Baroque Works' Watch

Tiger Shark Island

This is a lawless land.

Long in a state of anarchy, the island is rife with violence and combat.

However, on this island, there is also an unwritten rule: no one is allowed to rob shops.

Even the most wicked pirates, upon arriving here, must pay for their goods. Fights and skirmishes are limited to each other and do not affect the island's merchants.

On one hand, this is a customary rule within the underworld. If pirates were to plunder freely here, they would be scorned by everyone, leaving them with no safe place for resupply in the future. On the other hand, anyone who can open a shop on such an island is no ordinary individual.

"Excellent, very lively!"

The Polar slowly docked at the shore. Feeling the pervasive killing and fighting on the island, Rod licked his lips.

What he lacked most right now was combat!

However, they were too weak.

"I'll stay and watch the ship," Rod, covered in bruises, volunteered.

Who knows how much he'd been beaten over the past two days.

But Rod never spoke idly about such matters. After days of training, he seemed to have faintly sensed a surge of power.

"Bepo, you stay and watch the ship with Rod too," Belly hesitated before speaking up.

Even though Rod said he was fine, it was best to keep him company.

Hehe, Belly is so reliable.

"Then, Pekoms, Shakky, Grey, Nia, you four go procure supplies. Hurry. I'll go with Nerl to gather information and see if we can find a cook."

"I have to go too! I want to stay on the ship!"

Just standing on the ship, Grey could hear all sorts of gunshots and dying screams from the island. Not to mention the smell of gunpowder drifting on the wind, and wisps of blood.

"What are you talking about? We don't understand anything about machinery. You need to buy the materials you need for your research yourself," Nia waved her hand, leading the others off the ship and towards the island.

Pekoms and Shakky exchanged glances and escorted Grey off the ship, one on each side.

In truth, they had some understanding of mechanics, having helped Dr. Wolf with some tasks.

However, since Boss Rod had given the order, they naturally had to bring Grey along.

Moreover, Grey needed some training. Although he wasn't a combatant, he couldn't be too frail. This sea was very dangerous, and their goal was to conquer it.

"Let's go too. --The Polar is in your care, Rod."

Watching Nia and the other three leave, Rod waved at Rod and then headed in another direction with Nerl.

In his perception, there were several people in that direction with stronger auras, who should possess more information.

"This Jolly Roger, is it them?"

On a nearby hillside, a man and a woman were lying down, binoculars in hand, watching the pirate ship that had docked at the shore.

"Crossed swords, and a fist above them. That's right, it's the Rod Pirates!"

The man checked his small booklet again, his voice filled with excitement.

"This is a big fish! Their total bounty is 185 million Belly!"

"Wrong! It's 185 million and 200 Belly!"

"Don't count the zeroes."

"Work needs to be rigorous! Shuuki!"

When will you get promoted with that attitude? The reason I partnered with you is because I saw your potential and believed you had hope for an early promotion. But if you can't correct your attitude and maintain a rigorous work ethic, I'll have to find a new partner!"

The beautiful and curvaceous woman looked at her partner sternly.

"Yes, yes, yes, I got it! Margery!"

Shuuki nodded repeatedly, looking at his partner beside him.

They were members of Baroque Works, albeit the lowest-ranking ones.

The Baroque Works they belonged to was a powerful organization from the Grand Line. The company had a clear hierarchy, with the President at the top, followed by Chief Commanders, Executive Commanders, Billion Envoys, and Million Envoys.

They were currently low-level employees at the Million Envoy rank.

If they could be promoted to Chief Commander, they would enjoy high welfare benefits from the company, only need to be dispatched for difficult missions, and could freely command the Billion Envoys and Million Envoys under them.

However, promotions within the company were very difficult; clear merit was required for any possibility of advancement. Furthermore, Chief Commanders and Executive Commanders were only selected when a vacancy arose.

But now, a perfect opportunity lay before them!

As long as they reported the intelligence about the Rod Pirates they had discovered, and the company dispatched high-ranking executives to capture them, they, the ones who discovered the prey first, would receive corresponding rewards and merit.

As for whether such a high bounty could be successfully captured?

They are a force from the Grand Line. Pirates from the mere North Blue must have committed extremely heinous crimes to be rewarded such high bounty by the Marines. To speak of their true strength, it's not necessarily much.

Coincidentally, due to some matters, the company's Executive Commander, Mr. 11, is currently on the island.

"Shuuki, hurry and contact Mr. 11 with the Den Den Mushi. I'll keep an eye on them."

Because of her outstanding appearance, Margery caught the eye of the Executive Commander, who gave them a Den Den Mushi for direct contact, which conveniently allowed them to report intelligence.

"Okay!"

Shuuki took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed Mr. 11.

Buzz~ Buzz~ Buzz~

"Wait, where are they!"

Margery, looking again through the telescope, was slightly stunned.

In the time it took them to exchange a few words, the people who were originally on the ship had disappeared. Only the polar bear with a bounty of 200 Belly remained on the ship, gesturing and babbling, and she didn't know what it was doing.

Not to mention the individuals taken away by Catwoman Nia. Judging by their direction of travel, they were most likely going to resupply and purchase provisions. They could be found in the commercial district afterward.

But where were their captain, Mad Blade·Rod, with a bounty of 71 million Belly, and Black Spear·Nerl, with a bounty of 44 million Belly? She had clearly seen them just moments ago.

Turning the telescope around, she couldn't find any trace of the two, and Margery's face was filled with anxiety.

Could they have escaped!

Click~

"This is Mr. 11. What is it?"

"We are the Million Envoys, Shuuki and Margery. We've found traces of the Rod Pirates on the west coast."

"Cha hahaha, this is a pirate crew with a total bounty of 185.02 million Belly! You two keep a close eye on them for me. You won't be shortchanged on credit after this is done."

Mr. 11 let out a burst of cheerful laughter and hung up the Den Den Mushi after giving a few instructions.

"We have a chance for promotion!"

After hanging up, Shuuki couldn't hide his excitement but noticed his partner looking at him, her face covered in sweat.

"What's wrong, Margery?"

"You're looking for me, aren't you."

Margery didn't reply. A slightly deep voice sounded from behind Shuuki.