Chapter 882: The Pirate Running a Bathhouse
Chapter 882: The Pirate Running a Bathhouse
In East Blue, there’s an island named Sweats Island near the island where the Frost Moon Village lies. This island constantly emits steam, making it a natural hot spring island.
At its center lies a hot spring village that has developed into a thriving industry. Though modest in scale and not particularly famous, the business is quite popular within the surrounding sea area.
To the locals, this place is unusually peaceful. Whenever pirates arrive, they’re swiftly dealt with by the local boss. After every victory, these defenders hoist a skull flag to mark their identity.
Though they’re also pirates, they lack bounties. The locals adore them and never report their existence to the Navy, instead willingly sharing intelligence. To Sweats Island’s residents, these pirates are their natural protectors.
At the entrance of the hot spring village, a man in black dress uniform tilts his head to examine the signboard overhead. His eyes linger on the skull flag insignia at the sign’s lower right corner. Adjusting his hat brim, he murmurs:
"Hey there, valued guest!"
A civilian-clad servant approaches, rubbing his hands together with a grin. "Here to soak in our hot springs? Sweats Island Hot Spring Village is legendary around here! Besides our hot springs, we’ve got sweat lodges, saunas, and all sorts of premium facilities. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got it."
His winked heavily with implication.
"Oh? Little East Blue actually has a ‘Farming Region’ like this? So well-developed—I’m curious who runs this place."
"Boss? Why, none other than Sweats Island’s great hero, Sam William! The mighty pirate who protects us all!" The servant’s face lights up as he boasts.
"Great pirate?" The man in black glances at the sign. "Pirates are criminals. What’s his bounty?"
"Nonsense! Officer William isn’t like other pirates—he never plunders! He only safeguards our island’s safety. True, he’s a pirate, but he’s different from the rest!" The servant insists. "He’s got no bounty yet. Personally, I think that’s a shame—no bounty means no fame! But Officer William seems indifferent about it. Anyway, in our hearts, he’s a supreme pirate. If he ever sets sail again, I’d follow him in a heartbeat!"
"I see." The man in black nods, turns, and walks away without another word.
"Eh? You won’t even come in for a dip?" The servant watches his retreating figure, bewildered.
Suddenly, a refined-looking man approaches, glancing where the servant stares. "What are you gawking at?"
"Oh, Officer Elmira! A strange customer just came asking about Officer William, then left. Pfft! Dressed so finely—I thought he’d be some big spender, but he turned out stingy!"
"Daring to inquire about William?" Elmira’s expression hardens. Squinting, he demands, "What did he look like?"
After the servant describes the man, Elmira pales, cold sweat trickling down. Without a word, he sprints outward. Soon, he bursts into the largest mansion on the island.
"William! The secret’s out! We’re under CP investigation!"
...
At G-3 Fortress:
"Mr. Kuro, CP’s sent word", Klah reports inside the office. "Based on Buggy’s lead about the ‘hot spring soak’ clue, CP agents investigated numerous similar islands. They found the skull flag mark on a natural hot spring island called Sweats Island. Its boss, Sam William, holds great prestige there and in surrounding areas—but no bounty."
"No bounty?" Kuro blinks. "What kind of pirate has no bounty? Keep going."
CP’s investigation wouldn’t stop at such a thin lead.
"Sam William’s unusual, Mr. Kuro—he’s your fellow townsman." Klah’s words make Kuro’s eyes widen.
"My townsman?"
"Born in Shelz Town. Age thirty-one. He set sail twelve years ago, apparently forming a pirate crew. Yet he never made his name known, doing gods-knows-what with no notable exploits. Five years ago, he settled on Sweats Island, developing its hot spring industry. He mainly sells wines and other goods. A popular East Blue liquor, ‘Stim Wine,’ is his product."
Klah adjusts his glasses. "I’ve tasted Stim Wine before."
"Oh? I remember drinking that once—it’s theirs?" Kuro raises an eyebrow. He’d tried the wine back in East Blue; it was sold even in Navy bases. Decent, but not exceptional—a civilian’s beverage.
"So", Kuro muses, "this Sam William’s a bathhouse operator and winemaker with no bounty? Just a pirate in name?"
"Seems that way." Klah nods.
"What’s his angle?"
Kuro frowns. It’s odd someone from his hometown stayed under the radar. But he’d spent most of his time after starting cultivation seeking training grounds, rarely returning home. He had little connection to Shelz Town. Back then, consumed by survival instincts, he never initiated greetings—only others greeted him. Not knowing this man makes sense.
But what’s Sam William’s goal? He’s just a merchant. Why adopt the pirate title?
"Tch. Another byproduct of the Great Pirate Era?" Kuro mutters.
In the Roger Era’s wake, everyone feels incomplete without a ‘pirate’ label, as if claiming that title brings pride. Maybe this man’s another such case?
"Still", Kuro flicks open his cigar box, selecting a golden-and-white banded cigar, "his cigars are damn good."
"Here’s the plan", he decides. "Out of hometown loyalty and since he’s bounty-free, I’ll offer him a lucrative deal. Klah, dispatch a message to the Navy near Hot Spring Village."
"Tell Sam William this cigar’s become my favorite. I want exclusive supplies—I’ll pay handsomely. These cigars deserve it. Also, ask him to retire his pirate flag. Let him run a business peacefully instead of playing pirate games."
This man’s just a proper merchant hiding under a pirate name. CP found no secrets, so Kuro won’t recklessly ruin his business over a title. If it can be bought, he’ll buy it.
(End of Chapter)
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