"Gah ha ha ha ha! Look at all this money and food! We won't be hungry for a long time!" a pirate shouted.
"Hey, this drink is empty!" another yelled. "Women, stop moving so slow and fill it up!"
This island wasn't supposed to be in this part of the sea.
It wasn't on any sailing paths, so the Navy wasn't watching it. The area was not on their patrols because they thought there were no islands here.
A powerful pirate had brought... an island... to this spot.
"The real plan starts in three days," one of the leaders said. "While the Marines are busy with the government ships, we'll attack the base we've been watching."
"We'll kill all the Marines and take their base for ourselves!"
"I hope there are women," a third pirate slurred. "Shiki took almost all the good ones, and we're tired of the ones who are left. Marine women should be more fun."
"If we take their base and make the Navy weaker, we can steal anything! This whole sea will belong to pirates! If you want something, just take it!"
"That's right! Ga ha ha ha ha!!"_
People who were captured as slaves built the buildings, making it into a small town.
In the fanciest bar, women were forced to serve drinks. They wore chains on their ankles that were light enough to walk, but they poured the drinks while shaking in fear.
"We're celebrating early!" the dirty man with the messy beard cheered. "Boss Shiki gave us plenty of money! Drink, eat, and have fun! When we run out, we'll just steal more!"
"Yeah!!"
"Hey, you! Woman! Come here! I'll give you some special attention!"
"Bring more food here! Move faster, or you'll be sorry!"
The pirates cheered at the words of the dirty man with the messy beard—
"My, they really have no class at all..." a quiet voice said.
In the next moment, every pirate fell to the floor. Only the serving women were left standing.
"Well... I guess this is what normal pirates are like," the same voice added.
The young women who were forced to serve looked around, surprised.
A group wearing black suits had shown up without anyone noticing.
The group was made of mostly beautiful women. They smiled a little at the women who were trapped.
Then, the woman who looked like their leader, the one with short hair, stepped forward.
"Please, don't worry," she said. "We are here to rescue you."
"A-are you Marines?" one of the scared women, the one who looked the bravest, asked.
"No. But the Marines are coming later. We are the first team here."
"If you're not Marines, then who are you!?"
"Well... this is hard to explain," She said awkwardly, "but we're pirates."
"—What!?"
–
"Captain, we have taken the port town in the south," Amisu reported over the Den Den Mushi. "We saved the civilians who were forced to work in the bar where most of the pirates were. Things were a bit crazy, but no one is hurt. We are now freeing the civilians and tying up the pirates."
"Good, well done, Amisu," I replied. "Keep working, but also watch the area. If anyone else shows up, stop them right away."
"Yes, sir!"
For now, I'm waiting far away with the Navy. I'm with the special attack fleet led by Commodore Taki.
The surprise attack worked. I sent in my guards, led by Amisu. They have learned the 'Stealthy Step Style,' even if they haven't learned the 'Moon Walk'. So, stage one is done.
There was nothing in the sea where we expected, so I thought they had made a base out of ships, like Germa...
But no, I was really surprised to find an island that shouldn't even be here.
Shiki the Golden Lion. I'll remember that name. I have a feeling I'll fight him at a strange time.
I need to think of a plan for that.
"Your guards did a good job," Commodore Taki said beside me.
"Yes. I'm going to send out more scouts, just in case. Please wait, Commodore. Perona."
I decided we needed everyone for this big fight. I left just a few people to guard our home base, Mopuchi Country, and brought everyone else.
...It's also a backup plan. Just in case they break our deal and try to arrest us right after this fight.
"We really can't be seen," I instructed. "Please fly in low from the port we just took and scout the area."
"Horo horo horo. Yes, leave it to me," Perona's voice came back.
We already know the whole layout of the island. Perona had her ghosts look at it from high in the sky where no one could see them.
I made a simple map from that, and Daz, Hancock, Commodore Taki, and I made a plan.
"Kuro," Perona reported a few minutes later, "nothing has changed since before we sent the guards. They are all still partying in that fort near the north port. They don't know what Amisu and the others did. There are no lookouts around the port we took."
These guys have terrible defenses...
It was very easy to get on the island.
Pirates should be more careful than this.
After Perona's report, Commodore Taki, the commander of this special team, looked at me and nodded.
It's time to start the plan.
"Okay, we have our main plan," I said to the group. "Let's review the 'Black Cat' teams. —Hancock, you are the leader of the second team."
"Yes," Hancock said, her voice confident. "It has been a while since I fought freely for you, Captain. You can count on me."
I hadn't seen her in a while, and I was shocked. She and her sisters trained their Haki so much. She's even more reliable now.
She has trained her team well, too. She is definitely a team captain.
"Your team will hold this base," I ordered. "Wait until the main guards and the Navy team get into position."
"When the fight starts, we will join the main guards and attack the partying pirates from both sides, right?" she confirmed.
"Yes. Robin will be your operator. Work well with her."
"Understood."
Good, good. That's right.
"Mihawk, you will land with us and wait. When the fight starts, you can move freely. I'll trust your judgment. Cut down their numbers or take out their leaders. Do whatever you think is best."
"I understand," he replied. "I will fight hard and honor this great sword you gave me."
Good. He can be intense in training, but he follows orders. Mihawk is very dependable.
As a fighter, he is amazing. I tell myself not to get careless, even though this is the past, but with him, I feel like we can win any fight.
He's also smart, so I can trust him to make his own choices.
He's like Zoro from the Straw Hat crew, but if he never got lost and was an even better fighter.
......
Is he the best?
He really is the best.
"My main team, led by me and Daz, will attack the north port with the Navy," I announced. "First, we will break their ships so they can't sail, cutting off their escape."
"Then we land, save the civilians, and get rid of the pirates?" Daz clarified.
"Yes. The more pirates we beat in the first rush, the easier the rest of the battle will be. Everyone in the Black Cat Pirates, show them what you learned in training!"
"Understand?" I looked at my crew, and they all answered with a perfect, silent salute.
Yes, good.
I'm glad I trained them so hard. I also made simple rules for them, like no stealing and no gambling.
I was a little worried that some teams are stronger than others. But they all follow orders from leaders like me and Daz. They don't act like wild outlaws. They have morals. They are becoming the perfect pirate crew I always wanted.
"Commodore, please give the order," I said, turning to Taki.
"...I am sorry, Kuro," he said, looking troubled. "You should be the one leading this..."
Why!?
Yes, I know that I am 'equal' to Aokiji during this truce, but I am still a pirate!!
I don't want to be put in the same group as those fools partying over there, but we are both pirates!
"We are pirates," I said respectfully. "We do not agree with the World Government. Please, do not worry. We need to focus on the pirates and the people they captured."
"Yes, you are right," Taki agreed.
Commodore Taki. Honestly, Kuzan and I owe him a lot. I really wish he had taken over from that fool, the Regional Manger. Things would have been much easier.
He is a great Marine, so his men really look up to him.
That is why he was made the commander of this special team.
...Of course, that's because I put in a good word with Kuzan and the other officers.
Anyway, his face changed from a kind grandfather's face to a Marine's face.
"We will now begin the surprise attack on the main pirate base. Everyone, get in position!"
–
"It truly is easier when you are here, Captain," Hancock sighed, though Kuro was miles away.
"...I never thought I'd hear you say that..." Mihawk commented from the shadows nearby.
"Hey, you should try leading soldiers! Or try taking care of a whole territory! Mihawk!" Hancock snapped.
"Hahaha. I am just a guest and a sword teacher," Mihawk chuckled. "I don't have to worry about those 'fancy' problems. Sorry, Hancock."
"......Why you...!"
Hancock's team and one of the world's best swordsmen were hiding in a port. This was one of the pirate bases that the main guards had already taken over.
"Hancock, did pirates come to Mopuchi Country, too?" Robin asked quietly from her side.
Next to Hancock was Robin. She is the operator, a special and important member of the 'Black Cat' Pirates.
Hancock kept an eye on the area and gently patted the head of the younger girl.
"Yes... fourteen times. I learned that countries without protection are easily attacked by new pirates."
"Was anyone strong there?" Mihawk asked.
"Is that really the first thing you ask?" Hancock glared at him.
And then there was Mihawk.
"Why don't you ask about the land or the people? You farmed some of that land! The people there like you!"
"If you were leading a Black Cat team with Perona and Hack, I knew there would be no problems," Mihawk replied simply. "The only way you'd have trouble is if a very strong enemy showed up, one who could actually hurt you."
"Mihawk, what's wrong?" Robin interjected, sounding concerned. "You're praising her without being mean. Did you eat something strange? Should I get the doctor?"
Hancock was too surprised to speak, and Robin asked a very rude question.
But Mihawk didn't seem mad. He just smiled a little.
"You are already as strong as a Grand Line fighter, even though you are young. You are also learning Kuro's tactics and fighting style. An army led by you would be hard to beat. If you met an enemy that gave you trouble, I would love to fight them."
"...I never thought you would just praise me like that," Hancock said, flustered.
After Kuro saved her, Hancock learned about the Black Cat crew and got interested in more than just fighting. But deep down, she is still a Kuja warrior.
Because of that, she always liked it when people praised her strength.
"That's why I want to know. How did you make your Haki so strong?"
"Ah... we had a guest," Hancock explained. "Someone from Kuja came to check if Sonia and I were safe. While you were all busy in the Mogwa Kingdom, that person trained me."
"...Oh."
"Hey, stop it!" Hancock hissed. "Captain hasn't even started the attack! Don't let your fighting spirit show!"
Mihawk let out his fighting spirit, making the soldiers nervous. Robin and Sonia were used to it and just sighed, "There he goes again."
"Just focus on the plan for now. The guest is still in Mopuchi Country. He wants to meet Captain and is drinking with Hack. If you ask, maybe you can fight him later."
When Hancock said that, Mihawk calmed his spirit, but it felt even sharper.
Robin just put her head in her hands and shook it.
"That is good to hear," Mihawk said, his voice low. "Now I have a reason to fight hard in this battle."
Loud booming sounds started coming from the north.
It was a blast from seven cannons at once. The 'Black Cat' soldiers knew this sound. It was the first shot to check their aim.
"Robin."
"Yes, it started," Robin confirmed. "The people partying in the fort are all in a panic. I don't think they know the north port is under attack yet."
"They're confused and drunk," Hancock sneered. "...This is our chance to save the civilians."
"These pirates caused trouble all over the sea," Mihawk added, resting his hand on his sword. "Let's see how they handle it when their own base is attacked."
"Hmph. They are just a group of bad men. We will crush them."
More and more cannon sounds were heard. Then, the sounds of shouting and fighting began.
Hancock heard this and knew it was time. She fired a whistling arrow toward the guards and Marines who were waiting far away. This was the signal.
"All right! Let's go!" Hancock shouted. "Show them the pride of the 'Black Cat' pirates!"
--
Will try to upload 2 chapters per day from now on.