Chapter 59: Chaos in Rogue Town
Chapter 59: Chaos in Rogue Town
Sag had dabbled in many professions, including local thug, a trade often intertwined with black-market merchants.
The pirates' looted goods were typically handled by these individuals, and while the prices they offered were undoubtedly higher than those on the regular market, there was also no risk involved in acquiring the goods, leading to higher profits than those of legitimate traders.
It was a win-win situation for all involved.
After taking inventory of their spoils, the pirates settled into their respective duties, with some resting while others took up watch. Despite the stormy weather, vigilance was still necessary—some kept watch from the top deck of the building, while others monitored the surroundings and ship facilities from the main deck.
However, those on the main deck could be rotated more frequently; with their large number, half-hour shifts were more than sufficient.
"Sag, our current crew isn't sufficient to convert into combat strength yet. The weapons we looted won't be nearly enough."
Lily continued, "When we reach the next place, shouldn't we let them resupply?"
Raiding merchant ships naturally didn't involve deploying their entire force. Only Ajin and three dozen veteran pirates had participated in the raid, while the newly recruited pirates were still dressed in prison garb and lacked even basic weapons, making them ill-equipped for such endeavors.
There had been some guards on the raided ship, but their number was negligible, amounting to little more than a dozen. The confiscated weapons consisted of merely a handful of guns and long rifles, far from what they needed to arm their entire crew.
"Of course, we need to resupply. We can't very well rely on our fists to rob others." Sag took a sip of wine and leaned back in his throne.
"Then what about the money?" Lily asked.
There was no doubt that the newly recruited six hundred pirates lacked funds. Equipping them properly would require a significant financial investment.
Even if they only provided each person with a cheap, rusty blade, the cost for six hundred people would still amount to thirty to forty million berries—a substantial sum.
"There's no need."
Sag shifted comfortably in his seat, swirling the gem-studded wine glass in his hand as a smile curved his lips. "Once we reach Rogue Town, we'll just take what we need by force."
The island Lily had referred to earlier, as indicated on the sea chart, was the closest island to Mount Flip. And on this island was a prominent town known as 'The Town of Beginning and End'—Rogue Town.
...
As an island located near the entrance to the Grand Line, Rogue Town occupied a significant one-third of the island's land area and thrived as an exceptionally prosperous town. However, it was also a frequent gathering place for pirates aspiring to venture into the Grand Line, leading to regular clashes between the pirates and the Navy.
Ever since Navy Colonel Smog had taken charge of this region, not a single pirate who entered these waters had managed to escape.
But Smog had left some time ago, and without a powerful figure like him to maintain order, Rogue Town had eventually lost its unique status.
Rogue Town had descended into complete chaos.
Bang bang bang!
Clang clang!
Boom!
The sounds of gunfire and clashing weapons reverberated through every corner of the town.
At the port, a dozen or so pirate ships flew the Jolly Roger, and below, on the sea, the pirates were engaged in battle with the Navy. The town's buildings were ablaze, the flames reaching for the sky and painting the streets near the port in a crimson hue.
"Lieutenant Commander! The pirates have broken through from the port!"
A Navy captain rushed forward, his face tense as he approached a man wearing a military hat and a double-breasted greatcoat. He stood at attention and saluted.
The man was a Navy lieutenant commander, not yet at the rank where he could don the prestigious Justice coat, but his current position still granted him the freedom to choose his attire.
"Deploy the troops to provide support. We must ensure the pirates don't breach the port defenses!" The lieutenant commander issued his orders, his face calm and composed.
"Yes, sir!"
The captain led a group of Navy personnel towards a particular street, engaging the invading pirates in battle.
"Damn it!"
The colonel scowwed, his jaw clenched as he grit out, "We must hold the line and prevent the pirates from breaking through further. We have to protect the townspeople!"
Everything had fallen into disarray after Colonel Smog's departure.
In fact, even before Colonel Smog's arrival, Rogue Town hadn't experienced such brazen incursions from pirates. After all, the Navy base here was also quite sizable, and typically, pirates wouldn't dare to raid this place. Even if they did, the Navy forces could easily suppress them.
Whether in terms of numbers or sheer might, the Navy forces here were far superior to a single pirate crew.
Usually, a pirate ship would already be considered a force to be reckoned with if its crew numbered in the hundreds. Take, for example, Creek, who boasted a massive fleet of five thousand and was undoubtedly a formidable force in the East Blue Sea. But even someone like Creek, with his lofty bounty, was an exception rather than the norm.
In the East Blue Sea, pirates with an average bounty of three million berries wouldn't dare to provoke the Navy openly. Those with bounties on their heads would often disguise themselves to enter the town, avoiding unnecessary attention.
And the Navy wasn't foolish enough to waste their efforts on pirates who kept a low profile and didn't cause trouble. As long as they didn't act out in plain sight, the Navy would often turn a blind eye, forgoing unnecessary searches.
The balance in Rogue Town had always been maintained in this manner.
Colonel Smog, who had been transferred from Headquarters to govern this region for several years, had captured all the active pirates, preventing any from escaping. It was initially believed to be a good thing, but the extreme suppression resulted in a fierce backlash after his departure.
Intimidated by Colonel Smog's reputation, pirates dared not venture near Rogue Town. But once he left, they all descended upon it en masse. At first, it was only one or two pirate crews, which the Navy could handle.
However, they couldn't match Colonel Smog's overwhelming combat strength, and their clashes with the pirates were a back-and-forth affair. This led the pirates to believe that Rogue Town had become 'normalized.'
The rebound effect caused by Colonel Smog's departure resulted in an increasing number of invading pirate crews, stretching the Navy thin. These pirates typically operated independently, but as the clashes intensified, they unexpectedly formed a tacit alliance, ultimately leading to a joint offensive by more than a dozen pirate crews against Rogue Town!
A towering pirate with a giant axe shouted, "Lads, break through these Navy ranks! Sack this town, restock our supplies, and set sail for the Grand Line!"
'Big Ax' Parabara, with a bounty of 110 million berries!
"Hehehehe, let's plunder and pillage! Kill them, and let's storm into the town and seize their treasures!" A pirate with twin knives as his weapon pierced through several Navy soldiers' bodies, cackling sinisterly.
'Twin Snake' Moro, with a bounty of 95 million berries!
The East Blue Sea was not devoid of pirates, and the number of pirate crews in these waters was also considerable. The captains of the invading crews each boasted bounties of around 100 million berries, making them formidable foes!
"Cannons! Are the cannons ready?"
The branch school's middle school turned and roared, "Commence the cannon attack!"
Several cannons were pushed to the top of the building, aimed at the approaching pirates.
"We'll use cannon fire too!"
The pirates were not to be outdone. They brought their ship's cannons ashore and positioned them in a row, targeting the Navy defensive line ahead.
"Fire!"
BOOM!
Just as both sides were about to exchange cannon fire, a flash of lightning tore through the sky, followed by large raindrops that whipped up a gale, engulfing all of Rogue Town.
In that instant, the sky turned pitch black.
A torrential downpour had begun!
The rain soaked the cannons and firearms, rendering them unusable.
"Have one group return to deal with the equipment, and the rest of you..."
The Navy commander drew his sword and shouted, "...follow me into battle against the pirates!"
The rainstorm had inadvertently provided them with an advantage. As long as they could withstand the pirates' assault until their firearms and cannons were rainproof again, victory would be theirs!
"Charge! Take them down!"
The pirates also understood this principle. They abandoned their cannons and rifles, drew their weapons, and ferociously rushed towards the Navy soldiers.
If they won this battle, the town would be theirs for the taking!
BOOM!!
Just then, a cannon blast rang out from the port behind them, and a pirate ship was blown to smithereens, the ammunition depot in its hold ignited, causing a massive explosion that tore it to pieces, drifting on the ocean surface.
Where did this cannon fire come from in the midst of a rainstorm?!
Both the Navy and the pirates were startled by the unexpected bombardment, their gazes fixed on the port.
SWISH!
A barrage of cannonballs flew from the distance, striking several pirate ships near the wreckage, blowing them to bits, and slowly sinking them into the sea.
At that moment, the tempest intensified, and within the thick curtain of rain, a black silhouette emerged from the sea.
The cannonballs seemed to be fired from that very silhouette.
"Reinforcements?"
The pirate captains wore grim expressions.
These reinforcements had arrived too quickly.
On the other hand, the Navy soldiers were elated. They had sent out a request for support to the nearby branches as soon as the battle began, but they hadn't expected the response to be so swift. Now they had a chance.
The Navy commander brandished his sword excitedly. "Reinforcements are here! Don't let these pirates escape! Capture them all!"
"Commander..."
The Navy officer beside him was initially thrilled as well, but as the silhouette drew closer and its outlines became discernible, his face turned deathly pale.
"Those aren't reinforcements... That's..."
He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the massive ship sailing steadily through the storm. His voice trembled as he uttered, "...the Black Ship, Black Sail in the midst of a tempest. It's 'Disaster'! 'Disaster' is upon us!"
(End of Chapter)
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