ONE PIECE: FRAGMENT EXTRACTION SYSTEM

The brutal scene of blood and flesh made the bystanders scream in shock.

Some even vomited on the spot.

"Hey, you guys, what are you still standing around for? Let's go! One-Eyed Barion is dead—no one's stopping you anymore!"

Leone pursed his lips.

The captives were startled. It seemed almost unbelievable.

Someone had come to rescue them?

A woman got up abruptly, turned, and ran out the door.

With the first, came the second.

In mere moments, nearly everyone had fled… except for one small, dirt-covered girl who remained silent.

"They all ran away—why didn't you go with them?"

Leone was curious. Why hadn't this girl run?

"I… I… I…"

She hesitated, her eyes flickering as she nervously twisted the corners of her tattered clothes. In a small, mosquito-like voice, she murmured, "I don't want to go back."

"Don't want to go back? Do you want to stay here and get caught by another crew of pirates?"

Leone's Haki-enhanced perception picked up her quiet words clearly.

"I… big brother… can I… go with you?"

As soon as she said this, she lowered her head even further, not daring to meet Leone's gaze.

Leone chuckled.

It seemed he had unknowingly become so charismatic, huh?

But he had already made up his mind when he set out to sea—he wouldn't take in just anyone.

He was a pirate, and dangerous battles lay ahead. Who had time to look after a little girl?

Although… this girl seemed oddly well-developed for someone barely 1.5 meters tall, looking around 13 or 14 years old… was that normal? The proportions were definitely exaggerated.

Still, as a man chasing his dream on the high seas, he wouldn't let himself be distracted by such things.

Look at Luffy—even with Boa Hancock, the so-called most beautiful woman in the world, throwing herself at him, he remained completely indifferent.

Wait… the Enies Lobby incident had just ended, right? That meant Luffy hadn't even met Hancock yet…

"Sorry, I don't have the time or energy to protect anyone. At your age, you should be living peacefully in a village."

Leone refused bluntly. "And what I need on my crew is talent. I'm afraid you don't meet my requirements."

"I… I… I…"

The little girl looked up, her large, bright eyes filled with determination.

Although Leone felt a twinge of guilt, he knew this was for the best—for both of them.

"I'm a navigator! I can help you!"

Her words made Leone freeze in place.

"A… navigator?"

For the first time, he was the one stammering.

He couldn't believe it. This small girl—barely 1.5 meters tall, seemingly no older than 14—was exactly what he had been searching for?

Wasn't this supposed to be impossible?

Reality was proving the complete opposite.

"Really! I'm really a navigator!" she insisted, practically bouncing with urgency. "My father was a navigator! When I was little, he always taught me everything he knew. But then… pirates killed my parents, and I was left all alone… But I never stopped learning! I know how to navigate the seas!"

Leone's eyes flickered with interest.

A navigator, huh?

Maybe fate had other plans for his crew after all.

"I really am a navigator! You have to believe me!"

The little girl was on the verge of tears, afraid that Leone wouldn't trust her.

"A navigator, huh? Well, that also depends on your skills! I have a map here—why don't you show me where we are?"

Leone took out the sea chart he had been looking at earlier and spread it out in front of the girl.

As soon as she saw the map, her eyes lit up like she had found a long-lost friend. She hurried over, tracing the map with her fingers.

"This is the sea around the Goa Kingdom. See? This is the kingdom itself, and over here—this is our village. Right now, we should be... here!"

When the girl started talking about navigation, she suddenly seemed like a completely different person. "I was only on the boat for less than ten minutes. Based on the speed of the ship and the wind direction I felt that day, I can conclude that we're right here!"

Leone was stunned.

"So I've been drifting for two days and still haven't even left the waters of the Goa Kingdom?"

His expression turned a little awkward. But at the same time, he was thrilled—he had no idea what he was doing, and now, finally, he understood!

"I hit the jackpot! Just set out to sea and already found someone amazing!" He burst into laughter.

Overcome with excitement, Leone suddenly lifted the girl up and planted a big kiss on her cheek.

The girl froze instantly. Her entire face flushed red, and she instinctively buried her head in her hands, too embarrassed to look at him.

"Alright! From now on, you're a member of the Shinigami Pirates!" Leone grinned widely. "Nice to meet you—I'm Leone, captain of the Shinigami Pirates! Welcome aboard!"

"I-I… my name is Veyra… I'm really happy to join…"

Her voice got quieter and quieter, until it was barely above a whisper. But it was obvious—Veyra was delighted to be accepted. Yet every time she looked at Leone, especially when his large hand touched hers, her heart pounded wildly like a drum.

"Veyra, huh? That's a nice name! Alright, let's go—I'll take you to our ship!"

With that, Leone lifted Veyra onto his shoulder, then, with a swift movement, vanished from sight and reappeared on the deck.

At that moment, a group of women stood gathered on the ship, surrounded by the vast ocean. None of them were particularly good swimmers, and they were at a loss for how to escape.

When they saw Leone appear, they immediately fell to their knees.

"Thank you, benefactor! Thank you so much!"

"Stand up! No need to be so formal!" Leone waved them off. He was in high spirits—now that he had a navigator, he wouldn't have to sail around aimlessly anymore.

"Veyra will be our navigator from now on, and your village can count on the protection of the Shinigami Pirates! If anyone dares to mess with you, remind them of what happened to One-Eyed Barion!"

"The ship is still in good condition. It belongs to your village, so I'll help you sail it back."

The women's faces lit up with gratitude, and they bowed repeatedly.

They had lived in fear of pirates for years, and they knew the terrifying reputation of One-Eyed Barion. But now, even he had been taken down by Leone. With the Shinigami Pirates backing them, no pirate would dare lay a hand on their village ever again!