https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1372-Side-Story-The-Pirate-Who-Refuses-to-Lower-His-Flag/13543137/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1374-Extra-Chapter-Absolutely-Won-t-Let-You-Pass-/13543139/
Chapter 1373: Special Chapter - Do You Know What You're Saying?
Chapter 1373: Special Chapter - Do You Know What You're Saying?
Thirty years of development had brought significant changes to the Grand Line, the most notable being the introduction of marine trains across the Four Seas. Though limited to certain regions, several Kingdoms with large landmasses had connected their ports via marine trains, enabling rapid transportation.
Beyond that, however, progress remained modest. The world was simply too vast. The new World Government had only existed for thirty years, and hadn't yet fully eliminated the entrenched capital nobility class. Everything remained a long and arduous journey.
In East Blue's Loguetown, compared to thirty years prior, there had been no revolutionary changes aside from renovated buildings and expanded town areas. This place remained a port town frequently visited by those eager to enter the Grand Line. However, the crowds had shifted from predominantly pirates to mostly adventurers, with a few reckless pirates still lingering.
Near the undeveloped outskirts of Loguetown, a pirate ship slowly approached.
The captain drew his blade, barking orders to his crew, "My men, once we land, move quickly to seize supplies! If we act fast enough, the Navy won't catch us. Once we've secured our supplies, we'll head straight to the Grand Line!"
The pirates hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances. One finally spoke up, "But Captain, Loguetown is where East Blue's strongest Navy forces are stationed. And there's Klah, the Navy Commander here. Maybe we should choose a different landing spot?"
Modern pirates no longer thrived as they had over thirty years ago. They'd become like mice in daylight, yet some still chose this path. After all, only thirty years had passed since the golden age, and piracy had existed for far longer - even before the World Government's formation.
This scourge could never be eradicated completely. There would always be those who rejected stable lives, chasing wealth, freedom, or other intangible dreams down this perilous road. This captain was one such dreamer.
"What about Klah?!" he scoffed. "How would he possibly know we'd land at Loguetown's rear? If we move fast enough, he won't even react! This is our chance to make a name for ourselves!"
The thought of outsmarting the infamous 'Cunning Fox' sent a thrill through him. This was his golden opportunity for fame. After all, under Klah's rule, Loguetown boasted not a single pirate escaped capture!
The ship neared Loguetown's shallow shores, where dense jungle stretched before them. This remote location saw virtually no visitors.
"Fools! The Navy only concentrates their defenses at the main port!" the captain sneered. "How could they possibly guard this desolate place?"
"My men, disembark! Looting time!"
As the ship touched land, the captain leapt from its deck, blade in hand.
Bang!
Pew! Pew! Pew!
The moment their boots hit soil, gunshots rang out from nowhere. More followed in rapid succession. The pirates surrounding the captain dropped one by one, screaming as bullets tore through their bodies.
Eyes wide with panic, the captain screamed, "What's happening?! What's going on?!"
From the jungle surged countless white-clad figures - Navy soldiers in uniform, guns raised and blades drawn, forming a semi-circular encirclement.
"Navy?! How could you be here?!"
"A perfectly normal ambush, wouldn't you say?"
A calm voice drifted from the Navy ranks. A man in a navy-hooded cloak strode forward with a leisurely gait. Tall and broad-shouldered, his pale face bore a monocle. A white top hat crowned his head, and his every movement exuded gentlemanly elegance.
He twirled his arm in the air before placing it over his chest, executing a textbook gentleman's bow. "With so many cannon emplacements at Loguetown Port, even a blind pirate wouldn't dare dock there. If you lot could think to land here, surely the 'Cunning Fox' himself would anticipate this very move."
He extended his hand in a downward motion. "Open fire."
Bang!
The captain collapsed, riddled with bullets.
The gentlemanly Navy officer allowed himself a slight smile, gazing at the corpses. "After all, how could landlubber pirates ever think to break through head-on?"
...
At Loguetown's civilian port, a ship bearing a standard skull jolly roger drew strange looks as it docked.
"Ahhh! Finally arrived!"
From the docks emerged a bald head gleaming under the sun, arms raised high in celebration. The shiny dome practically blinded onlookers as they instinctively closed their eyes.
When they reopened them, the figure had vanished.
"Let's find the execution platform!"
The bald head bobbed excitedly through the streets, charging forward like a bullet before disappearing into the crowd.
"Hey, wait up! You're supposed to be the sea-"
Victoria, cloaked in a hooded cape, reached out to block him but found only empty air. She scowled, "What's wrong with this guy? Why's he always so reckless?!"
Mimir shrugged. "Actually, he's not entirely wrong. Since Captain hasn't received a bounty yet, technically he's not a pirate. He can go anywhere he likes. You're the only one with a bounty."
Victoria groaned, "Don't say things that make me anxious! And why did you have to dock at the main port? Isn't that more obvious? You said we'd come from the back!"
Mimir countered, "Commander 'Cunning Fox' stationed here is no fool. If we could think to avoid the main port, surely he'd anticipate that too. Coming straight in was actually safest."
He continued, "Besides, while we fly a pirate flag, only you have a bounty. If we stay discreet, others will just assume we're cosplaying."
Sighing, he added, "Do you think this is thirty years ago, when seeing a pirate flag would send everyone into panic? Those days are long gone. Now people treat pirate flags as novelties - few are truly afraid anymore."
"I know that", Victoria muttered. She understood this era well, and didn't particularly enjoy being a pirate. But the problem was she'd already boarded this ship, and she was the first to receive a bounty. If that damned bald captain suddenly decided to quit piracy, she'd be left hanging alone.
"Then be careful", Victoria steeled herself. "Mimir, gather intelligence and look for potential recruits. Sya, buy supplies. I'll find our bald captain!"
Mimir nodded. "Careful movements are indeed wisest. As long as we don't draw attention-"
"Hey! Where's the execution platform? Tell me quick! I need to see it before I set out to become the One Piece!!"
A familiar voice rang out suddenly, freezing the trio in place. They turned as one toward the source.
There, in broad daylight, their bald captain was arguing with a group of Navy soldiers.
"That idiot!" they all groaned simultaneously.
Who in their right mind announced their pirate ambitions to Navy officers?
Before the bald man stood a Navy officer slowly turning around. The moment he moved, Mimir's face paled.
"That guy is..." Mimir's mouth twitched. "Could we possibly be this unlucky?"
The officer wore a monocle, his uniform crisp and clean, exuding gentlemanly elegance beneath his navy-hooded cloak. Monocle, navy-hooded cloak - combined with their location in Loguetown, only one person fit this description.
Lyle Klah, Loguetown's Navy Commander and infamous 'Cunning Fox'!
...
Lyle Klah.
He was far more than just Loguetown's Navy Commander. While countless branch commanders existed across the world, Loguetown - and indeed East Blue - held special significance. This region had birthed many legendary figures, including one who once ruled the world - Lucius Kro.
As the largest transit point between East Blue and the Grand Line, Loguetown represented the gateway to the Grand Line. Guarding this location meant preventing dangerous elements from ever reaching the Grand Line, crushing threats before they could sprout.
Moreover, Klah belonged to the faction under a certain high-ranking officer. Though his surname differed, his name matched exactly that of the World Government's Chief of Staff - his superior's superior. His immediate superior was none other than the famous Navy Vice Admiral, Sazil·Kuro!
The very name of the world's savior!
Stationed within the largest faction, guarding the gateway to his faction leader's domain, Klah took his duties with utmost seriousness. Not a single pirate had successfully landed in Loguetown and departed since his arrival.
Yet now, someone had the audacity to ask him about the execution platform while declaring ambitions of becoming the One Piece?
"You", Klah turned fully, his eyes momentarily blinded by the gleaming bald head. Blinking rapidly, he barely glimpsed the man's face before asking coldly, "Do you even know what you're saying?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
