Brook couldn't understand why the Vesper Pirates had sent such a greedy, self-serving man to oversee such an important trade island.
Did they really think all pirates would cower before a so-called overlord crew? What if some reckless, hot-blooded young pirate decided to destroy the whole island instead?
Every dominant pirate crew only managed to hold their top position for a few decades before a new challenger toppled them. And unfortunately for the Vesper Pirates, their captain was already 65 years old.
Rumor had it that he planned to hand over his position to his son, but that son was a wild, free-spirited pirate who cared more about adventuring than running the crew.
That didn't change the fact that he carried the second-highest bounty in the crew—a staggering 1.1 billion Belly.
Several rising overlord candidates had already set their sights on the Vesper Pirates' position. The moment their captain died or grew too old, they would launch their assault.
Among them were pirate crews with bounties of 1.3 billion and 1.2 billion, steadily growing in strength while simultaneously being hunted by the other three dominant crews. They roamed the New World like young lions prowling the savanna, waiting for the day they could dethrone the aging king.
"Since we've already broken your so-called pirate code and you're hell-bent on taking our Golden Ark, then there's no point in talking! Newgate, Redfield, Linlin—go all out! Let the world see our power!"
Brook wasn't the type to back down. If negotiations failed, then no one was getting what they wanted. He'd turn this place to rubble and show everyone why they were called the Hell Pirates!
"Mahaha~! I've been waiting for this! Zeus! Prometheus! Show them your true power!"
With Charlotte Linlin's soul-infused command, the thundercloud Zeus and the blazing sun Prometheus swelled in size. Lightning crackled, flames roared, and the harbor was soon engulfed in destruction!
"Gurararara~! You refuse to accept our captain's compensation and dare covet our ship? Now you've pissed me off!"
Edward Newgate's fists glowed with white energy. One punch shattered a nearby building; two sent fleeing pirates flying. The ground itself split and trembled under his power.
"No other choice—we start our conquest now!"
Redfield raised both hands, summoning a massive lightning pillar that obliterated the tallest structure on the island in a single strike. He wasted no time in unleashing devastation.
"Hah... guess I'll just go along with Brook's madness."
Shakky soared into the air with her Jet Shoes, effortlessly taking down pirate grunts with her pistol. Despite her complaints, her actions were anything but reluctant.
Silva, stationed aboard the Golden Ark, sniped any pirates attempting to flee, picking them off with precise, calculated shots.
Fisher Tiger and Tom, the Fish-Men warriors, charged into battle. One wielded a massive hammer, the other brandished Fish-Man Karate techniques, effortlessly smashing through their enemies.
Meanwhile, Antonio lounged on the ship, leisurely capturing the battle with a Den Den Mushi and an Image Dial. He needed good material for Mortomas, after all.
The ship's doctor, Crocus, showed no intention of joining the fight. Instead, he poured himself tea, enjoying a quiet moment with the Memory Seahorse.
Qilin Lion and Parrot Joe cheered from the deck, making no attempt to help, thoroughly enjoying the show.
The head chef, Bread, briefly considered jumping in, but after witnessing the sheer scale of destruction, he decided to stay put. Best to focus on preparing a feast for when the crew returned victorious.
"No! You bastards! You dare go against the Vesper Pirates?! You're dead! Our captain will hunt you down!"
Vasily stood frozen in terror, watching the carnage unfold. The Marseille Island he was supposed to protect was about to be wiped off the map—and he along with it.
"Didn't you say we violated some pirate code? Well, if we're already going to be hunted, might as well go all the way."
Brook appeared before Vasily, his Shichiseiken flashing as an eerie chill spread through the ground, ghostly mist rising in its wake.
"Next time, be more careful. Oh, wait—you won't get a next time. You'll serve as nourishment for my ghosts!"
Vasily barely had time to scream before Brook's attack froze him solid. As pirates scrambled to escape, Brook's eyes gleamed—he wouldn't waste such an opportunity.
"Hold back a little! I need them alive for collection!"
Brook's voice rang out. His crewmates' destructive force was impressive, but they had a habit of leaving nothing behind.
'Shichiseiken Phantom Slash!'
A wave of chilling white mist spread through the harbor, swallowing the fleeing pirates. One by one, they fell—frozen in terror, their bodies encased in ice.
"Woohoo~! Brook, the ones I shot aren't dead yet—finish them off!"
Shakky called out playfully. Knowing Brook's soul-collecting ability, she made sure to leave her targets alive for him.
She then switched tactics, descending to the battlefield to engage the enemy directly.
Her long, slender leg shot toward a pirate's face, boosted by the power of her Jet Shoes. The force of her kick sent him crashing through a building, debris scattering everywhere.
"I, Tiger, will be the strongest warrior!"
Fisher Tiger had been honing his skills, blending Fish-Man Karate with Rokushiki. His punch landed with devastating force, knocking his opponent unconscious instantly.
"Do you know how many hours I trained for this punch?! What do you have to stop it?! WHO'S NEXT?!"
He grabbed the pirate's limp body and hurled it aside, letting out a victorious roar. To an outsider, it might've looked like he had just taken down a high-bounty pirate. In reality, it was just a low-ranking squad leader.
Newgate, seeing that Brook had already dealt with the pirates who had attacked their ship, ceased his assault. He had no intention of harming innocent civilians on the island—his personal code wouldn't allow it.
But at the same time, he wouldn't stop his crewmates. That was another one of his principles: strict with himself, lenient with others.
Brook, having gathered enough souls, refrained from advancing deeper into the island. There was no need to destroy an entire trade hub. Eliminating the ringleaders would suffice.
"Brook, are you sure you don't want to raid the trade center for treasure?"
Shakky questioned. They were pirates, after all—if they were already in a fight, why not make the most of it?
Besides, even if they left the treasure alone, other pirate crews would seize the chance to plunder in the chaos. And when that happened, all the blame would fall on the Hell Pirates anyway.
Wouldn't that mean they fought for nothing—gaining no rewards while making an enemy of the Vesper Pirates, one of the three great overlord crews? That was hardly a good deal...
+122 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg