Five days after the provocative scenes on the ship, land finally appeared on the horizon.
Shell Island.
The ship sailed slowly into the dium-sized port. The port was modest but busy. Fishing boats, small rchant vessels, and wooden piers stretching into the clear blue water. The sailors and dock workers moved lazily under the afternoon sun.
But the real beauty of the island lay beyond the port.
Endless green fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Wheat, rice, vegetables, and fruit trees. The island was the region's breadbasket. It was green, fertile, full of life. The hills rolled with greenery, trees lined the roads, and small rivers ran between the fields.
Thousands of farrs worked in the fields. So were harvesting, so planting, so watering the crops. They were not slaves, but they were poor. They worked from dawn to dusk, and the "Rice" family took most of what they produced.
---
Pablo left his n on the ship. He took only Jinny and six of his n. He didn't want to look like an invading army. He wanted to look like a wealthy rchant looking for a deal.
They walked through the main town's streets. The buildings were simple, mostly wood and stone. The markets were small, and the rchants sold local products. Poverty was clear on people's faces.
Then they saw the big house.
It was the largest building on the island. Two stories of polished white stone, marble columns at the entrance, and a wide garden surrounding it. It was surrounded by a high stone wall, and at the gate stood ard guards.
"This is it." Pablo said.
He approached the guards. He looked confident, calm, like a wealthy rchant.
"I am a rchant from Naraka. I wish to make a large deal with the rulers of this island."
The guards looked at each other. One went inside. He returned after a few minutes. "Our master will see you."
---
Pablo, Jinny, and the six n entered.
The inside was luxurious. Valuable wood furniture, Persian carpets, and crystal chandeliers. It wasn't a king's palace, but it was the palace of the richest family on the island.
At the end of the hall sat an old man on a large chair.
He was tall, thin-bodied, his face wrinkled with age. His eyes were small, blue, and sharp as a hawk's. His short gray hair was neatly trimd. He wore a luxurious white robe, and on his finger was a large gold ring. He looked like a man who had lived in luxury his entire life.
He looked at Pablo. He stared at him for a long ti. Then his eyes widened.
"Pablo... the head of the Pablo Family."
He paused for a mont. Then he said in a cold voice:
"You are the killer of the pirate Bolly. You are the one who controls Naraka Island."
He did not ntion Sorbet. He did not know. No one knew about the family's control over Sorbet under Pablo's command; matters were kept secret to avoid angering the World Governnt. All that was known about the Pablo Family was that they controlled the industrial island of Naraka and that they had killed the pirate Bolly.
Pablo smiled. "I see my reputation precedes ."
"I have heard much about you. But I have never seen you. You are younger than I expected."
"Age ans nothing. Power is what matters."
The old man sighed. "Alright. What deal do you want?"
Pablo looked at him directly. His voice was calm, but sharp as a knife.
"This island will beco mine. Its crops. Its lands. Its farrs. Your soldiers will beco my soldiers. Everything will be under my command."
He paused.
"And in return... I will spare your life."
The old man was silent for a mont. Then he burst out laughing. It wasn't a laugh of joy. It was a mocking laugh.
"You are a child! A child who took over a small island by luck. Naraka was just a factory. No army. No defenses. You killed one pirate and you think you can threaten ?"
The old man stood up from his chair. He was taller than he looked. He was nearly two ters tall.
Then he attacked.
---
The First Punch
It was fast. Stronger than Pablo expected. It was the punch of an ordinary man. But it was fast. Pablo dodged it easily.
Pablo smiled. "Is that all you've got?"
The old man replied: "I haven't started yet."
Suddenly, the old man's body began to change.
It wasn't a slow change. It was violent. Fast. Thick white fur grew from beneath his skin. His face elongated, turning into the face of a massive dog. His teeth beca sharp fangs. His hands beca claws. His body swelled. He beca three ters tall. He was a hybrid between a human and a dog.
His white fur was thick and clean. His eyes turned yellow, burning with animalistic rage. His breath was hot, rising like smoke in the cold air.
"Inu Inu no Mi. Model: Hunting Hound." the old man said, his voice now hoarse, almost a howl.
Pablo smiled. "So you too ate a Devil Fruit."
"I ate it thirty years ago. I have killed my enemies with it. And I will kill you with it too."
---
Pablo turned to Jinny. "Step back. Leave the house. Take the n with you."
Jinny looked at him. Her eyes were afraid.
"Will you be alright?"
"I will be alright. Just leave."
Jinny retreated. She gestured to the six n. They all left the palace. They stood outside the gate. They could hear the sounds from inside, but they saw nothing.
---
The old man lunged like a predator. He was faster than Pablo expected. His claws swiped at Pablo's face. Pablo dodged with a backward jump. He felt the sharp air pass by his face.
"You are fast." Pablo said.
"So are you."
The old man attacked again. This ti with a series of punches. They were strong. Violent. Pablo blocked so with his arms. He felt the pain. The old man's blows hurt. But he did not retreat.
Pablo replied with a kick to the old man's chest. The old man staggered back a step. He was astonished.
Pablo had trendous strength. After long months of daily training, and thanks to his great talent, his power now equaled that of an average Zoan user.
"How..." the old man whispered. "This is impossible. You don't have a Devil Fruit!"
"I don't need one."
Pablo advanced. They began exchanging blows. They were evenly matched. Whenever the old man punched, Pablo replied. Whenever Pablo kicked, the old man blocked.
Sweat poured down Pablo's forehead. The old man was also getting tired. They were equal.
"You are strong." the old man said. "But I am stronger."
He attacked fiercely. His claws tore Pablo's shirt. They left a superficial wound on his arm.
Pablo stepped back. He looked at his arm. It was bleeding.
He smiled. "You won't last long."
---
Pablo began to feel tired. He didn't want to prolong the fight. After all, Pablo wouldn't have the endurance to match a Zoan Devil Fruit user.
The wind was present. It was light, but it was enough.
The wind began to intensify.
The old man felt the change. He stopped attacking. He looked around. "What is this?"
Pablo did not reply.
The wind moved.
A strong current pushed the old man backward. He tried to advance, but the wind hindered him. It struck him, pushed him, prevented him from getting close.
Then wind blades.
An invisible blade shot forward. It cut the old man's shoulder. He bled. He scread.
Another blade. It cut his leg. He staggered.
A third blade. It almost cut his ear. He dodged with difficulty.
"What is this?! What is this power?!" the old man shouted. "You... you have a Devil Fruit too!"
Pablo did not reply. He continued attacking. The wind obeyed his commands. It struck the old man from every direction.
The old man retreated. He was bleeding. He was getting tired. He was afraid.
He fell to his knees. He transford back into his human form with difficulty. He was exhausted. He was broken.
The old man knelt on the ground. He was trembling. His eyes were tearful. He was afraid of death.
"I... I surrender. I will give you everything. Just let live. I beg you."
Pablo looked at him. He was not angry. He was not gloating. He was cold.
"I will spare your life."
The old man breathed a sigh of relief. He almost cried.
"But..."
The old man froze.
"You will stay here working for the family on this island. You will be just a face. You will do as I say. You will follow my orders. If you disobey..."
He paused. He looked into the old man's eyes.
"You will wish I had killed you today."
The old man nodded. "I will. Anything. Just don't kill ."
Pablo smiled a small smile.
He extended his hand. He helped the old man to his feet. He was still trembling.
---
Pablo opened the door. He left the palace.
Jinny and his six n were standing outside the gate. Jinny was biting her lip with worry. When she saw Pablo, she ran to him.
"Are you alright?"
"I am alright."
She looked at the wound on his arm. "That's not a sign of 'alright'."
"A superficial wound. Nothing."
She smiled. She was relieved.
"What happened to the old man?"
"The old man is with us now. He will represent the family on this island."
Jinny looked at the old man as he left the palace with weak steps. He was still trembling.
"You subdued him?"
"I subdued him."
She looked at him with eyes full of admiration.
But she said nothing. She just smiled.
Pablo looked at her. He winked.
Then he turned to his n.
"Now... let's begin organizing the island."
They left the palace gate together. The old man walked with difficulty. Pablo beside him. Jinny behind them.
Victory was his.
And the island was his.
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