East Blue, Date Sea.
Aboard the Ax Pirates' ship, the crew was in the middle of a lively banquet.
Although no one knew exactly why their captain had suddenly declared a celebration, that didn't stop them from partying.
As the alcohol took effect, the growing intoxication pushed the atmosphere to its peak.
At the center of the banquet stood the captain of the Ax Pirates—Kirei Yasen.
His massive frame was twice the size of his crew members.
Standing there, flanked by his scrawny subordinates, he looked like a humanoid tyrannosaurus.
He raised a mug half the size of a man's head and downed it in one gulp.
Bang—
The mug slammed heavily onto the table.
"Yarrr, my lads!!!!!!"
The wild and boisterous shout briefly hushed the entire banquet.
Kirei Yasen glanced at the quiet crowd, sweeping his gaze around:
"Do you all know why I suddenly announced this banquet?"
Seeing his stunned subordinates shaking their heads frantically,
Kirei Yasen grinned:
"Because the mole I planted in the Marines has finally started to move."
"They're going to poison the food at the Marine base on Windbell Island."
"We'll reach Windbell Island before nightfall tomorrow."
"And then we'll slaughter the entire Marine branch."
"Not only will we skyrocket in fame, but all the treasure on the island will be ours!"
"Ha-la-la-la-la-la!!!"
The Ax Pirates were stunned at first, then broke out into mad cheers.
"OOHHHHHH!!!"
"Boss, you're amazing!!!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Kill them all!!"
"Charge with the boss!!!!"
"Hahahaha!"
Kirei Yasen looked at his crew, their eyes red and crazed, and smirked darkly:
"Tonight!"
"Eat and drink your fill!!!"
"Tomorrow!"
"Slaughter them without mercy!!!!"
"Ha-la-la-la-la-la!!!!"
A deafening cheer erupted on the brightly lit pirate ship.
Time slowly passed. At some point, the sky began to brighten.
Windbell Island was getting closer and closer...
...
East Blue, Windbell Island.
Windbell Island was named after the windbell flowers that covered the land.
With its pleasant climate and remote location in East Blue, pirates rarely passed through here, making the island unusually peaceful.
If there was one flaw, it was the Marine branch stationed on the island...
Due to its remoteness and poor communication, it had given rise to a "tyrant."
Marine Branch 65. Base Commander: Stunnan Sling.
He had once been a passionate Marine warrior in his youth, but due to certain conflicts with Headquarters officers,
He was quietly reassigned to the edge of East Blue.
Stunnan Sling had once been angry and confused, but he quickly adapted.
If he couldn't resist, he might as well enjoy...
And so, a corrupt Marine Base Commander emerged, and with his strength,
He gradually took control over every aspect of the island. Both its light and dark sides fell under his rule. Eventually, he lost himself...
Atop the mountain behind Marine Branch 65,
A luxurious mansion covering tens of thousands of square meters stood grandly.
By the time the sun was high in the sky, Base Commander Stunnan Sling finally rose from his bed of pleasure.
Years of indulgence had swollen him past 300 jin (approx. 150kg), yet his presence felt all the more menacing.
Casually pushing away two young girls abducted from the island, he climbed out of bed.
"Beard!"
Soon, there was a knock on the door.
As he got dressed, Stunnan Sling called out:
"Come in."
A voice responded from outside, "Yes, sir," and a man in a suit entered.
"Sir."
Stunnan Sling yawned:
"Mm."
"I played all day yesterday."
"Anything happen?"
The butler, Beard, replied respectfully:
"Sir, nothing significant occurred."
"However, the families of those two girls came looking for them. What should we do..."
Stunnan Sling snorted coldly:
"Break their legs and throw them out."
"Don't they know who rules this island?!"
"How dare they come knocking at my door!"
"Tired of living, are they?"
"Right, have there been any unusual movements from those kids Headquarters sent over?"
The butler, Beard, nodded and answered:
"No, those kids have been behaving well lately."
Stunnan Sling grunted in thought for a few seconds:
"In that case, give them some benefits."
"For the Headquarters warship to deliver them directly, they must have some background."
"Probably offended someone and came here to lay low."
"No need to push things too far."
"Prepare breakfast."
Beard nodded and withdrew with a "Yes, sir."
Soon, the table was filled with a spread of rich dishes.
Stunnan Sling ate with the grace of nobility.
But no matter how refined his manners, his fat frame and cruel face clashed completely with elegance.
Grabbing a massive chicken leg and tossing it into his mouth, he crunched through the bone and swallowed it whole before asking:
"Breakfast tastes great today. New chef, Beard?"
Beard replied with his head lowered:
"Yes. A merchant ship arrived yesterday."
"They brought in a batch of... special seasonings."
"That's why the flavor is a bit different."
Stunnan Sling nodded and didn't think further of it.
He didn't see Beard's face behind him as he lowered his head and curled the corners of his lips.
Seasonings... special enough to kill you.
A flash of hatred flickered in Beard's reddened eyes before vanishing.
...
East Blue, Windbell Island Branch 65.
Five sharp-eyed, stern Marines stood in the shade of a tree.
Their disgust toward the corrupt Marine base was plain on their faces.
Inside the base, gambling and drinking were everywhere.
Of the nearly thousand men stationed here, half were already drunk.
The youngest among the five said bitterly:
"Damn it, this trash should've been wiped out long ago."
"I can't hold it in anymore."
The brawniest among them was calmer:
"Patience. Today's the day."
"Just wait a bit longer."
"Stunnan Sling's food has already been poisoned."
"As for this bunch—"
"How many survive the night will depend on luck."
Another soldier, more rational, said:
"But some of them don't deserve to die, right?"
The burly one glanced at him:
"We don't have time to judge everyone."
"If every case were judged by good and evil, it'd take years."
"These scumbags have followed Stunnan Sling and enjoyed tyranny for over a decade."
"How many of them do you think are decent?"
"To die fighting pirates is already a good end for them."
"And those who survive, hmph."
"We'll deal with them slowly."
The rational one nodded. He wasn't naive either.
After watching for a while, the group became too irritated and returned to the barracks to prepare.
...
Late night.
The Ax Pirates' ship quietly approached a secluded part of the island.
One by one, the crew jumped into the water and climbed ashore.
The five Marines were already waiting and welcomed the pirates.
The burly Marine nodded at Kirei Yasen.
Then he waved his hand, signaling the other four to lead the pirates toward the Marine base.
He himself followed Kirei Yasen and several elite pirates up the mountain to the luxurious mansion.
As the chirping of crickets echoed through the air...
The butler, Beard, gently opened the gate...
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