After more than a month traversing the open ocean, Silas never imagined his crew's first encounter would be with World Government vessels rather than other pirates.
And it seemed they were not ordinary ships either.
"Captain, besides that strange steamship, there are also two Marine warships!"
Beside the massive steamship, two dark green Marine warships flanked it as escorts. Seeing this scene, Ripley and Rocks's hearts immediately tensed.
"We will steer clear of them!"
Silas frowned slightly, then gave the order.
Although he was a pirate, he was not mad enough to actively attack Marines. Even though some people called Marines the World Government's lapdogs, it could not be denied that Marines protected many countries from pirate raids, and many Marines joined with the genuine intention of protecting civilians.
It was obvious that the two Marine warships were escorting the steamship in the middle. With a mission at hand, Silas did not think the two warships would initiate an attack.
What Silas did not expect was that when he ordered Rocks to steer the Black Pearl away, the three opposing ships also turned their bows in their direction.
What did that mean?
Silas was somewhat puzzled. Had the White Wolf Pirates been absent for nearly a year that they had lost even this much deterrent power?
Silas had not expected the three World Government and Marine ships to turn toward them, and the Marines on the three ships were equally surprised.
They had clearly turned away first, yet that pirate ship flying the White Wolf Pirates' flag had also changed direction.
Their last hope vanished.
"Damn it, that is the White Wolf Pirates' ship, the Black Pearl. White Wolf Silas must be on that vessel. They are coming straight for us!"
"How could our intelligence have leaked? We are on an absolutely secret route!"
"Quickly request reinforcements from headquarters!"
The two Marine warships erupted in chaos, and Vice Admiral Howard Ackerman, responsible for escorting the cargo ship, looked grim.
"Everyone calm down!"
Howard Ackerman slammed his fist on the table.
"I have already contacted headquarters. An Admiral will come to support us. What we need to do is hold off the White Wolf Pirates' invasion until the Admiral arrives!"
Despite his words, Howard Ackerman had no confidence whatsoever.
This was White Wolf Silas!
Who in the entire Marine force did not know that not only had the White Wolf Pirates not disbanded, but White Wolf Silas had become so powerful that he had injured a Marine Admiral?
Headquarters was even preparing to further increase the bounties of all White Wolf Pirates members.
He was just a small headquarters Vice Admiral. Having him use warships' powerful firepower to repel some great pirates with bounties over 100 million was manageable.
But having him face White Wolf Silas? That was suicide.
But the arrow was already nocked. He had no choice.
Howard Ackerman absolutely did not believe the White Wolf Pirates were just passing by. If they really were, why would they block their path?
Silas actually wanted to ask the same question.
Pirates avoided warships. When did warships avoid pirate crews?
It was like two cyclists meeting on a one-way street: you want to avoid me, I want to avoid you, and the result is we crash into each other.
"Prepare for bombardment!"
Howard Ackerman made the first decision.
"As long as we stop the White Wolf Pirates from boarding our ships and hold until the Admiral arrives, victory will be ours!"
"Yes!"
Silas did not want to engage in naval warfare.
Because the giant craftsmen of Elbaf had carefully examined the Black Pearl. Despite careful maintenance over the years, decades had left many cracks in the Black Pearl's keel.
If possible, Silas wanted the Black Pearl to safely complete this final journey, avoiding all naval battles if he could.
But clearly, the opposing Marine warships did not agree with his thinking.
"Captain, they have begun their attack!"
"Rocks, Ripley, block all those cannonballs!"
A flash of killing intent appeared in Silas's eyes.
He was not the decrepit old man from a year ago who did not even dare take initiative.
Just two warships...
"I will be right back!"
Silas would not actively attack Marines, but if Marines attacked him, he was not saintly enough to show mercy.
"If you want to blame someone, blame your commanding officer!"
Silas leaped down from the Black Pearl.
Sky Walk!
The Black Pearl was about five kilometers from the three World Government ships, but even at this distance, the Marine warships' cannonballs could accurately land near the Black Pearl's position, showing that the Marines' gunners were elite.
But they absolutely should not have provoked them!
"Cutting Wave!"
A long blade of light flew toward the two Marine warships. Compared to Spear of Elbaf, this type of long-distance, low-consumption slash was better for testing the warships' capabilities.
Because it was easy to block.
"Iron Body Impact!"
A dark shadow leaped high from the warship, then punched toward the blade light Silas had sent.
The familiar stance made Silas's gaze sharpen.
Then he saw that figure get sent flying by his slash.
Wait, seriously?
Silas, still airborne, was stunned.
How could you be so weak yet dare to block his path? Did today's Marines have no fear of death?
His slash... Any great pirate with a bounty over 100 million could easily block it.
"Truly worthy of being White Wolf Silas!"
Sent flying by Silas's single slash, looking at the bone-deep wound on his arm, Vice Admiral Howard Ackerman's gaze flashed with deep wariness as he looked at Silas.
He had overestimated his own strength while underestimating Silas's terror.
"Surrender!"
"Vice Admiral!"
"Vice Admiral Ackerman!?"
Howard Ackerman waved his hand.
"The White Wolf Pirates are known for not killing. As long as Marines surrender, they absolutely will not strike fatal blows. Although I do not know why they are targeting this batch of Heavenly Tribute, you have seen that even if we continue resisting, we will only increase casualties."
This was the middle of the New World. It would take an Admiral at least two weeks to reach them. Even if nearby Marine bases could provide support, what could a mere Marine base's reinforcements do against the White Wolf Pirates?
"Do not worry. Although what we are transporting this time is very important, we are facing White Wolf Silas. Even if it gets stolen, the responsibility is not ours."
That was a monster who could even defeat an Admiral. What could they do against such a monster?
So the Marines surrendered.
When Silas saw white flags raised on the Marine warships, he briefly thought it was a Marine conspiracy.
Then, after he ceased his attack and watched the two Marine warships efficiently leave while uniquely abandoning the central cargo ship, Silas began to realize something was wrong.
Finally, when Silas saw the dazzling array of luxury goods filling an entire steamship, plus boxes of gold, silver, and jewels stacked in the warehouses, Silas finally understood.
This ship was transporting "Heavenly Tribute."
He had robbed the Heavenly Tribute that World Government member nations paid to the Celestial Dragons!
[Chapter Complete]
***
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