Brelco's death sent Orion into a panic. If he didn't get Shirokiri out of here fast, they'd both be done for. Once Brook and Charlotte Linlin joined the fray, how much better off would he and Brelco have been?
"Shirokiri, run! Head for the coast!"
Orion abandoned all concern for their crew, shifting from retreat to outright flight. He unleashed the full power of his Wind-Wind Fruit, whipping up a ferocious storm to cover their escape.
He darted toward Shirokiri, his fruit's gales countering Golden Lion Shiki's Float-Float Fruit. Together, they could overpower Redfield and Shiki, no question!
Shirokiri gritted his teeth, abandoning his loyal crew to break free from Brook's trap. He hadn't expected Brook to go so hard, taking out Brelco without mercy—no chance for negotiation!
Shirokiri didn't dare try sweet-talking Brook now, terrified he'd get the same ruthless treatment as Brelco before he could even open his mouth.
The duo fought their way toward the coast, aiming for their pirate ships. Out at sea, their speed would outmatch anything, with Orion's winds leaving the Golden Ark in the dust!
"Linlin, let's move! No way we're letting these punks escape!" Brook roared. "They invaded our turf and nearly killed our crew—this ain't over!"
Brook wasn't about to let Shirokiri and Orion slip away. He needed them as bargaining chips to pry the secret of Conqueror's Haki infusion from Vesper. No way he'd let these two off the hook!
Riding his somersault cloud Hera, Brook charged alongside Linlin, who soared on her thundercloud Zeus. Linlin didn't hesitate—she torched their ships' sails, cutting off their escape route!
Shirokiri and Orion now faced four top-tier fighters and quickly found themselves outmatched. Orion's heart sank as he saw the sails of his flagship and Shirokiri's go up in flames. Despair crept in.
Captain Vesper, where's your damn backup?!
"Brook, hold up! This is on me, my bad! I'm sorry, man—I'll make it right, I swear! Can we call a truce? Please?!"
Shirokiri's plea came after Brook's twin Sword Slashes landed, proving Brook's strength had surpassed his own. That 1-billion-Belly bounty wasn't just Navy and Celestial Dragon hype—Brook was the real deal now!
"Yohoho! Shirokiri, you and Orion surrender, and I give you my word—we won't finish you off. I've got business to discuss with Vesper, after all!" Brook grinned.
Back on Puso Island, the split of the loot had been a bitter pill. Now, Brook was ready to settle the score. Plus, Angelie had nearly died from their attack—if not for the healing fruit from the Tontatta Tribe, she'd be gone!
"Oi, oi, oi, Brook, you better keep your word! If Orion and I go down, my old man'll lose it—and that'll only help Rocks!" Shirokiri argued, stalling for time.
He hoped Vesper would show up soon. From a strategic angle, Brook wouldn't want to burn bridges with Vesper's crew completely.
"I keep my promises," Brook shot back, "but your dad better bring some serious compensation for invading my territory. Angelie nearly died—that's a big deal!"
Sensing Shirokiri's defenses weaken, Brook pressed harder, determined to force the Vesper Pirates' young heir to submit.
"Alright, alright, I surrender! Orion, stand down!"
Shirokiri didn't waste words. Keep fighting, and this would turn into a deathmatch. He saw Orion, scorched bald by Redfield and Linlin's lightning, and urged him to stop.
Orion, humiliated, followed his young lord's orders and gave up resistance. The four Hell Pirates swarmed them, with trainees Tiger and Kaido gleefully slapping Seastone cuffs on the pair, acting like they'd taken down the top-tier pirates themselves!
Shakky, eyes gleaming, charged in with her Memory Seahorse, practically drooling over the captive super-pirates.
"Back off, Shakky! These two are off-limits!"
Brook grabbed Shakky and her seahorse, tossing them aside. He couldn't touch these prisoners yet—not until he knew what Vesper might do if pushed too far.
Tiger and Kaido strutted proudly, each dragging a captive toward the Golden Ark. They even roped Antonio into snapping photos, demanding they look badass!
Shirokiri and Orion seethed, itching to kick these cocky rookies. To be treated like common prisoners? Unbelievable!
Their crews were rounded up and bound, while Brelco's men begged Angelie for mercy. They'd once been part of Edward's crew, only joining Vesper's after Brelco's defection.
Angelie, done with their flip-flopping, handed them to Brook. He promptly locked them in Parrot's castle prison, to be dealt with later.
Ship doctor Crocus, chuckling at Shakky's scolding, whispered something to Brook. With the captain's nod, Crocus flashed a satisfied grin.
...
Soon, a blood donation station was set up. Shirokiri, Orion, and their entire crews—down to the lowliest grunts—were hauled in for "glorious blood donation."
Shakky licked her lips at the sight of all that blood, especially the hefty vials from Shirokiri and Orion, her eyes practically glowing!
"Brook! This is prisoner abuse!" Shirokiri yelled, pale as a ghost.
Orion, too furious to speak, just shut his eyes. This was the worst humiliation the Vesper Pirates had faced in their reign as overlords!
"Shh, keep it down, Shirokiri," Brook said, all buddy-buddy. "If my doc hears you yelling, he might come back for another vial!"
Brook played the friendly act. For someone bold enough to invade Hell Pirates' turf and mess with Brook's plans, he was being downright merciful.
Turning away, Brook quietly told Crocus to draw another needle.
He prepared to face Vesper's crew—and maybe Rocks' too, if that knockoff Rocks dared show his face! After squeezing Vesper for compensation, maybe he'd team up with him to rough up Rocks' crew, thin their ranks a bit. Sounded like a plan!
Brook's mind raced, plotting three steps ahead—a habit honed from childhood chess games.
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+280 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg