Escape

The sailor looked intently, "You and your friend drew a lot of attention today. Some merchants reported suspicious objects being sold by you. I'm merely conducting an inspection."

I knew Mai shouldn't have drawn so much attention, I sighed.

I glanced to the corner of the street and saw several other sailors watching, waiting for an order from their leader.

"Who might you be?" Satoru inquired.

"I am the commander of this area, Lieutenant Junior Grade Kazuki."

I was about to reply to Lieutenant Kazuki when I felt a surge of movement in the streets. Mai's speed made her almost a blur to most. I could see her clearly. She was returning.

Kazuki took a step forward, his eyes locked onto mine. "You are not permitted to leave before the inspection is complete," he stated with an authoritative tone. His words were clear and threatening.

"Do you really think you can stop me, Lieutenant Kazuki?" I let a sardonic smile cross my face. "We were just leaving."

Kazuki raised a hand and instantly the surrounding sailors advanced. They came at me, armed and ready to strike. I saw every move they made, anticipating their attacks. A sailor swung his sword at me. I dodged and, reflexively, touched him, causing a liquid, translucent, white soul to exit his body. He collapsed, and I stared at the orb in my hand, dumbfounded.

"Mommy, look! He absorbed the white thing from that man! What is it?" A young boy remarked as his mother tried to pull him back inside their house.

I didn't have time to ponder what just happened. Beside me, Mai was delivering martial arts blows to other sailors. Her hands and feet were like sharp blades, cutting through the air as she took down one adversary after another.

"That woman... I've never seen anyone move so fast!" An older sailor exclaimed, alarmed.

"Satoru, let's go!" she yelled, her eyes determined.

Kazuki dashed towards me, his face twisted with anger. He threw a heavy punch, but I sidestepped and returned the favor with a solid punch to his face. The impact sent him reeling backward, and he landed with a thud on the ground.

"Mai, now!" I shouted. With the sailors disoriented and Kazuki momentarily incapacitated, we sprinted through the bustling streets of Loguetown.

A young sailor, who had been knocked down by Mai, watched the escape, trembling slightly.

"Those two... They're not ordinary. Lieutenant Kazuki should have been more cautious."