Kain rushed after Ash, heart pounding against his ribs. The ancient passage narrowed as they descended, forcing them to move single file. Talon and Redd followed close behind, their footsteps eerily silent against the stone floor. Years of combat training had made stealth second nature.
The corridor opened suddenly into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness above. Kain pulled Ash back into the shadows just before they'd have been visible to anyone inside. The chamber was illuminated by torches mounted on ancient stone pillars carved with the same mysterious symbols they'd seen outside.
Saint Charlton Roswald stood in the center, his bubble helmet reflecting torchlight as he gestured imperiously at five figures wearing explosive collars. Two of the slaves hovered near him attentively while the other three maintained wary distance. Behind Roswald stood a single Marine officer in a pristine white uniform adorned with medals—clearly one from his elite guard.
"Spread out, you worthless scum!" Charlton's voice echoed through the chamber. "If the information is right then this is the mafia family Granza's secret base… there are supposed to be four devil fruits present… find them!"
Kain scanned the chamber, noting the defensive positions, potential escape routes, and—most importantly—what lay on a raised dais at the far end. Four stone pedestals formed a semicircle, and atop each sat a strange-looking fruit.
Devil Fruits. Four of them.
"That's what he's after," Kain whispered, suddenly understanding the Celestial Dragon's personal interest in this remote island.
Ash's grip tightened on his staff. "Good. He can die disappointed."
"Wait," Kain hissed, grabbing his brother's arm. "We need a plan. That Marine is likely highly trained, and those slaves—"
"Are innocent victims," Redd finished, his expression troubled. "Those explosive collars can be triggered remotely. If we attack, Roswald might detonate them out of spite."
Talon's eyes narrowed. "Two of those slaves look ready to die for him. Stockholm syndrome or something worse. But the others..." He pointed to a muscular man with scars crossing his bare back. "That one moves like a fighter."
Kain nodded. "Here's what we do. Ash and I will create a diversion on the left side of the chamber. Talon, you circle right and try to get behind Roswald. Redd, focus on the Marine—he's the biggest threat. I don't want to kill the slaves… but we can't leave witnesses."
His brothers nodded, but before they could move, Charlton's voice rose in excitement.
"Yes! These are them! The fruits from the report!" The Celestial Dragon approached the pedestals, his bubble helmet gleaming. "This… this is the Store-Store Fruit, the Sun-Sun Fruit, the Ink-Ink Fruit, and the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Eagle. Worth every bit of this disgusting expedition."
Ash could wait no longer. He stepped from the shadows, staff held ready. "Those aren't yours to take."
The chamber fell silent. Saint Charlton turned slowly, his expression morphing from confusion to disbelief as he registered someone addressing him directly.
"How dare you speak to me, commoner?" he sputtered, backing away. "Guard! Slaves! Kill this filth immediately!"
The Marine officer drew his sword in a fluid motion, stepping between Charlton and Ash. Two of the slaves—the ones who'd been hovering close to Roswald—immediately moved to flank the Marine, while the other three hesitated, looking between their master and the intruders with uncertainty.
Kain watched the scene unfold with calculated precision, his mind racing through possibilities. This wasn't the plan—confronting a Celestial Dragon meant death sentences for all of them if word got out. But there was no turning back now.
"Kill them all!" Saint Charlton shrieked, his voice echoing against the ancient stone walls.
The Marine officer moved with practiced efficiency, drawing his sword in a fluid motion that spoke of years of elite training. Two slaves immediately flanked him, their explosive collars glinting in the torchlight as they positioned themselves to protect their master.
Kain caught Talon's eye across the chamber and gave an imperceptible nod. They'd fought together long enough to communicate without words. Three years of combat in Krevane's civil war had forged them into something deadly.
"Remember," Kain said quietly to his brothers, "no witnesses."
The Marine lunged at Ash, who parried the attack with his staff. The hollow crack of wood against metal reverberated through the chamber. Redd circled wide, dual short swords glinting as he maneuvered toward the officer's flank.
Kain focused on the slaves. The two loyal ones moved with the desperate fervor of men who knew their survival depended on victory. The other three hung back, uncertainty written across their faces.
"Protect me, you worthless scum!" Charlton backed toward the pedestals holding the Devil Fruits, his bubble helmet reflecting distorted images of the battle.
One slave charged Kain, swinging a short blade with surprising skill. Kain deflected the strike with his reinforced gauntlet, the impact jarring up his arm. He countered with a precise strike to the man's throat. The slave dropped, clutching his crushed windpipe before going still.
Across the chamber, Talon dispatched another slave with brutal efficiency. The remaining three captives pressed themselves against the wall, terror evident in their eyes.
"Please," one whispered, "we don't want to fight."
Kain felt a moment of regret. These men were victims, not enemies. But they'd seen too much.
"I'm sorry," he said, and meant it.
The Marine officer fought with impressive skill, holding his own against both Ash and Redd until Talon joined the fray. Outnumbered and outflanked, the officer fell to a synchronized attack that left him bleeding out on the stone floor.
Saint Charlton's composure shattered completely. He fumbled with something in his robes—a small device with a blinking light.
"Stay back!" he screamed, his voice cracking. "One press and all their collars explode!"
The remaining slaves froze, terror etched on their faces.
Ash moved faster than Kain had ever seen, crossing the distance to Charlton in three long strides. His staff connected with the Celestial Dragon's wrist, sending the detonator skittering across the floor.
"You—you can't do this!" Charlton's eyes bulged as reality set in. "I'm a Celestial Dragon! The admirals will hunt you! The CP0 will—"
"They'll never know," Kain said quietly, approaching the trembling man. "Because no one's leaving this cave."
Charlton backed against the pedestals, knocking one of the Devil Fruits to the floor—a strange, oval fruit with bronze-brown coloring and golden swirls. He scrambled to pick it up, holding it before him like a shield.
"Take it!" he pleaded. "Take them all! Just let me go!"
Kain looked at his brothers, a silent understanding passing between them. The path forward was clear, if grim. The slaves. The Marine. The Celestial Dragon. None could leave this cave alive.
There would be no witnesses to what happened here today.
Kain assessed the trembling Celestial Dragon before him. Saint Charlton clutched the Devil Fruit like it might somehow save his life. The man's eyes darted frantically between the four brothers, looking for any sign of mercy.
"Easy now," Kain said, softening his voice. He raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Those fruits are incredibly valuable. You're right to offer them."
Charlton's breathing slowed slightly, his grip on the bronze-brown fruit loosening. "You'll let me go? I can return to my ship?"
"Of course," Kain lied smoothly, taking another step forward. "The fruits for your life. A fair exchange."
Relief flooded the Celestial Dragon's face. "Yes, yes! Take them all! I won't even report this incident. It never happened."
"Exactly," Kain agreed, now within striking distance. "It never happened."
His movement was a blur—gauntleted fist connecting with perfect precision. Charlton crumpled without another sound, the Devil Fruit tumbling from his lifeless hands. Kain caught it before it hit the stone floor.
Redd stared at the fallen Celestial Dragon, then at the three remaining slaves who had witnessed everything. His face hardened as he dispatched them with quick, merciful strikes.
"There's no turning back now," he said quietly, wiping his blades clean.
Talon was already moving toward the pedestals. "Quick, grab what we can, then let's get the fuck out of here."
Kain nodded, pulling a canvas bag from his belt. He carefully placed the bronze-brown fruit inside, then collected the other three fruits from their pedestals—one midnight blue with swirling patterns, another chalk-white with strange indentations, and the last a vibrant red with feather-like markings.
Between the pedestals sat a large, leather-bound book with ancient symbols embossed on its cover. Kain added it to his bag without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Ash, Redd, and Talon discovered several satchels tucked in the corner of the chamber. They quickly secured them, not bothering to check the contents.
"Time to move," Kain ordered, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
They exited the cave in formation, moving with the practiced stealth that had kept them alive during Krevane's war. The forest and thick fog provided cover as they made their way back to the beached Crimson Serpent.
The tide had risen enough to free their ship. Within minutes, they had pushed off from the sandbar and unfurled the sails, catching the post-storm winds.
Kain took the helm, guiding them away from the mysterious island and the evidence they'd left behind. No alarms sounded. No pursuit was mounted. As far as the world knew, Saint Charlton Roswald was killed by ghosts.
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