Chapter 151: I don't want to die!
"Argkk... please, stop! I don't want to die! I'm sorry... I swear I won't bother you anymore... Ughhh…"
"L-Luffy, I can't do it... I-I don't want to make him suffer and then kill him. It's just too cruel for me."
Things didn't go exactly as Luffy had expected. So, here's what went down. He found himself in a situation where he had to support Nojiko's body, knowing full well that she could slip away at any moment. He could sense a wave of negative emotions as her body continued to tremble uncontrollably.
There could be other factors contributing to Nojiko's current state, beyond just fear. After hearing Luffy's previous remarks, it finally dawned on her that he had been using the sight of Mister 9's torture as a mere warm-up for what was to come today.
"So, have you made up your mind about joining me? If you want to make it in the long run, you've got to master this essential skill. The sea can be a ruthless place, so it's crucial to be prepared."
Luffy doesn't tolerate any weakness from those on his side. If Nojiko can't even take out her enemy, he won't see the point in keeping her around. However, he absolutely cannot allow that to happen. After all, he desperately needs her in order to bring Nami back.
So Luffy decided to go for it, using his forceful approach and completely abandoning any hint of gentleness in his voice. He held Nojiko's hand tightly as she gripped a sword.
"You must be out of your mind! Why did you make her do that? Hasn't she been helpful to you all this time just by sitting in the back?"
Uta, standing there in the corner of the room, couldn't help but break the silence. Right from the beginning, she had a clear understanding of what Luffy had in mind when he asked them to step into this room.
"Her impressive mechanical skills and innovative ideas have been priceless to me. She even spent a year receiving training at Marine headquarters, which has greatly enhanced her expertise-"
"So, isn't it enough? She doesn't have to get her hands dirty on the front line since that's your responsibility, isn't it?"
Luffy's expression shifted from relaxed to intense as he locked eyes with Uta. He understood the reason behind Uta's comment, but he believed that what he was currently doing had more advantages than disadvantages, so he had no intention of stopping.
Uta sensed his silence and understood that he was upset with her. His decision to ignore her only added to her frustration.
With no other options, Uta glanced over at Makino, who stood by the door, hoping for some of her reaction. To her dismay, the usually dependable woman simply smiled, seemingly unfazed by the impending situation.
'Ugh, I totally forgot about that woman. She's just as crazy as him… hahh… now I'm stuck wondering what to do. I know he's not going to give up until he reaches his goal.'
In the midst of the recent argument, Mister 9, who was observing the situation, saw a flicker of hope. He kept giving Uta a pleading look, but unfortunately, he was met with indifference. Suddenly, it dawned on him that the sharp point of the sword was dangerously close to his head.
Imagine being trapped in a tiny, dark room for days on end, with no escape in sight. The person who took you captive makes it even worse by periodically subjecting you to torture as if you were some kind of animal. It's enough to drive anyone insane.
Despite Makino's attempt to administer life-saving medicine, the wounds began to fester, emitting a foul odor. His situation was a complete disaster.
"Help!… Can someone please help me? Mister 0, I need your help!... I don't want to die!..."
Mister 9's relentless screams left his voice hoarse, yet his energy showed no signs of waning. With his life hanging on the edge, he refused to back down. As he looked closely, he noticed that the sword emitted a soft, warm glow with a hint of reddish-orange, illuminated by the flickering candlelight.
"You know that time when you promised to give up everything for me? Well, now I need you to prove it..."
Nojiko stood before Mister 9, who was bound and defenseless on the floor. She closed her eyes, unable to bear witness to what was about to unfold. Despite this, she could still hear Luffy's voice growing fainter.
"This person is just as bad as those Fish Men who attacked your village. It's people like them who have caused you, Nami, and Bell-mère so much pain..."
Nojiko's eyes snapped open at the mention of her younger sister and the woman she considered to be her biological mother. Her cheeks were stained with tears that had since dried, but her fear remained, lingering in the depths of her being.
"But you know what's even more important than all that?"...
"W-What's more important?"
"This piece of shit is my enemy, and you will eliminate anyone who tries to hinder me. Embrace this sword with confidence, and let actions speak louder than words."
With his hand supporting her grip on the sword, Nojiko listened intently to Luffy's final words, feeling a sense of calm wash over her and fill her heart with warmth.
"When you return, I'll be here with open arms, ready to welcome you. I'll spoil you and keep reminding you that you've done an amazing job."
Makino, who had been silently observing everything, couldn't help but let out a wide grin that grew even bigger. The screams of Mister 9 in the background were reminiscent of a pig's squeal to her, which only heightened the pleasure she was experiencing.
Perhaps the sword wasn't all that sharp, or the force behind the strike wasn't sufficient, but Mister 9 definitely experienced some serious pain when that sword got lodged in his head.
As Luffy encourages Nojiko to never give up, they find themselves repeating this mantra multiple times. The sword kept piercing different areas of Mister 9's head, adding more detail and depth to the gruesome scene. One of the most difficult things to see was the deep gash that ran from his eye down his cheek, revealing raw flesh and blood.
"Aghkkk... it's hurt... please stop... I'm going to die!... Agrkkk... I don't want to... stop!..."
Mister 9's voice grew fainter as he struggled to speak, his mouth filling with blood, causing him to choke repeatedly. His face was covered in torn wounds and cuts, transforming him into a creature that resembled a monster on the brink of death.
"Now, it's time for you to finish it yourself," Luffy's voice was incredibly gentle as if he were narrating a soothing bedtime tale. In a swift motion, Nojiko aimed the tip of her sword directly at Mister 9's heart as soon as Luffy released his grip.