North Blue, Branch 141 Base.
A brand-new small warship, carrying fifty men, sailed straight out of the harbor.
Veteran sailors from Garp's ship handled navigation, steering, and lookout duties with practiced ease, while the elite recruits from Headquarters observed, learned, and adapted.
Come to think of it, he had taken away half of Garp's seasoned crew. How were they supposed to manage back there?
Monkey D. Dragon shook his head, forcing those scattered thoughts aside, and gave a calm order.
"Maintain a straight course for now. No changes in direction without my command."
"Yes, Major!"
Lieutenant Karl replied respectfully.
The small warship cut through the waves. The veterans from Garp's ship remained composed, clearly accustomed to this kind of voyage.
The newer Headquarters recruits, however, could not hide their excitement as they looked around.
This was their first real mission at sea outside of training.
Still, doubt lingered in their hearts. Was the major truly planning to rely on chance to encounter pirates in the vast ocean?
Although North Blue was only one of the four seas, its waters were immense. Even with many pirates around, running into one by accident was far from guaranteed.
Their eyes drifted back to the tall figure standing on the deck, hoping the outcome would not disappoint their energetic commander.
Monkey D. Dragon showed no trace of anxiety.
A powerful surge of Observation Haki spread outward from him, covering everything within a ten kilometer radius.
He did not examine every detail, but if a pirate ship entered that range, there was no way he would miss it.
This was Observation Haki at the peak level of a Marine vice admiral, strength worthy of an admiral candidate. In a pirate-infested sea like North Blue, it was an overwhelming advantage.
The strain was significant, but still well within what he could endure.
Dragon's eyes snapped open.
"Northwest, thirty five degrees. Full speed ahead."
"Understood, Major!"
The helmsman turned the wheel decisively, and the warship surged northwest at an angle of thirty five degrees.
Dragon calculated silently. Their speed was ten knots, over eighteen kilometers per hour.
The pirate ship lay ten kilometers away, moving at only four knots toward an island. Their routes were nearly identical.
With the speed difference, they would arrive first, with time to spare.
Meanwhile, far out at sea.
A massive pirate ship charged toward Rogi Island, less than four kilometers away.
The island held a village of over three hundred people and plentiful resources.
One hundred pirates of the Tiger Shark Pirates gripped their weapons, bloodthirsty grins spread across their faces as they stared ahead.
"That's our target this time. Wonder how much those villagers have saved up. If it's too little, the old man's going to start killing again."
"Heh. I'm more curious whether there are newlyweds. Young couples always panic the fastest. That's the most entertaining part."
"Enough nonsense. Keep it under control this time. Last raid nearly turned into a death match. If everyone dies, there's no one left to plunder later."
"That's right. Wiping everyone out is pointless."
Laughter rippled through the deck.
The pirates grew more restless by the second, eager to jump into the sea and swim the rest of the way.
Being a pirate was freedom. They did whatever they wanted.
"Silence!"
A towering giant over three meters tall roared. Bali Verd, muscles like carved stone, glared at them.
"You're already losing control before we even land. Once we're ashore, will you forget who your captain is?"
"Captain, we would forget our own fathers before we forget you!"
The pirates stiffened and hurried to flatter him.
Not only was he their leader, he carried a bounty of twenty seven million berries. He had ruled the North Blue through violence, his hands stained with countless lives, and his strength inspired genuine fear.
If they truly angered him, death would come instantly.
"Hmph."
Bali snorted cold air through his nose.
"Remember this. On the island, do whatever you want, but kill no more than one hundred people. If the number goes over, one of you dies. Understood?"
After razing several villages, he had learned a simple truth. Kill everyone, and you lose a supply point. Killing half was enough.
"Yes, boss! You're right!"
"Boss is merciful. Only a hundred this time!"
"Boss is generous. I'll restrain myself too!"
The pirates nodded eagerly, grinning as they agreed.
Only then did Bali relax slightly, his mountain-like muscles easing.
"Hurry up. Move faster. Loot quickly once we land. Don't waste time. After this island, there's another one waiting."
"We're already at full speed. We'll arrive in about ten minutes!"
"Don't worry, boss. This raid will be clean and efficient. You'll be satisfied!"
The deck erupted into noise again, each pirate loudly declaring loyalty.
Bali's vicious face twisted into a smile as he leaned back in his chair, eyes half closed.
Then a lookout suddenly shouted.
"Boss! There's a Marine warship anchored at the island ahead! Looks like forty or fifty Marines, and they arrived before us. Not sure what they're doing!"
"Hm?"
Bali stood up and peered forward, a look of contempt spreading across his face.
A small warship. New, but nothing special.
"Head straight for them!" he bellowed. "This time, we rob the Marines too. Showing off a shiny new ship in front of me? I want to see which branch got rich!"
Compared to villagers, looting a Marine ship promised far greater rewards. A new warship meant well-equipped Marines with plenty of valuables.
He feared no Marine in North Blue.
"Boss is incredible! Teach those Marines a lesson!"
"They haven't reacted yet. Haven't they noticed us? A bunch of rookies?"
"Probably. Otherwise they would have fled the moment they saw our flag!"
"Ha! Bad luck for them today!"
The pirates whistled and laughed, not sparing the Marines a serious glance.
They had slaughtered plenty of Marines before.
If they wiped out this group, their reputation would soar even higher.
As the distance closed to less than three hundred meters, the pirates' expressions turned ferocious.
Then came the thunder of cannon fire.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
More than ten shells struck the pirate ship with perfect precision and exploded.
Wood splintered in all directions. Dozens of pirates were killed instantly, and the massive ship was torn apart.
"Well done."
Dragon patted the gunner beside him on the shoulder in praise.
He had waited ten minutes. The pirates had finally arrived.
They were foolish, unable even to fire at such close range. Small time criminals, nothing more.
"The Major's command was flawless!"
Several artillerymen looked at Dragon with open admiration.
They had arrived early and stood around in confusion, never expecting to actually encounter pirates. His prediction felt almost unreal.
"Report, Major! A small group of enemies is still approaching. Should we open fire?"
The lookout's report was precise.
"No need. Let them come closer. This is good practice. Every one of them counts as results."
Dragon waved calmly.
Pirates in North Blue were mostly useless. Their only value was as stepping stones.
"I am Bali the Tiger Shark! Die for me!"
Bali burst out of the sea, soaked and furious, eyes blazing as he charged toward Dragon.
His clothes were torn, muscles exposed. Though he had been hit by the barrage, he was not seriously injured.
The battle was just beginning.