I'm A Plunderer In The World Of One Piece.

Inside the reformed Wax House.

The air was tense with a strange stillness.

Miss Goldenweek sat to the side, chewing on a senbei while curiously watching the bizarre scene unfold before her.

"Shirogai-san, please, have some tea. It's a nice blend of Earl Grey, and these biscuits go well with it. The afternoon tea is a bit simple—please forgive me."

Mr. 3 stood rigidly, pouring tea with trembling hands as he spoke with forced courtesy and barely concealed fear.

"Hehe."

Shirogai sat comfortably in the main seat, smiling faintly at Mr. 3, who now acted more like a servant than a Baroque Works officer.

"Mr. 3, your tone's changed quite a bit. Weren't you just trying to pin the blame for poisoning the giants on me?"

"I-I…"

Mr. 3's face went pale as he immediately dropped to his knees, forehead nearly touching the ground.

"Shirogai-san, it was my fault for being blind and arrogant. I deeply regret my actions. Please, allow me a chance to redeem myself."

From the center of the room, where he remained restrained by wax, Mr. 5 scoffed with contempt.

"How pathetic. Bowing to an enemy… and you call yourself Mr. 3?"

Having missed the earlier confrontation, Mr. 5 was completely unaware of what had unfolded. His scorn came from ignorance, not understanding.

He couldn't fathom how the once-proud Mr. 3 had transformed into such a groveling coward.

"We'll report your betrayal to the boss. You're finished!"

Miss Valentine added sharply, glaring at Mr. 3 in disgust.

But at those words, Mr. 3 turned, gritting his teeth.

"Shut your mouths, you idiots! You don't even understand what kind of monster you're talking to."

He glared at the two, his voice low and shaking.

"You still fear and respect Mr. 0—hiding in the shadows like a rat. But the strength of the man in front of you makes Mr. 0 look like a child playing pirate. If you can fear Crocodile, you should be on your knees before Shirogai-sama!"

Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine went silent.

What Mr. 3 said wasn't exactly wrong. This was the same man who had knocked them out twice without any effort.

They looked at each other and, for the first time, truly processed the gravity of their situation.

If he'd wanted them dead… they would already be corpses.

They turned away from Shirogai, unable to hold his gaze any longer.

They had been dancing on the edge of a blade—and only now realized it.

"Hmph, at least they're not completely brainless."

Mr. 3 exhaled softly, thankful that his words had calmed things down. If those two idiots kept talking recklessly, Shirogai might have killed them—and then, possibly him too.

"You're sharper than you look."

Shirogai chuckled and handed his teacup to Miss Goldenweek, who had been staring at him silently.

"Oh, thank you."

Without hesitation, Miss Goldenweek took the cup and drank it, completely ignoring Mr. 3's horrified expression.

Mr. 3 hesitated, then lowered his head and muttered, voice trembling.

"Shirogai-san, please excuse Miss Goldenweek. She's still a child and doesn't fully understand proper behavior."

Shirogai turned his eyes to him, smiling.

"Good. I was wondering just now how I should make you suffer before killing you."

Mr. 3's face went pale. Sweat poured down his temples and dripped to the floor.

His proud topknot now drooped flat against his scalp, too afraid to stand upright.

Most might've brushed off Shirogai's words as empty threats—but not Mr. 3.

That calm smile, those patient eyes—he knew this wasn't a man who bluffed.

To Mr. 3, it felt like a blade hovered inches from his throat, unseen but heavy, just waiting to drop.

But the moment Shirogai changed the subject, that blade seemed to vanish.

Mr. 3 had narrowly escaped death.

What he felt was real. Though not yet trained, this was the beginning of his Observation Haki.

Originally, Shirogai had every intention of dragging Mr. 3 into the forest, tearing him apart with the powers of the [Scythe-Scythe Fruit], then feeding the remains to beasts.

After all, Mr. 3 was nothing more than a cunning parasite with no code, no backbone—far more dangerous than Crocodile ever was.

Yes, he might assist Luffy in Impel Down later, and become part of Buggy's rising group, but so what?

Shirogai didn't care about that.

He didn't trust snakes with silver tongues. If anything, Mr. 3 could become a threat to Alabasta or Vivi later.

Killing him now would have been the cleaner solution.

But… that one line—his plea for Miss Goldenweek's innocence—earned him a sliver of respect.

Perhaps even the most shameless men still had soft spots.

Miss Goldenweek finished her tea and held up her cup to Shirogai, asking flatly:

"Shirogai, another cup."

Mr. 3's soul almost left his body.

Oh, ancestor, could you please stop talking?!

Shirogai smiled and took the cup, looking down at Mr. 3, who was trembling like a leaf.

"Stop kneeling. Pour the tea."

Perhaps he wasn't so bad after all?

Mr. 3 let out a shaky breath, slowly stood up, and obediently began pouring the tea.

"Oh, one more thing."

Shirogai handed the cup back to Miss Goldenweek, leaned back in his chair, and smiled calmly.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

Mr. 3 brightened instantly, his topknot bobbing like a wagging tail.

"Please command me! I'll carry out any task you give me to the best of my ability!"

That meant he still held value.

And people with value lived longer.

That was Mr. 3's philosophy.

Shirogai nodded, smiling.

"You, Mr. 5, Miss Valentine, and Miss Goldenweek—I want all of you to do something for me. You're going to attack my companions. And try to kill them."

"…"

"…"

Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine froze, eyes wide, mouths open.

Thud.

Mr. 3 dropped to his knees again.

Tears filled his eyes.

"Shirogai-san, please don't joke like this. I was truly wrong. I would never dare harm your crew again!"

Shirogai chuckled, but his words made Mr. 3's soul crack.

"No, you have to attack them. You need to be as ruthless as possible. Use your cunning. Use everything at your disposal. If you don't give it your all, I'll kill all three of them in front of you—and then I'll make sure you live a life worse than death."

Mr. 3's lips trembled.

He wanted to scream.

My new boss wants me to kill his own crew. Should I do it or not? Please reply, urgent…

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