Chapter 141: Level Up, New Ability! (Patreon)

Nami and Nojiko didn't think much of Ren's words.

The greatest danger in Cocoyasi Village had been the Arlong Pirates, and they had been eliminated yesterday. So they never imagined that Ren's idea of walking off the meal was to go fight the Marines.

In the midst of her scuffle with Nami, Nojiko rubbed her eyes.

She thought she must have imagined it. She could have sworn she saw a long blade appear in Ren's hand out of thin air.

Not just Nojiko, Nami had also been secretly watching Ren.

In that moment, she had not only seen the Asauchi appear in his hand but had also keenly noticed a change in his demeanor.

But she didn't think much of it.

Ren's abilities were so extraordinary that these changes were insignificant in comparison.

After leaving Nami's house, Ren headed toward the harbor.

Along the way, every villager who came across Ren greeted him warmly and invited him to breakfast.

To them, Ren was the hero who had saved their village.

Even if the village had a mayor, the mayor's status and prestige would be nothing compared to Ren's.

Soon, Ren arrived at the harbor.

Because of the Arlong Pirates, the harbor had been virtually abandoned. Not only did ships rarely approach, but the village's own vessels couldn't put to sea.

So aside from Ren, the harbor was empty.

As Ren watched, a Marine warship slowly approached in the distance.

Without a doubt, it carried Captain Nezumi and his men.

Captain Nezumi was the head of the 16th Branch of the East Blue Marines.

The area plagued by the Arlong Pirates fell under his jurisdiction.

But not only had he failed to eliminate them, he had secretly colluded with them, deceiving his superiors, keeping everyone else in the dark, and lining his own pockets.

Yesterday, Nezumi had tried to call Arlong as usual to discuss the timing and amount of their protection money.

When the calls went unanswered, worried that something had happened, he had set out early in the morning with a squad of Marines.

He was too deeply entangled with the Arlong Pirates to want them to come to harm.

Soon, the Marine warship docked.

Nezumi hurriedly disembarked with his men.

He had spotted Ren long before.

Because of the Character Template switch, Ren no longer possessed the Passives of Charming Youth, Divinity, and Charisma.

So in Nezumi's eyes, Ren was unremarkable.

After coming ashore, only then did Nezumi get a clear look at Ren.

He searched his memory and confirmed that Ren was not a well-known powerhouse or pirate in the East Blue.

Without hesitation, Nezumi led his men toward Ren.

He planned to ask Ren about the Arlong Pirates' situation.

Ren slowly drew his Asauchi.

Nezumi blinked.

Only then did he notice the blade in Ren's hand.

Looking at the drawn Asauchi, Nezumi's eyes gleamed.

Though he wasn't familiar with swords, Ren's Asauchi suited his tastes.

He decided he would seize it for himself.

…

Meanwhile, because Cocoyasi Village was coastal, the villagers could see what was happening at sea.

Some had noticed the Marine warship sailing toward the harbor.

The villagers had a very poor opinion of the Marines.

During the eight years of oppression by the Arlong Pirates, they had secretly sought help from the Marines many times, but each time they were met with retaliation from the Arlong Pirates.

That had taught them that not all Marines were like Bell-mère.

There were also corrupt, dark elements within the Marines.

They just didn't understand why the Marines had suddenly shown up.

Had they learned of the Arlong Pirates' demise? But if they had, wouldn't they be even less likely to come?

After all, there was no aftermath for the Marines to deal with.

Genzo, the village sheriff, upon hearing the news, headed for the harbor.

As the village sheriff, he would be the one to deal with the Marines.

He had planned to call them after things settled down. He hadn't expected them to arrive early.

Some curious villagers followed Genzo.

Nojiko and Nami weren't interested in the Marines' arrival and hadn't planned to go.

But when they learned Ren was at the harbor, they set out.

They moved quickly and soon caught up with Genzo's group.

Before long, they reached the harbor.

From a distance, they saw Ren standing with his Asauchi drawn, facing Nezumi and his men.

Alarmed, they quickened their pace, fearing something had happened.

At that moment, Nezumi walked up to Ren, acting as though he were superior.

He was about to speak.

But before he could, Ren smiled and said, "Captain Nezumi, what do you think would happen if everyone found out you were colluding with the Arlong Pirates?"

Nezumi's pupils sharply constricted. He swallowed the words he had been about to say. His right hand instinctively reached for the flintlock pistol at his waist.

Ren murmured softly, "Hostile intent detected."

Then, E-rank Reiatsu surged toward Nezumi.

Though E-rank Reiatsu wasn't strong, it was enough to cause Nezumi's mind to go blank for a split second, given his mediocre combat ability.

Ren seized that moment. His already drawn Asauchi slashed forward.

The next moment, Nezumi clutched his bleeding throat, making choking noises. Disbelief filled his face.

THUD!

His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The Marines who had accompanied him were stunned.

Genzo, Nojiko, Nami, and the others, who had been rushing toward the harbor, were also stunned.

They hadn't expected Ren to attack the Marines.

And by the look of it, Nezumi was beyond saving.

Then, a notification from the Multiverse Character Template System sounded in Ren's mind.

[Level EXP +20]

[Ding! The Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto Character Template has reached Level 2. Unlocked Ability — Swordsmanship (E-rank)]

Ren frowned slightly.

He had expected Nezumi to yield little Level EXP, but he hadn't anticipated it would be this low.

As for the newly unlocked ability, Swordsmanship E-rank, Ren's assessment was... well, at least now one swing was enough to take Captain Nezumi's head off.