https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-356-A-Small-Fraction-of-Pirates-Do-as-They-Please/12612784/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-358-The-Old-Marine-The-New-Pirate/12612786/
Chapter 357: New and Old Accounts
Chapter 357: New and Old Accounts
Sag looked around, surveying the battle scars amidst the fallen bodies and the wreckage of the interior structures. He fixed his gaze on a corpse kneeling with its upper body leaning against the wall.
Just above the corpse's head were two indentations, one deeper than the other, indicating close but differing impacts.
At a glance, the difference between the two indentations was barely noticeable. However, Sag could discern that the deeper mark was caused by an elbow strike unique to the Longarm Tribe, a race characterized by their double elbows.
The distance between the two marks refuted the possibility of a double-elbow strike, as it would have required a wider stance. Thus, it could only have been a single Longarm Tribe member who threw an elbow strike, only to miss and instinctively dodge by crouching down.
However, the fatal blow was a puncture wound the size of a finger right in the center of the corpse's forehead, delivered with such speed that the victim had no time to react or defend, causing them to collapse into a kneeling position.
Not only was the assailant a member of the Longarm Tribe, but they also...
"Ras."
"Master."
At Sag's call, Ras, who had been trailing behind, approached. Now nine years old, Ras had filled out considerably since he first joined Sag a year ago, shedding his once frail appearance.
While he might not be a prodigy, Ras had his own unique traits as a member of the Demon Race, and through diligent training, he had mastered all six styles. Even among the Demon Race, his aptitude was exceptional.
Despite his young age, Ras had already participated in battles and achieved impressive results, once single-handedly taking down half a pirate crew.
This was hardly an exaggeration. One need only look at examples like Charlotte Linlin razing a giant tribe's village at the age of five, or Jack, who had been fighting alongside Kaido since he was eight, or even Lucci, who was already undertaking solo missions at thirteen. Youth did not preclude capability.
"Let's see if you can discern any specific characteristics of the perpetrator," Sag said.
"Yes, Master," Ras replied.
Ras surveyed the surroundings, starting with the spot where two corpses lay near the entrance to the camp, their bodies flanked by a campfire. The burning wood had clearly been extinguished halfway through, suggesting it had been forcibly put out.
Ras's eyes, black without a hint of whites, fixed intently on the campfire before turning to the two corpses, already showing signs of decay. "There are slash marks on their abdomens, inflicted simultaneously with matching force, creating those gaps," he observed. "The direction of the smoke from the campfire indicates the presence of a flying slash attack, likely associated with wind pressure."
He then turned his attention to the haphazardly strewn bodies inside the camp. "There are puncture wounds the size of fingers on their vital points, resembling bullet holes from a flintlock. Moreover, the speed was incredible, suggesting an extremely rapid-firing flintlock."
"However, it's unlikely for a swordsman capable of a flying slash attack to repeatedly use a flintlock," Ras continued. "Additionally..."
He studied the chaotic pattern of footprints on the ground, as if someone had stomped out dozens of steps in an instant. "These footprints are very chaotic. Although they appear to have been shot, there's no gunpowder residue. Aside from the two at the entrance who were slashed, there are no other slash marks on the bodies."
Ras paused, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the scene. "They must have realized what was happening and drawn their weapons, but some of the weapons are too far from the bodies. The fact that the corpses still have their hands clenched around their knives suggests they were slashed and sent flying."
"There are no other footprints around the camp, and this soft soil would definitely retain traces of footsteps," he added. "This implies that after the attack, the perpetrator used a power similar to flight to depart."
"Iron Block, Moon Walk," Ras murmured. "If they've mastered five styles, then they must also know the sixth."
Turning to Sag, Ras concluded, "Master, the assailant is proficient in all six styles."
"Excellent!" Sag exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across his face as he ruffled Ras's hair affectionately. "Your observations are spot-on! That's exactly what happened!"
From the moment he arrived at the camp, Sag had sensed that the battle traces were amiss. Having faced off against the three Pirate Emperors, Sag was absolutely certain that his mastery of martial arts was unparalleled in the Grand Line.
Such expertise allowed him to instantly recognize the telltale signs of a battle and identify the perpetrators. This was why he had insisted on coming to the site himself.
The only ones capable of wreaking such havoc were a member of the Longarm Tribe and, damn it, a master of all six styles!
"All six styles... but not a Marine."
Lily furrowed her brows and glanced instinctively at Gabra.
"It has nothing to do with us."
Gabra waved his hands dismissively. "Our pirate crew is now on the 'do not engage' list. The CP organizations under the government's jurisdiction won't make a move, and they certainly wouldn't carry out such actions."
While spies were adept at infiltration and backstabbing, they were also absolutely obedient to orders. If instructed not to take action, they would never do so.
If they were to take action, spies wouldn't engage in indiscriminate slaughter on such a small island, as it would be meaningless.
Fix Island housed nearly two hundred people, not because its specialties were important, but purely because of its proximity to Big Mom and Kaido. This large number served as a frontline watch.
Otherwise, a typical pirate crew's numbers would suffice for an island of this size.
This number of people was insignificant to the Heavenly Disaster Pirate Crew; they could do nothing but enrage Sag.
"Could it be someone from 'Sword'? They're affiliated with the navy, so they should be capturing people."
Gabra thought for a moment and replied, "Perhaps it's someone who has mastered the six styles and completely defected from the World Government or the Navy.
"Sword?"
Lily frowned, "What kind of organization is that?"
"Hey? Didn't Owl tell you about it?" Gabra looked at Owl in surprise.
Owl shook his head, then suddenly remembered something and assumed a heartbroken expression. He knelt with his short legs, pounded his fist on the ground, and exclaimed incredulously, "Could it be that no one knows this secret?!''
Renitia asked curiously, "What secret?"
"System, Mada!" (Note: I left "Mada" as it is, as it seems to be a proper noun or a term specific to the story)
Owl seemed to have missed something important and shouted after jumping up.
However, he suddenly realized that the atmosphere was amiss and quickly closed the zipper on his mouth, standing there obediently.
"Sword, a special unit within the Navy. The members are both part of the Navy and not. They are people who have submitted their resignations but haven't had them approved yet. Their Navy identification numbers have already been returned."
"So, these guys don't have to follow the Navy's orders, they can do whatever they want, but the Navy won't take responsibility for their actions, and they can even be treated as enemies if necessary."
"Gabra, you jerk!"
Owl jumped in front of Gabra and reached out to grab him, "I should have been the one to reveal this secret! Chaba!"
"Hahahaha!"
Gabra burst into laughter, "No way! Who told you about my embarrassing story last time? Serves you right, you idiot!"
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Sag chuckled, "What's this? Seeking merit but shirking responsibility? When did the Navy develop such a strange organization? They may not be Navy, but they're still the Navy, and they wouldn't neglect capturing people."
Lily nodded in agreement, "Those Sword members, do you have any intelligence on them?"
"No, the Navy's intelligence isn't shared with ours, and those members are top secret within the Navy as well."
Gabra dodged Owl's attack and said, "But we did come across a piece of information that might be related as we were gathering intelligence."
"Let me tell it! Let me!"
Owl immediately ceased his attack and turned to speak, but Gabra found the opportunity to quickly zip Owl's mouth shut.
"Former Navy Admiral Zefa seems to have left the Navy and formed his own organization. It's unclear what his intentions are."
"Chaba! Chaba!"
Owl frantically unzipped his mouth, but he could only utter his catchphrase in anger.
However, he soon sensed that the atmosphere was off, and he obediently zipped his mouth shut again, standing there quietly.
"Gabra."
Sag just stared at Gabra, staring until he broke out in cold sweat.
"C-Captain..." Gabra stuttered, his voice trembling.
Sag gestured for him to take a couple of steps forward.
Slap!
As Gabra stepped forward, Lily instantly swung her sheathed sword, striking him squarely on the face. The force of the blow sent him spinning through the air several times before he crashed to the ground.
Sag took out a cigar from within his cloak and bit down on it. Lily then conveniently used a lighter to light it for him.
He exhaled a mouthful of smoke and said to the fallen Gabra, "Next time, reveal important information sooner."
Gabra didn't dare to retort.
What could he say?
That he had only obtained this information yesterday and held back from mentioning it because Sag seemed enraged already?
"It's irrelevant whether we talk about it or not. The fact is, he reported it late."
"Zefa... left the Navy?" Lily furrowed her brows, recalling the old admiral who had fought Sag to a standstill in Loguetown. She couldn't fathom why someone like him would leave the Navy.
Sag, however, seemed to have an idea. "Any recent movements from the Seven Warlords?" he asked.
"Yes," Gabra stood up and replied, "The Seven Warlords have invited someone who calls himself the 'Second Whitebeard.' This person specifically targets members of Whitebeard's crew in the New World and has taken down quite a few captains."
"Oh, so it's him!" Sag chuckled softly, "How interesting. What's become of that confused old man now? Has he completely fallen from grace, or is he so confused that he can't tell his left from his right?"
"Gabra, follow this lead and also look into where that old man is. Ras, this task is yours. Find that man and bring him to me. Since he joined a pirate crew and then betrayed them, we'll deal with him according to our rules."
As he spoke, Sag glanced at the corpses of his men, which had begun to decay as they had been left untouched to preserve the scene of the crime.
"Take care of the bodies and bury them properly," Sag sighed.
"Understood, I'll make the necessary arrangements," Lily assured him.
Since the establishment of his pirate crew, Sag had always been strict about providing compensation for his fallen subordinates.
In the past, without a solid base, he couldn't fulfill all his promises, but ever since occupying Ohara, he had started to make good on his word.
With Duofu's connections and Sag's influence in the underground world, they could send the compensation to the families of the deceased across the Four Blues.
Most of them were in the East Blue.
Among Sag's current crew, aside from the stalwart executives, the only remaining members from the original Creek Pirate Crew and the recruits from the Kingdom of the Bridge were those who had survived the countless battles.
Some had deserted, others had perished, and a small number had successfully retired from piracy in Ohara, starting a new life.
Sag had promised to provide for those who were injured or wished to retire, but if they truly wanted to leave the life of piracy behind, there was little he could do. They didn't even want to work as guards in their territory, choosing instead to find their own jobs and live peacefully.
This was already considered a very good ending.
With the spoils of their raids, a stable job, and a relatively peaceful environment, these pirates who knew they would never reach the top could consider themselves winners in life.
As a result, Sag's crew, though not as chaotic as Blackbeard's, was filled with loyal members.
They had nothing to worry about—the injured were taken care of, the dead were buried, and those who wanted to leave piracy behind were given a new lease of life, all while following Sag's orders and focusing on his missions.
As they expanded their territory and occupied new lands, they received their salaries.
For those who craved more adventure, there were always other places to plunder.
No matter what, they had a place in his crew.
The older members often thought about their children, who could continue their legacy as pirates in Ohara, a career with promising prospects.
"Make sure you dig up that old man Zefa's whereabouts!" Sag reiterated as he turned toward the direction where the Death Star was docked.
However, as he turned, a sinister smile curved his lips.
"Back then, I owed him a debt of gratitude," he mused. "I've been unable to find him, but now it seems fate has presented me with an opportunity."
He looked up at the sky and laughed, "I said he could only die by my hand, and I always keep my word!"
He intended to fulfill every promise he made.
He had been busy expanding his territory lately, so this matter had been put on hold, and he hadn't been able to find Zefa.
The sea was vast, and he wasn't foolish enough to go rampaging through Marineford and Mariejois just yet.
While he was fearless, he wasn't reckless.
What benefit would attacking the Navy bring him now? Fortunately, with the expansion of his territory completed, he now had the time and opportunity to address the matter of Zefa.
It was time to settle both new and old debts!
"Left the Navy," Sag shook his head, puffing on his cigar and exhaling a cloud of smoke. "What's the point of causing trouble in your old age? I say, lying in a coffin is the right thing to do. Without the Navy's protection, what can you accomplish?"
(End of Chapter)
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