The calm sea was without a single ripple, the warm sunlight spilling over the sparkling water, reflecting a golden glow. The massive black sailing ship of the Beasts Pirates slowly sailed into the port of Mock Town on Jaya Island. The ship's bow was carved with a ferocious beast's head, and the black Jolly Roger fluttered gently in the breeze, the pair of crossed Beast Bones on the flag gleaming with a cold luster under the sun.
Crew members stood in small groups on the deck, watching the approaching dock with excited expressions. This town, known for its chaos, was about to welcome new guests. The originally bustling crowd on the dock began to stir. Dockworkers halted their tasks, merchants warily packed up their stalls, some people retreated in fear, while others curiously leaned forward to get a better look, whispers rising and falling among the crowd.
"It's the flag of the Beasts Pirates!"
"Why would that monster come here? Isn't he in the New World?"
"Don't you read the news? The Beasts Pirates returned from the New World to the first half of the Grand Line a month ago. The Marines are searching for them everywhere now."
"Quick, hide all the valuables..."
As the anchor plunged heavily into the seabed, stirring up murky splashes, the gangway slowly lowered with a creaking sound. The crew of the Beasts Pirates began descending from the deck one after another, their rough laughter and heavy footsteps immediately shattering the dock's tranquility. These burly pirates carried various weapons at their waists—some shouldered barrels of alcohol, others dragged along prey—casually surveying their surroundings.
Kaidou's towering figure appeared at the top of the gangway. His crimson eyes scanned the entire dock, a sinister grin curling at the corners of his mouth. He descended the gangway with heavy steps, each footfall causing the wooden structure to groan under the strain. Following behind him were several key Executives: the masked King, the portly Queen, the gloomy Bullet, and a few other powerful subordinates.
The group headed straight for the largest tavern in Mock Town. Pedestrians along the way hurriedly made way, and shops hastily closed their doors. The two bouncers at the tavern entrance moved to block the way but immediately turned pale upon recognizing the newcomers, scrambling aside in a panic.
Pushing open the creaking wooden door, the noisy sounds inside the tavern abruptly ceased. The previously boisterous patrons seemed as if their throats had been squeezed shut; someone's glass slipped from their hand, shattering on the floor with a crisp sound. Kaidou strode directly to the central round table, his heavy frame making the floorboards groan under the strain. He casually leaned his Spiked Club "Hassaikai" against the table, the metal clinking dully against the wooden floor.
"Boss, bring out your best alcohol!" a burly-faced pirate roared, slamming his hand on the table.
The tavern owner, a bald middle-aged man, was nervously wiping a glass and nearly dropped it at the shout. He hurriedly bowed and nodded, "Y-yes, right away!" Turning around, he almost tripped over his own apron, eliciting rough laughter from several pirates.
Kaidou plopped down onto the largest chair, which immediately groaned in protest. He scanned the room, and everyone his gaze swept over instinctively lowered their heads. Soon, several trembling serving girls brought out enormous barrels of liquor and roasted meat, the rich aroma of alcohol instantly filling the air.
"Boss Kaidou, why have we come to this little island? Could there be treasure here too?" Queen asked through a mouthful of steak as he sat in his chair, his golden mechanical arm gleaming under the light while emitting faint gear-whirring sounds.
Hearing this, King, Bullet, Sebastian, and Gavin all turned to look at Kaidou—especially the first three, who had personally experienced Kaidou's adventure to Sleepy Ancient Town where he obtained the Mythical Zoan-Type Bat-Bat Fruit Vampire Form. That experience had cemented their trust in Kaidou's judgment.
Kaidou lifted a wine bowl the size of an ordinary person's head and drained it in one gulp, liquor dripping from his beard onto the table. He let out a satisfied belch before speaking: "Wororororo, of course. Of course there's treasure in this place." His thick fingers drummed on the table. "We'll rest tonight. Tomorrow morning I'll take you to dig for gold at the place with the most gold in this world."
"What? The place with the most gold?" they asked in unison, their eyes glinting with greed. Even the usually composed King leaned forward slightly.
"Brother Kaidou, could you mean the City of Gold?!" Queen, being more knowledgeable than the others, adjusted his sunglasses, his voice trembling with excitement. As a scientist, he'd always maintained strong interest in the legendary City of Gold.
"The City of Gold?" Gavin's eyes flashed shrewdly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. "That legendary Shandora?"
Kaidou nodded, pouring himself another bowl of liquor: "Exactly!" His voice made the wine cups vibrate faintly.
"But Brother Kaidou, isn't the City of Gold just a myth?" Queen hurriedly asked. "So many treasure hunters have searched for it all these years without finding..."
"No, it's real." Kaidou cut him off, a mysterious glint in his eyes. "You'll understand the details when we set out tomorrow." Having said this, he downed another large bowl of liquor, clearly unwilling to continue the topic.
Though filled with questions, none dared press further. They understood Kaidou's temperament well enough to know this wasn't the time for thorough questioning.
The tavern atmosphere gradually grew lively as pirates began clinking cups and shouting boisterously. Kaidou lifted his enormous wine bowl and drained it again, liquor dripping from his beard onto the table. Seeing this, the surrounding crew members followed suit, and soon the clinking of cups filled the establishment. In a corner, several locals took the opportunity to slip quietly out of the tavern, afraid of getting caught in potential trouble.
As night deepened, the tavern's clamor only intensified. Drunk and exhilarated, Kaidou suddenly stood up, raising his wine bowl high and shouting: "To tomorrow's City of Gold!"
"For the City of Gold!" The pirates echoed in unison, their voices nearly lifting the roof. Moonlight streamed through the windows, stretching their shadows long and monstrous, like clawing beasts foretelling the turbulent night to come for this small town. Kaidou heartily chugged an entire barrel of liquor, droplets trickling down his beard. "Wororororo!" he laughed boisterously. "This island hides the legendary City of Gold—Shandora! Tomorrow, I'll take you all to dig for gold!" Queen and the others were stunned by the revelation, and the pirates in the tavern erupted into a frenzy, their cheers almost tearing the roof off.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the sky had gradually darkened, and they prepared to return to the pirate ship.
As Kaidou led his crew to the dock, a group of people stood there hesitantly.
"You... you're the great pirate, King of Beast Kaidou?!" a young man exclaimed, hastily pulling out a wanted poster to compare before speaking to Kaidou with trepidation.
"What do you want with me?" Kaidou said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Lord Kaidou, p-please, allow me to j-join the pirate crew," the youth immediately pleaded.
"And us," a dozen others behind him chimed in.
"Becoming pirates? Think it through—being a pirate means you could die at any moment," Kaidou addressed the group.
"We've already thought it over. Rather than living a predictable life on this island with no future in sight, we'd rather follow you to experience the vastness and grandeur of the sea. Even if it means death, we don't care," the young man declared.
"That's right, please let us join!" the rest echoed.
"Wororororo! In that case, join as apprentice crew members!" Kaidou agreed without hesitation.
This was actually one reason why Kaidou always made a grand entrance whenever the pirate ship docked, despite knowing it would cause chaos.
No matter the island, there were always young people dissatisfied with their current lives, willing to risk everything to venture out.
Although the vast majority of them would end up as cannon fodder, the relentless waves would eventually sift out those who could become capable pirates.
Moreover, among them, there might be some suited for clerical work—precisely the talent the Beasts Pirates needed.
This world never lacked pirate grunts to serve as cannon fodder. On the contrary, since ninety percent of the population was illiterate, clerical staff were always in short supply.
The nearly three hundred people on the pirate ship now operated in an orderly fashion, all thanks to the many literate cannon fodder they had recruited recently.
"Really? That's great! Thank you, Lord Kaidou!" someone immediately shouted in gratitude.
"Idiot, you should call him Captain now. Thank you, Captain."
"Yes, thank you, Captain."
"Muhahaha! You small fry, come over here now. I'll assign you to your groups," Queen stepped forward, calling out to the newcomers.