Newcomers Board the Ship

The pirates took advantage of the moment Redfield and Brook were conversing to slip away unnoticed.

"Redfield, it seems your crew members have run off?" Brook reminded him.

"It is of no consequence, Captain Brook. Those pirates were merely captives I took to sail the ship to find you. Now that I have joined your pirate crew, those small-time pirates are of no further use."

Redfield explained. In truth, his Observation Haki had already sensed the pirates' intent to flee, but nothing compared to the time spent chatting with Captain Brook.

"It is perfect timing; let us go have a grand feast to celebrate Captain Brook obtaining the Demon Sword!"

Shakky was also happy to have a new member join, as it meant the Hell Pirates would only grow stronger.

"To think that this legendary Demon Sword was subdued by Captain Brook; he is truly worthy of being our captain."

Redfield exclaimed in admiration. A moment later, his Observation Haki seemed to pick up on something else, and he stared at the Cane Sword in Shakky's hand. This was Brook's former personal blade, and it stirred a sense of longing within him.

It was much like a fan desiring to possess a personal item belonging to their idol, filled with intense yearning.

"Sister Shakky, could you give Captain Brook's Cane Sword to me? I am also a swordsman, but I currently lack a weapon. I came to Asuka Island specifically to search for the Demon Sword! I just never expected..."

Redfield's eyes shone as he gazed at the Cane Sword in Shakky's hands.

"How do you know my name is Shakky, and how do you know this is the Captain's Cane Sword?"

Shakky suddenly looked at Redfield with a hint of wariness; as an Information Hunter, she was highly sensitive to such details.

"Sister Shakky, please do not misunderstand. Actually, I... I..."

Redfield swallowed hard, suddenly afraid to speak the truth. Would these crewmates think of him as a monster?

"Redfield, you have awakened a special form of Observation Haki, haven't you? Promise me, you are not to pry into the thoughts of your companions from now on, do you understand?"

Brook was also wary of Redfield prying into his own secrets, though judging by his expression, he didn't seem to have perceived his inner world; otherwise, Redfield would likely be shocked to the point of exploding by now.

"So Captain Brook knows of this ability? That is wonderful! I promise I will never look into the thoughts of my companions again!!"

Redfield explained anxiously, hoping to gain everyone's understanding.

"You mean you can see through our thoughts??"

Shakky was so startled that she took several steps back, looking at Redfield in disbelief. Redfield could only lower his head in silent admission.

The few crew members looked at Redfield with strange expressions, feeling a mix of awkwardness and defensiveness.

"Observation Haki is an ability that everyone has the potential to awaken. It can be used to scout enemies and predict their next moves. If trained to the highest level, one can even foresee the future, seeing what will happen a few seconds later.

"As for Redfield's special Observation Haki, it can perceive the thoughts of others. There are other special forms of Observation Haki that can sense all of a person's emotions, and the most unique of all is the top-tier Observation Haki that can listen to the voice of all things."

Brook explained to the group to dispel their mutual wariness.

"Does that mean I could also awaken Observation Haki, Captain Brook?"

Shakky asked excitedly, clearly very interested in such an ability.

"Anyone can, but it requires arduous training. Before we enter the New World, I hope everyone can awaken Haki, otherwise, it will be very dangerous there!"

Brook explained to them about the New World, where experts were as numerous as clouds, and almost every pirate of any renown possessed both forms of Haki.

Inside a restaurant.

"Congratulations to the Captain on acquiring a new sword, and welcome to Redfield for joining our ship. Cheers!"

As the group's resident mood-maker, Shakky remained lively and bubbly, her social grace making her easy to like.

"The Hell Pirates are growing stronger! Cheers!"

Antonio also raised his glass excitedly, his face flushed with enthusiasm.

Brook, Tom, Silvers, and the newly joined Redfield all raised their glasses in celebration!

A few patrons suddenly slipped away quietly. Redfield noticed and was about to stop them, but Brook held him back.

"Captain, it seems they have gone to call the Marines. We might be surrounded soon."

"What is there to fear? The Captain's strength is immense! By the way, Redfield, what is your bounty?"

Shakky had great confidence in Brook's strength; dealing with a Marine Rear Admiral would be no problem, and the strongest Marine on this island was only a Commander—she had already scouted this information.

"My bounty is already 50 million Beli!"

Redfield said with a proud look. To reach such a bounty shortly after entering the Grand Line was already quite impressive. By the time he reached the Sabaody Archipelago, his bounty would likely exceed 100 million, firmly placing him at the level of a Supernova pirate.

"That's amazing! We don't even have bounties yet. Why don't we have a fight with the Marines this time? Maybe we'll get bounties of our own!!"

Following Shakky's words, Silvers the sniper's eyes lit up. Antonio didn't have much of an opinion; he only wanted to handle logistics, and whether he had a bounty or not didn't matter to him.

However, Fish-Man Tom fell silent. His ideal was to find a way back to Water 7 to help that shipbuilding island regain its former glory. If he were a wanted man, would he still be able to return to Water 7?

"Tom, do not worry. You will not be required to fight, and you will not be put on a wanted list."

As an old editor of human nature, Brook could grasp a little bit of the various anxieties his crew members felt.

"Captain Brook, thank you. But if it becomes necessary, I will still help!"

Fish-Man Tom looked at Brook with gratitude, speaking with great loyalty.

Sure enough, while they were busy eating and drinking, the local Marine branch had already received word and notified a Rear Admiral at a nearby Marine fortress to come as reinforcements. A pirate with a bounty over 100 million was not something a branch like theirs could handle.

By the time they had eaten and drunk their fill, no Marines had arrived to surround or capture them, which left Shakky feeling somewhat disappointed; she had already prepared herself to strike down the Marines, get on the wanted posters, and make a name for herself across the seas.

The crew of the Hell Pirates returned directly to the Yomi, ready to continue their voyage.

"What a large, brand-new pirate ship!"

Redfield jumped aboard immediately, feeling a bit excited, especially since Shakky had just given him Brook's Cane Sword.

According to Shakky, she didn't like playing with swords and preferred the physical combat of fists meeting flesh, so she had parted with the sword and given it to Redfield.

Just as Fish-Man Tom steered the Yomi out of the secluded beach, three Marine warships unexpectedly blocked their path ahead, their dark cannon barrels aimed directly at the Yomi.

"Hell Pirates, Vengeful Brook, you have been surrounded! Surrender immediately, or you will be destroyed by our cannon fire!!"

Rear Admiral Temp shouted at Brook and his crew through a megaphone, and standing behind him was none other than Lieutenant Colonel Sadu, the branch commander of Asuka Island.