ONE PIECE: FRAGMENT EXTRACTION SYSTEM

"Listen carefully! You mustn't speak of this so casually!"

The man glanced around nervously, his eyes filled with fear and vigilance.

"Understood," Leone nodded.

"Lord Dresser is a noble of Mosca—one of the most powerful figures on this island!" the man began to explain. "That soldier who just ran out to chase the assassin is part of Lord Dresser's personal militia. His family funds and arms them entirely. If anyone on Mosca Island dares to defy his orders, those bullets will end them in an instant!"

"He runs unchecked like this? Doesn't anyone stand against him?" Leone asked.

"Lord Dresser has powerful connections with the higher-ups. As long as things don't escalate, no one can touch him. And not just that…"

The man hesitated, looking around again as if afraid someone might overhear. Lowering his voice, he continued, "I heard he's in league with the pirate 'Blood Knife' Paxis, who has a bounty of 33 million Berries. Any merchant ship coming near Mosca Island—he's informed in advance. Then Blood Knife Paxis strikes and loots them."

So that's how he operates… Using his noble status to collaborate with pirates, feeding them information, and splitting the spoils 50/50. No wonder he's the island's tyrant.

"These are just rumors, I can't say for certain if they're true. But there are other whispers too… Lord Dresser's wife is infamous for her cruelty. She's tormented countless civilians on Mosca Island, to the point where public outrage has reached a boiling point. Some people have even pooled money together to hire an assassin to kill him."

"The assassin they hired… That's the one those soldiers were after just now, isn't it?" Leone asked.

The man nodded gravely.

Leone finally understood.

So this was a lawless island, controlled by corruption and violence. If he hadn't kept his pirate ship at a distance, he might've already clashed with Dresser's men.

"Blood Knife Paxis, huh?" A smirk tugged at Leone's lips. "Perfect. Maybe I'll get myself a Devil Fruit out of this."

He turned toward a petite figure beside him. "Little Vey, you full yet? If you are, let's go enjoy the show."

In the central town of Mosca Island, a raised execution platform stood tall.

This wasn't just any execution stage—it was reserved for criminals deemed the worst of the worst. Infamous pirates caught in the surrounding waters were often brought here for public execution.

A massive crowd had gathered around the platform, filling the square with noise.

On the wooden stake at the center of the stage, a long-haired man in a cyan military-style coat stood bound, his hands tied behind his back. His body was covered in blood, wounds scattered across his face and torso.

Yet despite his wretched state, there was no pity in the eyes of Mosca Island's citizens.

"Damn assassin! How dare you try to take Lord Dresser's life? You'll pay for your sins!"

"A thousand deaths wouldn't be enough! You're the worst scum on this island!"

"Beheading is too easy for him! He should be burned alive and turned to ashes!"

The crowd roared with anger, cursing the long-haired man as if he were the vilest criminal alive.

Meanwhile, perched atop the roof of a nearby building…

"That's the assassin who tried to kill Dresser?"

Leone stood on the rooftop, his companion, Veyra, sitting on his shoulders. From their vantage point, they could see everything happening below.

"So the people in the front row are all plants…" Leone muttered, watching the most vocal of the crowd. Their shouts were exaggerated, almost too synchronized. "Dresser really went all out, hiring fake supporters just to put on a show."

The true residents of Mosca Island remained quiet, lingering further back. Their eyes weren't filled with anger—but rather with sympathy, pity, and worry.

Just then, a man in a red coat stepped onto the execution platform.

He had an ugly, greasy face, his hair styled into crude braids. Gold chains dangled from his neck and wrists, gleaming under the sunlight. A walking display of vanity and wealth.

Leone didn't need to ask. Just by looking at him, he knew—this was the man ruling Mosca Island with an iron fist.

Lord Dresser.

"Lord Dresser is here!"

"Long live Lord Dresser!"

"Long live!"

The moment Dresser appeared, the paid supporters erupted into an enthusiastic cheer.

Leone felt his stomach churn in disgust.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down! No need to get so excited!"

Dresser cleared his throat, stepping forward with a theatrical flair. "Let me introduce someone to you. The man behind me is no weakling, no insignificant nobody. No—he is a renowned swordsman from the Goa Kingdom, Raito Kurogami!"

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"That's right! This is Kurogami—the so-called hero who once slaughtered pirates with a combined bounty of 28 million berries! By all logic, we should revere him as a hero!" Dresser sneered, gripping Kurogami's chin and lifting his battered, pale face for all to see. "But look at him now! Our former hero, the once-feared swordsman—Raito Kurogami—has fallen! Driven by selfish desires, he conspired with pirates! He sought to destroy Mosca Island's defenses and let those sea vermin pillage, burn, and kill!"

Gasps erupted from the crowd, followed by angry shouts.

"I'm heartbroken! Who would have thought that the very man we once respected would sink so low? Tell me, everyone—does Kurogami deserve to live?!"

"Damn him!"

"The fallen devil should rot in hell!"

"Behead the traitor!"

The civilians of Mosca Island roared their outrage, their cries echoing across the execution grounds. Some turned their faces away, unwilling to witness the moment Kurogami's blood would spill onto the wooden platform.

Dresser leaned in close, his voice dripping with malice. "So, Kurogami? How does it feel? I told you, I would ruin your name beyond redemption. Even in death, your corpse will be reviled!" His lips curled into a smirk. "You thought you could challenge me? Hah! You were always too naive!"

Bloodied but defiant, Kurogami grinned, his cracked teeth glinting red. Without hesitation, he spat a mouthful of blood and saliva right into Dresser's face.

"You bastard—!"

Dresser's face twisted with fury as he struck Kurogami hard across the jaw. Not satisfied, he rained down more blows—punching, kicking, venting his rage on the captive swordsman.

"Raito Kurogami?"

A voice muttered from above.

Standing atop a nearby rooftop, Leone's eyes gleamed with interest. "So, he once took down a pirate with a 28 million bounty? That means he's got some real skill… And since Luffy has Zoro as his swordsman, it wouldn't hurt for me to have a blade-master of my own." A grin spread across his face. "Heh… In numbers and strength, I won't be falling behind at all!"

While Leone mused over his plans, Dresser turned to the executioner and barked, "Enough! Execute him! This traitor dared to assassinate the great Lord of Mosca Island—he should face the wrath of the people! I'll have his head displayed at the highest point of Mosca Island for three days and three nights, so everyone can spit on his disgrace!"

The executioner stepped forward, raising a gleaming machete with both hands. He adjusted his stance, taking careful aim at Kurogami's neck.

Kurogami closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. He did not struggle. He did not plead. He merely waited for the inevitable.

Below, the civilians watched in tense silence. Some squeezed their eyes shut, unwilling to see the final moment.

The executioner swung the blade—

Bang!

A thunderous impact split the air.

In an instant, a shadowy figure appeared on the execution platform. With a single, explosive kick, the executioner was sent flying like a cannonball, a golden streak tracing through the sky.

Gasps filled the crowd.

Someone had intervened.