One Piece: Livestream

The ten soldiers carrying the Sea King were stunned by Helmeppo's reaction. Ren was known as a ruthless man who could take down two thousand people on his own, he now stood there, gun pointed, ready to strike. If he hadn't been killed by this shot, they knew they would be the ones to suffer.

"Uh..." Lieutenant jumped when he heard Helmeppo speak. Seeing Helmeppo pointing a gun at Ren, he was impressed. Ren was the kind of fierce man who could kick a Fishman out of his way with ease, yet here he was, pointing a gun at Ren without hesitation.

Setting aside his displeasure at being struck by Helmeppo, the Lieutenant stepped forward and pleaded, "Brother Helmeppo, you have to help me. This guy not only beat me but also blackmailed me for two million! He's..."

"What? He extorted your two million?" Helmeppo shouted, clearly shocked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

"… I tried to!" the Lieutenant said, distressed. "I was about to explain, and you hit me!"

Helmeppo felt a pang of embarrassment over his swollen face. Here he was, having hit someone for no reason. "Next time, speak faster. Hesitation leads to beatings!"

"Yes, you're right, big brother." The Lieutenant lowered his head, rolling his eyes as he nodded.

“Haha, since you called me 'Big Brother,' I'll teach this guy a lesson. Imagine, he had the nerve to call Ririka 'Sister Ririka.' He’s really asking for it!”

The Lieutenant fell silent. He now understood why he had been beaten. But, as it turned out, that beating had opened an opportunity. Ririka, the charming proprietress he had long admired, was apparently on Helmeppo's mind, too.

Ignoring the Lieutenant, Helmeppo turned to Ren, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Turn around and look at me, boy. I want to see the fool who thinks he can take my woman."

---

"Poor guy, why is he getting a gun pointed at him again? And by an idiot, no less."

"Just waiting for the show where the anchor slaps him in the face."

"Helmeppo's face is already messed up. Is he really asking for more?"

"Third time he’s had a gun pointed at him, right? How’s he going to handle this one?"

"I actually feel sorry for these two idiots now. They were fine before, but they’re in real trouble now. I’m really worried for their future."

…

Ren ignored Helmeppo, lost in thoughts of fish head soup, inspired by the audience's suggestions. Seeing the giant fish head practically brought to his doorstep, he wanted to give it a try.

"It's tricky, but it can be cooked!" Ririka nodded, snapping out of her shock. Ren's words reminded her of something she had overlooked: he had said he was going to kill the Sea King when he left the tavern. He returned with his clothes stained with blood and the smell of seawater, and Kaida was nowhere in sight. It left her with a strong feeling that Ren was responsible for killing the Sea King, and that Helmeppo was merely taking credit.

The thought settled her nerves. She felt no concern over Helmeppo's gun; after all, how could such a strong man be threatened by it?

And with that thought—she felt her face flush.

"Then let's cook the Sea King's head. I bet a lot of townspeople would want to try it," Ren said.

"Sure!"

"I'm talking to you! What are you two going on about?" Helmeppo’s anger boiled over as he saw Ren and Ririka conversing. He jumped up and aimed the gun's butt at Ren’s head.

"You're amazing, Big Brother!" the Lieutenant exclaimed, nearly dropping to his knees in awe. To challenge such a strong man and, instead of firing, use the gun’s butt? Too cool.

Helmeppo indeed wanted to shoot, but with Ririka nearby, he worried a shot would leave too much blood and scare her. He didn’t see this guy as a threat anyway.

In Helmeppo's mind, the handyman from the previous night was likely dead. Although Ren’s voice seemed familiar, he didn’t connect him to last night’s beaten man at all.

"Quick, brother, dodge! A monster is hitting people!" Rika shouted as Helmeppo advanced.

Sensing Helmeppo's movement, Ren took a step forward, turned, and kicked him, sending him flying.

"Ugh!" The Lieutenant, who had nearly knelt down, froze in shock.

"What’s happening? He dared to fight Captain Morgan's son?"

"Young Master!" Helmeppo’s two followers ran to his side as he hit the ground.

"Wow, brother taught that bad guy a lesson!" Rika cheered, clapping her hands.

"Who is this guy? He dared to fight Helmeppo!" The townspeople, shocked, stared at Ren, whispering. Could it be that someone dared to stand up to Captain Morgan’s son?

"I don’t know him, but he seems close to Ririka."

"When did she get to know such a strong guy? And where’s Kaida?"

"I hope he stops soon. If he angers the Navy, he’ll be done for, no matter how strong he is."

"Maybe it’s already too late. Helmeppo won’t let anyone around Ririka, and if the Navy comes, he won’t stand a chance."

…

"Ren, you’re a navy base officer. Will there be any trouble for hitting Helmeppo?" Ririka, though thrilled by Helmeppo’s downfall, grew worried.

Ren chuckled. "No problem. Captain Morgan doesn't care much about his son."

"Really?" She sighed in relief, but just as she was about to speak, Helmeppo’s shouting interrupted.

"Kill him! Kill him!" Furious, Helmeppo, now disarmed and supported by his followers, screamed at the ten soldiers carrying the Sea King.

The soldiers looked helplessly between Helmeppo and Ren but didn’t budge. There was no way they were getting involved; one wrong move, and they'd end up just like Helmeppo.

"Are you deaf? Kill him! I said, kill this arrogant kid! Drop the Sea King's head and kill him!" Helmeppo continued to scream, jumping up in fury.

"What’s going on? Why don’t the navy officers listen to him?" The Lieutenant, confused, wondered. Helmeppo’s followers had been defeated, but why weren’t they attacking? Looking at Helmeppo’s arrogance, he realized Helmeppo might not fully understand Ren’s strength either.