Dialogue

At the same time that Basil Hawkins discovered the Hell Pirates also discovered their 'prey'.

The Hawkins Pirates' flag is quite famous in the North Blue; it features a straw skull with two long nails stuck in it.

"Captain, it's the Hawkins Pirates!"

On the ship, reports came from onlookers.

Everyone laughed.

The Hawkins Pirates are no ordinary small- One Piece. Even if we don't kill One Piece, robbing them would still boost the Hell Pirates' reputation. As for whether or not to kill Basil Hawkins, that depends on the captain's decision.

That's how One Piece are; as long as there's profit to be made and they can make a name for themselves, they're willing to do anything.

That's pure, unadulterated badness; that's what makes a true One Piece.

They are now aboard the Hell Pirates and consider themselves part of the crew.

Of course, we should think about it from the perspective of the Hell Pirates.

On the deck, a magical scene unfolded.

Although the Hell Pirates have increased in number, now possessing a helmsman, shipwrights, and cook... they lack the atmosphere of a cohesive group. Instead, they resemble a hastily assembled thug, appearing somewhat chaotic. After all, these individuals have only been aboard for a short time, and Oboro sits alone outside the second-floor cabin, looking down at everyone with a smile, seemingly without any intention of controlling them. On the first deck, the colossal Yurivich leans against a corner, and within a few meters, no one dares to approach, as if he were completely isolated from everyone else.

The way everyone looked at him was filled with fear and apprehension.

Dom leaned against a door panel, watching the crew cheering as they discovered their 'prey' with indifference, showing no intention of joining in.

These newcomers were unaware that the Hell Pirates' initial core members were completely out of place with them.

There was one person who was getting along very well with the newcomers: Dorans, who had just recovered from his injury.

These people were eager to gain a foothold on the ship and establish their status... Seeing that the old man, Dorans, was willing to 'take care' of them, they naturally became very close to him, and implicitly showed that they would follow his lead.

"Captain, should we move closer?"

Dorans stood on the first deck, looked up at the obscurity above, and asked for instructions.

"You can make the decision."

Long smiled gently, raising the corners of her mouth.

Dorans's eyes flickered, and he nodded... Then he gestured to Dom and Yuri before ordering his men to increase their speed and get closer to the Hawkins Pirates.

The Hell Pirates currently have exactly 128 members.

Thinking this, Dorans glanced at Oboro out of the corner of his eye again... a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He then looked at the newcomers around him, his heart churning. These people were currently dressed identically to him, Dom, and Yuri, all dressed in black, completely covered up, and wearing masks with demon patterns on their faces. They were originally elite One Piece in the North Blue, with considerable strength... now, they had been granted divine power by Oboro and had become Demon Tribe like him.

But his strength is still not as good as his.

Firstly, because he had been trained by the captain along with Dom in the Noddis Kingdom, and secondly, because the power that Oboro bestowed upon this group of people did not seem to be very high.

The circumstances surrounding the evolution of some people's bloodlines are significantly different from his.

Most importantly, these new recruits are currently all trainee crew members.

Yes... they are all trainees, not official crew members yet.

To become a full-fledged member of the Hell Pirates, or even a high-ranking officer, one must go through a brutal competition... proving oneself through battle achievements and performance, which is why these hundred or so people intentionally 'flatter' one's connections.

Dorans wasn't stupid... He wouldn't say he knew his captain perfectly, but he was at least more familiar with him than outsiders.

The reason why Dom and Yuri were unwilling to deal with these One Piece is simple... these people are trash, even if they have evolved into the Demon Tribe. In other words, from the beginning, it seems that the captain only let these people on the ship to solve the problem of lack of manpower during the voyage.

In other words... these people, at least most of them, will be abandoned sooner or later.

Realizing this, Dorans secretly rejoiced, thankful he had boarded the ship early, otherwise...

It should be noted that many of these trainee crew members had bounties and strengths in the North Blue that far surpassed his own during the East Blue period.

"However, these people have become much stronger now, and they even have special weapons personally distributed by the captain... They feel like they can practically do whatever they want in the North Blue."

"In addition, there are a few people... who are quite special and may eventually become official crew members."

After finishing his analysis, Dorans's gaze swept over several figures in the crowd.

The divine power these people obtained is relatively special.

Because they were granted divine power and experienced Oboro's mystery and strength, the apprentice crew members were determined to become part of the Hell Pirates.

Too naive.

Dorans took a deep breath, walked to the bow of the ship, and shouted suddenly, "Speed up! Move closer!"

"Hey-hey..."

In an instant, a crew member leaped high into the air, jumped onto the mast, and adjusted the sails.

"Huh?"

"They don't seem to have any intention of avoiding us; they've actually come this way on their own!"

"Tsk tsk... Could it be that they want to go head-to-head with us? They've got guts!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The crowd burst into laughter, their words laced with sarcasm and mockery.

In the past, they wouldn't have dared to underestimate the Hawkins Pirates; they might have even run away if they encountered them... But things are different now. The important thing is... they are now members of the Hell Pirates!

On the second floor, he chuckled softly as he gazed at the noisy, fierce group of crew members.

The Bloodline Card he used on these people all originated from the lowest-ranking demons, and he had thousands of these cards... The prop cards he used, that is, the weapons, were just the most common Nichirin Sword from the Demon Slayer Corps. Some of them were not even Nichirin Sword, but just tools made of relatively fine materials.

He once said that the strength of the Hell Pirates is not reflected in the number of people or the size of the fleet. In the early stages, the focus is on quality, not quantity.

These people, like Dorans, clearly did not meet the standards.

The reason we're raising them now is because they'll be useful in the future...

Long's gaze fell on Dorans again.

The only redeeming quality this person possesses is that he's quick-witted... and a bit shrewd.

However, behind this shrewdness lies cunning.

Given the severity of Dorans's injuries from Yuri's blow, it wouldn't have taken him that long to recover, and returning to the ship wouldn't have been difficult. His return now simply means that the crisis has been resolved, including the Donquixote Family and the largest mercenary organization in the North Blue.

"I am Basil Hawkins, captain of the Hawkins Pirates."

Suddenly, a sound came from the sea ahead.

The two One Piece ships were already very close.

But neither side fired a shot.

The Hell Pirates planned to simply and brutally board the enemy's ship and carry out their operation.

Given the capabilities of everyone on board, even if the enemy fired first, it wouldn't make a difference...

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a tall, blond man standing at the bow of the ship, looking in their direction... holding a megaphone in his hand.

Dorans, being very proper, looked up at Lonely again.

The other ship's captain showed up and even took the initiative to speak, clearly wanting to meet with Oboro... to discuss something.

Long gave him a look, letting Dorans handle it himself.

Upon receiving the signal, Dorans immediately jumped onto the bow of the ship, grinning maliciously and shouting, "Got it... got it, Basil Hawkins, you're no small name in the North Blue, no need for introductions, we're looking for you!"

Hahahaha!

"..."

The One Piece on the other ship were all eager to try their luck, none of them were easy to deal with, and they were laughing loudly, creating a scene of chaotic chaos.

Hawkins frowned slightly.

Judging from this situation, the atmosphere and danger level of the Hell Pirates are even worse than he thought.

"Your captain..." Hawkins began again.

Before he could finish speaking, Dorans suddenly leaned forward and put his hand to his ear. "Huh? Captain? You want to see our captain?"

His expression was exaggerated.

After repeating it, he clenched his fist, licked his lips, and revealed a sinister smile. "Our captain is not someone like you can meet... Know your place... Captain Hawking!"

Hawkins' pupils contracted.

I didn't expect the other party to be so difficult to deal with.

"Big guy..."

At that moment, Dorans waved his hand and called out.

The crew members with their grotesque faces behind them all brandished their weapons.

"Let's get to work!"