Sherlock's resolute declaration echoed through the room, yet it elicited only a handful of reluctant responses.
A tall, gaunt pirate captain with a sullen expression demanded, "We can discuss all that later. What about our money?"
"The location of the new vault is known only to William," Sherlock replied, his polite smile unwavering. "Once we secure victory and William is released, you'll naturally regain access to your funds." To the assembled pirate captains, his perpetual courtesy now seemed increasingly provocative.
"That's complete bullshit!" the tall captain snarled. "Are we supposed to believe Morgan William single-handedly relocated that mountain of treasure? You manage the Flash Gold Bank—you expect us to believe you don't know where the vault is?"
"You're nothing but con artists!" he continued, his voice rising with fury. "You never intended to return our money! You're just sending us to our deaths, trying to force us into a suicide mission against Marine Headquarters!"
"No, you misunderstand," Sherlock responded, adjusting his glasses with that same infuriating smile. "Quite the contrary. I don't want you engaging Marine Headquarters directly. I want you dispersed, harassing their regional outposts."
"Regarding the new vault—I genuinely don't know its location. But I stake my life on this promise: once we emerge victorious, not only will your deposits be immediately accessible, but the Four Seas Trading Company will distribute all profits from the past two years to compensate for your losses. Furthermore, each crew will receive generous rewards proportionate to their contributions."
The Four Seas Trading Company was infamous throughout the East Blue. From clothing and armaments to security services and shipbuilding, its reach extended across countless industries. The company routinely monopolized entire sectors through brutal force, with many of the pirate crews present having served as accomplices. A notable example was the once-prestigious clothing brand DOSKOI PANDA, headquartered on Glass Bead Island, which William and his band of pirates had systematically dismantled before establishing the counterfeit brand CYBER PANDA to seize market control.
In essence, this sinister commercial empire had developed precisely as William had envisioned at its founding: committing innumerable atrocities while accumulating immense wealth.
The assembled pirate captains understood this reality all too well.
Sherlock had laid out their situation with brutal clarity: allowing the Marines to consolidate power meant certain death. Given these circumstances, they might as well stake everything on one desperate gamble—for wealth, for survival, and most critically, to reclaim what they considered rightfully theirs.
In truth, they had already been bound to William and Sherlock's warship through their own avarice and financial entanglements.
Most captains reluctantly acquiesced to Sherlock's proposal, though a few remained unmoved.
The tall, thin captain who had been questioning Sherlock turned to the others with contempt. "You fools! Letting them dangle your own money before you like bait, driving you straight to slaughter. I refuse to be so easily manipulated!"
He shot a venomous glare at Sherlock. "Consider my crew's entire fortune a contribution toward your and Morgan William's funeral expenses."
Sherlock and Harden observed him with glacial detachment but made no move to intervene. The tall captain, accompanied by several others, pushed through the reception room doors and departed.
Shortly thereafter, the unmistakable sounds of combat and gunfire erupted outside, causing the remaining captains to exchange anxious glances.
Moments later, Selkirk, Creek, and Edmond entered the room, their clothing spattered with fresh blood.
Sherlock addressed the visibly unsettled captains. "What we're about to undertake is unprecedented in East Blue's history. We face none other than Marine Headquarters itself. I trust none of you would want security breaches compromising our operation. Those who left harbored resentment and would never have safeguarded our plans. Therefore..."
Sherlock's gaze drifted meaningfully to the blood-slicked sword in Edmond's hand, the implication unmistakable.
"The crews of those captains are now at your disposal," Harden stated coldly, breaking his silence. "After all, we're all committed to the same cause now."
The captains exchanged glances before nodding their assent.
Finally, one voiced the question foremost in everyone's mind: "What exactly do you expect us to accomplish? If William himself couldn't evade capture, how can we possibly stand against Marine Headquarters' elite forces?"
Sherlock signaled to one of his guards, who stepped forward with a large chart and unfurled it across the central table.
The captains gathered around, quickly recognizing a meticulously detailed map of the East Blue.
"What are these markings?" one captain inquired, indicating the numerous symbols scattered across the map, each accompanied by numerical annotations.
"Our targets—Marine bases," Sherlock explained with a slight chuckle. "The numbers indicate each facility's size and garrison strength."
The captains were visibly stunned. It seemed the rumors that Captain Nezumi had been William's puppet weren't unfounded after all. Nothing else could explain such comprehensive intelligence on every Marine installation throughout the East Blue.
"Attacking Marine bases? We might overcome smaller outposts, but the casualties..." one captain hesitated, his concern evident.
"Rest assured. We've brought specialized equipment for this operation: M.H.5 and Buggy Balls," Selkirk interjected.
The captains who had participated in the campaign against Golden Lion Shiki immediately brightened. "With those weapons, we stand a genuine chance!"
Those unfamiliar with these armaments were quickly briefed on the devastating capabilities of Buggy Balls and M.H.5, their confidence visibly growing with each explanation.
After allowing this enthusiasm to build momentarily, Sherlock continued: "Remember our strategic principle: 'Strike where they're weak; overwhelm with numbers.' Focus on harassment tactics—direct confrontation is unnecessary and counterproductive."
He methodically divided the pirate crews into several operational groups, assigning each a specific region of the East Blue and elaborating on the tactical details. Finally, he added, "Initially, the Marine commanders from Headquarters will be overwhelmed by your coordinated harassment. They'll likely respond by deploying elite units to reinforce local bases and lead warship patrols to hunt you down. After ten days, cease all operations and rendezvous at this island to await further instructions."
Sherlock indicated a specific island on the map. Nearby, a long, broad gray line connected several landmasses, labeled with small text: Tequila Wolf.
After providing additional directives, the pirate captains filed out of the reception room. Their anxious crews, who had been waiting tensely in the corridor, immediately surrounded them. The earlier sounds of violence had left them deeply unsettled, but seeing their captains emerge unharmed finally eased their fears.
Inside the emptying room, Creek, who had maintained silent vigilance against the wall with his arms crossed, watched the departing captains and muttered under his breath with unmistakable contempt: "A bunch of cannon fodder."
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