vncnus 10. The so-called Way of Tolerance
10. The so-called Way of Tolerance
Amidst the sound of shattering glass, Sanosuke descended from the sky, stepping on a person.
Norton and his two companions, who were strolling around, quickly went over to check on the situation.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the person Sanosuke was stepping on was a pirate from the Redbeard Pirates!
"What's going on?" Norton asked, frowning.
The pirate was already a corpse. Sanosuke's kunai slit the pirate's throat, and blood flowed out uncontrollably.
Fu Ning turned pale with fright, and Nami quickly covered Fu Ning's eyes.
"My lord, he has disobeyed your orders," Sanosuke said, bowing his head.
A commotion broke out inside the castle. The guards gathered around at the sound of the commotion, and the steward arrived shortly after.
"Miss Funing! Come over here quickly! Get away from those dangerous guys!" The butler said hurriedly when he saw Funing standing with Norton and Nami.
"What exactly happened?" Fu Ning bit her lip, trying her best to remain calm despite her fear, and asked for details.
"These guests... no, some pirates got drunk and started harassing the maids in the castle. A fight broke out among them!" the butler explained loudly. "That ninja killed several people!"
Norton's expression hardened upon hearing this, and he asked Sanosuke, "Where are the others?"
"They're all in the banquet hall; they should already be under the control of the guards," Sanosuke said.
"How many people did you kill?" Norton continued. "Did you kill all the troublemakers?"
"There were seven in total, and I killed them all." Sanosuke wiped the blood off the kunai.
Norton looked at the butler, "Bring the rest of the men to me!"
Why should I listen to you? Don't order me around like that! That's what the butler wanted to say.
But when the butler met Norton's gaze, he immediately wilted. It was a gaze that brooked no disobedience, making one feel utterly inferior.
"Bring the man up here and let this gentleman deal with him!" The butler wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.
A few minutes later, the guards brought the remaining pirates before Norton.
Upon seeing Sanosuke, several pirates reacted violently, shouting, "Sanosuke, you traitor! We've been comrades for so long, and you actually did this!"
Sanosuke's eyes were calm; he didn't feel any sense of belonging to the Redbeard Pirates.
Before he met Norton, the Redbeard Pirates didn't really welcome him. Only Redbeard, wanting to use his strength, wasn't too bad to him.
But while it's not bad, it's definitely not good either.
Therefore, when these pirates violated Norton's rules, Sanosuke showed them no mercy.
Norton pointed at the pirates who were angrily rebuking Sanosuke: "Arrest them and send them to the nearby naval base."
The fact that he dared to rebuke Sanosuke to his face shows that he still stands with the "Redbeard Pirates" and keeping him around would only be a hidden danger.
After speaking, Norton slowly walked past the group of pirates, his gaze sweeping over their faces one by one.
Ultimately, Norton pointed out all those who showed resentment, anger in their eyes, or restraint, and ordered them to be sent to a nearby naval base.
Norton knew perfectly well that these pirates were only temporarily obedient to him because of his strength, and that they would escape or cause trouble at any time when they found an opportunity.
Norton didn't care if his subordinates harbored rebellious intentions; he was confident he could control anyone.
Norton won't interfere as long as no mistakes are made.
But since they made a mistake, they should be punished. Even if Sanosuke didn't intervene, Norton would have killed the troublemaking pirates.
The guards obeyed Norton's orders and took away the pirates Norton had pointed out.
The remaining pirates all breathed a sigh of relief. To them, it didn't matter whether their captain was Redbeard or Norton; they had come to sea simply to make a living.
Call them cowardly or indifferent, all they want is to survive.
As Sanosuke watched the pirates being led away by the guards, a flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes.
Norton didn't glance at the pirates again and ordered his butler, "Lock up the rest."
"Yes!" the butler replied subconsciously.
"Also, please convey my apologies to the lady who was harassed," Norton said sincerely after a pause.
"I will, sir." The butler bowed slightly.
Nami was taken aback, not expecting that a man as strong and arrogant as Norton would apologize so sincerely. Her approval of him grew.
"It's nothing, everyone can go now. Thank you all for your hard work," Fu Ning said to the crowd.
The butler nodded, disposed of the bodies and bloodstains, and then led the guards to take the remaining pirates away.
In an instant, only Norton, Nami, Funing, and Sanosuke remained in place.
"Do you still need me to show you around the castle?" Funing's face was still a little pale.
As the Duke's beloved daughter, Fu Ning had never witnessed such a bloody scene. Not vomiting was already a testament to her bravery.
"Fine, let's just stay here," Norton said.
Nami nodded in agreement; after encountering such a situation, she had lost all interest in continuing her travels.
"I'm going to the restroom," Sanosuke said.
"Do you need a servant to show you the way?" Funing stood up and asked.
Sanosuke shook his head: "No need, I just went there."
Norton watched Sanosuke leave, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
After leaving Norton's sight, Sanosuke did not go to the toilet.
That's just an excuse.
He caught up with the guards and the pirates being taken to the naval base, and followed them all the way.
Once the guards and pirates entered a secluded street, they decisively made their move.
Before the guards could even get a good look at Sanosuke, he knocked them unconscious.
"It's you! Sanosuke! What do you want?!"
Some pirates quickly recognized the attackers.
Sanosuke had no intention of concealing his identity; he only needed to ensure that the guards passed out.
Because Sasuke has to kill all the remaining pirates!
Having pledged allegiance to Norton and acknowledging him as his new master, Sanosuke felt obligated to eliminate the threat to Norton.
Chopping the grass does not remove the roots, but the spring breeze blows and regenerates.
Although these pirates were weak and posed no threat to Norton, Sanosuke still did not intend to let them go.
A ninja's mission is to eliminate anything that is detrimental to their master!
"A ninja is a sword that serves its master; it is something that lives in the dark world and clears away all obstacles for its master."
The teacher's voice still echoed in Sanosuke's ears.
"This is... the way of the ninja!" Sanosuke murmured to himself.
As the pirates fought their way through the swamp, they fell one after another, their crimson blood staining the streets.
After killing all the pirates, Sanosuke vanished in an instant.
A few minutes after Sanosuke left, the guards slowly awoke and discovered the pirates' corpses.
The guards stood frozen in the blood.
Sanosuke returns to the Duke's castle, where Norton, Nami, and Funing are discussing the "White Pearl." Funing becomes incredibly enthusiastic when the topic turns to the ship, doing most of the talking while Norton and Nami listen quietly.
Upon seeing Sasuke return, Nami asked curiously, "Why did you take so long?"
"I'm a little constipated," Sanosuke casually made up an excuse.
Norton glanced at Sasuke indifferently, without saying anything.
But Sanosuke sensed the depth in Norton's gaze, as if he could see right through everything. He quickly lowered his head to avoid meeting Norton's eyes.
At this moment, the Duke walked over from a distance, his face looking rather grim.
"Father, where are His Majesty's attendants?" Fu Ning stood up.
"They've already returned to the palace," the Duke said, looking at Norton. "Mr. Norton, you may need to depart earlier than planned. His Majesty the King has ordered me to immediately bring the 'White Pearl' to the palace!"