in the air.
"Look!"
A giant shadow emerged beneath the sea, and the surface swelled into a huge bubble of water. The massive lanternfish began to emerge, its lantern glowing a golden light.
"Roar!"
The enormous lanternfish opened its giant mouth and began to gulp down the sea water.
Unfortunately, the Invincible remained unscathed, floating in the air.
"Wendy, steer the Invincible into its mouth."
"Okay!"
"Wait!" Perona cried, "Wendy, you're way too obedient!"
"Eric won't harm me," Wendy said, and the Invincible sailed straight into the giant fish's open mouth.
(END CHAPTER)
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