Vesper probably had no clue that Brook was silently praying for him to hang on just a bit longer. If he knew, he'd owe Brook a big, bold thank you!
"Redfield, fire up the lightning system—full blast on the Thunder Shells! Tom, crank those Wind Shells to max! Qilin Lion, put every ounce of strength you've got into it and charge!"
Brook's urgency spiked when he heard Sax Vey had been crushed by Vesper. The old man was now caught in the Rocks Pirates' onslaught. Done for, done for—Brook's dream of capturing a Conqueror's soul was slipping away!
Brook clutched his head, cursing his miscalculation.
What a blunder! Who could've seen this coming?
Vesper, you old fool, couldn't you hold your own? And Rocks, you bastard, you're just too damn strong!
"Great news! Great news, Captain Brook! The Rocks Pirates' officers have split up and boarded ships—they're invading Ten Kings Island!"
Antonio shouted, oblivious to why his captain was so distraught.
"What about Vesper? Is he dead yet?!"
Brook's voice cracked with desperation. He didn't give a damn about the Rocks Pirates' moves—his only concern was Vesper, the key to a Yomi Yomi no Mi awakening. Losing him would be like letting a once-in-a-lifetime treasure slip through his bony fingers!
"Not yet, Captain! They're fighting like the world's turning upside down! Vesper's steaming with blood-red aura, looking decades younger—muscles even bigger than yours!"
Antonio reported the latest, hoping to calm his frantic captain.
"That's the spirit! Vesper, you old man, you're a true hero! Burning your life force—perfect! Hold on until I get there, and I might just go easy on your future daughter-in-law!"
Brook burst into laughter, relieved that Vesper was going all out. Burning his life force meant he'd last until Brook arrived, right?
"Wait, what else did you say? The Rocks Pirates are looting Ten Kings Island? And what's this about Vesper's muscles being bigger than mine?"
With Vesper temporarily safe, Brook's sharp mind snapped back. He caught two key details: Rocks was cunning enough to raid Vesper's turf before Brook could claim it, and that muscle comment stung.
Still, it wasn't a total betrayal of their deal—Rocks was just grabbing scraps while Brook secured the prize: Madagascar Island, the richest of them all. Let Rocks have his crumbs; it was payment for his efforts.
"Uh, yeah, Captain. Rocks' officers are indeed plundering Ten Kings Island. As for Vesper's muscles, I meant they're not as… refined as yours. Yeah, that's it!"
Antonio flashed a thumbs-up, his smile dripping with survival instinct as he tried to soothe Brook's ego.
"Forget the rest! Full speed to Zawa Island!"
Brook's hope reignited. Vesper, burning his life force, was his ticket to a Conqueror's soul. Nothing—not even Jesus himself—could stop him now!
...
On a nearby sea, a flagship led a fleet of over a dozen pirate ships, racing as if chased by demons.
"Shirokiri! You're really abandoning Captain Vesper? Your own father?!"
Salem grabbed Shirokiri's collar, his voice torn between anger and doubt. He'd considered fleeing too, but not with Shirokiri's cold resolve—this was the captain who'd raised them for decades!
"It's what he wanted! We have to return and preserve the Vesper Pirates' hope!"
Shirokiri brushed off Salem's hands, his face a mask of determination. He needed to get back to that pregnant woman, fulfilling his father's wish. This time, he'd raise a child with Conqueror's Haki!
"The Vesper Pirates are finished!"
Salem slumped to the deck, his voice heavy with defeat. His thoughts turned to his own future—his daughter, Karina, was waiting. He had to survive for her.
"Hmph! As long as I'm here, the Vesper Pirates will never fall!"
The usually carefree Shirokiri suddenly radiated resolve, as if he'd matured overnight. He finally understood the pain and helplessness Angelie felt when Edward died. Without their cornerstone, the crew—sheltered under Vesper's wings—felt lost and exposed.
"Heh! You think Brook's been twiddling his thumbs all this time? Use that clever brain of yours—where do you think he's been?" Salem sneered. "He's probably already taken Madagascar Island! Your woman might be a prisoner by now, you idiot!"
Salem's words dripped with frustration. A reformed rogue was worth his weight in gold, but Shirokiri's turnaround was too late—and too thoughtless. Slogans didn't win battles; strength and strategy did.
Luckily, Salem had been cunning enough to send his daughter away as a precaution. Turns out, he'd been right to plan ahead.
"What?! Brook wouldn't dare!"
Shirokiri's eyes blazed red. Madagascar Island was the Vesper Pirates' last stronghold, home to their wealth—and the woman carrying his child. If Brook had taken it, he'd lose everything!
"Wouldn't dare? He's teamed up with Rocks! What's stopping him? Maybe this mess started when you kidnapped Angelie, souring things between our crews!"
Salem had given up hope. He was ready to go solo, taking his loyal followers and daughter to the first half of the New World to rule as a local warlord.
"You're planning to ditch us?"
Shirokiri stared at his rival of twenty years, his gaze a mix of anger and loneliness.
"If Brook's taken Madagascar Island, I'm out. But if it's still ours, we'll carry Vesper's legacy, go rogue, and bide our time for a comeback!"
Salem didn't crush Shirokiri's hopes outright, but deep down, he knew the truth. Brook was a ruthless opportunist—he wouldn't pass up a chance like this.
Before Shirokiri could press further, the lookout's panicked scream cut through the air. A golden airship was soaring toward them from Madagascar Island's royal capital!
"It's the Hell Pirates' Golden Ark! They're coming from the palace! It's over—Brook's looted the royal coffers!"
The lookout's voice broke with despair. Dreams of returning to reclaim their wealth and rise again vanished.
"Turn the ships! Run!"
The lookout snapped to his senses. Their ragtag fleet couldn't stand up to the Hell Pirates. If they didn't flee now, when would they?
Panic swept through the fleet. Even Shirokiri couldn't quell the chaos as the dozen ships scattered in all directions.
Shirokiri stood, eyes bloodshot, while Salem's face darkened. He wanted to jump to his own flagship and flee, but seeing Shirokiri's unraveling state, he stayed.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg