The gentle breeze blew, the blue ocean rippled, seagulls soared in the sky, and fish frolicked in the sea.
“Marine hero, Lieutenant Commander Rougishu, defeated the Black-Clad Pirate Group. Their captain, Felix, has been captured and awaits the justice of trial and judgment…” A tall man standing on the deck was reading aloud, and the surrounding people cheered and applauded.
“Lieutenant Commander Rougishutruly deserves to be called a hero of the Marines. Didn’t he just risk his life to rescue hostages a week ago?”
“Compared to Lieutenant Commander Rougishu’s efficiency, the Marines stationed in our kingdom are no better than useless. I seriously suspect they spend all their time and energy on women.”
“Isn’t that the truth? I really hope Lieutenant Commander Rougishucould come and take a look at our West Blue.”
“That Marine… is his name Rougishu? Was it him who saved me back then?” A small figure on the crowd’s edge was listening intently, her little face taut with seriousness.
“Little Erin, you know that lieutenant commander too?” The person beside her found her focused expression adorable and teased her with a smile.
“Yeah! Uncle Isaac, I also want to become as strong as Lieutenant Commander Rougishu!” The little girl’s sweet voice melted the hearts of many who liked children.
“Haha! Let’s hope our West Blue will have a female hero in the future!”
Everyone laughed, not believing this little girl could grow up as strong as Lieutenant Commander Rougishu.
The little girl shyly ran to the other side of the deck. Once no one was looking at her, she sighed in relief. She didn’t dare stay in the spotlight for long.
“To think Felix, such a big pirate, was defeated… that Marine is strong. No wonder he gave me the same feeling as that ice user!” The little girl murmured to herself as she gazed at the vast sea. She was none other than Nico Robin, who had escaped from Saint Tin Island and returned to West Blue under a new identity.
“They say the most dangerous place is the safest. Plus, I’ve been seen in the Grand Line. They won’t expect me to return to the West Blue so soon.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As Robin pondered her next move, the sea suddenly erupted in huge waves, and the ship began to shake violently. The sailors’ frantic shouts filled the air.
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”
Robin grabbed the railing and looked out to sea. In the distance, pirate flags flew, and three pirate ships lined up, launching a fierce bombardment on the passenger ship.
“Damn, it’s pirates!” Robin’s heart sank. Though the pirates seemed like a small group compared to the significant pirate crews in the Grand Line, the passenger ship she was on looked ordinary. It was uncertain whether it could withstand the attack.
The bombardment soon stopped, but the dread in Robin’s heart did not dissipate. She knew this didn’t mean the pirates had given up but that they saw the passenger ship’s wealth as their booty.
The previous bombardment was just a warning!
Perhaps intimidated by the bombardment, the overweight captain didn’t dare to run. He patiently waited for the pirate ships to approach.
“You must be the most cowardly captain I’ve ever seen. You don’t even have the courage to resist. But I have to admit, your cowardice saved everyone on this ship because I am destined to become the next Pirate King—Captain Jack! Ahahaha!” The red-haired youth on the pirate ship laughed loudly, clearly satisfied with his “victory” without a fight.
The pirates on the three ships laughed loudly as well. Harvesting loot without a fight was the best outcome.
Hearing the harsh laughter, the passengers trembled. Their earlier admiration for the heroes in the newspaper stemmed from the rampant pirate situation in the West Blue.
Pirate groups like the Eight Treasures Navy could openly operate as official forces, showing how chaotic the situation was. If not for the Buster Call half a year ago, which heavily shocked the West Blue pirates, the problem would be ten times worse now.
The red-haired captain was a newcomer, bold and reckless, unrestrained by the Buster Call, which led to this unprepared encounter with pirates.
The short, fat captain smirked, to everyone’s surprise, and taunted, “Idiot, I was just worried you’d damage my ship. After all, this is my old partner. I can’t let it be ruined by you.”
“What?” The red-haired pirate captain was furious that the fat captain dared to speak like this. “Damn old fool, I’ll take your skull and use it as a drinking cup!”
“Hahaha! Looks like we’ve been away from the Grand Line for too long. Even rookie pirates dare to talk to you like that!” laughed the one-armed first mate.
“Ten years ago, even the Marines wouldn’t dare talk to us like this!” said the second mate with crossed arms.
At this moment, even the dullest person realised something was wrong. The elderly crew on the ship seemed unfazed, not taking the pirates seriously.
“Captain Jones was actually a legendary pirate who ventured into the Grand Line!” The passengers thought, half excited and half fearful.
“They say nine out of ten ships in the West Blue have been pirate ships. Seems true!” Robin thought, her little face looking hopeful about what would happen next.
“The Grand Line?” The red-haired pirate captain paused, then laughed loudly. “So, you’re failures who ran back from the Grand Line? Hand over your logbook from the Grand Line, or I’ll kill everyone on this ship!”
“Looks like I need to teach you rookies to respect your seniors!” Captain Jones clumsily twirled his gun, speaking in a deep voice.
…
The battle started quickly and ended just as fast!
“Ouch! Ouch! Pirate lords, please be gentle. Spare me, spare me!” Captain Jones lay on the ground, begging for mercy, utterly different from his previous demeanour as a grand pirate.
The passengers and even the pirates were stunned by what they saw.
“Huh? Is this the level of pirates returning from the Grand Line?” The red-haired pirate captain stomped on Jones’s head in disdain.
“No, no, we’ve never been to the Grand Line, nor are we pirates,” Captain Jones quickly confessed. “We just wanted to use psychological tactics to scare off you pirates.”
“We’ve done this before, but I didn’t expect your courage and spirit to surpass the previous pirates.” Captain Jones subtly flattered.
The passengers were dumbfounded. Such a wild approach!
Robin covered her face in shame. The other side’s superb acting had fooled her. Embarrassed, she also marvelled at the West Blue.
“The West Blue truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers!”
Become a Patron read up to 60 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
