The pirates who remained were not good people, so Kong Tai and the others did not hesitate.
However, after killing a few pirates, Kong Tai stopped intervening and watched quietly from the side with Ishi.
He would only step in to intercept any pirates who managed to escape the encirclement.
Before long, the plaza outside the world's only eight-star hotel was a scene of carnage, with bodies strewn everywhere and blood flowing like rivers.
During this time, Kong Tai also quietly observed Ishi.
After all, few people were truly bloodthirsty; besides being ruthless towards pirates, his companions were generally friendly to others.
And Ishi had only recently joined them, so he couldn't possibly know the specific psychological state of someone witnessing such a massacre.
However, judging by his consistently calm expression, whether it was killing Celestial Dragons earlier or pirates now, Ishi probably didn't consider these actions too outrageous.
"Mr. Kong Tai."
"Hmm, what is it?"
As if sensing Kong Tai's thoughts, Ishi spoke calmly, "Since I've decided to accompany you to experience different sights, I won't interfere. In my opinion, there are countless ways to punish evil, and extermination is not an unreasonable method. As long as you don't wrong good people."
Ishi paused slightly and continued, "And not all pirates are inherently evil."
"I know," Kong Tai looked deeply at Ishi and smiled, "I do dislike pirates, but I am not a bloodthirsty person. You'll see more as time goes on."
"Mm!" Ishi nodded, offering no further comments.
As for Kong Tai's claim of not being bloodthirsty, it seemed rather amusing at the moment.
So, it was better to observe him further later on.
Before long, there wasn't a single pirate left standing in the plaza.
*Sizzle~*
Amidst the electric sparks, Kuina appeared, grabbing Kong Tai's left hand and pulling it into her embrace. "Alright, it's all handled. Kong Tai, let's hurry! These low-level guys are no fun. I'm looking forward to a spar with Uncle Ishi!"
As she spoke, she peeked out from in front of Kong Tai, tilting her head towards Ishi. "Don't you agree, Uncle Ishi?"
"Mm!" Ishi nodded.
Kuina had no interest in these pirates, and neither did Ishi. Even when pirates charged at him, he didn't draw his sword; it was Kong Tai who dealt with them.
He completely treated himself as one of them, as if he knew Kong Tai would act.
"Then let's go!"
Seeing that the pirates were cleared, Kong Tai rejoined his companions and set off in the direction they came from.
...
At the dock.
Several massive warships were anchored.
Among them were the vice-admiral warships of Kaji and Gion, and of course, other warships that had rushed in from nearby.
"Quick, quick, quick!!"
Innumerable marines rushed down from the decks of the warships, forming neat lines behind Kaji and Gion, their faces solemn.
"Vice-Admiral, all soldiers have assembled. Please issue further orders," Major General Golden, Kaji's副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general/second-in-command), stepped forward and saluted the two.
"Mm!" Kaji nodded and glanced back at the outer sea, his eyes filled with gravity.
There were those on the ships with access to information. Since Kong Tai and his group had landed, these individuals had been making preparations.
Even without any news leaking out, the tremors from the central hotel earlier had led these intelligent people to guess the truth.
After all, it was the silver-haired man who had just killed two Emperors. No one would bet on Tesoro, even if his backing was strong, even if he was fabulously wealthy. In the face of absolute power, all of that seemed like a joke.
Therefore, out at sea, there were undoubtedly many pirates and treasure hunters who had already received the news and were rapidly heading this way.
Even if they knew that the treasure vault of Tesoro likely had nothing to do with them, the ship itself, and the gold spread throughout its corners, would be enough to drive them mad.
These pirates might fear the silver-haired man, but for gold and Berries, they would absolutely not fear a mere few Marine warships.
Even though he and Gion were not weak, their strength had not reached the point of qualitative change.
After all, this was the New World, not the Four Seas where the Navy had absolute control. They couldn't possibly take the ship from here. The difficulty would be no less than raiding the Emperor's treasure hoard in their own territory.
Unless an Admiral, accompanied by a Vice-Admiral, or perhaps even Vice-Admiral Garp, came to support them, this idea was nothing but a delusion.
Not everyone in this world was a monster. Although they were Admiral candidates and considered themselves inferior to Admirals, they were still far superior to ordinary pirates. They could even hold their own against individuals of Emperor-level strength.
But this was only in individual combat. They lacked the ability to clear out large areas. If there were too many pirates, they could easily wear them down.
And this area was already in the latter half of the New World. For the Navy to provide support, it would take at least a day or two. In such a long time, the entire New World would have received the news.
Therefore, waiting for support was merely a fantasy.
Thus, from this moment on, they had to race against time.
Retracting his gaze and exchanging a look with Gion, Kaji raised his right hand and waved forward. "Forward march. Ignore those pirates. Our objective is to rescue the civilians on board and then leave. So, move quickly. If you encounter danger, send a distress signal immediately, and Gion and I will rush to your aid."
"Do you understand?"
Kaji, at this moment, showed none of his usual lechery or nonchalance. He stood ramrod straight, wearing the distinctive Vice-Admiral's cloak of the Navy, exuding the demeanor of a true commander.
"We understand!"
Countless marines, holding their spears, shouted in unison.
Their firm and solemn voices instantly echoed across the entire dock, leading the nearby pirates and those who had just arrived to believe the Navy was about to engage Tesoro, causing them to turn their heads.
Of course, here, they had no fear of the Navy. They weren't monsters like Admirals; what was there to fear?
"Depart."
Under Kaji's loud command, the marines split into countless squads, led by their respective commanders, and rapidly surged towards the city ahead.
Kaji and Gion, however, each gripped their weapons, their expressions solemn as they used Moon Walk to leap onto the highest points they could see, silently observing Grand Tesoro, which was about to descend into chaos.