A Big Client Has Arrived

Soon.

The next day arrived.

Over time, more and more pirate ships had gathered in the waters where the Moke Pirates' vessel was anchored.

"The Boulder Pirates? No good~ Their captain's only worth 500,000 Berries, and the rest of the crew don't even have bounties. The ship's the same—cheap junk, bought secondhand. If we resell it, it'd probably go for around 1 million Berries."

"The Sea Fish Pirates are a bit higher—1 million Berries—but their ship's even worse. A broken fishing boat, only good for scrap. Maybe 300,000 Berries."

"Why isn't there a single big-time pirate here? How many of these small fry do we need to scrape together for one little goal?"

"Tch, this crew doesn't even have a single wanted member. Are they just here for the show? We'll kick them out later. No point wasting food on them."

"..."

Xia Che wordlessly glanced at Nami, who was scribbling furiously in a little notebook beside him, and peeked at what she was writing.

Good grief—she was jotting down the bounties and ship prices of every pirate crew that had shown up. For those without bounties... after noting the ship's value, she'd make a face of pure disgust.

But still.

"How the hell do you remember so many bounties?"

"Hehehe, don't underestimate me." Hearing Xia Che's confusion, Nami puffed out her chest proudly. "If you want to find a fat fish on the sea, you need sharp eyes. I've trained this skill for years. Too bad..."

She sighed regretfully, pouting.

"Before, I could only sneak onto their ships to steal treasure or trick them into giving me their vessels. If I could just bundle up the whole crew and ship like you do, I'd have hit my little goal ages ago."

"You don't actually remember every single wanted poster in the East Blue, do you?"

"Pretty much. I used to collect them all, but ever since I became a Marine warrant officer, it's been way easier—someone delivers new posters every morning." Nami nodded, then, as if spotting something, quickly ducked her head. "Don't bother me now. A big fish is coming—the Alvida Pirates. Captain Alvida, bounty 5 million Berries. Ooh, and that ship looks like it was just replaced! Nice. If we sell it, at least 6 million Berries!"

With that, she kicked one of the nearby Moke Pirates lackeys.

"What are you standing around for, idiot? Go greet them! That's 5 million Berries! They're worthy of boarding the Moke ship. Hurry up and bring their captain over."

"Yes!"

The Moke Pirates lackey snapped to attention. Listening to Miss Nami rattle off millions and millions had gotten him excited, and he'd almost forgotten his job for today—the welcoming committee.

He quickly wiped his drool, straightened his clothes, puffed out his chest, and walked to the ship's edge.

He was about to toss over the rope ladder they'd specially prepared for today, but when he saw the Alvida Pirates' captain's figure, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Still, he steeled himself, threw the rope over, pulled the ship close, and waved over two neighbors to help.

"Hello, Alvida. Only those recognized by our captain may board to discuss the great plan to wipe out Marine Branch 16. You can come alone or bring two underlings."

"Bring underlings? No need. I, Alvida, am more than enough." Alvida waved dismissively, then barked at her crew, "You all stay put and behave. Anyone who tries to run, don't blame me for being rude."

"Yes, beautiful Lady Alvida."

Satisfied with their response, Alvida turned and leaped onto the Moke ship.

Instantly.

The Moke ship seemed to tilt slightly to one side, and the Moke lackey's heart clenched.

Luckily, in the end...

Alvida made it aboard safely.

The Moke lackey breathed a sigh of relief, quickly gestured for her to enter, and announced loudly, "The great pirate with a bounty of 5 million Berries, Lady Alvida, has arrived!"

"A distinguished guest, right this way!"

"We have peanuts, sunflower seeds, soft drinks, beer, canned oranges, and orange jam! Please enjoy yourself, Lady Alvida."

This whole routine instantly made Alvida, hefting her spiked club, burst into laughter. She seemed very pleased with the East Blue Overlord crew's hospitality, nodded, and patted the Moke lackey on the shoulder. "Not bad. You're worthy of being the East Blue Overlord's underling—your manners are truly satisfying. But I'd prefer you call me Lady Alvida."

"It's my honor." The Moke lackey, wincing from the force of the pat, forced a smile and politely gestured inside. "Beautiful Lady Alvida, right this way!"

Only after the laughing Lady Alvida had walked inside did he let out a pained breath and rub his shoulder.

But he quickly regained his composure and put on his elegant greeter's smile.

Don't get mad, don't get mad—that's 5 million Berries!

Next up...

There were still plenty of distinguished guests. Can't afford to be rude.

Spotting the next pirate ship sailing in, flying a flag with a grinning cat skull, his eyes lit up again. He quickly straightened his appearance and stepped forward.

"Five million, five million—next is the Black Cat Pirates." Nami's eyes were gleaming too as she watched the approaching ship. "The Black Cat Pirates' captain is worth 9 million Berries—almost double that last one."

She sighed regretfully. "Their former captain, Kuro, was worth 16 million Berries. Almost as much as that Arlong guy. But I heard the Marines killed him a while back. Too bad—that was 16 million Berries!"

Then, seeing the Black Cat ship pull up, she got excited again.

"But no matter! The Black Cat Pirates' ship is a fine vessel—the famous Black Cat. Worth at least 30 million Berries. Jackpot!"

"..."

Xia Che raised an eyebrow at Nami's chatter.

Almost forgot about this guy.

He knew that Captain Kuro hadn't actually died—it was a fake death, and he was hiding in Syrup Village, plotting to seize someone else's property.

But then.

Xia Che turned his head to look at the Black Cat Pirates ship pulling in. When he spotted the man on the deck—wearing a suit, glasses, and a slicked-back pompadour—his eyes narrowed instantly.

[Didn't expect this guy to tag along too?]

Silent Step, an assassination technique that moves at high speed with cat-like footwork.

Learning the Six Powers required a certain threshold; it wasn't simple. Even within Marine Headquarters, not all Marine officers had mastered them.

So, although Xia Che had set the Six Powers as the training manual for Marine Branch 16, he understood... that probably only a handful in the branch would actually learn them, and even those who did would only master one or two techniques.

Thus, maybe Silent Step was also an option?

Who knows—if they couldn't learn Shave, they might still learn Silent Step?!

In some ways, Silent Step and Shave were similar, both being techniques for high-speed movement.

With that thought, Xia Che looked at the figure who had already boarded the ship, stroked his chin, and said, "That's settled."

Just then.

The current captain of the Black Cat Pirates, Jango, and the former captain, Kuro, had also boarded. But from the looks of it, the Black Cat Pirates seemed to be deliberately hiding Kuro's identity, not revealing it outright.

Still, under the welcome of the Moke Pirates, the two headed inside.

Next...

"Nelly Pirates, not bad, six million Berries."

"Sharp Sword Pirates, thirteen million Berries, also not bad."

"Yag Pirates, six hundred thousand Berries, pfft."

"..."

As more and more pirate ships drew closer, Nami's little notebook was filling up densely.

She had to admit, bringing Nami along this time was the right call.

They hadn't even sprung the net yet, and Nami had already estimated the haul pretty accurately.

A huge harvest!

Just as Nami was nodding in satisfaction while jotting down bounties.

Suddenly.

The once bright, open sea went dark, as if some massive creature was slowly approaching.

All the pirates turned to look in that direction.

"What's that?"

"Could it be a Sea King?"

"Impossible, there are no Sea Kings in these waters. Maybe one swam in by accident?"

As everyone stared with curiosity and fear, even Nami looked up, equally puzzled.

Then.

It seemed like everyone saw something moving toward them.

And there were a lot of them.

"That's... that's a pirate ship?! So many pirate ships~"

Someone who'd gotten a clear look let out a huge shout.

Instantly.

At that moment.

Everyone saw it.

A dense swarm of pirate ships.

"That's the East Blue Commodore—the Krieg Pirates' fleet! That many ships? Too strong!"

Someone else shouted in shock.

Everyone raised their heads, staring at the lead ship—the massive Black Panther Giant Sailing Ship.

For a moment, their faces showed disbelief, shock, excitement, longing, and fear. All attention seemed drawn to the slowly approaching fleet.

Xia Che and Nami also looked up, watching.

But unlike the others...

Xia Che and Nami both narrowed their eyes, the corners of their mouths curling up.

Their gazes seemed to gleam with the light of Berries, reflecting the pattern of Berries as they stared intently at the slowly closing Krieg Pirates fleet.

Their expressions and smiles seemed to mirror each other perfectly in that moment.

"Sergeant Nami~"

As Colonel Xia Che's meaningful words fell.

"Understood!" Although Xia Che hadn't issued any orders, Sergeant Nami seemed to grasp his intent, snapping to attention and saluting with a serious expression. "Colonel Xia Che!"

Fifty pirate crews, plus that three-tiered giant sailing ship...

Just how much was all that worth!