One-Punch Man in the One Piece World

60. Kizaru arrives at the battlefield

The Drum Kingdom coast, the village of "Big Horn".

This once tranquil snow-covered village is now completely shrouded in the shadows of a dense crowd of people and boats.

The Norton Pirates' twenty-seven warships lay anchored in the nearshore waters like a stranded pod of whales. Many more small and medium-sized vessels were moored directly at the makeshift dock.

The limited number of houses in the village could not accommodate nearly four thousand people. Most of the pirates set up temporary camps in open areas on the shore, or, under the command of their officers, orderly headed to nearby towns to find places to stay.

Although the pirates were not exactly disciplined, under the restraint of Norton and his officers, there were no large-scale raids on civilians.

They used the baileys they robbed from Bell Island to buy food and drinks, or to barter with the locals using supplies from the ship.

The villagers of Great Horn Village went from being extremely frightened at first to cautiously observing the menacing pirates. They only relaxed a little after realizing that these ferocious pirates seemed to be just "passing by," but they still dared not get too close.

The commotion that ensued when Valpo's ostentatious, gold- and silver-plated royal sleigh, pulled by several strong white hippos and escorted by a group of dejected kingdom soldiers, swayed and rocked into the village was predictable.

"It's the King! King Valpo!"

"Why is he here? And with so many people... Are those people in pink doctors number twenty?!"

The villagers whispered among themselves behind windows and fences, watching incredulously as their usually aloof and exploitative king, now wearing a nervous, almost fawning smile, awkwardly climbed off the sled and looked around.

Wapol disregarded his manners, his small eyes anxiously scanning the village of pirates draped in furs and carrying swords, trying to spot the silver-haired figure among them.

Soon, he saw an orange-haired girl standing in front of a tall stone house. The girl was examining an open sea chart with another girl who had an aristocratic air.

"That, that lady!" Wapol hurried over, forcing a greasy smile. "Excuse me... where is Lord Norton? I, Wapol, have followed his orders and brought all the best doctors in the country... uh, the castle."

Valpo turned to the side and pointed to the twenty doctors behind him who were wearing identical pink surgical gowns and masks, their eyes filled with fear and unease.

Nami looked up, glanced at Wapol and the group of cowering doctors behind him, raised an eyebrow, and said in a flat tone, "King went to the neighboring town of Kester. Are these all the doctors?"

"Yes, yes! They're all here! Not one is missing!" Wapol quickly assured him.

Nami, holding the map, walked up to the twenty doctors and sharply scanned them.

Some doctors looked away, while others displayed a numb obedience.

"Name, specialty," Nami said succinctly.

The doctors looked at each other, and only after being urged by Valpo's gaze did they gradually give their names and specialties—internal medicine, surgery, pharmacy, virology, trauma treatment... covering quite a few areas, but the number of doctors was far too small.

"Twenty..." Nami frowned and looked at Wapol. "Our fleet has nearly four thousand people. Traveling through the Grand Line, this number of doctors is barely enough for emergencies."

"And what about the treasure I asked for?"

Walpo's heart tightened, and the cold sweat that had just dried on his forehead reappeared: "The treasure... the treasure is being counted and loaded! Immediately... no, I'll send someone back right now to urge them! I guarantee it will be delivered by today!"

Wapol had thought he could escape unscathed, but he hadn't managed to fool him after all. He was now extremely pained, but even more afraid that Norton would come back to settle scores with him.

"That would be best." Nami stopped looking at him and turned to Crowe. "Arrange for someone to take these doctors to the temporary medical station, check their medical equipment and medicine reserves, and have them make a list of what they are missing."

After a pause, Nami lowered her voice, "Keep an eye on them, and don't let them get close to the core area of ​​our wounded for now."

Nami had no trust in the people Wapol sent.

Kuro nodded, beckoned over a few relatively composed pirates, and led the twenty anxious doctors away.

Wahlbo stood there, rubbing his thick palms, unsure whether to leave or stay, his heart pounding with anxiety. He could only hope that Norton would take the doctor and the treasure and leave his country as soon as possible.

...

...

Meanwhile, in the neighboring town of Kester.

Compared to Big Horn Village, this town is slightly larger, and the buildings are mostly made of stone and wood, making them appear more sturdy.

Norton didn't bring many people with him; he was only accompanied by Dalton, who had just been freed from his restraints and whose injuries had been treated.

The two walked on the street covered with a thin layer of snow.

Most of the town's residents kept their doors and windows closed, with only a few daring ones peeking through the cracks in their doors.

Norton seemed oblivious to all of this, as if he were simply taking a casual stroll, observing the town of the Drum Kingdom.

Depression was his most direct feeling.

Most shops were closed, the streets were deserted, and the few faces you saw looked malnourished and numb.

Dalton followed silently half a step behind Norton, his expression complex. His wounds were still throbbing, but what troubled him more was Norton's recruitment of him on the ship, and now the sight of this pirate captain strolling through the town.

"This country looks quite sick," Norton suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Dalton's lips moved, but he didn't refute. He knew what Norton was referring to. Walpole's tyranny, his monopoly on medical resources, and his exploitation of the people had already severely damaged the country.

Just then, a tall figure staggered out from the street corner—it was a walking bear carrying a huge backpack and walking upright.

It seemed accustomed to the presence of humans, glancing at Norton and Dalton with its dark eyes before slowly continuing forward, its paws leaving clear imprints on the snow.

"One of the distinctive creatures of the Drum Kingdom," Dalton explained instinctively, "gentle in nature, very strong, and often used to carry goods."

Norton nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the desolate state of the town.

Dalton froze, his face showing a mixture of struggle and pleading.

"Mr. Norton," Dalton said carefully, "the twenty doctors at the Castle Institute are the last organized and experienced medical force in this country."

"If you take them all, the nearly one million citizens of the Drum Kingdom will be left with virtually no medical care. Minor injuries and illnesses might be treated with folk remedies, but what if there's an epidemic or serious illness..."

Suddenly, the image of a woman popped into Dalton's mind. She was an elderly woman over 130 years old and the only doctor in the country who was not bound by Walpole.

If Norton takes Doctor Twenty away, then if anyone in this country falls ill, they'll have to rely on that witch!

Dalton took a deep breath of the cold air, as if he had made up his mind, straightened his back, and looked directly at Norton.

"I implore you, at least half of them, ten doctors, to remain in this country and maintain the most basic medical care. For this... I, Dalton, am willing to fulfill the promise I made on the ship and serve you at your beck and call!"

This was the greatest compromise and sacrifice he could make as a soldier protecting his country. He set aside his prejudice against pirates and offered his loyalty, all to give his people a chance to survive.

However, Norton's answer shattered his expectations.

"no."

Norton's voice was calm but left no room for negotiation.

"Twenty doctors are the bare minimum for my fleet. The dangers of the Grand Line are far beyond your imagination. I need them to protect the lives of nearly four thousand men under my command. Not one less."

Dalton's eyes dimmed instantly, and his fists clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white.

But Norton then changed the subject: "However, you seem to have misunderstood one thing. There aren't just twenty doctors in the castle."

Dalton looked up abruptly, a look of confusion in his eyes.

"Walpo expelled most of the country's best doctors; they merely left the Drum Kingdom, they didn't all die."

Norton looked at Dalton, a sharp glint in his eyes. "If this country had a more reliable ruler who could announce in the newspapers a promise of safety and fair treatment, it would be entirely possible to bring those doctors back from exile."

"It can even attract medical talent from other countries. A country that was once famous for its medical care doesn't have its heritage and appeal that can disappear so easily."

Dalton was stunned; he had never thought about the problem from this perspective before.

For a long time, he only saw the destruction caused by Walpole and the current predicament, but ignored the fact that "people" can move around and "reputation" can be rebuilt.

"Change the ruler..." Dalton murmured, then his pupils contracted sharply as a terrifying thought surfaced within him, "You...you want to kill Wapol?"

If Norton kills Wahlbod, the Drum Kingdom will inevitably fall into a power vacuum and chaos, which...

Norton shook his head, a cold smile playing on his lips: "No. Sometimes the living are more useful than the dead."

He looked toward the mountain peak where the castle was located.

"Walpo is a user of the 'Gluttony Fruit,' right? He can eat anything, turn it into part of his body, or synthesize new items," Norton said slowly, as if evaluating a tool.

"This capability is perfect as a mobile 'waste disposal station' and 'emergency material depot.' My fleet generates a lot of waste during long voyages and also needs to deal with various unexpected shortages of supplies. It can come in handy."

Dalton was completely stunned. He hadn't expected that Norton hadn't killed Wapol because he was interested in the guy's Devil Fruit ability?

Moreover, the term "garbage recycling station"... although extremely insulting, upon closer inspection, combined with Walbona's absurd ability to eat indiscriminately and "synthesize" anything, it actually has a strange sense of aptness.

"Therefore, I will take Wahlbog with me, along with his 'Doctor Twenty' and his treasure," Norton concluded.

"This country will temporarily lose its king and its last official medical force. But this also means that the shackles around the neck of the Drum Kingdom have been forcibly removed by external forces."

"Whether this country will slide into an even deeper abyss or have a chance to seize a glimmer of hope and start anew... depends on what people like you do next."

The wind and snow swept across the empty streets, swirling up fine snowflakes.

Dalton stood there, Norton's words like a hammer blow, striking at his preconceived notions and loyalty.

...

...

Meanwhile, towards the port.

A yellow light suddenly appeared in the sky.

Was it a shooting star?

Several pirates who were carrying supplies subconsciously looked up at the leaden sky.

At first, it was just a point of light, twinkling high in the clouds. The point of light rapidly expanded, and its brightness increased dramatically, turning from pale yellow to dazzling gold. It left a straight and brilliant streak of light, tearing through the gloomy sky and hurtling towards the village!

"A shooting star? No... it's heading straight for us!"

The exclamation had barely begun when the golden streak of light descended from the sky with an illogical speed and precision, landing silently on the temporarily cleared open space in the center of the village.

The golden light receded, transforming into a tall, thin man wearing a yellow and white striped suit.

With his hands in his pockets and a lazy expression on his face, he casually glanced around the now deathly silent pirate camp behind his yellow sunglasses.

"Oh dear, this took us quite a while to find." Borsalino scratched his head. "It's really cold here. You guys certainly know how to pick a campsite."

"Navy... Navy?!"

"That uniform...it's an admiral! A naval admiral!!"

"Kizaru! It's 'Kizaru' Borsalino! I've seen him in the newspaper!"

The ordinary pirates were pale, their legs went weak, and the things in their hands fell to the ground with a clatter.

A person's name is like a tree's shadow. A Marine Admiral—a monster standing at the pinnacle of the World Government's military power, a legendary force capable of suppressing an entire sea!

For most pirates, encountering such a being means absolute despair!

Just as panic was about to turn into a rout, several figures arrived from different directions at an even faster speed, blocking Kizaru's path between the chaotic pirate crowd.

Zoro had already drawn his three swords, his eyes were as sharp as blades, and his body leaned slightly forward, entering a state of utmost focus in preparation for battle.

Sanosuke appeared silently a few meters in front of Zoro, his eyes above the mask were cold, his hands hung naturally at his sides, but the cold light of kunai was already visible between his fingers.

Zhepu stood firmly on the snow, his face as solemn as a mountain.

Almost simultaneously, Nami, Kuro, Buggy, and Arkin also arrived quickly.

"Funing," Nami whispered quickly to Funing, who had rushed to her side, "Who is this guy?"

The Duke of Funing's daughter's experience came in handy at this moment. She took a deep breath and confirmed in a voice that was as steady as possible but still trembled:

"No mistake... Marine Admiral 'Kizaru' Borsalino! The Marine Headquarters' top combat force!"

The phrase "top combat strength" sent a chill down the spines of all the officers present.

Several terrified pirates could no longer withstand the oppressive atmosphere and screamed as they turned and fled toward the ships on the shore.

Kizaru seemed to sigh, casually pulling his right hand out of his pocket, raising his index finger, and gathering golden light at the tip.

"Really~ I haven't even started asking you any questions yet."

Puff! Puff puff!

Several dazzling golden beams of light burst forth from his fingertips, streaking through the air at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

"ah--!"

The screams rang out almost simultaneously with the beam of light hitting the target.

The fleeing pirates simultaneously burst into blood from their thighs or shoulders, screaming as they collapsed to the ground, the wounds emitting a burnt smell.

The beam of light precisely disabled their mobility without taking their lives, making this control all the more terrifying.

Kizaru withdrew his fingers, put them back in his pocket, and his gaze swept past Zoro and the others who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy, landing on Nami, who was being subtly protected behind him by Gin and Kuro.

They probably felt that among this group of people, the orange-haired girl seemed the most approachable.

"Did I scare you? Sorry~" Borsalino tilted his head. "But those boats over there on the beach, are they yours? They're flying that... flag with the King's Chess and Scepter crossed."

"You're the Norton Pirates, right? I've been looking for you for ages!"

Borsalino paused, his gaze sweeping over the ready-to-fight Zoro, Sanosuke, and Zeff before finally settling back on Nami's face.

"Well then, could you do me a favor and ask your captain, 'Silver Hair' Norton, to come out and meet me? I've come all this way from this freezing place specifically to find him!"