As Sakazuki gave the order, the warship charged toward the island ahead at incredible speed.
The distance to the island grew shorter and shorter.
Soon, they spotted pirate ships docked around the island—four in total, all flying the same pirate flag.
Each looked different in design, clearly plundered from various places.
"The Marines! The Marines are coming!"
"Wake up, stop sleeping—the Marines are here!"
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Quick, go notify the boss!!!"
As the warship approached, the pirates on watch noticed the rapidly advancing vessel. They shouted loudly to alert their comrades and ran to inform the captain.
In the midst of the chaos, the pirate captain, having received the warning, led his many subordinates—bloodied broadsword in hand—and rushed back.
"What are you panicking for?! Load the cannons and fire when they get close."
As the captain, he still commanded a strong presence.
His shout calmed the panicked pirates. With a single order, he directed everyone to load the cannons and prepare for battle.
"Rear Admiral Sakazuki, the pirate group ahead has entered firing range. Shall we open fire?!"
An officer in charge of the warship's cannons stepped forward to report to Sakazuki.
"Fire. Sink their ships."
Sakazuki's voice was cold and merciless.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...
The relentless cannon fire thundered across the sea.
The Marines fired first—their warship was custom-built.
Sakazuki's ship, in particular, had been specially modified for global patrol missions.
Equipped with thirty-two cannons, not only was its firepower overwhelming, but its rate of fire was also exceptionally fast.
Volley after volley of cannonballs rained down like a curtain of death onto the four pirate ships, triggering a chorus of explosions.
Nearly half the cannonballs hit their mark, immediately disabling the ships and cutting off the pirates' chances of escape.
Seeing the shattered hulls and panicked subordinates...
The pirate captain was furious and roared:
"Blast those damn Marines to hell!!!"
Under the captain's intimidation, the pirates forced themselves to calm down and launched a counterattack.
But these ships had been plundered from here and there to begin with.
Their cannons had been added later, and their range couldn't compare to the Navy's latest standard-issue artillery.
The cannonballs fired from the four pirate ships all fell into the sea before reaching the warship, sending up massive splashes.
"Grab all my treasure!!"
"Everyone off the ships!!!"
The cannon assault had failed, and as the surrounding ships slowly began taking on water and sinking into the sea, the pirate captain had no choice but to order everyone back to shore.
"The town shouldn't be completely slaughtered yet."
"You, you, you, and you."
"You four—go snatch a few kids for me from that town we just raided."
Disembarking, the pirate captain glanced at his panicking subordinates, then summoned four pirates who were quick on their feet to go back to the massacred town and capture a few children.
"Damn it, these rotten Marines."
"I haven't even become a world-famous great pirate yet."
"Trying to run, are you?"
The pirate captain growled low, trying to hype himself up, when he noticed someone backing away. A glint of madness flashed in his eyes.
He called out to the scrawny pirate who was retreating.
"N-No... It's not that, boss..."
"Then what are you so nervous for? Come here."
As the scrawny pirate approached, the look of madness on the pirate captain's face became unmistakable.
One clean swing—head severed!
Blood sprayed across the captain's face, igniting his nerves and silencing the other pirates who were thinking of fleeing.
On his blood-splattered face was an expression of sheer brutality and madness...
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