Chapter 912: Pizarro, My Apologies
Chapter 912: Pizarro, My Apologies
At this moment, Joe Rudolph approached, hesitating before speaking. “So… what now?”
“Return and wait for news. Or better yet, you can start scouting locations first. Capturing Pizarro will make you a legend across the Grand Line.”
Kuro said this and stepped onto the ship. Golden Lion departed with ten warships, heading toward the Headquarters.
“Keep a sharp eye on everything nearby! I want a full report on every single vessel!”
After boarding, Kuro issued orders to his crew, his gaze stretching across the endless expanse of the Grand Line.
The real danger wasn’t at the Branch Base—it was this voyage across the sea.
Blackbeard wasn’t foolish. If he wanted to attack, launching an assault on a fortified base would force him to take heavy losses first. Reaching Headquarters would be far safer.
The only viable opportunity was striking at sea. But out here, with their current preparations, this fleet posed no threat.
Kuro had planned meticulously. If Marshall D. Teach dared attack, he’d better brace for a bloodbath.
Yet, just two days into Golden Lion’s voyage, far beyond their visibility, several massive warships trailed them from the distance. These ships were bizarre in design—enormous wooden beams strapped to their flanks, cannons protruding between the beams, and jet-black sails bearing a flag with three grinning skulls.
“Too much of a risk,” muttered a tall, gaunt man on one of the trailing warships, lowering his sniper rifle. After scanning the horizon, he shouted to a nearby ship, “Captain, both Lucius Kro and Vegapunk are aboard, and their escort strength is overwhelming. Should we proceed?”
This was Van Augur, captain of the Blackbeard Pirates’ Third Ship—‘Supersonic Sniper’ Van Augur.
“How many times must I remind you? Call me Admiral!”
From a nearby ship, a man in a tall top hat and blood-red lipstick scowled. He turned toward the central vessel—the ship of ‘Devil Enforcer’ Laffitte, captain of the Blackbeard Pirates’ Fifth Ship.
“Evil laugh!!”
The massive figure on the flagship roared with laughter, his jawline adorned with a whip-like black beard cascading down to his abdomen. He wore a three-skull captain’s hat.
Marshall D. Teach, Admiral of the Blackbeard Pirates and one of the new Four Emperors!
“Can’t be helped,” Teach bellowed. “With such overwhelming force, rescuing a comrade is impossible! Pizarro’s been captured—bad luck for him. But I’ll avenge him! My men, turn back! Pizarro can’t be saved!”
Van Augur lowered his rifle, shaking his head. “Fate’s choice, I suppose.”
“Cough-cough-cough!”
A man draped in fur coats, looking frail and sickly, spoke from another ship. “Fate measures all men’s worth. Seems Fate abandoned Pizarro.”
This was ‘Reaper’ Toxic Q, captain of the Blackbeard Pirates’ Ninth Ship.
“Another comrade lost… Muru-hohohoho!”
A long-nosed woman chuckled from an adjacent ship.
Catarina Devon, captain of the Blackbeard Pirates’ Sixth Ship.
Nine ships in total—Blackbeard’s entire fleet—were now concentrated here, shadowing the Golden Lion’s fleet from a distance beyond visual detection.
“Actually, I’ve an idea,” Laffitte leapt onto Teach’s ship, leaning close. “Pizarro’s capture is set. If we don’t rescue him, he’ll spill secrets. So why not…”
…
“Not coming out, then?”
On Golden Lion’s deck, Kuro squatted near the rail, gazing at the Grand Line’s horizon. Still no trace of Blackbeard’s aura.
Looks like they’d given up.
He glanced at the bound Pizarro on the deck, smirking. “Two more days to Headquarters. No one’s coming for you.”
Pizarro grinned. “Never know till the last moment, meow!”
“Still defiant? Admirable resolve for a Sixth Level criminal,” Kuro mused, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Vice Admiral! Vice Admiral!!”
Suddenly, a Navy communication officer sprinted over, clutching a Transponder Snail. “It’s… it’s…”
“Evil laugh!!”
Before he could finish, the Snail morphed into a grotesque face—black beard, missing teeth—belting out a high-pitched, eerie cackle.
Lucius Kro’s eyes narrowed. Yi Xiao stiffened, gripping his cane tightly.
“Marshall D. Teach,” Kuro muttered, blowing a thin wisp of cigar smoke. “Seems you’re in fine spirits.”
“Kuro! Since our last meeting, I’ve missed you dearly!” the Snail cackled.
“Same here. I’ve been dreaming of burying you at the ocean floor.”
Kuro clicked his tongue. “How’d you get this frequency? And ‘give support’? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Evil laugh!! Listen up, Pizarro—I know you’re there!”
The Snail’s tone shifted, bellowing directly at Pizarro.
Kuro’s eyes swept the sea. No ships in sight. Observation Haki detected nothing. Yet the enemy pinpointed Pizarro’s position…
“Sniper. Van Augur, you bastard,” Kuro’s expression darkened.
Only that marksman could reach this distance.
“Hey, Marshall D. Teach! You coming to rescue me?!” Pizarro roared.
“Ah, apologies! This military force is too overwhelming to fight through! Who told you to get captured so carelessly? Let me make this clear—I’m not rescuing you!”
The Snail’s declaration froze Pizarro. He shouted, “You’re joking, right?!”
“Can’t be helped. Blackbeard’s Laugh! Men must answer for their failures. Pizarro… my apologies. And Kuro—this ‘favor’ I’ll remember.”
The Snail laughed. “You think stopping me from obtaining my father’s power was the end? The Old Man found it eventually. Blackbeard’s Laugh! You can’t stop me forever. The world hides wonders beyond your imagination. You’ll never block every path!”
Snap!
Kuro smashed the call button, rolling his eyes. “Old Man, why even listen to this idiot?”
“Hm… not coming out, then?” Lucius Kro stroked his chin. “Pity.”
“As expected,” Yi Xiao nodded. “Our strength is overwhelming.”
“Hahaha! Guess that’s that, meow! Abandoned meow!”
Pizarro laughed bitterly. “Fine, don’t blame me for breaking the code, Marshall D. Teach. Want to know what Teach’s planning? I’ll tell you—he’s heading to Arabasta for Pluton. Because Arabasta’s King Kobra ‘vanished’ mysteriously!”
…
…
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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