Legend of the Sea Monster

After listening to Bellamy and his crew's story, Rod finally understood the situation.

This group of people were all born in Notis Town, a rather affluent town.

However, despite their privileged upbringing, they grew tired of their mundane lives and craved something different.

Thus, led by Bellamy, they formed a small group. They worshipped the Great Pirate who came from the North Blue, Doflamingo, regarding him as an idol and aspiring to become Great Pirates just like him.

Their dream was to join the Donquixote Family.

A while ago, through local gangster connections, they caught wind of some intel.

The Felke Family, based on Minion Island, seemed to be eyeing the North Blue's arms business and were making extensive preparations recently.

Before this, the North Blue's arms business had always been controlled by the Donquixote Family.

When they were still in the North Blue, they had already expanded their arms business throughout the entire region, eliminating all other competitors.

After Doflamingo became one of the Shichibukai, he leveraged the World Government's power to firmly control all underground trade.

Now, another force dared to interfere in this business. Even if it was just a minuscule portion, it was a provocation to that esteemed individual!

Eager to prove themselves, Bellamy and his crew immediately decided to take action upon hearing this intel, intending to eliminate those who dared to covet the Donquixote Family's arms business.

If they could handle the situation well and be permitted to join the Donquixote Family, that would be even better.

Who knew they would run into such tough opponents.

"I have no interest in petty thugs like you. Get lost."

As Rod's gaze swept over them, the youths paled. Not daring to utter a word, they hastily prepared to leave.

A blue-haired brat, steeling his courage, walked up to Rod, intending to pick up the unconscious Bellamy.

"I never said you could take him."

Rod glanced at the other party and said indifferently.

Hearing Rod's voice, the other person's body stiffened slightly, trembling all over. Yet, he still slightly raised his head, his eyes filled with struggle.

"Hurry up and go, Satchis, leave Bellamy!"

Hearing his companion's voice, a flicker of complexity crossed Satchis's eyes. His mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, he said nothing, merely slowly put Bellamy down and turned to quickly leave with his companions.

"I thought he would beg you."

Watching the disheveled group of boys and girls leave, a hint of disdain flashed in Nia's eyes.

"They can abandon their companions so easily. They truly are just a bunch of thugs."

"But what do you want with this Springman brat?"

"There's something I want to try."

Looking at Bellamy lying on the ground, Rod's mind flashed with the image of his companion.

He wondered how that guy's abilities had progressed and if his own plan could be realized.

As Rod pondered, Jason approached him respectfully, carrying a box, and handed it to him.

Rod raised an eyebrow slightly as he looked at the gangster before him.

He had been beaten to within an inch of his life by Bellamy's crew just now, yet he had recovered so quickly. It was true that anyone who could become a minor gangster boss had some skills; at least their vitality was tenacious enough.

Taking the box handed to him, a strange glint appeared in Rod's eyes.

"This weight... it should be more than five million."

"Our lives were spared by your magnanimity. Mere money is insufficient to express our gratitude. Moreover, if you hadn't intervened, we would have been killed by those villains just now."

As he spoke, Jason's gaze involuntarily swept over Bellamy, who lay at Rod's feet.

Enemies who had defeated them all in a single encounter were no match for Rod, unable to withstand even a single move. The gap between them, the gangsters, and him was simply too vast.

"All things considered, we owe you two lives!"

"Don't say such things again. I'm simply not interested in those who are too weak."

Rod interrupted Jason, not wanting to get entangled in anything further.

"I'll take the money! -- Let's go!"

Weighing the money box in his hand, Rod kicked the unconscious Bellamy lying on the ground towards Nia, called out to Nerl, and watched as he carried Grey on his back. Then, the group headed towards the coast.

We're too weak!

Jason thought silently, watching the retreating figures.

They had only been indulging in underworld dealings, content with immediate gains. Thinking back now, their ambitions had been too narrow-minded.

"Boss Jason, what do we do now?"

After Rod and his group disappeared from sight, several surrounding gangster subordinates gathered around Jason and asked.

Their family boss had been killed and scattered everywhere. The other important executives had also all been killed by Rod and his group in the previous battle. Now, Jason was the highest-ranking among their remaining members.

Moreover, he had always been the brains of the Felke Family, so no one objected to him becoming the new leader.

Jason scanned the remaining people. Confusion was written all over everyone's faces. Some of his brothers, injured in the previous fight, lay groaning on the ground.

"First, tend to the injured brothers, and send word out to gather the family's forces."

Jason commanded in a deep voice. The subordinates around him quickly sprang into action upon hearing his orders. With a leader to guide them, they temporarily shook off their confusion.

The gang's business is meaningless now...

Jason watched his subordinates busily working around him, thinking about the two groups he had encountered earlier. Whether it was Rod's group or Bellamy's group that came later, they all possessed a power so immense that they were utterly defenseless.

The sea... perhaps that's the place truly worth venturing into!

On the coast

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until dawn to set sail?"

"I've heard before that the route between Flying Swallow Island and Minion Island has strange noises in the middle of the night."

"Someone once saw with their own eyes someone rowing a small boat desperately at sea, with several white waves chasing closely behind. Strangely, when the small boat reached the shore, it couldn't dock and could only turn around and continue rowing at sea. They couldn't land until dawn, almost exhausting the rower to death. I heard it's because of Sea Monsters causing trouble in the water."

Listening to Nia's words, Rod and Nerl exchanged a look, their expressions odd.

"Sea Monsters? Then let's wait until dawn to go!"

Grey exclaimed, seemingly aggravating his injuries. His face turned even paler.

"It's just a baseless rumor."

Rod pulled up the anchor and looked towards Flying Swallow Island.

"Set sail!"