"Hahahaha! Look at all this gold and food! We won't go hungry for a while!"
"Hey, this wine is empty! Stop dawdling, women! Hurry up!"
That island was supposed to not exist in this sea. It didn't appear on any navigation charts, so the Navy didn't even bother to patrol the area. It was simply too remote to be of any interest.
There, a notorious pirate had established his base.
"The real operation is in three days. While the Marines are distracted by the government ships, we'll take out the branch we've been watching."
"Kill all the Marines and let's use the remaining base for ourselves!"
"It'd be nice if there were women. Shiki's crew took most of the good ones, and the ones left are getting boring. Marines would be more lively."
"If we take the base and weaken the Navy, we can take whatever we want! Then this western sea will be a pirate's paradise! Take everything you want!"
"That's right! Hahahahahaha!!"
The island was built by humans gathered as slaves and had become a small town. In the most luxurious tavern, women with chains on their ankles that allowed them to walk were forced to serve drinks, trembling in fear.
"This is a pre-celebration! Shiki's boss has given us plenty of money! Drink, eat, and enjoy yourselves! We'll take back what we lose!"
"Oh!"
"You there, woman! Come here! I'll take good care of you!"
"Give us more food! Don't dawdle or you'll be sorry!"
The pirates became excited at the words of the dirty, unkempt man...
How utterly lacking in refinement...
The next moment, all the pirates except for the servants collapsed to the ground.
"Well... this is what ordinary pirates are like, I suppose."
The young women who had been forced to serve as servants looked around in shock. Among them was a group of people in black suits who had somehow blended in. The group, mostly composed of beautiful women, smiled gently at the captive women.
Then, the woman with short, neatly styled hair, who seemed to be the leader, stepped forward.
"Please rest assured. We have come to help you."
"Are you... Marines?"
Among the frightened women, the strongest-looking one spoke up.
"No. However, the Marines will arrive shortly. We are the advance party."
"If you're not Marines, then who are you!?"
"Well... it's hard to explain... we're pirates."
"What!?"
***
"Captain, we've secured the port town in the southern block. We rescued the civilians who were being forced to work in the tavern where most of the enemies had gathered. There was some confusion, but no one was injured. We are currently working to free the civilians while restraining the enemies."
"Good job, Amis. Continue the operation while keeping an eye on the surroundings. If anyone approaches, neutralize them immediately."
"Yes, sir."
For now, I'll stay with the Navy's special assault fleet led by Vice Admiral Taki. We launched a surprise attack using Amis and the elite guards who have mastered at least some of the techniques, and it went smoothly. The first phase is complete.
Since there was nothing in the predicted area, I thought they might have created some kind of fleet base like Germa. But I was surprised to find that an island that shouldn't exist had actually appeared.
Shiki of the Golden Lion. I'll remember that. He might be an enemy we encounter at an inconvenient time. I'll have to think of a countermeasure.
"Your personal guard did well."
"Yes. We'll expand our reconnaissance efforts just in case, so please wait a moment, Colonel. Perona."
We decided it was necessary for this decisive battle, so we've allocated the minimum number of troops to defend our base in Mopchi and brought the rest of our forces here.
...Well, it's also a precaution in case the agreement is unilaterally broken and an order to capture us is issued the moment this battle ends.
"We can't afford to be discovered under any circumstances. Have the reconnaissance team infiltrate from a low altitude after securing the port."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
We've already had Perona's Ghosts scout the island from an altitude where we're absolutely certain we won't be spotted, and we have a clear overview of the entire island. Using that information, we've drawn up a simple map and devised a plan with me, Daz, Hancock, and Colonel Taki.
"Kuro, it's still the same as before we sent in the personal guard. Those guys are still causing a ruckus near the fortress by the northern port. They don't seem to have noticed Amis's movements. There are no guards around the port we captured either."
Their defense network is way too porous... It was easy to land. If they're pirates, they should be more cautious.
After receiving Perona's report, Brigadier General Taki, who had been appointed commander of the special attack force for this operation, nodded at me. The operation is about to begin.
"Alright, the basic plan is set. Let's confirm the composition of the 'Black Cats.' You'll be the captain of the second wave, Hancock."
"Alright, it's been a while since I've been able to fight freely under the lord's command. I'll leave it to you."
It's been a while since I saw them, but seeing them all together with their sisters, their aura has been forged, and I was a bit intimidated, but... no, they're even more reliable now. The troops are well-trained, so even if it's temporary, they're ready to be squad leaders.
"You guys will hold the captured bases until the personal guard and the Navy's detachment flank them."
"If anything happens, we'll join the personal guard and flank the ones causing trouble, right?"
"That's right. Assign Robin as the operator. Coordinate well."
"Understood."
Good, good. That's fine.
"Mihawk, you'll land with me and wait. Once the battle begins, you'll act as a hit-and-run unit. You have full discretion, whether to reduce their numbers or take out their leaders, do as you see fit."
"Understood. I'll make sure this sword you entrusted to me doesn't dishonor its name."
Alright, despite his sloppy knife skills during training, he's obedient to orders, and Mihawk is truly reliable. As an individual combatant, he's absolutely top-tier. It's been twenty years, so I have to remind myself not to underestimate him, but I can't help but feel like he can beat anyone.
Plus, he's sharp-witted, so leaving decisions to him is no problem. It's like Zoro from the Straw Hat Pirates, he's lost his tendency to get lost and his combat AI has improved.
...He's the strongest. He was the strongest.
"My main force, led by Daz and me, will now join the Navy in a surprise attack on the northern port. First, we'll disable as many ships as possible and cut off the enemy's escape routes."
"After that, we'll land and rescue civilians while eliminating the pirates."
"That's right. The number of pirates we can eliminate during the initial chaos will determine the difficulty of the subsequent operation. Black Cat Pirates, show me the results of your training!"
"Sounds good," I said, glancing at the soldiers, who all responded with a flawless salute.
"Alright, let's go."
They've been trained under strict rules, such as prohibiting unauthorized looting and gambling, and it shows. I'm a little concerned about the uneven combat strength of the troops, but even so, they follow the commands of officers like me and Daz well, don't take advantage of their outlaw status, and are developing into the ideal pirate force I envision, with at least a minimum level of morality.
"Then, Brigadier General, please give the order."
"...I'm sorry, Kuro. Normally, you should be in command..."
What the hell!? Well, it's true that during the ceasefire, I'm supposed to be equal with Marine leadership, but we're pirates, damn it!! I don't want to be lumped in with those idiots over there, but we're still the same kind of people!!
"We are pirates and cannot coexist with the current World Government. Please do not worry about it. We must focus on the citizens and pirates who are currently captive."
"Hmm, you're right."
Taki, the Brigadier General. To be honest, I owe him a lot, and I even thought he'd be a better successor than the current one. As expected of a Marine of his caliber, he's deeply respected by his subordinates. That's why he was appointed commander of this special unit.
...Well, it's thanks to my behind-the-scenes work with Kuzan and the other officers.
Anyway, his face shifts from that of a kind-hearted old man to that of a Marine.
"We will now launch a surprise attack on the pirate alliance's central command. All hands, take your positions."
***
"It's a relief to have you here, sir."
"...To hear such words from you..."
"Enough! You should try leading troops yourself! Take charge of a territory! Mihawk!"
"Hahahaha. I'm a guest commander and a sword instructor. I have no part in such luxurious suffering. Sorry, Hancock."
"...You bastard!"
One of the pirate alliance's bases, easily overrun by the personal guard's surprise attack, now harbors Hancock's elite unit and one of the world's greatest swordsmen.
"Hancock, did pirates come to Mopchi too?"
By Hancock's side was Robin, the operator of the 'Black Cat' pirate crew, who was also its key member. Hancock gently stroked the head of her younger sister, who was asking questions while assessing the situation, and said,
"Hmm... fourteen times. I've come to realize that non-member nations are easily targeted by newbie pirates."
"Were there any strong ones?"
"Is that all you can think to ask?"
And then Mihawk spoke.
"Don't you want to hear more about the land and the people? You've cultivated this land, and there are people who look up to you!"
"If you were leading the Black Cat crew alongside Perona and Hack, there shouldn't have been any casualties. If there were, it would only be if you faced an enemy so formidable that you couldn't emerge unscathed."
"What's wrong, Mihawk? Did you eat something strange that's making you praise me without sarcasm? Should I call the ship's doctor?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected words, Hancock fell silent, and Robin blurted out an incredibly rude question. However, Mihawk didn't seem offended at all and smiled slightly,
"You already have the strength of a top-tier fighter despite your youth. Add to that the fact that you're learning Kuro's tactics and footwork, and leading your troops would make it difficult to defeat you. If there's an opponent who can give you a tough fight, I'd love to face them."
"...I never thought you'd praise me so sincerely."
Since being rescued by Kuro and exposed to the culture of black cats, Hancock had begun to take an interest in things other than "martial arts," but at her core lay the warrior culture of the Kuja. Therefore, she was still vulnerable to compliments about her strength.
"That's why I'm curious. How did you manage to raise your fighting spirit so high?"
"Ah... It's a guest. Someone came to check on me and Sonia's safety through the Kuja's connections. While you were active in East Blue, I trained under that person."
"...Hmm."
"Enough! Stop that! Don't let your sword energy leak out before the main forces have even started their attack!"
The soldiers tensed up at the sword energy emanating from Mihawk, but Robin and Sonia, who were already used to it, sighed, "Not again."
"Focus on the current operation. The guests are staying at Mopchi's place, drinking with Hack and the others, and wish to pay their respects to the master. Depending on the negotiations, we might even be able to spar."
When Hancock said that, Mihawk suppressed his sword energy but sharpened it. Robin held her head and shook it.
"That's good news. Now I can really get into this operation."
From the north, a loud explosion echoed. It was the simultaneous firing of the seven cannons. The sound was familiar to the Black Cat soldiers, the initial observation fire.
"Yeah, it's started. The people at the fort are all panicking. They don't seem to realize that the northern port is under attack yet."
"Chaos caused by drunkenness... This is our chance to rescue the civilians."
"The pirate alliance that ravaged the western seas is now having its own base attacked. Let's see how they handle it."
"Hmph, they're just a bunch of good-for-nothings. They'll be easily defeated."
The sounds of cannon fire overlapped, and gradually, the cheers of the people began to echo. Hearing this, Hancock, who had been waiting for the right moment, fired in the direction of the elite guards and Marines waiting at a distance, signaling the start.
"Alright! Let's go, you lot! Raise the pride of the 'Black Cats'!"
***
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