Red Hat! Red Blood!

Jiang Chuan looked at Kendi and said, "I'm going with you this time! I want to see just how much trouble one Red Hat can cause!"

After receiving his orders, Kendi waited for Jiang Chuan at the docks. Jiang Chuan went to Laurie's office and said, "While I'm away, if anything comes up that you can't decide, ask Sarah. Speed up the Siren's refit—we need her ready for battle as soon as possible. Also, hurry up with the construction of the walls."

After giving Laurie his instructions, Jiang Chuan hurried to the docks. Sarah was still reclining in a deck chair, sunbathing as she watched the Siren slowly being refitted. Jiang Chuan looked at her and said, "I'm going after Red Hat for a while. Keep an eye on things around the island for me."

"Red Hat?" Sarah said. "Aren't you worried that attacking them will provoke Gangplank's wrath? That would force us to move up our plans."

Jiang Chuan shook his head. "I'm only going to teach Red Hat a lesson this time. We can't move forward with our plans if we don't deal with that thorn in our side."

Sarah leaned back in her chair. "All right, go ahead. I'll watch over the island for you."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Sorry for the trouble."

Jiang Chuan climbed aboard Kendi's little boat. He frowned at the several large crates by Kendi's feet. "What's in those?"

Kendi grinned. "They're equipment Master Noah gave me—modified muskets."

Jiang Chuan nodded. "Let's go to the Slums."

Kendi rowed to a small dock in Bilgewater and tied up. Then he went over to call someone over to help carry the crates.

Jiang Chuan looked at Kendi and smiled. "Can we trust him?"

Kendi thumped his chest. "President, don't worry. He's an old friend of mine and Laurie's. He's mute, and we make sure he gets half of our business."

Jiang Chuan patted Kendi on the shoulder. "You can have him come work on the island sometime." Given the nature of Bilgewater, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups had a hard time surviving there. They were often bullied by thugs. Jiang Chuan had also helped the children of the Slums with some of that in mind.

Jiang Chuan watched the man walk away, then said to Kendi, "Let's go. Remember to ask your friend to come work on the island."

Kendi nodded. "Sure, President."

Jiang Chuan and Kendi arrived at the Iron Anchor Gang's base in the Slums. The First Army had just finished training, and everyone was drenched in sweat and panting. Kendi and Jiang Chuan put on their masks. Kendi roared, "Fall in! What are you doing, slacking off?! The President's here to discuss a mission with us. If anyone trips over the wall again or fails to work with the team, everyone's training will be doubled!"

Looking at the First Army's perfectly ordered formation, Jiang Chuan said, "I imagine those Red-headed Flies have been driving you crazy these past couple of days! Well, now's your chance. From this moment on, if you catch any Red Hat spies, kill them on the spot. Anyone Red Hat has sent to spy on us gets hauled off to build our base! They'll work as laborers!"

"Red Hat already treats this place like their own backyard. We will not tolerate it. Starting tonight, four squads will patrol during the day and four at night. Especially at night. If anyone slacks off on patrol, I'll send you out to tread water in the deep sea until you've had your fill! Now, check your weapons!"

"Yes, sir!"

The First Army picked up their weapons and checked them. Their Mauser Guns and Machine Guns alike gleamed from being polished. Jiang Chuan smiled. "Good. Now, the whole unit moves out. Before nightfall, I want every Red Hat spy in the area found!"

"Yes, sir!"

The First Army took up their weapons, split into squads, and spread out through the surrounding area. Before long, Jiang Chuan heard the sound of gunfire, one shot after another.

Jiang Chuan returned to the camp and looked at the pitiful children inside. "You have two choices. First, follow the Dark Sea Throne and stand with him on the soil of Bilgewater. Second, stay in the Slums and live on as unwanted little beggars."

Jiang Chuan handed a stack of papers to Kendi. "Anyone who wants to sign up can put their name down and leave a thumbprint."

Sitting behind the table, Kendi said, "You can learn here. No one will despise you or look down on you! You can have a better life!"

Jiang Chuan left the camp and sat on the steps, quietly waiting for the First Army to return.

Before long, the First Army came back to camp carrying a large number of bodies. Jiang Chuan stood up and said coldly, "Cut off all their heads. Take your weapons, carry the heads, and come with me. We're taking them to Red Hat Headquarters."

In an instant, the entire camp was drenched in blood, with heads rolling everywhere. Jiang Chuan picked up a head and led the way out. A group of people carrying heads marched in perfect formation through the streets, making for a magnificent and bloody sight wherever they went. Vultures circled overhead, like wild dogs that had caught the scent of carrion, gazing down at the heads with hungry eyes.

Everyone in the Slums stood to one side, watching the terrifying procession. The only sounds in the air were the vultures' cries and the First Army's orderly footsteps. Before long, Jiang Chuan and the others reached the entrance to Red Hat Headquarters. Red Hat's headquarters occupied a lavishly decorated street in the Upper City. They had made plenty of money working for Gangplank.

Pero stood on the balcony of his room, looking at the Dark Sea Throne at the far end of the street. Just as his subordinate had said, this unit was like an army of the undead. The whole group was so quiet it was frightening, and their menacing Sea Monster Masks lent them an air of mystery. Just as Pero was about to order his men to open fire, the group stopped at the end of the street and didn't take another step. The man leading them threw something toward Pero. Then Pero saw that everyone in the group was holding a round object, dripping with blood. When the first head landed in front of them, everyone on the street froze. They wanted to run, but their legs felt as heavy as lead. No matter how hard they tried to command their bodies, their legs wouldn't move.

Bloodied heads rolled one after another down the street. The scene looked like something straight out of hell. Pero suppressed his fear, slammed a fist against the balcony railing, and roared at his men, "Open fire! Kill those bastards! Whoever brings me their leader's head gets three thousand Gold Coins!"

At the mention of three thousand Gold Coins, Red Hat's men's eyes blazed. That was enough to let them live in luxury for the rest of their lives—a sum no one could refuse.

Just as they were about to act, someone yelled, "Damn it, they're throwing things again! Where did they get so many heads?!"

After throwing the grenades, Jiang Chuan immediately ordered a retreat. The First Army turned and ran at full speed. Realizing something was wrong, Red Hat's men shouted, "Get after them! That's three thousand Gold Coins!"

At someone's shout, a crowd came running out into the street, but none of them noticed the little smoking objects at their feet.

"Boom!"

They had barely made it into the street when they heard explosions beneath their feet. In such a narrow street, dozens of grenades were devastating. Everyone who had run out was killed by the Steel Balls shot from the grenades. Some of the Steel Balls went through a person and still had enough force to embed themselves in the walls. Smoke filled the street. It was even quieter than before; only a few lucky souls had escaped fatal injuries, and they lay on the ground groaning.

The salty sea breeze swept away the smoke, and Pero finally got a clear view of the street. Bodies covered the road, and Steel Balls glinted in some of the walls. Blood had stained the earth a dark red. Pero gripped the balcony railing, fighting to keep from falling to his knees. Cold sweat ran down his head, and his face went pale. The scene stabbed at his heart like a sharp blade. The Dark Sea Throne had just dealt him a humiliating blow, and there was nothing he could do about it. His men now believed the story about the army of the undead. Pero knew that this unit called the Dark Sea Throne was far more ruthless and terrifying than he had ever imagined.