After killing the last pirate minion, Rockefeller Charlotte's previously scarlet eyes slowly cleared, regaining their former calm. The overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki that had surged from him also dissipated.
Alex Jesse, now able to breathe without pressure crushing his chest, staggered upright. There was raw fear in his eyes as he looked at Charlotte. "You... Who the hell are you?"
Charlotte's voice was cool and firm. "My name is Rockefeller Charlotte."
He felt light—almost euphoric. The weight he'd been carrying inside for so long had finally lifted, and a satisfied smile crept across his face. Glancing at the pirate captain before him, Charlotte raised the blood-slick sword in his hand.
"You... you'll be the first step on my path to the sea."
Confidence radiated from his voice, unwavering and resolute.
"Damn brat! Don't get cocky! I'll avenge my crew!" Alex Jesse screamed, charging forward with his broadsword raised.
Charlotte didn't flinch. With a single hand, he blocked the full force of Jesse's swing. Steel clanged against steel. With just a slight twist, Charlotte knocked the blade aside and slashed in return. A crimson wound opened across Jesse's chest.
"Aaaagh!" Jesse fell back, shrieking in pain as blood spilled down his shirt.
Struggling to his feet, Jesse suddenly flung his weapon aside. Charlotte watched him carefully, thinking for a moment the pirate might surrender. Instead, Jesse let out a guttural roar.
"You forced me to do this!"
With a primal growl, Jesse's body began to expand, muscle ripping through his clothes. His face elongated, teeth thickening into fangs, as fur covered his swelling frame.
"Roar!"
Jesse had transformed into a towering black bear.
"A Zoan-type Devil Fruit user?" Charlotte narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected that. But it didn't change anything.
"That's right! I'm the captain of the Bear Pirates—Alex Jesse the Wild Bear!" the creature growled. The wound on his chest visibly began to close.
Charlotte raised a brow. "As expected from a Zoan user... strong regenerative ability. But if you think that'll be enough to defeat me, you're dreaming."
Flicking the blood off his blade, Charlotte launched forward. The flash of his sword aimed straight for Jesse's neck.
Jesse countered, slamming his massive paw down. The sword and paw collided with a booming impact.
Charlotte's blade barely sliced Jesse's skin. The sheer power behind Jesse's strike forced Charlotte back.
"Roar!" Jesse bellowed triumphantly, confidence rising.
Charlotte quickly steadied himself, but the next blow sent him flying backward several meters. His sword shattered with a sharp crack.
"Kahahahaha! Brat! Let's see how you fight without your sword!" Jesse laughed wildly.
Charlotte looked at the broken hilt in his hand, sighed, and tossed it aside. "Guess it's time for hand-to-hand combat."
Cracking his knuckles, Charlotte leapt forward with a burst of speed. In a blink, he was in front of Jesse and landed a crushing punch to his gut.
BOOM!
The giant bear-man slammed backward into a stack of crates, dazed.
Without letting up, Charlotte followed. Jesse barely stood before Charlotte's fist rocketed into his jaw.
Blood exploded from Jesse's mouth, and something pink flew out—his tongue.
Jesse soared into the air.
Charlotte launched upward and twisted midair, bringing down his heel in a devastating spinning kick.
CRACK!
The blow smashed Jesse from the sky, slamming him into the sea with an immense splash.
As a Devil Fruit user, Jesse had no chance in the water.
Charlotte dove in, retrieved the unconscious Jesse, and dragged him ashore. He found a long knife nearby and, without a word, decapitated the pirate. Blood sprayed high as the head rolled.
Calmly, Charlotte impaled Jesse's head on a flagpole at the harbor.
The battle had ended in minutes. Pirates, both slain and those knocked unconscious by Charlotte's Conqueror's Haki, littered the port.
Charlotte didn't bother checking on them. He walked toward the pirate ships docked at the port. If luck favored him, there might be valuables aboard—maybe even a Devil Fruit.
He searched all three vessels.
Nothing.
No treasures, no fruits. Only one thousand million Berries and...
Over seventy half-starved, chained people locked below deck.
Charlotte's senses picked up their faint life signs, and he ventured down.
The cabin was dark and stank of sweat and despair. Ragged figures huddled together in silence, gaunt and terrified.
As Charlotte's bloodied figure stepped into the room, a terrified silence spread.
Someone finally whispered, "Who... who are you?"
He stood at the entrance, blood-soaked and silent.
Everyone shrank back in horror.
No one answered. Charlotte sighed, ready to leave.
"W-Wait! My lord, please!"
A trembling female voice pierced the darkness.
Charlotte turned back. Even in the gloom, he could see her clearly.
"Please... we're from the Kingdom of Kakuna. The Bear Pirates enslaved us after destroying our home. Please... save us!"
Charlotte looked at them all—beaten, starving, helpless.
He stepped into the darkness and said, "You're free now. Come with me."
A new fire was already kindling in his heart.