Chapter 35: Merchant Ships!
The West Blue is known as the strongest of the Four Seas!
This claim is not baseless nor made lightly.
On the surface, many of the major nations in West Blue secretly harbor pirate groups, using them as tools to plunder resources and wealth for their own benefit.
Among them, the Happo Navy, the famed military force of the Flower Country, is, in reality, a group of pirates. Their current leader, Don Chinjao, carries a bounty exceeding 500 million beli and possesses the rare qualifications of a "King", a title that only appears among millions of people.
However, five or six years ago, this very man was defeated by the legendary Marine Hero "Iron Fist" Garp, who flattened his once-proud, cone-shaped head with a single punch. Since then, Chinjao has remained silent, focusing solely on training the next generation.
These facts are well known.
Beneath the surface, however, West Blue is a hotbed of crime, overrun by various mafia families.
The most infamous among them are the Four Great Mafia Families.
Although Capone Bege is still young and has yet to unify his forces, preventing him from becoming the fifth Mafia boss, he is rapidly rising in power.
In such a chaotic environment, it is only natural that lawless individuals would thrive.
Thus, the West Blue is rightfully regarded as the strongest of the Four Seas, and no one dares to dispute it.
Even though the Marines are powerful, the New World remains unstable, torn apart by the legendary pirates waging war for dominance. As a result, the Marines have their hands full, unable to fully enforce order in the West Blue, allowing its inhabitants to develop an unyielding and ruthless nature.
Due to these dangers, very few merchant fleets dare to traverse the seas. The only exceptions are:
Government-sanctioned trade routes, escorted by Marine warships. Independent merchants, confident in the strength of their hired guards. Desperate traders, willing to risk their lives for the chance to earn wealth. Ambush at Sea
On the main sea route leading to Capone Bege's base, a merchant fleet, flying the insignia of a certain noble family, found itself under siege.
A pirate crew had surrounded the merchant ships, their cannons primed and ready to fire.
The caravan's elite guards, hired at an exorbitant price, had already drawn their swords, standing in tense formation. A single wrong move would turn the situation into an all-out battle.
Within the merchant ship's cabin, a fat businessman anxiously wiped the sweat from his forehead with a white handkerchief, praying for a peaceful resolution.
Those who conduct business in the treacherous West Blue understand one truth—most of these so-called pirates are merely pawns sent by nations or mafia organizations to plunder wealth.
If safe passage could be bought at a reasonable price, it was a win-win situation. But if negotiations failed and battle broke out, both sides would suffer unnecessary casualties.
Loyal guards were hard to come by.
"Ola Faustin! Why has the 'toll' suddenly increased?"
A towering, three-meter-tall man with a thick beard—leader of the merchant caravan's guards—roared angrily at the pirate leader blocking their way.
"Last time, it was only 500,000 beli, but now you've raised it tenfold to a full 5 million?! Are you trying to break the rules?!"
Were it not for the risk of casualties, the guard leader would have already stormed the pirate ship and settled this with his fists.
Why must men like them resort to this kind of extortion just to make a living at sea?!
"Hahahaha!"
The pirate leader, Ola Faustin, burst into laughter.
His face, tanned red from years of exposure to the sea breeze, bore countless scars. Though not an overwhelmingly large man, his intimidating presence made up for it.
"You'll pay up whether you like it or not!" he sneered. "The ownership of this route has changed hands. Now it belongs to Capone Bege. If you don't like it, you're welcome to come and challenge us!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The surrounding pirates roared in excitement, their eyes flashing with bloodlust.
"Capone Bege? That upstart who's rumored to become the fifth Mafia boss of West Blue?"
The guard leader felt his heart sink.
When Mafia leaders rise in power, they must prove their ruthlessness to establish dominance—an unspoken rule that everyone in West Blue understands.
Someone always has to die to set an example.
"Haha, so Capone Bege has taken control of this route?"
A voice rang out.
The fat merchant, stepping forward with a forced smile, quickly adapted to the situation.
"In that case, this five million beli shall be my humble gift to celebrate his rise to power!"
At his signal, one of the guards presented a large chest, filled to the brim with freshly inked banknotes—exactly five million beli.
The guard leader, clenching his jaw, closed the box with force and hurled it one hundred meters onto the pirate ship.
"Oh? You fat pig, you actually understand the rules?"
Ola Faustin raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He swiftly flipped open the chest, counting the money with a keen eye.
After verifying its authenticity, he grinned.
"Alright! Since you're so obedient, I'll let you pass!"
With a casual wave, the pirate fleet parted, leaving just enough space for the merchant ships to continue their journey.
Another Arrival
Before the caravan could set sail, a small boat swiftly approached from behind.
A pirate lookout shouted, "Captain! Another ship is coming!"
Ola Faustin turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
A ship was rapidly approaching, cutting through the waves at an alarming speed.
Within two minutes, it would reach them.
At first glance, the vessel wasn't particularly large.
But its speed was unnatural.
Ola Faustin narrowed his eyes, his sharp instincts kicking in.
That's a repurposed warship…
The navy often discarded old warships, which were then resold on the black market. Though heavier than regular ships, they boasted superior durability.
Only two kinds of people possessed such ships:
The Marines Powerful black-market organizations
Which one was it?
At the bow of the ship stood two figures—a man and a woman, both young.
They looked barely old enough to be considered adults.
Suddenly, Ola Faustin's face went pale.
His entire body trembled.
His legs felt weak, and he barely remained standing.
He recognized them.
The woman was Aurora, the former Mafia princess, daughter of Capone Bege's predecessor.
But she wasn't the one who terrified him.
It was the man standing beside her—standing tall and unmoving against the sea breeze.
Three hours ago, rumors had spread from Elbaf Island.
A Logia Devil Fruit user had appeared alongside Aurora—someone who had effortlessly annihilated Capone Bege's top enforcer, "Killer" Goldie, with a single move.
Information spread fast in the underworld.
And if the rumors were true...
A Logia user was standing right in front of him.
Pirates like Ola Faustin stood no chance against natural disasters incarnate.
To fight meant certain death.
His instincts screamed at him.
RUN.
(End Of Chapter)
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