"Why? Do you want to die? Don't worry, even if you die, I can still dig out the information I want from your corpse…"
After saying that, Shigeo reached out his hand toward the man's head.
This movement scared Binshui so much that he shrank his neck. Just that single dodge caused the three Suiton Suigiri (Water Release: Water Blades) beside him to stab straight into his body, slicing through his flesh as if cut by knives.
"Boss, boss, spare me! Fine, fine, I'll take you there! Please, just spare my life!"
"If your treasure satisfies me, I will naturally spare your life. But if you try to deceive me with scraps and trifles, I'll make you beg for death."
With a wave of Shigeo's hand, the three Suiton Suigiri (Water Blades) fell into the sea. At the same time, he grabbed the man's collar and yanked him up into the air.
Looking at the distant Conch ship, the floating corpse of the sea monster, and the bodies of his dead comrades, Binshui could only sigh bitterly.
If they had known they would encounter such a monstrous child today, they would never have attacked that merchant ship. Now it was over. The treasure they had spent over ten years accumulating, without even enjoying it once, was going to be handed over to this child?
"Little brother, I… how about we do business together? The pirate trade is hugely profitable. However much money you want in the future, you'll have it! Do you know how much the cargo of a single merchant ship is worth? At least several million! If we raid three times a month, we'll make an enormous fortune in a year. And if we run into a passenger ship, we can kidnap people—if they're wealthy nobles, the ransom will be even greater. This is far more profitable than bounty hunting!"
Dangling in the air by his collar, Binshui spoke softly, trying to persuade him. Two of his companions were already dead. Even if he split the treasure with just this child, it was still more than when three men shared it. But if he wanted a share, he had to convince this clever boy to stand on the same side.
That was why he suggested joining forces as pirates.
"How many years have you been a pirate?" Shigeo asked, looking down at him.
"Th-thirteen years…" the man replied.
"And where is your treasure hidden?" Shigeo's grip on his collar tightened, his cold eyes flashing sharply.
Trying to recruit him? Did this man really think he was a child?
"I'll take you there! Head south, in the cave on the middle island of Sanlie Island…" Binshui hurriedly answered. Looking up at the boy holding him, he wondered—had the child agreed to become a pirate, or not?
When they arrived at the middle island of Sanlie Island, Binshui tried to look for a chance to escape while walking, but his wounds were too severe. Coupled with the boy's sharp wit, he had no opportunity at all.
"The cave is underwater. We need to dive." Binshui looked at Shigeo, anxiety filling his eyes. That treasure was the result of more than a decade of effort. To hand it over to a child?
They had once terrorized these seas as fearsome pirates, but to be defeated by a single child—it was unbelievable.
Did he still have a chance to turn the tables? His mind churned as he searched for a way to kill him.
The two dove into the sea, swimming for about a quarter of an hour. After passing reefs and seaweed, a cave finally appeared before them.
Shigeo glanced at the entrance, then back at Binshui. He didn't speak underwater, but his gaze was suspicious.
Binshui pointed toward the cave, nodding to show it was the place. His eyes glinted slyly as he clenched his fist inside his sleeve. Given the chance, he would kill this boy.
"You first." Shigeo gestured.
Binshui hesitated but then nodded, diving in first. Shigeo followed.
With a loud crash, a massive rock sealed the cave entrance. Shigeo heard the sound of rushing water and quickly swam upward—but Binshui was gone.
When Shigeo surfaced, the sight before him shocked him.
Though the cavern was pitch-black, his eyes had already adjusted.
The stench of rotting corpses filled the air. In one corner, a pile of bones was stacked high, with a few fresh bodies among them.
"Help us… please save us…" weak voices came from the darkness.
Turning, Shigeo saw several frail people imprisoned in iron cages, all sickly and near death.
"Who are you?" Shigeo asked, scanning the cavern.
It seemed this was an underground cave within Sanlie Island, a hollow space above sea level carved into the mountain.
"We're hostages captured by the pirates. If our families don't pay ransom, we'll die here!" someone replied in the darkness.
Shigeo's eyes narrowed. "Even if they pay, you won't survive."
"Yes… they all died. Everyone's dead. We can't hold on much longer…" the prisoner said hopelessly.
"We're finished, but please, my lord… at least save our young lady. Take her back to Mist Village. The village chief will surely reward you. Whatever you want, he'll give it."
"I'm not a pirate." Shigeo lit a torch, then set the other torches in the cavern aflame.
As the light filled the cave, the captives finally saw him clearly. This wasn't one of the Sanlie Island pirates—it was just a boy, barely a meter tall, looking only five or six years old.
The captives were dumbfounded. Was he a fisherman's child from a nearby island, who stumbled in here by mistake?
"A child? Little one, how did you get in here? Hurry and leave, don't stay! This is the pirates' den, get out!" one elder urged.
The others also grew tense. They were already unlucky enough to be caught—if this child fell into pirate hands too, he'd just be walking into death.
"Go, quickly! Put out the torches and get out…" the others urged anxiously, their bodies trembling in fear.
(End of Chapter)
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