Thousands of pirates had gathered on these ships. Aside from them, several other pirate ships were on the outskirts, but from their flags, it seemed they didn’t belong to the same group. This place had already transformed into a pirate lair.
All the ordinary pirates were indulging in revelry, waving their bottles and cutlasses, singing and dancing in the darkness as if trying to dispel it. There was no hint of the solemnity an impending battle demanded. Some pirates, under such circumstances, suddenly collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling. Other pirates who saw this would merely laugh and toss them overboard to sink into the depths of the sea.
Only those Touched Ones within the Prayer for the Dead Pirate Gang appeared sullen and silent.
Two Touched Ones from the Prayer for the Dead Pirate Gang stood on the prow of one of the pirate ships. They were silent, unsure of what they awaited, staring into the darkness ahead.
"Slaves who grasp power are still just slaves."
Hearing his companion suddenly utter this, the pirate beside him glanced askance. "Better than being a slave without power."
"True. May the Holy Mother protect us."
"Protect your ass! It’s the Holy Mother who wants to strike you down!"
However, his companion remained indifferent, continuing to pray with his hands crossed. The first pirate shook his head helplessly and suddenly asked, "So, do you regret it? Regret coming here, becoming this kind of pirate?"
The pirate who had been praying lowered his hands and also shook his head. "No regrets. At least I’ve grasped power, haven’t I? Even though I’m like a slave, what’s the difference out there? It’s just a different form of servitude."
"A very philosophical sentiment. If you die, I’ll have that engraved on your tombstone as your epitaph."
"Haha, and you? What would you want me to engrave on yours?"
"I don’t believe in the Holy Mother. Just toss my body into the sea."
"Alright then. I hope I get the chance to toss you into the sea."
"And I hope I get the chance to engrave that epitaph for you."
Their exchange on the prow didn’t affect Jack on the flagship in the slightest.
"Captain, will he come?" the old man who always accompanied Jack suddenly asked.
"He will. I can already feel him heading our way. Are you ready? I don’t want any interruptions from the Church mid-process."
At these words, the old man beside him nodded. "Rest assured, Captain. I’m ready and will definitely buy you enough time."
"That’s good. Only with enough bait can one catch the desired fish. To think that the Pirate Gang I’ve painstakingly built for so many years is about to be wiped out here... I can’t help but laugh out loud." As he said this, an elegant smile truly appeared on Jack’s face. He showed no regard whatsoever for the pirates who risked their lives for him.
"You’ve gained something far more precious. For the target you’ve caught, no amount of bait is too much," the old man said. "But... won’t the other you try to seize your body?" he cautiously reminded him. If his body is seized at a critical moment, wouldn’t all our previous efforts be for naught?
Upon hearing this, a faint smile touched Jack’s lips again as he adjusted the white gloves on his hands. "Don’t worry. I’ll give him his chance before the battle. After that, he won’t be able to disturb me again."
From the Dream Realm, Sifus quietly watched Jack’s performance. I truly hope you’ll still be able to laugh in a little while. At this moment, he was no longer furious as before; instead, a profound calm had settled over him.
Time passed, bit by bit.
Standing on the prow, Jack sensed the source of his bloodline drawing nearer, and the smile on his face grew wider, unstoppable. Until, at the edge of his vision, he saw a lone pinpoint of light pierce the darkness.
The moment the light appeared, Jack’s expression immediately changed. Though his face remained the same, his entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation, so much so that it seemed as if he had become an entirely different person.
Sifus had temporarily taken control of the body.
"’Deliberately letting me out... you truly are a bastard,’" Sifus muttered to himself, then turned to the old man beside him. "’Have that big-headed shark—no, I mean that Hammerhead Sharkman—go and greet him! Remember, he goes alone!’"
Although the old man knew that the one controlling the body was no longer his captain, he still nodded and relayed the order.
The Hammerhead Sharkman who received the order looked utterly ashen. Isn’t this just sending me to my death? To think it would suddenly be my turn for such misfortune! The other pirates nearby who heard the order looked at him with pity.
Though he knew death almost certainly awaited him, he still leaped into the sea. He swam quickly toward the approaching vessel. If he didn’t go, death was certain. If he went, there was at least a slim chance of survival. He knew very well which path to choose.
Then Sifus called out loudly to the pirates behind him, "Where’s Andre? That Treasure Hunting Team leader we captured—bring him to me!"
The pirates behind him moved quickly. Soon, Andre, bound in chains, was brought forward by several Touched pirates. Andre’s right arm was now completely gone, and his body and cheeks were covered in scars, though these wounds themselves had long since healed. Judging by his current appearance, he was at least holding up and not in mortal danger.
When Andre was brought before Sifus, he looked at him calmly and asked, "So, you’ve finally decided you want to kill me?"
Sifus ignored him, instead continuing to shout orders to the pirates behind him, "All ships, gather together! Present your broadsides to the enemy! And then, retract all cannons!"
"’Huh? What ’huh’?! If you want to live, do as I say!’"
"’Yes, yes!’" The pirate hastily relayed Sifus’s orders. But his mind was a whirl. Gathering together and retracting the cannons? Aren’t we just making ourselves sitting ducks?