The flag fluttering in the wind bore the classic pirate insignia — a skull and crossbones — but with a peculiar twist.Instead of the usual skull, this one had a heart printed on the side of its cranium.
Ren found the design oddly familiar but couldn't recall where he'd seen it before.
Before he could think further, Sir Becks let out a shrill, woman-like scream."It's the Alvida Pirates! The Iron Mace Pirate! Turn the ship around, now!"
A Great Pirate!That title was reserved in the East Blue only for pirates with bounties exceeding five million Beli.Every single one of them was a nightmare for the Marines.
Iron Mace Alvida was one such figure — a woman, yet one of the most ruthless and bloodthirsty of all.
Having come from a merchant family, Sir Becks had been forced to learn the dangers of the sea, and he instantly recognized what that Jolly Roger represented.
But it was already too late.
The Alvida Pirates had used one of the oldest tricks in the book — lying in ambush behind the cover of an island that blocked the trade route, waiting to strike from the side.
Sail-powered ships like theirs couldn't possibly escape in time.Once spotted, it was already over.
BOOM!
A black cannonball screamed through the air and smashed into the Gus's mainmast, snapping it in half.
Flames burst out, lighting up the deck as chaos erupted.Panicked screams filled the air.
"It's over…"
Sir Becks stood frozen, his face pale, while the lookout's belated alarm rang out at last.
"Prepare for battle! Pirates ahead!"
"Damn it! Why didn't you report sooner? The mainmast's gone, you idiot!"
The Gus's fighters rushed out cursing — some trying desperately to prevent the broken mast from causing more damage, others grabbing flintlock rifles and hauling the deck guns into position.
But one sailor wailed in despair:"That flag—it's the Alvida Pirates! We're dead!"
They were at sea — where no one could hear them scream.To meet a Great Pirate crew out here, and lose the mainmast at first shot…What hope was there?
"Turn the ship! Hurry, turn us around and flee!"
The mere mention of Alvida's name sent panic rippling through the crew.Even the clueless noble passengers shrieked and fled back into their cabins.
"Don't turn! Full speed ahead — charge through!" Captain Saren barked orders.
But it was already too late.With the mast broken, the Gus slowed to a crawl.
The pirate ship closed in like a shark scenting blood — pirates howling in excitement as they leapt across onto the Gus's deck.
Gunfire roared, blades clashed, and blood splattered across the planks.
"Unlucky day — the pirates are already aboard," Ren muttered, standing beside the returning Zoro.He instinctively moved to shield Zoro while the swordsman placed a hand on his hilt, eyes narrowing.
"Should we intervene?" Zoro asked, his tone calm yet eager. "If we take their ship, we won't need to stay on this Gus."
Ren raised a brow. "Are you confident? Their captain's Alvida — strong as hell even if she looks like a gas tank."
"If not confident, I wouldn't be me."Zoro smirked, pride gleaming in his eyes. "A strong man wins. That's all there is to it.The name Pirate Hunter wasn't something I picked up for free — though this is my first time facing a pirate worth five million."
"You're really the Pirate Hunter!?"
Captain Saren had stumbled back to them, his face pale and streaked with blood.He'd clearly tried to fight but had been forced to retreat by age and exhaustion.
"My name stands unchanged." Ren pointed to Zoro, helping him announce it properly."Roronoa Zoro, the Pirate Hunter."
"But… but I thought the Pirate Hunter was ten feet tall, eight feet wide, a brute gorilla with monstrous strength!"
Saren's disbelief was almost comical.
"Gorilla?"Ren barely stifled his laugh. So now Zoro wasn't even human anymore?Who knew how many ridiculous rumors there were about him at sea.
"I don't recall being any kind of gorilla," Zoro said darkly. "Though… I won't deny the strength part."
Normally, he ignored such talk, but this one clearly hit a nerve.
"All right, whatever you are," Saren said desperately, "please, help us!"
He looked like a drowning man clutching at a straw.
"Help, huh? Captain Saren," Ren interrupted smoothly, smiling with practiced politeness. "I know what you're about to say — something about shared interests or mutual survival, right?"
"But we're passengers. Paying passengers, I might add — at premium rates.Your ship's safety isn't our responsibility.And if you've forgotten, it's only been a few minutes since our… disagreement."
"We're all in the same boat," Saren tried to protest weakly, "if we don't—"
"Zoro will protect me," Ren cut him off. "And I have my own way of leaving safely."
"…Then there's no need for me to plead further, is there?" Saren gave a bitter laugh, realizing he'd lost control of the negotiation. This man clearly had his own agenda.
"Indeed, I could leave right now."
Ren smiled faintly. "But I'm not heartless enough to watch you all get slaughtered by pirates.So—" he raised a finger, his tone turning sharp—"Raise the price."
Raise the price!Those three words rang out like thunder, echoing across the deck.
Ren's deal with Zoro lasted only three months. After that, Zoro would leave.Ren had to obtain enough power to decide his own fate before then — and the Dimensional Roulette required Beli as fuel.
That meant one thing:Ren needed money. Endless amounts of it.
That was his guiding principle — his unshakable logic.Only through money could he spin the wheel that shaped destiny.Only through power could he seize his future.
As for tricking Zoro into joining him long-term? Ren knew he didn't have Luffy's kind of charm — and Zoro wasn't exactly desperate right now.Such thoughts were better left to dreams.
"One million Beli," Captain Saren said quickly. "That's the most I can promise on my own authority.If you want more, you'll have to talk to the trading company backing the Gus — but I can't guarantee they'll honor the deal."
In other words, no promises beyond that.
"Fine, Captain Saren," Ren replied evenly. "But if you break that promise, I'll come collect it myself."
He turned, pointing toward the raging battle on deck."Then it's settled. Zoro — you're up!"
(End of Chapter)