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As the nautical chart shop owner had predicted, the storm had significantly lessened after midnight.
By morning, when the sun's first light touched the sea, the world was calm once more, as if yesterday's terror had been a figment of the imagination.
Only the widespread wreckage along the coast served as a grim reminder of the storm's ferocity.
Andy was already at the seaside. After killing a Marine base commander yesterday, he knew the Marines would soon be after him.
He had to leave early. Once he was in the open sea, the sheer speed of his jet ski meant no Marine warship could ever hope to catch him.
What he didn't expect was that the Marines didn't pursue him at all. Instead, the moment the storm ceased, it was the Skull Bay crew who immediately set sail for the Dareleka Islands.
Andy arrived at the shore, carefully reviewed his nautical chart, confirmed his heading, and launched his jet ski, making his way towards Colubo Mountain.
When Duke and his crew from Skull Bay personally arrived, they were informed by the locals that Andy had already left the Darereka Islands, disappearing into the vast sea. Their ships, they were told, couldn't possibly catch up to his. Five warships flying the Skull Bay flag were now docked at the port, and the air was thick with tension.
"Which way did Red Hawk go?" Duke asked in a low voice, suppressing his immense rage.
"Reporting, Duke, his ship was too fast, we couldn't keep up at all," Borsalino, Skull Bay's intelligence chief in the Darereka Islands and a local gang leader, quickly replied.
Just as Duke was about to unleash his fury on him, a man in a suit appeared and provided the direction Andy had taken. "Duke, I am an intelligence officer for the World Government. Red Hawk Andy could only be heading to one of three possible locations.
The closest are the Coral Royal Court, the Forgotten Corridor, or Iron Thorns Island. However, based on our analysis, he's most likely headed for Coral Royal Courtā¦" The man finished speaking and stood there, awaiting a response.
Duke stared at the man, his immense aura bearing down on him, but the intelligence officer didn't flinch. "Hmph! As expected of someone from the World Government. Set course for Coral Royal Court immediately!" Duke commanded. Before the words had even faded, he was already back on his warship.
"Yes!" the others responded in unison, quickly returning to their ships and setting sail for Coral Royal Court. Duke knew the World Government was using him to eliminate Andy, but he didn't care.
His designated successor had been killed; if he didn't retaliate, how could he maintain his reputation in the West Blue? Duke had his pride. After the fleet departed, the World Government intelligence officer immediately reported the matter to Marine Headquarters.
Oto Island
Robin looked at the newspaper in disbelief. She couldn't believe Andy had killed a Marine branch commander, let alone Luna, Duke adopted daughter. After wandering the West Blue for so many years, she knew how terrifying Duke was. And now, Andy had provoked him.
"Andyā¦" Robin's gaze turned toward the Darereka Islands, her heart filled with worry.
After about three or four hours, Andy had already reached Coral Royal Court, a massive island formed over thousands of years by countless coral reefs.
It was a stopping point on his way to Colubo Mountain, which would take another day of travel by jet ski. Since traveling at night would make it easy to lose his way, he had to rest there for the night.
When the people at the port saw Andy retrieve his jet ski and put it away in his spatial storage, they instantly recognized him. In this world, a ship's reputation often preceded a person's.
In an instant, everyone at the port was focused on Andy, whispering amongst themselves, some even moving away out of fear. After all, the things Andy had supposedly done at the Darereka Islands had terrified them.
Andy ignored their stares, calmly walking toward the bustling part of the island. Now that he had learned Armament Haki, hiding his presence wasn't his style anymore. However, the World Government intelligence officers hidden in Coral Royal Court immediately reported his arrival to their superiors.
Soon, on the sea between the Darereka Islands and Coral Royal Court, Duke received the intelligence that Andy had already landed. Unlike Skull Bay, King Xavier of the Coral Royal Court was a benevolent monarch who loved his people, but he was also a formidable fighter.
"The World Government's intelligence network is indeed powerful. Red Hawk truly did land at Coral Royal Court. However, Xavier, I hope you don't make this difficult for meā¦" Duke Hegu muttered to himself, a chilling killing intent in his words. He was also shocked; he hadn't expected Andy's ship to be so fast. It would take his fleet at least another day to reach Coral Royal Court.
Coral Royal Court Palace
Andy hadn't been on the island for long before King Xavier received a report that Red Hawk Andy had landed in his country. This made him uneasy; he knew this pirate was a cruel and murderous man.
Red Hawk had killed countless Marines and civilians, and even a Marine branch commander, along with Luna, Skull Bay's most promising junior. He knew Duke Hegu was extremely fond of his adopted daughter and would surely come for revenge. The thought of dealing with Duke Hegu gave King Xavier a throbbing headache.
"What a troublesome problem," King Xavier said, rubbing his head in distress.
"Your Majesty, what should we do now? Should we try to drive him away?" asked Marcus, the Defense Minister, whose hair and beard were graying.
"We can't provoke him. Red Hawk is an inhumane, bloodthirsty pirate. Here's what we'll do, Marcus. Go make contact with him. Warn him not to harm the civilians of our country, or I will personally intervene! And he cannot stay here for too long. Tell him to leave immediately after getting his supplies," King Xavier ordered after a moment of consideration.
"I understand, Your Majesty," Marcus replied, accepting the order and leaving the palace for the port city.
"I hope no accidents happen, sighā¦" King Xavier said to himself, looking in the direction of the port.
"Your Majesty!" a voice suddenly shouted. "This is bad! Red Hawk Andy has already had a conflict with some pirates who were resupplying here!"
"What?!" King Xavier exclaimed in disbelief. He had just hoped that Red Hawk wouldn't cause any trouble, and before the thought had even faded, bad news had arrived.