Chapter 36 – Slaughter Begins Again
A cool, salty sea breeze kept sweeping past, flapping the black pirate flag atop the going merry.
On deck, the Straw Hats hid the white bandages covering their arms—their mark of comradeship.
"In short, wrap it tight first; this enemy is way too mysterious."
Zoro clenched his teeth and yanked the bandage tighter around his arm.
"Right—as long as we check this, we won't doubt each other."
Nami said while letting Vivi wrap her arm.
Chopper walked over, nervous. "Um… what should I do?"
This would be his first fight with the Straw Hats; he was both scared and excited.
Usopp clenched a fist and encouraged him,
"Just do what you can—no need to force yourself! If you meet someone you can't beat, running's fine."
Sanji said flatly from the side,
"Sounds like you're talking to yourself."
"Quack-quack!"
Supersonic Duck agreed.
"Something I can do…"
Chopper lowered his head, thought hard, then looked up.
"I get it!"
"I see the island!"
Luffy shouted from the prow.
Vivi spotted the familiar coast. "Dock at the town called Raroha! We have to hide the ship."
Hearing that, Dante Voss spoke up.
"No need—I can store it away with my Ability."
Luffy gaped. "Dante Voss, your space is that big? You can fit the whole ship?"
"Mm."
Dante Voss nodded. "Just one ship—shouldn't be a problem."
He'd never tried it, so he couldn't be certain.
"Then can I go inside and look?"
Luffy's eyes lit up, drool forming at the corners of his mouth.
If all that tasty food was in there, he could eat as much as he wanted once inside.
"No good—living things can't enter."
Dante Voss shook his head and refused.
He'd once tried to bring himself in but failed; the space only accepted inanimate objects, and only non-fixed ones at that.
Otherwise, with his backpack Ability, Dante Voss would be invincible.
"Ah—"
Luffy drooped, then perked back up almost instantly.
As the shore drew near, the Straw Hats huddled together, arms wrapped in white, thrust forward.
They glanced at Dante Voss, who hadn't joined, eyes urging him on.
Dante Voss hesitated, then extended an arm wrapped in black cloth.
Seeing everyone ready, Luffy grinned. "The left arm is our buddy mark—then let's land!"
"Let's eat! Then head for Alabasta!"
"Wrong order, right?"
"This time our enemy's an assassination group, Luffy!"
Nami reminded him.
"Oh, really?"
Luffy looked clueless.
"Don't just follow your gut, got it?"
Nami went on.
"Oh, I got it!"
Luffy nodded solemnly.
Beside them, Vivi listened, glancing at the white bandage on her arm, a faint smile on her lips… The going merry eased alongside the dock; the Straw Hats stepped off, eyeing Dante Voss curiously.
Without making them wait, Dante Voss placed a hand on the hull, opened his backpack, and tried to store the vessel.
Sure enough, after a gentle attempt, the huge going merry vanished from the sea.
"That Ability is so handy!"
Sanji said enviously.
With such a power he'd never need to carry groceries again, and they'd be theft-proof.
Best of all, it preserved temperature and freshness—no spoilage, ready anytime.
For a cook it was almost as desirable as the Clear-Clear Fruit.
"Food!"
The moment his feet hit the shore Luffy bolted straight for town.
To Luffy, food and adventure simply couldn't wait.
"Luffy!"
Everyone shouted, but it didn't slow him; his figure soon disappeared from view.
They sighed—they were used to it.
"Let's go find him somewhere lively."
"Yeah."
Usopp said helplessly.
Nami shut her eyes in exasperation.
"Honestly, I wish he'd remember he's a wanted man."
"Forget it—something'll work out."
Zoro hoisted his swords and led the way into town.
Supersonic Duck and I can't go," Vivi said worriedly. "I'll be spotted right away."
"No problem—I'll dash back with something to hide you."
Sanji promised.
"Then I'm heading in!"
Dante Voss waved and walked off.
He knew plenty of Baroque Works agents were in this town—time to reap some kills.
"Jeez, none of them follow the plan."
Nami was numb… Raroha was a small port town in Alabasta; constant passing ships kept its economy thriving.
Crowds bustled through the streets, vendors lining both sides with every kind of goods.
Dante Voss walked among them, black hood shading most of his face.
"A desert country indeed—even with unrest, the place is packed."
He scanned the crowds, searching for Baroque Works agents.
"Found them."
Dante Voss's mouth curled as he locked onto several bearing the Baroque mark.
With Crocodile's plan about to begin, every agent he'd cultivated over the years had gathered here to help execute it.
That gave Dante Voss the chance to wipe them out in one sweep.
He followed them toward a huge building; plenty of armed men filed inside as if for some event.
Gun-toting guards stood at the entrance, everything orderly.
Dante Voss didn't hide; he walked straight toward them.
His distinctive look instantly caught the Bounty Hunters' attention; they tensed up.
"Who are you? Clear out—outsiders keep away!"
One Bounty Hunter leveled his rifle in warning.
Dante Voss ignored him and kept walking.
His arm flashed up; a flick of his finger sent a red blade of light streaking their way.
Whoosh—
The hunters' eyes widened; before they could react, the sword aura cleaved them in half.
[Killed a Bounty Hunter – gained 1 Slaughter Point]
[Killed a Bounty Hunter – gained 1 Slaughter Point]
[Killed a Bounty Hunter – gained 1 Slaughter Point]
[Killed a Bounty Hunter – gained 1 Slaughter Point]
Dante Voss frowned at the notifications—he'd expected it. After all, even the Baroque Officer Agents were only worth five points.
These ordinary gate guards were bound to be worth even less.
With every one of his attributes now above five thousand, slaughter points were getting scarce.
That was why Dante Voss had stopped raising stats and didn't even want to use the bloodthirsty sword's passive.
If points were already this hard to come by, boosting attributes further would only make gaining power tougher.