When something old ends, something new begins

October, 1513

It didn't take long for the news about three kids defeating a navy fleet to shock the whole East Blue.

The navy, who's carrying the trust of the people, who's responsible for their safety, lost to three young pirates.

This incident damaged the reputation of the marines in East Blue and especially the marines from the 8th marine branch.

Other branches took special notice of us and the ship we are sailing on. It was the ship of a weak pirate crew, the bear pirates.

Still it seems like they are hell bent on getting us this time, since different branches collaborate for our heads.

"Any ideas what to do now, Jackson-nii?"

"I would say we do the same like last time, after all it worked the first time."

"Are you stupid? They sent twice as many ships with many commanders to organize the troops! Can't you see them?!"

Kuina was right. We were on our way to the Frauce Kingdom to refill our supplies and whatever else we needed, since a relatively cheap black market place could be found there. Instead we found us surrounded by at least 20 navy war ships.

They simultaneously appeared out of all directions which made me doubt wether a devil fruit user is behind this surprise attack.

*BANG*BANG*BANG*

The ships started to fire at us all at the same time. So I jumped up the main mast and cut the cannon balls from all directions by sending flying slash attacks.

"Forget it! We will breach one side and then get out of here! Sail forward! leave the rest to me!"

I shouted orders then went back defending the ship.

"Jackson! The ships in front are retreating as we advance and the ships behind sped up! They want to keep us locked in their formation!"

'Cunning little foxes! That is not a bad strategy to be honest.'

If they surround us while keeping some distance between us they can retreat in the direction in which we want to advance and the rest of them follow along. That way they prevent us from breaching one side.

On top of that, the navy's special cannons have a far higher firing range than ours or any small pirates from what I know, so they think we won't be able to retaliate.

'You thought wrongly!'

There were some ways, in which I could deal with this situation. I could geppo from one ship to another and sink them but then this ship would be almost defenseless against the firing and I'd rather not test how many times they'll miss.

Instead I can just get a little serious and send flying sword attacks that will reach them even at this distance.

'Divine Adventure: 5th trial!'

Deciding on what to, I focus and send a serious attack towards the ship behind us. With one long bluish white slash passing through the ship, it got split cleanly in two halves just like the sea beneath it.

Then another one to the side and another one in front. Seeing that they were losing ships, the commanders and captains decided to increase the distance until the navy's cannons no longer reached us.

"Holy shit, did you know that he could do that?"

"Jackson-nii is… very special so no one really knows what he is capable of at the moment…"

"Huh? What do you mean by special?"

"You will just have to watch and experience it to know."

'Keeping our location known and waiting for reinforcements I guess? Well you though wrongly!'

Them not being able to reach us doesn't mean that we are also unable to reach them. I continued to sink ship after ship and when the 10th ship was cleaved into two the others decided to flee abandoning the mission.

I had though about using geppo and sinking every single one of them but I'll let them leave for now. No need to go overboard just yet.

"What Are you two looking at so intensely?"

"Tell me Jackson, how did you do that just now?"

"Do what?"

"That crazy attack! How did you reach them?!"

"Huh? Did you go blind? Obviously I did it with a sword!"

"…shouldn't have bothered to begin with…"

"Stop staring holes into the air and move your asses. Gather money and gold! Once we dock we will get us some supplies and then search for a new ship to take over! This one will just get attacked again."

"Huh? But Jackson-nii why bother with a new one? If they send more we can just beat them like n…"

*BAM!*

"We my ass! Don't spout nonsense until you can sink them with your ability alone! Go and gather what you find."

"But C captain! What if they attack us after you leave? Please don't do that we can't survive if you leave without taking responsibility!"

Hm1 suddenly came and unexpectedly begged me to stay with them.

"I already told you I'm not your captain. Take responsibility? For what? You chose on your own to become a pirate, so you should have considered it before! If you are so afraid you can stop after we reach the Frauce Kingdom since you aren't know enough to have a bounty!"

The last sentence I said half jokingly but his eyes suddenly lit up as if he realized that fact only now.

*Sigh*

The next day we reached the Frauce Kingdom and searched for a hidden dock spot. As pirates we couldn't just dock on a city's official harbor.

In the end we anchored the ship under a cliff and climbed it up afterwards to enter the island. The climbing wasn't a problem for us three but the rest of hm1's crew went to search for another entryway. Whatever.

"So? Where to now?"

"We saw a harbor city 20 minutes ago in that direction. We should go there first and gather some information."

Kuina answered Sabo's question and I agree to the plan. Once we find the special and cheap black market of this kingdom, we'll get our stuff and then be on our way again.

Like this we started to walk in the direction of the city