Chapter Eight: Before Departing for Rogue Town

After holding Robin and resting for quite a while, Kamille told her to move a little further away. He then picked up the blue longsword.

Gazing at this blue blade, which was not much inferior to the Violet Emperor, Kamille couldn't help but mutter inwardly: “It seems these swords were destined for me. Otherwise, after this island sinks in two years, these two swords might never see the light of day.”

With a resonant hum, Kamille drew the blue longsword. The hilt was over half a foot long, the blade stretched more than four feet. Its blue hilt, matched with a pale-blue blade and a deep-blue edge, made it clear this sword was crafted with a lady in mind.

Kamille examined the sword and started channeling his true energy into it. A blue radiance flooded the blade. Sensing it was sufficient, he suddenly slashed toward the sea. Before him, a trench appeared—a meter wide, dozens of meters deep, and stretching for kilometers. He had held back, not daring to pour too much energy in, or else its might would rival that of the Violet Emperor.

Faintly, two characters—“Autumn Rain”—appeared along the blade’s side. So that was its name.

Kamille was in high spirits. These two Supreme Grade Swords were the finest weapons in the world; he would never need to worry about finding armaments again. He walked over to Robin. Looking at the adorable little girl, he suddenly tapped her lips lightly, making Robin blush and lower her head.

“Kamille, you’re so bad. What are these swords? They’re amazing and you look so happy,” Robin asked curiously, eyeing the two swords Kamille had set aside. She thought the Heavenly Snow was already quite excellent—sharp enough to peel apples with ease. Kamille played with the Heavenly Snow’s silvery blade and replied, “The blackish-purple one is called ‘Violet Emperor,’ and the blue one is ‘Autumn Rain.’ Both are renowned among the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords. Heh, five million apiece—of course I’m happy to have found such bargains. The blue ‘Autumn Rain’ is yours, Robin. The ‘Violet Emperor’ is mine. I’ll keep your sword for now. When you’re tall enough, you can wield it.”

As he finished, the purple-gold ring on his finger flashed, and both swords vanished from sight.

The condition, of course, was mostly her height; the swords were almost as tall as Robin standing upright.

“I’m heading out to gather some information. Don’t wander around, Robin. I’ll be back soon,” Kamille said gently. Although Robin was already very strong and no ordinary person could harm her, he would never forgive himself if something happened.

“Okay, Kamille, see you later.” Robin returned to the little cabin in front, opened her book, and said sweetly, “Come back soon, Kamille.” She waved, smiling, and then focused on her reading.

Once Robin was seated, Kamille transformed into elemental form and disappeared from the shore, not noticing the worry in Robin’s eyes.

Meanwhile, at the border between the West Sea and the Grand Line, a pirate ship was frantically sailing away, dozens of crew scrambling and occasionally firing the cannons.

Behind them, a colossal fish-shaped Sea King glared fiercely at the humans aboard. Suddenly, the Sea King lunged, its hundred-meter-long body crashing toward the pirate vessel. The terror on the faces of the captain and crew was plain to see. Just as the beast was tens of meters from the ship, a flash of violet light split the air—a blade beam sliced cleanly through the Sea King’s neck, which was over a dozen meters thick. The head and body hit the water separately with a thunderous crash.

The pirates on deck were all dumbstruck. To unleash such a massive blade aura was the mark of a great swordmaster. As the Sea King lunged, they had accepted certain death, but the sudden turn of events left them frozen. The captain, however, quickly gathered himself—he was, after all, their leader.

“Our gratitude to the great swordmaster who saved us! Please, reveal yourself!” called the captain, now recovered. The crew, too, regained their wits as he spoke.

“Heh, not a slow reaction,” Kamille’s voice echoed from above the deck. He looked quite arrogant, right hand resting on the Heavenly Snow slung over his shoulder, leaning forward to look at the people below, lightning flickering around his body.

Hearing the voice from above, everyone immediately looked up. When they saw Kamille, terror filled their faces. In the West Sea, everyone had heard of the “Thunder Pirate Hunter”—a devil who had emerged in the past year, specializing in hunting pirates for bounties. No one knew where this pirate hunter lived.

“It’s the Thunder Pirate Hunter! Run for your lives!” Instantly, the crew scattered in panic, but where could they run? On the open sea, one careless move and you became Sea King food.

“Hey, I never said I was after you. Why so afraid?” Kamille asked irritably, lighting a cigarette and sitting down on the deck.

“Hey, where’s the captain?” he called out. The crew, now calmed, only looked at him in terror.

“I’m the captain. My bounty is twelve million Berries. May I ask what brings you here?” A man in his thirties stepped forward. He’d panicked when he first saw Kamille but soon steadied himself, knowing full well Kamille’s reputation: he could destroy a pirate ship in a single strike and had sunk three ships at once. Though Kamille looked only about ten years old, the captain knew his power.

“Heh, don’t be afraid. I just want to ask a few things,” Kamille said with a friendly smile.

Though Kamille seemed harmless, the captain was well aware of his methods. He noticed Kamille now wielded a sword and had unleashed a blade aura of a great swordmaster. He realized Kamille wasn’t just a powerful Devil Fruit user but also a swordmaster. What a terrifying child—fate was truly blind.

“Yes, sir. Ask away. If I know, I’ll tell you.” The captain’s voice was steady, though his legs still trembled.

“Do you know anything about the Pirate King Roger?” Kamille stubbed out his cigarette and asked seriously.

A flicker of confusion crossed the captain’s eyes. “You don’t know? The Pirate King Roger died just last week.”

Kamille’s eyes showed a trace of awkwardness. “Er, I don’t read newspapers. Any other news?”

The captain’s expression darkened. “It’s confirmed that in two weeks, the Pirate King will be executed in his hometown, Loguetown in the East Sea.” He looked mournful; after all, Gol D. Roger was the recognized Pirate King. How could he have died like that?

“So, he’s really gone.” Kamille’s gaze dimmed. He knew Gol D. Roger’s death would usher in the Great Pirate Era, but thinking of that bold man—the Pirate King, a title resplendent with glory—he couldn’t help but feel respect. The Navy may have seen him as the most heinous pirate, but everyone admired him. To reach Raftel at the end of the Grand Line meant being the world’s strongest man, yet no one expected him to end his life that way.

“Sir, have you met the Pirate King?” the captain asked, unable to hide his curiosity. He couldn’t believe this pirate hunter had met Roger.

“Yes. I spent a few days aboard his ship.” As Kamille finished, his body crackled with lightning and vanished in an instant.

“Spent a few days on the Pirate King’s ship?” The captain could hardly believe it, but seeing Kamille gone, he finally relaxed.

Soaring through the sky, Kamille looked toward the East Sea. “Two weeks, huh? I’ll go have a look then.”

...............................................

Thank you for your support.

Group number: 78796064. Feel free to join for discussion!