When Arashi arrived outside the workshop, he hadn't expected the current Law to be this weak.
The future Trafalgar Law had actually been subdued by a bunch of nameless pirates.
Still, after hearing Bagg's words, Arashi roughly figured out who he was.
This was Bagg from the official novel—a Dissolution Man and user of the Drunk-Drunk Fruit.
At this point in time, Law had formed the Heart Pirates but hadn't officially set sail yet. Lacking real combat experience, getting ambushed by Bagg was perfectly understandable.
Of course, that wasn't the important part.
The important part was that this guy was Old Wolf's biological son.
A son attacking his own father.
The word heartless wasn't nearly enough to describe a scumbag like Bagg.
Although Arashi generally disliked violence and had no interest in meddling in other people's affairs, there were some things he simply couldn't ignore.
Hearing the sudden voice behind him, Bagg immediately spun around and barked:
"Who are you?!"
The moment he turned around, his eyes widened dramatically.
Before he could react, Arashi's figure rapidly expanded within his vision.
In the next instant, Bagg felt his hand become empty.
Old Wolf, who had been held in his grasp moments earlier, was already in Arashi's arms and being gently lowered onto the ground.
Seeing this, Bagg instinctively staggered back a step and immediately entered a state of full alert.
At the same time—
A ghost suddenly appeared out of nowhere and passed straight through his body.
The moment it did, Bagg's eyes went vacant.
He dropped to his knees and, with black lines seemingly hanging over his head, muttered lifelessly:
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm garbage..."
"I don't deserve to live in this world..."
Before anyone could process what had happened, numerous hands suddenly emerged from the ground.
They instantly grabbed the ankles of every member of the Bagg Pirates.
"AHHH! What is this?!"
"Why are hands coming out of the ground?!"
"Damn it, they're Devil Fruit users too!"
The pirates had barely recovered from seeing their captain collapse into utter despair before being terrified by the hands sprouting beneath their feet.
The bizarre and overwhelming scene left Law and the others completely dumbfounded.
The pirates who had effortlessly crushed them moments ago didn't even have the chance to fight back against these people.
Arashi paid no attention to Law and his crew.
After carefully placing Old Wolf on the ground, he spoke calmly:
"You have a choice to make, old man."
"Law and the others have obviously fallen victim to Bagg's Devil Fruit ability."
"You should know what kind of fruit your son possesses."
Old Wolf looked toward Law and the others and nodded weakly.
"Those kids are under Bagg's Devil Fruit effect."
"If it isn't removed within twenty-four hours, they'll all die."
"But the only way to remove it is to kill Bagg."
Arashi looked directly at the old inventor.
"So tell me."
"Do you kill your biological son to save these four children?"
"Or do you let Bagg go and watch the four of them die?"
Old Wolf remained silent.
Slowly, he turned his head toward Law and the others.
He had never expected his unfilial son to suddenly appear on the island.
Nor had he expected Bagg to come specifically for the submarine.
Of course, if Bagg only wanted the submarine, Wolf would have handed it over immediately.
But he knew his son too well.
Bagg had been cruel and uncontrollable since childhood.
Even if he obtained the submarine, he would never spare Law and the others.
In fact, he would likely kill them the moment he got what he wanted.
But if Wolf refused, they would die anyway.
Before Arashi appeared, Old Wolf had been completely despairing.
Because no matter what happened tonight, he knew he couldn't protect those children.
Fortunately, Arashi had arrived in time and effortlessly subdued Bagg and his entire crew.
After only a brief hesitation, Old Wolf made his decision.
Looking up with difficulty, he said:
"Save the children."
Seeing how quickly the old man chose, Arashi said nothing.
He simply turned and gave Robin a small nod.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
A series of neck-snapping sounds echoed through the air.
Bagg and every member of the Bagg Pirates died almost instantly.
As Bagg's life ended, Law and the others immediately felt a weight lift from their bodies.
They collapsed onto the ground and began gasping for breath.
All four of them were shaken by what had just happened.
Not because of the Bagg Pirates.
But because of Arashi's group.
Especially Perona and Robin.
The ease with which they had wiped out an entire pirate crew—as casually as crushing ants—made everyone's hair stand on end.
Surprisingly, Old Wolf showed no visible grief at Bagg's death.
Instead, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Then he looked toward Arashi and spoke with difficulty:
"Sir..."
"Get some rest, old man."
Arashi smiled and shook his head.
"When your injuries heal, we can talk properly."
Before Wolf could say anything else, Arashi turned toward Law and the others.
"What are you all standing around for?"
"Get the old man inside."
"The workshop's already destroyed!"
Bepo immediately jumped to his feet.
"You can't live in there anymore!"
Before Arashi could respond, Perona suddenly exclaimed:
"Wow!"
"The white bear can talk again!"
"Arashi, can I turn him into my pet?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Bepo froze completely.
The memory of Bagg kneeling on the ground in utter despair resurfaced instantly.
His fur practically stood on end.
"Haha, that's not allowed."
Arashi waved his hand with a smile.
"He's a Mink, not an ordinary bear."
"If you really want a pet, I'll catch ten actual bears for you someday."
The moment he heard Arashi talking about catching bears, Bepo immediately forgot his terror.
Instead, he looked hopeful.
"Um..."
"Would there be any female bears?"
The question hit like a thunderbolt.
Shachi, Penguin, and Law simultaneously stared at him with wide eyes.
Even Arashi was caught completely off guard.
So this guy had already started thinking about finding a female bear at this age?
Were Minks really that mature that early?
Or was Bepo simply built differently?
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