Ring

"Hoist our flag!"

At Fang Yuan's command, a black pirate flag bearing a White Bone Skull slowly rose above the Mockingbird.

A commotion immediately broke out aboard the pirate ship opposite them, followed by furious roars.

Clearly, to the Fierce Tiger Pirate Group, the betrayal of an old friend had come as a shock—but only briefly. They had already prepared for battle.

"Captain Your Excellency?"

Bill edged closer to Fang Yuan. "Why didn't we send a friendly signal, then close in and launch a surprise attack? They have no idea that a shocking change just took place aboard our ship!"

"For pirates, a little past friendship is worth less than a seagull's feather, especially when there's a fortune to be made..." Fang Yuan shook his head. "The moment we got close, they would have attacked!"

His expression turned proud. "Besides... with my blessing, if you still can't crush them like dry weeds beneath a gale, what use would I have for you?"

His icy words made Bill shiver. He knew the Captain meant every word.

Rumble!

At that moment, the pirate ship opposite them opened fire.

Cannonballs splashed down across the waters around the Mockingbird, sending up great sheets of seawater.

"Close in!"

Fang Yuan raised his Commanding Saber and roared, "Where are our gunners? Return fire! Return fire!"

Unfortunately, he had cut down too many of the crew earlier. Even after they had barely scraped together enough hands, their cannon fire came in sporadic bursts—and their aim was so poor it was enough to make you cry.

Boom!

Just then, a cannonball struck the Mockingbird's deck dead on, blasting a Big hole in it and leaving the area a bloody mess.

"Get out of the way!"

Fang Yuan strode forward, kicked the helmsman aside, and took the wheel himself.