Setting Sail

In Gangplank's manor, a banquet was being held.

Besides the Iron Docks Gang, the most powerful faction, several other large gangs were also present.

Crow, Hake, and Old Blow were all leaders of major gangs. They acknowledged Gangplank's rule over Bilgeport and followed his orders.

They were invited, ostensibly to attend the banquet, but in reality, to discuss the future development of Bilgeport with Gangplank.

Miss Fortune's faction was no weaker than theirs, but she had chosen to be Gangplank's enemy, so naturally, she wasn't invited.

If he had the chance, Gangplank would personally tear her to shreds.

Hake's face was angular, and his blond hair was neatly combed back. Among the three, he was the most resourceful.

After hearing his subordinate's report, a smile appeared on his face.

"Mr. Gangplank, I have some news that might interest you." Hake walked up to Gangplank, swirling a glass of Rum.

"What news? Tell me."

"This afternoon, my men spotted a purple-skinned mage at the 'Nautilus Tavern' on Fleet Street, and he boarded Miss Fortune's ship!"

"Why have there been so many strange people connected to Miss Fortune lately?"

Gangplank frowned slightly. What exactly had been happening with Miss Fortune recently?

Ato alone had made Gangplank temporarily abandon his pursuit of Miss Fortune. Now, with the addition of a mage, it was even harder to make a move.

"After the mage boarded, small boats have been continuously transporting supplies to the 'Siren,' and the volume is enormous! It seems they plan to leave Bilgewater for a long time," Hake added.

"Oh?" Gangplank's eyes flashed. This might be an opportunity, an opportunity to make Miss Fortune disappear from the world forever!

"Do your men know the location of the 'Siren'?"

"Of course, we've kept track of it the whole time."

"Very good. Don't let it out of your sight." Gangplank called the First Mate who was waiting nearby and immediately took action.

Just now, he had made a bold and crazy decision!

"Andrew!" Gangplank and the First Mate returned to the office. "Prepare the 'Leviathan' for battle and sail it near the outer sea. Await my command!"

"Captain, is an external enemy attacking Bilgewater?" Andrew asked nervously.

The 'Leviathan' had performed admirably during Soul Harvest Night, significantly reducing the Iron Docks Gang's losses with its powerful firepower.

"No, Sarah is setting sail."

"Captain, are you going to..."

"In Bilgewater, I had no chance to make a move. But once we leave these islands, the sea will be Sarah's grave!"

"Andrew, this mission is yours. Board the 'Leviathan' and send Sarah to hell!"

Andrew took a deep breath. "Understood, Captain. I will use the wreckage of the 'Siren' to mourn the brothers who died by Sarah's hand and declare the Iron Hook Gang's victory!"

The next morning, the 'Siren' completed its preparations ahead of schedule and sailed away from Fleet Street as if nothing had happened.

Sarah ordered her crewmates to change the sail design overnight and paint numerous graffiti on the hull. Those unfamiliar with the ship wouldn't recognize it as the same one.

But how could Hark let Sarah leave so easily?

Gangplank attached great importance to Sarah's movements, and Hark knew this very well.

To prove his capabilities to Gangplank, he personally came to Fleet Street to keep watch after leaving the manor. Sarah's small actions were all seen by him.

"Miss Fortune is on the move! Quickly, follow her!"

Hark ordered his subordinates to act. He also disguised his ship.

Many cargo boxes were placed on the deck, covered with white cloths and secured with thick ropes, making it look no different from an ordinary cargo ship.

As the two ships left Bilgewater, Hark maintained a distance that could only be barely seen through a telescope.

The 'Siren' seemed to not notice, and after reaching the open sea, it sailed northeast at a leisurely pace.

"This direction..." Hark had traveled to many places by ship in his youth and was quite familiar with Runeterra.

"They're going to Ionia! Is it that mage? What is he doing in Ionia?"

This was not Hark's concern. He walked to the ship's communication room and reported the 'Siren''s movements to Gangplank.

"The power of the Runes is too immense. I cannot guarantee driving five Runes at the same time. What would happen?"

On the 'Siren', Ryze was discussing the feasibility of the plan with Ato.

After careful consideration, Ryze decided to accept the deal with Ato.

Finding all the Runes and hiding them in a place no one knows is Ryze's purpose for survival.

He absolutely had to know the locations that might contain World Runes.

He basically trusted Ato's character and knew he wouldn't resort to any means for power. His only concern was the potential severe consequences of five Runes gathering together.

Even without fully activating the Runes' power, it would be terrifying. Therefore, the location where the Runes were driven was extremely important.

If the Runes were to go out of control, it would be like the Noxus and Shurima's Garden City in Valoran, where the land would shatter and living beings would suffer. This was not what he wanted to see.

"Still having trouble finding a place? There's a very suitable one right next door." Ato was naturally referring to the Shadow Isles, which bordered Bilgewater.

No humans lived there; it was almost entirely populated by mindless Undead.

Ato continued, "Not just the Shadow Isles, but the southernmost tip of the Shurima continent also has a vast no-man's-land. If we absolutely must use the Rune's destructive power, we'll choose the location based on the situation then."

"A ship has been following us," Aatrox reminded him. "I noticed it from the moment we left port. He thinks he's clever, believing he's safe by keeping his distance."

"It's definitely Gangplank's people. Let them follow if they want," Ato wasn't concerned.

"Nothing in Bilgewater can threaten me or Ryze, not even that giant hunk of iron beneath the deep sea."

"Even the best bounty hunters can't remain completely hidden?"

Ryze, however, was preoccupied. If possible, he didn't want anyone to know his whereabouts.

"Don't worry, they don't know about the Runes, let alone the reason you're going to Ionia," Ato reassured him.

"Besides, they'll definitely make a move eventually. It's just a matter of when. Once they understand the true terror, they won't dare to investigate further."

The Siren sailed peacefully on the sea for three days, already over a thousand nautical miles from Bilgewater.

The winds had been favorable along the way, and they should reach Ionia in about another week.

They chose to land in Baruo Province on the western side of Ionia, which Ato calculated to be the optimal landing point.

Just as they expected another calm day, the unexpected always arrived at the most inconvenient times.

"Something's appeared in the distance!"

The Sailor on lookout spotted an object on the direct course ahead, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

As the distance closed, the Sailor finally made out what it was: "It's a warship! Judging by its appearance... it's Gangplank's Leviathan! What's it doing here?"