Renji's gaze was deep and calm, seeing right through the pirate captain's intentions.
In his eyes, Ritter was nothing more than a blustering clown, trying to intimidate him with shallow threats.
Renji knew the pirate would never kill Olga and her father. If Ritter dared to harm them, he wouldn't survive either.
"Do you really think this can threaten me?" Renji's voice was calm and steady, exuding unshakable confidence.
Hearing this, Ritter's heart tightened.
He felt the other's arrogance and disdain, which ignited a surge of anger within him. He was determined to prove his strength and show Renji that no one could look down on him!
"You're too arrogant!" Ritter's voice was filled with rage and struggle. He was resolved to make Renji pay.
However, Renji's expression remained composed. He paid no heed to Ritter's provocation.
"Have you ever heard the saying? Beyond ten steps, a gun is fast. Within ten steps, a gun is both fast and accurate!"
Just as Ritter was about to issue another threat, Renji took a quick, decisive step forward. His movements were lightning-fast, his finger aimed directly at Ritter.
A finger gun shot through the air, piercing Ritter's arm that held Olga.
Ritter had no time to react. His hand was pierced, the dagger falling from his grip and hitting the ground along with a spray of blood.
"Ah!!!"
Ritter's face twisted in shock and pain as he stared at his wounded hand, blood gushing from the injury and staining his clothes.
Without pause, Renji fired several more finger guns at the pirates.
The pirates barely had time to register Renji's movements before a powerful force struck them.
Their arms were pierced almost simultaneously, blood spurting out like a fountain.
"Ah, my hand!"
"What's happening? Who's attacking us?"
Screams echoed through the valley as the pirates collapsed in agony, struggling to survive.
Their arms were drenched in blood, the wounds trembling with pain. Most importantly, none of them had seen how Renji had attacked.
"Now do you believe me?" Renji said with a faint smile.
His words sounded like a demon's whisper to the pirates.
The pirates writhed in pain, their faces twisted with fear. They hadn't expected Renji to be so powerful that even their most basic ability to defend themselves was stripped away.
"So... so strong."
Olga's eyes became as clear as a lake, yet they also held a storm of emotions.
She stared at the scene before her as if witnessing an unbelievable dream.
The pirates' once-ferocious faces now seemed lifeless, their bodies as weak as sand washed over by waves.
"Incredible! Thank goodness Olga met him."
A sense of indescribable awe surged in Olga's father's heart.
He hadn't expected that the first person they encountered after 200 years would possess such terrifying strength.
What surprised him even more was that someone so powerful had also ended up inside the lantern's stomach.
The father and daughter, now free from the pirates' control, quickly ran to Renji's side.
"..."
The pirates knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling, their faces filled with helplessness and despair.
Their earlier arrogance had vanished, leaving only a pitiful demeanor.
Renji stood before them, his posture upright, his expression cold and impatient.
His gaze swept over the kneeling pirates, showing no trace of mercy. Those who did wrong had to pay the price. Who knew how much innocent blood these pirates had on their hands?
Ritter looked up, his eyes filled with pleading.
He knew he could no longer resist and could only hope for Renji's mercy.
His lips trembled as he struggled to speak. "Please, spare us."
The other pirates chimed in, their voices filled with tears and despair:
"Yes, please, spare us."
Renji's heart remained unmoved. He was silent for a moment, as if weighing his options.
Seeing Renji's hesitation, the pirates became even more desperate in their pleas.
"We'll never do anything wrong again."
"Please, have mercy on us."
Finally, Renji spoke slowly. "I have a question for you."
"When you slaughtered civilians and innocent people, did you ever listen to their pleas for mercy?"
The pirates exchanged glances, understanding the implication in Renji's words.
"It seems you're not willing to let us go..."
The pirates sensed Renji's resolve, and their expressions twisted with malice and fury.
Suddenly, they rose from their kneeling positions, their eyes filled with venom and rage.
"Do you think you can easily deal with us?" Ritter roared, his voice filled with anger.
"We just didn't want to fight to the death with you."
"Our ship isn't far from here, and it's filled with explosives."
Ritter pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket, his eyes wild as he stared at Renji.
"With one order, the explosives on the ship will detonate!"
"Don't forget we're inside a monster's stomach. If an explosion happens, no one can predict the consequences!"
The other pirates also stood up, their postures straight, their eyes gleaming with menace.
They had given up on pleading and begging. Now, they had only one thought: to take Renji down with them.
"..."
Hearing the pirates' words, the expressions of the father and daughter became uncertain.
The girl's brow furrowed slightly, her eyes filled with confusion, unsure how to face the situation.
Her father's expression also turned grave, his eyes revealing a hint of worry.
The pirates' threat of mutual destruction made him hesitate. He didn't want his daughter to be caught in the crossfire, but he didn't know what to do.
Their hearts were filled with conflict and struggle. They didn't know how to make the right decision. At this critical moment, their minds were tangled with emotions, making it difficult to act.
The father and daughter exchanged glances, silently communicating.
However, faced with the crisis before them, their resolve gradually hardened.
They knew they couldn't easily yield to evil. They had to bravely face all challenges.
Though uncertain of the future, they were determined to fight against fate and defend their dignity, even if it cost them their lives.
"You saved our lives. Whatever you decide, we'll follow without question," the man said with a hearty laugh.
Olga also nodded without hesitation.
Renji looked at the father and daughter, sensing the unyielding determination within them.
His brow furrowed slightly, a mix of helplessness and sympathy rising in his heart. He could feel their hesitation and confusion, but he also recognized their inner strength and courage.
Finally, Renji drew the Yanchi blade from his waist.
"Have you ever seen a flying slash?"
...
... (TL/N): If you are intressted you can read up to 30 chapter on patreon.com/Yanet96 search with this link.