Pirate Flag

"Rod, other warships are coming."

With both battlefields settled, Nerl reminded him.

Within his perception, several warships were heading their way.

"Then we should retreat too."

Carrying a saw much taller than himself, Rod glanced at Balo, who had never found an opportunity to strike.

After a relatively satisfying battle, he had lost interest in opponents of this caliber.

"These two Marines?"

Nerl gestured to Rod.

Both Drake, defeated by him, and Hina, taken down by Nia, were Devil Fruit users. If they were lucky, they might obtain two Devil Fruits.

"Forget it. They are genuinely righteous people among the Marines, and I don't dislike them. Besides, they are also outstanding generals of the younger generation in the Marines. If we kill them, we'll definitely face relentless pursuit from powerful figures in the Marines."

"You're the captain, you decide."

Nerl nodded and surveyed the surrounding Marine soldiers.

While they were fighting, the soldiers on the warships had already formed ranks at the port. Even the soldiers who had entered the town earlier had returned to the port, surrounding them nervously but not daring to act rashly.

Glancing at the nervous Marine soldiers, Rod smiled, and the three of them turned and walked towards the Polar.

"Hahaha, I was wondering how to tell you to spare this beautiful Marine. Although she's an enemy, I admire her," Nia said, laughing as she followed behind Rod.

"After all, I'm not a devil. I respect those who truly hold Justice in their hearts."

Watching the three swagger back to their pirate ship with their backs turned, Captain Balo clenched his weapons, his face filled with struggle.

Vice Captain Hina was defeated and unconscious; Captain Drake was severely wounded and unable to fight; Rear Admiral Bastille was punched away, his condition unknown.

Only he was only lightly injured and was the only one who could command the remaining Marine soldiers.

But what could he do alone now...

"All soldiers!"

Clenching his weapons tightly, Captain Balo suddenly stood up and let out a roar.

The surrounding soldiers all turned to look at Captain Balo. Only Rod and the other two walked towards their pirate ship with their backs to the numerous Marines, Rod's shoulder still carrying Rear Admiral Bastille's personal weapon.

Seeing the complex expressions on the faces of the surrounding Marine soldiers, Captain Balo released his weapons, letting them fall to the ground.

"Treat the wounded with all your might!"

Upon hearing their superior's order, the surrounding soldiers first breathed a sigh of relief, then felt an unspeakable shame.

No matter what, they had retreated in the face of pirates.

Leaping onto the ship, Rod smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the pirate flag that Pekoms and Shakky had already hoisted.

Unlike ordinary pirate flags, Rod's flag did not have the common skull and crossbones. Instead, Nerl's gun and Law's katana were crossed, replacing the usual bones. Above the crossed weapons was a large fist, representing Rod's ambition to conquer the world with his fists.

"Crewmates! Set sail!"

"Oh!!"

With loud cheers from Bepo, Pekoms, and Shakky, the sails on the ship were raised, also bearing the emblem of the Rod Pirates.

"Hey, you guys should cheer too! The atmosphere isn't lively enough!"

"Tch, stop making so many demands. We all have work to do."

Law leaned casually on the deck. He had just checked on Grey's condition again and administered an antidote, so he should recover soon.

"Oh! So, where is our next destination, Captain?"

Giving a slightly perfunctory "Oh," Nerl gripped the ship's wheel, holding a sea chart in his other hand.

"Oh!! Let's hurry to the Grand Line!" Nia shouted happily, raising her hands.

Food, beautiful scenery, and all sorts of local customs, wonderful adventures were calling to her.

"That's more like it!"

Rod high-fived Nia. Pekoms and Shakky, after securing the sails, also ran over, their faces full of excitement.

"I heard there's Fish-Man Island in the Grand Line! I want to see the mermaid princess!"

"I want to go to Amazon Lily! I want to see the world's most beautiful woman—the Pirate Empress!"

"Hehehe, there should be mother bears..." Bepo also squeezed in, a blush on his face, his eyes full of longing.

"You're blushing too early!"

"Superficial man."

Nia pouted dismissively and turned to look at Rod.

"Captain, what about you!"

"The mermaid princess is quite cute, but she's too young now, basically a child. The Pirate Empress has a terrible personality, I don't really like her."

"Did you see them with your own eyes, Boss Rod!"

"No, I didn't."

"Then you're talking like you did!"

"As expected, all men are the same. I misjudged you, Rod."

"Your titles change so quickly."

"That's right!"

"While you were fighting, I took some things from a Marine warship. They're piled up in the hall on the first floor along with what we brought back from the Donquixote Family. You might find them interesting."

Law, who had been dozing on the deck, suddenly spoke.

"Yeah! Our spoils of war!"

Several people exclaimed in unison, then exchanged glances, their eyes filled with excitement.

"Only this much? This is the Shichibukai we're talking about."

After counting the treasure plundered from the Donquixote Family, Nia was full of disappointment.

Excluding supplies like food and drink, the cash only amounted to about 70 million Belly. Even with the valuable jewelry and ornaments, it was only around 110 million Belly.

"This is just a North Blue stronghold. The collected treasure is regularly sent back to the headquarters in the New World. This much is already pretty good."

After adjusting the ship's course, Nerl also joined the pleasant chest-opening session. Hearing Nia's complaint, he explained.

"Law, have you completely betrayed the family!"

Gladius, who had woken up at some unknown time, suddenly spoke.

His entire body was submerged in seawater, rendering him completely powerless. Only his head had been cut off by Law's ability and placed on a wooden chest nearby. Because everyone was immersed in the joy of opening chests, they hadn't even noticed he had woken up.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Isn't it obvious?"

Law glanced at Gladius. His good mood from opening chests had slightly faded, but the next moment, a smile returned to his face. However, in Gladius's eyes, the smile seemed somewhat terrifying.

"We still have the biggest prize to open!"

Hearing Law's words, everyone shifted their gaze from the treasure to Gladius's face, all wearing chilling smiles. Bepo, very proactively, placed a box of fruit next to Gladius.