North Sea Pirates Were Still Just as Bold

The North Sea wind was cold and damp again.

The adjutant stood on the bridge with a nautical chart, its corners flapping in the wind.

For the third time, he glanced at the sun lounger at the bow.

"Major, aren't you going to hurry on ahead this time?"

Ron sprawled in the chair without so much as lifting an eyelid. "What's the rush?"

"Aren't you investigating the Donquixote Family?"

"I need a ship for that. I can't just toss you all into the sea and make you swim there."

The adjutant felt a flicker of gratitude. At last, the man knew how to look after his subordinates!

The next second, Ron rolled over and added lazily, "Besides, there are plenty of pirates in the North Sea."

The adjutant: "..."

On the deck nearby, Vergo had his head down, polishing his sword.

Not long after he had enlisted, Ron had picked him by name for this mission. He had been particularly diligent throughout the journey, even volunteering to cover the night watch for others twice.

Ron saw it all but said nothing.

He was an undercover agent, after all. How could he climb the ranks without being diligent?

"Pirate ship spotted!" A shout from the lookout suddenly cut through the sea breeze. "Off the port bow! Skull flag! They're heading straight for us!"

The adjutant raised his spyglass and took a look. "It's the Grey Wolf Pirates. Their captain has a bounty of thirty-two million Beli!"

On the pirate ship opposite them, a crowd leaned over the rail, jeering at the warship and shouting excitedly.

"Haha! It's just a small warship. Their highest-ranking officer can't be more than a major!"

"Bring us alongside!"

"Take their cannons, then burn the ship!"

The adjutant lowered his spyglass, his expression a little odd. "Did they... not see our flag?"

"They saw it."

Ron finally sat up and rubbed his neck. "Maybe they're just bold."

There was a soft click.

The air above the pirate ship's deck suddenly parted to either side like a door.

Ron stepped through it, and the grin froze on the face of the captain, who had been waving his saber and shouting.

"Where the fuck did you come from—?!"

"That fishing village that was massacred a few days ago. Was that your doing?" Ron asked evenly, holding up an addendum to a wanted poster.

The captain got a good look at his rank and grinned. "It was just some lousy village. What about it?"

"Nothing."

Ron raised a hand and caught the saber chopping toward him.

His five fingers tightened.

Crack!

The blade snapped in two on the spot.

Before the captain could react, Ron kicked him in the chest.

Bang!

He crashed straight through the mast and hit the deck, never to get up again.

Someone crept up behind Ron and fired, but the bullet was swallowed by a small square of space.

The next second, the bullet flew out of the space in front of the pirate.

Pfft!

A bloody hole appeared in the pirate's forehead. His grip on the gun loosened, and he fell onto his back.

The remaining pirates dropped their weapons, turned, and dove for the cabin.

But just as they charged through the doorway, another door suddenly opened before them.

Unable to stop in time, several of them plunged straight through.

When they came out again, Ron was standing in front of them.

Three minutes later.

An Air Door opened once more on the warship's deck, and Ron walked back through, brushing the dust from his cuffs.

"Go over and take the ship. Inventory any usable supplies, and check the bodies against the bounties. Don't miss a single one."

The adjutant craned his neck for a look at the pirate ship. The vessel that had been so brazen moments ago was now as quiet as an empty grave.

Vergo glanced at the pirate ship opposite them.

Three minutes, and he hadn't even had a chance to step in and help.

He looked back at Ron, who was giving orders to collect the supplies, and his heart sank a little.

The next day, they intercepted a two-masted ship disguised as a merchant vessel.

The captain had just handed over his Trading Company credentials with an ingratiating smile when Ron heard a sob from deep inside the ship.

He walked over and yanked the cabin door open.

The lower hold was packed with iron cages.

Humans, members of the Fish-Man Race and the Longarm Tribe... More than a dozen people were chained up and crammed into cramped cages, barely alive.

A little girl huddled in a corner, clutching a small body that had long since gone cold. Her head was buried against her knees, and she no longer had the strength even to cry.

The trace of a careless smile vanished from Ron's face.

"Open the cages." A few pirates still tried to reach for their guns and blades.

Space flashed at Ron's fingertips, and a gun fell to the floor along with the wrist holding it.

The rest dropped to their knees.

"Sir, we surrender!"

"We'll go to prison!"

Ron's gaze fell on the dead child on the floor.

"Who did it?"

No one dared make a sound.

He asked again, his voice soft but icy. "Who?"

A Fish-Man in one of the cages laboriously raised a hand and pointed at the fat pirate kneeling at the front. "Him... The child wouldn't eat, so he kept beating the child..."

The fat pirate's face went white. "Don't listen to that slave's lies! I've already surrendered! You can't—"

Clang—

An extremely fine line of space swept past, and the fat pirate split in two and fell heavily to the floor.

Ron looked at the remaining pirates, his voice unruffled. "As far as I'm concerned, there's no such thing as a pirate surrendering."

Before the pirates could beg for mercy, screams rang out one after another.

Vergo stood at the hatch, his fingers clenching involuntarily as he felt a violent jolt.

So this was his ability?

Why did it seem... even more bizarre and terrifying than the young master's...?

Ron had already turned to give the adjutant his orders. "Move all the injured to the warship. Find out who the child was, and notify the branches along our route to help find the family."

Ron crouched down, tore apart the chains binding the Fish-Man, then searched one of the pirates on the floor and found a key.

"Can you stand?"

The Fish-Man nodded blankly.

"Then help me get the others out."

Vergo said nothing and joined the marines in carrying the injured out.

Over the next few days, they encountered two more groups of pirates.

One had just finished plundering a merchant ship, and the merchants' bodies were still hanging on deck.

The other fled at the sight of the warship, but its hold was packed with stolen cargo, as well as crew members crying out for help.

Whenever there were hostages aboard, Ron caught up with the pirates and dealt with them swiftly and cleanly.

If there were no hostages, he would have the warship move in to engage, but whenever a marine was about to be seriously injured, a door in space would appear out of nowhere and pull him clear.

He could fight himself, but he didn't let his men simply stand and watch, either.

In just a few days, the adjutant's records of their seizures filled three whole pages.

Vergo kept his head down as he wrote the inventory of seized goods.

But the scene that kept replaying in his mind was Ron taking out the Grey Wolf Pirates in three minutes.

If the young master faced this man...

His pen suddenly stopped moving.

No, I have to get word out as soon as possible.

"Report! We're entering waters where the Donquixote Family is frequently active!"

The lookout's voice came from above, and Ron finally opened his eyes.

"So we're here."

Vergo's heart tightened, but Ron merely gave a great stretch.

"Slow down."

The adjutant nearly thought he had misheard. "Major? Aren't we in a hurry to complete the mission?"

"What's the fun in rushing? Let the men rest in shifts and get their strength back."

"Yes, sir..."

The warship gradually slowed down.

Vergo continued his patrol as usual on the surface, but inwardly he was burning with anxiety.

He had to get Ron's location out, but the man's Observation Haki was absurdly sharp. If Vergo disappeared for no reason, he would be more likely to give himself away.

He waited all the way until evening, when Ron finally announced a break in shifts. "Those on watch stay put. Everyone else gets twenty minutes."

The adjutant felt a headache coming on, but obediently turned to make the arrangements.

Ron watched the sky gradually darken, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.

Vergo finally got his chance.

He slipped into a secluded storeroom, checked that no one was outside the door, and took out the small Den Den Mushi hidden in his belongings.

Brrr, brrr. Brrr, brrr.

Familiar laughter came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, with its distinctive cadence. "Fuffuffu... Vergo, any news?"

"Young master, Ron has entered the target waters."

"Oh?"

"The warship is moving very slowly. At its current distance, it'll be at least another day before it gets near the port."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. He just ordered them to slow down and rest."

There was a moment of silence at the other end of the Den Den Mushi, followed by louder laughter.

"Fuffuffuffu! Good."

"Have Diamante move the ledgers, and spread out the things in the warehouse too."

"Everyone else should carry on as usual. Don't let that brat think we're afraid."

The sound of a chair moving came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

Then Doflamingo called out, "Diamante! Trebol!"

The call ended there.

Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, his mouth stretching into an exaggerated grin.

"A little monster raised by the Navy..."

"Let's see just how strong you really are."

Vergo put away the Den Den Mushi and let out a long sigh of relief.

At least the young master had time to prepare now.

When the break ended, he straightened his uniform and returned to the deck as if nothing had happened.

Ron was still lying in the sun lounger. When he saw Vergo return, he suddenly stood up and stretched.

"The ship's going too slowly."

The adjutant's eyes widened. "But... wasn't it you who told us to slow down?"

"I changed my mind."

All the marines: "..."

Vergo's heart gave a sudden lurch.

Ron raised his hand.

Click.

An Air Door slowly opened in front of him, and he waved to the adjutant.

"Take your time."

"I'll go on ahead and say hello to a certain flamingo."

Old man Sengoku only said not to cut him. He didn't say I couldn't beat him up.

Vergo's expression changed drastically.

Wait!

I just told the young master, and now he was going straight there already?!

Contact the young master again? If I suddenly left my post in front of everyone now, I might as well carve "I'm an undercover agent" on my forehead!!

Ron stepped through the door and looked back with a smile at Vergo.

"Vergo, keep an eye on the ship for me."

"...Yes!"

Bang.

The Air Door closed.

Vergo stood where he was, his entire face frozen stiff.

Damn it!

This guy doesn't play by the rules at all!!

Young Master—!!!