"Alright boys! Take everything in the town! Kill anyone who gets in the way! Kidnap the kids, rape the women, take them with you! It'll sell!"
"Take all the food! If you can't carry it, burn it! Leave nothing behind!"
–
"It's strange for a pirate like me to say this," Hancock remarked, "but pirates who can only rob are a pathetic sight."
"I agree completely," Hack replied. "Being with Captain Kuro makes me forget what a pirate is supposed to be."
"Our Captain is too noble to be a pirate. What kind of pirate helps a princess and rebuilds her country?"
Hack laughed. "Hahaha. That's true."
"Well, it's fine," Hancock said, readying her bow. "Alright, they're in range. Archers, get ready."
Hancock was in charge of defending the Mopuchi Country, now a key base for the Black Cat Pirates. She and her Guard, along with some newer crew members, were waiting for a group of pirates who were heading to the city from a deserted cove.
"To think they believe this is a 'surprise attack'... It's just sad. Captain would do it much better."
"He would start by ordering everyone to be silent," Hack noted.
"Exactly. Alright Perona, if you please."
Perona, who had been using her ghosts to scout the nearby islands, laughed her Horo-horo-horo as she snapped her fingers.
A Mini-Hollow shot out and broke the support for a rock trap on the cliff above the pirates. A pile of boulders crashed down on top of them.
"Mmm, they're confused," Hancock observed. "Hack."
"I know," Hack said, "the Fish-Man team will take their ships, right?"
"Just like always."
More and more Fish-Men were starting to live in secret on Mopuchi and the other island base.
Because of this, more of them were helping out in fights and with work, quietly adding to the Black Cat's strength.
"Perona, keep watch on the island, just in case."
"You got it!"
"Alright—All units, fire!!"
The pirates, already hurt and confused by the rocks, were hit by a rain of arrows.
Hancock watched the perfectly timed volley, proud that their training had paid off. She nocked a whistling arrow and fired it into the air.
PHEEEEE! The strange arrow screamed.
The pirates who were still standing heard the sound and looked up, expecting more arrows—
―― "That's the signal from Big Sister! Sonia!"
―― "Right! Everyone, shout! We'll hit them from both sides and wipe them out!"
―― "OOOOOHHH!!!"
They were trapped.
Hancock's two sisters led a second squad out of hiding and surrounded the pirates. They were cut down before they could even fight back.
Hack bowed to Hancock. "They would have been better off if they hadn't targeted this place. Hancock-dono, I'll be going then."
"Yes. There might still be soldiers on their ships. Be careful."
"Understood."
Hancock watched him go, then sighed.
"This is the third pirate attack since Captain left. ...Captain, there are far more enemies than we thought."
–
Daz reported, "Captain, the last of them are hiding in the castle."
Kuro rubbed his head. "First they scatter like spiders, then they attack with no plan, now they're hiding... What is with these guys? Robin, check the castle's defenses."
Robin nodded, "Okay, I'm on it."
After that, they liberated the port town. They rescued the people of Mogwa and the captured Marines. They set up shelters, passed out food, and treated the wounded. All while sending his own men to hunt down the pirates left in the other towns.
They had taken back two port towns, four inland towns, and three forts. Or, to be more accurate, Mihawk had just cut a fort in half, and the pirates had run away screaming.
Seriously, these guys...
He was so glad Kuzan was here. Thanks to him, the enemies who scattered couldn't get away.
It would have been easier if he'd brought Perona, but she was the best one for defense.
Or for running away.
He wasn't worried, but he had told her just in case: if things get bad, take the Queen, the Princess, and as many people as possible and run to the main base.
He needed to check on that base—the empty island—soon. Toya and Hack were checking on it, but...
Kuro listed the tasks. "Mihawk is taking Miakis to check on the western towns. Amisu is escorting the refugees. Kuzan-san is guarding the port town."
Daz said, "All that's left is to take the castle."
"...I can't believe we have to save the kings of the country that tried to set us up," Kuro grumbled.
Well, if they were still alive.
Those pirates never talked about hostages. All they yelled was "Join us! Hyahaha!" so it was hard to know what was going on.
"When Amisu gets back, we'll attack. Robin, once you've checked what you can, take a break."
–
"This place is burned, too," Mihawk said, walking through the ashes.
"It feels like they're just... burning everything," Miakis replied.
The great swordsman, 'Marine Hunter', was checking the towns of Mogwa with the female soldier he had trained. She was the best defensive fighter in the Guard.
"There are very few refugees for a town this size," Mihawk noted. "But I don't see many bodies."
"...Do you think they were taken?"
"If they were, they're not on this island. There's nowhere to hide them."
"And unlike us, they don't have records. We don't even know how many people are missing..."
"Only Kuro would do something like that," Mihawk said.
"...Well, yes."
Mihawk pointed. "And they burned the town hall, the church... even the graveyard..."
The fire was set the day of the attack. It was all out now. All that was left was smoke, ruined houses... and a huge, black field where no one could tell what used to grow.
Miakis, her two short swords at her hip, bent down. She pressed her hand into the mat of fine ash.
"Ugh... yup, all the crops are gone. Winter is coming... I wonder if they'll be okay."
"That's the Marines' and the Government's problem," Mihawk said. "The only issue is if the survivors—Wait. Miakis. Don't move... No, take a few steps back."
"Huh? Okay..."
She did as he said, waddling backward. Mihawk stepped into the space and looked at the ground.
There were burnt bits of grain. And...
"A burnt-out torch?" Miakis asked.
"...They threw it in."
Mihawk walked around the large, ruined field for a few minutes.
"Miakis," he said.
"Yes, sensei?"
"Get Kuro on the Den Den Mushi. This was not just a random pirate attack."
–
Kuro spoke into the receiver. "Their goal wasn't to steal, it was to burn?"
"I can't see any other reason," Mihawk's voice came back.
Robin had just finished checking the castle. Kuro had been letting his crew rest when the Den Den Mushi rang.
"I'm having Miakis check other places, but it looks like they set fire to all four corners of the fields. Then they threw more torches into the middle. It's too careful for a simple robbery."
Robin and Daz, who had been eating, gathered around.
Daz said, "...It's not even harvest time yet. They were about to prepare for winter."
"It's just as bad as having everything stolen. But when things are 'stolen', you have hope. When they're 'lost'..."
Kuro said, "...The World Government will probably send aid."
"If this is happening in other places, they might not be able to handle it."
Robin added quietly, "If the World Government can't help... the West Blue could have a major famine..."
Ah, this feeling.
It felt very, very familiar.
It was the same feeling he got after saving Amisu, when Robin told him the weapons they found were from the North Blue.
"If this was planned, the person behind it wants—"
"I know," Kuro cut him off. "If people are starving, they will steal from others. They'll target the non-member nations first..."
But those nations don't have any extra food. They're already starving.
Even Mopuchi and Luchu, which he was trying to fix, didn't have much to spare.
"Not just crops. Winter is coming. They've burned all the fuel, too."
"...Right. I forgot about that."
"They might even start fighting each other for what's left."
That would definitely happen.
And the Revolutionary Army was already a problem...
This was bad. This was really bad.
There wouldn't be much to gather from the forests for months. If this was happening everywhere...
Damn it! I thought the pirates were teaming up too fast!
He knew who was behind this. That slimy, pink-sunglasses-wearing bastard!
He was trying to make the World Government nations fight each other!
Why is he so active!?
This is bad. All the blame could fall on us—on Robin—for starting the trouble in the West Blue!
He had to check with Kuzan, but they had to act fast.
–
"I can't believe you dragged me out of retirement... Mr. Doflamingo... Or should I call you 'Saint' Doflamingo?"
"Fuffuffu. Your information is as good as ever. Call me whatever you like. After all, you agreed to my crazy request."
In a dark bar in the North Blue, two men were drinking. The bar was completely empty.
"Nah. I liked your reason. You just want to beat some guy. I get it. A guy I wanted to beat ran out on me... Oh, I understand."
The older, scruffy-haired man with sunglasses took a drink. He poured more for the younger man.
The younger man, Doflamingo, smiled. "...He's just like the bastard who threw my family into hell. But he's strong in a way that bastard never was. I hate him for it. And I can't help but like him for it."
"So you want to crush him! Hahaha! Good! I like that!"
The older man laughed, and Doflamingo poured him another drink.
"But I'm retired. So, I'll just teach you everything I know."
"That's more than enough. I thought you'd say no. But to have you as my 'teacher'? I don't know how I can thank you. Fuffuffu."
"I'm asking you again. Teach me your skills—the skills that made the world call you the best."
"Teach me the skills of the 'Master of Festivities,' Buena Festa—the world's greatest 'War Instigator'."
--
Powerstone Goal : 100 (60 Remaining till next Bonus Chapter)