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On the deck of the passenger ship, a pirate with a deep scar running across his face sat regally in a plush chair. He idly patted the hilt of his heavy saber, his eyes gleaming with mockery as they swept over the terrified crowd kneeling before him.
This was Blood Wolf, Captain of the Blood Wolf Pirates. Behind him stood forty of his men, armed to the teeth and radiating a murderous aura.
Not long ago, their own vessel had been crippled by the storm. In their desperation, they had discovered this passenger ship. Finding it sturdier and more luxurious than their own, Blood Wolf had moved quickly to seize it. But the storm had soured his mood, and he decided he needed entertainment to lift his spirits.
The Cruelty of the Ransom
Blood Wolf knew that when faced with death, humans often showed their ugliest colors. He wanted to watch partners betray each other and parents abandon children. To facilitate this "show," he had offered a simple condition:
"One million (1,000,000) Berries per person to live. If you can't pay, you go into the sea to feed the fish."
For the families on board, this was a death sentence. While some were wealthy, few carried millions in liquid cash during a trip. The deck was filled with the sounds of desperate sobbing and frantic counting.
"We only have 1,200,000! Only 1,200,000!" one man wailed, clutching his wife and two children.
"Get lost! This is my money!" a young man screamed, kicking his female companion away to ensure his own survival.
"We have to choose one to sacrifice..." another man muttered, his gaze shifting between his aging parents and his young daughter.
Blood Wolf laughed, his white teeth flashing in the sun. He pointed to three people sitting in a corner, already ransomed. "Learn from them! They made their choice early."
Those three were the family of the girl Rose. Her father sat there expressionless, ignoring the indignant glares of the crowd. He told himself it was the only logical decision: To survive, one must make sacrifices.
Steve's Final Stand
Steve, the Captain of the passenger ship, stood up with trembling hands and threw a bag of valuables at Blood Wolf's feet.
"Pirates! There are jewelry and coins worth 3,000,000 Berries in there. Let my wife and my two children live," Steve said, his voice thick with resolve. He didn't have enough to save himself, and his assets at home were too far away to help.
"Steve! You can't leave us!" his wife, Judy, shrieked, clutching him. His children, Pink and Lola, wailed in terror.
Steve ignored his own fear, staring into Blood Wolf's eyes. "I hope you keep your word."
"Hahahaha! Of course! I, Blood Wolf, always keep my word!" the pirate roared. But inwardly, he was sneering. He had no intention of letting anyone live. Once the "fun" was over, he planned to throw the ransomed survivors overboard too, just to watch their hope turn back into despair.
Steve gave his family one last, bone-crushing embrace. "Judy, Pink, Lola... don't cry. As long as you believe I'm with you, I'll always be there. You must live well!"
With a sudden burst of strength, he pushed them away and strode toward the railing. He would not be thrown like trash; he would jump with dignity.
"Wait!" Blood Wolf shouted suddenly. "I'll allow you to be the last to jump."
Blood Wolf's plan was even more sadistic: he wanted Steve to be on deck long enough to watch his "saved" family get tossed into the waves.
Steve stopped, unknowingly grateful for more time with his loved ones, while his family pounced on him again. Blood Wolf turned back to the remaining crowd. "Hurry up! My patience is limited. If you don't choose soon, you all go in at once!"
The Unprecedented Crisis
Just as the crowd reached a breaking point, two figures suddenly descended from the sky like falling stars.
Bang!
The deck buckled slightly under the impact.
"Hey, you bad guys! I won't let you off!" Satori (Goku) shouted, glaring at Blood Wolf with pure, unadulterated anger. He brandished his staff, his spiky hair swaying in the wind.
Ace landed beside him, gently placing the little girl, Rose, on the ground. He adjusted his cowboy hat, his expression turning cold and dangerous as he looked at the pirate captain.
"You're the ones who threw Rose down, aren't you?" Ace asked, his voice low. "What a bunch of scum."
The laughter on the deck died instantly. The Blood Wolf Pirates, who had been enjoying their cruel game, suddenly found themselves facing an unprecedented crisis.