On Blue Pillar Island, this otherwise ordinary little island had been thrown into brief panic at the arrival of the Golden Ark. But the chaos quickly subsided as everyone was ordered back into their homes — doors shut tight, no one allowed to step outside.
Meanwhile, the Hell Pirates lay in wait, watching for the suspicious ship they expected to arrive. After all, this wasn't a bustling island; ships didn't come and go here too often. And every single vessel that did was being scanned by Brook and Redfield's unique Observation Haki, honed through special electromagnetic waves.
"Brook, we've been waiting here all day. Don't you think this is a bit of a waste of time? The Vesper Pirates already called us to help bolster their defenses, and the Roger Pirates have reached the Bristol Sea. I wanted to spar with them a little!"
Golden Lion Shiki was getting impatient. This Maxway guy was taking forever — way slower than what you'd expect from the New World Dispatch Company. By now, they should've arrived. Maybe they never even planned on coming to rescue their people?
"Not every pirate crew can soar through the skies like we do," Brook replied calmly. "Give it another half a day. If they still don't show, we'll look for another opportunity."
Most pirate ships, after all, still relied on sails and wind power — meaning their speed wasn't exactly fast. Only those families and factions who understood the ocean currents and seasonal winds could move a little quicker.
The Umi Family, for example, had even mastered some of the deep-sea currents. Their specialized submersible transport ships could dive into those high-speed underwater streams and move goods across the world at incredible speed.
And maybe the heavens had heard Shiki's grumbling, because sure enough, another merchant ship appeared on the distant horizon, sailing toward Blue Pillar Island. But to Brook and Redfield, it wasn't just some ordinary vessel.
They could feel it — this ship was packed with people whose auras were far from normal. Clearly, these were the ones they'd been waiting for.
"They're here. Get ready. Don't let them get away!"
Brook had promised the Umi Family he'd help wipe out the New World Dispatch Company's forces. And these people would either make excellent subordinates... or excellent ghosts.
...
On board that merchant ship, several figures were peering through binoculars at Blue Pillar Island's dock. Sure enough, there was their company's disguised cargo ship — Bra Kara's vessel, to be exact.
The port was guarded by a strange mix of patrol units: flintlock squads with wings strapped to their backs, and swordsmen dressed in old-fashioned, conservative samurai garb.
"None of these guys are from the factions we know... Could be some new pirate group. In that case, we've got nothing to fear."
Seeing that the flags and crews weren't from any of the Emperor crews or even near-Emperor factions, Maxway relaxed. If they didn't even dare raise a flag, how powerful could they really be?
"All right, boys — once we land, hit them hard and fast!"
Maxway was fuming. Some no-name punks had dared to steal one of their cargo ships? They must have a death wish. Sure, they'd managed to overpower Bra Kara's crew, which meant they had some strength — but still.
The employees and enforcers of the New World Dispatch Company readied their swords and guns, prepared to unleash chaos the moment they stepped ashore. In the underworld, there was only one rule: cut off someone's profits, and you make a blood enemy for life.
At the sight of an incoming merchant ship, both the Sky Island gun squads and the Wano samurai patrol units at the port snapped to full alert. If that ship didn't comply, they were ready to open fire.
Both sides were poised, just waiting for a battle to explode. Inside one of the buildings, the Hell Pirates' officers watched from the shadows as their prey sailed straight into their carefully laid trap.
"Heh... this guy seriously thinks we're some third-rate nobodies he can just steamroll?" Shiki chuckled as he watched the ship charging in like it owned the place.
"Looks like this fight's gonna be over real quick."
"That's only because we set the stage so perfectly," Brook replied coolly. He knew the feeling — if someone weaker and unknown stole his cargo, even he wouldn't be able to resist striking back hard, to make an example of them.
"Let's move. Cut off their escape route and seize their ship."
Now that the Dispatch Company's people had come ashore, the Hell Pirates made their move. No more sitting back and watching. As Maxway's crew clashed with the Wano samurai squads, the moment Maxway caught sight of Brook's group, one thought flashed through his mind: Run.
Why are the Hell Pirates here? Aren't they part of the Alliance? Why are they setting a trap just for me?
Maxway had been keeping close tabs on the Hell Pirates ever since they crushed the pseudo-Emperor Edward Pirates. He'd studied their strengths and abilities carefully.
This near-Emperor crew? He had zero chance of beating them.
And now, Shiki had already flown onto his ship. With just a light touch, the entire vessel fell under the Golden Lion's control.
"Wait— Brook-sama, I've got some history with Vesper-sama. Maybe there's been a misunderstanding here? If we offended you in any way, our company is more than willing to pay compensation!"
Just moments ago, Maxway had been all bluster and bravado. But with his retreat cut off and Shiki's powers locking down his ship, he immediately backed down. As a neutral underworld faction, they shouldn't have any direct conflict with the Hell Pirates, right?
"Sorry," Brook said flatly. "When we take action, even Vesper can't interfere. Today, you've only got two choices: surrender... or die."
With that, Brook drew the Shichiseiken, pointing its icy, murderous blade directly at Maxway. The chilling aura radiating from the sword made everyone shiver.
"Brook, we're a neutral force! If you force my hand like this, you'll make enemies of the entire underworld!"
Maxway cursed under his breath. He'd worked so hard to shed his pirate past and rise as a black-and-white syndicate boss — a man who could move between the worlds of pirates and legitimate trade. And now they wanted him to go back to being a pirate thug? No way.
Besides, the Hell Pirates were part of the Alliance. There was always a 50-50 chance they'd be crushed by the Rocks Pirates. Betting his life on them was suicide.
If they lost, he'd be dead and his organization wiped out. If they won, he'd still just be another subordinate in the Hell Pirates' ranks. Either way, it wasn't worth it. He was better off staying independent, running his own empire.
"Sure, it might cause a bit of backlash," Brook admitted. "But as long as I don't leave you a way to escape, I'm not worried. So once again — surrender... or die."
As he spoke, Redfield and Newgate's forces closed in, their overwhelming presence leaving no room for resistance.
Maxway broke into a cold sweat. But still, he gritted his teeth and refused to submit.
"Brook, listen! Our New World Dispatch Company pays protection fees to both Vesper and Rocks every year. If they find out about this, they won't let you off the hook either! Just let us go, and we'll start paying you protection money too!"
His voice wavered, but Maxway still clung to the hope that money and political pressure could buy his life.
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+188 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg