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Chapter 887: How Did He Do It?
Chapter 887: How Did He Do It?
As expected, just a few days later, Klah presented Kuro with a telegraph, a portrait, and a photograph showing only the subject’s back.
There was no actual photograph, but this was an artist’s drawing crafted by a master illustrator secretly commissioned by CP (Cipher Pol) at great expense from an individual who had once encountered the pirate crew the subject had joined.
According to reports, the individual strongly disliked having his photo taken, so no one had ever captured his image. The only existing photograph was a group shot from his youth aboard a pirate crew.
In that photograph, a band of pirates laughed freely, but among them, one figure lingered at the edge of the crowd, turned sideways with his back partially facing the camera, his head slightly tilted. Only a flash of golden hair and the curve of his profile were visible.
The portrait, in contrast, depicted a young man with golden hair and piercing blue eyes. Though his age was unclear, he wore an opulent captain’s uniform, a white necktie knotted neatly at his throat. His golden hair was combed back, strands framing his forehead, radiating an undeniable aura.
In the upper office of the Golden Lion, Kuro set the photograph down and studied the report. “This is fascinating.”
He tapped a finger against the telegraph’s page. “At least three pirate crews claim to have encountered him—each identified by town residents from those regions. Yet every time, he used a different name.”
“That’s correct, Kuro.” Klah adjusted his glasses, standing stiffly before him. “The first pirate crew he joined was the Sea Serpent Pirates—the one in the photograph. I’d heard of them in the East Blue, though their bounty wasn’t impressive—somewhere around three or four million. They had a modest reputation before vanishing off the map. I assumed they’d been eliminated in the Grand Line. At the time, Sam William used the alias Henry Morgan, a rookie pirate on their ship.”
“The second verified crew was the Calamity Jack Pirates. Not particularly famous either. Their only notable act was forging an alliance with two female pirate captains. Otherwise, they were unremarkable. Sam’s alias then was Bartholomew Roberts. The crew disappeared within a year of his joining.”
“The third was more formidable—the Redbeard Pirates.”
“I’ve heard of them,” Kuro interjected. “A notorious bunch. They ravaged towns, slaughtered indiscriminately, plundered without mercy. I targeted them twice, but they always escaped. Eventually, they vanished entirely. I assumed a maritime disaster. But now, it seems suspicious.”
“Indeed, Kuro. His alias then was Rackham the John. This was his final alias. After joining the Redbeard Pirates, Captain Redbeard—Barbarossa himself—disappeared. What emerged afterward was Sam William. He’s used that name for five years now. Assuming no accidents occurred, it’s likely his true identity.” Klah concluded.
Kuro nodded, leaning back. “Which makes this report so intriguing. Look at this—this pirate has devoured other pirate crews, killed their captains, absorbed their crews, and built a reputation in the ravaged regions. He founded a mercantile consortium called the White Necktie Group, staffed entirely by civilians from those plundered towns.”
“Five years ago, Base Commander Ferdinand of the East Blue 121 Branch suddenly died under mysterious circumstances shortly after the White Necktie Group passed through his territory.”
“Four years ago, a fire consumed the estate of Lord Lohir, a wealthy local magnate on Sweets Island—his personal residence. Lohir perished in the blaze.”
“Three years ago, a high-ranking noble in the Babus Kingdom died. The White Necktie Group had also passed through that region. Sam William’s stronghold was near Sweets Island, which lies within the Babus Kingdom. After that, his popularity within the kingdom skyrocketed until he became a ‘great hero.’ People stopped seeking the king’s protection and turned to Sam William instead.”
Kuro stroked his chin, his voice contemplative. “This reminds me of that crocodile bastard.”
But this report was anything but one-sided. Kuro had commissioned Rob Lucci himself—unlike other Cipher Pol agents who might have stopped at superficial findings, Lucci’s intelligence verification was exhaustive.
It was precisely this thoroughness that made the case so unsettling.
Pirate crews turning on each other was common enough in the Grand Line—Kuro usually just clapped and enjoyed the chaos like a good cup of tea.
But Commander Ferdinand’s case was different.
The investigation revealed the man had secretly harbored pirates under his command. Within his jurisdiction, pirates plundered freely, but half their takings went to Ferdinand. Not through trade, but through staged confrontations. When pirates raided, Ferdinand would dispatch troops, ‘pursue’ them to open sea, and the pirates would abandon treasure before escaping. Thus, Ferdinand ‘defeated’ them and claimed their loot.
This only came to light after his death. A commander’s sudden demise naturally drew headquarters’ attention. Though the killer was never found, the investigation uncovered his crimes—and the Navy, ashamed by the scandal, buried the truth.
Lord Lohir had an epithet: “Skin-Flayer Merchant Demon.” He was a land baron ruling Sweets Island. Everyone under him worked for him, yet his exploitation was so brutal that most islanders starved. When his estate burned down, the entire island celebrated.
The Babus noble was even more absurd—a tyrant who indulged in slavery, imposed arbitrary taxes, and was eventually assassinated during his failed evacuation after losing a power struggle.
Every dead man was a scoundrel.
In that light, Sam William’s actions seemed almost just. But looking at his subsequent moves...
“He’s amassed prestige, wealth, and power—all concentrated within a single region. Yet within that region, he’s reached untouchable heights. A pirate enjoying the adoration of an entire kingdom’s people, even to the point of madness? That’s orchestrated. Especially two years ago, when Babus’ King Alexander Francis died and a young, weak-willed woman ascended the throne. That’s when Sam William’s influence truly took flight.”
Kuro bit down on his cigar, exhaling a plume of smoke. “This bastard wants to overthrow the kingdom. He’s Crocodile’s type—grand ambitions, excellent operational skills. But why limit himself to one area? Dammit, how did he do it?!”
His voice turned bitter.
He was practically jealous.
How had this man become so famous in one region, yet remained a local warlord instead of chasing grander ambitions?
For the Navy, prestige and power meant promotions. For pirates, they meant bounties.
Yet this Sam William had evaded a bounty for years.
Even the pirates under him were all unmarked blanks.
Other than being a pirate, Sam William’s life was practically Kuro’s dream!
“I’m pissed. I’m really pissed!”
Kuro’s face darkened as he flung the report aside. “Where is he now?”
Klah shook his head. “His exact whereabouts are unknown. But he’s likely still in the East Blue.”
“Issue a bounty!”
Kuro gritted his teeth, eyes flashing. “Notify headquarters—put a bounty on his head! What was the bounty of the last pirate he killed?”
“Redbeard Barbarossa—11 million,” Klah replied.
“Add that! And considering how many crews he’s destroyed, his danger level is confirmed. Add intent to overthrow a nation—slap a 100 million bounty on him!” Kuro barked.
“Kuro, that’s against protocol,” Klah pressed his lips together, watching the envy creeping across Kuro’s face. “We’re in the East Blue. A 100 million bounty on a rookie pirate here is unheard of—only common in the New World.”
Crocodile’s first bounty hadn’t been 80 million when he started. It took years to reach 81 million. Even Boa Hancock, the Snake Princess, started at 80 million. Those were Grand Line figures.
“Fine,” Kuro relented, realizing the absurdity. He paused, then snapped, “30 million then—same as that Straw Hat Luffy’s first bounty. Let headquarters evaluate his crimes and assign him an epithet.”
(End of Chapter)
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