One Piece: Gawain The Knight Of The Sun

Outside the port, low shacks, flowing sewage, and a mix of ragged or menacing figures painted a typical slum scene, starkly contrasting the port's clean streets.

Gaza's attendant stood at the slum's entrance, apologizing to Gawain. "Sir, arms deals happen in the black market. It's chaotic, and even the lord can't fully control it."

"We focus on bigger issues and turn a blind eye to minor ones here, as long as it doesn't get out of hand."

"I can't go in with you. Please be careful."

The attendant bowed and turned to leave, but Kuro spoke up. "Is this treatment just for us, or them too?"

The attendant paused, a faint smile forming. "No misunderstanding, please."

"The lord said you two look far more like real Marines than the others."

His gaze lingered on their faces, then he smiled and left.

"What's that mean?" Kuro blinked.

"He's saying you're handsome," Gawain teased, a grin tugging at his lips.

Kuro's face flushed.

After years at sea, he'd only heard his grim appearance called scary—never such direct praise.

He muttered, "Nosy."

Gawain's grin widened.

Food and medicine could be bought through legitimate channels in the city. Pricier, but reliable and fast, they were secured quickly.

The challenge was firearms and ammunition, requiring Kuro's contact, Harbin Jack.

Following Kuro's memory, they entered a corner bar. The stench of liquor and grime hit Gawain's nose, making him frown. Kuro strode to a corner, and Gawain followed.

A low door stood there, forcing their over-two-meter frames to duck.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Kuro rapped on the door.

With a creak, a sly face peered out—Harbin Jack.

"Well, well!" he said. "Kuro! Heard you were retiring. Back in the game?"

"Cut the chatter," Kuro snapped, his face cold. "Flintlock ammo, three hundred sets. 100mm cannon shells, five hundred rounds. Total?"

"Let me see…" Harbin Jack flicked his fingers, eyeing Kuro, then Gawain, before naming a price. "Thirty million Berries!"

"You insane?" Kuro's face darkened, his voice sharp. "Last time, it was under ten million. Triple? Not afraid you'll choke on it?"

"You gotta understand," Harbin Jack said, smirking confidently. "I paid a fortune to get sprung from the Marines. I'm in debt. Arms dealing's deadly business. Bargaining with a dead man?"

At his words, the bar's patrons closed in, blades glinting under the lights, clearly prepared.

Kuro gritted his teeth, reluctant to start a fight, and raised two fingers. "Twenty million! Max!"

"Not enough," Harbin Jack grinned, about to speak when a cold voice cut in.

"Kuro, that's not how you haggle!"

Gawain scanned the room, slowly drawing his sword, his killing intent so potent that the nearly hundred men didn't dare step forward.

Harbin Jack broke into a cold sweat, staring at Kuro in shock. "Hey, where'd you find this guy? His presence outshines yours!"

"Subordinate?" Kuro shot him a feral grin. "He's my captain!"

"Your captain? He must have a death wish!" Harbin Jack scoffed.

"Oh, he's different. Strong as a monster!" Kuro retorted.

Gawain, out of patience, fixed Harbin Jack with a cold stare. "Ten million."

Harbin Jack's back was soaked, but he held firm. "Twenty million."

In a flash, silver sword slashes lit the bar. Each strike drew a scream as an ear fell to the floor, severed from its owner.

Gawain moved like a reaper, his blade painting arcs of blood.

The crowd panicked, clutching weapons that offered no safety, awaiting death's arrival.

"Eight million!" Gawain's voice rang out.

Harbin Jack trembled, muttering "madman," his earlier arrogance gone.

He knew Gawain could take their lives as easily as their ears.

Kuro wasn't lying—this was a monster!

"How's it dropping?" Harbin Jack stammered.

"Six—!"

"Eight million! Fine, eight million!" Harbin Jack interrupted, his voice shaking. Another cut, and he'd lose everything, even his pants!

"I said six million," Gawain stated, towering over him, tone final.

Harbin Jack opened his mouth, seeing his men clutching bleeding ears, trembling in pain but too scared to scream. He shivered. "Six million, done!"

He just wanted this plague gone, even at a loss!

Another slash, and his hard-won men would flee.

A loner's fate here wasn't pretty.

"Don't try anything. I can't stop the captain if he starts," Kuro said, patting Harbin Jack's cheek, grinning as the man didn't resist.

Gawain eyed his battered knight's sword, its edge notched, cracks spiderwebbing the spine.

Most damage came from clashing with Kuro's claws, which still gleamed pristine, clearly of superior quality.

"Time for a new weapon."

…

Hours later, the sun dipped, painting the sky crimson.

Men dressed as Marines entered the slum, hauling crates of wax-sealed ammunition.

Kuro inspected them, nodded to Gawain. "No issues. All usable."

"Good." Gawain glanced at the calm sea, where seabirds skimmed the waves.

An unease stirred in him. He turned to Kuro. "Take the supplies and ammo to the ship. I'll warn that woman. If Krieg's men attack as we suspect, this port's doomed."

Kuro blinked. "Is that necessary?"

Gawain smirked. "She did call you handsome this afternoon."

"Pointless," Kuro muttered.

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