"Earth Calamity is on the move!"
Near the northern entrance of Hoenn Fortress, over a dozen surveillance warships had long been deployed. The news of the Groudon Ship entering the North Sea was immediately relayed to the Marines.
The Marine headquarters in the North Sea also received the information.
On an island in the North Sea, aboard the Dog-Head Warship.
"So he's coming straight at us!"
Garp stood at the bow, gazing toward the New World.
Earth Calamity's blatant movements clearly showed he didn't consider the Marines a threat. With the Golden Route established, if war broke out, the Beasts' reinforcements might arrive even faster than the headquarters' forces.
That was his confidence.
Moreover, Earth Calamity's actions at this time might be intended to divert the Marines' attention, thereby easing the pressure on other Pirates.
What a cunning brat!
His adjutant Bolt stepped forward to inquire.
"Vice Admiral Garp, shall we move?"
"Of course! I'll go meet that kid!"
Garp grinned.
Currently, the Marine headquarters in the North Sea had no capacity to besiege Earth Calamity, but his warship could act freely.
Let him face Earth Calamity and see if the rumors of his strength held true!
It wasn't just the Marines—various factions across the North Sea had also received the news.
Frostbite Harbor.
Heart Pirate Crew's hideout.
Bepo rushed in frantically with a newspaper.
"Captain! That Earth Calamity you've been watching has entered the North Sea!"
"Don't panic, Bepo."
Law rested Ghost Cry on his shoulder, his gaze profound.
The route established by the Beasts had plunged the entire North Sea into chaos, severely impacting even their operations.
Frostbite Harbor was located at the northernmost point of the North Sea, yet unfamiliar Pirates kept arriving—each one stronger than the last.
By now, he had defeated several renowned New World Pirates, but each battle had pushed him to his limits.
The source of all this chaos was that man.
"Earth Calamity" Gurd!
That man was the sworn enemy of both the underworld and the law in the North Sea!
But he knew his current strength was no match for Earth Calamity. Still, joining the fray might be worthwhile.
Coincidentally, they were about to enter the Grand Line!
"Prepare to set sail!"
"Aye!"
It wasn't just the Heart Pirate Crew—Pirates across the North Sea were gathering, eager to exact revenge on Gurd.
The influx of New World Pirates had severely damaged their interests, arriving in hordes like a pack of wolves.
Survival of the fittest.
The Pirates of the North Sea were now at the brink of annihilation. This hatred needed an outlet.
Central North Sea, aboard the Groudon Ship.
"A Pirate alliance?"
Gurd chuckled at his subordinate's report.
Such naive Pirates, who thought numbers alone mattered, wouldn't last three days in the New World.
"Ignore them."
"Aye!"
Gurd unfolded a map.
According to gathered intelligence, the Germa Kingdom was nearby, seemingly preparing to invade a non-affiliated nation.
Soon, Antelope rushed back, excitedly reporting, "Captain Gurd! A very luxurious ship has been spotted to the northwest!"
"A luxurious ship?"
Intrigued, Gurd stepped onto the deck.
His crew's eyes gleamed crimson as they licked their blades with savage grins.
Having followed Gurd for so long without plundering, the sight of a fat sheep had them itching for action.
Plunder! They wanted to plunder!
By Pirate rules, whoever seized something kept it—though the most valuable spoils naturally belonged to the captain.
Speed, holding the North Sea documents, teleported next to Gurd: "It's a ship from the Kingdom of Kuhn! They're one of the World Government's member nations and participated in the last Reverie!"
"Hmm."
Gurd gazed at the distant ship.
It looked quite luxurious—clearly worth a fortune. And since they could attend the Reverie, their national power must be considerable.
His crew was already itching for action.
"Captain, give the order already!"
"The boys are dying for a good haul!"
"Gahaha, we've almost forgotten the thrill of plunder!"
As pirates, how could they forget their roots?
Gurd grinned and was about to issue the command when—
"BOOM!!!"
A geyser of water erupted beside their ship!
"Huh???"
Gurd stared in shock at the enemy vessel.
Not only had they not surrendered, but they dared to fire first?
What audacity!
Fine, fine!
"Men, bring the ship alongside them!!!"
"Ooooh!!!"
On the flagship of the Kingdom of Kuhn.
"A miss?"
King Kuhn stood beside the cannon, scowling at the wasted shot. His daughter tried to console him.
"Father, one more try will surely hit."
"I've lost interest."
King Kuhn waved dismissively and casually ordered,
"Sink that pirate ship!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The soldiers immediately manned the cannons, preparing to blast the pirate ship to the depths. But what happened next defied all logic.
The cannonballs couldn't even get close to the pirate ship!
"What's going on?!"
The Army Commander was baffled.
Why were the shells exploding midair?
Could there be a powerhouse aboard the pirate ship?
True, many pirates had recently flooded the North Sea, but with their ship's firepower, ordinary pirates stood no chance.
Watching the pirate ship close in at terrifying speed, the commander's face paled.
"Your Majesty, the pirate ship is charging at us!"
"What?!"
Before King Kuhn could react, the ship lurched violently. The sudden imbalance sent him crashing onto his backside.
"Damn it, what are you fools doing?!"
"If I get so much as a scratch, I'll have every one of your heads!"
"Protect His Majesty and the princess!"
The commander's frantic shout made King Kuhn realize something was terribly wrong.
The next moment, a swarm of pirates stormed aboard.
"Kill anyone who resists!"
"Gahaha, it's a royal ship!"
"There must be mountains of treasure!"
In an instant, blood splattered across King Kuhn's face. His trusted Army Commander lasted mere seconds before a young girl wielding a spiked club smashed his skull open.
Terror gripped his heart.
Ten short minutes later, the battle was over.
The pirates gleefully hauled chests of loot back to the Groudon Ship. Besides treasure, the holds were packed with weapons and contraband.
A bountiful haul indeed.
"Captain, we caught two big fish!"
"Wearing crowns—looks like a king!"
"And a pretty princess!"
The king and princess were bound, both roaring in fury.
"Damn pirates, I'm a king of a World Government member nation!"
"Release us at once!"
"The Marines will hunt you down!"
"Filthy pirates, I'll skewer you all and roast you over a fire!"
Gurd smirked as he studied the pair.
The king was… abstract-looking, but the princess was passable.
Their attitudes, though, left much to be desired.
Still, they had their uses.
"Men, tie these two pieces of trash to a spit and roast them."
"Aye, Captain Gurd!"
The pirates advanced with cruel grins.
They loved tormenting noble lords the most!
Gurd turned and walked toward the cabin.
"Release the other prisoners!"
"Huh?!"
Someone needed to relay his orders.
With the king captured, how could the navy stand idly by?
The navy would come for them sooner or later—better to strike first.
This North Sea—he would conquer it!
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