Chapter 98 - CHAPTER 98 - The Chaos of the Night

In the distance, a shadowy figure concealed himself within the darkness of the night, carefully positioning a specialized long rifle designed for assassinations. Holding his breath, he fixated his gaze on a luxurious suite on the top floor of a nearby inn, waiting for his target to appear. Inside the room, Rosen had just finished showering. He glanced at the mirror and noticed that the scar across his face had faded significantly. His complexion appeared even more youthful, as if he were reversing in age. The effects of the Active X2 transformation were quite favorable. While it didn't significantly enhance his combat prowess, it did rejuvenate his body, making his flesh more vibrant and reducing scars. "Hmm?" Suddenly, Rosen's instincts screamed at him. Although his Observation Haki was still in its awakening phase and not fully developed, the rapidly approaching projectile was too conspicuous to ignore. With a sharp crack, the window shattered, and a bullet shot straight for Rosen's forehead. But before the bullet even broke through the glass, Rosen had already sensed it. With a swift sidestep, he dodged the shot, and his right hand, covered in Haki, moved like lightning, catching the bullet between his fingers. "Impossible?!" The sniper, who had waited patiently for the perfect shot, was utterly shocked by what he saw through the scope. That kind of speed—dodging the bullet and catching it barehanded? How could this be? His rifle was at least two to three times faster than a normal gun. Moreover, the specialized bullet he used was strong enough to pierce through steel, yet Rosen had caught it as if it were nothing. It had to be a joke. But regardless, an assassin's rule was simple—if the first shot failed, retreat immediately. Just as the sniper was about to shift his focus and leave, he suddenly locked eyes with his target. In the next instant, Rosen flicked the bullet with his fingers, sending it back at an even greater speed. "No—" The sniper barely had time to utter a word before the bullet pierced through his forehead. "An assassination attempt in the middle of the night... Pirates these days are getting more and more desperate for fame." Rosen didn't dwell on it much—he had seen too many challengers. Most pirates, who could barely read a word, preferred making their challenges public, ensuring witnesses were present to boost their reputation. After all, if they won and no one saw it, how could they prove their strength? Assassinations in the dead of night were rare. And for those who resorted to such means, Rosen never showed mercy. He thought the matter was over. But as he lit a cigar in his room, he noticed multiple gazes fixated on him. "Ah!" A startled cry rang out from the neighboring room. Rosen frowned. With a single punch, he shattered the wall. Nico Robin was in the adjacent room, draped in a bathrobe, her face pale as she stared at the uninvited guests before her. "Retreat! We've been discovered." The intruders were of mediocre strength. Their original plan had been to kidnap a relatively weak hostage and use them to lure Crocodile into a trap. But they hadn't expected to be exposed so quickly. Fighting wasn't out of the question, but their chances of victory weren't great. "Trying to escape? Sables!" Rosen's expression darkened. The number of challengers tonight was becoming a bit too much for his liking, and it was making him suspicious. The floor transformed into sand, surging upward to bind the three intruders, immobilizing them completely. "Tell me what I need to know..." Rosen struck each of them down effortlessly, standing over them like a demon, his eyes devoid of emotion. Moments later, he got the information he wanted. "One city, one life? They're really putting a high price on my head." Rosen's voice was heavy. "The Andia Kingdom is moving faster than I expected... That king won't be easy to deal with." He had assumed Andia's retaliation would be more direct. But using the underground world? That was unexpected. After all, Rosen's knowledge of the underworld was limited. Perhaps Crocodile had been more familiar with it before, but Rosen himself was not. "I'll give you all five minutes. I'll be waiting on the main street. Come at me one by one, or all at once—whichever gives you bugs a better chance, hahahaha!" Rosen's voice carried through the air like a broadcast, filled with arrogance and disdain. In truth, he just wanted to clean up this mess quickly so he could rest and prepare for greater challenges ahead. He knew that the criminals on Frans Island weren't particularly strong. If he didn't settle this now, he'd be dealing with assassins all night. As his words spread, the hidden assassins' expressions changed. They despised Crocodile's arrogance. And being called "bugs" only made them angrier. "A mere lackey dares to be this arrogant? Hmph, let's see what kind of face he makes when I cut off his head!" "If he dares to come, we'll use sheer numbers to overwhelm him. Killing him will be easy." "Arrogance comes at a price." "He's insane! Sure, he's strong, but Frans Island has plenty of powerhouses. Does he not realize how prosperous the underground trade between Frans and Lantis Island is? Killing is just business as usual here." Many sneered at Crocodile's overconfidence. They were far stronger than the Andia Kingdom's soldiers. If Crocodile thought he could handle them as easily as he did Andia's guards, he was gravely mistaken. "Boss, isn't this a bit reckless?" Robin hesitated. The sea was full of hidden monsters, and such an open challenge was incredibly dangerous. "Don't worry. They're just clowns. Instead of being on edge all night, I'd rather wipe them out in one go." Rosen felt these lowlifes needed a severe lesson—one that would keep other pests from targeting him in the future. "This blatant assassination attempt... The Marines haven't reacted at all. That means they've turned a blind eye to it. Should we call back Mr. 5 and the others for backup?" Robin quickly grasped the key point. "No need. I'll handle it myself. Just rest easy." With a swift Soru, Rosen moved to the window. Then, leaping high into the air, his coat billowed behind him as he unleashed a terrifying killing intent. "Captain, what do we do? Should we go to the street and ambush Crocodile?" Inside a hidden building, a group of pirates looked toward their leader. "Of course we go! Fighting him alone might be difficult, but if enough enemies surround him, we can take advantage of the chaos and find an opening!" The pirate captain grinned cruelly, gripping his serrated blade as he led his men out. Many others had the same idea. If Crocodile was arrogant enough to take on all of them at once, then not seizing this opportunity would be a waste. Taking advantage of the chaos was far more effective than attempting a solo assassination. Rosen landed at the intersection of a wide street, broad enough for three carriages to pass side by side. Spreading his Observation Haki, he quickly estimated the enemy numbers. More than a thousand outlaws had gathered nearby. That was a significant portion of Frans Island's criminal population. If the Marines could encircle them now, it would be a massive cleanup. But these criminals knew the Marines wouldn't interfere, which was why they dared to gather in the first place. From all four directions, the intersection was now flooded with ruthless pirates, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Some of them still had fresh blood dripping from their weapons. It was clear that they had already killed others on their way here. Not only were the streets packed, but rooftops were also filled with shadowy figures. The civilians had no choice but to huddle together in small rooms, trembling in fear. The larger spaces and vantage points had been taken over by the pirates. Those who resisted had been slain in their own homes. And those who didn't... were merely waiting for their fate. (End of Chapter) ========================================================= DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).