A Backstab from a Hero

"This many..." Fujimaru Ritsuka frowned.

There were too many—so many that they reminded her of the United Roman Empire's army she had encountered in the Rome Singularity. In terms of sheer oppressive force, this was even worse.

After all, they only had the Golden Hind.

Bonney, the one-eyed first mate, was so frightened his legs went weak. "B-B-Boss, c-c-can we really fight a fleet like this? Th-th-this..."

"Listen, Bonney!" Drake abruptly twisted his ear. "You've been following me for so long, so why are you still such a coward!?"

"But Boss, don't you think the difference in strength between us is a little too huge?" Bonney asked, on the verge of tears.

Drake gritted her teeth.

"So what if the gap's huge? Does that mean we can't fight? Are you saying that I, Drake, can lose at sea?"

"N-No, of course not."

Amid Drake's noisy scolding-that-was-really-reassurance, the Golden Hind and Edward Teach's fleet gradually drew closer.

"Bartholomew, I'll leave it to you. Give them a taste of what's to come." Edward Teach gave a strange laugh as he issued his command.

"Oceannus, faith of us pirates, would you be willing to cooperate with me?" Bartholomew asked with a polite smile, looking toward Oceannus.

Oceannus glanced at him and sighed.

He kicked Hector in the backside. "Hey, stop lying around and enjoying the show. Time to get to work."

Hector did not get angry.

He knew what Oceannus was thinking.

Oceannus had promised Edward Teach he would do something, and he would do it. But once that matter was settled...

It would be time for the two of them to make their move.

Oceannus raised a hand, and the ships concealed beneath the water's surface rose up.

These vessels were Bartholomew's Noble Phantasm.

In terms of his own strength as a