"Buru buru buru… buru buru buru…"
Hayden frowned as the Den Den Mushi in his coat began to ring. He took it out and answered.
"Hello! This is Marine—"
"Hayden, is that you?"
Before he could finish speaking, a deep and serious voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
"Base Commander?" Hayden looked slightly surprised before straightening up. "Yes, sir. This is Hayden. What are your orders?"
"Where exactly are you right now?" the Base Commander asked gravely.
"We've already arrived at the Kingdom of Luss," Hayden replied quickly. "But something's wrong here. After landing at the harbor, we didn't see a single person. It's extremely unusual."
"…I see."
The Base Commander paused before speaking in an even heavier tone.
"You must proceed with extreme caution. I just received news that the Kingdom of Luss fell half an hour ago."
"What?!" Hayden's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible! Zephir's forces are so weak—how could they conquer Luss in such a short time?!"
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth."
The Base Commander's voice carried a hint of astonishment.
"Although Zephir's army isn't large, they're equipped with the latest heavy artillery from the black market. More importantly, they possess a mysterious special unit. That unit is the main reason Luss collapsed."
"There are even rumors that the entire unit… is made up of Devil Fruit users."
"An entire unit of Devil Fruit users?" Hayden's pupils shrank sharply, his voice trembling. "Commander, you must be joking! Even in the Grand Line, a group composed entirely of Devil Fruit users has never existed—let alone in a place like the West Blue!"
"That's why it's only a rumor," the Base Commander said. "But regardless, Zephir Kingdom is far from ordinary. Stay alert."
"Understood!"
Hayden hung up the Den Den Mushi and took a deep breath.
He looked toward the silent town in the distance.
Remembering the Base Commander's solemn warning, an inexplicable chill crept into his heart.
"A unit possibly composed entirely of Devil Fruit users…?"
He murmured to himself, trying to calm his thoughts.
Glancing back at the fully armed Marine soldiers behind him, his nerves eased slightly.
Just as he was about to give a new order—
"Vice Commander! Look over there! Someone's coming!"
The adjutant suddenly pointed toward the town and shouted.
"Someone?"
Hayden and the surrounding Marines all looked up.
On the empty road leading from the town to the harbor—
A lone young man was slowly walking toward them.
He wore a white robe trimmed with gold, giving him an elegant and noble appearance.
Under short black hair was a handsome face, carrying a gentle smile like a spring breeze.
His pace was calm and unhurried.
As the distance between them gradually closed—
When they were less than a hundred meters apart—
The young man's strange pale-purple eyes came into view.
"…Those eyes…"
Hayden's heart tightened violently.
A powerful sense of danger suddenly surged within him.
His expression changed instantly as he waved his hand and shouted:
"All units! Prepare for battle!"
The Marines were startled.
Although they didn't understand Hayden's sudden tension, they quickly raised their rifles and entered combat readiness.
"Vice Commander?" the adjutant asked in confusion.
But Hayden ignored him.
He stepped forward and shouted sternly at the approaching youth:
"Stop right there!"
"Do not come any closer!"
"Otherwise we will open fire!"
Step.
The young man—Arthur—stopped about fifty to sixty meters away.
His Rinnegan calmly gazed at Hayden as a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Why shouldn't I come closer?"
"Are you afraid… or uneasy?"
He chuckled softly.
"That won't do."
"Aren't you brave Marines who came to assist the Kingdom of Luss?"
"To shrink back the moment you see the real person involved…"
"That's hardly the spirit the Marines should have."
"Who exactly are you?!" Hayden demanded coldly.
Even when facing five thousand Marines, Arthur showed no trace of fear.
"Me?"
Arthur smiled faintly.
He slowly pulled out a small knife from his pocket and lightly sliced his thumb.
Bright red blood immediately flowed out.
While putting the knife away, he formed a strange series of hand seals that Hayden could not understand.
Then he spoke calmly:
"You came to help Luss but don't know who I am?"
"Very well."
"Allow me to introduce myself."
"My name is Zephir Arthur."
"Zephir Arthur… you mean—"
Hayden's pupils contracted violently.
"Fire!"
"Open fire immediately! All units fire!"
Click! Click! Click!
The Marines raised their rifles.
But before they could pull the triggers—
Arthur smiled faintly and crouched down.
His blood-stained right hand slammed onto the ground.
Instantly—
Strange black runic patterns spread across the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
BOOM!!!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, more than half the harbor was engulfed by dense white smoke, swallowing Arthur's figure.
At the same time—
A storm of gunfire erupted.
Countless bullets shot into the smoke.
"What the hell is that?!" Hayden and the Marines stared in shock at the sudden cloud.
And then—
"ROOOOAR!!!"
A terrifying roar burst from the smoke.
The shockwave blasted the white fog away.
What emerged made every Marine freeze in horror.
Before their eyes—
A gigantic rhinoceros over thirty meters tall appeared.
Its body was gray-white.
From its back extended a pair of black wings.
Beneath its enormous horn, its mouth opened and released bursts of scorching white vapor.
But the most terrifying detail—
Was its eyes.
They were identical to Arthur's.
The Rinnegan.
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