Not an impostor, but the real deal!
After sensing the terrifying aura around Magnus, like that of a ferocious beast, Iron Hand Jod no longer had the slightest doubt about Magnus's identity.
Even from his captain, Undead Jason, Jod had never felt such a horrifying presence.
There were differences among pirates.
Even Great Pirates had their ranks.
At that moment, Jod gained a deeper understanding of those words.
"W-White Wolf Magnus!?"
"Yes, it's me."
Magnus looked calmly at Jod. Though they were about the same height, Jod felt as though Magnus were looking at an ant.
"Do you want to die or live?"
Hearing Magnus's voice, Jod's throat went dry. The last shred of hope in his heart vanished, and he could only say in a low voice,
"I-I want to live."
"Good. Take your arm and tell your captain to come see me."
Jod did not see Magnus make any movement at all. He only felt a fierce gust sweep past him, then saw the pirates still standing nearby looking at him in horror.
My arm?
Only then did Jod suddenly realize that he could no longer feel his arm.
He turned his head and saw nothing but an empty shoulder.
The arm he had always taken pride in had been cut off!
"Ah——"
Seeing a pirate with a bounty of 50 million beli lose an arm in a single exchange, the surrounding pirates looked at Magnus with utter terror.
What frightened them even more was that Magnus's slash had not only severed Jod's arm, but also split three streets of the entire town in two.
The enormous gash stretched across half the port town.
"Oh, and not just your captain. Tell the other two crews to come as well. There are too many flags flying over this town."
Looking at Jod kneeling on the ground, clutching his severed arm, gritting his teeth, and gasping for breath, Magnus continued.
Magnus had spent tremendous effort conquering this island more than a decade ago, yet after leaving it unattended for so many years, others had taken over his nest.
If Magnus had retired for good, that would have been one thing.
But now that he was preparing to make a comeback, of course he would reclaim the territory he once held, bit by bit!
Magnus had not intended to trouble these local snakes so soon, but since they had come looking for him first, they could not blame him.
Magnus said, "Let's go back."
Ripley asked, "Aren't we going to the underground black market?"
Magnus said, "One of the three pirate crews occupying this place must run the underground black market. We can just tell them when the time comes."
Although Magnus had stayed in Elbaf for half a year, six months was not enough time for the seas to change drastically.
For instance, Magnus recognized every flag currently hanging in the town.
Undead Jason.
Black Heart Merchant Dukemon.
Gargantua Moz.
Their bounties were 120 million, 115 million, and 138 million Beli, respectively.
Of course, those were their bounties from a year ago.
A year had passed, and Magnus did not know whether the bounties of the other two had changed, aside from Jason's.
Great Pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million Beli were considered notable figures throughout the New World. The Magnus of a year ago might not have been able to take one down easily even in a one-on-one fight.
But things were different now.
"Perfect. Rocks's side should be about settled too."
Magnus turned his gaze toward the Black Pearl.
A little earlier.
While Magnus and Ripley were dealing with those pirate thugs, Rocks and Newgate had fallen into a hard fight.
"Hey, hey, are you planning to hide forever?"
With a casual shot, a large hole was blasted into the Black Pearl's deck. Several Heart Pirates prowled across the deck like cats toying with mice.
"Heh. Our target is only what's on this ship. As for the two of you, we don't really care whether you live or die."
As Bennet, captain of the Heart Pirates, spoke, he signaled for the ship to pull closer. If time ran short, he did not mind towing away the entire vessel.
"Tch, only old men would sail a broken old ship like this."
Thinking of Magnus and Ripley, who had left ahead of them, Bennet felt a little regretful.
If he had known there were really only three people on this ship, he would have boarded directly. Why bother sending a bunch of brats to test the waters before swooping in to reap the rewards?
As for the flag flying from the pirate ship?
I'd sooner believe that old man was Magnus than believe I was the Navy's new Fleet Admiral!
"Let's hope you don't disappoint me too much."
Inside the cabin.
Watching the pirates approaching the cabin, Rocks's expression darkened slightly.
If it had only been that captain, he would have acted long ago and taken him out.
But aside from the gun-wielding pirate, there were several other fairly capable enemies. If he failed to take them down in one strike, they would definitely gang up on him.
Pirates would not talk to him about honor.
"Hey, brat, can you still move?"
Rocks patted Newgate beside him, who was twice his size and could only curl into a ball while hugging himself.
"Yes."
Newgate nodded dully, then looked worriedly toward the deck. His companions were still lying there after being knocked down.
"Later, you draw their attention while I deal with those guys!"
Those pirates saw them as children and did not take them seriously.
And that was their opportunity.
"Why should I help you?"
Hearing Newgate's words, Rocks grinned.
"Because I saved you just now. Your life is mine now!"
Though he was just a brat, their earlier interaction had allowed Rocks to notice Newgate's potential. He was more than good enough to serve as a shield.
"Follow me!"
Rocks let out a low roar and charged toward the Heart Pirates first.
By then, the Heart Pirates had already been dazzled by the gold, silver, and treasures piled inside the cabin.
Though Ripley had shrunk all those treasures with her ability, there were simply too many of them. Even after being reduced dozens of times over, they still filled one corner of the cabin.
"Boss, we're rich!"
One pirate grabbed a piece of jewelry in his hand and spoke excitedly.
Though he did not know why every piece of jewelry was as small as a mosquito's leg, there were simply too many of those mosquito-leg-sized gold, silver, and jeweled treasures!
And that was before they saw the luxury goods piled on the other side. They were all premium items that only Celestial Dragons could afford. Even a small amount leaking out would spark a frantic scramble among the ordinary nobles of this world.
Still, even if they saw them, with their limited knowledge, they probably would not understand what use those rice-grain-sized luxury goods had.
At that moment, Rocks silently appeared behind a Heart Pirate.
He drew the short sword from behind his back.
One slash.
A pirate fell to the ground.
(Young Whitebeard)
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