One Piece: The Avengers

Yes, Shanter had killed far more people than Rob Lucci ever had—otherwise, he wouldn't bear the title of "Asura." However, Shanter believed that everyone he had slain deserved their deaths, each having walked their own path to ruin.

Thus, after every killing, Shanter felt no guilt whatsoever. In fact, he secretly took pride in what he saw as his heroic righteousness.

Evil pirates, naturally, needed no mercy. Even bounty hunters were rarely good people, and since they often attacked him first, their deaths were simply self-inflicted. As for the navy, Shanter adopted a "let live if possible" attitude toward them—except for individuals like Captain Farlin. In truth, Shanter rarely had navy blood on his hands.

Otherwise, even if Aokiji was curious about Shanter and Robin's future, he would never have turned a blind eye to Shanter massacring ordinary navy soldiers.

But today, Rob Lucci's actions had enraged Shanter, further deepening his disappointment with the "World Government."

Robin, seeing Shanter's determination, knew persuading him was futile. She had no choice but to follow him.

"Brother, when we meet Rob Lucci, what are you planning to do?" Robin asked cautiously.

"Deal with him," Shanter replied in a calm tone, performing his signature gesture—adjusting an imaginary pair of glasses. "At the very least, I want him to understand the value of life."

Robin sighed lightly and said no more.

"Girl, are you sure he'll pass through here?" Shanter sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Yes," Robin pointed in a direction with a hint of worry. "The pier for World Government ships is over there. If he's heading for the pier, this is the only way."

"Then why are you so intent on fighting him, brother? This matter has nothing to do with us."

"I'm just annoyed by what I heard and want to teach him a lesson," Shanter inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "And don't interfere later—I'll handle it. Don't worry about me; I know what I'm doing."

"Let's hope so," Robin murmured, still uneasy.

"Girl, keep an eye on the surroundings for me," Shanter said, closing his eyes.

"Why not use your Observation Haki yourself?" Robin muttered but still closed her eyes to use her Flower-Flower ability.

Though dissatisfied with Shanter's insistence on teaching Rob Lucci a lesson, Robin chose not to express her discontent. Instead, she remained supportive, as always.

"He's here," Robin alerted Shanter.

"Got it," Shanter stood, dusted himself off, and strode toward Rob Lucci.

Robin stayed behind as instructed, watching the confrontation with apprehension.

"Allow me to introduce myself: 'Asura' Foster D. Shanter, bounty: 41 million berries," Shanter said almost politely, adjusting his non-existent glasses.

"What do you want?" Lucci's tone was cold and indifferent.

"I want to know what crimes those 500 soldiers committed that warranted their deaths," Shanter's voice was calm, but a murderous edge lingered beneath.

"Being weak is their crime," Lucci replied, his demeanor equally frigid as he assumed a combat stance. "And as soldiers of a kingdom, becoming hostages and embarrassing their king only added to their sins."

"Weakness is a crime?" Shanter repeated mockingly. "Then you're guilty too."

Without further ado, Shanter threw a straightforward punch.

"Paper Art!"

Boom! Lucci was sent flying. While his Paper Art technique avoided the direct blow, the sheer force of the punch's wind pressure hurled him back.

Though Lucci stabilized himself mid-air with a flip, the strain on his injured back from a previous cannon wound caused him discomfort. His timely use of Iron Body prevented serious injury, but his disheveled appearance revealed the pressure he was under.

"Six Powers? Are you with CP9?" Shanter asked, his sharp eyes recognizing the infamous techniques after five years.

"Not yet. Why? Do you know CP9?" Lucci, taking advantage of the brief exchange, adjusted his stance.

"Of course. Five years ago, I killed a CP9 member in Ohara," Shanter replied nonchalantly. "Though your mastery of the Six Powers is at least twice as strong as his."

Shanter's strength had grown exponentially since his time in Ohara. Back then, his combat instincts alone allowed him to fight evenly against a CP9 member whose physical capabilities far exceeded his own. Since then, he had refined his Haki, eaten the War God Fruit, and created the Ten Thousand Blades Technique. Now, his prowess was leagues ahead of Lucci's.

In terms of physical strength, Lucci only matched about 50–60% of Shanter's. Even with the Six Powers, he was no match for Shanter's terrifying combat instincts.

After exchanging several blows, Lucci realized his disadvantage.

"Damn it! Am I still not strong enough?! I need power to uphold my justice!" Lucci growled, launching another Finger Pistol.

"Justice?" Shanter sneered, countering with relentless strikes. "It's just tyranny by the majority."

"What would a pirate know?!" Lucci spat back, dodging desperately. "Killing one to save a hundred—what reason is there not to? You're nothing more than an ignorant criminal!"

"Killing one to save a hundred?" Shanter deflected Lucci's Finger Pistol with a palm strike, following up with a hand blade aimed at his neck. "If that one person is innocent, why should they die for a hundred? This so-called justice is just an excuse for your atrocities."

Lucci barely evaded the strike, retreating with a Soru technique to gain some distance. From afar, he unleashed a tempest kick.

"One life for a hundred lives! Even if that person is blameless, it doesn't matter! As long as it benefits the majority, I'll kill without hesitation!" Lucci declared. "Take your companion, Nico Robin. She's better off dead! Her existence is a threat to the entire world!"

Hearing this, Shanter's expression darkened. Slowly, he drew his sword, speaking word by word, "In that case, this whole world… doesn't deserve to exist."

For a fleeting moment, a buried memory surfaced in Shanter's soul, a faint echo of a conversation. But just as quickly, it vanished, leaving only a faint unease.

"You must understand the consequences! Hand over this woman for the sake of the world!"

"Has she done anything wrong?"

"No…"

"Has she wronged the world in any way?"

"No…"

"Then why should she die for it? Those who sow the seeds must reap the harvest. You have no right to demand someone else pay your debts!"

"This isn't for us—it's for the world! Sacrificing one for the many—isn't that just?"

"If this world demands her life, then it is the world that is guilty!" Shanter's voice was resolute, his blade gleaming with cold determination. "She's under my protection! It's not me defying the world—it's the world that's defying me!"

---

Get early access to advanced chapters and faster updates by joining the Pirate King membership for just $5! ln my p@tr3on:

[email protected]/KZ478

Your support helps keep this alive and going. Again thank you for reading.