Fighting had broken out within the Trek Pirate’s hideout. The Barracks were being assaulted by Akoro and his squad of marines, fighting off the sleepy and surprised pirates. With Miyamoto taking out the Red Blade - the battle was looking up to be a large victory for Demolition Squad.

However, the most crucial part of the battle was occurring at the Mayor's House. The battle between the captain of the Trek Pirates and the captain of Demolition Squad. Kenji the Marine v. Daichi the “Raider”.

“Hahaha! So the Marines finally caught us, eh!?” Daichi got up from his bed - previously belonging to the Mayor of the town. He was not alone in the bed, as there was a terrified young lady bawled up in the sheets. She attempted to use the covers to hide her obviously exposed body. Kenji was looming at the door of the expansive bedroom, disgusted by what he saw.

“Oh? What’s with that look? Never had a woman, eh?” Strangely, Daichi looked like the average farmer. He had combed brown hair and arms that spoke of a farming heritage. Despite his teeth's yellow shine, they were straight and orderly. He was wearing a white tank top and some loose shorts, showing off his surprisingly masculine body. It all pointed to him having worked in the fields for a large amount of his life.

“Woman, hurry up and leave. I’m sorry you had to...” Kenji was at a loss for words - it was clear that woman was forced to do whatever she did. The terror on her face spoke of it all, she was a young lady who had been separated from her family when the Trek Pirates attacked her town. Under of the threat of death, she did whatever she had to do to survive.

This sight brought back memories of Anari and the Viking Pirates. Kenji couldn’t help but feel immensely angered - enraged, at the thought of Anari being in the same position. He clenched his fist - he couldn’t wait to beat down this punk.

The lady looked at Daichi in fear, mouthing off ‘can I please leave?’. Daichi nodded solemnly, and with that the lady scurried up and out of the bed, bringing with her the blankets. But almost as soon as she had stepped out a “BANG!” shook the room.

She fell to the ground, dead. A bullet to the head had killed the poor lady, and the killer was none other than Daichi.

“Told you I wouldn’t let you leave.” Daichi blew at the tip of his flintlock, one he had pulled out from the bed as soon as she had stepped up to leave. He then laughed - as if it was all one sick joke.

“YOU!” Kenji nearly burst into flames on the spot, his blood curdling up in rage. He dug his foot into the ground and pushed off with all his might - exploding forth at Daichi. His fist curled up with massive strength - he seemed like a bullet flying through the air.

“Hahaha!” Daichi, in response, took his own fist and slammed it towards Kenji’s. The two’s fists met in the middle, rumbles of pain flowing through the two’s arms. The amount of force coming from both of their fists was like sledgehammers, and Daichi couldn’t help but be shocked at the power behind Kenji’s punch. Blood poured from his knuckles as he felt some of his bones shift.

“GET AWAY!” Kenji’s pushed forward with all his might, sending Daichi flying backward before crashing into the wall of the bedroom. The wooden wall was like paper, letting Daichi pass through and slide on the dirt behind the house.

“You damn bra-” Right when Daichi was getting up, he saw Kenji flying through the air like a demon - that powerful fist raised once more. He could only roll to the side, narrowly avoiding the reaper’s punch.

“Tsk!” He unsheathed a small dagger, one similar to Miyamoto’s tanto, except the tip was purple. Poisoned, sharp, and deadly - it was a dangerous weapon.

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Kenji skid onto the grass, turning back towards Daichi. Rage was still evident on his face, and thinking about how that poor lady died could only make him furious. But he still kept some of his rationality, being much more cautious after seeing the dagger.

“Touch this blade and your dead, MARINE!” Daichi finally stabilized himself, spitting out some blood. This time he took the offensive, running towards Kenji. Right before he was within punching range, he jumped into the air, flipping and trying to stab Kenji from above.

Kenji responded by taking a step backward - the blade cutting the edge of his MARINE cap. He watched as Daichi landed on the ground and took advantage - slamming his fist into the back of Daichi’s hand. This was an attempt to send Daichi’s dagger flying out of his hand - but it failed. Daichi simply winced, but his hand managed to remain steady. Daichi then took the dagger and stabbed forward, attempting to pierce Kenji’s chest.

Kenji took a step to the side, extending his leg out in a powerful kick. His leg slammed itself into the moving Daichi’s stomach, causing him to flip in circles before plummeting to the ground. Kenji wasted no time, stomping down on Daichi’s back.

“Gah! Wait!” Kenji dug his foot deeper into Daichi’s back, before swiftly kneeling down and taking out a pair of handcuffs from his waist. He grabbed Daichi’s hands and placed them in handcuffs in one swift hand motion. Naturally, the poisoned dagger was forced out of his hand, dropping to the ground.

“Listen! You’re making a mistake, arresting me! I could do so much for you!”

“Shut it. How could you kill that lady with no remorse!?” Kenji wasn’t having any of it, knocking the back of Daichi’s head - Daichi's face slapping the dirt.

“Wait! Kid, do you know what a devil fruit is?” Kenji’s expression froze. A devil fruit!? He naturally knew what it was, they had a short mini-lesson during Basic Training. Mainly to warn them to run if they met a devil fruit eater. However, he remembered Grandpa Satoru telling it in better detail.

Devil fruits are strange fruits which grant the eater a unique ability in exchange for their ability to swim. There were supposedly hundreds or even thousands of different devil fruit abilities - and to gain one all one had to do was to eat the fruit. Once the fruit was eaten it instantly becomes useless - the power already being given to the devil fruit eater.

Devil fruit users typically were extraordinarily powerful due to their devil fruit ability - making them far more superior than normal fighters. There were thousands of different and unique abilities, and a devil fruit could go for an immeasurable price depending on its ability.

“Yes, you do! It’s inside the bedroom in the treasure chest! I’ll give it to you if you let me go!” After seeing the change in Kenji’s expression, Daichi immediately felt a sense of hope spring. He quickly began to capitalize on the opportunity.

“Let’s go see what the hell you're talking about.” Kenji had begun to calm down, and at the idea of a devil fruit, he had no choice! If he ate the devil fruit, what kind of power would he gain? And even if he decided not to eat it, he could turn it into the Marines for an astronomical price!

Instructor Hotaru had even told him that if he ever found a devil fruit it would be beyond crucial. He told Kenji that if he even knows there's a possibility of a devil fruit during a mission - it would become first priority! Whether or not he ate the fruit or not was up to him.

So Kenji dragged Daichi with him back to the bedroom. The sounds of fighting were still rumbling outside, though it was quickly calming down. Kenji was swift but also cautious; as much as he wanted to return to his squad he understood the importance of a devil fruit!

And sure enough, there was an old-fashioned wooden chest right next to the bed. Judging by how close it was to the bed, it seemed like it was quite precious.

“I couldn’t let any of my crew members know. Loyal to me, yes, but would kill me in a heartbeat if paid enough. It’s what happens when you're a crew of scoundrels.” Daichi explained as Kenji reached into his short’s pocket for a key. As a precaution, Kenji placed Daichi under a second pair of hand-cuffs, attaching him to the other side of the bed. He was well within sight.

“Let’s see if this key works.” Kenji tried to avoid looking at the lifeless body of the lady and took the key and put it in the strange wooden chest. With a silent click, the chest opened.

And sure enough, there was a strange fruit with mysterious swirl markings and patterns. Kenji’s eyes widened, and before he could even process anything…

“BANG!” A flintlock exploded, a bullet soaring out of its chamber, digging itself into Kenji’s chest - dangerously close to his heart. Kenji coughed up blood, his mind beginning to race - who shot me!? Before he could even turn around, he heard a horrifying voice behind him.

“That’ll be mine, Captain.” Haru’s voice was almost sarcastic, placing the flintlock down and walking towards the treasure chest.

Haru had betrayed him!