The Ahab Kingdom, which rules over Leviathan Island, is one of the World Government's member nations.
As a member nation, the Ahab Kingdom enjoys certain privileges.
For example, in times of crisis, they can request assistance from the World Government.
They can also apply for a permanent naval garrison stationed within their borders to fend off pirates who might invade at any time.
However, the Ahab Kingdom rarely exercises these rights.
Among the member nations, its unique circumstances are unusual, to say the least—some might even call it bizarre.
In this kingdom, if you see a pirate and a bounty hunter sharing drinks at the same table, don't be surprised. This is a common sight in Dick City, upheld by the unspoken rules of the land.
Of course, while harmony reigns above the table, beneath it, tensions brew—blades drawn and guns cocked.
As a result, Dick City is home to many pirates and bounty hunters.
But due to the deterrent power of the Ahab Kingdom's military, they rarely cause trouble in the streets.
If conflicts arise, they're typically confined to the eastern half of Crossroads, outside the military's watchful eyes.
That chaotic area is a battleground specifically prepared for "guests," unofficially referred to as "The Sewer" by the kingdom's soldiers.
To the nobles residing above Dick City, however, such a crude name is unfit.
To them, the disorderly East Street is nothing more than a distinctive coliseum.
There, it doesn't matter whether the combatants are pirates or bounty hunters—or even humans or beasts.
From their lofty perspective, those below are no different from animals.
Beyond East Street, the rest of Dick City is under the primary jurisdiction of the Ahab Kingdom's military.
As a result, street brawls and gunfights are rare occurrences.
This was one reason why the residents of North Street were so astonished by the recent commotion. To them, the group targeted in the attack—Maude and his crew—stood out like a sore thumb.
After all, the root of chaos is always unwelcome.
The three men approaching Maude with deliberate strides were veteran bounty hunters who had long operated in Dick City.
Unlike the earlier attackers who fled after their ambush, these three came openly, their confidence evident.
Their objective was clear: Maude's head was worth 400 million berries.
Such a fortune, wisely managed, could ensure a lifetime of comfort.
The reward was more than enough to justify the risk.
"It's the Mallet Brothers…"
The North Street residents immediately recognized the trio. At the same time, Maude's group, standing opposite them, became all the more conspicuous.
"The ones who were shot earlier must be pirates."
"That explains it…"
Understanding dawned on the residents, followed by a slight sense of relief.
While Dick City conducted business with pirates, that didn't mean its residents liked them.
Their logic was simple: if even the Mallet Brothers had stepped in, then Maude's group must undoubtedly be high-bounty, dangerous pirates.
In that case, there was no need for the soldiers to intervene—the pirates were likely doomed.
The North Street residents silently reached this conclusion.
After all, the Mallet Brothers had once wiped out a pirate crew with a bounty exceeding 60 million berries on East Street.
They were renowned bounty hunters in Dick City, and most ordinary pirates avoided them at all costs.
Under the silent scrutiny of the residents, the Mallet Brothers stopped about ten meters from Maude.
"You're Bacardi Maude, aren't you?"
The eldest brother, a burly man with a scruffy beard, pulled out a heavily scarred bounty poster from his pocket.
He glanced at Maude, then at the poster, comparing the two.
Once he confirmed the match, he raised his head to speak.
"Hmm?"
Before the words left his mouth, his vision blurred, and a sudden heat flared in his eye sockets.
The bearded man froze, confusion flashing across his face. His vision turned red as blood flooded his eyes.
"What… what's going on…?"
The world spun. His body collapsed, his head severed cleanly, with half his face landing two meters away. Blood pooled rapidly around his lifeless corpse.
"Big brother!"
The remaining two brothers cried out in horror.
They barely had time to react. In the blink of an eye, the 400-million-beri target had crossed the distance and decapitated their eldest brother without them even realizing.
It was as though Maude had crossed the line between life and death with disdainful ease.
"I couldn't even see it…"
The second brother's voice trembled with rage and fear.
Clang!
Both brothers drew their swords.
Maude held his blade, Chidori, at his side, the eerie blue edge glinting menacingly. The tip hovered mere inches from the ground.
The second brother glared at Maude, fury and desperation in his eyes.
"You—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Maude was already in front of him.
The second brother's pupils shrank as the glint of Maude's blade filled his vision.
Clang!
At the last moment, he managed to block the strike.
"I stopped it! Now the third brother can—what?"
A web of cracks spread across his blade. His expression twisted in shock as the sword shattered into pieces.
Without the blade to defend him, Chidori's edge sliced through his chest.
Blood sprayed into the air as his lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
"Second brother!"
The third brother roared in anguish, charging at Maude with his blade.
Maude's eyes were cold. With his free hand, he grabbed the second brother's corpse, twisting his body like a slinger before hurling the corpse at the oncoming attacker.
"You—!"
The third brother caught the corpse but froze as a gunshot rang out.
The lead bullet pierced through the corpse's side and buried itself in his forehead, leaving a smoking hole.
The third brother's body stiffened before collapsing.
Maude nonchalantly holstered his smoking pistol and stepped over the brothers' corpses toward Jim and a sulking Bailey.
There was no need for words.
The three lifeless bodies were enough to send a clear message to those eyeing his bounty:
If you're not afraid of death, come at me.
Anyone who dares—dies.
The North Street residents stared in terror at the Mallet Brothers' bodies.
Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that these renowned bounty hunters would be defeated so effortlessly.
In the shadows, voices murmured.
"The Mallet Brothers were killed in an instant…"
"Those guys who ambushed Maude's crew earlier are probably dead too."
Frightened gazes retreated into the dark.
Among the onlookers, one man toyed with a thin, sharp needle, his expression uneasy.
"Maude… this is getting serious."
Elsewhere, Lafitte finished slaughtering the earlier attackers, retrieving a small amount of money from their corpses—not much.
Meanwhile, Gaya had also completed her task.
Without bothering to loot, she simply turned and walked away.
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