4 Chapter 4

As the massive lion lunged toward me, I quickly tried to jump out of the way to avoid the incoming attack. However, the building we were standing on couldn't withstand the lion's strength and collapsed beneath us.

With no footing to stand on and no time to dodge, the lion's massive paw connected with me, sending me flying through an adjacent building. The impact of my body caused the second building to crumble as well, burying me under the rubble.

Taking a moment to survey the destruction, Mohji the Beast Tamer praised his lion Ritchie for his power. "Good job Ritchie, you took care of him. Now let's go help the others," he said, turning his back on the collapsed buildings and searching for his comrades who had scattered during the destruction.

"Hold on there, cowboy!" I shouted from the rubble, as I emerged from the pile of debris, throwing the collapsed rocks and bricks away from me with ease. It was clear that I had underestimated the situation and my opponent.

With a burst of speed, I charged toward the giant lion, who reflexively turned to face me, ready to fight. "Oh, back for more!" The tamer exclaimed, "Kill him, Ritchie!" he ordered.

But I was not one to be underestimated. As the lion lunged towards me, instead of slowing my pace, I slid on my knees beneath its leaping figure and unloaded a complete magazine into its exposed stomach. "6," I muttered coolly, my right revolver still smoking from the rapid discharge.

Not giving the lion time to counter, I finished my slide and emptied my left pistol into the massive beast's unprotected rear. "12," I added, as the beast let out a painful growl and turned to face me. In the split second, it took me to empty my left magazine, I had already one-handedly reloaded my right revolver. Taking aim at the massive beast in front of me, I emptied another clip. "18," I muttered under my breath.

In a seamless motion, I reloaded my left pistol while emptying my right, creating a continuous stream of bullets. "24," I counted, as the beast collapsed, unable to take any more damage and gravely wounded, but still alive.

Jumping to Mohji's eye level, I saw the panic in his eyes as I unleashed another barrage of bullets. "30," I muttered, letting the bullets rain down on him. "36," I added, as another volley slammed into Mohji's body, causing him to shake and convulse like in those old mafia movies.

"Gun and done," I said in a nonchalant tone as I expertly twirled my smoking revolvers back into their holsters. Without a second glance, I turned my back on the defeated foes, the sound of their unconscious bodies thudding to the ground serving as background noise to my thoughts. With a smooth flick of my wrist, I used the still-glowing barrel of my revolver to ignite the cigarette that was perched between my lips. Taking a deep drag, I let the smoke fill my lungs as I surveyed the destruction I had wrought.

I wondered how the others were faring as I began making my way towards the distant sounds of destruction, my eyes scanning the sky above as I took slow, deliberate puffs from my cigarette. The habit had become all too familiar to me, one that seemed to cling to me even as I shed my old skin for a new one. The smoke from my cigarette curled lazily around me as I walked, the bitter taste a constant companion on my tongue.

As I made my way to the location of Zoro and Luffy's battle, I stumbled upon a surprising sight. Zoro, the skilled swordsman, was lying on the ground with his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, indicating that he was fast asleep. His body was unscathed, not a single scratch or bruise marred his skin, indicating that he must have easily dispatched Cabaji, the acrobatic swordsman, with little to no trouble.

On the other hand, Luffy was engaged in an unwanted conversation with Buggy, the captain of the Buggy Pirates, who was ranting about his past with Shanks and how much he despised the Red-Haired Pirate. While he spoke, Buggy violently stepped on Luffy's cherished straw hat, causing the rubber man to fume with anger. Nami, however, was nowhere to be seen, likely off searching for Buggy's treasure hoard.

Sensing my arrival, Zoro woke up from his nap with a comical pop as a snot bubble burst from his nose. "Done already?" He asked in a groggy voice as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Yup, seems like Luffy is the only one left," I replied, taking a seat on the ground next to him.

Zoro simply nodded before closing his eyes again, slipping into sleep once more. His sleep-wake cycle was as predictable as it was frustrating. He lived for the sword, and when he wasn't training, drinking, or fighting, he was asleep.

As Luffy and Buggy's fight reached its climax, Nami finally made her appearance, dragging a large bag filled with gold coins and various jewelry stolen from Buggy. In her right hand, she held a map of the Grand Line, a cheeky and mischievous smile playing on her lips as she walked towards us. The bag clinked and jingled with each step she took, the sound of her loot filling the air.

As Nami approached with the stolen treasure, Buggy's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he realized the extent of her thievery. His attention was fully fixated on the treasure, allowing Luffy to take advantage of the situation and deliver the final blow to the clown pirate captain. With a powerful strike, Buggy was sent flying comically through the air, his screams echoing in the distance as he disappeared from sight.