This was a lawless land.
It had long been without a government, and the island was rife with violence and fighting.
Even so, the island had an unwritten rule: no one was allowed to rob the shops.
Even the most notorious pirates had to pay for what they bought on the island. Fights and bloodshed were limited to the pirates themselves and never spread to the local businesses.
On the one hand, this was an accepted rule of the underworld. Any pirate who plundered the island would be despised by everyone, and would have nowhere safe to resupply in the future. On the other hand, anyone able to run a shop on an island like this was no pushover.
"Great! There's so much energy here!"
As the Polar Tang slowly came to rest along the shore, Rod took in the fighting and bloodshed all around the island and licked his lips.
What he needed most right now was a fight!
But these opponents were too weak.
"I'll stay here and watch the ship," Luo offered, his body covered in bruises.
Who knew how many beatings he'd taken over the past two days?
But Rod never made empty promises when it came to things like this. After a few days of training, Luo seemed to have faintly sensed a new power within him.
"Bepo can stay and watch the ship too."
Bepo glanced at Luo, who was battered from head to toe, hesitated, then spoke up.
Luo said he was fine, but Bepo felt he should keep him company anyway.
Heh, Bepo really was dependable.
"Then Pekoms, Shakky, Grey, and Nia, the four of you go buy supplies. Make it quick. Nerl and I will gather some information and see if we can find a cook."
"Do I have to go too? I want to stay on the ship!"
Even standing aboard the ship, Grey could hear the gunshots and dying screams from the island. The scent of gunpowder drifted over on the breeze, mingling with the faint smell of blood.
"What are you talking about? We don't know anything about machinery. You'll have to buy the materials you need for your research yourself."
Nia waved a hand and led them ashore, heading toward the island.
Pekoms and Shakky exchanged a glance, then flanked Grey as they helped him off the ship.
They did know a little about machinery, since they'd helped Dr. Wolf with some things.
But since Rod had given the order, they'd naturally bring Grey along.
Besides, Grey needed to get a little exercise. He wasn't a fighter, but he couldn't afford to be too frail either. This sea was a dangerous place, and their goal was to conquer it.
"Let's go too. I'm leaving the Polar Tang in your hands, Luo."
Watching Nia and the others walk away, Rod waved to Luo, then headed off in another direction with Nerl.
He sensed several people in that direction whose presence seemed relatively powerful. They likely knew more.
"Is that their pirate flag?"
On a nearby hillside, a man and a woman lay prone, watching the pirate ship at the shore through binoculars.
"Crossed guns and swords, with a fist above them. No mistake—it's the Rod Pirates!"
The man checked the little booklet in his hand, and his voice grew excited.
"That's a big catch. The whole crew's bounties add up to 185 million berries!"
"Wrong! It's 185 million and 200 berries!"
"Don't count the extra change."
"Be thorough in your work, Shuuki!
"When are you going to get promoted with an attitude like that? I chose you as my partner because I saw your potential and thought you had a good chance of getting promoted soon. But if you can't correct your attitude and stay thorough, I'll have to find a new partner!"
The beautiful, curvaceous woman fixed her partner with a stern look.
"Yes, yes, I understand, Margery!"
Shuuki nodded again and again at his partner's words.
They were members of Baroque Works, though only low-ranking ones.
Baroque Works was a powerful organization from the Grand Line. The company had a strict hierarchy, with ranks descending from President to Chief Commander, Executive Commander, Billion Envoy, and Million Envoy.
They were low-ranking employees at the Million Envoy level.
If they could rise to Chief Commander, they'd enjoy the company's generous benefits and only have to act when a difficult mission came up. They'd also be able to give orders to the Billion Envoys and Million Envoys beneath them.
But promotions within the company were difficult. They needed clear accomplishments to have any chance of being promoted, and the positions of Chief Commander and Executive Commander only opened up when someone vacated them.
Still, a perfect opportunity had just presented itself!
If they reported their discovery of the Rod Pirates, and the company sent senior officers to capture them, the two of them—the first to find the targets—would earn rewards and credit.
As for whether they could actually capture pirates with such high bounties?
They came from the Grand Line. Pirates from the North Blue must have committed truly atrocious crimes to earn bounties that high from the Marines. As for their actual strength, it might not amount to much.
And as luck would have it, the company's Executive Commander, Mr. 11, was on the island right now for certain reasons.
"Shuuki, hurry and contact Mr. 11. I'll keep an eye on them."
Because of her striking looks, Margery had caught the Executive Commander's attention, and he'd given them a Den Den Mushi they could use to contact him directly. That made reporting intelligence much easier.
"Got it!"
Shuuki pulled a Den Den Mushi from his clothes and dialed Mr. 11.
Buru~ Buru~ Buru~
"Wait, where did they go?!"
Margery stared in disbelief as she looked through the binoculars again.
In the time it had taken them to exchange a couple of sentences, everyone who'd been on the ship had vanished. Only the polar bear with a 200-berry bounty remained, chattering and gesturing on deck. What he was doing was anyone's guess.
Never mind the people Catwoman Nia had led away. Judging by their direction, they were probably heading to resupply and buy provisions. They could be found later in the commercial district.
But where were their captain, Mad Blade Rod, whose bounty was 71 million berries, and Black Spear Nerl, with a bounty of 44 million? She'd seen them just moments ago.
Margery swung the binoculars around, searching in every direction, but couldn't find either of them. Anxiety filled her face.
Had they gotten away?
Click.
"This is Mr. 11. What is it?"
"We're Million Envoys Shuuki and Margery. We found the Rod Pirates on the west coast."
"Kehahaha! That's a pirate crew with a combined bounty of 185 million and 200 berries. Keep your eyes on them. You'll get your share of the credit when this is done."
Mr. 11 laughed cheerfully, gave them a few instructions, then hung up.
"We're finally going to get promoted!"
After ending the call, Shuuki could barely contain his excitement. Then he noticed his partner staring at him, her face covered in sweat.
"What's wrong, Margery?"
"You were looking for me, weren't you?"
Margery didn't answer. A slightly low voice sounded behind Shuuki.
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