Chapter 38: My Captain is Here

As the ship drew closer, people finally got a clear view of its appearance—and the pirate flag flying proudly atop it.

"Oh my god! Look at that massive golden bow! And all those glittering golden decorations—are they really made of gold?!"

"It's a real golden ship!!!"

"That's the Hell Pirates! The ones who killed the Celestial Dragons! Rumor has it their pirate ship is the legendary Golden ship!"

Both pirates and citizens of the New World gazed at the magnificent vessel with greed and awe.

At that moment, Cavendish took advantage of Newgate's distraction and lunged forward to attack. Seeing their leader move, the assassin captain quickly reacted, coordinating an assault from the opposite side.

The other assassins followed suit, raising their poison-coated daggers as they charged in!

Newgate, momentarily captivated by the golden ship, snapped back to attention. With a single mighty swing of his fist, imbued with the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he shattered the attackers into oblivion.

The sheer force of his attack caused nearby bars and buildings to collapse. The assassins, who had rushed in with confidence, were sent flying back even faster, crashing into the ruins like broken dolls. Many of them hit the ground limply, their bodies wrecked beyond recognition.

But Cavendish, enduring the shockwave, found an opening in Newgate's stance and lunged in for a fatal strike to his waist!

Newgate hadn't expected him to withstand the Tremor-Tremor attack. Quickly, he gathered his power once again, preparing to smash Cavendish before the poisoned dagger could reach him.

Yet, the assassin was faster. Even if it meant taking a hit, he was determined to land a poisonous wound. His entire body was coated in Armament Haki for defense.

Just as Newgate was about to be cut, a streak of lightning and a sharp wave of blue sword energy shot out from the golden ship!

The high-speed attack pierced straight through Cavendish!

Even with his Armament Haki, he couldn't defend against the overwhelming force. His Haki was simply too weak to withstand the sheer power of the strike.

"Who—who is it?!"

Cavendish clutched his chest, blood spurting from his mouth. A look of terror flashed across his face as he instinctively staggered back.

"Gurarara~ Looks like my captain is here!"

Newgate chuckled, his voice filled with amusement. He hadn't expected his new captain to save him so quickly. Although he was confident in his own resilience against poison, it was clear his captain and crew weren't willing to take any risks!

"So you've already sworn loyalty to someone else? That fast?!"

Cavendish's expression twisted as he heard his subordinates screaming for help. He had learned about Newgate's situation earlier but never expected him to join those pirates—the infamous Hell Pirates, who had even dared to kill Celestial Dragons!

As the enormous golden ship descended, countless wind shells blasted bursts of air toward the ground, cushioning the impact. The sheer force of the wind sent debris flying, raising thick clouds of dust.

Many pirates were forced to shield their eyes. Even Newgate squinted slightly as he stood firm like an iron tower.

Then, a loud, exhilarating tune erupted from the ship's speakers.

The energetic "Casino Entrance" theme blasted across the battlefield.

Newgate's eyes widened. He hadn't expected such a flashy entrance. But… he had to admit, it was exciting. He was already looking forward to meeting these pirates.

"Pshhhhhh—"

As the smoke and dust settled, the figures of the Hell Pirates finally emerged. Their cloaks fluttered in the wind, their presence radiating dominance.

"Newgate! You alright? Hope you don't mind us interrupting your little game!"

Brook's voice rang out confidently, as if the earlier battle had been nothing more than a warm-up.

"Gurarara~ Captain Brook, I should be thanking you! If not for your help, I might've ended up with another scar on my waist!"

Newgate grinned. His future captain had quite the presence. But, more than that, he had to admit—the music from their ship just now was pretty damn thrilling. Maybe he'd give it a try someday.

"Let my crewmates handle the cleanup."

As Brook spoke, Redfield transformed into a bolt of lightning, instantly appearing before Cavendish, cutting off his escape.

"30 Million Volts: Grand Discharge!"

Redfield stretched out his hands as if to embrace the assassin. A surge of electricity burst forth, completely enveloping Cavendish. His body convulsed violently, smoke rising from his scorched flesh before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

The last surviving assassins attempted to flee, but they too were swiftly eliminated by Redfield's lightning and Hiruba's precise sniper shots.

In mere seconds, the once-feared Dagger killers Assassin Organization was utterly annihilated.

Would the other assassin squads dare to come and avenge their fallen leader?

---

"Whoa, you're huge! Looks like you'll be the tallest crewmember on our ship from now on!"

Shakky excitedly ran up, circling Newgate as she sized him up. This towering six-meter giant would be her companion from now on.

"This scheming woman here is Shakky, our navigator. She's got a sharp tongue, so don't take her words too seriously," Brook introduced casually.

"Oi, Captain Brook! I am the most important navigator on this ship! What do you mean, 'don't take me seriously'?! If you keep talking like that, I'll drop all of you off at Shemale Island!"

Shakky fumed, crossing her arms. She had barely said anything, yet Brook was already throwing her under the bus in front of the new guy! Unbelievable!

"Gurarara~ I've memorized all your bounties—Captain Brook, combatant Redfield, shipwright Tom, doctor Crocus, sniper Hiruba, navigator Shakky, and our mount, Kirin Lion..."

Newgate listed off the names like they were already his crewmates, showing that he had done his homework.

"Oi! You forgot about me! I'm Antonio, the ship's agent and the very first member of Captain Brook's crew!"

Antonio raised his hand, his tone filled with mild frustration.

"And me! I'm Fisher Tiger, an apprentice from Fishman Island! I'm strong too!"

At that moment, a small seahorse hopped onto Tiger's shoulder, chattering away.

"He says his name is Memory Seahorse, and he's actually the third member of the crew! He's not a pet, so you better call him 'senior'! Also, my name's Parrot Assistant, and I can talk too! Oh, and Kirin Lion says hello!"

"Hahaha~! I didn't expect to gain so many companions! This is great! I love big crews!"

Newgate laughed heartily. He could already tell—this captain, this crew… they were something special.

As Redfield returned with the unconscious Cavendish, his eyes locked with Newgate's.

At that moment, sparks flew between the two warriors—

A battle between titans was inevitable!

-----

Brook noticed the spark between Redfield and Newgate—or perhaps it was just the natural attraction between strong warriors.

"Haha~, from now on, Newgate will also be one of our fighters. His position will be the same as Redfield's. You two will be the strongest Hell Warriors of the Hell Pirates in the future!"

Brook walked up to the two men, trying to lift their hands in a celebratory gesture. However, standing at just 2.7 meters tall, he could only reach Newgate's hand.

"Let's spar when we get the chance."

Redfield was eager to test himself against Newgate. Captain Brook had said that Newgate's potential and his Devil Fruit ability were both top-tier—so much so that in the near future, Redfield himself might not be able to beat him. This only fueled his fighting spirit further. He wanted to prove to Brook that he would be the strongest combatant in the Hell Pirates!

"Gurarara~, no problem!"

Newgate could feel the fighting spirit in Redfield's gaze. He could also sense the pressure coming from him. He realized that at this moment, he was not Redfield's match!

"Newgate, you haven't awakened Haki yet, have you?" Brook suddenly asked. "From now on, let Redfield train you to awaken your Armament and Observation Haki. And as for Conqueror's Haki... I'll find an opportunity to help you awaken it in the future."

Brook's confident words left Newgate momentarily stunned.

"Wait… what? Captain Brook, you mean to tell me that I… I also have the potential for Conqueror's Haki? That legendary power that only one in a million can awaken?!"

Newgate was visibly excited. He had seen the overwhelming presence of those who possessed Conqueror's Haki from afar before, and he had always envied it. However, back then, Captain Ryan had immediately fled the scene in fear whenever he sensed that kind of power.

"Yes, I'm sure of it," Brook affirmed. "And Redfield has already awakened all three types of Haki. You can't afford to fall behind. You two will be the War Gods of the Hell Pirates in the future!"

Newgate clenched his fists. A War God? One day, he would truly reach that level!

But before he could dwell on it any further…

"Captain Brook! What about me?!"

A loud voice suddenly interrupted the moment.

It was Shakky. She immediately raised her hand, frantically trying to get Brook's attention. "When I was at Sabaody, I stood out in the crowd, right? You must have noticed my hidden talent for Conqueror's Haki! I mean, a woman as dazzling as me must have it, right? Right?!"

Brook tilted his head slightly. "…Didn't you approach us on your own and ask to join? Also, weren't you so scared of me at first that you fell from the second floor to the first?"

At this moment, Antonio muttered weakly, "That's right…"

His words were immediately followed by laughter from the crew—even Redfield, who was usually so reserved, chuckled.

Shakky, red-faced with embarrassment, lunged at Antonio, grabbing his head and furiously shaking it. "If you don't say anything, no one will think you're mute!!!"

Antonio quickly fled behind Brook for protection.

Meanwhile, Shakky turned back to Brook with wide, expectant eyes. "Come on, Captain! Tell me the truth~"

Brook sighed. "I don't know. Maybe… just maybe. You'll have to train more, observe the strong, broaden your horizons, and develop a fearless heart."

Shakky pouted. "Train? Why would I need to train? I'm already fearless! If I wasn't, why haven't I awakened Conqueror's Haki yet?"

Brook smirked. "You say you're fearless? Alright, then—if a Celestial Dragon were standing in front of you right now, would you kill him immediately?"

Shakky froze. Her confidence wavered for a split second.

Brook chuckled. "See? That's the difference."

Shakky gulped. She had been utterly terrified when she first heard that Redfield had killed a Celestial Dragon. Even just hearing the name of the World Nobles was enough to make her wary.

"…Wait a minute." Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Are you saying that if I kill a Celestial Dragon, I might awaken Conqueror's Haki?!"

Brook blinked. "…No, that's not how it works."

But Shakky was already deep in thought. "Hmm... I mean, we've already offended the World Government, right? What difference does one more dead Celestial Dragon make?"

Brook sighed. "Listen carefully—killing a Celestial Dragon doesn't guarantee you'll awaken Conqueror's Haki. But those who have awakened it will definitely have the courage to kill one. If, one day, you truly stop fearing them and act without hesitation, then maybe you really will awaken it."

The crew fell silent, pondering Brook's words.

Among them, an eight-year-old Fisher Tiger was especially affected. As a Fishman, he had always feared and hated the Celestial Dragons, but he had never dared to truly challenge them.

However, in that moment, his mindset shifted.

He suddenly felt a burning determination rising in his heart.

I can't fear them.

I have to be strong enough to face them.

I want to become a War God, just like them…!

The conviction in Fisher Tiger's eyes was so strong that even the crew could sense his aura changing.

Brook immediately noticed the spark within him. This kid… something just awakened in him.

Shakky, still lost in thought, suddenly turned to the rest of the crew. "Wait… does this mean that if we all kill Celestial Dragons, we might all awaken Conqueror's Haki?"

Brook's eye twitched.

This entire crew had just latched onto the idea that "killing Celestial Dragons = possible Haki awakening."

Brook rubbed his temples, shaking his head vigorously. No, no, no! My crew can't possibly be this ridiculous!

But as he glanced around… he realized that nearly everyone was looking at him with serious expressions.

They were actually considering it.

Even Antonio was mumbling, "…50% chance, huh? Those odds aren't that bad."

Brook felt a headache coming on. "This crew… they're not normal…"

For a moment, a crazy thought crossed his mind.

Should I just go all out and form an alliance with the Rocks Pirates to raid the Valley of the Gods?

Wouldn't that be the ultimate dungeon raid?

A full-scale Celestial Dragon extermination event?!

Brook shook his head violently. No, absolutely not.

But deep down…

He couldn't help but wonder.

Would that really be so impossible?

---

[End of Chapter]

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