An Unexpected Windfall

Just as Newgate had the pirates hand over the money, Carl had already sensed a great deal of malice directed at her.

She knew there was no getting out of trouble today. Since she was about to find out what it felt like to rob the robbers, she might as well see if she could score an unexpected windfall.

She put the items into her system inventory. Newgate saw them vanish in an instant but didn't ask about it, since he knew it was probably one of Carl's abilities.

"Big Brother Newgate, you and the others go back first. I'll join you shortly."

Everyone deserved a little privacy, after all, so Newgate didn't press her. He simply rose to his feet and said,

"Then I'll head back first. Be careful on the way."

"Let's go, boys."

Newgate led the pirates toward the bow. He'd guessed that Carl might be planning to rob the robbers.

She let Newgate return to the ship ahead of her, then ambled toward the pirate ship.

Clay the Fishman followed at her side.

"How did you get captured?"

Carl asked, puzzled. A Tiger Shark Fishman shouldn't have been weak.

At the same time, she removed the restraint from Clay.

The New World was in chaos right now. The big pirates probably had no interest in Fish-Man Island's profits, while the small-time ones probably couldn't beat him.

So she couldn't help asking what had been on her mind.

When Clay saw Carl remove his Explosive Collar, he answered sincerely,

"My captain got jealous of me."

Clay told her what had happened. He'd served as the first mate of a pirate crew, but his strength had grown over the years until his captain saw him as a threat. At a banquet, the captain drugged him and sold him to the Slave Auction House.

That was how he'd ended up being auctioned off. Otherwise, given his strength, few pirate crews would have dared to capture him.

Carl nodded, somewhat inclined to believe him.

Just then, Carl reached a dim alley.

It was the only way to get to the shore. Newgate and the others had already passed through, while she'd deliberately lagged behind, waiting for this moment.

As she entered the alley, she sensed the malice growing stronger, and the corners of her mouth curled up.

"Enough for now. Our guests have arrived."

Carl cut Clay off. She'd already sensed the unfamiliar hostility drawing closer.

"Is someone there?"

Clay looked terrified and jumped in fright. In the dark, a sudden remark like that was enough to scare anyone.

He hadn't learned Observation Haki yet, so he couldn't sense the enemies around them.

"Come on out! You're already here."

Carl said it casually. None of the people in her range seemed strong, so she'd lost all desire to fight them herself. She wanted Clay to handle them, partly to see how capable he was.

He was a Fishman, after all—and from a shark species known for its strength. He should be pretty strong.

"Come out, boys!"

"Since you've spotted us, we might as well come clean. Hand over the stuff you bought at the auction house, and I'll let you live. Otherwise..."

The scar-faced pirate leading them licked the edge of his blade.

Forty or fifty men suddenly appeared around the alley.

Their malice was what Carl had sensed.

Facing the pirates, Carl said helplessly, since she really couldn't work up the desire to attack such weaklings,

"Clay, go ahead. They're yours."

Clay wasn't afraid in the slightest. This was a perfect chance to vent his anger. He clenched both fists, ready to meet the enemy's attack.

"Attack!"

At the scar-faced pirate's command, all the pirates charged at Clay.

As they attacked, Clay used his agility to weave through the crowd, his fists flying. Every blow found a vital spot.

Soon, the alley rang with shouts and screams.

Carl stood to one side, watching Clay fight.

She found that Clay was far stronger than she'd imagined. Not only could he handle the pirates' attacks with ease, but he also kept looking for openings and striking decisive blows. As one of the top Fishman species, he certainly had excellent combat instincts.

Before long, Clay had beaten the pirates soundly, leaving them sprawled across the ground. Some were so terrified that they dropped their weapons and ran.

The scar-faced pirate watched his men get routed and was both shocked and terrified.

He hadn't expected an unassuming Fishman to be so powerful.

"W-who are you?"

the scar-faced pirate stammered.

"Me? I'm just passing through."

Carl replied coolly.

Hearing that, the scar-faced pirate grew even more frightened. Fear twisted his face.

He knew he'd picked a fight with the wrong person. If he stayed, he'd be killed.

"Please spare me, hero! I was blind to your greatness and offended you. Please let me go!"

The scar-faced pirate suddenly dropped to his knees and begged.

"Clay, finish this quickly."

Carl was already getting impatient. In her view, anyone who chose to be a pirate had to be ready to risk everything, not cower like this.

Clay glanced over at her, then punched the scar-faced pirate into the alley wall, killing him.

Carl nodded. Clay seemed obedient enough. She turned to leave the alley with him.

"Clang!"

To her surprise, an iron box fell from the scar-faced pirate's body as he hit the ground.

"What's this?"

Clay asked, puzzled.

"Give it to me. Let me take a look."

Carl had already guessed what it was. If she was right, it was a Devil Fruit.

She hadn't expected to find a real windfall today. It was a nice little surprise.

After putting the iron box away, Carl said to Clay,

"You're pretty strong. Come on."

Carl headed for the pirate ship at the shore with Clay.

"Thank you for saving me, my lord. Please let me join you."

Clay turned around, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands in a salute.

Clay knew that if Carl hadn't cared about his Explosive Collar, then either she was much stronger than he was, or she wasn't worried about him escaping. Either way, he was grateful to her.

"Sure. I don't have a pirate crew yet, so you can join my team for now."

Carl helped him up and replied.

She'd already intended to recruit Clay. She couldn't form a pirate crew yet, but the God Valley Battle was just around the corner. She had to find capable subordinates in advance so she wouldn't be left without anyone useful when the time came.

They soon emerged from the alley, where light shone ahead.

"Carl's back!"

As soon as Carl reached the shore, Newgate spotted her from the ship.

"Yeah. Just a few petty thieves. I thought there'd be someone formidable, but they were pathetic."

Carl replied helplessly.

"But I did get an unexpected windfall."

Carl took out the iron box.

"Gurararara!"

"Now that's an unexpected windfall."

"All right, get aboard. Boys, set sail."

With Observation Haki, Newgate sensed that there was a fruit inside. Once Carl boarded, Newgate told the crew to sail for Hachinosu!