The Terror of the Pirates

The gun's muzzle snapped toward the figure, and without hesitation, Alex (formerly Mod) pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet flew straight for the figure's forehead.

The figure—Wolf Rat—hadn't expected such ruthlessness. No words, no warning—just a shot aimed to kill.

Thanks to his sharp reflexes and heightened danger perception, Wolf Rat jerked his head back, narrowly avoiding the bullet. Even so, a cold sweat broke out across his skin.

"What the hell?!" he roared, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief.

Wolf Rat had stepped out of the bar to investigate the commotion, only to nearly lose his life in the process.

Bang!

Another shot rang out, this time aimed at his torso.

Wolf Rat had barely regained his balance when the second bullet came flying. As an Animal-type Devil Fruit user, his enhanced physique allowed him to twist his body in time, but not enough to avoid the shot entirely.

The bullet struck his left side, tearing through his abdomen and sending a spray of blood into the air.

"Damn it! I was just watching!" Wolf Rat clutched his wound, glaring at the masked figure. "Did you have to shoot?!"

Alex remained expressionless, his face hidden behind the mask. He casually tossed aside the two flintlock pistols he'd taken from his earlier prey and crouched down to retrieve a dagger from the knife-wielding man's body.

"It went off," Alex muttered in a low, muffled voice, as if offering a half-hearted explanation. He began to back away slowly, his eyes never leaving Wolf Rat.

"Went off?!" Wolf Rat laughed bitterly, his anger simmering. If not for his quick reflexes and the partial animalization of his abdomen to bolster his defense, that shot would have done far more damage.

"You're really something," Wolf Rat said, his tone a mix of frustration and reluctant admiration.

He allowed his body to complete its transformation into a full beast-man hybrid, his features sharpening into those of a wolf. With a grimace, he dug the bullet out of his side and flicked it to the ground.

The transformation wasn't for attack—it was to accelerate his healing and dull the pain.

"An Animal-type Devil Fruit user..." Alex's eyes gleamed with interest as he observed Wolf Rat's transformation. For a moment, a flicker of longing crossed his gaze.

But the reality of the situation quickly set in. All five guns on the scene were empty, and reloading wasn't an option. With only a dagger in hand, Alex knew he stood little chance against a Devil Fruit user in close combat.

His best move was to retreat.

"What's with that look?!" Wolf Rat shuddered under Alex's intense stare. The way Alex looked at him—it was almost as if he were seeing him as prey.

Alex didn't respond. He continued to back away, his movements deliberate and cautious.

Wolf Rat took a deep breath, wincing as the motion tugged at his wound. He forced himself to calm down, pushing aside the anger that had nearly boiled over.

"Look, I messed up by sneaking up on you," Wolf Rat said, his tone softening. "I don't blame you for shooting. Anyone would've done the same. I meant no harm, really."

Alex paused, his suspicious gaze fixed on Wolf Rat.

Encouraged by the pause, Wolf Rat pressed on. "I'm not here to fight. I transformed to speed up my healing, not to attack you. I'm not holding a grudge or anything."

He raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I just... I admire your skills. You're strong, and I respect that. I was hoping we could, you know, talk. Maybe even become allies?"

Alex stared at him for a moment longer, then abruptly turned and vanished into the shadows of the alleyway.

The night wind swept through the alley, carrying a few scraps of paper past Wolf Rat's stunned face.

"You've got to be kidding me," Wolf Rat muttered, his shoulders slumping. He realized now why Alex had stopped—not to listen, but to retrieve the flintlock pistol he'd discarded earlier.

"I'm the one who got shot, and he's the one running away?" Wolf Rat groaned, his frustration mounting.

"Not chasing him?"

The voice came from Tatamu, who had stepped out of the bar unnoticed.

"Chase him? Hell no," Wolf Rat replied, shaking his head. "That guy's the one the Pointed Bull Pirates are after. Even if he shot me again, I'd have to let it slide."

Tatamu raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He wanted to point out how much Wolf Rat had been groveling earlier but decided against it.

Wolf Rat glanced down at his wound, gritting his teeth. "You know, Tatamu, that guy's something else. I made one sound behind him, and he shot at my head without a second thought."

Tatamu nodded. It was rare to encounter someone so ruthless—and so effective.

"If I hadn't reacted fast enough, I'd be dead right now," Wolf Rat added, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and respect.

He sighed, then noticed the three dead pirates lying on the ground. A sly grin spread across his face as he knelt to retrieve their money pouches.

"Comforting," Wolf Rat said, weighing the pouches in his hand.

"You've really outdone yourself, Rat."

A new voice cut through the alley—a woman's voice, mature and commanding.

Wolf Rat froze, his head snapping toward the source of the sound. Tatamu, too, tensed, his body shifting into a defensive stance.

Neither of them had sensed her presence until she spoke.

Standing at the edge of the alley was a tall, slender woman draped in a hooded cloak. A long knife hung at her waist, and her posture exuded confidence and strength.

Wolf Rat's eyes widened in recognition.

"What are you doing here?!" he blurted out.

The woman tilted her head slightly, revealing a beauty mark on her chin.

"Since when do I need your permission to go anywhere?"