Chapter 990: Also Suitable for Ambush
Chapter 990: Also Suitable for Ambush
The New World isn’t lacking in pirate crews. While the Four Emperors reign as its supreme rulers—revered by countless pirates as "sea emperors"—the crews beneath them are no pushovers either.
After all, anyone who’s carved a stable foothold under the Four Emperors’ shadows is no easy foe.
Sixteen hundred million in bounty? That’s a formidable pirate, anywhere.
These crews aren’t just passing through on adventurous tourism. They’ve survived and thrived in the New World for at least a decade, earning their achievements the hard way.
The Unicorn Pirate Crew is one such example. With vast influence, they control over a dozen islands and extend their flag’s reach across two neighboring nations.
Klah’s current mission was to contact an undercover agent embedded deep within the Unicorn Pirate Crew. This was no rookie—five years as a Navy undercover agent, now serving as a combat squad leader within the crew. He was also a member of the "Sword" unit’s "Unicorn" squad, a regional force led by the nearby Marine Base Commander. Klah had brought this commander along to assess the agent’s character evaluation at their meeting point.
They’d also need to gauge the current danger level. If the agent’s loyalty checked out but the risks were extreme—even life-threatening—Kuromr.’s orders allowed for special recruitment. No need to keep him in harm’s way unnecessarily.
Of course, Klah himself would have to judge the danger firsthand.
“Tell me what you know about the Unicorn Pirate Crew,” Klah asked, tucking away a wanted poster without turning around.
Behind him stood two men: the nearby Marine Base Commander, and a broad-nosed figure in a hat, arms crossed. The latter nodded, replying,
“I know a bit. ‘Unicorn’ Ophi is a Giant, born with immense strength and a demon’s bloodline. The unicorn horn on his head proves it. His Haki coats that hardened horn, making it unbreakable. He’s even earned the nickname ‘Fortress Destruction Specialist.’ No matter how sturdy a fortress, he’ll reduce it to rubble. There’s a record of him single-handedly smashing a Navy fortress.”
“Quite the powerhouse. Any others we should watch?”
Klah sighed, pulling out more wanted posters. Besides Unicorn Ophi, there were five officers under him.
Five posters, each depicting distinct faces—men and women alike. One showed a woman with an arm outstretched, a massive vulture perched atop it.
‘Vulture Miko’ Nakurowu—bounty: 237 million Beri.
The next featured a man with feather-adorned hair, wielding a giant boomerang, his body painted in tribal patterns. His smirk was sharp, predatory.
‘Tide Surge’ Garfu—bounty: 244 million Beri.
Third was a shirtless youth in tight pants, wild hair cascading down. He gripped a triple-bladed rotary weapon, its chain extending to his other hand.
‘Homicide Blade’ Heibot—bounty: 385 million Beri.
The fourth poster depicted a red-skinned man with a diamond-shaped head, his grin stretching wide, comically grotesque.
‘Mechanical Fist’ Ryushiseki—bounty: 450 million Beri.
Last was a muscular, bald brute in a monk’s robe, half his chest and shoulder exposed. A massive rosary hung from his neck, and he carried a stone pillar as thick as his body.
‘Mountain Demon Swordsman’ Wanglong—bounty: 519 million Beri!
Judging by the name, he was even a native of the Flower Country.
The five officers under ‘Unicorn’ Ophi—each stronger than the last. The highest bounty: 500 million Beri.
This wasn’t the New Era’s casual half-a-billion tier. This was a bounty earned purely through slaughter in the pirate and Navy ranks, without significant clashes against the World Government.
Surviving in such a pirate crew was no easy feat. Climbing to captaincy here? Practically impossible.
After all, Longsword Pirate Crew was the Grand Line’s exception—no personal style, only group identity.
But normal Grand Line pirates had strong individuality. Replacing them was near impossible. Even replacing a small crew like this? Pointless.
“Ugh.”
Klah rubbed his head, sighing.
It wasn’t Ophi’s crew giving him a headache—it was Kuromr.’s orders.
He’d already submitted a report explaining why this crew couldn’t be replaced. But Kuromr. had insisted.
If possible… maybe it was better to comply.
But not with this crew. Their strength was simply insurmountable.
Sixteen hundred million in total bounties? That’s staggering.
Big Mom’s strongest son, Katakuri, only had a billion.
Kaido’s Triad Calamities—Scorching Disaster and Plague—were at 1.3 billion each, with Scorching Disaster a few tens of millions higher.
A sixteen hundred million bounty? That’s a monster.
“We’re here, Vice Admiral.”
The Navy Commander—leader of the ‘Sword’ unit’s ‘Unicorn’ squad—pointed ahead to an island resembling a mountain range.
“This is the meeting spot: the Mountain Archipelago. Right now, it’s in chaos. Dressrosa drove out the pirates entrenched here, but the local mountain tribes refuse to surrender. They’re at war.”
“Dressrosa…”
Klah pressed his lips together. He didn’t know what David was up to lately, but why start conquering again? That guy had no shame living up to his ‘King Conqueror’ title in the Grand Line.
The warship neared the Mountain Archipelago, anchoring at a shallow landing point.
After disembarking, the Navy Commander spread out a map. “We’re meeting here.”
Using the map, they confirmed their position. The meeting point lay deep within the mountains.
“Let’s go.”
Klah led the way, accompanied by Kaku and the Navy Commander.
Such evaluations required minimal personnel—just a few. The Navy Commander would handle the questioning, Kaku the assessment, and Klah the final decision.
They’d soon determine the undercover agent’s fate: remain in place, return to the Navy, or… be detained or eliminated.
A simple meeting would reveal everything.
Before long, they reached the target location per the map.
“This is it. Is he here yet?”
The Navy Commander checked the map, then the empty terrain ahead.
“Something’s off,” Kaku muttered, scanning the surroundings. “What do you think, Vice Admiral Klah?”
Klah adjusted his glasses, a cold gleam flashing across the lenses. His expression turned grim.
The area was flat, but surrounded on all sides by mountains and slopes. Only two narrow paths led in: the one they’d come from, and another ahead.
This place was perfect for a secret meeting—no one would notice. But only if the contact arrived first.
If he hadn’t…
This spot was also perfect for an ambush.
(End of Chapter)
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