https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-163-A-Master-and-Apprentice-Showdown/12610965/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-165-The-Collector-and-the-Figurines-are-a-Perfect-Match-/12610967/
Chapter 164: What's Scary About a Dead Otaku?
Chapter 164: What's Scary About a Dead Otaku?
Within the darkness of the mist, nothing could be seen.
On the deck of the Death Omen, lights illuminated the area, providing some visibility.
Hawkins looked around and reached out to grasp the mist, frowning. "We can only see clearly up close. While it may deter pursuers, if we encounter any, we won't be able to react in time."
"If we can't react, we'll just destroy them," Sag laughed. "No one wants to linger in this godforsaken place anyway."
As the Devil's Triangle was shrouded in mist, any ships that ventured in would lose their sense of direction. Without relying on a record needle, navigation was impossible, and no one would willingly stay in such a desolate place for long.
There was nothing here.
Beyond this point lay Fishman Island, the midpoint of the first half, and any pirate aiming for the New World would swiftly pass through this area.
Sag didn't have a record needle for Fishman Island, so he hadn't fully charged his magnetism and couldn't move forward. However, he had a permanent needle for his return journey, allowing him to revisit places like Water Seven and other worthwhile looting spots.
"Lily, set course for Water Seven!" Sag called out.
Lily walked over, a furrow between her brows. "Are we going there now? What if that Kapu guy—"
"Scared of that old fart? I've got a plan!" Sag laughed heartily.
Based on the known information, making a plan should have been simple.
According to the intelligence Owl had provided earlier, his cousin should have arrived at Water Seven by now. By the time they sailed there, the Enies Lobby incident would likely be unfolding.
The navy guards would undoubtedly head to Enies Lobby, leaving the door wide open for Sag's looting spree, regardless of who was in charge!
CP9's intelligence gathering only went from the top down and didn't involve other agencies. All their information came from above, and Owl's knowledge of the navy wasn't due to their ability to investigate but purely because of a foolish superior.
Although he hadn't met this person, Gabra and the other two often ranted about how much of a waste Spandamu was as a commander. And this wasteful commander liked to share some information with CP9, which was how Sag knew about it.
Initially, there shouldn't have been any issues, and they just needed to wait for the Enies Lobby incident to unfold. But now, there was an unexpected factor—the old guy, Kapu!
This old man didn't follow the usual patterns, and Sag wasn't sure if he might suddenly take a fancy to staying at Water Seven. However, this didn't matter much.
He didn't just have one plan!
He had many plans!
"Old fart, if you want to catch me, I'll give you a chance!"
Sag bared his teeth, his expression sinister. "I'll go to Enies Lobby myself!"
If Kapu wanted to be at Water Seven, he'd go to Enies Lobby and draw attention there. And if the old man wasn't there, he'd just take what he wanted!
As for his reason…
Sag looked at Gabra and the others, saying, "Spread the word that Nico Robin is my sister. As fellow survivors of Ohara, if she's going to be captured, I, as her brother, will naturally go to rescue her. No one should have a problem with that, right?"
"Brother…? Your brother?"
Gabra was taken aback. "You and that 'Devil's Child' are siblings? No, wait, the Devil's Child is actually your sister?!"
That kind of woman didn't seem worthy of being compared to Sag, and it would be more normal to flip it around.
Then everything made sense!
Why, as a survivor of Ohara, would this guy have a collection of historical texts on his ship, and why would he be able to understand them? Not only that, but he was also incredibly strong!
Compared to this guy, Nico Robin was nothing.
This matter had to be reported!
"Lily, cut across the fourth route and circle around from there."
Sag walked towards the captain's room. "Marika, bring me something to eat."
"Yes, sir!"
Marika laughed and then addressed the others. "I'll also have the kitchen prepare food to warm us up and replenish our energy so we can withstand the storm."
"Long live Marika!" the pirates cheered.
After the intense downpour, the pirates had been tired from the looting and their escape. Now, enjoying delicious food was indeed a comforting thought.
Lily gave a few commands to ensure their temporary course was stable and then made her way to the captain's room as well.
They couldn't immediately leave the Devil's Triangle after just entering it—who knew if Kapu was lying in wait outside. However, they could use the permanent needle for Water Seven to lock in their direction and then sail in another direction, detaching themselves from this route.
Sag's thinking on this matter was correct, but…
"Are you really going to Enies Lobby?"
Lily entered the captain's room and saw Sag lounging in the golden throne, his legs propped up on the table. He held a cigar in one hand and a gem-encrusted wine glass in the other, looking quite relaxed.
The darkness and mist outside had no effect on Sag inside, though the lower levels of the ship might be a little affected. However, the three-story structure on the deck was electrically powered.
"Of course!" Sag nodded. "The reason for rescuing Nico Robin is very credible, isn't it? By creating a ruckus at Enies Lobby, the attention will be on me, and the plan can be carried out. As for the risk, every line of work has its dangers. Rest assured, I can escape."
While Kapu was strong, he couldn't stop Sag if he wanted to flee alone.
As Nico Robin's brother and a fellow survivor of Ohara, the World Government would surely investigate and believe that his intention to go to Enies Lobby was sincere.
Whether he actually intended to rescue her depended on the situation. If needed, he wouldn't mind getting involved, and if not, then he didn't have to do anything. He didn't even need to hold up the Navy for long. As long as Kapu arrived at Enies Lobby, he could immediately retreat.
"Water Seven and Enies Lobby are connected by a sea train track. We can follow the tracks back to Water Seven. By the time I return, you'll have finished the looting. We'll rendezvous and board the ship, using the permanent needle to head in another direction to continue our plundering. Once we've hit all the major spots, we'll enter the New World!"
"You guys are doing pretty well now. We have the capital to enter the New World. Once we're there, we won't have to worry about the pesky Navy!" Sag said.
Lily worried, "It's still a bit too risky. After all, that's the stronghold of the Navy heroes. Do we have to plunder Water Seven?"
"That's the crux of the plan!" Sag laughed heartily. "The most famous shipyard, the Navy's designated warship manufacturer—whether it's money or supplies, it's top-notch. If we want to strengthen the Death Omen, we must gather enough materials there. This opportunity is rare, and I don't want to miss it!"
The Enies Lobby incident was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If he missed this chance, he might never get another shot at Water Seven.
It wouldn't be called having multiple backup plans if he let Kapu force him to give up on Water Seven! Whether he could win or not was one thing, but being afraid was another!
Since the age of two, Sag had never been afraid of anything!
Before long, Marika came up the inner hall stairs carrying a tray of food, which she placed on the office desk before setting another portion on the coffee table.
Lily nodded without thanking her. After all, they had been together for a while, and everyone had a good relationship.
The senior executives' meals also depended on the situation. Sometimes they ate outside, sometimes on the first floor, and sometimes they just ate with Sag in the captain's room.
After all, Sag had the biggest appetite, so it made sense to prepare his meal and include the other executives' portions as well.
Lily kept an eye on the permanent needle for Water Seven, waiting for it to turn ninety degrees before she intended to give the order for the Death Omen to turn around.
Their position had already surpassed Water Seven, and now they were sailing horizontally. As long as the angle was correct, it meant they had reached Water Seven's original route, and the Navy wouldn't be able to detect them from here.
Aside from Lily, not a single person on the ship knew their bearings.
"Lord Sag! Lady Lily!"
Just then, an anxious voice called out from outside the door.
"Come in."
At Lily's prompt, Ajin pushed the door open and exclaimed, "We've been blocked! Our ship is blocked!"
She instinctively looked out the window, her pupils narrowing as she saw a huge wall blocking the Death Omen's path.
Lily stood up and walked to the window, her brow furrowing as she took in the scene outside. Through the storm, she could make out a huge circular wall extending to either side of the Death Omen's position.
It wasn't just a wall; it seemed to be a complete encirclement.
They were trapped.
"Devil's Triangle," Hawkins walked in and said calmly, "At least a hundred ships that enter this area go missing every year, so this mist-shrouded region has always been forbidden. I've always been curious about why this phenomenon occurs, and now it's clear that this is the reason."
"Sag! Sag!"
Renitia ran up the stairs from below, calling out, "We're blocked by a wall! It seems pretty thick; I don't know if our cannons can break through!"
In their previous encounter with Kapu, Sag had fired quite a few cannonballs, significantly reducing their stock.
But it wasn't a big problem.
If they ran out of cannonballs, Sag could always make more.
His strength was there for all to see.
Lily took out a telescope and peered out of another window, turning to say, "Sag, there's an island there. I can see the outline of a town.
"A massive wall, the silhouette of an island, and a town..."
Sag paused, "I almost forgot about that guy!"
"Who?" Hawkins asked.
"Moriah!"
Sag stood up and walked towards the door. "Lily, head to that island. I want to meet this guy!"
Within the Devil's Triangle, shrouded by a vast mist that encompassed all shipping lanes, lurked an individual who devoured any ship that ventured into the fog.
Once ensnared by the submerged wall, one would find themselves within his hunting grounds.
He was none other than Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
"One of the Seven Warlords?"
Hawkins' eyes narrowed, "So it's him. I've heard of his exploits; he's an incredibly formidable existence."
"What's so terrifying about a dead otaku? Hahaha!"
Sag laughed, "In fact, I'm quite interested in him!"
As one of the Seven Warlords, Moriah was a well-known powerhouse among the countless pirates and a familiar name to Sag.
Ever since his defeat at the hands of Kaido, this dead otaku had been holed up here, playing with his figurines—little better than a recluse.
Nonetheless, Sag knew that Moriah was still a force to be reckoned with. After all, he had maintained his position as one of the Seven Warlords for many years without any signs of wavering.
If his memory served him right, Moriah was quite the capable strategist, similar to Hawkins but even more formidable.
He possessed impressive abilities, cunning intellect, and a strong sense of loyalty towards his companions. As for his mental fortitude...
If he could be broken, he could also be rebuilt! And even in his current state, Moriah was already incredibly powerful.
For Sag, who intended to raid Water Seven and then venture into the New World, Moriah would be an excellent addition to his crew! As a pirate aspiring to establish his dominion in the New World and eventually aim for the seat of the Four Emperors, having powerful allies by his side was crucial.
And Moriah fit the bill perfectly!
The Death Omen sailed towards the island, soon docking alongside it. There, they beheld the massive, eerie castle that loomed over it.
"Yikes! So eerie, it's a castle, no, wait, there are flags and sails on it!"
Renitia spoke, her eyes wide with curiosity as she studied the structure. But then, her eyes widened even further as she realized something amiss. "This is actually a ship!"
On the mast of the castle-like ship, several large sails were hoisted. One of them was black and bore the image of a skull with bat-like wings in the background!
"Is this ship this massive?"
Renitia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I want to go in and see how it's constructed!"
Eerie?
Spooky?
She didn't find such things interesting.
Marika's smile remained unchanged as she mused, "With such a large place, I wonder what they eat. Do eerie places have eerie food? And what would that taste like?"
Lily's expression remained unchanged as she stood by Sag's side.
She only felt repulsed by slimy and tentacled creatures; eerie castles didn't bother her in the least.
Hawkins, on the other hand, wore an expression of keen interest, befitting a fortune teller who was naturally drawn to mysterious and sinister things.
"Lord Sag, how many people should we bring ashore?" Ajin asked.
"No need for many. A small group will do. I need to show some goodwill, Ajin. You stay behind on the ship. Lily, Marika, Retty, and Old Hawk, you four will accompany me ashore," Sag instructed.
"Should I prepare some food?" Marika inquired.
"No need for that. We'll just go directly. It's just about getting a sense of the place," Sag replied with a laugh.
Just then, he paused, a slight frown creasing his brow as a red dot appeared in his eyes. He glanced towards the deck railing, a soft sound escaping his lips. "Hmm?"
Lily's eyes mirrored his, a red dot appearing in her pupils as well, and her hand rested on the hilt of her sword.
A faint sound of wind brushed past the pirates on the deck, reaching Sag, Lily, and Marika.
"Ah..."
Marika's smile froze for a moment, and her cascading hair lifted slightly, a single strand coiling to the side as if binding something invisible.
While she hadn't yet attained the level of 'seeing the color of the wind,' her danger perception abilities were far from ordinary! At the point where her hair had coiled, a hand slowly materialized, seemingly reaching out towards her.
Boom!
Marika lashed out, seizing the invisible assailant by the hand and yanking them into view with tremendous force.
"Ambushing others isn't a good habit, mister."
Marika tilted her head quizzically. "Mr. Lion?"
(End of Chapter)
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