"This isn't the price we agreed on!"
"That was the price a year ago. Things aren't the same now. If I buy at that rate, I'll be taking a loss!"
"How could it possibly be a loss, Boss Rick?"
Hearing the fat man's words, Village Chief Martin became anxious. "The green grapes we grow in our village are the best. Not only are they large, but they are also incredibly sweet and juicy. If you don't believe me, try them for yourself. They are absolutely delicious!"
"No matter how delicious they are, they are just green grapes after all. They are everywhere in the West Blue."
Boss Rick seemed a little impatient and waved his hand. "This is the price. If your village sells them, we'll buy them. If not, let them rot in the fields!"
"This price…"
Seeing Rick still refusing to budge, Village Chief Martin grew flustered, but before he could continue…
"Village Chief Martin."
A voice instantly calmed him down. Village Chief Martin turned and looked at Ian and Robin approaching, his face aglow again.
"Ian, you're here too? Did you buy anything?"
"Yes."
Ian said while lifting Robin's hand up. Then he glanced at the impatient, portly shopkeeper, then looked at Village Chief Martin, puzzled. "I just heard about green grapes. What's going on?"
"Well… Fine, you already overheard it anyway."
Martin hesitated, but finally sighed helplessly. "This year's purchase price for green grapes is half of what it was in previous years. How can we possibly sell them at this price?"
His tone grew bitter. "I'm just a little angry; everyone worked so hard growing them, but we can only get this much. Not only are we not making any money, we're actually losing money."
These simple words made Ian understand what was going on.
The main income of the villagers at the Sibia Village is green grapes. Although they're called grapes, they're the size of oranges.
Not only are these grapes fragrant and juicy, but they are also sweet and delicious, making them quite popular in the West Blue.
The quality and appearance of the green grapes grown on the Sibia River Archipelago are exceptional, and merchant ships visiting here every year often stop by to buy them.
Villagers sold their harvest, merchants sold supplies, making both sides profit; it was a win-win situation for both parties.
But now, from the sound of it, Sibia Village was being forced into a low-price deal this year?
Ian paused, and Robin frowned beside him.
However, Boss Rick seemed a bit impatient and said bluntly: "This is the price, and it will remain the same from now on. Take it or leave it. If not, we will buy it elsewhere. You're not the only ones growing green grapes in the entire West Blue. If you refuse, our merchant ships won't come next time."
"You bastard…"
Hearing Boss Rick still refusing to budge, constantly lowering the price, and even threatening him, Village Chief Martin could no longer hold back.
His face flushed red, and he wanted to say something, but he was genuinely worried that the merchant ships wouldn't come next time.
It had to be said that Boss Rick had the Sibia Village at their weakest point.
If the merchant ships didn't come, the villagers of the Sibia Village wouldn't be able to find a place to restock their supplies.
Ian frowned while looking at Rick, who was smug and waiting for Village Chief Martin to bow his head. He hesitated and opened his mouth to say something…
"Pirates! Pirates! Pirates are coming!"
When a shout instantly captured everyone's attention.
Even Ian and Robin turned to look at the crewman running towards them in panic.
Everyone's expression suddenly changed upon hearing the crewman's words, especially Village Chief Martin, who became even more panicked.
The dock wasn't far from Sibia Village. If pirates attacked, Sibia Village would be the first to suffer the brunt of it.
Especially at this time, most people were gathered in the dock.
"Evacuate!"
Chief Martin snapped back to his senses and frantically exclaimed: "We must evacuate the villagers as soon as possible and get everyone into hiding!"
Without waiting for Ian's reply, he leapt down and ran around the dock while shouting: "Run, everyone, run away now!"
The whole merchant ship descended into chaos.
Even Boss Rick, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, was now filled with panic. He shouted to his crew: "Quick, quick, get out of the dock! We must not let the pirates get on board."
"Captain, there are still villagers who haven't disembarked yet."
"Don't worry about them. We just need to get out of here! What the hell is the Marines doing? They let the pirates in here! Send out the guards! We must stop those pirates at all costs!"
Ian ignored Rick. His decision was the right one. Rather than staying here and waiting for the pirates to arrive, it was better to take the villagers and flee.
Of course, he wasn't worried. The pirates who could come to the Sibia Village to plunder weren't likely to be formidable, but to the villagers, pirates were a nightmare.
"You stay here."
Ian said without hesitation to Robin, who was frowning beside him. "I'll go down and chase those pirates away."
Without waiting for Robin to say anything, Ian glanced around and spotted an axe on a nearby stall.
Without hesitation, he grabbed it and chased after Village Chief Martin.
At that moment, the pirates had already rushed onto the dock.
The moment they saw the pirates, the villagers who had come to purchase supplies panicked; they ran while shouting, "Pirates are coming!"
The scene suddenly became extremely chaotic.
Everyone was running for their lives.
Even if the villagers had begun fleeing the moment the pirate ship docked, it would have meant nothing to the pirates.
After all, no matter how much they ran, there was no way these villagers could leave the island.
"Hahaha, I didn't expect a merchant ship to be here! Looks like I'm really lucky today!"
A hearty laugh echoed as a massive, bear-like figure leaped from the pirate ship.
"I'm the captain of the Giant Bear Pirates. Quiet down, all of you!"
But after he finished speaking, looking at the still chaotic dock, the captain's face suddenly shifted to displeasure, and he roared loudly: "I told you all to quiet down. Didn't you hear me? Anyone who keeps running, kill them!"
"Understood, captain!"
"We should have done this long ago. I can't stand it any longer."
"Kill them all!"
"No, don't damage the money, the wine, or the women."
Hearing the captain's words, the crew members erupted in excitement. They raised their weapons and charged at the villagers who dared to flee.
The scene instantly became even more chaotic.
"How foolish! You dare to run? Didn't you hear what my captain just said?"
One of the pirates who had quickly caught up with a villager let out a sly grin.
"Guess I'll have to kill a few of them to show how powerful the captain is. Die, stupid old man!"
As he spoke, his long sword was about to strike the slower-running old man.
"Swish!"
A piercing sound came from behind the pirate, and before he could react…
"Bang!"
The man was instantly split in two from top to bottom, and blood gushed out from the center.
This sudden scene caused all the pirates to pause in their tracks and stare in horror.
What… Just happened?