The Ocean, Isn't It Mysterious?

"What the heck is going on?!"

Renetia shouldered the Mechanical Hammer, glaring at Paru with displeasure. Just as she was about to continue her scolding, a shell's explosive roar reached her ears, the violent wind whipping her pink hair.

A shell hurtled directly towards her. On the side deck, a Navy Lieutenant, his cannon still smoking, was aiming at her.

"Renetia-sama!"

Akin cried out, but there was no time to react. The shell was about to hit Renetia's face.

Such a small body, if it were hit… A small hand pressed against the rapidly approaching shell. A cluster of Electric Flowers bloomed from her palm, entangling the shell.

"Power stop."

The shell hung motionless in Renetia's small hand, neither exploding nor falling.

This Power, besides accelerating impact, could also reverse the force applied from other directions.

The shell's launch and flight required power. By reversing this power, the shell's momentum could be cancelled. Even a launched shell, without a violent impact, wouldn't explode.

It wouldn't even fall.

Renetia, of course, couldn't hold the shell with one hand; it was quite heavy. But by reversing the downward force with her Power, she could manage to keep it suspended, albeit briefly.

Without this level of control, she wouldn't be able to control the massive Death Star Ship.

"Don't sneak attack, you know!"

Renetia released the stopped shell, gripped the Mechanical Hammer with both hands, and swung it forward with all her might. "Power home run!"

Bang!!

The shell was smashed by the hammer. The accelerated Power sent it flying back at an even faster speed, hitting the cloaked Navy Lieutenant and exploding in a cloud of smoke.

"Iron Block!"

A roar echoed from within the smoke. As the smoke cleared, the Navy Lieutenant stood firm. The shell's explosion had only damaged his clothes and the cannon, leaving him bleeding but still standing.

"I am Navy Headquarters Colonel, Wenka, known as 'Iron Cannon.' You inherently evil little brat, I will—"

"Power whack-a-mole!"

Renetia twisted the hammer handle. The Electric Flowers in her hand conducted along the handle, rapidly extending it. She raised the long hammer high and slammed it down on the Navy Lieutenant's head. The Power-enhanced hammer head struck with brutal speed and force, smashing him into the floor, piercing the ship, and sending him crashing into the seabed.

"What Iron Block? I've beaten it countless times!"

Renetia bared her small fangs, then glared fiercely at Paru, who was getting up. "Hey, Paru?!"

"Y-yes!" Paru stood at attention, responding instinctively.

The defensive power of Iron Block was certainly commendable, capable of withstanding lead bullets. This Navy Lieutenant could even withstand the shell's impact, indicating considerable training.

But personal defense is one thing, the strength of a ship is another.

Whether she could knock him down was uncertain, but sending him flying was easy for Renetia.

It was just like playing whack-a-mole with iron. Just smash it down.

When Paru was training Iron Block, she used the same method to send him flying, then her subordinates would jump into the sea to retrieve him. This was the most effective tactic against those using Iron Block.

"Oh, Reti, be careful. If the ship is damaged, it will take on water."

Marika, not far away, gave her a gentle smile, then swung her iron rod at the head of an approaching Navy, causing a dull thud as a dent appeared on the Navy's skull, sending him tumbling.

"Ah!"

Renetia cried out, sweeping a nearby Navy away with her hammer, then ran over to look down at the hole, whining, "It's taking on water."

"Then we need to finish the battle quickly." Marika chuckled, swinging her rod again, breaking the nearby Navy's sword and striking his chest, causing a deep dent.

However, her iron rod, under the continuous blows, began to bend.

"Don't we have anything harder? I prefer using my hands for cooking than fighting." Marika discarded the iron rod, scanning her surroundings, and walked towards a fallen sword.

Bang! A sharp sound rang out nearby. Marika's ears twitched, and her bent body straightened instantly. A hole appeared on the deck.

Marika turned to see a thin Navy Lieutenant crouching on the warship's railing, aiming a long gun unlike the standard flintlock rifle at her.

"Oh, a warship officer?" Marika smiled.

"Marika! Natural Disaster Pirate Crew executive!"

The thin Navy Lieutenant said gravely, "I cannot allow you to continue."

Bang! He pulled the trigger again. A fast blur erupted from the muzzle, heading straight for Marika.

Marika's pupils constricted. She instinctively grabbed the fallen sword, instantly blocking in front of her.

Clang! A shower of sparks erupted, scattering Marika's cascading black hair. A small hole was blown into the side of her hair, and the severed strands fell onto the deck. The blur embedded itself in the warship's railing behind her, emitting a crisp sound.

The sword's blade was chipped, a crack extending from the chip, splitting the blade.

Marika glanced at it. Embedded in the railing was a still-smoking bullet.

Unlike most lead bullets, this was a spindle-shaped bullet with an extremely sharp tip.

"Not an ordinary gun."

The gun was also different. Compared to ordinary flintlock rifles, this gun was longer, the barrel made of significantly better steel, and the stock was unlike any normal gun.

"I am Navy Headquarters Colonel, Light, known as 'Flying Gun.' Remember my name, for I will be the one to arrest you!"

Whizz! As soon as Light finished speaking, Marika swung her arm, throwing the broken sword blade. The immense force generated a whistling sound as the broken blade flew towards the Navy crouching on the railing.

At this moment, Light quickly leaped forward, displaying exceptional jumping ability and speed, landing on the mid-section platform of the warship's second mast, firing another shot at Marika.

Bang! The moment he jumped, Marika was already moving. Even so, the shot, aimed precisely, grazed her shoulder, tearing her clothes and leaving a bloody scratch on her white skin.

"Oh, it doesn't need reloading?" Sage on the bow showed surprise.

On this sea, aside from the few with combat abilities, most ordinary people used a mix of swords and guns, not guns as the primary weapon. It wasn't that guns lacked attack power, but close-quarters combat was more cost-effective.

Because they were too slow.

A normal flintlock gun required reloading after each shot. The attack power was considerable, but the reloading speed meant that if the first shot didn't kill, the time it took to reload and fire the second shot would have been enough for someone to hack them to death seven or eight times.

Otherwise, why would there be those who, after firing a shot, would use the gun barrel as a weapon to bash people with the stock?

But there was also black technology.

For example, the flintlock gun Renetia made for Sage, capable of holding six bullets, and now this rifle, far surpassing ordinary firearms in power, range, and speed.

Sea, isn't it amazing?

"It moves very fast too." Marika looked up, her smile unchanged.

"Because I'm thin and light, my speed and jumping ability are top-notch! I know you're very strong, but if you can't catch me, it's useless!"

Light smiled confidently. "Conversely, I can freely snipe you!"

"That's quite impressive…"

Marika chuckled, picking up a weapon and throwing it upwards with force.

Strength also represents speed. With enough strength, a thrown object will be very fast, and speed represents power.

Bang! The weapon she threw shattered the mid-section platform of the mast, reaching the upper mast before embedding itself, creating a large dent before stopping.

But Light had already jumped away.

"I said it's useless!"

Light jumped towards the top of the warship's structure. In the air, he could continue aiming at Marika, but as he moved, a black shadow rapidly ascended, entangling his hands, feet, and neck.

That was "hair?!" Light exclaimed in terror.

Marika's black hair danced like snakes, several strands extending like black ropes, wrapping around Light's body, binding him in mid-air.

Life Return.

Hair Binding Technique! "If you're bound, you can't move, right?"

Marika smiled sweetly, extending her palm. "If you had just surrendered at the beginning, you wouldn't have suffered so much. Be careful now."

Whoosh! The extended hair retracted violently, pulling Light's body swiftly towards her.

Bang!!

A powerful palm strike landed on his throat, snapping his neck forward. His face turned blue, his tongue lolling out as he collapsed limply.

The hair released his body, letting him fall to the ground. The strands retracted to their normal position, restoring their original state.

Marika glanced at the lifeless body, shaking her head. "Unfortunately, he couldn't withstand it."

Sage smiled slightly. He knew this woman had more tricks up her sleeve.

Being able to use Life Return and controlling her hair using Life Return were entirely different concepts.

The former might simply be rapidly absorbing energy, perhaps without even realizing the power itself, while the latter was consciously controlling every part of her body.

The three troublesome Headquarters Colonels were dealt with. Lily and the others rejoined the battle. Although the three warships had numerous Navy personnel, against strong opponents, numbers were no obstacle.

By the time Sage's cigar burned to its end, the battle on the warship was over.

"Quick!"

Lily slashed with her sword, felling the last remaining group of Navy soldiers, and quickly shouted, "Save those who need saving, loot what needs looting, this warship is sinking!"

Renetia had blasted a hole in the ship with her hammer, and the bottom had already started taking on water. Although the hole wasn't large, the battle had lasted a while, and by now, the entire ship had sunk more than halfway. If they didn't loot quickly, the ship would definitely sink.

They wouldn't bother searching for supplies on this sinking ship; finding the pointers was more important. They could take their time looting the other two ships.

Dozens of pirates rushed into the deck buildings and cabins, while the rest began rescuing their surviving subordinates.

One by one, the injured who had fallen were helped up. Akin found a gangplank on the warship, placing it on the Death Star's bow to allow the injured to return to the ship.

Lily quickly counted the personnel. The more she counted, the worse her expression became. Finally, she boarded the ship and went to the Death Star Ship's bow, standing behind Sage.

"Sage."

"Just say it."

Sage picked up his jeweled goblet and poured himself a drink.

Lily pursed her lips and said, "At least two hundred…"

She didn't need to finish. Sage understood.

The people of this world, the most ordinary untrained individuals were relatively normal, but those who had undergone even a little training, those with some skill, possessed terrifying physical capabilities. The fatal injuries he knew before were simply not fatal to them.

Things like lead bullet shots, knife cuts, and sword wounds wouldn't easily kill them. The stronger ones, even with skull fractures or chest penetrations, would at most be seriously injured, recovering with enough time.

His subordinates were the type who wouldn't die easily.

But not dying easily didn't mean they couldn't die.

Sufficiently severe injuries would still kill them.

In this battle, he lost over two hundred subordinates, forever remaining on this warship.

"When I recruited them, I told them that following me meant facing death."

Sage slowly stood up, gazing at the densely packed bodies lying on the deck below. The number of his subordinates' corpses was small; most were Navy.

In his view, more than half of the Navy had died, the rest severely injured and incapacitated. If not treated promptly, more would likely die.

Five hundred against over a thousand, with the enemy's complete defeat, these casualties were acceptable.

The enemy warship commander was only a Colonel, leading basic Grand Line Navy personnel. Otherwise, these casualties would have been insufficient.

The higher the rank, the more numerous and elite the warship's personnel.

If a Vice Admiral led the force, it would be a large warship with at least fifty Colonels. That would be much harder to deal with.

Sage could have used Conqueror's Haki to stun the Navy here. Given their strength, only one or two might be able to stand.

But he wasn't here to play a childish game of naval warfare with his subordinates. If he could do this now, could he still do it in the New World? Without the resolve, it was only a matter of time before they died.

He turned to his subordinates on the ship. "Do you regret it?"

"How could we?"

A subordinate, clutching his chest, collapsed on the deck. Hearing this, he struggled to raise his head, letting more blood flow from the corner of his mouth, but still grinned:

"From the moment I set out for freedom, I have been a man of the sea. A man of the sea's final resting place is also the sea, Captain!"

The other pirates either smiled or showed excitement. Some of the dying showed fear, but as for regret… none of them felt it.

"Aaaaaah!"

Mute Miote, having just placed two subordinates down, raised his fist and shouted, his expression seemingly unsatisfied, as if he wanted to fight the Navy again.

"Good."

Sage tilted his jeweled goblet, spilling the liquor into the sea. "This is only the entrance to the Grand Line, and we are going to the New World! My lads, strive to improve, until you can keep up with my pace, keep up with my ambition!"

"Ooh!!"

Whether severely injured or able to stand, everyone shouted in unison.

"Lily, it's up to you."

Sage said calmly, turning towards the Captain's room.

"Understood."

Lily nodded, watching Sage's back, her fist clenched tight.

She had to become stronger! Otherwise, forget Sage's ambition, even her own dreams would be difficult to achieve!

Only after Sage's back disappeared into the Captain's room on the second floor did Lily react and go below to loot the remaining two warships.

The warship that had taken on water was gradually submerged by the sea.

Soon, the remaining pirates finished looting, treated the injured, and rested, all returning to the ship. Those pirates who had been knocked unconscious by Sage's Conqueror's Haki against the Sea Kings, whether fortunate or unfortunate, also woke up.

After learning about the battle, some felt resentment, others fear, but regardless, to vent their anger, they used cannons to sink all the warships.

"Sage, the count is complete."

Lily pushed open the Captain's room door, entering with Marika and Renetia. They were carrying several hourglass-like objects, each containing a glass sphere with a pointer hanging inside.

"We have four hundred and twenty-one remaining on board. Those who didn't participate in the battle are fine, but among those who did, over a hundred are seriously injured, the rest lightly injured. We've done simple first aid, but the seriously injured can only maintain basic vital signs. We need a doctor."

"Let's find an island with a town to rest and find a doctor for them. Did you get the nautical charts?" Sage asked.

The Log Pose was the most important; they couldn't do without it in the Grand Line. But nautical charts were also important; at least they needed to know where they were going.

A complete world chart was out of the question. Even in the East Sea, after looting so many warships, the charts they obtained only covered the local waters. As for a basic world map, whether they had one or not made no difference.

The world was too vast, with countless islands. A world map was only a rough outline. Relying on it to find locations was a fool's errand.

Even detailed nautical charts couldn't show all the islands in a sea area, but they could provide a basic idea.

"We got them."

Lily, as the navigator, knew the usefulness of nautical charts and had obtained them from the warships.

"Also, we found Bounty Notices."

She placed several Log Poses on the table and also produced several Bounty Notices. "It seems to be from Log Town. We've all been put up for a bounty."

A total of eight Bounty Notices, including Akin and Paru. Akin's bounty had risen to fifteen million, and Paru's to ten million.

There was also a photo of Mute Miote wielding a large greatsword, his expression ferocious.

His name had been revealed, with a bounty of six million, not very high.

As for the rest… one was a photo taken in Log Town, showing Renetia participating in a robbery. In the photo, she was carrying the Mechanical Hammer, her laughing face full of triumph.

Renetia, DEAD OR ALIVE, bounty: twenty-three million.

"Hehe, I'm a wanted criminal too!" Renetia put her hands on her hips, looking smug.

"What did you do?" Sage asked curiously.

He had been fighting Zefa at the time and didn't know what these people had done, but since there were bounties, it meant they had done something noteworthy in Log Town. Otherwise, it was just robbery; why were only these few people on the list?

"Um…"

Renetia thought for a moment. "I think it was because the doors were opening too slowly, so I just blew them all up one by one!"

He remembered. When this girl was robbing under the Black Sail Pirates' name, she would often destroy half a town. She was all about violence.

It seemed Log Town was in ruins.