"Kehahahaha..."
"Little Navy brat, I've overheard some incredible news, and it's all thanks to you."
A chilling surge of killing intent suddenly erupted from the shadows.
From the darkness, a figure swiftly emerged, wielding a sharp blade and launching a fierce attack at Renji.
Renji's Observation Haki allowed him to react quickly in the critical moment. He punched the blade that was slashing toward him, but the force still sent him staggering back.
"You pirate actually survived the sea?"
"Kehahahaha..."
"This old man isn't so easy to kill. I still need to hang your head on my pirate flag!"
Ritter roared, his massive figure gleaming menacingly under the light.
"Running into me is your bad luck. I've sailed the seas for 20 years. There's no storm or wave I haven't seen. A mere Sea King can't do anything to me!"
Renji looked at the tattered pirate and said, "I feel like you just got lucky, frozen and then drifted here?"
"Hmph!"
Ritter snorted coldly. The truth was exactly as the other had said, but he would never admit it.
"Say what you want. But... you won't be leaving here alive today!"
"..."
Meanwhile.
The pirate's crew quietly approached the father and daughter. Their steps were light, their eyes cold, ready to capture the two without a sound.
"Olga, hide behind me!"
The girl's father immediately sensed the danger. He shielded his daughter, ready to protect her at all costs.
"Olga, right? If you don't want to die, listen to us and take us to the Pure Gold!"
The pirates, armed with blades, surrounded the father and daughter like demons, their faces twisted with evil smiles, their eyes gleaming with greed.
"We won't take you to the Pure Gold," the man said coldly and firmly. "You won't succeed."
The man's gaze remained fixed on the pirates, knowing he had to protect his daughter, no matter the cost.
The path to the Pure Gold was fraught with danger. He couldn't let his daughter take such a risk.
Moreover, once these pirates found the Pure Gold, they would surely kill them all.
It was better to resist here and now, where there might still be a chance of survival.
"If you don't cooperate, we won't be polite," the pirate lieutenant said, his voice filled with malice and threat. "We know you know where the Pure Gold is. Don't try to hide it."
"The fact that we've made it this far means the Pure Gold is calling to us. Don't be ungrateful!"
The pirates roared in anger, their blades threateningly pointed at the father and daughter.
Olga tightly gripped her father's hand, her eyes shining with determination.
"We won't yield to your threats," she said, looking around at the pirates without fear. "Go ahead and kill us. Then you'll never know where the Pure Gold is!"
The pirates' eyes grew colder. They realized this wasn't an easy target.
"Either cooperate, or... cooperate with our blades at your throats."
"There's no other choice."
"..."
"Die, brat!"
Ritter roared, his massive figure gleaming menacingly under the light. He wielded a giant blade, and with a thunderous roar, he slashed at Renji.
Renji showed no fear. His arms coated in Armament Haki, he charged toward the pirate captain.
Their attacks collided mid-air, the clash of blade and fist sending shockwaves through the air.
Ritter's strikes were heavy and powerful, his giant blade cutting through the air with a howling wind.
Yet, Renji's movements were even more precise. He was as agile as a leopard, every move accurate, every strike landing on the enemy's weak points.
"Boom!!!"
The sound of blade meeting fist echoed continuously, the surrounding stomach acid churning from the shockwaves of their battle.
In the next moment, Ritter's eyes turned cold as he stared at Renji.
"Let's see how you handle this monster's stomach acid."
He gripped his giant blade with both hands and swung it fiercely, causing it to collide with the stomach acid.
Instantly, the entire area was engulfed in a net of stomach acid, trapping Renji within.
Seeing the acid surging toward him, Renji smirked disdainfully.
"Such petty tricks are beneath me."
Renji stomped the ground, causing the surrounding sand and dirt to rise into the air, forming a thick wall of dust that blocked the acid Ritter had flung at him.
"You brat, you're so cunning!" Ritter roared, his eyes blazing with anger. "Today, I'll make sure you die here!"
Renji's face showed a cold smile. He wasn't afraid of the other's threats.
"You're not worthy!" he replied coldly. "Let me show you what a true strong person looks like!"
Renji exhaled sharply, then suddenly dashed forward, his feet skimming the ground as he moved like lightning, each step carrying unmatched power and speed.
Behind him, the wind howled, kicking up dust from the ground.
Renji's figure rapidly grew larger in Ritter's eyes, each step bringing undeniable pressure.
To Ritter, Renji seemed like a wild beast, ready to deliver a fatal blow.
"Such speed..."
The pressure was overwhelming. Seeing Renji's unstoppable momentum, Ritter couldn't help but feel a wave of panic.
"Boom!!!"
A loud explosion rang out as Renji's fist collided with the giant blade, sparks flying everywhere.
A moment later, the blade snapped in half, and Renji's fist continued its trajectory, slamming directly into Ritter's body.
Ritter's body flew through the air in a graceful arc before crashing heavily to the ground.
"..."
Amid the flying dust, Ritter struggled to get up, barely managing to stand, but his legs trembled uncontrollably, almost unable to support him.
Feeling the intense pain throughout his body, especially in his chest, he looked down to see a deep fist imprint where his chest had caved in.
Ritter spat out a mouthful of blood, then suddenly laughed, revealing blood-stained teeth.
"Right now, you're stronger. But... I'm still one step ahead!"
As he spoke, his crew suddenly appeared on the scene, dragging the father and daughter forward.
"However... this is where it ends!"
"I've got what I came for. I have no more interest in you."
Ritter grabbed Olga's arm with his right hand, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't protect my daughter," the man said, his hands tied behind his back, his eyes filled with regret.
The faces of the father and daughter were filled with guilt and unease, firmly held by the pirates and unable to break free.
"Let them go!" Renji's icy voice echoed across the area.
His words carried authority and left no room for doubt.
With hostages in hand, Ritter remained calm, pulling Olga in front of him.
"I'm not here to test my strength. My goal has always been the treasure."
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "No matter the means, victory is all that matters. That's the pirate way!"
"Kehahahaha..."
...
... (TL/N): If you are intressted you can read up to 30 chapter on patreon.com/Yanet96 search with this link.