Hijacking a Ship in the South Blue! Ginny: Why Did You Save Me?

Morgans' intelligence came faster than Lin Yuan had expected.

"South Blue, a transport ship, departing in three days," Morgans said over the Den Den Mushi. "Besides Ginny, there are more than a dozen opposition members aboard. The escort commander is a Marine Rear Admiral with fifty soldiers under him."

"That's it?"

"That's it. The World Government doesn't consider her important." Morgans paused. "But I suggest you move quickly. Once these people reach Mary Geoise, they'll either die or become slaves."

Lin Yuan put down the Den Den Mushi and stood up.

Kaido was trading blows with Bullet on the training ground. When he saw Lin Yuan come out, he stopped.

"Going out again?"

"To the South Blue. To save someone."

"Who's coming with you?"

Lin Yuan glanced at the people present. Kaido was too conspicuous, Bullet had too explosive a temper, and King's racial features made him easy to recognize.

"Moria's coming with me," he said.

Moria froze for a moment, then tightened his grip on his scissors.

"All right."

Two

Somewhere in the South Blue.

A Marine transport ship was sailing through the sea. More than a dozen prisoners were confined aboard, including a pink-haired girl. She crouched in the corner of her cell, covered in wounds, but her eyes were bright.

Ginny.

She was thinking about one thing—she hadn't seen Kuma yet. She couldn't die here.

"Hey, pink hair." A soldier outside the cell rapped on the iron bars. "When you get to Mary Geoise, don't blame us. Blame yourself. Of all the people you could've offended, you had to offend the World Government."

Ginny ignored him.

"Still keeping that mouth shut, huh?" The soldier sneered. "Once we get to Mary Geoise, there'll be plenty of people to deal with you."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the ship jolted violently. The soldier lost his footing and fell.

"What was that?!"

"We're under attack—!"

Panicked shouts came from the deck. The soldier forgot about Ginny and rushed out.

Three

On deck, a door opened out of thin air. Moria stepped through and landed in the middle of the deck.

"Who are you?!"

"A pirate—!"

"Fire! Open fire!"

The soldiers raised their guns and fired. Moria calmly swept both hands through the air.

"Shadow Wall!"

The shadow beneath his feet rose, forming a black wall that blocked every bullet.

"Shadow Horn Spear!"

Black spears shot out of the Shadow Wall and pierced the shoulders of several soldiers. Screams rang out, and blood splattered across the deck.

The Marine Rear Admiral drew his sword, coating the blade in Armament Haki.

"Gecko Moria! You've got some nerve, hijacking a World Government ship!"

Moria didn't answer. He swept his hands again, and the shadows turned into countless thin threads that bound the Rear Admiral's arms and legs.

"Cheap tricks!" The Rear Admiral severed the shadow threads with a slash and charged at Moria.

Just then, a door opened behind the Rear Admiral. Lin Yuan stepped out and raised a hand, opening another door beneath the Rear Admiral's feet. The Rear Admiral stepped into empty air and fell through.

Beyond the door was open air, a hundred meters above the ground.

"Aah—!"

His scream grew more and more distant.

The soldiers aboard the ship were scared witless.

"Rear Admiral—!"

"He... he threw the Rear Admiral into the sky!"

"Run!"

Lin Yuan ignored them and turned toward the ship's interior.

Four

In her cell, Ginny heard the commotion outside. Gunfire, screams, battle cries—and then, sudden silence.

She didn't know what had happened, but she knew someone had come.

The cell door suddenly opened, and a young man walked in. He looked to be in his early twenties, with black hair and black eyes. His hands were in his pockets, and a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Ginny?"

"Who are you?"

"Lin Yuan. The man here to save you."

Ginny stared at him for a few seconds.

"Why are you saving me?"

"Because I need you."

"What do you need me for?"

"Help me build an intelligence network."

Ginny blinked, then smiled.

"You're certainly direct."

"It's better to be direct. Saves us from guessing."

Lin Yuan crouched down and opened a Micro Door at the clasp of her chains. The clasp popped open, and the chains slipped off.

"Let's go."

Ginny flexed her wrists and stood up.

"Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

"You won't." Lin Yuan smiled. "There's still someone you want to see."

Ginny's expression changed slightly.

"How do you know?"

"I know a lot of things."

Lin Yuan raised a hand and opened a door in the cell. Beyond it was the beach on Hachinosu.

"Let's go."

Ginny glanced at him, then strode through the door.

Lin Yuan followed her, and the door slowly closed.

The cell was empty, save for the broken chains glinting coldly on the floor.

Five

Hachinosu.

Ginny stepped through the door and onto the beach. The sea breeze swept through her long pink hair.

"Where is this?"

"Hachinosu. My territory."

Lin Yuan stepped out behind her and headed toward the island.

"Come on. I'll show you around."

Ginny followed him past the training ground, the warehouse, and the castle. Kaido was sparring with Bullet. He froze for a moment when he saw Ginny.

"Wo-lo-lo-lo-lo... Lin Yuan, did you pick up another person?"

"I did," Lin Yuan said. "Her name's Ginny. She'll be helping us with intelligence from now on."

Kaido looked Ginny up and down.

"She looks pretty weak."

"I'm not weak." Ginny glared at him. "I just can't fight."

"Wo-lo-lo-lo-lo... Then what can you do?"

"I can keep accounts, gather intelligence, and curse people out."

Kaido stared at her for a moment, then laughed even harder.

"Wo-lo-lo-lo-lo... Interesting! This girl is more interesting than Moria."

Moria stood nearby, looking displeased.

"Who are you calling boring?"

"You."

"Why, you—!"

Ginny watched them bicker and couldn't help laughing.

"Your pirate crew is pretty lively."

Six

In the castle hall, Lin Yuan had someone arrange a room for Ginny.

"Get some rest first. You start work tomorrow."

"What work?"

"Building an intelligence network," Lin Yuan said. "Tell me what you need."

Ginny thought for a moment.

"Money, people, and equipment."

"I have money. Recruit the people yourself. I'll have someone buy the equipment."

Ginny nodded.

"All right."

She turned and walked a few steps, then stopped.

"Lin Yuan."

"Hm?"

"Why did you save me? Not 'because you need me.' What's the real reason?"

Lin Yuan was silent for a while.

"Because you're still useful. And because you shouldn't die."

Ginny stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled.

"All right. I believe you."

Seven

At night, Lin Yuan sat on the terrace, gazing at the starry sky.

Ginny wasn't asleep. She walked onto the terrace and sat down beside Lin Yuan.

"What are you thinking about?"

"The next step."

"What's the next step?"

"Finding someone."

"Who?"

"Bartholomew Kuma."

Ginny's hand stopped for a moment.

"Do you know him?"

"No. But I know you do."

Ginny was silent for a while.

"Can you save him?"

"I can," Lin Yuan said. "But not now."

"Why not?"

"Because he isn't in the World Government's hands yet. I'll act once he's captured."

Ginny lowered her head.

"He won't be captured."

"He will," Lin Yuan said. "In this world, good people are always the first to be captured."

Ginny didn't answer.

(End of chapter 20)